Iran launches hundreds of drones toward 'Israel' to overwhelm systems
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Iran has launched hundreds of drones toward "Israel" in the first tier of the Iranian retaliation for the Israeli aggression on Iranian territories.
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Smoke rises up to the sky, in Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025 (AP)
Iranian media reported on Friday that hundreds of Shahed drones were launched toward the occupied territories in a coordinated retaliatory attack aimed at engaging and overwhelming its air defense systems.
The move comes in response to recent Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.
The Israeli army spokesperson confirmed, "In recent hours, Iran has launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, and all air defense systems are working to confront them."
Israeli media further claimed that drones were launched not only from Iran but also from Iraq, with over 200 drones identified in total. Multiple interceptions were reportedly taking place in the Syrian airspace.
Netanyahu flees
Amid the aerial threat, Israeli media disclosed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plane was evacuated from the occupied territories. He remains inside "Israel" in what has been described as a secure location.
Warnings were issued by Israeli media, cautioning settlers of potential severe Iranian retaliation, noting that previous Iranian strikes targeted only military and strategic sites but resulted in casualties.
Sayyed Khamenei warns of harsh consequences
In response to the Israeli attack, the leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, forcefully condemned "Israel" for what he described as a “dirty and bloody crime” carried out on Iranian territory, promising a resolute and decisive response.
In a message addressed to the Iranian people, Sayyed Khamenei declared, “To the great Iranian nation! The Zionist regime has committed a crime in our dear country today at dawn with its satanic, bloodstained hands. It has revealed its malicious nature even more than before by targeting residential areas.”
He warned that the regime must brace for retribution. “That [Zionist] regime should anticipate a severe punishment. By God’s grace, the powerful arm of the Islamic Republic’s Armed Forces won’t let them go unpunished,” the Leader stated with unwavering resolve.
Sayyed Khamenei emphasized that such aggression will not go unanswered, reiterating that the perpetrators “must be severely punished.” He stressed that justice would be swiftly served.
'Israel' launches massive aggression on Iran
On Friday at dawn, "Israel" launched a major attack on Iran, targeting residential buildings, nuclear facilities, and military infrastructure across Iran.
On Friday morning, the Israeli occupation forces launched a massive aggression against multiple #Iranian cities.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 13, 2025
The strikes targeted military and #nuclear infrastructure, as well as residential buildings, leading to the martyrdom of several senior commanders alongside… pic.twitter.com/EDM8d50eaN
The Israeli occupation military confirmed the launch of a broad aerial offensive targeting Iran’s nuclear program. In an official statement, the occupation military said it carried out a "precise, preemptive strike" in Iran, "with the goal of damaging Iran’s nuclear program."
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Iran reported hearing multiple explosions in the capital, Tehran. Footage circulating on social media documents severe damage to a number of residential buildings in the Iranian capital.
It dubbed the operation “Rising Lion.”
'Israel' assassinates IRGC cmdr Salami, Iranian nuclear scientists
Al Mayadeen confirmed that the Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, have been martyred during the Israeli aggression on Iran.
Circulated footage from the site of the martyrdom of Major General Hussein Salami pic.twitter.com/jFhdozk6ri
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 13, 2025
Later, Iranian media confirmed the martyrdom of the Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, and his son in the attack.
Meanwhile, the advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Republic, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, has been severely injured and has since been hospitalized.
Additionally, six nuclear scientists were confirmed killed in the Israeli aggression.
The scientists have been identified as Abdulhamid Minouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Seyed Amir Hossein Faghahi, Khalil Motallebzadeh, Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi, and Fereydoun Abbasi.
