Israel and Iran have entered a dangerous new phase of open conflict.
What began as precision strikes have erupted into a broad exchange of missiles, drones, and political threats, dragging in regional powers, civilians, and the spectre of nuclear war.
In northern Israel, a direct hit by an Iranian missile has killed a woman and injured at least 13 others in the town of Western Galilee.
As Iranian missiles lit up the skies over Haifa, [[high-fah]] video from Saturday night captured the moment Israel’s air defences intercepted incoming projectiles.
The attack was part of a second consecutive night of Iranian missile attacks.
In response, Israel escalated its campaign, this time, striking deep inside Iran.
In Tehran, fires raged at the Shahran oil depot which Iran said was targeted in an Israeli attack.
Satellite images released by Maxar Technologies showed the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes on key nuclear and military sites, including the Isfahan nuclear facility and an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps base near Tehran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed critical damage to four buildings, including a uranium conversion centre.
Meanwhile, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog addressed the nation.
"We must recognize the grave reality that nuclear weapons in the hands of a murderous ideology pose a clear and immediate threat to the very existence of the State of Israel and regional peace. The international community, understanding this peril, has made it clear time and again—through a series of resolutions—that Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons."
He went on to describe the current events as historic.
"We are now at a historic crossroads—not only for Israel but for the entire Middle East. On one hand, the threat of terrorist jihad that seeks to dominate the region, whilst on the other, there is the vision of partnership, and hope for a better future and peace for what I call the 'day after'"
Speaking from Tel Aviv, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to unleash the unimaginable on Iran.
"We paved the way to Tehran and our pilots over the skies of Tehran will deal blows to the Ayatollah regime that they cannot even imagine. And I can tell you this, we have indications that senior leaders in Iran are already packing their bags. They sense what's coming."
And in a direct appeal to the US he had this to say.
"Right now, the Iranian regime is bombing our civilian neighbourhoods while we are targeting the terrorists. Now, this is not new. They've tried to assassinate President Trump twice. They bombed American embassies. They killed 241 Marines in Beirut. They killed and injured thousands of Americans with their IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan. They burn the American flag. They chant endlessly 'Death to America'. Our enemy is your enemy."
In the Israeli town of Ramat Gan, local resident Linda Grinfeld had to quickly seek shelter.
"We heard the siren, we were lucky to run to the shelter, we were sitting in the shelter, and then we heard such a boom, it was awful, we were sure that the missile hit our building. We had of course to wait until we were allowed to go out, we went out. We saw the windows shattered and everything broken, destroyed, the house, we went to the house, the apartment looked awful."
On the other side of the conflict, Iran is in mourning, and in defiance.
Thousands filled the streets of Tehran to honour commanders and scientists killed in Israel’s pre-dawn strikes.
One man, Mohammad Hossein Nezami, says he marched to condemn Israel and support Iran’s leadership.
"I participated mainly to express my dissatisfaction against the actions of the Zionist regime, to show that we are still standing firm with our country’s ruling establishment."
Another protester, Mohammadsobhan Khosroabadi, says Iran's young people will not remain silent.
“I can say to Israel: we will not stay silent. We are 8 million Iranians, all these young people — we will not stay silent. Even the youth who are currently struggling with high prices and all kinds of difficulties still won’t compromise on their dignity.”
As the world watches nervously, U-S Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth tells Fox News the Pentagon remains alert but is still holding out hope for diplomacy.
“This is not some sort of a perspective where we're worried or concerned. We're vigilant, we're prepared in a strong defensive posture. While the president continues to say to Iran, hey, you have an option for peace. It includes, you know, various aspects of what's been discussed. Iran knows. They know they can come back. They're making their own decisions right now and we hope they would choose a negotiated option.”
Nuclear talks that were due to resume in Oman, have now been cancelled.
With airspace closed over Israel, Iran, Jordan and blazes reported in Haifa, Israel, and at Iranian oil and gas facilities - leaders around the world are urging restraint.
