By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

MIDDLE EAST – A new and dangerous phase of direct conflict has erupted between Israel and Iran, with both nations engaging in open missile and drone attacks over the past three days, marking a significant escalation from their decades-long shadow war.

The intense exchange began on Friday, June 13, when Israel launched a “sweeping military campaign,” reportedly targeting key Iranian nuclear facilities, military installations, air defenses, and even the Iranian Defense Ministry headquarters in Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation aims to counter the “Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival” and is set to continue as long as necessary. Initial Iranian reports claimed substantial casualties, including dozens killed and hundreds wounded, with strikes hitting civilian areas and energy infrastructure.

Iran swiftly retaliated with multiple waves of missile and drone barrages directly aimed at Israel. Reports indicate Iranian missiles have struck various cities, including areas near Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, causing casualties and damage. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed targeting sites related to Israel’s energy infrastructure and fighter jet fuel production, vowing a “more fierce and broader” response if Israeli attacks persist. Israeli authorities have reported at least 10 to 13 fatalities and numerous injuries from these Iranian strikes, including children.

The dramatic escalation has sent shockwaves across the region and drawn urgent calls for de-escalation from the international community. U.S. President Donald Trump, while distancing the U.S. from the Israeli offensive, issued a stern warning to Tehran against targeting American interests. French President Emmanuel Macron and other European leaders have urged “utmost restraint” and a return to diplomatic talks, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear program, which Israel views as an existential threat.

The hostilities are unfolding against a backdrop of heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear advancements and its recent censure by the U.N. nuclear watchdog. With both sides vowing further action, global concern remains high regarding the potential for wider regional destabilization.