The Green Post Ireland
Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes against targets inside Iran after the Islamic Republic fired multiple missile barrages toward Israeli territory, marking another sharp escalation in the rapidly expanding Middle East conflict.
The Israeli military said the latest strikes targeted Iranian missile launch sites, air defence systems and additional military infrastructure linked to Tehran’s retaliation campaign.
Air raid sirens sounded across several parts of Israel overnight as defence systems intercepted incoming missiles.
Authorities reported limited damage, although police confirmed that fragments of intercepted munitions landed in the Tel Aviv area, leaving one woman with minor shrapnel injuries.
Israel Expands Military Pressure Across Region
At the same time, the Israeli military issued urgent evacuation warnings for 16 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, signalling potential new operations against Hezbollah.
Residents were instructed to leave their homes immediately and move toward open areas for safety.
The warning comes as Israel continues airstrikes targeting Hezbollah command centres and weapons storage facilities in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
The escalation reflects Israel’s effort to weaken Iranian allies across the region while continuing its campaign inside Iran itself.
Trump Claims Iranian Military “Knocked Out”
US President Donald Trump said the joint US-Israeli offensive had inflicted major damage on Iran’s military capabilities.
“Just about everything’s been knocked out,” Trump said while speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The president also rejected claims that Israel forced Washington into the war, saying the strikes were intended to prevent Iran from launching an imminent attack.
Trump’s administration has offered differing explanations for the conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously suggested the United States acted after learning Israel planned to strike Iran.
Gulf Tensions Trigger Security Warnings
The conflict has spread across the broader region, prompting warnings about potential attacks on US and allied installations.
The US embassy in Riyadh warned of an imminent threat of missile or drone strikes over Dhahran, a major Saudi energy hub on the Gulf coast.
The alert followed a drone incident that caused a small fire at the US mission in Riyadh.
In response, Washington ordered non-essential government personnel and their families to leave several Middle Eastern countries.
Diplomatic Tensions With European Allies
Trump also criticised European allies over their responses to the conflict.
The president threatened to sever trade ties with Spain after Madrid reportedly refused to allow US aircraft to use Spanish bases for strikes against Iran.
He also criticised the United Kingdom, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being slow to cooperate with US military operations.
Britain has since deployed additional military assets to Cyprus, including counter-drone helicopters and the warship HMS Dragon, to protect the island’s strategic bases.
Oil Supply Concerns Grow
The United States is now considering escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if shipping routes remain threatened.
Trump said the US Navy could protect commercial vessels to ensure energy supplies continue flowing through the narrow waterway, which handles roughly one-fifth of global oil trade.
Iran has already attempted to disrupt shipping through the strait as part of its retaliation campaign.
Strikes Hit Iranian Leadership and Nuclear Sites
Inside Iran, Israeli strikes have targeted several strategic facilities in Tehran, including the headquarters of the state broadcaster IRIB, buildings connected to the presidential office and the National Security Council, and infrastructure linked to the country’s nuclear programme.
Israel also said it struck an underground nuclear facility near Tehran where scientists were allegedly working on a component related to atomic weapons development.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed damage to entrance buildings at Iran’s underground Natanz enrichment plant but said no radiation leak was expected.
War Spreads to Lebanon and Beyond
The conflict has already spread beyond Iran and Israel.
Hezbollah has launched rockets toward northern Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes and troop deployments along the Lebanese border.
According to the United Nations, more than 30,000 people in Lebanon have already been displaced by the escalating violence.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have also threatened intensified attacks on US forces and Israeli targets, warning that “the gates of hell” will open further if the conflict continues.
With missile exchanges continuing, regional militias mobilising and global energy routes under threat, the war is increasingly shaping into a broader Middle East confrontation with far-reaching consequences.
