Tensions have escalated dramatically in the Middle East as Iran launched missiles targeting central and northern regions of Israel. The strikes, coming after Israeli military operations against Iranian nuclear sites, have resulted in at least four deaths and over 100 injuries, according to Israeli emergency services.
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog expressed deep sorrow over the attacks, which have left both Jewish and Arab communities reeling. “A very sad and difficult morning,” Herzog shared on social media platform X, mourning the loss and praying for the injured, including children and the elderly.
The conflict intensified with Israeli strikes on Tehran, hitting key infrastructure, including the Shahran oil depot, which Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned, threatening a “more severe” retaliation if Israel persists. This escalation also impacts diplomatic efforts, as negotiations about Iran’s nuclear program, scheduled to resume on Sunday, have been abruptly canceled.
In a related development, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels acknowledged their involvement, claiming coordination with Iran in targeting Israel. The Houthis have previously launched attacks amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, which began in October 2023. Israel has also retaliated against Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen.
As the tensions mount, President Donald Trump clarified the U.S.’s non-involvement in the recent Israeli strikes on Iran via his Truth Social site, yet he remained optimistic about a potential diplomatic resolution, stating, “We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel.”
The situation remains volatile as air raid sirens continue to sound across Israel, and both nations brace for further developments in this rapidly unfolding conflict.
