(Image source from: AP)
Early on Saturday, hostilities between Iran and Israel intensified with multiple airstrikes exchanged between the two nations. This escalation followed Israel's most extensive offensive aimed at thwarting Iran's nuclear weapon development. In Israel, air raid sirens rang out in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the country's two major cities, prompting residents to seek shelter as dawn broke. The military reported that its air defense systems were active, attempting to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. The Israeli military claimed that numerous missiles were fired from Iran, with some successfully intercepted. They did not disclose casualty figures but indicated that emergency response teams were engaged in various locations where missiles landed. Reports from Israeli media mentioned a potential missile strike in Tel Aviv, and a witness in Jerusalem recounted hearing a loud explosion, according to Reuters. However, it remained uncertain whether the noise resulted from Iranian attacks or Israeli defensive actions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran that “more is on the way” following the recent strikes. In turn, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of provoking a war. He stated, “The Iranian people must be assured that our retaliation will not be limited.” Explosions were also reported in Tehran, as per the semi-official Tasnim news agency. According to Iran’s Far news agency, Iran executed a third round of airstrikes on Saturday, following two earlier waves on Friday night in retaliation for Israeli assaults that targeted military facilities, nuclear sites, and key personnel. Khamenei denounced Israel for initiating hostilities. A senior Iranian official declared that there would be no safe place in Israel and that the consequences of revenge would be severe.
Israel's emergency medical service reported that Friday night saw 34 injuries in the Tel Aviv region, primarily minor. Later, police confirmed one fatality. On the same day, US military forces assisted in intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at Israel, as stated by two US officials. President Donald Trump remarked that it was not too late for Tehran to end the Israeli bombing by negotiating on its nuclear program. Nevertheless, Iran dismissed ongoing nuclear discussions with the US as now “meaningless.” The reciprocal violence between Israel and Iran has heightened concerns about a possible wider regional conflict, despite the fact that Israel's assaults have significantly weakened Iran's allies, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
