Tel Aviv — Israel’s vaunted Iron Dome defense system came under unprecedented strain as a massive Iranian ballistic missile barrage slammed into central Israel, killing nine people and injuring more than a dozen others in what officials are calling one of the worst attacks since the conflict began.

Sirens wailed across multiple cities as radar screens lit up with inbound threats. Iron Dome and David’s Sling batteries fired volleys of interceptors, turning the night sky into a web of flaming arcs. But Israeli commanders admit that “saturation levels” were reached, allowing several large warheads to punch through and detonate near residential neighborhoods and critical junctions. Cars were overturned, storefronts shredded and apartment blocks left with gaping holes as emergency crews raced to pull survivors from the rubble.

In Tehran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the operation a “tactical success” and proof that Iran can “break the enemy’s shield” when it chooses. State media broadcast triumphant footage of launches and computer‑generated impact maps deep inside Israel.

Israeli leaders condemned the strike as a “blatant attempt to terrorize civilians,” vowing a “crushing and precise response.” Analysts warn that if Iran can repeatedly saturate Israel’s multi‑layered defenses, public confidence will erode fast — and pressure for a decisive escalation will grow on both sides.