Tel Aviv: The war between Israel and Iran has entered a far more dangerous phase, with both sides ramping up attacks after eight days of relentless conflict. Iranian forces have launched a series of missile strikes on civilian and corporate infrastructure inside Israel, while the Israeli military has responded by targeting critical facilities deep inside Iran, including a nuclear reactor.
In a major escalation, Iran fired multiple missiles at residential buildings in Beersheba, causing massive destruction. A direct hit on an apartment complex triggered widespread panic, fire, and chaos on the streets. Several buildings were damaged, and thick smoke could be seen rising from the area.
Missiles hit tech, nuclear sites
Among the prominent targets was the Microsoft facility in Beersheba. Iran launched a missile strike on the building, which handles cybersecurity and cloud research. The office, located at 11 Torah Hesot Street, was severely damaged in the attack. Reports suggest Israel has suffered significant losses due to the destruction of this key technology centre.
In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched retaliatory airstrikes on vital Iranian infrastructure. One of the biggest strikes was on Iran’s Arak nuclear reactor — a key facility suspected of playing a role in atomic weapons development. The IDF released a video showing the reactor site completely destroyed. The U.S.-based Maxar Technologies also published high-resolution satellite images confirming the heavy damage to the reactor complex.
Israel had earlier issued evacuation warnings to residents of Arak and Khondab, where another heavy-water reactor is located. Meanwhile, late-night airstrikes were conducted on a military bunker in Lavizan, near Tehran, completely destroying it. The IDF suspects Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei may have been hiding in the Lavizan area, leading to intensified strikes on secret locations.
Cities rocked by retaliation
In retaliation, Iran launched a major drone assault on Haifa, targeting civilian neighborhoods. While Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepted many of the drones, some managed to get through, triggering air raid sirens and further damage. Meanwhile, an explosion at an Iranian ammunition depot — reportedly hit in an earlier Israeli strike — was heard several kilometres away.
