World on Edge: Israel-Iran war explodes as 50 jets hit Tehran, Iran fires hypersonics on Tel Aviv; Russia pounds Kyiv in biggest airstrike since 2024 – 23 killed, global tensions rising fast.

 Last night, Israel launched one of its most intense aerial attacks on Iran to date. Around 50 Israeli fighter jets struck nearly 20 high-value targets across Tehran and surrounding provinces, including centrifuge factories, missile component plants, IRGC-linked facilities, and even parts of Iran’s air defense grid. Reports indicate significant damage to Iran’s missile infrastructure—possibly 50% of key launch platforms were neutralized. Israel claims these strikes are part of an urgent pre-emptive effort to slow Iran’s suspected nuclear and missile escalation.

In retaliation, Iran fired multiple ballistic and hypersonic missiles—particularly the Fattah-1 class—targeting Tel Aviv and parts of central Israel. Several explosions and fires were reported, though the Iron Dome and Arrow systems intercepted many. Civilian casualties remain low in Israel, but the psychological and military pressure is high. Iran’s Supreme Leader responded to Trump’s call for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” by declaring “the battle begins.” This rhetoric has intensified fears of a larger regional war.

The U.S. is reportedly weighing limited military options. Trump, who is campaigning for a return to the presidency, has voiced full support for Israel and suggested “joint strategic containment” of Iran. Iran has warned that if the U.S. directly intervenes, it would spark an “all-out war” across the region. In Tehran, thousands of civilians have fled toward the north amid fuel shortages, power cuts, and renewed air raid sirens.

Meanwhile, in Eastern Europe, Russia launched its largest missile-and-drone barrage on Ukraine since early 2024. Over 470 aerial weapons were fired, many at Kyiv. The Solomianskyi district suffered the worst, where a 9-story residential building collapsed, killing at least 23 and injuring over 130. President Zelenskyy called it “pure terrorism” and appealed again to the G7 for more air defense systems. The attack marks a worrying escalation on the Ukrainian front, especially as Russia appears to be coordinating cyber-attacks with kinetic strikes.

Both these flashpoints—Middle East and Ukraine—are reaching critical thresholds. Multiple analysts warn that if diplomacy fails, the world could see direct confrontation between nuclear-armed states for the first time since the Cold War.