Iran launches fresh missile barrage at Israel; air defences intercept attacks, says IDF

Tel Aviv- Iran launched another wave of missiles toward Israel on Thursday, according to the Israeli military and Iranian state media, triggering air raid sirens in several locations, including Tel Aviv.

There were no immediate reports of casualties. The Israeli military said the latest barrage came after a pause of more than seven hours in hostilities.

“The Israeli Air Force has identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,” the military said, adding that air defence systems were actively working to intercept the incoming projectiles.

Iran’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) also confirmed that missiles had been fired toward Israel.

Amid the escalating conflict, Iranian state media reported that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Israeli and US strikes that began last weekend.

Tensions sharply escalated on February 28 following joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, members of his family and several senior Iranian officials. The strikes came after diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran failed to ease tensions.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran had attempted to pursue diplomatic solutions to avoid war but was forced to respond to what he described as “American-Zionist military aggression.”

Speaking to leaders of neighbouring Gulf nations, he said Iran respected their sovereignty and stressed that regional security should be ensured through collective cooperation.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel said it and the United States had achieved “historic gains” in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the latest strike was conducted because Iran was allegedly rebuilding its nuclear weapons programme using “new underground bunkers.”

The conflict has also heightened tensions across the wider West Asian region.

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani accused Iran of attempting to draw neighbouring countries into the confrontation during a phone conversation with Tehran’s foreign minister.

Meanwhile, Turkey summoned the Iranian ambassador after a missile believed to have been aimed at a base in Cyprus reportedly landed inside Turkish territory, raising fears of a broader regional escalation.

The continued exchange of strikes highlights the fragile security situation in West Asia, with diplomatic efforts stalled and military tensions steadily intensifying.

With inputs from IANS