Israel has launched military strikes on targets in western and central Iran, marking a major escalation in the rapidly growing confrontation between the two countries. The attacks came just hours after Iran carried out missile strikes against Israel, which Tehran said were in response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon.
Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Tabriz. Iranian state media reported multiple blasts in the affected areas, with residents in Tehran hearing at least two powerful explosions during the early morning hours. The Israeli military said it had targeted military sites, while Iranian authorities stated that urban residential areas were not struck.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Israel carried out the attacks using air-launched ballistic missiles. Iranian officials reported no casualties from at least one strike in the city of Najafabad in Isfahan Province, while emergency services across the country remained on alert as assessments continued.
The Israeli operation came despite calls from the United States for restraint. U.S. President Donald Trump had reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate against Iran’s overnight missile attacks. However, Israel proceeded with the strikes, raising fears of a further escalation. Iranian officials have previously warned that any Israeli response would trigger additional Iranian attacks, leaving the region bracing for what could become a broader and more prolonged conflict.
