The Blubber

Iran announced that it had launched three waves of ballistic missiles targeting dozens of locations across Israel, prompting the Israeli government to activate emergency protocols, urging residents to take shelter as it moved to intercept the incoming barrage.

Thick smoke was seen rising above central Tel Aviv as multiple explosions rocked the city. Israeli authorities confirmed that dozens of missiles had been fired from Iranian territory. Emergency responders reported five people injured—one moderately and four with minor shrapnel wounds.

The U.S. military assisted in intercepting the missile salvo, according to American officials who spoke to Reuters. While they did not detail the nature of the intervention, it was confirmed that U.S. forces contributed to Israel’s missile defense response.

In a separate claim, Iranian state television reported that an Israeli warplane had been shot down and its pilot captured. Israel quickly dismissed the report as false.

The Iranian counterstrike came in response to Israel’s large-scale assault on June 13, when Israeli forces launched a sweeping series of airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile production sites, and high-ranking military and scientific personnel.

President Donald Trump, addressing the unfolding crisis, reiterated that diplomacy was still possible. “There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter... come to an end,” he posted on social media following the Israeli strikes. “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.”

He later emphasized in an interview with Axios that he had given Iran every opportunity to reach an agreement: “I couldn’t get them to a deal in 60 days. They were close, they should have done it. Maybe now it will happen.”

“I tried to save Iran humiliation and death,” Trump told Reuters, repeating a message he has directed to both domestic and international audiences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the strikes on Iran had destroyed a substantial portion of its missile stockpiles. The Israeli government has declared its goal to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities and its long-range missile infrastructure.

As the U.N. Security Council prepared for an emergency session, Israel made clear it would continue its military campaign. Meanwhile, President Trump held urgent calls with leaders in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of regional stability and the potential path to renewed negotiations with Tehran.

Despite the devastating exchanges, U.S. officials confirmed that nuclear talks with Iran are still scheduled to take place in Oman. Whether those talks proceed remains uncertain amid the rapidly escalating conflict.