Israel–Iran conflict escalates as strikes hit Tehran, Tel Aviv, and Beirut

Tel Aviv Mayor Says Building Damaged in 'Direct' Hit After Iran Missile Warning

HARARE – The conflict between Israel and Iran intensified on Tuesday, with both sides launching fresh attacks that have widened the regional fallout across the Middle East.

Israel said it carried out an “extensive series” of airstrikes targeting Iranian production facilities, though it did not provide specific details. Explosions were reported across Tehran, with a massive blast heard in northern neighbourhoods and another in the city centre, according to eyewitness accounts. In retaliation, Iran launched multiple waves of missiles towards Israel in the early hours of Tuesday.

One missile carrying a 100kg warhead struck a central street in Tel Aviv after evading air defence systems. The blast shattered windows in nearby apartment buildings and sent plumes of smoke into the air. Emergency services said four people sustained minor injuries.

The escalation has had ripple effects across the Gulf region. In Kuwait, falling air defence debris damaged power lines, causing temporary electricity outages. Sirens also sounded in Bahrain, while the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said its systems intercepted ballistic missiles and drones.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia reported destroying 19 drones targeting its oil-rich Eastern Province, underscoring fears of a broader regional conflict. Israel also intensified strikes in Beirut, particularly in the southern suburbs, saying it was targeting infrastructure linked to Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group. Lebanese authorities said an airstrike on a residential building southeast of the capital killed at least three people, including a three-year-old child. Additional strikes in southern Lebanon left five more people dead, according to the Health Ministry.

Diplomatic tensions have also worsened. Lebanon has declared Iran’s ambassador persona non grata, ordering him to leave the country by Sunday. The move reflects deteriorating relations, with Lebanese officials accusing Tehran of fuelling instability and dragging the country into conflict. Iranian flights have also been barred from landing in Lebanon amid fears they could be transporting weapons or financial support for Hezbollah.

Israel has previously stated that some of its operations in Lebanon are aimed at members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard operating in the country. The humanitarian toll continues to rise sharply. Authorities report that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, with over one million displaced. Iran’s Health Ministry says fatalities there have surpassed 1,500, while 15 people have been killed in Israel due to Iranian strikes.

In addition, at least 13 United States military personnel and more than a dozen civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gulf states have also been killed, highlighting the growing international dimension of the conflict. Analysts warn that the pace and scale of the latest exchanges mark a dangerous escalation with the potential to trigger a wider regional war if diplomatic efforts fail to contain the crisis.

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