The long-standing tensions between Iran and Israel have erupted into a deadly new phase, with Iranian retaliatory missile strikes killing at least 24 people in Israel and causing minor damage to a US Embassy branch in Tel Aviv.

The escalation, reported on June 16, 2025, follows Israel’s large-scale military operation, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership, resulting in significant casualties and destruction.

The conflict intensified after Israel launched over 200 airstrikes on Iranian targets, including the Natanz nuclear site and key military command centers, killing senior Iranian military officials such as Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, and Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a “harsh response,” prompting a barrage of ballistic missiles aimed at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa.

Iranian missile strikes have wreaked havoc across Israel, with emergency services reporting at least 24 deaths and nearly 600 injuries, including 10 in serious condition, since the retaliatory attacks began.

Residential areas in central Israel, including Bat Yam, Petah Tikva, and Rishon LeZion, have been hit hard, with buildings destroyed and civilians among the casualties.

In Bat Yam, a missile strike on a residential building killed six people, including a 10-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, while leaving others buried under rubble. In Haifa, strikes targeted port infrastructure, sparking fires at a power plant and wounding dozens.

The US Embassy branch in Tel Aviv sustained minor damage due to the concussive force of nearby Iranian missile strikes, though no US personnel were injured.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed the closure of the embassy and consulate, with a shelter-in-place order remaining in effect as of June 16, 2025. This marks the first direct threat to a US diplomatic mission in the region during this latest escalation.

Israel’s strikes on Iran have been equally devastating, with Iranian state media reporting at least 224 deaths, predominantly civilians, and over 1,400 injuries.

The attacks targeted nuclear sites, military command centers, and even state media infrastructure, with a reported strike on Iran’s state TV headquarters in Tehran killing an unspecified number of staff.

Among the high-profile casualties were nine nuclear scientists and several senior IRGC commanders, significantly weakening Iran’s military and scientific leadership.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed their latest missile attacks employed advanced tactics that overwhelmed Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, allowing strikes to hit multiple targets.

Iranian state media also reported that the country is considering closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping lane, in response to the ongoing conflict, raising fears of broader economic repercussions.

The international community has expressed alarm over the escalating conflict. US President Donald Trump, while denying direct US involvement in Israel’s initial strikes, has signaled openness to diplomacy, stating that Iran is “not winning this war” and urging both sides to negotiate before further escalation.

However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that a complete halt to Israeli aggression is a prerequisite for any talks.

European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, have called for restraint, warning that further escalation could destabilize the entire Middle East.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the military escalation, emphasizing that nuclear facilities must never be targeted. The UN’s nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, confirmed no further damage to Iran’s enrichment facilities but described the situation as “deeply concerning.”

The ongoing tit-for-tat strikes have raised fears of a broader regional war, potentially drawing in the United States and Iran’s allies, such as Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have pledged support and reportedly launched ballistic missiles at Israel’s Jaffa region.

The collapse of backchannel communications and the cancellation of planned US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman underscore the deepening crisis.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting the site of a deadly strike in Bat Yam, vowed that Iran would pay a “very heavy price” for targeting civilians, while Iranian officials accused Israel of “state terrorism” and promised further retaliation.

The conflict’s toll on civilians, infrastructure, and diplomatic relations highlights the urgent need for de-escalation, though neither side shows signs of backing down.