Tehran: Fighting in the Middle East intensified on Wednesday as Iran, Israel and the United States exchanged more air strikes, while Iranian authorities tightened security across the country amid fears of unrest.
Military attacks continued overnight with missiles and drones launched toward Israeli targets and retaliatory strikes carried out against sites linked to Iran. Air raid sirens were heard in several Israeli cities as air defence systems worked to intercept incoming projectiles.
The latest exchanges are part of a rapidly expanding conflict that has drawn in several countries in the region. The fighting escalated after large scale strikes by Israel and the United States on Iranian military and strategic sites in recent weeks. Officials in Israel say the aim of the campaign is to weaken Iran’s military capability and disrupt its ability to support allied armed groups across the Middle East.
Iran has vowed to respond forcefully and has continued launching missiles and drones toward Israeli territory and military positions linked to the United States in the region.
At the same time, authorities in Iran have increased internal security as the war continues. Security forces have stepped up patrols in major cities and warned against any attempts to organize protests. Officials said they are prepared to act quickly against unrest and have warned opposition groups not to take advantage of the situation.
Analysts say Iranian leaders are concerned that the conflict and the economic pressure it brings could trigger public demonstrations similar to protests seen in the country in recent years.
The war is also spreading beyond Iran and Israel. Military activity and strikes have been reported across several parts of the region, raising fears that the conflict could widen further if diplomatic efforts fail.
In Iran, some strikes on oil and industrial facilities have caused large fires and heavy smoke in certain areas. Health experts have warned that pollution from the fires could pose risks to residents, especially in major cities where air quality has already worsened.
Despite growing international concern, there are currently no clear signs of a ceasefire. Diplomats say the situation remains highly unstable, with both sides showing no immediate willingness to scale back their military actions.