Strong explosions were recorded in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other regions of the country; Iranian government claims to have reached dozens of strategic targets
It launched a new wave of missiles against Israel, in retaliation for Israeli bombings that destroyed nuclear facilities and killed members of the Iranian military summit. According to (IDF) forces, the country’s antimysis systems – including the iron dome – were called to intercept the projectiles. Strong explosions were recorded in and other regions of the country. A woman died after being hit by one of the missiles and more than 60 people were injured, according to the newspaper Times of Israel. Three hospitals reported care to at least 40 injured.
The warning sirens sounded in various parts of Israel around 9:11 pm (3:11 pm in Brasilia) Friday. Minutes later, the population was instructed to seek shelter. Half an hour later, authorities released the departure of protected spaces, but recommended that people stay close to them. The Israeli Defense Forces claimed to have identified at least two large waves of ballistic missiles from Iranian territory.
The projectiles departed from different points of Iran, such as Tehran and Kermanshah, according to Iranian state TV. Prior to the missile attack, Iran had already launched a savings of about one hundred drones, which were knocked down before reaching Israeli territory. In a statement, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Israel “began a war” and that there will be no “attack and escape” without consequences. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Iran crossed “red lines” by aiming at civilian centers and promised a heavy response.
Iran claims to have reached dozens of strategic targets, such as air bases and missile production centers. The state press reported that “satellite images and field intelligence” confirm the success of the operation, but there is no independent confirmation of this information. The Iranian offensive is a direct response to the Israeli operation held at dawn on Friday (12), which destroyed nuclear facilities in Iran and killed at least 78 people, according to local sources. Among the victims are commanders of the Iranian revolutionary guard. The Israeli government said the purpose of the action was to prevent the development of an atomic bomb by Iran.
Crescent scale conflict
Current climbing is the result of months of growing tension between the two countries. Israel estimates that the Iranian regime goes through a moment of fragility, both through internal pressures – as an economic crisis and political instability – as well as the weakening of its allies in the region. In recent months, Tehran -backed militias such as Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have suffered significant defeats in clashes with Israeli forces. In addition, previous attacks on Israel killed important leaders of Iran, such as General Mohammad Reza Zahedi of Revolutionary Guard in Damascus.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu classified the operation against Iran as one of the “greatest in history” and said it had as its main target the destruction of Iranian ballistic arsenal and nuclear infrastructure. He also urged the Iranian population to rebel against the theocratic regime.
Despite the exchange of direct attacks and the aggressive rhetoric on both sides, there is no formal statement of war between Israel and Iran. Still, analysts have considered that the conflict has entered a new, more open and unpredictable phase, at risk of regional climbing. The Brazilian Embassy in Iran asked that citizens of Brazil update their registration data, amid the worsening of the crisis. New clashes are expected to take place in the coming days.
Published by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the aid of AI
