June 15 2025 — Israel’s military has confirmed targeted airstrikes on multiple missile launch facilities inside Iran as a significant escalation in Operation Rising Lion, their ongoing military confrontation between Iran and Israel. The strikes, conducted overnight between June 14-15 in Western Iran, follow earlier strikes targeting nuclear sites and senior military personnel. Now both parties are deeply entrenched in direct hostilities.
IDF Strikes Missile Infrastructure Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that “missile launchers and storage facilities” in Western Iran had been attacked overnight, severely degrading Tehran’s capacity for retaliatory strikes against Israel. IDF intelligence indicated these sites as active ballistic missile launch sites capable of hitting Israel. As part of a long-planned strategy this operation also involved coordinated sabotage by Mossad operatives on the ground to disable air defense networks that limited IAF freedom to act whilst expanding IAF freedom to act sanatos en.wikipedia.org + 2 +reuters +jpost.com +2.
Satellite imagery reviewed by the Associated Press confirms damage at missile bases near Kermanshah and Tabriz, both strategic locations in western Iran.
According to AP News, Iran’s missile launch infrastructure, including one base built into mountainsides, experienced extensive destruction as a result of IDF operations conducted overnight. These images demonstrate their precision and intensity of IDF’s efforts in targeting Iran.
Decapitation and Dual Strategy
Israel’s latest strikes are part of its dual strategy aimed at decapitating Iran’s military leadership while degrading its launch capabilities. On June 13, attacks targeted nuclear enrichment sites at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan nuclear enrichment plants killing several top commanders including Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Hossein Salami and Mohammad Bagheri of IRGC as well as nuclear scientists; aljazeera.com +8 on each kill along with several top commanders such as Hossein Salami +8 on each kill along with nuclear scientists (reuters +8 for each). For further coverage please check aljazeera +8 and +8 on respective websites/reuters +8actualite/ APnews nypost com/+8 theguardian.com +8 and Wikipedia +8 for details).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the unfolding operation as just beginning, and stated: “What they have experienced so far pales in comparison with what is to come in the coming days” reuters.com.
Iran Reacts with Missile and Drone Barrages
Iran quickly responded with missile and drone barrages against Israeli territory, stretching from Tehran all the way up to Israel’s borders and prompting casualties as well as widespread shelter alerts across cities like Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv. Although Israel intercepted most threats with help from U.S. air defense systems and regional air defense systems a number still penetrated urban targets causing both structural damage as well as civilian harm resulting in both structural damage and civil harm.
Regional and Global Consequences
Global oil prices have surged as markets prepare for an impending Middle Eastern conflict, amid increased fears of regional escalation: Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have launched missiles at Jerusalem while Iraq-based militias are on alert, according to reports on Reuters.com.
As international anxiety mounts, world leaders and the UN Secretary-General have called for restraint and de-escalation. Meanwhile, Israeli officials warn of remaining heightened alert, projecting that this operation could last “for weeks”. Further strikes against Iranian targets are also possible (en.wikipedia.org +6
Reuter’s +6 and Businessinsider +6)
Looking Ahead
Israel’s renewed IDF strikes against Iranian missile launch facilities demonstrate their growing determination to dismantle Iran’s ability to wage war through remote missile means. Iran appears prepared to continue their response despite these strikes; intelligence reports also hint at further covert cooperation between Israel and America regarding surveillance and air-defense coordination.
Israeli strikes against Iran have been defensive in nature and aim to neutralize Iran’s offensive missile threats, while for Iran they serve as strategic counterattack. With diplomatic negotiations having broken down–Tehran pulling out from nuclear talks–and both nations now engaged in direct military confrontation, the risk of wider regional conflict has never been higher.