Tel Aviv blasts reported as Israel intensifies campaign against Iran
Tensions in the Middle East escalated further on Sunday as explosions were reported across multiple locations amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Blasts were heard over Tel Aviv while explosions were also reported in Iran’s central Yazd province, according to state media reports cited by AFP.
US President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning to Iran, saying the country could be “hit very hard today,” signalling the possibility of further military action.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue its campaign against Iran “with all our force,” describing the operations as part of a “systemic plan” to dismantle the Iranian regime.
Israel also warned it would continue targeting leadership figures connected to Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, who was reportedly killed earlier in joint US-Israeli strikes.
Pope calls for end to bombing
Amid the escalating conflict, Pope Leo called for an immediate halt to the bombing and urged all sides to pursue diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation in the region.
Strikes reported on Iranian infrastructure
Israeli strikes were reported on an airport in Isfahan, where several F-14 fighter jets were reportedly destroyed.
Iranian state television also reported that five oil facilities in and around Tehran were hit overnight in coordinated strikes by US and Israeli forces.
Videos circulating online showed large fires burning at oil storage sites, with flames visible above the skyline of the Iranian capital.
Tehran warns of prolonged conflict
Iran signalled it was prepared for a prolonged confrontation.
Ali Mohammad Naini, spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the country was capable of sustaining an “intense war” for another six months.
Iran has also continued retaliatory strikes across the region, targeting locations in neighbouring Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Iranian president addresses regional tensions
Masoud Pezeshkian said earlier remarks in which he apologised to Gulf nations had been misinterpreted.
“We are brothers and must maintain good relations with neighbours,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Iran’s retaliation was directed at attacks against the country rather than neighbouring states.
His comments came after Trump claimed on social media that Iran had “lost” and effectively “surrendered to Middle East neighbours.”
Israel strikes Iran-linked commanders in Lebanon
Israel also confirmed additional strikes in Lebanon, targeting commanders linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force.
The Israeli military said the strikes were aimed at senior figures coordinating regional operations following attacks launched by Hezbollah after the killing of Khamenei.
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