Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday vowed to intensify strikes on Iran, warning that “what they have felt so far is nothing compared with what they will be handed in the coming days.” His comments came after Israel launched one of its most extensive aerial offensives under Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure in cities including Natanz, Isfahan, and Tehran. Iranian media reported a fire at the South Pars gas field following fresh Israeli strikes on Saturday, though the blaze was later contained.
The offensive, which reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian generals and nuclear scientists, triggered a swift and forceful retaliation from Tehran. Within 24 hours, Iran launched over 200 ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli cities, accusing Israel of pushing the region into a “dangerous cycle of violence”. It also called off its upcoming nuclear negotiations with the United States, calling them “unjustifiable” under the current circumstances. Tehran warned that if Israeli strikes continue, its response will grow “more severe” and may include military bases of Israel’s regional allies.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THE ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a large-scale aerial assault on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, military infrastructure, and key leadership figures. Strikes reportedly hit over 150 sites, including Natanz and Isfahan, killing several top military commanders and nine nuclear scientists.
Netanyahu declared that Iran’s nuclear efforts were “in the 90th minute” and vowed more strikes to come, saying, “What they have felt so far is nothing compared with what they will be handed in the coming days.”
In retaliation, Iran fired roughly 200 ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli targets in four waves. Israel claimed most were intercepted, with help from US defence systems, but at least three people were killed and dozens injured.
Iran also warned that any foreign military base involved in intercepting its missiles, including those of Israel’s allies, would become a target. Despite the attack, Tel Aviv beaches were busy by Saturday, with residents returning to public space.
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Iranian media reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted the South Pars gas field in southern Bushehr province, causing a fire and halting production of 12 million cubic meters of gas from Phase 14.
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Iran reported heavy civilian casualties from Israel’s two-day assault. Iranian state TV said a missile strike on a 14-storey residential tower in Tehran killed around 60 people, including 20 children. In total, 78 deaths were reported on the first day of Israeli strikes. Visuals showed buildings flattened, and upper floors collapsing into the street.
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Netanyahu said Israeli Air Force jets would soon be seen “over the skies of Tehran” and reiterated that his government would strike “every site and every target of the Ayatollahs’ regime”. Defence Minister Israel Katz further escalated the rhetoric, warning, “If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn.”
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Iran has called off scheduled nuclear talks with the United States following Israel’s air offensive. Confirming the development, Oman – who had been mediating-said the dialogue was no longer on the table.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated it was “unjustifiable” to proceed with negotiations while “barbarous Israeli airstrikes” continued. A spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry added, “Continuing dialogue under these conditions is meaningless. Washington’s silence signals complicity.”
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At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, India called for “dialogue and diplomacy” to de-escalate tensions. This came after the China-led group issued a strong condemnation of Israeli strikes on Iran. India refrained from backing the statement, instead emphasising the need for restraint.
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Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, in calls with both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, accused Netanyahu of trying to “drag the region into fire” and “sabotage nuclear talks”.
Erdogan said Israel’s actions were an attempt to divert attention from “genocide in Gaza” and warned that the conflict risked triggering waves of irregular migration across the region. He labelled Netanyahu’s government the biggest threat to regional stability.
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Iranian lawmaker and military general Esmail Kosari said Tehran is reviewing whether to close the Strait of Hormuz – a critical oil route for the global economy. Meanwhile, Iranian state media said the country had warned it would target military bases in the region that assist in intercepting Iranian missiles.
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Croatia’s consul in Israel and his wife were slightly injured during Iran’s missile strikes on Tel Aviv. Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman confirmed the building they were living in had been hit and expressed relief that their injuries were not life-threatening. He condemned the attacks on civilians and diplomatic properties and called for “immediate de-escalation and restraint”.
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Israeli PM Netanyahu claimed “clear support” from US President Donald Trump for the strikes. Iran, in turn, warned that further attacks would trigger more severe retaliation, including targeting military bases of Israel’s regional allies.
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