The Israel-Iran conflict intensified Thursday as Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel following a strike on an Israeli hospital, while Israel targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites in return.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Tehran for the hospital attack in Beersheba and vowed severe retaliation. The Israeli military accused Iran of targeting civilians, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they had aimed for military sites nearby.
Israel responded by bombing nuclear and missile facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and the Arak heavy-water reactor. Satellite imagery showed extensive damage, with experts warning of long-term nuclear risks.
Israel has escalated its air campaign with the stated goal of degrading Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and support regional armed groups. Israeli officials say the strikes aim to destabilize Iran’s leadership and force a strategic reset in Tehran.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump said he would decide in two weeks whether the United States would join the conflict. His administration has not ruled out negotiations with Iran but has warned of consequences if a “third party” enters the war.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council responded with a veiled threat, warning of a different strategy if the U.S. intervenes.
Inside Iran, authorities have shut down the internet and restricted media coverage amid rising casualties and infrastructure damage. Iranian officials have stopped releasing updated death tolls, though local accounts report mounting civilian losses.
The conflict comes as Israel continues to strike Iranian-aligned groups in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen following the Hamas-led October 2023 attack. Iran, facing its gravest security challenge since 1979, has warned it may consider closing the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route.
As international mediation stalls, the war continues with no clear off-ramp in sight.
