Israel launches second wave of strikes on Iran
Several explosions have been heard in the Iranian capital of Tehran and surrounding areas more than 12 hours after Israel launched an attack on the country, Iranian state media has reported.
Iranian state news agency IRNA said there were reports of explosions heard in the west of Tehran province in the cities of Shahriar and Malard and around the neighbourhood of Chitgar in Tehran city.
Meanwhile, Mehr News Agency reported a blast in Pakdasht southeast of the capital.
READ MORE: Thousands of people plan to 'march to Gaza' as Egypt detains dozens of activists
The Associated Press said civilians told them they heard loud explosions in neighborhoods in the capital's east, west and centre, while one of the news outlets' journalists in the city's north also reportedly heard a blast.
It has also been widely reported that Iranian air defences shot down an Israeli drone in the vicinity of the country's Fordow nuclear facility.
The Israeli Air Force said in a post on X/Twitter that it is continuing 'to attack missile launchers and infrastructure' in Iran.
The second wave of attacks comes as tensions in the Middle East have ramped up dramatically after Israel launched a first series of attacks on Iranian soil early morning on Friday.
Benjamin Netanyahu's government attacked Tehran in strikes, which raised the potential for an all-out war.
It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq, with multiple sites around the country hit. Israel said it had targeted the country's nuclear programme.
The leader of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was reportedly killed in the attacks, along with another top Guard official, and two nuclear scientists.
The chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri, was also confirmed dead by Iranian state television.
Israeli leaders said the attack was necessary to head off what they described as an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs and they warned of a reprisal which could target civilians in Israel.
In Washington, the Trump administration, which earlier cautioned Israel against an attack amid continuing negotiations, said it had not been involved in the attack and warned Iran against retaliations against US interests or personnel.
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