*Khamenei Vows To ‘Inflict Heavy Blows’
IRAN launched ballistic missiles at Israel late on Friday, June 13, as its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, vowed to “inflict heavy blows” in retaliation for its overnight strikes
The BBC’s Ione Wells reports hearing an explosion in Jerusalem as black smoke was seen rising over Tel Aviv’s skyline
Earlier on Friday, June 13, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said Revolutionary Guard chief, Hossein Salami, and other senior military figures were assassinated, while Iran says six scientists have also been killed
United States (US) President, Donald Trump, urged Iran to make a deal on its nuclear programme, warning of “even more brutal” Israeli attacks.
Iran accused the US of supporting Israel’s strikes, which the US denied.
Netanyahu, during an address, said Israel’s fight is not with the Iranian people, but against Iran’s leadership, listing Iranian targets that had been hit by Israel to include military and nuclear sites, adding: “More is on the way. The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker.
“This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard,” he told the Iranian people.
The Israeli premier reiterated that Israel’s objective is to thwart what he describes as Iran’s nuclear and missile “threat,” noting: “As we achieve our objective, we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom
“The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from the evil and oppressive regime.”
Israel’s residents can leave shelters, but stay near, military said. A spokesman for the Israeli military issued a statement, saying that “after assessing the situation, the Home Front Command issued instructions that it is possible to leave the protected area and to continue to remain near it in all regions of the country.
“You are requested to continue to obey the Home Front Command’s instructions and the instructions that are being distributed to you,” the statement added.
Netanyahu posted a statement on ‘Operation Rising Lion’ on X, saying the objective of his country’s recent attacks on Iran is to “thwart the Islamic regime’s nuclear and ballistic missile threat to us.”
Vodeos in Jerusalem showed the Israeli missile defence system, the Iron Dome, attempting to intercept ballistic missiles fired by Iran, as the conflict intensified by the hour.
This has been a much more intense wave of missiles from Iran against Israel than earlier in the day when around 100 drones were intercepted.
The Israeli army has warned that Iran could cause real harm to Israel, and this is the first sign that that may be a possibility.
Netanyahu has said the Israeli attack on Iran could go on for days. It’s clear that Israel had been planning this attack on Iran for some time and its aim is to pursue its strikes until Iran’s ability to have a nuclear weapon has been completely neutralised.
But Tehran has shown that it still has the capability to strike back. Iranian media reports two Israeli fighter jets shot down over Iran. This has not been independently verified, even as the situation escalates.
Israel’s ambulance service sending teams to hit areas around Tel Aviv. “As of this moment, (ambulance) teams have gone out to search seven locations where reports [of strikes] were received in the Dan Bloc [Tel Aviv metropolitan area]”, a spokesperson for Israel’s Magen David Adom ambulance service said.
At least five injured in Tel Aviv area, Israeli ambulance service stated.
Israel’s national ambulance service chief, Magen David Adom, said five people have been injured in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and were being taken to hospital.
One is in a “moderate condition” and the other four “lightly injured” by shrapnel, it added.
Iran confirmed ballistic missile attack on Israel, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard saying it had carried out attacks against “dozens of targets, military centres and airbases” in Israel, in what it called Operation “True Promise 3,” noting that details of the operation will be given in a later announcement.
Loud explosions heard over Tel Aviv as people take shelter, some shaking the building, with the protected space filled up with residents looking for protection, with another wave of missiles expected shortly.
Some residents were seen praying silently, others scanning news websites where videos are showing missiles and interceptions in the skies, and direct hits on Tel Aviv.
This is the response from Iran that Israel has been expecting, all across the country, people are listening to the sound of their country at war.
Latest update from the IDF said “the shooting continues. Another barrage of dozens of rockets was launched” towards Israel, the statement added.
The IDF noted that the explosions people were hearing “originate from interceptions or impacts.”
Iran warned it will inflict ‘heavy blows’ on Israel.
