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Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nuclear sites hit, oil depot targeted: Israel-Iran trade heavy blows; key details
A day after the Khamenei-led Islamic Republic struck the IDF's military base in Tel Aviv, Israel launched a major counteroffensive on Sunday, directly targeting Tehran's defence and energy infrastructure in a sharp escalation of hostilities between the two arch-rivals. IDF also hit Iranian Shahran oil facility in its latest series of attacks. In response, Iran fired a fresh wave of missiles into Israeli territory, killing four people and injuring several others in the northern Galilee region. The strikes come just days after Israel's surprise launch of "Operation Rising Lion," targeting Iran's nuclear facility at Natanz. Sunday's attacks marked the most major Israeli action yet, with targets including Iran's ministry of defence headquarters and the SPND -- an agency Israel claims is central to Iran's nuclear weapons development. Extensive series of strikes: IDF The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, stating: 'The IDF completed an extensive series of strikes on targets in Tehran related to the Iranian regime's nuclear weapons project… including the Iranian Ministry of Defence, SPND nuclear project headquarters, and additional sites where the regime hid its nuclear archive.' Iran warns Israel Loud explosions were reported across eastern and western Tehran late Sunday, with visuals showing heavy smoke billowing over the city skyline. Iranian state media confirmed several areas were hit, but did not release casualty figures immediately. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said the missiles were aimed at facilities involved in the production of fuel for Israeli fighter jets. "If Israeli aggression continues, Iran will respond with further missile strikes," the Guard said in a statement. The latest developments come just hours after Iran's Friday night retaliation for the Natanz strike, when it targeted Israel's heavily fortified Kirya compound in Tel Aviv -- the nerve centre of Israel's military command and home to its ministry of defence and intelligence units. Homes hit, fires rage: Israel confirms Israel's Fire and Rescue Services confirmed that multiple residential buildings in the coastal and northern regions were struck during the attacks, sparking fires in open areas. "Several incidents have been reported to our command centres in the Coastal and Northern Districts, including direct hits on homes and a blaze in an open area," said spokesperson Tal Volbovitz. Global concerns Adding to global concern, indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States -- scheduled to resume on Sunday -- were abruptly cancelled. Mediator Oman confirmed the cancellation, with a senior US official saying, 'We remain committed to talks and hope the Iranians will return to the table soon.' World leaders called for urgent de-escalation. China's foreign minister warned that strikes on nuclear facilities set a "dangerous precedent," while diplomats across Europe expressed concern over a wider regional conflict. Israel claims its two-day offensive has eliminated nine top Iranian nuclear scientists and a number of senior generals. Iran's ambassador to the United Nations has said 78 people were killed and more than 320 injured in the Israeli attacks. 'Tehran is burning' Israeli defence minister Israel Katz posted a stark message on social media: 'Tehran is burning,' underscoring the gravity of the current escalation. As both countries weigh the costs of further military engagement, the region teeters on the edge of a broader conflict, with diplomatic avenues rapidly closing.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran launches fresh missile barrage on Israel: Tel Aviv hits back with airstrikes on Tehran; at least 14 injured as Israeli residential areas targeted
Iran on Sunday launched a new wave of missile attacks against Israel, prompting Tel Aviv to retaliate with airstrikes on Tehran. According to AFP, at least 14 people were injured when an Iranian missile struck a residential building in Israel, as confirmed by first responders. Iran launches fresh wave of missiles, Israel urges citizens to shelter The Israeli military on Saturday reported that Iran had launched a new barrage of missiles toward its territory, triggering nationwide alerts and immediate public safety measures. 'A short while ago, the IDF (military) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,' the military said in a statement. Cautioning civilians, it added: 'Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.' Israel responds with strikes on Tehran amid missile interceptions In a swift counteroffensive, the Israeli military said it was carrying out strikes on targets in Tehran even as its air defence systems worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. "While the IDF is operating to intercept missiles launched from Iran, the Israeli Air Force is currently striking military targets in Tehran," the military announced. Sirens were reported in multiple parts of Israel as tensions surged. Explosions heard across Israel as Iranian missiles hit Missile sirens and explosions echoed across several areas of Israel, including Tel Aviv, as Iranian state television confirmed it had launched a new wave of attacks. This latest escalation came just a day after Israel's high-intensity assault on Iranian military and nuclear sites, which appears to have triggered the current retaliation. Residential areas hit in Israel, fire service confirms damage Israel's Fire and Rescue Services confirmed that several residential buildings in the country's coastal and northern regions were hit in the attacks. Fires broke out in open areas as a result of the impact. 'Several incidents have been reported to the Israel Fire and Rescue Services command centres in the Coastal and Northern Districts, with hits on residential buildings and a fire in an open area,' spokesperson Tal Volbovitz said. Iran activates air defences, Netanyahu and Pezeshkian exchange warnings In response to the Israeli airstrikes, Iran activated its air defence systems across multiple regions. The escalating attacks marked one of the most intense direct confrontations between the two regional powers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to target 'every target of the ayatollah regime,' while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that 'further strikes would draw a more severe and powerful response.' Israeli military eases shelter alert as immediate threat subsides Hours after the initial wave of missile threats, the Israeli army eased the emergency alert, stating that citizens could leave shelters but should remain cautious. 'Following the situational assessment, the Home Front Command published that it is now permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas across the country and to remain near them,' the military said.
