Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks on Israel early Monday morning, setting off air raid sirens throughout the country. Emergency services confirmed that at least five people were killed and dozens were injured as the conflict between these regional adversaries entered its fourth day, with no signs of abating. Powerful explosions, likely resulting from Israel’s advanced defense systems intercepting Iranian missiles, reverberated across Tel Aviv shortly before dawn, sending plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky over this major coastal city.
This latest barrage follows a weekend marked by escalating tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran, raising concerns about a potential escalation into a wider and more perilous regional war. Just a day prior, Iran accused Israel of conducting airstrikes on its oil refineries, resulting in the death of the intelligence chief of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and targeting civilian areas in intensive aerial bombardments.
On Monday, Israel's military announced that it has achieved air superiority over Tehran. Israeli officials claim that they have significantly degraded Iran's air defenses and missile capabilities, allowing their aircraft to operate over the Iranian capital without facing serious threats. According to military sources, Israel now effectively controls the skies extending from western Iran to Tehran.
In a related development, Egyptian authorities arrested two members of the Global March to Gaza, an international group advocating for the Palestinian cause. The organization reported that they have not heard from French national Hicham El Ghaoui and Spanish citizen Manuel Tapial for nearly a day since their detention. The group intended to march to Egypt’s border with Gaza to draw attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians, particularly since Israel began restricting aid deliveries to the coastal enclave.
In a statement, the group emphasized their unwavering commitment to supporting Gaza, advocating for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor and demanding an end to what they describe as genocide against the Palestinian people. “Governments must act now,” the statement urged.
As tensions escalate, foreign nationals are being evacuated from both Iran and Israel. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, approximately 120 individuals, including diplomats and their families, were evacuated via Turkmenistan, with many hailing from Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Turkmenistan shares a lengthy border with Iran and has remained largely isolated under its autocratic governance since gaining independence post-Soviet Union.
In addition, the Czech Republic has arranged flights for Czechs wishing to leave Israel due to the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that it assisted 14 Taiwanese citizens in departing Israel for Jordan and is in contact with additional nationals in Iran to facilitate their safe exit if necessary.
The American Consulate in Tel Aviv sustained minor damage from the impact of an Iranian missile that landed nearby, as reported by U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Fortunately, there were no injuries among American personnel; however, the consulate and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will remain closed for the day as a precautionary measure. This incident occurred amid a new wave of Iranian missile strikes on Israel in retaliation for extensive Israeli attacks targeting Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure.
In terms of human toll, Iran's health ministry reported that 224 individuals have died since the onset of Israeli airstrikes last Friday, with spokesman Hossein Kermanpour stating that over 90% of the casualties were civilians. In contrast, Israel has reported 14 fatalities and 390 injuries within its borders since the conflict escalated.
The European Union is taking steps to address the escalating situation. The bloc's top diplomat has called for an emergency video conference among the 27-nation foreign ministers to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. This meeting aims to facilitate discussion on diplomatic outreach to both Tel Aviv and Tehran and explore potential next steps to alleviate tensions. The EU remains committed to supporting diplomatic efforts to find a long-term resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiation.
In a notable historical context, it has been revealed that former President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to a U.S. official familiar with the discussions, Israeli officials had recently presented a credible plan for the operation. However, after reviewing the proposal, the Trump administration expressed strong opposition, fearing that such an action would escalate the conflict and destabilize the region further.
As tensions continue to rise between Iran and Israel, the situation remains fluid, with international actors closely monitoring developments and seeking pathways to peace amid a backdrop of violence and humanitarian concern.
