Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Mar 18: Tensions in West Asia escalated sharply as Iran launched fresh missile and drone attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbours and Israel on Wednesday, following the killing of two of its senior security officials.

According to Israeli medical authorities, two persons were killed in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, while multiple explosions were also reported from Dubai, indicating a widening conflict in the region.

In a significant blow to Tehran, Israel had earlier confirmed the killing of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of the Revolutionary Guard’s Basij force, in targeted strikes.

Further escalation was reported in Beirut, where Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli airstrikes early Wednesday killed at least six people and injured 24 others, with the toll expected to rise.

Meanwhile, the United States military said it had carried out strikes on sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz, citing threats posed by Iranian anti-ship missiles to international maritime traffic.

Amid the intensifying conflict, Donald Trump criticised NATO allies for not backing US efforts to secure the crucial shipping route, stating that Washington was not receiving adequate support despite its contributions.

Iran also confirmed the death of its national security chief, even as Israel vowed to pursue and “neutralise” the country’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

The killing of Larijani marks another major setback for Iran, coming just weeks after the death of longtime leader Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes, which triggered the ongoing conflict in the region.