The Israeli Defense Forces have alerted citizens that Iran has begun its counter-offensive following recent Israeli air raids on Iranian territory.
Military officials confirmed that Iran had deployed more than 100 drones toward Israel, indicating the beginning of a potentially prolonged exchange between the two nations.
“All (aerial) defense arrays have been operating to intercept the threats,” stated IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin. He further remarked, “This is a different event to what we’ve experienced thus far, and we’re expecting difficult hours.”
This development comes in the wake of Israel’s large-scale military operation against Iran, which led to the country being placed on high alert. The campaign, described by the Israeli military as a “pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence,” was aimed at multiple Iranian strategic targets.
The operation, referred to as Operation Rising Lion, was launched as part of what Israeli leadership described as a necessary measure to ensure the country’s security.
Among the prominent casualties of the Israeli offensive was Major General Mohammad Bagheri, who served as the chief of staff for Iran’s armed forces. His death has drawn sharp condemnation from Iranian leadership and may signal a prolonged phase of military engagement.
In anticipation of Iranian retaliation, Israel had already declared a state of emergency and intensified defensive preparations. The latest drone launch from Iran appears to be the first wave of direct response to the airstrikes. Defense systems across Israel are currently activated and focused on neutralizing incoming aerial threats to prevent civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
As tensions grow, the situation is being closely monitored by international observers, who have voiced concern over the possibility of the conflict widening into a broader regional confrontation. Both nations have a history of adversarial relations, but the scale and direct nature of the recent operations mark a significant departure from previous indirect confrontations.
The Israeli military remains on standby for further developments and has urged civilians to remain vigilant as they navigate the uncertain hours ahead.
What you should know
Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s top military officer, was killed in Israeli airstrikes carried out under Operation Rising Lion. Israel has now confirmed that Iran has begun its retaliation by launching over 100 drones toward its territory, signaling a new and potentially dangerous phase in the conflict between both countries.
