TEHRAN — Hostilities between Iran and Israel intensified on Saturday as Iran launched a fresh barrage of missiles, injuring several civilians in Israel, while the Israeli government claimed it was conducting airstrikes on strategic military targets in Tehran.
The renewed violence came in the wake of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to strike “every target of the ayatollah regime.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded with a stern warning, saying any continued attacks would provoke “a more severe and powerful response.”
Amid growing global calls for calm, a scheduled round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran was scrapped. Tehran announced it would not participate in talks while under direct attack from Israel.
Casualties and Damage Mount on Both Sides
Israel said its military campaign, which began Friday, has focused on dismantling Iranian air defenses and hitting critical nuclear and military infrastructure. Iran confirmed that numerous top-ranking officials, military commanders, and nuclear scientists were killed in the strikes.
On Saturday evening, Israel reported it was intercepting a new round of Iranian missiles, while continuing its offensive against targets in Tehran. Iranian state outlet Tasnim News reported that an Israeli missile hit a building inside the defense ministry compound, though officials have not released a formal statement.
Iran, for its part, confirmed it launched another wave of missiles aimed at Israeli territory.
Emergency responders in Israel said a home in Haifa was hit, injuring 14 people, one of them critically. Meanwhile, Iran’s oil ministry confirmed that Israeli airstrikes hit two fuel storage facilities—one in northwest Tehran and another to the south. A journalist from AFP reported seeing one of the depots in flames.
Casualties Rise as Leaders Dig In
According to Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, the first wave of Israeli strikes killed 78 people and wounded over 320. Israeli authorities said three of its citizens were killed and 76 injured from Iran’s missile and drone attacks the night before.
“We will hit every site, every target of the ayatollah regime,” he declared. “In the coming days, we will escalate.”
He claimed the Israeli strikes had already dealt “a real blow” to Iran’s nuclear capabilities and emphasized the support of US President Donald Trump.
Trump, meanwhile, spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, saying they both agreed the conflict “should end.”
Iran: US Cannot Negotiate While Supporting Israel
President Pezeshkian denounced Washington’s stance, accusing the US of “dishonesty” for backing Israeli aggression while engaging in peace negotiations.
“The continuation of the Zionist aggression will be met with a more severe and powerful response from the Iranian armed forces,” his office stated.
Mediation talks set to be held on Sunday were officially cancelled, according to Oman, which had been acting as a go-between for Iran and the US.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who also serves as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, warned that Israel’s latest military actions had seriously damaged diplomatic progress.
“These strikes are pushing the region into a dangerous cycle of violence,” Araghchi said.
Despite repeated accusations from Western nations that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, Tehran continues to deny the claims.
