Escalation in the Middle East: Iran and Israel Trade Deadly Missiles

In the latest escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Iranian missiles targeted Israeli cities Tel Aviv and Haifa before dawn on Monday, leading to civilian casualties and significant damage. In response, Israeli defense minister issued a stark warning to Tehran residents. The situation has prompted discussions in Iran to reconsider its commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which could heighten global nuclear tensions.

Israel, which is widely believed to possess a nuclear arsenal, has yet to confirm or deny these capabilities. As hostilities intensified, the Israeli military reported the targeting and elimination of key Iranian intelligence figures. The overnight barrage is part of a broader Iranian retaliation against Israeli strikes on its nuclear and missile programs, intensifying the regional crisis.

With damage reported across both nations, the conflict's ramifications have reached international forums like the G7 summit, where leaders, including President Trump, have expressed hopes for a diplomatic resolution despite the ongoing military operations. The impacts of this conflict are also felt in oil markets and have raised concerns about further destabilization in an already volatile region.

(With inputs from agencies.)