Tel Aviv was rocked by explosions early Saturday as Iran launched multiple missile strikes in retaliation for Israel’s dramatic military operations inside Iran. The city, usually known for its vibrant life and tech innovation, was thrust into the global spotlight as missiles pierced through the Iron Dome defence system — a rare breach that left Israeli citizens scrambling for shelter and sparked fears of a wider regional war.
Click the play button (▶) and watch the moment Tel Aviv was hit:
Fox News captured the moment Tel Aviv was hit. pic.twitter.com/8r4nzy1vF0
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) June 13, 2025
SCROLL DOWN ↓↓↓ to watch more.
The attack follows Israel’s intense overnight assault on Iran, targeting nuclear sites and high-level officials in Tehran. Iranian authorities claim 78 of their citizens have been killed, with over 320 injured in the Israeli strikes. In response, Iranian missiles struck deep into Israeli territory, including residential areas in Tel Aviv and Rishon Lezion, resulting in at least two civilian deaths and dozens of injuries.
Israel’s Iron Dome defence system launches interceptors to shoot down Iranian missiles above Tel Aviv. Photo: Leo Correa/AP
Tel Aviv: The Unexpected Warfront
⚠️RAW FOOTAGE: Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles toward Israel in the past hours.
The IDF cannot, and will not, allow Iran to attack our civilians. pic.twitter.com/IrDK05uErm
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025
In a shocking escalation, Tel Aviv — typically distant from front-line conflict — bore the brunt of Iran’s retaliation. One missile exploded near military headquarters in the city, with videos showing a streak of light followed by a massive boom and a flash as it struck. While Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted many of the projectiles, not all were stopped. Rescue services report multiple injuries, with homes destroyed and families displaced.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz declared, “Tehran will pay a heavy price,” accusing Iran of “crossing red lines” by targeting civilian areas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed these sentiments, warning Iranian civilians that their regime had committed a “great crime” and “doesn’t know what will hit them.”
MOMENTS OF ARRIVALS IN TEL AVIV pic.twitter.com/DfQUKpPqPq
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) June 13, 2025
The ongoing Iran–Israel strikes have put the entire region on edge and captured global attention. While Tel Aviv remains under high alert, the psychological impact on residents — who have grown used to the occasional siren but rarely witness direct hits — is immense.
Israeli security personnel examine homes in Rishon Lezion, Israel, that were damaged by a missile launched from Iran on Saturday, June 14, 2025. [Credit: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg]
Iron Dome Tested Like Never Before
Israel’s famed Iron Dome defence system, developed with extensive support from the United States, is designed to intercept incoming threats before they reach populated areas. Over the years, it has stopped thousands of projectiles, becoming a symbol of security for Israelis.
However, the Iran vs Israel confrontation has stretched the system to its limits. U.S. officials confirmed that American-operated air defence systems in the region assisted in intercepting Iranian missiles. Despite this collaboration, Iran managed to breach defences, underscoring a new level of threat.
The Iron Dome doesn’t work. pic.twitter.com/b8gVsDI9Zi
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) June 13, 2025
Some of the missiles struck with devastating accuracy. In Rishon Lezion, two people were killed and several others injured as buildings crumbled under impact. Emergency teams continue to search for survivors beneath the rubble.
Tehran Vows Further Retaliation
Smoke billows following an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025. [Image Credit: AP]
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei released a recorded message vowing revenge: “We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed.” Iranian media outlets reported that drones and missiles were launched across the region, with some missiles crossing through Jordanian airspace.
Iran’s response has been described by senior officials as just the beginning. “Our revenge has just started, they will pay a high price,” one senior Iranian official told Reuters. “Nowhere in Israel will be safe. Our revenge will be painful.”
Meanwhile, Iran claims to have shot down an Israeli reconnaissance drone in its northwest and even claimed — though denied by Israel — to have captured a pilot.
The commentary on Iran’s response, wtf😂😂 pic.twitter.com/dJjWaB7GWt
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) June 14, 2025
Regional Fallout: Diplomacy and Desperation
The world has taken notice. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pleaded for restraint: “Israeli bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian missile strikes in Tel Aviv. Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail.”
European and Asian powers, including China and Saudi Arabia, have condemned Israel’s initial strikes, calling them violations of international law. Saudi Arabia described the bombardment as a “blatant aggression” that undermines the region’s stability.
In the U.S., President Donald Trump has taken a mixed stance. While denying U.S. involvement in Israel’s operations, he reminded the world of American military support: “Israel has a lot of [U.S.] military equipment, with much more to come — and they know how to use it.” Trump called on Iran to come to the negotiating table, framing it as their “second chance” to avoid further devastation.
The path of a projectile is visible moments before it strikes Tel Aviv, Israel, early on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Military Comparison: Iran vs Israel
As world news outlets compare the two adversaries, it’s clear that while Iran has a larger population and landmass, Israel’s military advantage lies in its advanced technology and strategic precision.
Iranian army volunteers march during the Army Day parade held at a military base in northern Tehran on Wednesday, April 17. (AP)
Iran’s armed forces include both regular troops and the elite Revolutionary Guard. However, its equipment is outdated, comprising relics from the Soviet era and pre-1979 U.S. deals. Its recent military losses — including top generals and nuclear scientists killed in Israel’s strikes — have dealt a massive blow to its strategic operations.
On the other hand, Israel’s military is compact but formidable, backed by a strong domestic defence industry and unparalleled intelligence capabilities. While Israel never formally confirms it, it is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed country in the Middle East. This unspoken deterrent remains a key element in the Iran–Israel war calculus.
Israeli army soldiers conducting a patrol in an unspecified location near the northern border with Lebanon. [AFP]
Tel Aviv and the Civilian Cost of War
While both sides hurl missiles and rhetoric, it’s civilians who pay the highest price. In Tel Aviv, residents recount harrowing tales of sprinting to shelters, glass shattering, and the sickening thud of a missile reaching its mark.
Former Australian senator Nova Peris, currently in Israel, posted: “The past 24 hours have been deeply confronting. We spent the early hours of yesterday in a bomb shelter, and much of today there too.”
This sentiment echoes across the city. Even as Israel vows to continue operations “for as many days as it takes,” the toll on daily life is impossible to ignore.
Also Read: Tel Aviv Reels from Iranian Missile Strikes Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict
What’s Next?
With no sign of de-escalation, Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities remain on high alert. Iran’s foreign ministry has declared that nuclear talks with the U.S. are now “meaningless” following Israel’s attacks.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials confirmed radiation contamination at Iran’s Natanz site, revealing just how high the stakes have become. The region now faces the looming threat of further retaliation, and with it, the risk of dragging more countries into the conflict.
The Tel Aviv strike was not merely symbolic. It has set the tone for what could become the defining flashpoint of the Middle East in 2025.
