The Middle East is on high alert as tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated dramatically, raising fears of a potential regional war. This follows a major incident over the weekend when Iran launched an unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel. The assault came in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month, which killed several senior members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Iranian attack, which took place late Saturday night, involved more than 300 projectiles, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and armed drones. In a coordinated defense effort, Israel—with the help of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Jordan—intercepted the vast majority of the incoming threats. Only a few missiles managed to land inside Israel, causing limited physical damage and a small number of injuries. Nonetheless, the scale and symbolism of Iran's attack marked a historic moment—it was the first time Iran has directly attacked Israel from its own territory.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his war cabinet. While there is pressure from hardliners to retaliate forcefully, international allies—especially the U.S.—are urging restraint to prevent all-out war. President Joe Biden spoke directly with Netanyahu, reaffirming American support for Israel’s security but also emphasizing the importance of de-escalation.

Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership has warned that any Israeli counterattack will provoke an even larger response. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that Iran has "acted within its right of self-defense" and warned against further Israeli "aggression." Iranian media portrayed the attack as a show of strength and a necessary move to deter future Israeli strikes.

The international community is now scrambling to calm the situation. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on Sunday, during which member states called for both countries to step back from the brink. China has offered to mediate peace talks, and Turkey, Qatar, and Oman have also expressed willingness to play a diplomatic role.

Military analysts warn that a broader conflict could easily involve Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, and potentially U.S. forces in the region. With global energy markets already strained, fears of disruption to oil supplies have caused oil prices to spike sharply since the attack.

Citizens in both countries are preparing for the worst. In Israel, air raid sirens and missile defense systems remain active, and in Iran, major cities are on heightened alert. Flights across the region have been rerouted or canceled, and several countries have issued travel warnings.