Iran launches afternoon missile barrage at Israel during 'extensive wave' — IDF intercepts, alerts issued

Iran launched a new wave of ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory in the early afternoon of Day 14, as the IDF simultaneously conducted its own 'extensive wave' of strikes on Tehran. The Israeli military said missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory, prompting air defence systems to respond and emergency alerts to be issued in affected areas. The simultaneous escalation — IDF's extensive wave on Tehran and Iran's afternoon barrage at Israel — underlines that despite US Secretary Hegseth's claims of a 90% reduction in Iranian missile volume, Iran retains meaningful offensive capacity and continues to deploy it. The afternoon timing also overlaps with Quds Day marches still ongoing in parts of Tehran, giving Iran's launches political symbolism beyond their military effect. Hegseth had stated earlier that US and Israeli forces have struck more than 15,000 targets across Iran since Feb 28, and that B-2 bombers 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear facilities. He also stated the US retains options 'across the spectrum' to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.