Tel Aviv (TDI): Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning Monday, declaring that citizens of Tehran would “soon pay the price” after Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv and the northern port city of Haifa, leaving at least eight dead and dozens wounded.
The ominous statement follows a dramatic escalation in hostilities between the long-time foes. The conflict erupted Friday when Israel carried out targeted airstrikes on key Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure, reportedly killing high-ranking commanders and nuclear scientists.
Israel maintains the strikes are part of its efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran continues to deny, asserting its nuclear program is strictly for civilian use.
As of Monday, Israel’s emergency services confirmed that the death toll on its side had climbed to 23 since the hostilities began. Iran, in turn, reported 224 fatalities, including at least 70 women and children, with more than 1,200 people injured, most of them civilians, according to Iran’s health ministry.
Read More: Israel Attacks Iran Again as Tensions Soar
Iran’s overnight barrage marked one of the most significant retaliatory strikes in recent memory. Missiles rained down across central Israel, setting fire to a power station near Haifa’s port and damaging residential buildings near the US Embassy branch in Tel Aviv. First responders continued search and rescue operations through the morning.
The ongoing conflict cast a long shadow over the G7 summit in Canada, where leaders discussed the worsening situation. US President Donald Trump expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution, though fighting showed no signs of easing by the fourth day.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that Trump had previously vetoed an Israeli proposal to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a further blow to Iran, three more high-ranking Iranian military officials were reportedly martyred, while authorities in Tehran announced the execution of a man accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad.
Read More: Iran Declares Nuclear Talks with US ‘Pointless’ After Israeli Strikes
As tensions intensified, Russia offered to mediate. The Kremlin said it is in active contact with both parties and reiterated its earlier proposal to store Iranian enriched uranium on Russian soil to help de-escalate the nuclear standoff.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that the renewed conflict had made mediation more difficult, but insisted Moscow’s proposals for a peaceful resolution remained valid.
Residents across central and northern Israel reported hearing loud explosions through the night. Footage circulated on social media showed multiple missile interceptions over Tel Aviv and blasts lighting up the skies over Jerusalem. In Haifa, where roughly 30 people were injured, emergency teams worked around the clock to clear debris and control fires at the targeted power plant.
Iran’s President once again underscored that the country does not seek nuclear arms, even as the region braces for what could become a wider and more prolonged war.
