
Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes After Israeli Attacks
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the strikes came hours after the Israeli regime, in what Iran described as unprovoked aggression, targeted locations inside Iranian territory, including residential buildings.
The Iranian counterstrikes began without warning, and images and footage emerged showing missile after missile penetrating Israel's missile defences and exploding upon impact. Huge fireballs lit up the night sky in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Reports said Israel's Ministry of War was hit. Israeli air defence batteries around other specific targets were also taken out before missiles struck the higher-profile sites.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a brief statement after the strikes began that dozens of Israeli targets, including military sites and airbases, were being hit in pinpoint attacks. It said further details would be provided later.
In a second statement issued around midnight, the IRGC said its missile and drone units had targeted Israeli military bases used to launch strikes on Iran, as well as industrial weapons manufacturing and other military facilities deep inside Israel. The statement said intelligence collected — including satellite imagery — confirmed that dozens of ballistic missiles had struck their intended targets.
Overnight on Friday, the Israeli regime launched a series of military strikes in and around the Iranian capital, Tehran, as well as other Iranian cities. Simultaneously, anticipating a devastating Iranian response, Israeli Minister for Military Affairs Israel Katz declared a state of emergency across Israel.
The Israeli military also carried out targeted strikes against Iran's top military commanders. Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri and Chief Commander of the IRGC Major General Hossein Salami were assassinated in Tehran.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed new top military commanders on the same day.
Just before the Iranian strikes began, Ayatollah Khamenei said in a televised address to the nation that the Israeli regime would not escape retaliation for its attacks on Iran.
'Strong action should be taken — and will be taken,' the Leader said. 'We will show no leniency. Life will undoubtedly turn bleak for them.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
37 minutes ago
- The Star
Iranian lawmaker says reimposition of UN sanctions will lead to NPT withdrawal, Defapress reports
DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran's parliament is ready to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) should international sanctions be reimposed by the United Nations, Iranian lawmaker Manouchehr Mottaki told Defapress on Wednesday. This comment comes after European countries expressed their will to reimpose international sanctions on Iran to the UN, which they say they can do by invoking the UN snapback mechanism prior to its expiration in October. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Toby Chopra)


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
New Zealand PM says Netanyahu has 'lost the plot'
Damaged humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza is scattered on the ground next to the border with the Gaza Strip near the Kissufim crossing in southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. Israel has severely restricted the entry of humanitarian aid. - AP WELLINGTON: New Zealand's prime minister said Wednesday (Aug 13) that Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu had "lost the plot", accusing him of going too far in his efforts to wage war on Gaza. "What's happening in Gaza is utterly, utterly appalling," said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. "Netanyahu has gone way too far. I think he has lost the plot," added Luxon in unusually candid comments. "He is not listening to the international community and that is unacceptable." Netanyahu recently rolled out plans to take control of Gaza City and wipe out Hamas, insisting it was "the best way to end the war" despite growing calls to halt the bloodshed. UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has severely restricted the entry of humanitarian aid. Israel has faced mounting criticism over the war, which was triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel. New Zealand on Monday hinted it could join the likes of Australia, Canada, France and Britain in recognising a Palestinian state. "New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if," Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said. "Cabinet will take a formal decision in September over whether New Zealand should recognise a state of Palestine at this juncture -- and if so, when and how." - AFP


Sinar Daily
3 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
New Zealand PM says Netanyahu has 'lost the plot'
Netanyahu recently rolled out plans to take control of Gaza City and wipe out Hamas, insisting it was "the best way to end the war" despite growing calls to halt the bloodshed. 13 Aug 2025 02:42pm War-damaged buildings stand in Gaza City on Aug 8, 2025. - (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP) WELLINGTON - New Zealand's prime minister said Wednesday that Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu had "lost the plot", accusing him of going too far in his efforts to wage war on Gaza. "What's happening in Gaza is utterly, utterly appalling," said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. "Netanyahu has gone way too far. I think he has lost the plot," added Luxon in unusually candid comments. "He is not listening to the international community and that is unacceptable." Netanyahu recently rolled out plans to take control of Gaza City and wipe out Hamas, insisting it was "the best way to end the war" despite growing calls to halt the bloodshed. UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has severely restricted the entry of humanitarian aid. Israel has faced mounting criticism over the war, which was triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel. New Zealand on Monday hinted it could join the likes of Australia, Canada, France and Britain in recognising a Palestinian state. "New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if," Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said. "Cabinet will take a formal decision in September over whether New Zealand should recognise a state of Palestine at this juncture -- and if so, when and how." - AFP