Iran, Israel trade fresh strikes as US bombs Iranian nuclear sites

Iran and Israel traded fresh strikes on Sunday after the US joined the Israeli military campaign and attacked three Iranian nuclear sites, further escalating the nine-day conflict in the Middle East.

The Iranian armed forces reportedly launched nearly 30 missiles, including the Khorramshahr-4, which is the heaviest payload of Iran's ballistic missile fleet, at Israeli cities, including the commercial hub Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa.

More than 80 people were injured in the attack, which forced millions of others to safe rooms and bomb shelters. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the Iranian attack triggered air raid sirens across the country.

The Israeli military also said it has begun a series of strikes on military targets in western Iran. An Israeli military spokesperson said they attacked two F5 warplanes of the Iranian military forces.

The United States (US) on Saturday night struck Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan using B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles. US President Donald Trump hailed the airstrikes on Iran as a “spectacular military success," claiming that key nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan were “completely obliterated." Speaking after the coordinated assault, involving B-2 stealth bombers, Trump said the mission was executed flawlessly and marked a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

However, Iran said the US bombings were "outrageous" and will have "everlasting consequences". Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in a strongly worded statement posted on X, accused the US, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, of “criminal behavior” by targeting what he described as peaceful nuclear installations.

Modi Calls Iran President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and urged immediate de-escalation and dialogue amid fresh US strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities. “Spoke with President of Iran @drpezeshkian. We discussed in detail the current situation. Expressed deep concern at the recent escalations," PM Modi said.