Overnight missile strikes from Iran on Israel have resulted in at least 10 fatalities, according to Israeli authorities. This marks a significant escalation between the two nations, representing their most intense direct confrontation to date.
Meanwhile, in Iran, plumes of smoke were seen rising over Tehran after Israeli airstrikes targeted two fuel depots. The attacks have sparked panic buying, leading to long lines at gas stations throughout the country as Iranians brace for potential shortages.
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the situation, stating that Washington was not involved in Israel’s recent bombing campaign that began on Friday, focusing on key military and nuclear sites in Iran. However, he warned Iran against attacking U.S. interests, threatening a forceful response. On his Truth Social platform, Trump also suggested the possibility of brokering a deal between Iran and Israel to end the “bloody conflict.”
Israeli police reported that six people were killed and at least 180 injured in a missile strike in Bat Yam, a city near Tel Aviv. Emergency responders are searching through the debris of a destroyed building, with fears that more people may be buried underneath the rubble. One resident, Shahar Ben Zion, described the event as a miracle that they survived an explosion that felt like the entire house had collapsed.
Further north, in the town of Tamra, another strike destroyed a three-story building, killing four women. This brings the total death toll in Israel since Friday to 13.
On the Iranian side, Iran’s UN ambassador stated that 78 people were killed and 320 wounded in the initial Israeli strikes on Friday. While Iranian authorities haven’t provided updated casualty figures, they maintain that Israel has targeted and killed high-ranking military commanders and nuclear scientists.
This direct exchange of fire represents a dangerous departure from decades of proxy conflicts, raising concerns about a wider conflict engulfing the Middle East.
Reporters in Tehran reported hearing a series of explosions early Sunday. Israel claimed responsibility for striking the defence ministry headquarters in Tehran, although the ministry has not commented. The Israeli military also confirmed attacks on nuclear facilities, including the Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND), as well as fuel tankers and other targets.
The Iranian oil ministry confirmed the strikes on two fuel depots in the Tehran area, with journalists witnessing a depot on fire in Shahran.
Both leaders have issued strong statements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to strike “every target of the ayatollah regime,” while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of a “more severe and powerful response” to further attacks.
Israel’s strikes reportedly hit Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment plant and resulted in the deaths of Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s highest-ranking military officer, and Hossein Salami, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Israeli military warned Iranians on Sunday to evacuate areas near weapons facilities.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused Israel of crossing a “new red line in international law” by attacking nuclear facilities, and claimed to have “solid proof” of US support for the Israeli attacks. He defended Iran’s actions as legitimate self-defense, stating that “If the aggression stops, naturally our responses will also stop.”
Despite international calls for de-escalation, the attacks continue. Iran has cancelled its latest nuclear talks with the United States.
The Revolutionary Guards in Iran claimed responsibility for striking sites used by Israeli warplanes for refueling, vowing a “more fierce and more broadly” response if the attacks continued.
Yemen’s Huthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed to have launched missiles at Israel in coordination with the Iranian military’s operations. Israel reported intercepting seven drones launched at the country within an hour on Sunday.
Reflecting global concern, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, warning against a “devastating war” with regional consequences.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK is deploying fighter jets and other “assets” to the Middle East for “contingency support” while urging de-escalation.