Israel-Iran tensions escalate with waves of airstrikes overnight: What we know so far

“In the last hour, dozens of missiles have been launched at the state of Israel from Iran, some of which were intercepted,” the Israeli military said early Saturday, adding that rescue teams were responding at various impact sites.

Iran, in its first response, fired more than 100 drones in response to Israel’s early Friday morning attack on Iran’s top military officers as well as its key nuclear and missile sites — the biggest-ever barrage as part of an operation ‘Rising Lion’ to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Later, the retaliatory strikes were carried out in at least three waves overnight.

Here’s a round-up of what we know so far amid the evolving situation:

The escalation

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the barrage from Tehran. Iranian media including the Fars news agency said one of the waves targeted Tel Aviv before dawn on Saturday, with explosions heard in the capital and Jerusalem, according to witnesses who spoke to Reuters.

Israeli security forces inspect the site of homes destroyed by a missile fired from Iran, in Rishon Lezion, Israel. (AP Photo)

Israeli military said of fewer than 100 missiles fired by Iran on Friday night, most were intercepted or fell short. Ground-based air-defense systems of the US in the region assisted Israel in blocking Iranian missiles, US officials said, as per AP.

Video verified by CNN showed the dramatic moment a missile struck near the Kirya, a key Tel Aviv area that houses the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) headquarters and the Ministry of Defense. Multiple interceptor projectiles were launched before a large explosion was seen, with plumes of smoke rising near the impact area.

Israeli military said of fewer than 100 missiles fired by Iran on Friday night, most were intercepted or fell short. Ground-based air-defense systems of the US in the region assisted Israel in blocking Iranian missiles, US officials said, as per AP.

In Tehran, explosions were reported early Saturday. Two projectiles reportedly hit Mehrabad International Airport, near key leadership sites. On social media, The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) shared videos of smoke and flames after explosions lit up the sky.

Several explosions were also heard in the Iranian capital, as reported by the state-sponsored Tasnim news agency. The Fars news agency confirmed that two projectiles struck Tehran’s Mehrabad airport, which houses an air force base with fighter jets and transport aircraft.

As the air defense systems remained active in central Tehran, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a recorded message, said the military was prepared to counterattack. “Don’t think that they (Israel) hit and it’s over. No. They started the work and started the war. We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed,” he said.

Miscalculation in Iran’s defence planning

Senior Iranian officials told the New York Times that they had been preparing for a possible Israeli strike, but misjudged the timing. Believing that Israel would wait until after a new round of nuclear talks in Oman scheduled for Sunday, Iran failed to implement key precautionary measures.

The officials dismissed earlier warnings as Israeli propaganda aimed at influencing Iran’s stance in negotiations.

Casualty count

In Israel, one death was reported after its ambulance service said 34 people were injured on Friday night in the Tel Aviv area, most with minor injuries. Authorities confirmed damage to a high-rise building in central Tel Aviv, with its lower third impacted in a densely populated urban zone. An apartment block in Ramat Gan was also destroyed.

Another missile hit a residential tower near the heart of Tel Aviv.

People view remnants of a missile fallen on a field between Najaf and Karbala, Iraq. (AP Photo)

On Saturday, Iran launched another barrage of missiles, killing two more people and injuring 19 others in Israel. The attacks began after Khamenei’s address, in which he said: “The armed forces of the Islamic republic will inflict heavy blows upon this malevolent enemy.”

According to Iranian state TV, around 60 people, including 20 children, were killed in an Israeli attack on a housing complex in Tehran.

The Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear establishments killed 78 people and wounded more than 320 on Friday, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations told AP. The strikes reportedly killed generals and scientists, although the ambassador claimed that the overwhelming majority of victims were civilians.

Top commanders killed

Two deputy commanders of Iran’s armed forces general staff were killed in Israeli strikes, Iranian state media reported on Saturday. State TV identified the victims as Gen. Gholamreza Mehrabi, the deputy of intelligence, and Gen. Mehdi Rabbani, the deputy of operations.

Among those reportedly killed in the Israeli operation were:

• Hossein Salami, IRGC chief
• Mohammad Bagheri, Iranian Armed Forces Chief
• Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, nuclear scientist and former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization

Tehran has labelled the strikes as “state terrorism.” Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Israeli security forces run to take cover while missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo)

What is Operation Rising Lion

Earlier on Friday, Israel’s Operation Rising Lion kicked off a full-scale aerial and cyber campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear capabilities and leadership infrastructure. The Israeli military said around 200 aircraft struck 100 targets, including Iran’s Natanz and Fordow enrichment sites, Isfahan nuclear-research center, and missile production facilities.

According to AP, black smoke rose over Natanz, and Iranian media confirmed explosions near Fordow. Iran acknowledged damage at Isfahan. Israeli military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Natanz was “significantly damaged” and the operation was “still in the beginning.”

UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council that the above-ground section of the Natanz facility had been destroyed, along with electrical infrastructure and power generators. Iran also reported attacks on the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan.

An explosion is seen during a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo)

UN’s emergency meeting

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday at Iran’s request. Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon claimed intelligence showed Iran was days away from producing enough fissile material for multiple bombs. He defended the strikes as “an act of national preservation.”

According to AP sources, Mossad was behind pre-positioned explosive drones and precision weapons that neutralised Iran’s radar and air defense systems.

US stance and global reaction

The United States, which was reportedly informed in advance, assisted in intercepting incoming Iranian missiles but has not confirmed any operational role in the Israeli strikes.

President Donald Trump said on Friday it was not too late for Iran to reach a deal to curb its nuclear program. He said Tehran could still avoid prolonged bombing by engaging in talks and urged the country to reach a deal with the US on its nuclear programme, warning on his Truth Social platform that Israel’s attacks “will only get worse”.

People react next to a building struck by a missile fired from Iran, in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified Washington’s position: “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region… Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”

Countries across the world, including India, condemned Israel’s attacks. India, maintaining ties with both Iran and Israel, called for de-escalation: “Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to resolve underlying issues,” said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

Israel invites India to play a mediating role

Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said on Saturday that India can mediate in the Israel-Iran crisis. “India has avenues for dialogue with both sides. It can indeed play a role. We are happy to have this sincere dialogue with India, which is a very good friend… We listen carefully to your concerns. I think they are legitimate,” he said in an interview with PTI.

His remarks came after a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated after the UN’s atomic watchdog censured Iran on Thursday for failing to comply with non-proliferation obligations. Israel had long warned of a preemptive strike if diplomatic measures failed. Iran rejected the most recent US proposal to renew the nuclear deal that Trump had abandoned in 2018.

(With inputs from AP, Reuters, PTI)