Israel has initiated strikes on multiple Iranian sites targeting military and nuclear facilities, confirmed Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effi Defrin on Saturday. While Israel claims the strikes focus on strategic sites, previous assaults have also hit residential areas, causing civilian casualties. Iran responded to Israel’s earlier attacks with drones and ballistic missiles, escalating the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

The Iran-Israel conflict intensified as Israeli airstrikes hit a residential building in Tehran, killing at least 60 people, including 20 children. The strike, reportedly targeting Iran's nuclear and missile sites, also resulted in over 100 additional deaths and nearly 380 injuries. In retaliation, Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at Israel, hitting at least 150 targets and killing 3 people while injuring more than 170. Both nations have vowed to continue their military actions, with Iranian officials promising further “painful” responses to Israeli aggression.

As Israel strikes Iran, President Trump is facing scrutiny over the U.S.'s true role. While publicly urging restraint, Trump later praised the attack and reportedly provided Israel with intelligence support. The incident reveals a divide between Trump’s “America First” base—wary of war—and hawkish allies urging stronger action. Analysts suggest the U.S. is secretly involved, risking escalation. The situation may benefit China strategically, as the U.S. is stretched by multiple crises. The real test now: how far will Trump go in supporting Israel?

Iran has denounced ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States as pointless after Israeli airstrikes killed top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of enabling the attacks by Israel, saying that such actions contradict the spirit of diplomacy. The scheduled sixth round of nuclear talks in Muscat now faces uncertainty. The deadly strikes led to the confirmed deaths of General Hossein Salami and General Mohammad Bagheri. Tehran has since retaliated by launching missile attacks on Tel Aviv.

Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at Israel on Friday night and early Saturday in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes, killing at least three people and injuring about 80. While Iranian media claimed hundreds of missiles were fired, Israeli defense sources said the real number was under 100 and most were intercepted before impact.

Major General Amir Hatami has been appointed the new Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s army by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hatami previously served as Iran’s Defense Minister from 2013 to 2021. In a statement, Khamenei expressed gratitude to outgoing commander Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi for his dedication and service.

After Israel’s attack on Iran, global reactions poured in. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of a strong and regret-inducing response. Former US President Donald Trump urged both sides to stop the bloodshed, stressing that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and suggesting a return to diplomacy. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned Israel’s actions as “unacceptable and provocative.” China also urged all parties to de-escalate and contribute to regional peace, while the EU emphasized diplomatic solutions.

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, has strongly condemned Israel’s recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Speaking at an emergency UN Security Council session, Iravani expressed gratitude to Algeria, Pakistan, China, and Russia for supporting the call for this urgent meeting. Describing Israel as a source of instability in the Middle East, he urged global efforts to rid the region of weapons of mass destruction. Iravani accused Israel’s aggression of being deliberate, systematic, and fully backed by the United States. “There is no doubt about America’s direct involvement in these terrorist attacks,” he added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced via X (formerly Twitter) that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express India’s concerns over the escalating conflict. Modi emphasized the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Israeli leader has been holding talks with several world leaders, including the German Chancellor, French President, and Indian Prime Minister, with further calls planned with U.S., Russian, and UK leaders.

As debates over the U.S. role in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict intensify, former U.S. President Donald Trump finds himself in an increasingly complicated and politically risky position, reports BBC’s White House correspondent Gary O’Donoghue. While U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tried to distance the administration from Israel’s offensive, labeling it a “unilateral Israeli decision,” Trump later praised the attack as “excellent” and lauded the “extraordinary American technology” used. This contrasts with Trump’s earlier promises of “ending wars, not starting new ones.”

Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency has claimed that Iranian forces shot down two Israeli fighter jets during the latest round of hostilities. One of the downed aircraft reportedly had a female pilot, who has allegedly been taken into custody, according to Tasnim News. However, the Israeli military has firmly denied these claims, stating that no Israeli aircraft have been shot down and no personnel are missing or captured.

Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation on Friday, discussing the regional security situation. Both leaders expressed deep concern over the unfolding crisis and stressed the need for maximum restraint and a diplomatic resolution. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on both Israel and Iran to de-escalate immediately.

Iran has launched another attack targeting Israel, with powerful explosions reported in Tel Aviv and occupied Jerusalem around midnight on Saturday. Following the attack, Israeli authorities instructed civilians and military personnel to take immediate shelter until further notice. Footage shared by Reuters shows smoke rising in Tel Aviv after what appears to be a missile strike. Reports suggest that Iran's president and supreme leader have personally designated Israel as their direct target.

In a single morning strike, Israel reportedly killed 10 key Iranian figures, severely impacting Iran’s defense and nuclear programs. The casualties include:

General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps

General Gholamali Rashid, Deputy Chief of Armed Forces

Fereydoon Abbasi, Former Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, nuclear physicist

Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, President of Islamic Azad University

Abdul Hamid Minuchehr, Dean of Nuclear Engineering at Shahid Beheshti University

Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Professor of Nuclear Engineering at Shahid Beheshti University

Amir Hossein Faghihi, Former Vice President of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization

Motalebzadeh, a prominent nuclear scientist, killed along with his wife

The Israeli military has reported that a missile was fired from Yemen toward Israeli airspace. Air raid sirens were activated in Jerusalem, triggering panic as residents rushed to nearby shelters. No immediate reports of casualties or damages have been confirmed so far.