Iran launches missiles, triggers sirens in Israel amid truce deal

FILE: Islamic Republican flag flown at Abshar Park. (Photo By ak ba/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

By Anadolu, Philippine News Agency

ISTANBUL – Air raid sirens sounded across several parts of Israel early Tuesday after the Israeli army reported missile launches from Iran, heightening tensions as uncertainty looms over a potential ceasefire deal.

In a statement, the Israeli military confirmed that missiles were fired from Iranian territory and urged residents to take shelter.

Israel’s Channel 12 later reported that two rockets were launched toward northern Israel, both of which were intercepted by Israeli air defenses. One of the rockets was identified as heading south, according to the report.

The sirens and missile launches came shortly after Israeli media reported that Israel had halted its airstrikes on Iran around 0200GMT, fueling speculation that a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump might be taking effect.

Iranian state TV, meanwhile, claimed that Israeli forces had assassinated Mohammad Reza Siddiqi, a nuclear scientist, in recent attacks.

The Israeli army has not commented on the assassination claim.

Regional tensions sharply escalated Sunday after the US bombed Iran’s Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities.

The attacks were the latest escalation in a US-backed Israeli military assault on Iran since June 13, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory attacks on Israel.