Iranian missiles also hit a power plant in southern Israel, which caused widespread electricity outages across multiple towns, according to Iranian and Israeli sources.

Loud explosions were heard in several Israeli cities.

The Iranian strikes were in direct retaliation for Israeli air raids that earlier targeted Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, and the state-run television headquarters.

Iranian officials claimed the counterattack was a legitimate act of self-defence, emphasizing that Israel’s provocative actions warranted a firm response.

Iranian military sources confirmed that 14 key targets within Israel were struck, including military bases, industrial complexes, and critical infrastructure.

One missile struck a major power plant in southern Israel, disrupting electricity to multiple towns and settlements.

Israeli media corroborated the incident, citing a statement from the Israel Electric Corporation, which acknowledged that a missile had landed near a strategic infrastructure point, resulting in power supply interruptions.

In multiple cities across Israel, residents reported hearing loud explosions, while air raid sirens blared for approximately 35 minutes — the longest continuous alarm period since the onset of tensions with Iran.

Many Israelis were forced to remain in bomb shelters, marking what some described as the most intense day of the conflict so far.

The current round of hostilities began when Israeli fighter jets launched heavy air strikes on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, a site critical to Tehran’s uranium enrichment programme.

The intense bombing reportedly caused severe structural damage but, according to Iranian officials, did not result in any fatalities.

Following the attack on Fordow, Iran’s state TV and Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran were also struck, drawing strong condemnation from Iranian authorities.

“These unprovoked strikes on civilian and academic institutions are violations of international law,” a senior Iranian official said, vowing that Iran would defend its sovereignty “to any extent necessary.”