JERUSALEM / TEHRAN: Israelโs military warned early Monday of a fresh wave of Iranian missile attacks as loud explosions rocked Jerusalem and fires broke out near the northern city of Haifa.
In a statement on Telegram, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that missiles had been launched from Iran and urged citizens to immediately seek shelter. โOur air defenses are working to intercept the threat,โ the statement said, โbut we advise all to enter protected spaces and remain there until further notice.โ
AFP journalists in Jerusalem reported hearing loud blasts as Israeli air defense systems intercepted projectiles overhead. In Haifa, fires were observed following missile impacts, with British maritime security firm Ambrey confirming fires at a power station near the cityโs port and reporting the interception of two hypersonic missiles.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan said at least four locations in central Israel were hit in the latest Iranian barrage.
According to Al Jazeera, 29 people have been wounded in the latest attacksโthree in moderate condition, with the rest suffering minor injuries.
Mutual Retaliation Escalates Death Toll
The exchange marks a dramatic escalation in hostilities that began on Friday, when Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting Iranโs top military and nuclear leadership. Israel claims to have struck targets as far as Mashhad, in eastern Iranโ2,300 km from its borders.
Iran has responded with large-scale missile and drone attacks, hitting civilian and military infrastructure across Israel. The Israeli death toll has risen to 13, while Iranโs has reached 224, including 70 women and children. Among the Iranian casualties are the head of the IRGCโs intelligence wing and two senior generals.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of targeting civilians. “Iran will pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women, and children,” he said during a visit to a missile strike site in Bat Yam near Tel Aviv.
Meanwhile, Iranโs armed forces spokesman, Colonel Reza Sayyad, issued a chilling warning on national television: โLeave the occupied territories, because they will no longer be habitable in the future. Shelters will not guarantee your safety.โ
In Tehran, two fuel depots and the central police headquarters were reportedly hit by Israeli airstrikes, prompting some residents to flee the capital. โToday, they hit a house in our alley, and we were very scared,โ one woman told AFP. โWe decided to leave for the north of the country.โ
Syria, Foreign Nationals Also Affected
In a spillover of the conflict, a likely Iranian drone strike killed a woman in Syriaโs Tartus provinceโthe first civilian death in Syria since hostilities erupted.
Both sides continue to accuse the other of escalating the conflict. Tehranโs Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told diplomats that Iran’s actions were a “response to aggression,” and warned of further retaliation if Israeli strikes continued.
US and Global Powers Respond
The White House confirmed President Donald Trump had urged Israel to abandon a reported plan to assassinate Iranโs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. โPresident Trump was against it, and we told the Israelis not to,โ a senior US official told AFP.
Trump has insisted that the United States is not participating in the Israeli offensive but has threatened a forceful response if Iran targets American interests. โSometimes they have to fight it out first,โ he said on Sunday, while again urging both sides to โmake a deal.โ
Trump also suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin could serve as a mediator, stating they had a โlong talkโ about the crisis. โItโs possible we could get involved,โ Trump added in an interview with ABC News.
However, Netanyahu claimed American pilots were already helping intercept Iranian drones, asserting that he and Trump are โfully coordinated.โ The comment appeared to contradict Trumpโs denials of US involvement.
Talks Collapse, Arrests Mount
Tehran canceled scheduled nuclear talks with Washington, saying negotiations are โmeaningless while under fire.โ Both nations have announced arrests of suspected foreign agentsโTehran detaining two alleged Mossad-linked individuals, while Israel claims to have apprehended two people tied to Iranian intelligence.
As the death toll rises and the missile exchanges continue, diplomatic channels remain tense and the risk of a wider regional war grows.
