Israel–Iran Conflict Escalates: Missile Strikes Intensify
Tit-for-Tat Attacks Raise Fears of Wider Conflict
RISHON LEZION, June 14, 2025 – Time.news Staff.
The Israel-Iran conflict has escalated, with both sides exchanging missile strikes. The attacks, which have resulted in civilian casualties, are raising concerns about a broader, more protracted conflict.
- Israel and Iran have exchanged missile strikes.
- Civilian areas in Israel have been hit.
- Iran claims it targeted military and industrial sites in Israel.
- Regional tensions are heightened, and further escalation is anticipated.
The conflict between Israel and Iran intensified overnight, with both sides launching missile attacks against each other’s territories, according to Christian Perheentupa, a senior instructor of strategy at the National Defence University.
Israel has continued its attacks, which began on Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and air defense systems. These have included strikes on a hangar at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, which housed fighter jets. Iran, in response, has launched ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. While most of Iran’s missiles were intercepted with the assistance of the United States, some did get through and caused damage.
Iran claims its strikes hit strategic and military industrial targets, such as missile factories. “It is, of course, in Iran’s interest to announce that they were important military targets. But it is difficult to assess at this stage. Israel has not, to my understanding, made public where these missiles hit,” Perheentupa said.
In Rishon Lezion, in central Israel, an Iranian missile hit a residential area, damaging buildings. According to Israel’s emergency services, two people were killed and 19 were injured. In Tel Aviv, at least 34 people were injured in the strikes.
A Dangerous Situation
The extent of Iran’s response to the Israeli attacks is crucial in the escalation, Perheentupa says. “Will Iran, for example, strike US targets in the Middle East, or will Iran start to activate armed groups linked to it in the region?”
Perheentupa suggests Iran could also affect energy transports in the Persian Gulf or activate groups in its sphere of influence in Europe or elsewhere in the world.
On Saturday, senior Iranian military officials said that Iran will continue its strikes against Israel in the coming days and will also target US bases in the region, according to the Iranian news agency Fars.
Iran has substantial military forces, the ability to produce various drone and missile systems, and the capacity to utilize terrorist actors. Therefore, Iran can respond in the long term and in various ways if it wishes, Perheentupa assesses.
Another key question is the role of the United States in the conflict. The US has strongly signaled to Iran that it had no part in the Israeli attack and that Iran should not strike American targets.
“There are currently no signs that the United States is going to take a more active role,” Perheentupa said.
However, this could change if Iran attacks American bases.
Perheentupa believes that various parties are directing extremely strong political influence at Israel and Iran to prevent the crisis from escalating further and to de-escalate the situation.
“But there are ingredients here for a much wider and longer-lasting conflict.”
No End in Sight for the Strikes
The Iranian government needs to show its domestic audience and, more generally, the Middle East region that it still has the ability to strike Israel, Perheentupa said.
“This is a worrying development, and it seems that these strikes are not going to end immediately, at least based on the statements that have been made,” Perheentupa said.
He estimates that Israel is now trying to completely destroy Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon. The attacks will come in waves, after which Israel will always assess the impact of the previous strikes.
Israel appears to have struck, among other things, uranium enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow, as well as a nuclear research facility in Isfahan. Iran has confirmed the strikes on Isfahan and Fordow. According to Iran, the Fordow facility suffered “limited damage.”
Israeli military spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, said the Natanz facility suffered “significant damage,” and the operation is still in its early stages.
Perheentupa notes that it is impossible to assess from Finland how well Israel has succeeded in its operation or whether it has left out some key elements.
Sources: AFP, AP, Reuters
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Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates: Missile Strikes Intensify
Tit-for-Tat Attacks Raise Fears of Wider Conflict
RISHON LEZION, June 14, 2025 – Time.news Staff.
The Israel-Iran conflict is escalating rapidly, with both sides exchanging missile strikes, raising fears of a broader conflict [[1]]. These attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and are causing widespread concern.
- Israel and Iran have exchanged missile strikes.
- Civilian areas in Israel have been hit.
- Iran claims it targeted military and industrial sites in Israel.
- Regional tensions are heightened, and further escalation is anticipated.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified dramatically, with each nation launching missile attacks against the other’s territories. Christian Perheentupa, a senior instructor of strategy at the National Defense University, confirmed this escalation.
Israel’s attacks, which began on Friday, have targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and air defence systems. These strikes included a hangar at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran [[3]]. In response,iran has launched ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. While many of Iran’s missiles were intercepted with U.S.assistance, some did cause damage.
Iran claims its strikes targeted strategic and military industrial targets, such as missile factories. “It is indeed, of course, in Iran’s interest to announce that they were critically important military targets. But it is arduous to assess at this stage. Israel has not, to my understanding, made public where these missiles hit,” Perheentupa noted.
In Rishon Lezion, central Israel, an Iranian missile struck a residential area, damaging buildings. According to Israeli emergency services, two people died, and 19 were injured. Additionally, at least 34 people were hurt in Tel Aviv due to the strikes.
A hazardous Situation
The extent of Iran’s response to the Israeli attacks is critical to the escalation, says Perheentupa. He questions whether Iran will strike U.S. targets in the Middle East or activate regional armed groups. The ongoing attacks between Israel and Iran are a serious cause for concern, with the potential to ignite a wider, more devastating conflict.
Perheentupa suggests that Iran might also target energy transports in the persian Gulf or activate groups within its sphere of influence in Europe or elsewhere. senior Iranian military officials announced on Saturday that Iran would continue its strikes against Israel and target U.S. bases in the region, according to the Iranian news agency Fars.
Iran possesses considerable military capabilities, including the ability to produce drones and missile systems and to utilize terrorist actors. Therefore, Iran can retaliate in the long term and in various ways if it chooses, Perheentupa assesses.
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