Moments after news spread that a large-scale attack on Israel was imminent, Iran launched a significant missile assault.
Tehran is reportedly using both missiles and drones in this renewed offensive, a hybrid attack that is proving difficult for Israel's robust air defense system to counter.
Israelis are scrambling for shelter as the barrage continues.
Al Jazeera reported on the development in an exclusive report late Sunday (June 15).
According to the news outlet, their correspondent witnessed dozens of missiles and interceptors over Israeli cities in live footage from Tel Aviv.
Israelis are urgently seeking refuge in protected areas as soon as the Iranian attack began.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have also confirmed that ballistic missiles were fired from Iran.
In a post on social media platform X, the Israeli military stated, "Millions of Israelis are running for shelter due to projectile fire from Iran."
Israel's Channel 13, citing initial reports, said that Iranian missiles struck the northern coastal city of Haifa and the nearby city of Tamra.
The Times of Israel also reported on the missile launches from Iran, advising Israelis to enter bomb shelters.
This attack comes just hours after Israel continued its strikes inside Iran. Al Jazeera noted that an Iranian attack on Haifa today was largely predictable, given the presence of Israel's natural gas fields there.
Iran's strike on Haifa is largely seen as retaliation for Israeli attacks on their gas infrastructure.
The elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that their Aerospace Force conducted this new attack on Israel. A large number of drones and missiles were used in the operation.
They stated that the missiles and drones were launched in response to recent Israeli attacks on Iran and as part of "Operation True Promise-3."
The current escalation follows a sudden and significant Israeli assault on various locations in Iran on Friday (June 13) morning, with attacks continuing throughout that day.
This devastating offensive killed at least 20 senior commanders, including Iran's Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and General Hossein Salami, head of the IRGC's elite branch.
Less than 24 hours later, the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced the new head of the force.
Upon assuming command, the new IRGC chief issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that the gates of hell would soon open for the "child-killing Zionist regime" in response to Israeli attacks.
Just hours after this message from the new IRGC chief, Iran launched "Operation True Promise-3" against Israel.
The conflict between the two nations is rapidly escalating and becoming increasingly dangerous.
