In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Iran launched a wave of missile strikes early Monday targeting Israel’s key cities—Tel Aviv and Haifa. The attack, which destroyed several residential structures and ignited fires near critical infrastructure, has left at least five people dead and over 100 wounded, according to Israel’s national emergency services.
The bombardment is in retaliation for Israel’s prior airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile sites, which reportedly killed over 220 people, including top military figures.
In Haifa, emergency responders rushed to multiple sites as fires erupted near a power plant and at least 30 people sustained injuries. Tel Aviv was rocked by multiple explosions before dawn, with missiles striking near Shuk HaCarmel and causing damage in surrounding neighborhoods, including areas close to the U.S. Embassy.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed the operation used a “new method” designed to outmaneuver Israeli missile defense systems by confusing them into misfiring. The Guard declared the strikes a success despite what it called “full Western support” for Israel.
The Israeli government has not officially responded, but military sources previously warned of the limits of their air defense capabilities, suggesting more difficult days ahead.
The roots of this flare-up trace back to an Israeli surprise assault on Friday that killed Iran’s Revolutionary Guard intelligence chief, Mohammad Kazemi, and his deputy, a move widely condemned by Tehran. In response, Iran has vowed sweeping retaliation and threatened to “open the gates of hell” against Israeli and allied interests.
The intensifying conflict has drawn international concern and overshadowed the ongoing G7 summit in Canada. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined four priorities: blocking Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, affirming Israel’s right to self-defense, preventing further escalation, and keeping diplomatic avenues open.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking before the summit, expressed hope for a negotiated deal, stating, “Sometimes they have to fight it out.” However, diplomatic efforts have stalled. A planned U.S.-Iran nuclear dialogue scheduled for Sunday was canceled after Iran refused to participate while under active attack.
Further complicating matters, Iran launched another rare daylight strike on Tel Aviv on Sunday, followed by a barrage hitting Haifa and southern Israeli towns after dark. U.S. officials confirmed that American forces helped intercept some incoming missiles and also revealed that President Trump recently vetoed an Israeli proposal to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a claim Netanyahu declined to confirm.
Despite denying direct involvement, the U.S. has warned Tehran not to target American interests in the region.
Adding to the complexity, Iran received vocal support from Pakistan. Iran’s state-run news agency quoted Pakistan’s defense minister as saying, “Iranians are our brothers, and their pain is our shared pain.”
