Iran and Israel Exchange Missile Strikes

Iran and Israel have traded missile strikes, plunging the Middle East into a state of heightened alert. The latest violence erupted early Monday when Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles on Israeli cities like Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem, following Israel’s surprise strikes on military and nuclear targets deep inside Iran last week. The attacks have caused widespread destruction and loss of life, with both nations threatening further retaliation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Iran for targeting civilians, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for unity against what he labelled “genocidal aggression.” U.S. President Donald Trump urged the two sides to negotiate, though he noted that “sometimes they have to fight it out,” reflecting the fragile hope for peace as the conflict intensifies.

Escalation of Hostilities: Missile Strikes and Casualties

The conflict kicked off with Israel’s unexpected assault on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile capabilities. Residential areas in Tehran and other key locations bore the brunt of the strikes, with reports confirming nearly 80 deaths and over 100 injuries in the capital alone. The operation also claimed the lives of several high-ranking Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists, striking a significant blow to Iran’s defence infrastructure. Netanyahu defended the strikes, stating they were essential to “remove this threat” and vowed to press on until Iran’s nuclear programme was dismantled.
Iran hit back hard, launching missiles that rocked Israeli cities. Images captured gutted residential buildings in Tel Aviv and smouldering fires near Haifa, while Jerusalem residents heard loud explosions as air defences lit up the night sky. Israel’s emergency services reported five deaths and 92 injuries in the latest Iranian attack, with more than a dozen lives lost since Friday. Iran’s health ministry, meanwhile, recorded at least 224 deaths and over 1,200 injuries from Israeli strikes over the same period. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards hailed their attacks as “successful” and promised more “devastating” operations, while Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that “Tehran will burn” if the aggression persisted.

Leaders’ Reactions: Netanyahu, Pezeshkian, and Trump Weigh In

Netanyahu has taken a firm stance against Iran, particularly after a missile struck a residential building in Bat Yam near Tel Aviv. “Iran will pay a very heavy price for the premeditated murder of civilians, women, and children,” he declared during a visit to the site, accusing Iran of deliberate attacks on non-military targets. He stressed that Israel’s operations were focused on crippling Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, promising to target “every site” linked to the regime.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, addressing parliament, rallied his nation to “stand strong” against what he called “criminal aggression.” He warned that Iran’s retaliation would grow “more severe” if Israel continued its campaign. Military spokesperson Colonel Reza Sayyad upped the ante, threatening a “devastating response” and advising Israelis to flee, claiming their country would soon be “uninhabitable.” Despite the chaos, some Tehran residents, like 31-year-old Shokouh Razzazi, vowed to stay, saying, “I will not leave my city.”
Across the Atlantic, Trump called for both sides to “make a deal,” but tempered his optimism with a pragmatic nod to the possibility of prolonged conflict. He revealed he had talked Israel out of a plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, arguing it would escalate tensions further. Trump also made it clear that any attack on U.S. interests would trigger a forceful American response, underscoring Washington’s delicate balancing act in the crisis.

International Response: Calls for Restraint and Diplomacy

The spiralling conflict has sparked global concern, with world leaders scrambling to prevent a full-blown war. Russia’s Vladimir Putin reached out to both Netanyahu and Pezeshkian, condemning Israel’s actions and offering to mediate. The European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defence but pushed for diplomacy as the path forward, particularly on Iran’s nuclear issue. The G7 nations, gathered in Canada, voiced fears of a wider regional fallout, urging all parties to pull back from the brink.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. of aiding Israel’s strikes, claiming American involvement was evident. He signalled Iran’s willingness to pause its attacks if Israel halted its offensive, though Katz dismissed such overtures, warning Tehran’s residents they would “pay the price” for their government’s actions. Amid the rhetoric, Iran scrapped planned nuclear talks with the U.S., deeming them “meaningless” under the current bombardment.

Background and Context: Decades of Enmity

The roots of this clash stretch back decades, fuelled by deep-seated animosity. Since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, it has opposed Israel’s existence, backing groups like Hezbollah and Hamas in a prolonged shadow war. Israel, viewing Iran’s nuclear programme as a direct threat, has long pursued covert operations—think cyberattacks and targeted killings—to stall Tehran’s progress. The shift to open missile exchanges marks a dangerous new phase, shattering the uneasy status quo of proxy battles and clandestine strikes.
The conflict’s ripples extend beyond the two nations. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have fired ballistic missiles at Israel, while Israeli strikes have hit Iranian-backed targets in Syria and Lebanon, pulling more players into the fray. This tangled web of alliances and enmities only heightens the stakes.

Potential Consequences: A Region on Edge

As the fighting drags into its fourth day, the Middle East teeters on the edge of chaos. Experts warn that the conflict could spiral, drawing in more countries and unleashing a regional war. Oil prices have already spiked after Israeli strikes hit Iranian oil facilities, stoking fears of a global energy crunch. Air travel has taken a hit, and nations like Germany and France have bolstered security around Jewish and Israeli sites, bracing for possible spillover.
The collapse of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, once slated for Oman, dims prospects for a diplomatic off-ramp. Both sides seem dug in, with Israel vowing to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and Iran promising fiercer retaliation. The coming days will test whether cooler heads prevail or if the region slides deeper into turmoil, with the world watching—and waiting—for what comes next.

[6/6, 5:17 PM] Edgar Legoale: 🔴 Central News Special Edition | Issue 109 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: Rand Water Completes Massive Maintenance Project Ahead of Schedule, Boosting Water Supply Across Gauteng and Beyond

Download Here:

Direct PDF Link:

https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Central-News-Issue-109.pdf

Read all our publications on magzter:

https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues

Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.

We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.

Advertisement:

To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za

For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za

Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za

General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za

Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za

Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487

Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za

Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube

centralnewsza #news #politics

[6/16, 10:00 AM] Edgar Legoale: Iran and Israel Exchange Missile Strikes in Escalating Conflict Amid Calls for Diplomacy

By Chris Williams