Israel and Iran Exchange Deadly Strikes, Escalating Conflict Amid Global Calls for De-escalation

On Sunday, Israel and Iran escalated their attacks, with Israel targeting Tehran's defense ministry and Iran launching missiles. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Israel's emergency services reported at least eight deaths, including children, and around 200 injuries from overnight strikes. In Iran's capital, blasts were heard around 2:30 am. The attacks mark the third day of tit-for-tat strikes. Iran has canceled nuclear talks with the United States. This is the first time the arch-enemies have traded fire with such intensity, raising fears of a wider conflict. Israel's operation, which began early Friday, has targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites. According to Tehran, dozens of people, including top army commanders and atomic scientists, have been killed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to hit "every target of the ayatollah regime." In Bat Yam, outside Tel Aviv, first responders worked amid rubble. Two women (69 and 80), a girl, and a 10-year-old boy were killed, with about 100 others wounded. In the Shfela region, west of Jerusalem, another 37 people were wounded. In northern Israel, a three-story building was destroyed, killing three women. A woman in her 20s also died after a missile hit a home in the Haifa region. An MDA spokesman stated that around 200 people were wounded in the overnight missile strikes fired by Iran. Iran's UN ambassador reported 78 killed and 320 wounded in Friday's Israeli strikes. Israel's military said it struck Iran's defense ministry headquarters and nuclear project sites just before 2:40 am on Sunday. The targeted sites included the "headquarters of the SPND (Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research) nuclear project." Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the country struck sites used by Israeli warplanes for refueling. Israel hit two fuel depots in Tehran overnight. Netanyahu claimed the operation had the "clear support" of US President Donald Trump. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed the conflict "should end." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned Washington's support for Israel. Western governments accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, which Iran denies. Israeli strikes have hit Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant and killed high-ranking military officers. Iran called on its citizens to unite in defense. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned against a "devastating war." The UK is deploying fighter jets to the Middle East.