Iran launches fresh missile attack on Israel as Israeli strikes continue amid rising tension in Middle East

As the tensions in the Middle East refuse to die down soon, Iran launched a second round of missiles against Israel late Saturday, June 15. The fresh attack from Tehran came as Israel’s military resumed attacks in Iran following earlier strikes that targeted nuclear and military sites. They also claimed the lives of key leaders in the country’s governing theocracy.

Israel claimed that hundreds of airstrikes over the past two days killed nine senior scientists and experts involved in Iran’s nuclear program, in addition to several top generals. Iran’s U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded.

The latest hostilities in the Middle East have hit the U.S. and Iran’s scheduled sixth round of indirect talks over Tehran's nuclear program on Sunday in Oman, as its foreign minister said that the meeting was canceled after Israel's strikes on Iran.

Israel announces more missiles incoming from Iran

Israel’s military has said that the latest missiles from Iran are incoming, and explosions are heard overhead in parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv. The missile barrage on Saturday was confirmed and announced by Iranian state television.

The countries have been trading blows a day after Israel’s blistering attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Three drones were launched toward a base housing U.S. forces in Iraq following Israel’s strikes on Iran, a U.S. military official and a second U.S. official said Saturday, according to news agency AP.

The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The drones were shot down, the officials said. No group claimed responsibility for the attack on Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq.

Sirens and explosions heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv

Sirens and the boom of explosions, possibly from Israeli interceptors, were probably heard in the sky over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv early Saturday. According to AP, at least two Iranian missiles probably hit the ground in Tel Aviv, but there was no immediate word of casualties.

The Israeli military said another long-range Iranian missile attack was taking place and urged civilians, already rattled by the first wave of projectiles, to head to shelter. Around three dozen people were wounded by that first wave. The Iranian outlet Nour News, which has close links with the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, said a fresh wave was being launched.