Daijiworld Media Network- Beersheba

Beersheba, Jun 20: In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, a ballistic missile launched by Iran struck the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on Friday, triggering widespread panic and substantial damage. The missile exploded near a cluster of high-rise apartments, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky and igniting several vehicles parked in the vicinity. Nearby residential structures sustained damage, though no casualties have been reported so far.

Emergency sirens wailed across Beersheba and neighbouring areas as the missile approached, with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirming that several regions were placed on high alert following the detection of incoming threats from Iran. Interception efforts were launched immediately, though it remains unclear how many projectiles were intercepted.

This latest attack follows a harrowing day in Israel when multiple Iranian missiles hit a hospital and residential buildings in Tel Aviv, leaving at least 240 people injured. In the aftermath, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant blamed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directly for the violence, stating that the Israeli military has been given clear directives that “this man absolutely should not continue to exist.”

In retaliation, Israeli forces have reportedly targeted Iran’s Arak heavy water nuclear reactor — a key component of the country's controversial nuclear infrastructure. Iranian state television later claimed the site had been safely evacuated ahead of the strike, with no radiation risk detected.

Amid the rising hostilities, diplomatic channels are being tested. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, following consultations with US counterparts, warned that the region stands on the edge of a broader conflagration. He stated that a narrow two-week window remains for de-escalation. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to hold crucial talks with European officials in Geneva.

Reports also confirm that Israeli airstrikes have hit deep into Iranian territory, including the northern city of Rasht. At the same time, Iran is experiencing a near-total internet shutdown, hindering both domestic communication and the international flow of information.

With each side vowing further action and regional diplomacy hanging in the balance, the threat of a full-scale regional conflict continues to loom large.