Netanyahu says over half of Iran's ballistic missile launchers have been destroyed

Netanyahu says over half of Iran's ballistic missile launchers have been destroyed

June 19, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that over half of Iran's ballistic missile launchers have been destroyed following a series of airstrikes. This significant achievement marks a significant milestone in Israel's ongoing operation against Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities.

Netanyahu stated that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have struck two-thirds of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers, reducing Iran's capacity to launch attacks on Israel. This information was confirmed by an Israeli military official who spoke to Reuters [2]. The official noted that while Iran still possesses more than 100 missile launchers, the destruction of a significant portion of these launchers has significantly hampered Iran's ability to threaten Israel.

The airstrikes are part of Israel's broader Operation Rising Lion, which was initially designed to destroy Iran's nuclear capability and long-range weapons capacity. However, the scope of the operation has expanded to include strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, particularly after Iran launched more than 200 missiles and 200 drones at Israel [3].

In response to the escalating conflict, Israel has also targeted Iran’s energy infrastructure, including the South Pars gas field and the Fajr Jam Natural Gas Refinery in the Bushehr region [3]. These strikes are part of a broader strategy to disrupt Iran's ability to produce and deploy nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

The destruction of Iran's ballistic missile launchers is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. It underscores Israel's commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and the ability to deliver them to its proxies and allies. The operation has also demonstrated Israel's capability to strike deep into Iran's territory, including its energy infrastructure.

The ongoing conflict has significant implications for regional stability and global energy markets. The destruction of Iran's missile launchers and energy infrastructure could disrupt Iran's ability to supply oil and gas to the global market, potentially impacting energy prices and geopolitical dynamics.

The Israeli government has expressed its commitment to continuing its operation against Iran until the threat of nuclear weapons is fully eliminated. Netanyahu has emphasized that Israel will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and allies.

References:

[1] https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/israel-war-iran/2025/06/13/id/1214778/
[2] https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-estimates-it-has-hit-two-thirds-of-irans-missile-launchers-official/
[3] https://www.twz.com/air/israel-escalates-to-attacking-iranian-energy-targets-after-ballistic-missiles-hit-tel-aviv