Israel and Iran traded fresh strikes overnight into Sunday, marking a dangerous escalation after Israel expanded its campaign with a strike on the world's largest gas field. With tensions soaring, the sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks set for Sunday was canceled.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) aerospace division announced a "large-scale combined offensive operation" late Saturday, involving a significant number of missiles and drones aimed at Israel in response to what it called repeated aggressions.
In northern Israel, a rocket hit a residential building, killing one woman and injuring 13 others, according to Magen David Adom. Earlier reports said at least three people had been killed and more than 200 wounded since the Iranian offensive began.
Following the barrage, Israel's Home Front Command allowed residents outside Haifa to leave shelters but urged them to stay close to protected areas. The Israeli military said its air defense systems intercepted incoming projectiles, while air force units struck military targets in Tehran.
In Tehran, Iran's Ministry of Petroleum confirmed two oil depots were hit, with residents reporting powerful explosions in western and northern districts. Officials said the situation was under control.
Jordan also temporarily closed its airspace late Saturday as a precautionary measure after the missile exchanges raised safety concerns for civil aviation.
This cycle of violence follows Israeli airstrikes on Friday that targeted Tehran and other cities, which Iran said killed senior military commanders, nuclear scientists and dozens of civilians.
In a phone call on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed the conflict must end to avoid a wider war, echoing global calls for de-escalation.
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Iran, Israel continue to trade strikes; U.S.-Iran nuclear talks off
cgtn.com
