Israel Launches Largest Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Sites, Iran Retaliates with Missiles

Israel has launched a major military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities, citing an unacceptable risk of Iran acquiring nine nuclear weapons. Israeli airstrikes have successfully degraded Iran's air defenses, enabling Israeli jets to operate with near-air superiority and strike deep into Iranian territory, including Tehran, while also employing drones to destroy missile transport vehicles. In retaliation, Iran has launched large barrages of ballistic missiles and drones against Israeli population centers such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, though Israeli missile defense systems, including the Iron Dome, have intercepted many of these attacks. Iran's missile arsenal, comprising around 2,000 ballistic missiles, remains resilient due to its decentralized, mobile, and subterranean launch infrastructure, complicating Israel's efforts to fully neutralize the threat. Despite significant losses among Iranian military leadership and infrastructure, Iran continues its retaliatory strikes, including targeting Israeli-occupied territories and critical internal security sites within Iran. Both sides face ongoing escalation with high stakes, as Israel aims to cripple Iran's strategic capabilities while Iran seeks to demonstrate its ability to counterattack despite sustained Israeli air superiority and strikes.