Iran’s powerful Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile, dubbed the 'monster missile', recently struck southern Israel, highlighting vulnerabilities in Israel’s celebrated Iron Dome defense system. Designed to carry multiple warheads over long distances at high speeds, the missile challenges Israel’s ability to intercept simultaneous threats. While a ceasefire has brought temporary relief, the looming threat of Iran’s vast missile arsenal remains. Despite advanced defenses, Israel faces growing concerns over its ability to counter such sophisticated weaponry in future conflicts.

Since mid-June, Iran and Israel exchanged missile strikes, escalating tensions. The U.S. launched attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites, prompting Iran to retaliate by targeting the U.S. Al Udeid base in Qatar. Despite warnings of a revenge cycle, the conflict quickly de-escalated with a ceasefire declared hours later. Strategic U.S. troop withdrawals and Qatar’s diplomatic balancing between the U.S. and Iran helped prevent further escalation, protecting vital regional infrastructure and maintaining stability in the Gulf.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared the recent missile and drone strikes on US military bases a significant success. He warned that any future aggression against Iran would provoke a harsh response, including the possibility of repeated attacks on American military installations. Khamenei emphasized that Iran will never surrender despite external pressures and accusations related to missile and nuclear programs. Tehran insists it will respond firmly to any interference with its territory or interests, highlighting escalating tensions between Iran, the US, and its allies.

At least 100 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Wednesday, with hundreds more injured, Anadolu Agency reported. Many of the victims were civilians seeking food and humanitarian aid. In the Shujaiya area, two airstrikes killed at least 17 people, including two children. In central Gaza's Netzarim corridor, eight people were reportedly shot dead while attempting to access aid.

Following a 12-day conflict with Iran, Israel is reportedly experiencing a shortage of key weapons and ammunition, according to NBC News. U.S. officials confirmed the depletion, stating Israel is now lacking critical military resources. A fragile ceasefire, mediated by the U.S. with Qatar's help, is currently in place. The war began on June 13 after Israel accused Iran of secret nuclear activities. Iran responded with military strikes. Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high as Iran denies any formal agreement.

A drone was launched from Yemen towards Israel on Wednesday, as confirmed by Israeli media and sources cited by Al Jazeera. The drone was reportedly intercepted, and no warning sirens were sounded. Yemen has not issued any official statement regarding the incident. The attack occurred just after a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel was announced by Donald Trump. According to Trump, the ceasefire began with Iran and was to be followed by Israel after 12 hours, marking the end of the 12-day conflict within 24 hours of its initiation.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli attacks across the strip on Tuesday killed at least 79 people, with 289 more injured. Among the dead, 49 were reportedly shot while attempting to collect humanitarian aid. Over the past month, at least 516 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 3,800 injured during similar incidents involving aid distribution.

In a surprise assault on Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Gaza, Hamas militants killed five Israeli soldiers and injured at least 15 others—some critically. Several Israeli troops remain missing. Following the attack, Israeli forces launched intense retaliatory strikes in the area, primarily to extract the wounded. Air ambulances were later deployed for evacuation.

Since October 2023, at least 377,000 people, mostly children, have gone missing in Gaza due to Israeli military actions, according to a Harvard Dataverse report by Prof. Yakov Garb. The report highlights how Israeli attacks and blockades have drastically reduced Gaza’s population. It also criticizes the U.S.-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation for ineffective aid distribution, with many civilians unable to access help due to dangerous, restricted zones. The actual death toll may far exceed the official count of 61,000.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam was en route to Qatar when Iran launched a missile strike on the U.S. Al-Udeid Air Base there. In response, Qatar closed its airspace, forcing the Prime Minister’s aircraft into an emergency landing in Bahrain. The incident caused regional panic, prompting temporary airspace closures in Kuwait and Bahrain as well. No casualties were reported. Later, aviation authorities confirmed the restoration of normal operations. Salam has since safely arrived in Qatar after airspace reopened.

U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have called for the Iran-Israel ceasefire to be maintained. Trump stated that both nations equally wanted peace and hailed the destruction of nuclear facilities as an honor. Previously, he had accused both sides of violating the truce. Starmer emphasized the need for stability in the Middle East and urged Iran to abandon nuclear ambitions and return to negotiations. He also discussed the issue with NATO leaders and Qatar's Emir.

The United Nations has condemned a reported Israeli attack on Iran’s Evin Prison, calling it a serious breach of international law. Iran stated that the strike, which caused partial damage, occurred on Monday. UN spokesperson Thamin al-Khitani emphasized that Evin is not a military target, and striking such a facility violates international humanitarian law. The prison holds thousands of political prisoners, activists, and journalists. Iranian state media reported that one person was killed in the attack, citing the country’s judiciary.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran will not take military action unless provoked by Israel. According to Iranian media outlet Nour News, Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran will respect the ceasefire as long as Israel does. He also expressed Iran's willingness to engage in dialogue, stating that Tehran is committed to protecting its national interests through peaceful negotiations. The statement signals a potential shift toward diplomacy amid rising regional tensions and offers a conditional commitment to de-escalation.

Following a 12-day conflict, Iran and Israel appear to have reached a ceasefire, confirmed by both nations’ media after a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Iranian official Mehdi Mohammadi criticized all messages from the Trump administration as deceptive, warning they are tactics to escalate conflict under the guise of peace. While Trump praised both sides on Truth Social, Iran’s foreign minister denied any formal agreement had been reached. Confusion remains over the ceasefire’s timing and terms, with no official confirmation from either country.

Following the alleged missile launch from Iran, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ordered the IDF to prepare for a harsh response targeting key regime sites in central Tehran. Gallant emphasized that Israel would not tolerate violations of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, hardline political factions in Israel have called for a preemptive strike on Iranian territory.