Iranian missiles strike Israel as nuclear reactor attacked in Iran

Department of Research, Studies and International News 19-06-2025

The ongoing confrontation between Iran and Israel has taken a dramatic and dangerous turn, as Iran launched a series of precision missile strikes on key sites within Israeli territory in response to aggressive Israeli military actions. Reports confirm that four significant locations in central and southern Israel, including the Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva, sustained heavy damage from Iranian missiles. The strikes are viewed as a direct response to Israel’s targeted assault on Iran’s Arak heavy water nuclear facility,  a move that has further inflamed regional tensions.

Tehran has condemned the Israeli attack on its nuclear infrastructure as an act of war and a flagrant violation of international law. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a stern warning to the United States and its allies, stating unequivocally that any further aggression against Iranian territory would be met with a “serious and irreversible response.”

The recent escalation marks a dangerous milestone in the broader regional conflict that has already cost thousands of lives. In Israel’s attack on Iranian soil, more than 240 people have lost their lives, including dozens of women and children. Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory strikes have led to the deaths of at least 24 individuals inside Israel. While mainstream Western media has largely downplayed the impact of Israeli attacks, the scale of destruction and loss of life in Iran paints a starkly different picture.

These developments come at a time when Washington is facing mounting criticism for its unwavering support of Israel’s military operations, despite the growing civilian death toll and evidence of disproportionate use of force. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is still “weighing options” regarding potential American intervention, though his administration’s track record suggests strong alignment with Tel Aviv’s agenda.

In stark contrast, both Moscow and Beijing have called for restraint and dialogue, emphasizing the need for multilateral diplomatic engagement rather than unilateral military action. Russia, a longstanding partner of Iran and a vocal critic of Western military interference, has warned that continued provocation by Israel and the U.S. could destabilize the entire Middle East. China has echoed similar concerns, urging all parties to return to negotiations and underscoring the importance of respecting national sovereignty and international law.

The broader backdrop to these events is Israel’s relentless campaign in Gaza, which continues to exact a staggering humanitarian toll. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 55,493 Palestinians have been killed and more than 129,320 wounded since Israel’s brutal military operations intensified. Civilian infrastructure has been devastated, hospitals are overwhelmed, and entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. Meanwhile, Israel cites the events of October 7, during which approximately 1,139 people were killed and over 200 taken captive,  to justify its ongoing siege. Yet global calls for proportionality and accountability have largely fallen on deaf ears in Tel Aviv and Washington.

The international community is increasingly divided in its response. While Western powers maintain their support for Israel, much of the Global South, along with strategic players like Russia, China, and Iran, are rallying behind calls for a more just and balanced resolution. They emphasize the right of nations to defend their sovereignty in the face of occupation, aggression, and foreign-imposed destabilization.

In this complex geopolitical landscape, Iran’s actions are being viewed by many not as unprovoked aggression, but as a firm assertion of its right to self-defense in the face of growing threats. As Tehran continues to pursue regional stability and resist Western hegemony, its message remains clear: it will not remain passive in the face of attacks on its territory and vital infrastructure.

As tensions rise, the need for a diplomatic off-ramp becomes more urgent than ever. The world is watching, and the choices made in the coming days may well determine whether the Middle East moves toward peace or plunges further into chaos, a chaos fueled by unchecked militarism, Western double standards, and the repeated violation of international norms.