“LONG AS NECESSARY”
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the war was entering a “decisive phase”, even if he cautioned that it would “continue as long as necessary”.
Yet, despite facing superior US and Israeli firepower, Iran appears determined to fight on. It has launched missile and drone attacks against at least 10 of its neighbours and has choked off traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Blasts were heard by AFP journalists over Jerusalem on Saturday after the army detected missiles fired from Iran.
Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against at least 10 of its neighbours.
The Palestinian group Hamas called on Saturday for Iran to refrain from targeting neighbouring countries, in a rare breach between the allies, though it affirmed Tehran’s right to defend itself.
Qatar said it intercepted two missiles over the capital’s downtown area on Saturday and evacuated key areas after blasts were heard by AFP journalists in Doha.
Strikes continue in Iran, with heavy blasts shaking Tehran late Friday and local media reporting strikes in several provinces through Saturday.
Israel’s army warned people in an industrial zone of Tabriz in northern Iran to evacuate, signalling an imminent attack.
Iran’s health ministry says more than 1,200 people have been killed by US and Israeli attacks, numbers that could not be independently verified.
Up to 3.2 million people have been displaced inside Iran, according to the UN refugee agency.
Trump described Iran as “totally defeated” and in search of a deal he was unwilling to consider.
More than 15,000 targets in Iran have been hit by the US and Israel in two weeks, the Pentagon said.
A report this week said the first six days alone cost the US US$11.3 billion, and it has lost 13 military personnel.
