New Wave of Iranian Missiles and Extensive Israeli Response
In an unprecedented escalation that threatens to widen the confrontation in the Middle East, Iran and Israel exchanged intense missile and air strikes early Wednesday morning, with explosions shaking the heart of Tehran and debris falling in Tel Aviv, while military operations continue at an accelerated pace since the outbreak of war in late February.
* Iranian Missiles on Israel Within Half an Hour
The Israeli army announced on Tuesday evening that it had detected the launch of two waves of missiles from Iran towards Israel within 30 minutes.
It confirmed that air defense systems were working to intercept the threats, while the Home Front Command issued direct alerts to mobile phones in the affected areas, urging residents to immediately comply with instructions and enter protected areas upon hearing the sirens and to remain there until further notice.
The statement clarified that leaving the protected areas would only be allowed with explicit official guidance, emphasizing that adherence to the instructions "saves lives."
During the first wave, debris from munitions fell in the Tel Aviv area, resulting in minor injuries to a woman, according to a police statement, which confirmed that its personnel, in cooperation with explosives experts, were working to secure and isolate the affected sites. Minutes later, a second wave of missiles was reported.
* Extensive Strikes Inside Iran
In contrast, Iranian media reported on Tuesday evening that massive explosions shook Tehran and the regions of Hakimieh and Karaj, while the Israeli army announced the expansion of its operations within the Iranian capital, speaking of the beginning of a wide-ranging strike wave targeting what it described as "military infrastructures."
It also indicated that Israeli and American attacks continue against security and military centers in Tehran, coinciding with urgent warnings for residents to evacuate specific areas in the capital.
Iranian reports mentioned that airstrikes targeted a Revolutionary Guard barracks in Saqqez in the west of the country, while Bushehr Airport in southern Iran sustained damage due to air strikes, with no official details released regarding the extent of the losses.
* Official Announcement: New Wave of Strikes
Early Wednesday, the Israeli army announced the start of a new wide-ranging wave of strikes on Iran, confirming that its forces were attacking missile launch sites and Iranian air defense systems.
This escalation comes in the context of a war that unexpectedly broke out on February 28, when Israel, in coordination with the United States, announced strikes within Iranian territory, confirming that the goal was to topple the regime following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel, in addition to targeting American military bases in several Gulf countries, which widened the scope of confrontation and plunged the region into a highly sensitive phase.
As the exchange of strikes continues, developments remain open to multiple possibilities, amid warnings of the war's expansion and its regional and international repercussions.
