Iran and Hezbollah launched a large-scale missile and drone barrage at Israel, Israeli military officials said on Tuesday, in a sharp escalation that coincided with expanding Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon and intensified strikes deep inside Iran.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said hundreds of projectiles were fired in coordinated waves toward northern and central Israel. Most were intercepted, according to the military, though sirens sounded across wide areas and authorities reported disruptions to daily life. There were no immediate reports of mass casualties.
The barrage marked one of the most direct and extensive attacks involving Iran since the start of the current war, highlighting a shift toward a more overt, multi-front confrontation.
Israel Pushes Ground Forces Into Southern Lebanon
The Israeli military confirmed it had begun phased ground operations in southern Lebanon, including areas along the Ramim Ridge and near the town of al-Khiyam.
The stated aim of the operation is to push Hezbollah fighters away from the border and reduce the threat to Israeli communities such as Kiryat Shmona and Metula, which have been repeatedly targeted by rocket fire.
Israeli officials did not detail the scope or duration of the ground incursion. Analysts say the move could signal either a limited tactical operation or the early stages of a broader campaign aimed at reshaping the security situation along the northern border.
Hezbollah Maintains Steady Fire
Hezbollah continued to launch rockets toward northern Israel, maintaining what analysts describe as a strategy of sustained but controlled escalation.
The Iran-backed group appears to be seeking to pressure Israel while avoiding a full-scale war that could threaten its core military capabilities.
Israeli Strikes Hit Targets Inside Iran
In parallel, Israel has stepped up strikes inside Iran, targeting sites linked to missile production, intelligence and other strategic assets, according to Israeli officials and regional reports.
The strikes are seen as part of a broader effort to degrade Iran’s ability to project power and to deter further direct attacks
Regional media have reported that senior Iranian politician Ali Larijani was killed in an Israeli strike, though there has been no confirmation from Iranian authorities.
Reuters could not independently verify the report.
If confirmed, the killing would represent a significant escalation, potentially indicating a widening of Israeli targeting beyond military infrastructure. Iran’s involvement appears calibrated to increase pressure on Israel while stopping short of triggering an all-out regional war, analysts say.
Tehran has also signaled potential economic leverage, including implicit threats linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
Outlook Uncertain as Conflict Widens
With Israel operating in Lebanon and striking targets in Iran, and with Iran and Hezbollah escalating attacks, the conflict is increasingly spanning multiple arenas.
Analysts say the absence of clearly defined end goals on all sides raises the risk of further escalation.
A miscalculation by any party could push the confrontation toward a broader regional war.
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