**Israeli Offensive on Iranian Soil**
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israel launched a direct military attack on Iranian territory early Friday morning, a source close to the situation revealed to LA News Center. This latest move marks the culmination of a series of tit-for-tat strikes between the two adversaries.
Iranian state media reported explosions in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, but officials maintained that these were caused by their air defenses intercepting drones. Israel has not yet publicly acknowledged its involvement in the incident.
**Iran’s Response and Diplomatic Options**
The Israeli attack follows Iran’s recent launch of over 300 drones and missiles targeting Israel. The majority of these projectiles were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, resulting in no casualties.
Iran justified the attack as retaliation for an earlier Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound on April 1, which killed several senior Iranian generals.
The international community is closely watching Iran’s response to Israel’s latest offensive, and the possibility of diplomatic mediation to prevent further escalation remains on the table.
**Market Reaction and Broader Implications**
The news of the direct confrontation between Israel and Iran has shaken global markets. Oil prices surged over 3%, reflecting concerns that the covert proxy war between the two nations could escalate into a more open conflict.
Safe-haven assets have also witnessed a rise in value, with spot gold prices reaching an all-time high of ,411.09 per ounce. Stock futures, on the other hand, declined sharply, with Dow Jones Industrial Average futures falling 0.76%, S&P 500 futures dropping 0.88%, and Nasdaq 100 futures decreasing by 0.98%.
**Air Travel Impacts**
Iran’s Fars news agency reported that flights to Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz airports have been suspended due to the heightened tensions. Flight Radar 24, an aviation tracking website, also showed that several flights heading towards Iranian airspace had been diverted.
**Conclusion**
The direct military confrontation between Israel and Iran has dramatically escalated the conflict between the two nations. As the world awaits Iran’s response and the potential for diplomatic intervention, the international community remains on edge, concerned about the repercussions of this latest escalation.
Data sourced from: cnbc.com
