UPDATE - Iran launches new salvo of missiles on Israel as conflict escalates

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iran launched a new wave of missiles on Israel on Monday as conflict between the two countries continued to escalate, the Israeli army said.

A military statement said that the new missile salvo triggered air-raid sirens in central and northern Israel.

The army said that air defenses were working to intercept the Iranian missiles.

Israeli Channel 12 said that over 15 missiles were fired from Iran into Israel, with explosions heard in Jerusalem and the southern city of Ashdod.

Sirens sounded in the northern city of Haifa, Jerusalem, and Israeli settlements bordering the Gaza Strip, the broadcaster said.

According to Maariv newspaper, air-raid sirens sounded for 40 minutes in Israel, the longest time recorded since the start of the conflict.

No information was yet available about injuries or damage.

The Israel Hayom newspaper reported power outages in southern areas in Israel due to damage to an electricity supply company following the attacks.

Israel and Iran have been engaged in aerial combat since June 13 when Tel Aviv launched a surprise attack on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, at least 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.