Goa, June 17 -- The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel intensified further on Tuesday as both nations exchanged missile and drone attacks for a fifth consecutive day. The Israeli army reported detecting a new wave of missile launches from Iran, even as both sides issued fresh threats of launching their "largest attacks" yet.

The violence has taken a severe toll on human life. In Iran, at least 224 people have been killed and more than 1,200 injured since the hostilities began. In Israel, the death toll has reached 24, with at least 592 wounded as a result of Iran's retaliatory strikes.

Amid the rising tensions, the White House confirmed that U.S. forces stationed across the Middle East remain in a "defensive" posture, signaling gr...