Iran has vowed to continue its retaliatory strikes against Israel as senior officials warn the conflict “will spread to US bases” in the region.
Iran’s Fars News agency citing a senior military official said on its Telegram account that the conflict would spread to “American bases in the coming days” prompting concerns about attacks on locations in places like Iraq.
“The aggressors will be the target of Iran’s decisive and extensive response” the official reportedly the news outlet.
The two countries targeted each other with missiles and airstrikes early on Saturday after Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran’s nuclear and military structure overnight.
Iran’s state TV reported that around 60 people, including 20 children, were killed in an Israeli attack on a housing complex in Tehran. Earlier, the country’s ambassador told the UN Security Council that at least 78 people had been killed and more than 300 wounded in the strikes on Iran.
Iran launched a barrage of retaliation strikes on Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, killing at least three, injuring dozens and sending terrified civilians into shelters.
Israel said the military’s defence systems have been intercepting the missiles throughout the day Friday, and that most were intercepted or fell short.
Israel’s Defence Minister has warned that “Tehran will burn” if Iran continues to fire retaliatory missiles at Israel.
“The Iranian dictator is taking the citizens of Iran hostage, bringing about a reality in which they, and especially Teheran’s residents, will pay a heavy price for the flagrant harm inflicted upon Israel’s citizens,” Katz said in a statement.
“If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn.”
Pope Leo appeals for ‘reason’ amid Israel-Iran airstrikes
Pope Leo has appealed for authorities in Iran and Israel to act with “reason” after recent airstrikes and to pursue dialogue.
He told an audience in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday that he was following the situation with “great concern.”
“In such a delicate moment, I strongly wish to renew an appeal to responsibility and to reason,” said the pope.
“The commitment to building a safer world free from the nuclear threat must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue to build a lasting peace, founded on justice, fraternity, and the common good,” he said.
“No one should ever threaten the existence of another,” said Leo. “It is the duty of all countries to support the cause of peace, initiating paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that guarantee security and dignity for all.”
Iran warns US, UK and France against helping stop Iranian strikes on Israel
Iran has warned the US, UK and France that their bases and ships in the region will be targeted if they help stop Tehran’s strikes on Israel.
Iran state media reported the comments on Saturday, as tensions continue to rise between Israel and Iran.
On Friday, a US officials said the country’s military had helped shoot down Iranian missiles that were headed toward Israel.
Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv early on Saturday as Iran and Israel said a new wave of Iranian missile attacks had begun.
Iran has vowed to continue its retaliatory strikes against Israel as senior officials warn the conflict “will spread to US bases” in the region