**Iran Launches Unprecedented Missile Strike on Israel, Intercepted by Defense Systems**

In an unparalleled move, Iran launched approximately 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel in a two-wave assault on Tuesday, with both Israeli and U.S. defense systems successfully intercepting most of the projectiles. This represents Iran's largest-scale attack against Israel to date.

The majority of the missiles were intercepted, preventing significant casualties, although some missiles did cause damage that is still being assessed by Israeli officials. Reports also indicate that a Palestinian civilian was killed in the West Bank, but there have been no deaths within Israeli territory.

Iran has claimed that the missile barrage was in retaliation for a series of recent assassinations by Israel. Nevertheless, Iran has warned that any military response from Israel would result in a "crushing defeat" for the Israeli forces.

Eyewitnesses described numerous explosions in central Israel as air defense systems engaged the incoming missiles. Sirens blared across much of the nation, alerting residents to take shelter.

The attack marks a substantial escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and militias supported by Iran, including Hamas and Hezbollah. The use of ballistic missiles in this latest incident posed a greater challenge to Israel's defense systems compared to previous attacks, such as the drone and missile strike in April, which were also intercepted primarily by U.S. and Israeli defenses.

This latest aggressive act by Iran followed closely on the heels of Israel's intensifying conflict with Hezbollah, particularly Israel's ground invasion into southern Lebanon. The region remains on high alert as tensions continue to rise.

In an April attack by Iran, drone and missile strikes were conducted in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike that resulted in the death of a senior Iranian general in Syria. Following that incident, Israel's response was relatively restrained. However, Israeli officials have indicated that their retaliation for this latest series of missile attacks will be significantly more forceful.