Israel and Iran Exchange New Strikes Amid Escalating Conflict

Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated further on Saturday as both countries exchanged fresh attacks just hours after Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with European leaders in Geneva. Araghchi emphasized that Iran would not engage in nuclear negotiations while under military threat.

Key Developments in the Israel and Iran Conflict:

1. Missile Sirens in Israel
   Around 2:30 a.m. local time (2330 GMT Friday), the Israeli military reported missile sirens sounding across central Israel, including Tel Aviv, due to rocket fire from Iran.

2. Ballistic Missiles Fired
   Israeli officials confirmed that Iran launched five ballistic missiles targeting southern Israel. While alarms were triggered, no immediate damage or impacts were reported.

3. Israel Responds with Airstrikes
   By 3 a.m. local time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it had launched a “wave of attacks” targeting missile storage and launch infrastructure in central Iran.

4. Diplomatic Engagement in Geneva
   Earlier on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with the foreign ministers of the UK, France, and Germany, as well as the EU’s foreign policy chief. It marked the first direct talks between Iran and Western officials since the conflict began.

5. Iran’s Stance on Diplomacy
   Speaking after the Geneva talks, Araghchi said, “Iran is ready to consider diplomacy if aggression ceases and the aggressor is held accountable for its committed crimes.”

6. Origins of the Conflict
   The hostilities began with Israel’s launch of “Operation Rising Lion” last Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. Israel claimed intelligence indicated Iran was nearing the development of a nuclear weapon.

7. Casualties in Iran
   A Washington-based Iranian human rights group reported that at least 657 people have been killed in Iran, including 263 civilians, with over 2,000 injured since the conflict began.

8. Iran’s Retaliatory Strikes
   Israel has accused Iran of retaliating with over 450 missiles and 1,000 drones, resulting in the deaths of at least 24 people in Israeli territory.

9. Netanyahu Vows to Press On
   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue operations in Iran “for as long as it takes” to neutralize what he called the “existential threats” posed by Iran’s nuclear program and missile capabilities.

10. U.S. Response Under Review
    U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he would take up to two weeks to decide whether the United States will formally join the conflict on Israel’s side.