'This is how World War III begins': As missiles rain on Tel Aviv, analysts say the next strike could drag the world in
Israel has vowed a harsh response after three civilians were killed near Tel Aviv in Iranian missile strikes. In a statement that drew immediate global concern, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared, 'If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front,
Tehran
will burn.'
Katz accused Iran of using its citizens as shields for its aggression, saying, 'The Iranian dictator is taking the citizens of Iran hostage. It is bringing about a reality in which they, and especially Tehran's residents, will pay a heavy price for the flagrant harm inflicted upon Israel's citizens.'
Iran, in turn, issued threats to Western nations, warning that any support for Israel could make them targets. Mehr News Agency, a state-run Iranian outlet, stated: 'Any country that participates in repelling Iran's attacks on Israel will be subject to Iranian forces targeting all regional bases of the complicit government, including military bases in the Persian Gulf countries and ships and naval vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea.'
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Undo
A war that could go global
Overnight, Israel launched what officials are calling
Operation Rising Lion
, a large-scale military response to Iran's prior provocations. Israeli military spokesperson Brig Gen Effie Deffrin said, '200 Israeli fighter jets participated in the operation overnight, striking some 100 targets,' while Iran responded by launching around 100 drones toward Israeli territory.
As reported by the Mirror, security expert Professor Anthony Glees, a lecturer at the
University of Buckingham
, said the nature and scale of Israel's response may be 'a blueprint' for how a third world war would unfold. In comments to the Mirror, he outlined two likely scenarios that could drag Europe into a broader conflict, 'First, that Iran hits back hard, is supported by its admittedly weakened proxies,
Hezbollah
, the Houthis and what's left of Hamas, as well as its chums in the region and beyond.'
Live Events
Glees also warned that authoritarian leaders such as Putin, Kim Jong-Un, and Xi Jinping could view a distracted and weakened United States as an opportunity to act. 'We recall that Putin is firing Shahed drones at Ukraine,' he said. 'Now is the time to pursue their own bugbears in Ukraine, South Korea and Taiwan.'
'Tehran will burn': Escalation looms
The situation has drawn strong responses across the international spectrum. Prime Minister Keir Starmer held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to a Downing Street readout, they 'discussed the gravely concerning situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need to de-escalate.' The statement added, 'The UK is poised to work closely with its allies in the coming days to support a diplomatic resolution.'
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump confirmed that embassy staff had been moved out of Iraq, and voluntary departures were authorised in Bahrain and Kuwait. Speaking on Wednesday, he said, 'They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens.' He added, 'They can't have a nuclear weapon. Very simple—we're not going to allow that.'
'Digital blackout, drone swarms, cyber chaos'
Professor Glees painted a chilling picture of how modern warfare could unfold in Europe. The first stage, he warned, would be cyberattacks. 'There's no doubt our primary enemy would be Putin's Russia,' he said. 'It will not only knock out our digital communications networks... normal life in the UK would grind to a rapid halt and there will be panic.'
Glees described how Israel reportedly sent mobile alerts to every citizen at 3am—even to phones switched off. 'I've no doubt the Israelis took down the Iranian digital networks a few seconds afterwards,' he added.
This would be followed by drone attacks on intelligence and military leadership. 'We here will likely see a massive drone attack taking out our top military brass, the heads of MI6, MI5 and GCHQ,' he said, even referencing current political staff as potential targets.
'MI6 currently flying the Pride flag would make it a doubly attractive target to Putin who thinks we're all sexually confused and obsessed.'
Britain deploys forces, but urges calm
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the UK is moving fighter jets and other 'assets' to the Middle East. 'We are moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support,' he told reporters en route to the G7 summit in Canada.
Starmer said he had spoken with both US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu, describing the talks as 'constructive.' He added, 'Our constant message is de-escalate.'
Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed the call. 'We must urgently de-escalate & prevent any further harm to civilians,' he posted on social media, adding that he had spoken with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi 'to urge calm.'
'The next ten years may depend on now'
Back in the Middle East, time may be running out. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing for a military strike on Iran regardless of US support. NBC News cited sources saying Israel may move within weeks if nuclear talks go poorly.
While Trump continues negotiating with Tehran, Israeli officials fear any deal that allows uranium enrichment could be exploited by Iran.
For Professor Glees, the lesson is stark. 'A pre-emptive strike may become the best option,' he said. 'Our PM (and I think Starmer would be up for this) would order a pre-emptive hit on Moscow. We'd do to them exactly what they were hoping to do to us. And we'd end up secure for the next decade.'
