Daijiworld Media Network - Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, Jun 22: Tensions in the Middle East soared on Sunday as Iran launched over 30 ballistic missiles at Israel, just hours after the United States carried out airstrikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the missile attack early Sunday morning, describing it as one of the most intense in recent memory.

Emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) reported that at least 16 people were injured in the strikes. A man in his 30s suffered moderate shrapnel wounds, while 15 others sustained minor injuries, including two children who were treated at Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv. The missiles struck multiple locations across central Israel, including Haifa, where one missile hit without any prior warning sirens, raising serious concerns about potential lapses in the country’s alert system. Sirens did sound in several other cities, prompting residents to seek immediate shelter as per Home Front Command instructions.

MDA CEO Eli Bin stated that emergency responders were actively working at more than 10 impact sites, assisting the injured and assessing damage. The Iranian missile barrage followed confirmation from US President Donald Trump that American forces had bombed Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. Trump described the operation as one of the most challenging and lethal in decades, praising the military’s execution and issuing a stern warning to Tehran. He warned Iran that continued aggression would invite consequences far worse than anything witnessed so far, hinting at further potential strikes if Iran failed to de-escalate.

In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi issued a scathing statement condemning the US strikes as a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty. He claimed the attacks were carried out in criminal coordination with Israel and called them a grave provocation. Araghchi warned that Iran would exercise its right to self-defence under international law and that these events would have lasting consequences. He urged the global community to take notice, accusing the US of reckless, lawless behavior that endangers global peace.