On Monday, the Israeli military announced that it had achieved “aerial superiority” over Tehran following airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of four senior Iranian intelligence officials.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that Iranian air defenses and missile systems have been significantly weakened, allowing Israeli aircraft to fly over Tehran with reduced risk. Consequently, Israel claims to have command over the airspace from western Iran to Tehran.

The Israeli military stated that “precise intelligence” enabled the Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets to target a facility in Tehran where top Iranian intelligence officials were present. The strike reportedly resulted in the deaths of Mohammad Kazemi, the Head of the Intelligence Organization of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), his deputy Mohammad Hassan Mohaqiq, Mohsen Bakri, the Head of the Quds Force Intelligence Directorate, and his deputy Abu al-Fadl Nikouei, according to the IDF on Monday.

Rescue workers, police and military officers inspect the site where an Iranian missile struck in Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025.  (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Meanwhile, Iran fired a new wave of missile attacks on Israel early Monday, triggering air raid sirens across the country. Israeli emergency services reported at least eight killed and dozens more wounded in the fourth day of the conflict.

Powerful explosions, likely from Israel’s defense systems intercepting Iranian missiles, rocked Tel Aviv shortly before dawn, according to the Associated Press. Plumes of black smoke rose into the sky over the major coastal city.

The latest salvo comes after a weekend of escalating tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and Iran that raised fears of a wider, more dangerous regional war.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.