Iran-Israel hostilities escalate with fresh wave of strikes and counterstrikes

Online Desk

Iranians and Israelis woke to smoke and rubble on Sunday after the arch-rivals expanded their attacks overnight, with Israel striking Tehran, and Iran unleashing a deadly barrage of missiles.
(Photo | AP)
Air raid sirens and explosions were heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv early on Sunday, as Israel's military said millions of Israelis were "running for shelter." Images from Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv showed destroyed buildings, damaged vehicles, and debris-strewn streets, as Iran hit multiple targets across the country.
(Photos | AP)
A series of blasts hit Tehran with Israel saying it had struck Iran's defence ministry headquarters, "nuclear weapons project" infrastructure sites and other targets, including an oil refinery in a southern Iranian city as well as fuel tankers.
Photo | AP
The latest conflict between the West Asian rivals began on Friday after Israel escalated tensions by targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing dozens, including top army commanders and atomic scientists. The images show the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, 135 miles southeast of Tehran, on Jan. 24, 2025 (top) and June 14, 2025, after multiple buildings were destroyed by Israeli strikes.
Photo | AP
Tehran responded with retaliatory strikes, launching a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israeli cities. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they targeted sites used by Israeli warplanes for refuelling, while Israel said dozens of missiles were fired, some of which were intercepted.
Photo | AP
So far, Israeli strikes have killed several top Iranian military officials, including IRGC chief Gen. Hossein Salami and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, along with several nuclear scientists, as Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to hit “every target of the ayatollah regime” and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pledged revenge.
Photo | AP
Read why Israeli strikes are a serious blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions