LIVE UPDATES | 'Israel' strikes Iran: Top commanders killed, retaliation begins

Iran said it destroyed strategic targets in “Israel” overnight using drones, as intense strikes between the arch-foes raged for a fifth day on Tuesday.

"Various types of destructive drones, equipped with precise destruction and targeting capabilities, destroyed strategic positions of the Zionist regime in Tel Aviv and Haifa," General Kioumars Heidari, commander of the army's ground forces, was quoted as saying by state television.

The “Israeli” military claimed Tuesday it killed Major General Ali Shadmani, a senior Iranian general, in an airstrike yesterday.

Shadmani is the head of Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Headquarters, which is Iran’s military emergency command.

He is also considered as Iran’s most senior military commander, after the country announced several high-profile commanders dead due to “Israel” attacks.

Shadmani replaced Gholam Rashid as Khatam-al Anbiya commander four days ago, as announced by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei,

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) claimed in a statement that he is the “war chief of staff” and the closest military figure to Khamenei – after the death of other senior commanders.

Two explosions were heard on Tuesday in Iran's northwestern city of Tabriz, local media reported as Iran and “Israel” trade fire for a fifth day.

"Two explosions occurred in Tabriz five minutes apart," the Ham Mihan newspaper reported.

"Thick smoke was seen around Tabriz Tuesday morning after the explosion," Mehr news agency reported, publishing a video from the city, which lies more than 600 kilometres (375 miles) from Tehran and is home to a major air force base targeted by Israel in recent days.

US President Donald Trump said his early departure from the G7 summit in Canada on Monday had "nothing to do" with a possible ceasefire between “Israel” and Iran, adding that France's leader had been "wrong" to suggest otherwise.

"Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a 'cease fire' between Israel and Iran," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!"

Macron had suggested that the United States was ready to make a diplomatic overture to Iran.

"There was an offer made for a meeting and an exchange," Macron told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

"If the United States can obtain a ceasefire, it is a very good thing," the French president said.

Trump departed the G7 gathering a day early, as US ally “Israel” and Iran traded fire for a fifth straight day.

The leaders of industrial democracies on Monday called for "de-escalation" in the Middle East starting with the “Israel”-Iran conflict, stressing that Israel "has a right to defend itself" and that civilians needed to be protected on both sides.

At a group photo with fellow G7 leaders before his departure, Trump said: "I have to be back as soon as I can. I wish I could stay for tomorrow, but they understand, this is big stuff."

Five people were injured Tuesday morning in “Israel”, after a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles which triggered sirens in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, according to the “Israeli” rescue service.

Loud booms were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Tuesday, after air raid sirens sounded in several parts of “Israel” and the military warned of incoming Iranian missiles.

"A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel," the military said in a statement, adding that the air force was "operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat."

Hebrew outlet Israel Hayom reported that 'Israeli' attacks were carried out on the Iranian cities of Natanz and Ahvaz. 

Iranian air defenses were activated to intercept the attacks.

US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Monday with a stark message amid intensifying conflict between Iran and 'Israel', declaring that “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign,” and calling the situation a “waste of human life.”

In the same post, Trump reiterated, “Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” He ended the post with a dramatic appeal, saying, “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!”

The post comes at a time of heightened regional tension, as airstrikes and retaliatory attacks continue between Iran and Israel.

Hebrew channel Kan reported that around 1,500 homes and apartments were damaged in just four days of fighting between Iran and 'Israel', noting that the destruction far exceeds what was seen during 619 days of fighting in Gaza.

The damages, described as severe, go beyond loss of life and include significant property destruction. The cost of damage on Saturday alone was estimated in the hundreds of millions of shekels, with Sunday pushing the total beyond 1 billion shekels.

Senior economic officials now expect the initial phase of the war with Iran to cost around 10 billion shekels, especially if vital infrastructure and strategic sites come under attack.

The report also warned that "Israel’s" Property Tax Fund, once a critical financial backup during emergencies, now holds only 9.5 billion shekels as reserves have been gradually depleted since the conflict began.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it launched ballistic missiles targeting the base responsible for the recent strike on Iranian state television headquarters. 

Meanwhile, 'Israeli' soruces revealed that some injuries were reported as people rushed into shelters.

Iran attempted to strike the Dimona nuclear facility located in Be’er Sheva, southern 'Israel.'

Sirens sounded across a wide area stretching from Be’er Sheva in the south to Herzliya in the north.

According to Walla news site, an Iranian missile landed in Be’er Sheva amid the ongoing escalation between the two sides.

Air raid sirens in Jordan have sounded to mark the official end of the recent alert period amid regional tensions. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure public safety.

'Israeli' interceptor missile crashed in Tel Aviv after a failed attempt to intercept incoming Iranian rockets, according to local reports.

The malfunction adds to growing concerns over the effectiveness of the air defense systems amid heightened tensions between Iran and 'Israel.'

'Israeli' military confirmed the launch of rockets from Iran late Monday, prompting air raid sirens to sound across central and southern 'Israel.'

According to Hebrew media, at least one Iranian missile struck the southern region.

Sirens blare in Jordan for five nights of regional instability