Iran’s latest missile attacks on Israel claim 5 lives,

Israel still claims air superiority over Tehran

Iran launched a new barrage of missile strikes against Israel early Monday, June 16, 2025, killing at least five people, while Israel declared it had achieved “full air supremacy” over Tehran, claiming control of the skies and the ability to conduct flights over the Iranian capital unimpeded.

According to the Israeli military, days of intensive operations targeting Iran’s missile systems and air defenses have given them dominance in the region stretching from western Iran to Tehran.

Officials said Israeli forces destroyed over 120 surface-to-surface missile launchers during overnight missions that had been used to fire at Israel.

“We can now state that we have full air superiority over Tehran’s airspace,” said Brigadier General Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Iran confirmed the launch of approximately 100 missiles and promised further retaliation in response to Israel’s wide-scale assault on its military and nuclear sites.

Since the start of the conflict on Friday, at least 224 people have been reported dead in Iran.

A missile reportedly landed near the U.S. consulate in Tel Aviv, causing minor damage but no injuries.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed the incident on X (formerly Twitter), adding that no American personnel were harmed.

Iran’s missile and drone attacks have intensified, with Israeli authorities reporting more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones fired at their territory since the conflict began.

So far, 24 people have reportedly been killed and over 500 injured in Israel.

In response, the Israeli Air Force launched strikes on 10 command centers in Tehran linked to the Quds Force, the elite external operations wing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Explosions and Destruction in Israel

Early Monday, powerful blasts shook Tel Aviv, likely due to Israel’s missile defense systems intercepting incoming projectiles.

Thick black smoke rose over the coastal city.

In nearby Petah Tikva, an Iranian missile hit a residential building, leaving it severely damaged – windows shattered, walls destroyed, and parts of the structure ripped open.

The Israeli emergency medical service Magen David Adom (MDA) reported that five people – two men and two women in their 70s, and one additional victim, were killed in the missile strikes that hit four locations in central Israel.

Authorities said dozens more were wounded, including a woman in her 30s who was in serious condition.

Rescue workers continued searching for trapped residents beneath the debris.

“This is just one of several scenes,” said Israeli police spokesperson Dean Elsdunne, speaking from the damaged building in Petah Tikva.

“Our civilians are being directly targeted.”

Petah Tikva resident Yoram Suki said he and his family fled to a shelter when sirens sounded.

Though their apartment was destroyed, they emerged unharmed.

Despite the loss of his home, Suki voiced strong support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offensive against Iran.

“It’s worth it,” he said. “This is for our children and grandchildren.”

Dr. Gal Rosen, an MDA paramedic, described the devastation.

“When we arrived, the destruction was enormous.

We rescued a 4-day-old baby while fires were still burning in the building.”

Escalation Continues

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that Tehran might halt its missile attacks if Israel ceased its airstrikes.

However, following a series of Israeli attacks that included oil refineries and government sites, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard vowed a stronger response.

On Monday, they promised upcoming strikes would be “more forceful, precise, and destructive.”

Iran’s Health Ministry reported 1,277 injuries since the conflict began but did not differentiate between civilians and military personnel.

However, advocacy organizations such as the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists say the official casualty figures are significantly underreported, claiming over 400 deaths, including 197 civilians.

Israel defended its operations as necessary to dismantle Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons.

Although Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, Western intelligence assessments suggest that Tehran has not actively pursued a nuclear weapon since 2003.

Still, recent uranium enrichment levels have brought Iran close to weapons-grade capability, suggesting it could build several warheads within months if it chooses.

Ahead of its initial strikes, Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency had allegedly placed drones and precision explosives inside Iran.

Since then, Iranian authorities have arrested several individuals accused of espionage.

On Monday, Iranian state television reported the execution of Esmail Fekri, a medical doctor who had been imprisoned since 2023.

He was convicted of providing classified information to Mossad.

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