Tehran, June 17 (V7N) - Iran has launched a fresh wave of drone and missile attacks targeting the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa, in what is being described as a dramatic escalation in the ongoing regional conflict. The strikes, confirmed by Iranian state and semi-official media, began late Monday and are expected to continue into the early hours of Tuesday.

According to local media outlets quoting a spokesperson from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the operation is a "retaliatory measure" and is part of a broader military response to recent Israeli strikes on Iranian assets.

Iran’s Press TV and the semi-official Mehr News Agency both reported that multiple missiles had successfully hit “strategic zones” inside Israel. The extent of casualties or damage is yet to be officially confirmed by Israeli authorities, though emergency alerts were sounded across several regions.

Global Concern Ahead of G7 Summit

The attacks have already raised alarm among international observers and diplomats, particularly as leaders from the world’s seven largest economies (G7) gather for a critical summit this week. Concerns are mounting that the spiraling Israel-Iran confrontation could drag the Middle East into a broader, multi-front war involving other regional players.

A report by The Guardian noted that the missile impacts in Tel Aviv and Haifa were seen as a direct message to Israel and its Western allies. “The growing intensity of these strikes adds a new layer of unpredictability to the already volatile geopolitical landscape,” said one unnamed Western diplomat.

Escalation Follows Weeks of Tensions

This latest round of attacks follows weeks of mounting hostilities, including Israeli strikes deep inside Iranian territory and Tehran’s support for regional militias engaged in proxy warfare against Israeli interests in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.

Security analysts believe the current cycle of retaliation could become the most intense phase of Israel-Iran hostilities in years, especially if civilian casualties or strategic infrastructure are hit in either country.

No Immediate Response from Israeli Military

As of Tuesday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had not issued an official statement regarding the latest attacks. However, early unconfirmed reports suggest that Israeli missile defense systems were activated in multiple areas to intercept the incoming projectiles.

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