Israel warns ‘Tehran will burn’ after missile barrage

Military claims ‘aerial freedom’ over Iran

The Israeli military declared it had secured “aerial freedom of action” stretching to Tehran. Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated that Iran’s capital is now “no longer immune” from Israeli air operations.

Unprecedented exchange of fire

This exchange follows an unprecedented Israeli aerial campaign on Friday, which Iran says targeted nuclear facilities and killed top commanders, including General Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami. Iran responded with waves of drone and missile attacks, lighting up the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, killing three people and wounding dozens.

Rising tensions after years of proxy conflict

After decades of proxy confrontations, this marks the first time Israel and Iran have directly traded fire at such scale, raising fears of a prolonged and broader regional conflict.

Operation "Rising Lion" and the Road to Tehran

Israel’s military operation, dubbed Rising Lion, struck Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment site and key military figures. On Saturday, the Israeli military confirmed it had struck dozens of missile launchers and air defense systems, claiming the “way to Iran has been paved” and that additional strikes on Tehran were imminent.

Heavy civilian toll and warnings of wider retaliation

Iran’s UN ambassador reported that 78 people were killed and 320 wounded in Friday’s strikes. Iranian media confirmed additional deaths in Saturday’s Israeli attack on a central base. Iran has warned the UK, France, and the US that any involvement in aiding Israel will result in retaliation against their regional bases.

Fear, destruction across Israel

Overnight, explosions and sirens echoed across Israel. Three Israelis were confirmed dead, and at least 76 were injured. Missiles hit areas near Tel Aviv, including Ramat Gan, where streets were filled with rubble and shattered vehicles. In Tel Aviv, firefighters worked for hours to rescue people trapped in a high-rise. Residents described scenes of panic and destruction.

Iran responds with missile strikes

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks on Israeli targets. One missile strike reportedly injured seven Israeli soldiers. Meanwhile, an explosion at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport caused a fire and smoke across the city, as Iranian air defenses responded to incoming fire. Crowds gathered in the streets, waving flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans in support of Iran’s response.

Regional and international reactions

The conflict has led several countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, to temporarily shut their airspace, though they reopened on Saturday. Iran’s airspace remains closed. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to cease fire, stating, “Enough escalation. Time to stop.” Pope Leo XIV also called for restraint and reason.

Nuclear talks in doubt

Planned Iran-US nuclear talks in Oman were thrown into uncertainty following Friday’s strikes. US President Donald Trump urged Iran to return to negotiations but Iran rejected talks under attack, calling them “meaningless.” Western governments have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons—a claim Tehran denies.

Conflict may stretch on

When asked how long the conflict might last, Israel’s ambassador to Paris estimated “a small number of weeks,” while Prime Minister Netanyahu said operations would continue “as many days as it takes.”