After 36 hours of escalating conflict, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Saturday that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) now has full operational freedom over Tehran. This comes amid Israel’s destruction of key Iranian air defense systems and ongoing strikes against Iranian ballistic missile launchers.
Despite Iranian claims that it shot down an Israeli jet, IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin dismissed the report as false. The IDF has since confirmed that most of Iran’s air defense capabilities have been neutralized.
Israel’s ability to reach Iranian territory marks a major strategic milestone. Previously, long distances and hostile states between the two countries made such missions improbable. However, recent geopolitical shifts—including the Abraham Accords and the collapse of the Syrian regime—have enabled direct flight paths, enhancing Israel’s striking capability.
Iran responded by launching hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in multiple waves. While Israel’s air defense systems intercepted the majority, a few missiles penetrated the defenses and struck civilian areas in central Israel, including neighborhoods near Tel Aviv. Three civilians have been killed and around 80 injured, most sustaining minor injuries.
Contrary to reports, Iran has not hit any significant Israeli military installations. A missile reportedly struck a building on the Kirya compound in Tel Aviv, near IDF headquarters, but did not impact the main facility. The IDF has requested the public avoid disclosing strike locations to prevent aiding Iranian targeting.
The nature of the conflict reveals stark asymmetry: Israel is conducting precision airstrikes against military targets in Iran, while Iran launches unguided missiles aimed at civilian areas in Israel. Israeli officials have vowed that Iran will face severe consequences for its attacks on civilians.
International responses have largely avoided condemning Iran directly. Some governments have called for restraint or criticized Israel, prompting frustration from Israeli officials. Israel maintains that this is a war it has long prepared for, given Iran’s open hostility, funding of terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions.
While the United States continues to support Israel logistically and with weaponry, it has not entered the conflict militarily. The possibility remains that Iran could provoke broader war by attacking U.S. forces or assets in the region. For now, Israel continues to wage the fight independently, but emphasizes the importance of American diplomatic leadership to permanently halt Iran’s nuclear program.
