Explosions, missile barrages, and air strikes rocked both Iran and Israel this weekend in one of the most intense confrontations between the two regional rivals in decades. The deadly exchange comes a day after Israel launched a large-scale air offensive, targeting top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists.
At least 80 people have been killed in Iran, including civilians, while more than 320 have been wounded, as Israeli missiles struck military bases, nuclear facilities, and residential areas in Tehran. Among the dead are nine nuclear scientists, raising alarm over the scale and intent of Israel’s operation.
In retaliation, Iran launched a wave of missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, killing at least four people and injuring over 200. Multiple missiles breached Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, striking Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Rishon LeZion. Air raid sirens sent residents scrambling for shelters through the night.
The Israeli military reported that seven soldiers were injured in the strikes, marking the first confirmed military casualties since the escalation began. Meanwhile, a high-rise building in Tel Aviv was hit, and at least nine structures were damaged in Ramat Gan. Over 200 ballistic missiles were reportedly fired by Iran in four successive waves.
Top Leaders Trade Warnings
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned Israel for initiating what he termed a war, warning that Tel Aviv would face “severe punishment.” Speaking on state television, Khamenei said, “They started this and they will not escape unscathed for this great crime.”
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Israel Katz responded with fierce rhetoric. Katz warned, “If Khamenei continues to fire missiles towards the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn.” He blamed Iran’s leadership for endangering its civilians and warned of further Israeli retaliation.
On Saturday, two Iranian projectiles hit Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, which hosts a military airbase. Although the explosions caused panic, authorities said the damage was limited and no operational infrastructure was affected.
In another blow to Iran, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Fordow uranium enrichment facility. While officials confirmed “limited damage,” Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization noted that key materials had been moved out in advance, and there were no radiation risks.
West Bank and Regional Tensions
The violence has also spilled over into the occupied West Bank, where five Palestinians, including three children, were injured by falling rocket shrapnel near Hebron. Israel has tightened its control over the territory, imposing road closures and movement restrictions amid rising tensions.
Iran has issued direct warnings to Western powers, especially the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, cautioning that their bases, ships, and personnel in the region would become targets if they assist Israel militarily.
A government statement carried by Mehr News Agency warned, “Any country participating in defending Israel will be targeted. This includes military bases in Gulf countries and naval vessels in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.”
Tehran has accused the US of complicity in Israel’s initial air strikes and declared Washington equally responsible for the conflict’s consequences.
International Fallout and Fears of Wider War
Experts warn that the situation could spiral into a prolonged regional conflict. Shahram Akbarzadeh, a Middle East politics professor at Deakin University, said both Iran and Israel seem prepared for sustained hostilities. “Israel is banking on the dynamic that once a conflict begins, the United States will step in due to its commitment to Israeli security,” he told Al Jazeera.
While no direct US military action has been reported, Washington’s diplomatic and logistical support for Israel may draw it deeper into the conflict.
Amid the ongoing violence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement urging Iranian citizens to rise against their government. “The regime under Khamenei is evil and oppressive. The people of Iran deserve freedom,” Netanyahu said.
However, in Tehran, that message has largely fallen flat. Reporting from the capital, Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi said many Iranians are more focused on survival. “People here are angry — not just because of attacks on military figures but because ordinary citizens are dying,” he said. “They are living under sanctions, economic hardship, and now, war.”
Looking Ahead
As the missile exchange continues, regional stability hangs in the balance. This marks the most serious confrontation between Iran and Israel in recent history, shifting their long-standing proxy rivalry into a direct and dangerous war.
With both nations escalating and no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, fears of a broader regional conflagration — potentially involving the US and Gulf states — are growing by the hour.
