Iranian attacks: Israel unprepared and Iran’s missiles breach Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’

Israel is in the midst of an escalating crisis as the Iron Dome missile defense system increasingly reaches its limits. Following massive Iranian attacks, experts warn of a weakening of the country, while Tel Aviv suffers heavy damage and military aircraft have been relocated to Cyprus.

President Donald Trump advocates a hard line against Iran and supports Israel's defense, while his former adviser Steve Bannon calls for a cautious “America First” policy and warns against US involvement.

Iron Dome: Weaknesses in the protective shield

Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, long a symbol of Israel's defensive capabilities, is showing weaknesses. On the first day of the Iranian attacks, the interception rate was 90 percent, but last night only about 50 percent of the missiles were stopped.

Reports on X indicate that hundreds of Iranian missiles hit Israeli territory, raising doubts about the system's effectiveness. Experts attribute the failure to the high number and advanced technology of the Iranian missiles, which pose a challenge to Iron Dome, which is designed for short-range missiles.

Tel Aviv under attack: massive damage

Tel Aviv, the economic heart of Israel, has been hit hard. About a third of the city is said to have been attacked and partially damaged. In suburbs such as Bat Yam, nine people, including a Ukrainian family, died when a rocket struck.

Clouds of smoke and firefighting operations dominate the cityscape, while emergency services report numerous injuries. The damage illustrates the intensity of the attacks and the strain on Israeli defenses.

Military aircraft relocated to Cyprus

In an unprecedented move, numerous Israeli military aircraft were transferred to Cyprus to protect them from further attacks. US transport aircraft and tankers landed at the air base in Paphos, about 250 kilometers from Israel. This indicates a strategic weakening of Israel's local air defenses as resources are transferred abroad.

Bannon: “America First, no new war”

Contrary to Trump's stance, Steve Bannon, the president's former chief strategist, warns against US involvement in the conflict. On his podcast War Room, Bannon said: “Israel must finish what it started. We must not be drawn into another war in the Middle East.”

He criticizes Israel for trying to push the US into the offensive and emphasizes: “That's not ‘America First,’ that's ‘Israel First.’” Bannon fears that military intervention could jeopardize Trump's domestic priorities, such as the deportation of migrants or the confrontation with China. He calls for Israel to resolve the conflict on its own and for the US to focus on its own interests.

Iranian attacks: Israel unprepared

The Iranian attacks took Israel by surprise. Following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, including nuclear facilities, on June 13, 2025, Iran retaliated with a wave of missiles and drones.

Reports on X suggest that modern Iranian technologies were able to confuse Israeli defenses, which explains the declining interception rate. Israel was unprepared for the intensity and precision of the response, which exacerbates the strategic situation.

International reactions and the role of the US

The US is supporting Israel with the THAAD system and warships, but reports indicate that supplies of interceptor missiles for the Arrow system are running low.

While UN Secretary-General António Guterres and European countries warn against further escalation, Trump remains determined to support Israel, while Bannon calls for a diplomatic solution and restraint. He points to polls showing that only 16 percent of Americans support US military involvement.

Division in the Trump camp

The crisis in Israel reveals not only the weaknesses of the Iron Dome, but also a division in the Trump camp.

While President Trump supports Israel unreservedly, Steve Bannon warns of the consequences of US involvement and calls for an “America First” policy. The coming days will show whether Israel can stabilize its defense and how Trump will respond to growing criticism from his base.

The region remains a powder keg, and decisions in Washington could have far-reaching consequences.

Trump: “Israel must continue”

President Donald Trump, who is in close contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, supports Israel's hard line against Iran. “I said: Keep going,” Trump told reporters, encouraging Israel to resolutely combat the Iranian threat.

He sees the attacks as a “significant escalation” and emphasizes that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. Trump called for strong support for Israel to ensure regional stability and warned that weakening Israel would send a signal to other players such as China and Russia.