The Blubber

Iran has launched a large-scale missile assault on Israel, firing hundreds of ballistic missiles in what it describes as the start of a “crushing response” to Israeli strikes earlier in the day. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the missiles were directed at what Tehran referred to as the “occupied territories,” marking the beginning of a broader retaliatory operation.

In Israel, air raid sirens sounded across the country as explosions echoed in major cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Videos from Tel Aviv captured rockets breaching the Iron Dome air defense system, with smoke seen rising among the city’s skyscrapers.

Amid the attack, an Israeli military press briefing was abruptly halted due to what officials called “an incoming Iranian attack on central Israel.” Defense Forces spokesperson Effie Defrin had been addressing journalists when an emergency alert interrupted the session.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a televised statement warning that Iran would deliver a powerful response to what he described as Israel’s “savage” aggression, vowing to “bring ruin upon the despicable Zionist regime.”

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the scale of the assault, stating on social media that “all of Israel is under fire” as Iranian projectiles rained down. Large explosions were reported in Tel Aviv, and Israel’s military has since confirmed the detection of missiles launched from Iran. Air defense systems have been activated in response, and the public has been urged to seek shelter.