Iran on Tuesday night launched missile strikes on Tel Aviv, using cluster warheads in retaliation for the assassination of its security chief, Ali Larijani. Iranian state television reported that the attack killed two people in a neighbourhood near densely populated areas and military facilities, bringing Israel’s war-related death toll to at least 14.
The missiles, including Khorramshahr 4 and Qadr models with multi-warheads, were deployed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel claims Iran has repeatedly used cluster munitions, which disperse smaller explosives mid-air over wide areas, making them difficult to intercept.
Meanwhile, a projectile struck near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant on Tuesday evening, but the government reported no damage or injuries. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Rafael Grossi, reiterated the need for maximum restraint to prevent the risk of a nuclear accident.
The conflict escalated after Israel and the US launched attacks more than two weeks ago, targeting Iran’s leadership to prevent nuclear weapons development. Iran confirmed the assassination of Larijani, the most senior figure killed since the initial strike that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, which Larijani led as secretary, also reported the deaths of Larijani’s son and deputy, Alireza Bayat, in an Israeli attack on Monday night, further heightening tensions in the region.
