Tensions escalated further in the Middle East early Saturday as Iran and Israel launched fresh attacks against each other, just a day after Tehran declared it would not engage in nuclear negotiations under ongoing threats.
The Israeli military reported an incoming missile barrage from Iran at around 2:30 a.m. local time, prompting air raid sirens across central Israel, including Tel Aviv and the occupied West Bank. Explosions lit up the sky as Israeli air defenses intercepted the incoming missiles.
Simultaneously, Israel retaliated with a new round of airstrikes on Iranian missile sites, including storage and launch facilities, according to military officials.
Although emergency services confirmed no missile impacts, debris from intercepted rockets caused a fire on a residential building in central Israel. No casualties were initially reported, but local media broadcast images of the damage.
This comes after Israel launched attacks on Iran last week, citing an imminent nuclear threat. Iran, insisting its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, has retaliated with missiles and drones. So far, 639 deaths have been reported in Iran, including top military and nuclear scientists, while 24 civilians have died in Israel, according to respective sources. These figures remain unverified by Reuters.
Diplomatic efforts, meanwhile, have shown little traction. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi ruled out talks with the U.S. unless Israel halts its offensive. While attending discussions in Geneva with European diplomats, Araqchi reiterated Iran’s stance on maintaining its uranium enrichment capabilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would take up to two weeks to decide whether the U.S. would militarily back Israel. “If somebody is winning, it’s hard to press them to stop,” he noted, though he acknowledged Iran’s desire to speak directly with the U.S. over Europe.
With hundreds of Americans fleeing Iran and no breakthrough from the Geneva talks, international concern is rising. At the UN, Israel vowed to press on with its attacks until Iran’s nuclear capabilities are dismantled, while Iran appealed for Security Council intervention.
Russia and China have called for an immediate de-escalation.