In a powerful new escalation, Iran has unleashed a large-scale ballistic missile barrage against Israel, putting the country’s air defense network under extreme pressure and triggering widespread panic across the nation.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired dozens of missiles in coordinated waves, targeting central and southern Israel. Air raid sirens blared for over an hour in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem suburbs, Beersheba, and Haifa. Israeli defense systems, including Iron Dome and Arrow, were forced into maximum operation, but multiple impacts have been confirmed. Explosions were reported near military installations and civilian areas, with fires visible from several locations.

Israeli officials admit the barrage was one of the largest in recent days, describing it as “highly challenging” for their multi-layered defense systems. The use of advanced solid-fuel missiles and decoy tactics appears to have strained interception rates, allowing several warheads to get through.

This latest attack is part of Iran’s sustained retaliation under Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Despite weeks of heavy U.S.-Israeli strikes under Operation Epic Fury, Tehran continues to demonstrate surprising missile endurance and accuracy.

The timing is particularly difficult for Israel. Its airbases, including the repeatedly hit Nevatim and Ramat David, are already operating under strain. Meanwhile, the United States — Israel’s key backer — is facing its own serious problems. The USS Gerald R. Ford remains crippled by recurring fires, the USS Abraham Lincoln has faced multiple threats, and America has burned through more than $11 billion in munitions in the first week alone. U.S. interceptor stocks are critically low, and several advanced radar systems in the region have been destroyed.

As Iranian missiles continue to test Israel’s defenses, serious concerns are growing about the sustainability of the current strategy. What was promised as a swift campaign to neutralize Iran has turned into a grinding, expensive war of attrition that shows no signs of ending soon.

With sirens still echoing and emergency services responding to fresh strikes, many Israelis are quietly asking: How long can this level of pressure be sustained? And is Operation Epic Fury actually weakening Iran — or simply exhausting its enemies?

The barrage has stopped for now. But the message from Tehran is unmistakable: the fight is far from over.