​​​​​​​JERUSALEM/ISTANBUL

Israeli police arrested 18 people Saturday in Tel Aviv and Haifa during protests against the war on Iran, according to media reports.

The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said 13 were detained during a demonstration at Habima Square in central Tel Aviv.

Police said protesters disrupted the public order and failed to comply with officers’ instructions.

The newspaper said clashes broke out between demonstrators and police during the rally, prompting the arrest of several people police described as “rioters.”

Five more were arrested during a separate protest involving 100 demonstrators at Horev Junction in the northern city of Haifa, the newspaper added.

Police said the arrests there were made for what they described as disturbances to public order.

The US and Israel have been carrying out airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure, while disrupting global markets and aviation.

*Writing by Tarek Chouiref