OPERATION RISING LION (DAY 2)
(To see Day 1 click here)
In response to the attack on its nuclear facilities, Iran unleashed hundreds of missiles in five waves toward Israel on Friday evening Saturday morning, with most intercepted by Israeli defenses. In central Israel, three civilians lost their lives, and several buildings sustained damage. On Friday night, seven IDF soldiers received minor injuries from a missile hit in central Israel, were treated at a hospital, and returned home. The IDF persists with airstrikes across Iran, targeting key military and nuclear sites. Overnight, 70 Israeli Air Force jets hit over 40 targets in Tehran, all but establishing air superiority. In the Galilee Panhandle, three Iranian drones were neutralized.
Ongoing Updates:
21:24 – Reuters: Iranian state television reported that "heavy and devastating" Iranian attacks on Israel are expected within hours.
21:10 – Iran's navy claimed it intercepted a British destroyer in the Persian Gulf and accused the warship of directing Israeli missiles toward Iran. "Combat drones issued a warning that halted the warship's advance and forced it to change course," the report said.
20:59 – Reports from Iran: Air defense systems in the southern city of Bandar Abbas were activated for the first time since the war began. Bandar Abbas is Iran's most important port city, handling 90% of the country's exports. According to the reports, Israel struck gas infrastructure near the city, in what was described as a move "intended to send a message to Iran."
At 3:18 p.m., Iranian lawmaker Kosari revealed that closing the Hormuz Strait is under serious review. At 3:15 p.m., a senior Iranian diplomat stated that nuclear negotiations with the United States lack justification amid Israel's "barbaric assaults," according to Iranian media. At 3:09 p.m., an IDF spokesperson declared, "Seventy fighter jets struck Tehran overnight, targeting over 40 sites. Initial strikes enabled free operations, securing air dominance. Tehran is no longer untouchable."
At 2:37 p.m., the IDF is considering air force missions to repatriate Israelis abroad for the war effort, per Lilach Shoval. At 2:00 p.m., the IDF announced the deaths of Eti Cohen Angel and Israel Aloni. At 1:53 p.m., Navy missile ships, air defenses, and Air Force aircraft intercepted dozens of Iranian drones in the past day, per Lilach Shoval. At 1:36 p.m., the IDF confirmed a technical issue prevented early warnings on the Home Front Command's messaging platform during Saturday's barrage, now resolved, per Lilach Shoval.
At 1:09 p.m., Home Front Command lifted the need to stay near protected areas nationwide. At 12:58 p.m., Iranian television reported 60 fatalities in a Tehran residential complex from an earlier Israeli strike, per Shahar Kleiman. At 12:36 p.m., the IDF confirmed the elimination of nine key Iranian nuclear scientists, vital to the regime's nuclear ambitions, enabled by precise intelligence, per Lilach Shoval. At 12:12 p.m., Minister of Defense Israel Katz, after meeting with the IDF chief of staff, warned, "If Khamenei persists in attacking Israel's home front, Tehran will face devastation." He added, "Iran's dictator holds his citizens hostage, and Tehran's residents will bear a heavy cost for attacks on Israelis," per Lilach Shoval.
At 12:03 p.m., foreign reports noted strikes in Tabriz targeted a nuclear research facility and missile bases, while Tehran's Parchin base, missile plants, headquarters, and residences were hit, per Shahar Kleiman. At 11:51 a.m., Iran cautioned the United States, United Kingdom, and France that their regional bases and ships could face attacks if they aid in countering Tehran's actions, per Iranian media. At 11:43 a.m., the IDF reported striking 150 targets, including over 400 components, hitting Natanz and Isfahan but not Fordow, possibly as psychological tactics. Iran fired about 200 missiles, with a quarter failing, fewer than 50 landing in open areas, and a few breaching defenses, per Lilach Shoval.
At 10:53 a.m., The New York Times reported Iran's plan to launch 1,000 ballistic missiles was thwarted by Israeli strikes, per Shahar Kleiman. At 10:49 a.m., The New York Times cited Iranian officials' frustration over weak air defenses, asking, "Where is our air defense?" and "How can Israel strike freely and kill our leaders?" per Shahar Kleiman. At 10:34 a.m., Iranian media reported the deaths of IRGC officers Rahim Reza Mahrabi and Mehdi Rabbani, equivalent to IDF brigadier generals, in Israeli strikes, per Shahar Kleiman.
At 10:22 a.m., Iran's Atomic Energy Organization told ISNA that Fordow's enrichment site sustained limited damage, with key equipment removed and no contamination risks, per Shahar Kleiman. At 9:42 a.m., an Iranian official told Fars News, "The war initiated by the Zionist regime will extend to its regions and U.S. bases soon. This conflict won't end with last night's limited actions," per Shahar Kleiman. At 9:07 a.m., Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv treated 52 patients from Operation Strength and Lion, most with minor injuries. One with smoke inhalation is in intensive care, and another with severe facial injuries remains in surgery, per Avi Cohen. At 9:06 a.m., three drones were intercepted in the Galilee Panhandle, per Idan Avni.
