Israel And Iran Exchange Massive Airstrikes As Conflict Escalates, Raising Fears Of Wider Regional War

Tensions between Israel and Iran surged early Saturday, as both countries launched waves of airstrikes against each other in one of the most intense escalations in their longstanding hostility, NDTV reported.

The crisis began with Israel launching its largest-ever airstrikes to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear programme.

Iran responded to Israel’s initial strikes with three waves of airstrikes—two on Friday night and one on Saturday morning.

Air raid sirens rang out across Israel’s largest cities, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, before dawn, forcing residents to seek shelter.

The Israeli military confirmed that dozens of missiles had been fired from Iran, some of which were intercepted by the country's air defence systems.

Emergency teams were deployed across several locations where missiles had reportedly landed.

Local media reported a suspected missile impact in Tel Aviv. However, it remained unclear whether these blasts were the result of direct Iranian strikes or the aftermath of Israeli interceptive efforts.

According to Iranian news agencies, the strikes came in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, military facilities, senior military commanders including Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces, and nuclear scientists on Friday.

In Tehran, several explosions were heard overnight in Tehran.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused Israel of initiating war and vowed a forceful response.

“The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured,” he said.

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official warned that nowhere in Israel would be safe from the consequences.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained defiant, warning Iran that “more is on the way” following the offensive.

Meanwhile, Israel’s ambulance services reported that 34 people were injured during the overnight attacks in the Tel Aviv region, mostly with minor injuries. Local police later confirmed one person had died, Reuters reported.

The United States intervened militarily in the unfolding conflict, with the American forces helping shoot down Iranian missiles aimed at Israel.

President Donald Trump commented that Tehran could still de-escalate the situation by agreeing to a deal on its nuclear programme.

The rapid exchange of missile attacks has renewed fears of a broader regional war.

While Iran’s regional proxies—Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—have been decimated by Israel, further escalation between Tehran and Jerusalem could trigger wider instability across the Middle East.