Iran launched over 100 missiles into Israel in the early hours of Monday, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more in what Tehran described as an act of self-defense. The latest escalation has further intensified the ongoing conflict between the two regional adversaries, raising concerns of a broader war across the Middle East.
Among the major impacts of the barrage was a fire at a power plant in Haifa, with sirens sounding in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and multiple other cities as residents rushed to shelters.
In a briefing with foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the missile strikes were retaliatory and would stop if Israel ceases its aggression. He accused Israel of targeting Iran’s nuclear and civilian infrastructure, including the Natanz nuclear facility and residential areas in Tehran.
Read More: Fresh Iranian Missile Barrage Hits Haifa, Tel Aviv; 13 Killed, Over 200 Injured
“These attacks came as Iran was actively engaged in diplomatic dialogue with the United States,” Araqchi stated, referring to a now-cancelled sixth round of nuclear talks scheduled for Sunday. He blamed Israel for attempting to derail diplomacy and push the region toward a full-scale war.
Araqchi condemned what he called Israel’s “strategic mistake” and criticized the United Nations Security Council and Western nations for their silence on Israel’s strikes. “Instead of condemning Israel, some so-called civilized nations blamed Iran,” he said.
He emphasized that Iran’s initial missile strikes were directed solely at military targets, but Israel’s attacks on economic and civilian infrastructure—including oil refineries—forced Tehran to respond in kind.
Araqchi concluded by urging the international community to intervene diplomatically and prevent a wider regional conflict, thanking countries that condemned Israel’s strikes and expressed solidarity with Iran.
