Israel and Iran exchange direct strikes, raising fears of wider war

Israel and Iran have traded direct military strikes for the first time in decades, dramatically escalating their long-running shadow conflict. Israel carried out airstrikes on multiple targets across Iran, including a petrochemical plant, and said it dismantled Iranian 'strategic defense systems.' The strikes came after Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel. Reports also suggested Israel used a route via Azerbaijan for some of the attacks.

Iran announced a pause in its strikes on Israel, while Israel's military said it had struck and dismantled strategic defense systems in Iran. The exchanges have raised concerns about a broader regional war, especially as a ceasefire elsewhere appears to be faltering. Both sides appear to be testing deterrence and leverage, with Iran trying to rebuild its power through the strikes on Israel.