Dubai: The Middle East has been plunged into a state of heightened conflict as Israel and Iran engage in a series of missile strikes, signaling a dangerous escalation between the two nations. The Associated Press reports that Israel initiated the conflict by targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities with a missile attack. In response, Iran launched counter-strikes with air defense batteries across several provinces.
The city of Isfahan, a critical location housing both a major Iranian Army airbase and key elements of the country’s nuclear program, has reported explosions. However, the exact targets of Israel’s initial attack remain undisclosed.
Iranian officials assert that they have successfully intercepted and destroyed all incoming Israeli missiles. This claim comes amidst media reports suggesting that Israel’s assault was focused on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In a precautionary move, Iran has now restricted its airspace in the western regions and halted commercial flights in Tehran and surrounding areas.
In a further development, the Israel Defense Force has activated emergency sirens in Arab Al-Aramshe, a village in northern Israel, typically a measure to alert civilians and local authorities to imminent danger. This follows an earlier confrontation on April 13, when Iran launched an assault on Israel with a barrage of drones and missiles.
The international community has urged restraint, with Israel’s allies, particularly the United States, advocating for de-escalation. President Biden personally appealed to Israel to refrain from retaliatory measures, emphasizing that the U.S. would not support such actions. Despite this, Israeli officials have maintained a firm stance, indicating that they will independently determine the timing and nature of their response to Iran’s provocations.
