Tehran strikes in second week of US-Israeli war, Iran targets Israel | Conflict news

The blasts rock Tehran as US-Israeli attacks intensify, marking eight days of conflict and retaliation from Iran.

Massive explosions have occurred in several places across Iran, including the capital Tehran, as the war in the Middle East entered its eighth day.

The United States-Israeli strikes sent clouds of black smoke over the Iranian capital early Saturday, and Tehran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel.

The US has warned of an upcoming bombing campaign that officials say will become even more intense in the weeks-long conflict, which has already killed at least 1,230 people and causes more casualties every day.

Much of the region is embroiled in war, with Tehran launching retaliatory attacks on Israel, striking US assets across the Gulf.

Early Saturday morning Israel’s military said it had launched “large-scale strikes” on targets in Tehran.

“Iranians are now waking up to the eighth day since the start of US-Israeli airstrikes targeting various facilities and locations in the Iranian capital and elsewhere in the country,” Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi reports from Tehran.

He said that continuous attacks have been going on since midnight.

“According to the latest reports, Mehrabad, one of the two main airports in the Iranian capital, has been targeted. The nearby area is said to be affected,” Asadi said.

Meanwhile, attacks are taking place in other cities across the country – targeting not only military areas or political centers, but residential areas, schools and hospitals, he said.

Amir-Saeed Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council on Friday that the US and Israel were bombing civilian areas in his country: “These acts are clear war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

The continued fighting comes as US President Donald Trump’s administration approved a new $151 million arms sale to Israel after Trump said he would not negotiate with Iran without “unconditional surrender.”

Iran’s UN ambassador said the country would “take all necessary measures” to defend itself.

Iran’s strategy to shelter Israelis

Meanwhile, Iran continues its attacks against Israel.

The Israeli military said early Saturday that it had detected another round of Iranian missile fire at Tel Aviv after being launched from Iran.

Missiles were detected heading for other parts of the country, including southern Israel.

“Since midnight, the Israelis have detected at least five ballistic missile launches coming from Iran into Israel,” Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim reported from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

“They have taken millions of Israelis into shelters overnight, Israeli analysts say the Iranians intend to put more pressure on the Israeli government – by keeping Israelis in shelters and launching these missiles at different times.”