Iran fires new missile barrage, sirens sound across central Israel

2026-03-17 - 12:00

Air raid alerts echoed through multiple regions in central Israel Tuesday as Iran launched a fresh missile salvo, according to local media reports. The daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported sirens sounding across central Israel from what it termed a "limited barrage" originating from Iranian territory. Israeli Channel 12 confirmed that warning systems were activated in the Jerusalem area, the Dan Bloc metropolitan region, and Samaria following the detected launches. Information regarding potential injuries or structural damage remains unavailable as authorities assess the impact . Retaliation for leadership strike claims The missile attack follows closely on the heels of Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz's announcement that Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was "eliminated" alongside a senior Basij commander in precision strikes near the capital. While Tehran has not officially confirmed these deaths, a message posted on Larijani's social media account shortly after Israel's claim paid tribute to Iranian navy martyrs, leaving the situation ambiguous . The timing suggests Iran's latest military response may be directly linked to the alleged killing of its high-ranking security official. Regional conflict intensifies Since February 28, when the US and Israel launched their joint offensive against Iran, regional hostilities have reached unprecedented levels. Approximately 1,300 individuals have been killed in Iran, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has conducted multiple retaliatory strikes using drones and missiles against Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting American military assets. The ongoing exchanges have caused significant casualties, infrastructure damage, and severe disruptions to global markets and commercial aviation . Broader implications The conflict continues drawing in neighboring countries, with Gulf states facing repeated Iranian attacks on both military installations and civilian infrastructure. The virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil passes, has sent energy prices soaring and threatens worldwide economic stability . As the war enters its third week, international calls for de-escalation grow louder, though both sides show little inclination to halt military operations. For regional powers like Türkiye, which maintains diplomatic engagement with all parties while advocating for restraint, the expanding conflict raises serious concerns about broader regional destabilization.