Israel, Iran trade attacks, Trump orders Tehran residents to flee

Blasts rock Tehran and air raid sirens go off in Tel Aviv as Iran says it is preparing for what it calls the largest and most intense missile attack in history on Israeli soil, after a strike on Iranian state television. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would not escalate hostilities, but would “end the conflict”. US President Donald Trump issues a threat on social media, ordering all residents of Tehran to flee and saying that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. The death toll from Israel’s attacks on Iran has risen to more than 220, including 70 women and children. More than 20 people have been killed in Iranian attacks on Israel. Meanwhile, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 55,432 people and wounded 128,923, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7 attacks, and more than 200 were taken captive. The Israeli broadcasting authority is saying that several missiles fell in open areas injuring several Israelis who fled to shelters. We are waiting on some more details on that. The most significant damage so far has been to Haifa port where refinery operations have been halted because of severe damage to the refinery. This is one of two refineries. Israel refines a large chunk of petrol, diesel and jet fuel, and it will be considerably inconveniencing and difficult for Israel to manage. Israelis have never experienced anything like this in the last 40 or 50 years. So it’s come as a bit of a shock to a lot of Israelis. Israelis are beginning to realise that this is a very, very dangerous situation that they are in. Nevertheless, Israelis always rally around the flag. They may not like Benjamin Netanyahu or his extreme right-wing government – he personally remains unpopular – but Israelis will rally around the flag when the country is under attack.