As diplomacy battles against timelines and missiles, the world now faces a question that grows louder each day: can this be stopped before it's too late?
Israel escalates further, strikes over 150 targets
Israel struck more than 150 targets across Iran for a second straight day on Saturday, destroying key nuclear and military infrastructure and prompting Tehran to call off diplomatic talks with Washington.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were only the beginning. 'We will hit every site and every target of the Ayatollahs' regime, and what they have felt so far is nothing compared with what they will be handed in the coming days,' he said in a recorded statement.
The offensive, which began Friday, followed Israel's targeted killing of several top Iranian commanders. It has already claimed more than 70 lives, including nine nuclear scientists and multiple senior
Revolutionary Guard
officers.
High civilian toll amid military targets
Iranian officials said 78 people were killed on the first day of Israeli attacks, and scores more on Saturday. One missile destroyed a 14-storey residential block in Tehran, killing 60, including 29 children. Iranian state TV showed the building's crumbled remains and damaged homes nearby.
'Smoke and dust were filling all the house and we couldn't breathe,' said Tehran resident Mohsen Salehi, speaking to Iranian outlet WANA after an overnight airstrike.
Tehran retaliates, Israel braces
Iran's response came swiftly. On Friday night, it launched over 200 ballistic missiles and drone swarms at Israeli cities. Three people were killed, and 174 injured, many in Tel Aviv. Air raid sirens blared through the night. In cities like Rishon LeZion, homes were reduced to rubble.
'We're still trying to anticipate what will happen this evening. It's better to play it safe,' said Jordan Falkenstein, a resident in Tel Aviv.
Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin warned the public on Saturday night that more attacks could follow and urged vigilance.
Major nuclear facilities hit
A senior Israeli military official confirmed that significant damage was inflicted on Iran's nuclear programme. Strikes targeted the
Natanz
enrichment plant, Isfahan, and a military hangar at Mehrabad airport in Tehran. Aboveground structures were flattened, while uranium enrichment sites were reportedly disrupted.
The official claimed Israel had 'eliminated the highest commanders of their military leadership' and described the nine scientists killed as 'main forces driving forward the [nuclear] programme.'
The UN nuclear watchdog confirmed damage at Natanz and reported contamination, though Rafael Grossi, its chief, said the leak was 'manageable.'
Washington silent, diplomacy suspended
Diplomatic talks between Iran and the US, scheduled for Sunday in Oman, have been cancelled. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said talks were 'unjustifiable' while Israel's 'barbarous' attacks continued.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, added: 'It is obvious that in such circumstances... it will be meaningless to participate in dialogue with the party that is the biggest supporter and accomplice of the aggressor.'
Despite not joining the attack, the US has backed Israel's actions. President Donald Trump said the strikes gave Washington more leverage and warned Iran of 'much worse to come' unless it abandoned its nuclear ambitions.
Oil markets, Strait of Hormuz at risk
On Saturday, Israeli bombs reportedly hit Iran's South Pars gas field in Bushehr province, causing a fire and partial suspension of gas output. This marks the first time Iran's energy infrastructure has been hit in the current conflict.
Crude oil prices surged by 7% on Friday over concerns of regional supply disruptions.
A senior Iranian commander, Esmail Kosari, said Tehran was considering shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil transport.
A wider conflict looming?
The scale of Israel's attacks and the weakness of Iran's defence systems have rattled Tehran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei faces growing pressure. If he escalates, he risks drawing in the US. If he retreats, it may look like defeat.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz warned, 'If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn.'
Iran has also warned US-allied bases in the region they would be targeted if involved in intercepting Iranian missiles.
Tehran's traditional allies, including Hezbollah and Hamas, are now depleted after fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. Their absence weakens Iran's capacity to respond through proxies.
Despite pleas from world powers for restraint, both countries appear set for a prolonged confrontation.
Netanyahu declared that the campaign would continue 'for as many days as it takes.' The consequences, already severe, could soon spiral into a wider war.
