Tehran, June 17, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have initiated a new wave of strikes targeting Israeli-occupied territories, continuing a forceful response to Israel’s earlier attacks on Iranian soil. The operation began late Monday night and continued into Tuesday with the coordinated use of drones and ballistic missiles, plunging large parts of the occupied territories into panic and forcing millions of Israelis into underground shelters for the fourth consecutive day.
According to Iranian media and regional observers, the recent escalation witnessed a series of powerful missile impacts in several Israeli-controlled cities. Cellphone footage from within the occupied territories showed Iranian missiles bypassing the Iron Dome defense system and striking targets on the ground with apparent precision.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Israeli missile defense system may have been compromised by a cyberattack. Observers claim that in some instances, Israeli missiles were inadvertently fired at Israeli locations amid confusion and possible system malfunction. The alleged cyber breach also extended to Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, where spoofed emergency alerts reportedly discouraged civilians from using bomb shelters, further sowing chaos.
This latest development follows Israel’s initial aerial assaults on Iran that began overnight on June 13. Those strikes, widely condemned by Iranian officials as unprovoked, targeted both military and civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings. Several high-ranking Iranian military officials were killed, and casualties were also reported among civilians.
In response, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei swiftly appointed new military commanders and vowed retribution. “Life will turn bleak for Israel,” he stated shortly before Iran launched retaliatory strikes on key Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
Iranian officials have indicated that the retaliatory campaign is far from over. “This mission will continue for as long as necessary,” a senior Iranian defense official said, adding that the operations are calibrated to weaken Israel’s strategic and psychological defenses.
The situation remains highly volatile as the international community calls for de-escalation. However, on the ground, normal life remains suspended in much of the occupied territories, with widespread disruptions and fear persisting amid the continued barrage.
