Why Israel’s $1B Iron Dome Couldn’t Stop Iran’s Missiles?

Why Israel’s $1B Iron Dome Couldn’t Stop Iran’s Missiles
Photo: Freepik

The Middle East is on fire—literally. On June 13, Israel launched a massive attack on Iran, officially pushing the long-standing tensions between the two rivals into open war. Under “Operation Rising Line,” Israel targeted high-value Iranian military and nuclear sites, eliminating top generals, senior commanders, and nuclear scientists.

Iran Strikes Back With ‘Operation True Promise’

Iran didn’t take long to retaliate. In a direct response to Israel’s offensive, Tehran launched more than 100 ballistic missiles and combat drones at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, under the counter-operation named “Operation True Promise.” The scale of the attack shocked the Israeli defense forces—and overwhelmed their world-renowned air defense systems.

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Iran’s Missiles Penetrate Israel’s Iron Dome

The Iranian assault exposed significant vulnerabilities in Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling systems. Although these defense platforms successfully intercepted several projectiles mid-air, they failed to stop many of the missiles, which rained down on Tel Aviv, causing widespread chaos.

Defense SystemRolePerformance on June 13
Iron DomeIntercepts short-range rocketsPartially effective
David’s SlingTargets medium-range missilesMissed multiple threats
Arrow (not used)Long-range threat neutralizerNot deployed in action

Tel Aviv Sky Lit Up by Iranian Missiles

Residents of Tel Aviv described the night as a scene from an apocalyptic movie. The sky was glowing with missile trails and explosions. Air raid sirens blared across the city, and thousands rushed into bomb shelters. Videos circulating on social media showed fireballs and thunderous booms lighting up the night.

Panic and Confusion Grip Israeli Cities

The psychological impact was just as severe as the physical. As missiles rained down, the streets of Tel Aviv were filled with people shouting “Run!” and “Take cover!” Despite partial interception efforts, multiple Iranian missiles breached the defenses and exploded in populated areas.

Israeli Casualties and Damage

Preliminary reports indicate over 65 civilians injured, with several in critical condition. Officials have not released a death toll yet, but the damage to civilian infrastructure and morale has been substantial.

Iran’s Smart Strategy Beats Israeli Tech

Experts believe Iran employed a clever strategy to bypass Israeli defenses. Techniques like:

  • GPS-free navigation
  • Decoy warheads
  • Simultaneous wave attacks

…made it difficult for Israel’s missile shield to distinguish real threats from fake ones.

Defense Systems Stretched Thin

While Israel’s Iron Dome has been highly effective in past conflicts, this was the largest coordinated missile attack it has ever faced. The simultaneous launch of over 100 projectiles overwhelmed radar and interception capacity.

A New Phase in the Conflict

The June 13 attacks mark a new, more dangerous phase in the Israel-Iran conflict. What was once a shadow war of cyberattacks, assassinations, and proxy battles has now escalated into direct, large-scale confrontation.

Global Concerns Over Escalation

World leaders are watching with growing alarm. A prolonged war between Israel and Iran could destabilize the region, disrupt oil supplies, and pull in larger powers like the U.S., Russia, and NATO allies.

Read More: Iraq, Syria, Iran—How Israel Took Down Nuclear Threats One by One

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Author

  • 🖋️ Journalist | Storyteller | Researcher | Geopolitics Analyst

    From newsroom chaos to the calm of a blinking cursor, Kunal Verma has spent over five years navigating the ever-evolving world of journalism. With bylines across Bharat 24, Republic World, Jagran, and more, he’s told stories that matter—be it boardroom battles in the business world, high-stakes foreign affairs, or ground reports that hit home. When he’s not chasing headlines, Kunal can be found crafting tweets with too many drafts or sipping strong coffee.

    🗣️ Fluent in Hindi & English
    🔗 Follow him on Twitter: @thekunalverma

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