Iran war intensifies as retaliation strikes hit Israel and UAE air defenses respond
Tensions in the Iran war sharply escalated after missiles were intercepted over Dubai, following Tehran’s vow to avenge the killing of senior official Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates confirmed that a missile was successfully shot down, after residents reported a loud explosion in the sky. No injuries were reported.
The incident comes as Iran launched a retaliatory missile attack on Israel, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. Iran’s military leadership had earlier promised a “decisive” response to Larijani’s assassination.
“Iran’s response… will be decisive and regrettable,” said army chief Amir Hatami, following confirmation of Larijani’s death by the Supreme National Security Council.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards later announced they had fired missiles at central Israel, describing the strikes as revenge for the killing of Larijani and his associates.
According to early reports, at least two people were killed near Tel Aviv in the missile attacks on Wednesday, highlighting the growing human toll of the conflict.
Larijani is considered the most senior Iranian official killed since the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader at the start of the war, further deepening instability in the region.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized NATO, accusing the alliance of abandoning the United States during rising tensions, particularly over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The latest developments signal a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with attacks and counterattacks spreading beyond Israel and Iran, raising fears of a wider regional war.
Source: Independent & Al Jazeera