Amman, Jordan – Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Tehran early Tuesday, igniting fires at key infrastructure sites and drawing an immediate response from Iran, which fired missiles at Israeli cities. The exchange marks the most intense phase yet in the conflict, with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing total control of Iranian airspace.
Explosions rocked the Iranian capital just after midnight. A plume of smoke rose from an oil refinery in Tehran following the Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military confirmed the attack, stating it had initiated a new “wave of strikes in the Tehran area.” Specific targets were not disclosed, but footage from local sources showed widespread damage.
Iran responded with two separate missile salvos aimed at Israeli airbases. While Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted most of the incoming projectiles, military officials acknowledged that one missile penetrated defenses, causing fires in a parking lot in central Israel. Israel’s Channel 12 reported that shrapnel or a direct strike destroyed at least 20 vehicles. Emergency responders were still on site extinguishing the blaze at press time.
The Israeli Home Front Command briefly instructed residents to shelter before issuing an all-clear. Military censorship laws inside Israel restrict public disclosure of damage to military installations, making it difficult to assess the full impact of the Iranian counterstrike.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed continued resistance.
“We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime,” he posted on X. “We will show the Zionists no mercy.”
State media in Iran also reported the arrest of a “terrorist team” carrying explosives near Tehran, allegedly linked to Israeli intelligence. Authorities said the suspects were detained during operations in a town southwest of the capital. No additional evidence was provided by Iranian officials.
Meanwhile, President Trump, who had been attending a G7 summit in Canada, flew back to Washington and issued a statement from the White House.
“We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” Trump declared. “If I wanted to, I could take out Iran’s Supreme Leader but not now.”
His comments sparked concern among international observers. The G7 bloc later issued a statement backing Israel’s right to defend itself while urging “broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East.”
Analysts say Trump’s stance has emboldened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration. Israel continues its separate offensive in Gaza, where airstrikes Tuesday killed dozens in Khan Younis. Aid groups described the area as a makeshift humanitarian zone. No warning was reportedly issued before the strike.
“There is a clear shift in posture,” one analyst told this publication. “With strong U.S. backing, Israel believes it can strike deeper into Iran’s infrastructure without facing meaningful diplomatic pushback.”
The current phase of conflict follows weeks of growing tensions. Earlier this month, Iran accused Israel of sabotaging military convoys inside Syria. Israeli officials have not confirmed involvement but have previously said they would strike any threats linked to Iran’s weapons supply lines.
Despite repeated calls for restraint, military action continues to expand. The U.S. has not officially joined Israel’s air campaign but remains heavily involved in surveillance operations over Iran.
The unfolding conflict marks a dramatic turn in Middle East geopolitics. As of Tuesday evening, skies over Tehran remained under surveillance, and more attacks were anticipated by security experts. International air traffic has been diverted from key corridors.
For now, Israel’s offensive shows no signs of slowing. Iran, in turn, promises to retaliate with force.
