Iran Launches Dozens of Missiles at Israeli Civilians After U.S. Strikes on Nuclear Facilities

Latest Developments

• Iran Retaliates After American Attack: Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Israeli civilian population centers on June 22 following the United States’ overnight strikes against the Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow nuclear sites, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer. At least 86 people were wounded in the Islamic Republic’s latest ballistic missile salvo, which reportedly involved some 30 projectiles. Most of the injuries occurred at two direct impact sites in Tel Aviv and the nearby town of Ness Ziona.  
• IDF Continues Striking Regime Targets: The IDF announced that it had attacked ready-to-launch ballistic missiles in Iran before the morning barrage, killing several Iranian soldiers who were operating the launchers. Additionally, Israel said that its navy and air force had intercepted some 30 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) launched toward Israel from Iran overnight. The Israeli Air Force continued to attack dozens of military sites across Iran throughout the day on June 22, including the Imam Hussein strategic missile headquarters in the Yazd region — where Iran’s long-range “Khorramshahr” missiles were stored — along with strikes in the areas of Isfahan, Bushehr, and Ahvaz targeting missile launchers, air defense battery production sites, and a drone storage facility.
• Homefront Command Tightens Guidelines: The IDF’s Homefront Command raised the nationwide threat level in Israel on June 22, ordering civilians to carry out only essential activity following a new threat assessment brought about by the U.S. attacks on Iran. Israel’s reimplementation of strict restrictions on gatherings and non-essential activity came after the authorities relaxed guidelines on June 18 following a reduction in the number of Iranian ballistic missiles launched at the Jewish state.

FDD Expert Response

“The restrictions imposed by Israel’s Home Front Command are both necessary and prudent. Iran has long equipped and supported a regional network of proxies and client groups precisely for moments such as this. While these groups have not yet fully engaged in the current conflict, the prospect of coordinated, sustained attacks from multiple fronts remains a serious threat. Such a scenario could inflict significant damage on Israel’s home front as these actors attempt to overwhelm defense systems.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Iran has begun to retaliate for the United States’ successful strikes against its key nuclear facilities by continuing its targeted attacks against Israeli civilians with ballistic missile barrages. However, the IDF’s preemptive strikes against launchers inside Iran continue to diminish the severity of these attacks, once again underlying the importance of Israel’s freedom of operation in Iranian skies achieved early on during Operation Rising Lion.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor

“This will be remembered as Israel’s war of resilience. For the past 10 days, the IDF has been attacking Iranian nuclear and military facilities with little pause while simultaneously working to recover hostages from Gaza and ramping up activity against terrorist groups in the West Bank.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Completely and Totally Obliterated’: U.S. Strikes Iranian Nuclear Facilities, Including Underground Fordow Enrichment Site,” FDD Flash Brief

“US strikes Iranian nuclear facilities,” by Bill Roggio

“Iranian and Iranian-Backed Attacks Against Americans (1979-Present),” by Tzvi Kahn

“‘Blood of Thousands of Israelis is on His Hands’: IRGC Commander Who Backed October 7 Massacre Among Key Leaders Eliminated in IDF Precision Strikes,” FDD Flash Brief