At 8:49 a.m., Air Force jets struck Tehran's ground-to-air missile systems to weaken Iran's air defenses, per Lilach Shoval. Major General Tomer Bar stated, "The Tehran strikes carry profound operational and national weight, executed with precision against an existential threat." At 8:30 a.m., Minister Katz stressed that following Home Front Command guidelines saves lives, noting Iran's regime crossed critical thresholds, per Lilach Shoval.
At 7:01 a.m., the Israel Defense Forces intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle that entered Israeli airspace in the Arava region. Earlier, at 6:53 a.m., concerns arose over a possible drone infiltration in the same area. By 6:28 a.m., the Israeli Air Force was actively targeting threats in Iranian territory, according to Lilach Shoval. At 6:26 a.m., Mital Yasur reported two fatalities and 20 injuries from a missile strike in central Israel. At 5:37 a.m., Avi Cohen confirmed four buildings were damaged, with Magen David Adom teams treating multiple casualties on-site.
A missile struck a residential building in central Israel, leaving 14 people injured, as reported by Avi Cohen at 5:36 a.m. Visuals showed significant destruction at the impact site. At 5:29 a.m., a missile impact was reported in central Israel, followed by another barrage launched from Iran at 5:22 a.m. At 5:03 a.m., Magen David Adom stated no casualties were reported in northern Israel despite earlier alerts, though isolated injuries occurred en route to shelters, alongside cases of anxiety.
At 4:47 a.m., an intercepted missile caused no casualties. At 5:08 a.m., Home Front Command reported additional launches targeting southern Israel. At 4:38 a.m., missile launches triggered alerts in northern Israel. At 4:17 a.m., Or Shaked cited The Washington Post, noting US-operated Patriot and THAAD systems aided in intercepting Iranian missiles. At 3:58 a.m., the Israeli Air Force neutralized three Iranian drones en route to Israel without triggering alerts.
At 3:21 a.m., Iran's Fars news agency reported two missiles struck near Mehrabad International Airport in western Tehran, sparking a fire. At 3:03 a.m., Iranian air defenses were active in Maragheh, south of Tabriz, with footage showing interception attempts. At 2:59 a.m., IDF Arabic spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee posted on X that the IDF struck Iranian air force bases in Medan and Tabriz, destroying them completely. He added that dozens of air defense targets, including drones and surface-to-surface missile launchers, were also hit.
At 2:27 a.m., Israel launched strikes in Tehran. At 2:07 a.m., Avi Cohen reported seven injuries in Gush Dan from an Iranian missile barrage, including one in moderate condition and four with minor injuries. At 1:51 a.m., a Magen David Adom ambulance was hit by shrapnel in Gush Dan. The two female crew members, protected at the time, sustained minor glass-related injuries and were treated on-site. At 1:49 a.m., Lilach Shoval relayed an IDF spokesperson's statement that dozens of missiles were launched from Iran, some intercepted, with rescue teams operating at multiple impact sites.
At 1:38 a.m., one of the injured from the initial barrage succumbed to injuries. At 1:21 a.m., Magen David Adom reported no casualties in Gush Dan despite alerts, with teams conducting searches. At 1:20 a.m., missile impacts were reported in Gush Dan, with images captured by Gideon Markowitz. Alerts sounded in the Sharon region and Beersheba at 1:11 a.m. At 1:04 a.m., Ronit Zilberstein noted alerts across Jerusalem, Dan, Sharon, Lachish, Shfela, Yarkon, Judea Lowlands, Judea, Samaria, Beka'a, and Dimona due to detected launches.
At 12:57 a.m., US sources reported IDF strikes in Tehran targeting Supreme Leader Khamenei's residential area and the presidential compound. At 12:50 a.m., Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon addressed Iran's UN envoy during a Security Council debate, stating, "We believe you – that's why we're acting to destroy your capabilities." At 12:48 a.m., Danny Zaken reported Israel warned Iran that targeting Israeli civilian infrastructure would make all Iranian civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, potential targets. Israel has historically avoided striking these to prevent escalation in Gulf states and global oil markets.
At 12:45 a.m., an IDF spokesperson confirmed the air force intercepted two suspicious aerial targets launched toward Israel following a 12:27 a.m. alert in the Arava. At 12:35 a.m., the IDF intercepted a drone in Eilat. At 12:30 a.m., alerts sounded across the Arava, including Hatzava, Ketura, Ein Yahav, Be'er Ora, Ramon Airport, and Eilat, due to suspected aircraft infiltration. At 12:27 a.m., Danny Zaken reported an urgent Diplomatic-Security Cabinet meeting, delivering a message to Iran that attacks on infrastructure would prompt a broad response. At 12:17 a.m., Ronit Zilberstein reported a suspected aircraft infiltration in Eilat.
