Israel and Iran engaged in unprecedented direct missile exchanges this weekend, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowing to make Tehran “burn” following Iranian retaliatory strikes.
The conflict erupted after Israel’s massive Friday air offensive targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military leadership, which killed over 60 people including civilians according to Iranian state media. Israel reported intercepting 200 ballistic missiles overnight as air raid sirens sent residents scrambling across the country.
Israeli military officials confirmed significant damage to Iran’s Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites, claiming the elimination of nine nuclear scientists and senior commanders.
Satellite imagery analyzed by weapons experts shows at least three uranium enrichment facilities sustained direct hits, potentially setting back Iran’s nuclear program by months. Tehran continues to insist its nuclear activities remain peaceful despite IAEA reports of NPT violations.
Civilian Toll Mounts on Both Sides
In Tehran, a 14-story apartment collapse killed an estimated 60 residents, with state TV broadcasting images of families digging through rubble. Israeli emergency services rescued a baby girl from missile debris in Rishon LeZion while Linda Grinfeld described her Ramat Gan apartment being destroyed:
“We heard such a boom. It was awful.” The attacks mark the first direct state-to-state conflict between the historic enemies after decades of proxy wars.
Global Markets React to Oil Supply Fears
Crude prices surged 7% as Iranian General Esmail Kosari threatened closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital oil shipping lane. Gulf Arab states urged de-escalation while U.S. forces assisted Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles. The conflict has already disrupted 18% of global oil shipments through the Persian Gulf, with tankers rerouting around Africa at significant cost.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei declared U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations “meaningless” following American support for Israeli strikes. The breakdown comes as the IAEA confirmed Tehran had been hiding nuclear activities from inspectors. With Sunday’s planned Vienna talks canceled, European mediators warn the diplomatic window is closing rapidly.
Military Buildup Seen Along Multiple Fronts
Israel has mobilized reservists along the Lebanese and Jordanian borders anticipating attacks from Iranian proxies. Experts note Hezbollah and Hamas remain weakened from recent conflicts, limiting Tehran’s retaliatory options. The Israeli Air Force claims to have “paved the road to Iran” after crippling Iranian air defenses, raising concerns of prolonged aerial campaigns.
With Israel warning of weeks-long operations and Iran threatening to activate sleeper cells abroad, the crisis shows no signs of abating. Already, the UN Security Council has called an emergency session as global powers weigh intervention risks.
