Iran's strike on Israel hints at growing regime confidence

Iran's most recent wave of ballistic missile and drone fire targeting northern and central Israel has put at risk peace talks said to be in their final stages. BBC Persian editor Amir Azimi writes that Tehran's "internal assessment of regional resilience has grown stronger". Israel's defence ministry said air-defence responses against launch sites near Haifa and Bat Yam had been successfully completed.

A spokesperson for Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the strike was "a legitimate response to Israel's attacks in recent weeks". IRGC Commander Hossein Salami said the "negotiation door remains open, but not at the price of sovereignty". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "measured but firm preservation of the deterrence framework" was required.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi called on both parties to "immediately return to direct communication channels". EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said "there is no coherent alternative to the diplomatic channel". White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Washington is considering moving Oman's mediation framework towards "more direct support".