Israel and Iran trade strikes as conflict rages in Middle East

After a night of intense cross-border attacks, Iran has threatened any country that attempts to defend Israel

Israel launched an expanded assault on Iran on Sunday, targeting its energy industry and defence headquarters, while Tehran unleashed a fresh barrage of deadly strikes.

The simultaneous attacks represented the latest burst of violence since a surprise offensive by Israel two days earlier aimed at decimating Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.

New explosions boomed across Tehran as Iranian missiles entered Israel’s skies in attacks that Israeli emergency officials said caused deaths around the country, including four in an apartment building in the Galilee region.

A strike in central Israel killed an 80-year-old woman, a 69-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy, officials said.

Casualty figures weren’t immediately available in Iran, where Israel targeted its Defence Ministry headquarters in Tehran as well as sites that it alleged were associated with the country’s nuclear program.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed that Iranian missiles targeted fuel production facilities for Israeli fighter jets, something not acknowledged by Israel.

Amid the continued conflict, planned negotiations between Iran and the US over Tehran’s nuclear program were cancelled, throwing into question when and how an end to the fighting could come.

An explosion is seen during a missile attack in Tel Aviv on Friday night. / Credit: Tomer Neuberg via AP

Tensions between Israel, the US and Iran have escalated in recent weeks, amid negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal, which is aimed at preventing the country from developing nuclear weapons.

Both Israel’s military and Iran state television announced the latest round of Iranian missiles as explosions were heard near midnight, while the Israeli security cabinet met.

Israel’s ongoing strikes across Iran have left the country’s surviving leadership with the difficult decision of whether to plunge deeper into conflict with Israel’s more powerful forces or seek a diplomatic route.

UK governments warns against travel to Israel

Britons are being told not to travel to Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated travel advice on Sunday to advise “against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories”.

Sir Keir Starmer said that the UK was sending more RAF jets to the region amid the increasing hostilities.The FCDO website warns that “travel insurance could be invalidated” if people travel against the advice, and described the current status as a “fast-moving situation that poses significant risks”.