Iran launched a wave of missile attacks on Israel and reported fresh strikes on its own territory on Wednesday, promising vengeance for the killing of Ali Larijani, its security chief.
The escalation comes as funerals for Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force, were scheduled in Tehran.
The missile barrage killed two people near Tel Aviv, while Iranian media reported seven deaths in western Lorestan province, AFP could not independently verify.
In Lebanon, Israeli strikes on central Beirut killed at least 12, according to the health ministry, with additional casualties reported in Sidon.
Iran’s revolutionary guards said missiles had targeted central Israel in retaliation for Larijani’s death, warning of further attacks.
“The pure blood of this great martyr… will be a source of honour, power and national awakening against the front of global arrogance,” the statement said.
Locals described the attacks with fear and confusion. Omer, a resident near Ramat Gan, said, “we heard like a streak of booms… it was not just one, it was a splitting missile.”
The conflict, which erupted after Israel and the United States targeted Iranian figures on February 28, has drawn Lebanon into the war through Iran-backed .
Turkey condemned Israel’s actions as “illegal activities outside the normal laws of war,” while Israel vowed to target Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Also, Iran’s attacks have disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the US to deploy heavy bombs against missile sites threatening international shipping.
Recall that US president Donald Trump criticised allies for not assisting in tanker protection but insisted: “WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”
Experts warn that continued escalation could further destabilise the region and global oil markets, already strained with prices around $100 a barrel.
