Israel destroys one-third of Iran's missile launchers amid escalating conflict
- The IDF reported that it destroyed 120 of Iran's ballistic missile launchers, significantly reducing its launch capacity.
- Iran launched 65 missiles during overnight attacks, resulting in civilian casualties despite Israeli interceptions.
- Israel anticipates a decline in the Iranian missile threat as military operations continue to target launchers and command structures.
In early June 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a significant military operation against Iran, referred to as Operation Rising Lion. Within the first four days of fighting, the IDF stated that it had destroyed approximately one-third of Iran's estimated ballistic missile launchers, which amounted to 120 out of an estimated 360. Despite this reduction, Iranian forces were still able to launch 65 missiles and numerous drones at Israeli targets, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians in urban areas such as Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak, and Tel Aviv, although no military targets were successfully hit by Iran. IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin reported that the air campaign not only aimed to neutralize missile launchers but also targeted bases of the Quds Force, which oversees Iranian terrorist activities abroad. The effectiveness of these strikes led to the destruction of over 20 ballistic missiles on the ground, compelling Iranian launching crews to adopt evasive actions. As a result, Iran launched only half of the missiles it had initially planned in a subsequent barrage attack. The impact of the Israeli air operations has been significant, leading to greater restrictions on the Iranian military's operational capabilities. Alongside the military actions, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel had achieved total air superiority over key regions in Iran, including Tehran itself. The Israeli Air Force's continuous operations above Iranian airspace have been described as a pivotal factor in reducing the scope and effectiveness of Iran's missile capabilities. Reports from Tehran indicated a mass exodus of civilians, which many Israelis interpreted as a sign of potential regime instability. As the conflict escalated, the Israeli leadership remained committed to preventing further Iranian attacks while continuing their offensive operations aimed at curtailing the nation's military infrastructure. As the situation developed, Israel anticipated that the Iranian missile threat would decrease over time with the destruction of additional missile launchers and ongoing targeting of command structures within the Iranian military. This assessment, alongside the high civilian casualties resulting from Iranian attacks, has drawn attention to the ongoing humanitarian impacts of the conflict while highlighting the precarious balance of power in the region.