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Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Explained: What's happening in the latest Iran-Israel flare-up, in 5 points
Iran-Israel Conflict 2025: On Friday (June 13), Israel launched airstrikes towards Iran, targeting multiple nuclear and military facilities, and killing several senior military officers and scientists under what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called 'Operation Rising Lion'. He has framed what was the biggest attack on Iran in decades as an attempt to remove the 'nuclear threat' to Israel. Addressing the people of Iran in a video message, he said the time had come for them to stand up for their freedom from an 'evil and oppressive regime', which has 'never been weaker.' We explain what has happened. 1. What was the context for these attacks? Going back in history, Israel and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which led to a theocratic government in Iran under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini. It's important to note that before 1979, not only did the two countries have ties, but Iran was the second Muslim country to recognise Israel after its formation in 1948. However, the Islamist regime in Iran, which has since endured, viewed Israel as an occupier of Palestinian land. Khomeini termed Israel 'Little Satan' and its closest ally, the United States, as 'Great Satan' for what was seen as unnecessary Western interference in the Middle East. Over the years, the ties devolved with little trust on either side. Iran's support for Hamas and other Iran-backed regional actors, such as Hezbollah, especially after October 7, 2023, has drawn Israel's ire. Crucially, the great strategic concern in Israel is Iran possessing nuclear weapons, and to that end, it has previously launched attacks on scientists (although more targeted and tactical ones). Iran says it is not looking to develop weapons, and has simply invested in nuclear power over the decades. However, the process of enriching uranium for use in power plants can be furthered for making a nuclear bomb as well. Enrichment is how uranium-235, used for producing nuclear weapons, is extracted from the naturally occurring uranium-238 variety. Highly enriched uranium has previously been found at an Iranian plant in Natanz. Friday's attacks came one day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors censured Iran for the first time in 20 years for not working with its inspectors. It happened amid talks between the US and Iran for the removal of economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for reducing or ending uranium enrichment. The sixth round of nuclear negotiations was scheduled for Sunday in Muscat, but Oman announced they were scrapped. 2. What kind of damage has been inflicted? Some major targets include the Natanz enrichment facility, around 220 kilometres southeast of Tehran, which is Iran's main enrichment site. It sustained some damage, but there was no nuclear radiation or contamination. There is also the Fordo facility, the Bushehr nuclear power plant that is the only commercial n-power plant in Iran, and the Arak heavy water reactor. On Saturday, the scope of the attacks was expanded to include a refinery in Kangan. It is part of the world's largest gas field, the South Pars, owned by Iran and Qatar. The attacks resulted in a fire, temporarily pausing operations. Attacks have continued over the weekend, with the toll in Iran climbing up to 78 deaths and more than 300 injuries. Key military officers have been killed, including General Hossein Salami, the head of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. On Friday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel initiated a war and said it will not be allowed to do 'hit and run'. 'The Zionist regime (Israel) will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime. The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured,' he said. At least 100 drones were fired at Israel on Friday, but the Israeli Iron Dome defence system intercepted a majority of them. Missiles were launched towards Israel on Saturday night, resulting in three deaths and 34 injuries. Israel claimed to have gained control of the skies over the Iranian capital and warned that 'Tehran will burn' if more missiles are fired, The Guardian reported on Saturday. However, Iran has nonetheless threatened a 'more severe and powerful response'. It has also warned Western nations from extending support to Israel, and that it could target their infrastructure and military bases in the region. 4. How has the world reacted? US President Donald Trump said the country had no role in the attack, but Iran should accept a nuclear deal. He added that Israel possessed US-manufactured 'lethal' weaponry and that 'Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!' Saudi Arabia expressed 'strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms.' Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday urged both Israel and Iran 'to avoid any escalatory steps,' saying India has 'close and friendly' relations with the two nations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar received a call from the Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister and also spoke to his Iranian counterpart. Netanyahu also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who 'emphasized the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region,' according to a post on his X account. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they were moving assets to the region, including jets, 'for contingency support'. The Chinese embassy in Israel said the Israeli strikes were 'significantly escalating the tensions.' A Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson called on all parties to avoid further escalation of tensions. 'China opposes any infringement on Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and opposes actions that escalate tensions and expand the conflict', the spokesperson said. China also offered to 'play a constructive role' in de-escalating the situation. 5. What happens next? In the short run, oil prices are likely to rise, and shipping in the Red Sea may be impacted. However, it is unclear to what level the conflict will escalate or not, given that the Israeli attacks stemmed from broader issues – Iran's nuclear program and Netanyahu addressing Iranians for regime change. On paper, when it comes to a comparison of the countries' military capabilities, Israel also has more advanced, US-backed technology, and has been more successful in inflicting damage in recent conflicts. A previous exchange of fire happened in April 2024 – the first time the countries engaged in direct confrontation. Iran launched strikes after Israel attacked its consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing senior military leaders. Then, too, Iranian attacks only resulted in limited damage. The Iranian government is also facing multiple problems at home, including economic downturn due to sanctions, domestic discontent, and now, its senior military leadership being eliminated. However, with the long history of their animosity, it would be difficult for either country to de-escalate without showing some gains from the strikes. Israel has undoubtedly faced criticism internationally, given its war in Gaza, but Iran's options are even more limited. Only China, Russia, and Burkina Faso opposed the IAEA resolution against it, and many in the Middle East are also worried about a nuclear-armed Iran.
