Israel launches fresh strikes on military targets in Iran UPDATED

The Israeli Air Force has launched a new series of attacks on military targets in western Iran, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Telegram channel.

According to the IDF, the strikes targeted missile launchers that were allegedly used earlier that same morning in an attack on Israeli territory.

"in the morning, the Air Force attacked missile launchers in Iran, ready to launch [rockets] toward the territory of the State of Israel, as well as soldiers of the Iranian armed forces," the press service continued, noting that the strikes also hit "launchers that some time ago were used to fire rockets toward the territory of the State of Israel."

The conflict’s recent escalation began with Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” launched on June 13, targeting Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership. Israel conducted over 200 airstrikes, hitting nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and possibly Fordow, as well as missile production and launch sites, air defence systems, and senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders. The IDF claimed these strikes were preemptive, based on intelligence indicating Iran was nearing the capability to produce multiple nuclear weapons, with enough enriched uranium for up to 15 bombs. Iran denied pursuing nuclear weapons, but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed damage to Natanz’s above-ground enrichment facility and reported limited damage at Fordow and Isfahan.

Iran retaliated with multiple waves of ballistic missiles and drone attacks on Israel, starting June 13, targeting cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem. These barrages, dubbed “True Promise 3” by Iranian state media, initially involved over 100 missiles and drones, though Israel’s Iron Dome and other air defence systems intercepted most. However, some missiles caused civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, with at least 24 Israelis reportedly killed and over 800 injured by June 19. Iran’s missile salvos decreased in size over time, from 370 missiles early in the conflict to fewer than 20 by June 17, largely due to Israel’s systematic destruction of Iranian launchers and storage facilities.

By Khagan Isayev