In a dramatic escalation of regional hostilities, Iran has launched a major wave of missile and drone strikes on Israel, triggering air raid sirens across key cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa. This marks the ninth such assault by Tehran in recent weeks, as part of what it describes as a campaign of retribution for โZionist crimes.โ
Iranโs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the strikes, warning that the attacks would continue through the night. โThe attacks will continue until morning,โ the IRGC stated, asserting that both missile and drone systems were used in retaliation for the killing of innocent civilians.
Israeli authorities responded by urging citizens to seek immediate shelter, with emergency sirens sounding in multiple locations. Israelโs air defense systems were reportedly active, intercepting incoming projectiles.
Critical Infrastructure Hit
The Bazan Group, an energy firm based in Haifa, announced it had shut down all refinery operations following significant damage to a power station used for steam and electricity generation. In a regulatory filing, the company confirmed that three employees had been killed in the Iranian strike.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported that three Iranian Red Crescent workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike during rescue efforts in Tehran, further intensifying the humanitarian toll on both sides.
Iranian Leaders Vow Continued Resistance
Iranโs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a defiant message amid the intensifying conflict, proclaiming, โWith God’s help, victory is near. We will defeat the Zionist entity.โ
President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed this sentiment, saying Israel โwill pay the price for its foolish aggression with regret.โ Referring to Iranโs enduring resistance, he declared, โThe flag that falls from the hands of every commander will be raised by a new commander and will enter the battlefield.โ
Pezeshkian also confirmed a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoฤan, during which he emphasized that Iran is not the aggressor but is responding fully to Israeli attacks. โThey will receive a response at the same level at which they attack,โ he warned.
Netanyahu Hints at Khamenei as a Possible Target
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed that dismantling Iranโs nuclear program remains Israelโs top strategic goal. โWe are on the path to victory,โ he said.
In a revealing interview with ABC News, Netanyahu declined to deny reports that Israel had previously considered targeting Iranโs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneiโa proposal reportedly turned down by former U.S. President Donald Trump. When asked if Israel might pursue such a move, Netanyahu said only, โIโm not going to get into the details, but weโve targeted their top nuclear scientists. Itโs basically Hitlerโs nuclear team.โ
As both nations exchange increasingly direct threats, the prospect of broader conflict looms large across the region.