Hans India
10 minutes ago
- Hans India
Haifa port in Israel operating normally despite Iran attack
There has been no damage to Israel's Haifa port in the Iranian ballistic missile attack on an oil refinery nearby and cargo operations are progressing unhindered, according to media reports. Despite strikes targeting the Haifa oil refinery and surrounding areas, the port itself is operating normally, with cargo operations continuing unhampered, reports confirmed. There are eight ships at the port now and cargo operations were being carried out normally, according to the reports. Late on Saturday night, Iran targeted Israel's Haifa port and a nearby oil refinery in retaliation to Tel Avi's attack on Iranian nuclear sites and missile factories and military command centres. Top military commanders and nuclear scientists were killed in the attacks launched by air. Shrapnel fell in the chemical terminal at the port and some other projectiles fell at the oil refinery but there is no damage to the port facilities. The refinery is reported to be at some distance from the port facilties. Haifa Port is a major international seaport located in northern Israel, a relatively less volatile region compared to the south. It is an important port for Israel both for imports and exports of the country. A major escalation unfolded as Iran reportedly launched a fresh barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel for the second consecutive night, with Iranian state media claiming a direct hit on the Haifa oil refinery, sparking a large fire near the northern port city. Official Israeli confirmation of a refinery strike remains pending. The missile assault reportedly struck a residential building in Tamra near Haifa, killing three and injuring at least 14 others. Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight into Sunday, killing scores, as US President Donald Trump said the conflict could be ended easily while warning Tehran not to strike any US targets. Israeli rescue teams combed through the rubble of residential buildings destroyed in strikes, using flashlights and sniffer dogs to look for survivors after at least 10 people, including children, were killed, authorities said. Iran has said at least 138 people have been killed in Israel's onslaught since Friday. The Israeli military warned Iranians living near weapons facilities to evacuate. US President Donald Trump has said that Washington is not involved in the attacks in Iran. However, Tehran has alleged a US hand in the Israeli offensive and has called off the nuclear talks which were scheduled to take place in Oman on Sunday. Trump has warned Tehran against any retaliatory attacks on US facilities or interests. "If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict," he added
Hans India
11 minutes ago
- Hans India
Iran confirms deaths of 8 more senior commanders in Israeli attacks
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has confirmed that eight other senior commanders of its aerospace division were killed in Israel's Friday airstrikes on the capital, Tehran. In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC extended condolences over the "martyrdom" of its senior commanders, Xinhua reported. It listed the slain commanders as Mahmoud Bagheri, Davoud Sheikhian, Mohammad-Bagher Taherpour, Mansour Safarpour, Masoud Tayyeb, Khosrow Hassani, Javad Jorsara, and Mohammad Aghajafari. Israel early Friday launched airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, hitting nuclear facilities and killing a number of Iran's top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. It continued its attacks on different parts of Iran on Saturday and Sunday. Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC's Chief Commander Hossein Salami, Commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Gholam-Ali Rashid, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes on Tehran. In response, Iran on Friday and Saturday nights launched several waves of missile attacks against targets in Israel, inflicting casualties and heavy damage. In Israel, a rocket struck a residential building in a northern community, killing one woman and injuring 13 others, according to Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's national emergency medical service. Several others sustained moderate to light injuries, and four individuals were treated for anxiety, MDA said. Earlier in the day, MDA reported that at least three people had been killed and 204 others injured since the beginning of the Iranian offensive, Xinhua news agency reported. Following the latest wave of attacks, Israel's Home Front Command advised residents outside the Haifa and northern regions that they could exit bomb shelters but should remain close to protected areas. The Israeli military said that its air defence systems were actively intercepting incoming projectiles, while Israeli air force units were carrying out strikes on military targets in Tehran.
