Tel Aviv: In a powerful act of retaliation late Sunday into the night, Iran launched a fresh barrage of missile strikes on Israel, killing at least five people in Tel Aviv and wounding dozens more. The port city of Haifa was also hit, as explosions and air raid sirens shook the Israeli north and center, marking another deadly exchange in the escalating war between the two longtime foes.
The Iranian offensive came after Israel’s intense aerial bombardment of Tehran that left at least 224 people dead, including 70 women and children. Among the dead were senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including the intelligence chief and two other generals — a loss that Iranian officials described as “a red line crossed.” Iran's swift and deadly counterattack signals its resolve to respond with force.
As rescue crews worked through rubble and fire in Haifa and Tel Aviv, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the retaliation would persist until Israel halts its operations. “The response will stop when the aggression stops,” he said, accusing Israel of triggering a crisis that now threatens to spiral further out of control. The statement underlined Iran’s intent to raise the cost for every Israeli strike on Iranian territory.
Amid the growing chaos, U.S. President Donald Trump continued to present himself as a potential peacemaker, urging both countries to find a diplomatic resolution. While asserting that Washington would maintain its defensive support for Israel, Trump stopped short of committing to any offensive military involvement. “We’re hopeful both sides can reach a deal,” he posted, echoing his long-standing vow to avoid entangling the U.S. in new Middle East wars.
But with missiles falling, generals killed, and civilians caught in the crossfire, the conflict now stands at a dangerous tipping point. The Israeli operation appears to be far from over, and Iran has made clear it is prepared to keep striking back. As world powers watch with growing alarm, the fear is no longer just about retaliation — it’s about what happens if diplomacy fails completely.
