The volatile standoff between Iran and Israel erupted into open confrontation overnight, as Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israeli territory in a dramatic escalation following recent airstrikes that Tehran blames squarely on Jerusalem.

According to early reports from regional security sources, Iranian forces fired a series of ballistic and cruise missiles, targeting key Israeli military installations and, in some cases, civilian areas. Sirens blared across parts of central and northern Israel well into the night, sending families scrambling to shelters as Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted many — but not all — incoming projectiles.

Initial casualties appear limited thanks to Israel’s sophisticated air defenses, though some damage and injuries have been reported in border towns and a few central districts hit by falling debris. Footage shared by residents shows night skies lit up by interception blasts and the rumble of retaliatory Israeli jets scrambling to respond.

This latest flare-up follows an Israeli airstrike earlier this week on a military facility near Damascus, widely believed to have killed several Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers — an operation neither confirmed nor denied by Israeli officials in line with long-standing policy.

Iranian state media declared the missile launches as “just retaliation” for what it calls Israel’s “unlawful aggression,” warning that further attacks could follow if provocation continues. Iranian leaders vowed that they would not stand by while their personnel and interests in Syria and the region are targeted.

In response, Israel’s war cabinet convened in emergency session overnight, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledging a forceful reply if Iranian attacks continue. The IDF confirmed it struck back at “launch sites and key infrastructure” inside Syria and hinted that further countermeasures are imminent.

Global powers have urged immediate de-escalation, with the UN Secretary-General and European leaders calling for restraint amid fears the confrontation could spill over into a wider Middle East conflict — potentially dragging in proxy militias in Lebanon, Gaza, and Iraq.

Meanwhile, ordinary Israelis and Iranians alike are bracing for what could come next, with both sides’ rhetoric signaling that this is unlikely to be the final exchange.

As dawn breaks over the region, the world watches anxiously, hoping diplomacy can regain control before missiles become the new normal.

For decades, Israel’s Mossad operated under a cloak of strict secrecy, its very name synonymous with whispered rumors, unsolved assassinations, and elusive agents leaving no trace. But recent events suggest the world’s most storied intelligence agency is now leaning into its myth — using modern drone warfare and a touch of strategic publicity to remind both foes and friends exactly who they are dealing with.

In the past few weeks, Mossad has made unusually direct acknowledgments of covert drone operations targeting high-value threats beyond Israel’s borders. While official statements remain carefully worded, multiple incidents — including precision strikes deep inside enemy territory — have been claimed or strongly hinted at by Israeli officials, a departure from the typical “no comment” playbook that defined Mossad’s reputation for decades.

Experts say this shift is no accident. By pulling some of its shadowy activities into the light, Mossad is reasserting psychological dominance across a turbulent Middle East and beyond. The message is clear: Israel’s reach is long, its intelligence is unmatched, and its drones are as sharp as its human operatives.

One recent strike reportedly neutralised a senior figure linked to Iranian weapons smuggling, executed with chilling accuracy and minimal collateral damage. Another operation destroyed a secret weapons convoy near Syria’s border — actions that analysts believe serve a dual purpose: deterring adversaries and bolstering national morale at home.

“Mossad has always thrived on mystique,” says one former Israeli intelligence officer. “But in today’s world of information warfare and instant social media, carefully revealing just enough can be a powerful tool. It amplifies fear, pride, and deterrence all at once.”

This calculated openness also aligns with Israel’s broader security posture under current leadership: projecting strength while navigating complex proxy threats from Iran-backed groups and other hostile networks. Drone technology, in particular, has given Mossad an edge in carrying out surgical operations without risking elite field agents on the ground — though insiders stress that human intelligence remains the agency’s true backbone.

Critics, however, warn that stepping too far into the limelight risks eroding the plausible deniability that long protected Mossad’s operatives and diplomatic relationships. Still, supporters argue that the occasional admission only reinforces the agency’s image as a legendary force operating at the cutting edge of 21st-century espionage.

As Israel faces evolving threats and shifting regional alliances, one thing seems certain: Mossad’s myth is not fading — it’s being deliberately curated, drone by drone, strike by strike, in a new era where shadows and spotlights work hand in hand.