Haifa, June 21 (V7N) – Iran has launched a new missile attack targeting Israel, striking the strategic coastal city of Haifa. The assault, which followed earlier warnings of incoming missile activity during the day, resulted in a loud explosion that echoed across the city late Friday night, according to a report by The Independent.

Local residents described hearing a “massive blast,” prompting emergency services to rush to the scene. At least two people were reportedly injured in the strike, though the extent of the damage is still being assessed.

The attack marks another escalation in the rapidly intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel, which has spilled across multiple fronts in recent weeks. Haifa, a major port city and industrial hub in northern Israel, holds significant strategic importance due to its naval facilities, oil refineries, and defense infrastructure.

Earlier in the day, Israel’s air defense systems had detected incoming projectiles from Iranian territory. Sirens and mobile alerts warned residents to seek shelter. While Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system is credited with intercepting several threats, it is unclear whether the missile that struck Haifa was intercepted or bypassed defenses.

Authorities are investigating whether the explosion resulted from a direct missile impact or from falling debris intercepted mid-air. Images shared on social media and local news show smoke rising from a district near the city’s industrial zone.

Tensions between Iran and Israel have surged dramatically following a series of tit-for-tat military exchanges, cyberattacks, and strikes on strategic infrastructure. This latest attack underscores the vulnerability of urban centers and the growing reach of Iran’s missile capabilities.

Israeli defense officials have vowed to respond "forcefully and proportionately," while international observers warn that the region is inching closer to a full-scale war unless immediate diplomatic de-escalation is pursued.

As of now, no militant group has claimed responsibility for facilitating the missile launch, though Israeli intelligence has long alleged that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directly coordinates such operations from its territory or via proxies.

The situation in Haifa remains tense as emergency services continue their operations, and residents brace for the possibility of further attacks.

END/WD/AJ/