Iran Launches Major Missile Strike on Israel as Conflict Escalates

Late Saturday into Sunday night, Iran launched a coordinated strike on central Israel using ballistic and hypersonic missiles, along with drones, targeting Bat Yam, Rehovot, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem, with damage reported in Haifa and Tamra, Orda.kz reports.

Israel Defense Forces stated they carried out "an extensive series of strikes" in Tehran against targets linked to Iran’s nuclear weapons program and fuel reserves, including the Iranian Defense Ministry headquarters and SPND nuclear project site.

They also struck Houthi positions in Yemen. Media reports suggest that IDF forces attempted to kill Houthi military chief Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Amari — preliminary indications claim he has been killed.

A state of emergency was declared in Bat Yam after a missile partially collapsed a multi-storey building, leaving 35 people unaccounted for.

"The Voice of Israel” reports that over the past 24 hours, Iranian strikes on Israel caused 11 civilian deaths (including two children) and more than 350 injuries. Other reported figures range from 10 to 13 fatalities and 300–350 injuries overall.

In Haifa, a refinery was hit. The IDF has instructed the media not to film missile impacts to avoid revealing exact locations.

Over the past two days, Israel has requested U.S. involvement in preventing Iran’s nuclear program, and the Pentagon is reportedly reviewing these appeals, though the U.S. has previously signalled it would not get involved.

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told CNN that Tehran will strike regional bases supporting Israel, or any country that intervenes on its behalf.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko