Tensions soared early Wednesday as Iran announced it had launched hypersonic missiles at Israel in a fresh overnight exchange between the long-time rivals.
This followed a fiery statement from United States President, Donald Trump, who demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Despite Trump’s insistence that the U.S has no role in Israel’s ongoing aerial assault, he issued a stern warning to Tehran, saying his patience is wearing thin as the confrontation entered its sixth day.
In a significant escalation, Israeli fighter jets carried out early morning raids on Tehran.
The Israeli military claimed responsibility for hitting weapons production sites and a centrifuge manufacturing facility in the capital after urging civilians in one neighborhood to evacuate for safety.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared that Tel Aviv should brace for further strikes.
The Guards said their hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles were “repeatedly shaking the shelters” in the city’s commercial center.
In a broadcast on state television, the IRGC stated, “The 11th wave of the proud Operation Honest Promise 3 using Fattah-1 missiles” had been executed.
Hypersonic weapons, which travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and are capable of maneuvering mid-flight, pose a formidable challenge to air defense systems.
In addition to the missile attack, Iran launched a drone offensive. The Israeli military confirmed it intercepted two drones over the Dead Sea region.
As global powers scramble to prevent the crisis from spilling over into a wider regional conflict, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke by phone with both his Iranian counterpart and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday night, pushing for a diplomatic resolution.
Speculation around potential U.S. involvement deepened after Trump left the G7 summit in Canada abruptly.
The summit, attended by leaders of major global economies, ended with a collective plea for a ceasefire.
Back in the U.S., Trump ratcheted up the rhetoric, calling on Iran to capitulate completely.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there — We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
The president later held a meeting with the National Security Council to discuss the worsening situation. The session lasted roughly an hour and 20 minutes, with no immediate statement released afterward.
Despite Trump’s prior pledges to avoid further U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, he ordered the deployment of the USS Nimitz and a fleet of military aircraft to the region.
U.S. officials were quick to clarify that no final decision had been made regarding direct intervention.
Evacuation Efforts and Growing Fears
Civilian casualties on both sides continue to mount, and the international community is rushing to evacuate its nationals.
According to government data, over 700 foreign nationals have fled Iran to neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia since Israel began its aerial campaign.
The evacuees include citizens from a range of countries, including Russia, Belarus, the United States, China, and several European and Central Asian nations, a source told AFP.
Amid safety concerns, the U.S. temporarily shut its embassy in Jerusalem until Friday but has yet to announce plans for evacuating American citizens in the region.
Panic gripped parts of Tehran on Tuesday as residents formed long lines at petrol stations and bakeries, anticipating shortages.
Many sought refuge outside the capital, while others turned to underground parking garages for shelter.
“We’ve decided to permanently set camp here until it’s all clear, I guess,” said 30-year-old Mali Papirany, speaking from a subterranean parking lot beneath a shopping center in Tel Aviv.
Nuclear Sites Targeted
Israel has framed its military offensive as a preventative measure to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, an accusation Tehran denies.
Explosions were reported Tuesday in Isfahan, a city housing several nuclear installations.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed “direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls” at Natanz, one of Iran’s key nuclear facilities.
While Israel maintains a policy of ambiguity regarding its nuclear capabilities, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimates it holds around 90 nuclear warheads.
The ongoing hostilities have derailed nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. Tehran has made it clear that talks will not resume while it remains under attack.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of diplomacy and said Trump could play a “critical role” in rekindling discussions.
He also cautioned against any efforts to topple the Iranian regime, warning such moves would lead to “chaos.”
Meanwhile, other world leaders weighed in. China accused Trump of “pouring oil” on the fire, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan branded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”
As of the latest updates, Netanyahu’s office reported at least 24 Israeli deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Iran, on the other hand, claimed on Sunday that 224 people had been killed in Israeli strikes, including high-ranking military officials, nuclear experts, and civilians. No updated death toll has been provided since.
