Jerusalem | June 18, 2025
In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel reportedly carried out a large-scale overnight airstrike involving more than 50 fighter jets targeting multiple Iranian military and nuclear installations.
According to defense sources cited by regional media, the coordinated strike struck facilities believed to be associated with Iran’s missile development and nuclear research programs. While Israeli authorities have not officially confirmed the operation, several Israeli military analysts described it as one of the most significant air campaigns conducted against Iran in recent years.
Satellite images and eyewitness accounts from Iranian state-linked media confirmed heavy explosions in key military zones around Natanz, Isfahan, and Tehran. Unverified footage circulating online shows fireballs lighting up the night sky, with emergency sirens sounding in several Iranian cities.
Israel’s reported use of over 50 aircraft in the mission underscores the scale and precision of the operation. Sources close to the Israeli military suggested that targets were selected based on recent intelligence linking the sites to Iran’s alleged efforts to expand its nuclear weapons capabilities.
The Iranian government has not yet issued a full response, but early Tuesday morning, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned of “severe and immediate retaliation” for what it called “an unprovoked act of war.”
The attack comes just days after heightened diplomatic tensions and a series of proxy skirmishes involving Iranian-backed militias across Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a security forum last week, vowed to “neutralize existential threats,” a comment widely interpreted as a reference to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
International reaction has been swift. The United Nations has called for an emergency Security Council meeting, while the European Union and several Arab states have urged both nations to exercise restraint. The United States has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the mission but reiterated its support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
As the region braces for potential retaliatory strikes, fears of a wider conflict loom large. Analysts warn that continued hostilities between the two powers could destabilize the broader Middle East and disrupt global energy markets.
