UPDATE - Sirens sound across Israel as Iran launches 3rd wave of missile attacks

UPDATES WITH NEW DETAILS; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK

By Tarek Chouiref

ISTANBUL (AA) - Explosions were reported on Saturday in the Haifa area of northern Israel after missiles were launched from Iran in retaliation for strikes by Israel and the US, Israeli news outlet Ynet reported.

Air raid sirens were activated in multiple areas across the country, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Sharon region, the Negev, the Gaza envelope and the Dead Sea area, according to Israel’s Home Front Command.

The Israeli army said Iran launched a third wave of retaliatory missile attacks on Israel, adding that around 35 ballistic missiles had been fired toward the country since Saturday morning, according to Channel 12.

At least four Israelis were injured and several buildings were damaged in northern Israel as a result of falling Iranian missiles, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

Separately, the Israeli army said it carried out a strike targeting a meeting of senior political and security officials in Tehran.

Iran’s state news agency reported explosions and the activation of air defense systems in Shiraz. Earlier, explosions were also reported in Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Lorestan.

Meanwhile, Israel deployed the 91st Division along its northern border and called up additional reserve forces amid rising tensions and concerns over possible intervention by Hezbollah, according to Israeli media.

On Saturday morning, Israel launched a “preemptive” attack against Iran under the name “Lion’s Roar,” declaring a “special and immediate” state of emergency across the country.

US President Donald Trump later said his forces launched “major combat operations” in Iran aimed at “protecting the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”

The attacks come as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program had been ongoing under Oman’s mediation. A new round of talks in Geneva ended on Thursday.

Last June, the US struck three Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day Israel-Iran war.