Israel and Iran continue trading missiles, as region teeters on full-scale war

TEHRAN / TEL AVIV (MNTV) — New Israeli airstrikes have hit Iranian military and nuclear installations early Saturday.  Explosions and air raid sirens echoed across both nations as the conflict, sparked by Israel’s surprise assault on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, entered a volatile third day.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that dozens of missiles had targeted key Israeli air bases, defence centres, and urban infrastructure overnight in what it called “Operation True Promise III.”

Iranian media claimed successful hits on the Nevatim, Ovda, and Tel Nof air bases, as well as strategic industrial sites and command centres.

Just hours after the IRGC’s attacks, Israeli warplanes flew more than 1,500 km into Iranian airspace, striking air defence sites around Tehran, Tabriz, Lorestan, Hamedan, and Kermanshah.

For the first time, Israel confirmed it had struck defence arrays near the Iranian capital, dismantling critical surface-to-air missile infrastructure.

“We damaged—and will continue to damage—strategic sites and enemy sources of knowledge,” said Israeli Air Force chief MG Tomer Bar.

According to Iran’s envoy to the UN, 78 people were killed in the initial Israeli strikes on Friday, including top generals, nuclear scientists, and civilians. Over 320 were injured.

Iran’s state media confirmed the deaths of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC chief Hossein Salami, and IRGC aerospace commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has since appointed new commanders and vowed to bring Israel “to ruin.”

“The entire air command of the IRGC assembled in an underground bunker was eliminated,” the IDF claimed.

Israel insists its campaign—codenamed “Operation Rising Lion”—was preemptive and necessary to degrade what Prime Minister Netanyahu described as Iran’s nearing “point of no return” on nuclear weapons development.

It has now emerged that Israel and the U.S. coordinated a deception campaign in the days leading up to the strikes to convince Tehran that no attack was imminent. Netanyahu’s public commitment to weekend leisure plans and his son’s wedding preparations were reportedly part of the cover.

President Donald Trump confirmed he was aware of Israel’s plans and cooperated with Israeli officials, saying he still hoped for a nuclear deal with Iran. “They can still work out a deal… it’s not too late,” Trump told Reuters.

However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has now called talks with the U.S. “meaningless,” blaming Washington for complicity in the Israeli attacks.

Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport and all major Iranian airports, including Tehran’s Mehrabad, have been closed indefinitely. Flightradar24 showed empty skies over both countries Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, AFP footage from Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv showed destroyed buildings and vehicles following Iranian strikes. Two Israeli civilians—a man and woman—were killed, with at least 40 injured, including in Rishon Lezion, where apartment blocks were reduced to rubble.

Pope Leo issued an urgent appeal for restraint, saying, “No one should ever threaten the existence of another… the cause of peace must be pursued.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres added, “Enough escalation. Time to stop.”

Despite U.S. denials of direct involvement in the Israeli strikes, a senior official confirmed Washington was “assisting Israel in defending against Iranian missiles.”

Iran has confirmed surface damage to the Natanz enrichment facility and limited damage to Fordow and Isfahan nuclear plants. The IAEA said radiation levels remain stable.