In a significant escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, Tehran has launched a new round of missile and drone strikes on Israeli cities, triggering widespread air raid alerts in major urban centers including Haifa and Tel Aviv. According to Iranian state media, this marks the ninth direct attack on Israeli territory in recent weeks, as Iran intensifies its military response against what it terms “Zionist crimes.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that the strikes are part of a sustained retaliation campaign and warned that operations will continue until morning. Iranian officials have stated the attacks are a response to the killing of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure inside Iran by Israeli forces.
Israel has activated its national emergency protocols, urging civilians to take shelter immediately. Air defense systems were deployed to intercept incoming threats, but not all missiles were reportedly neutralized. In Haifa, a power station that supplies electricity and steam to the Bazan Group’s refinery facilities was damaged, leading to a complete shutdown. Three workers at the refinery were killed in the strike, according to an official filing by the company.
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In a related development, Iranian media reported that three Red Crescent workers were killed during an Israeli airstrike in Tehran while carrying out rescue operations.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a statement reinforcing Iran’s determination to resist Israel, declaring, “With God’s help, victory is near. We will defeat the Zionist entity.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed the sentiment, promising that Israel would “pay the price” for its aggression and affirming Iran’s commitment to retaliatory action.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored Israel’s objective to neutralize Iran’s nuclear program. In an interview, Netanyahu did not rule out the possibility of targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, instead claiming such a move would not escalate the conflict but bring it to an end. He compared Iran’s nuclear efforts to “Hitler’s nuclear team,” reiterating Israel’s resolve to eliminate what it sees as a direct threat to its survival.
Adding to the intensity of the conflict, the Israeli Air Force conducted an unprecedented strike on the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), in Tehran. The bombing interrupted a live news broadcast, with video footage showing a news anchor fleeing the studio after an explosion rocked the building.
As Israeli airstrikes intensify, Iranian civilians are fleeing the capital in large numbers. Roads leading out of Tehran are clogged with traffic as residents stockpile essentials and seek safer locations. The Israeli military has issued warnings urging civilians in certain areas of Iran to evacuate, while Iranian authorities have dismissed these messages as psychological tactics meant to sow panic.
The situation continues to evolve, with both nations showing no signs of de-escalation. International observers warn that the conflict is inching dangerously close to a full-scale regional war.
