Iran launches waves of missiles at Israel in response to airstrikes

Iran and Israel struck each other with missiles and airstrikes early Saturday after Israel initiated its largest air offensive against its longtime adversary to hinder its nuclear weapon development. Air raid sirens echoed throughout Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, prompting residents to flee to shelters as multiple waves of Iranian missiles soared through the sky and Israeli interceptors ascended to engage them.

According to Israel’s ambulance service, a missile struck near their residences, resulting in the deaths of a man and a woman, while dozens were injured. Rescue crews were combing through the debris of apartment structures that were devastated in Rishon Lezion, a town near Tel Aviv.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz stated on Saturday that the Iranian leadership crossed a line by targeting civilians and will “suffer severe consequences for it.” According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, a missile launched from Yemen by the Iran-supported Houthi militia killed five Palestinians, including three children, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that multiple explosions were heard overnight in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

The Fars news agency reported that two missiles struck Tehran’s Mehrabad airport, with Iranian media indicating that flames were observed in the area. Near important Iranian leadership locations, the airport contains an air force base equipped with fighter jets and transport planes.

Iran’s U.N. representative Amir Saeid Iravani reported that 78 individuals, comprising high-ranking military officials, have lost their lives due to Israel’s attacks on Iran, with over 320 others injured, predominantly civilians.

Fars reported that Tehran conducted a series of airstrikes on Saturday, following two barrages on Friday night. One of the waves hit Tel Aviv, Israel’s economic center, before dawn on Saturday, with blasts audible as far away as Jerusalem, according to witnesses.

Israeli strikes on Iran prompted significant Iranian retaliation, heightening regional conflict fears. Iran launched ballistic missiles after Israel targeted the Natanz nuclear site, damaging its facilities. Israel affirmed the site’s impairment while Iran urged revenge, blaming the U.S. for complicity. Trump suggested a deal could end hostilities, but Iran indicated a lack of interest in upcoming negotiations.