Iran has announced that it launched hypersonic missiles at Israel in the latest series of overnight strikes between the two countries, just hours after Donald Trump called for the Islamic Republic’s “unconditional surrender.”
The US President insists that Washington has not played a role in its ally Israel’s bombing campaign but warned Iran that his patience is dwindling as the conflict enters its sixth day.
Israeli warplanes targeted the Iranian capital overnight following a military warning for civilians to evacuate a specific district for safety reasons.
Israel’s military later stated it had struck weapons manufacturing facilities and a site used for producing centrifuges in Tehran.
Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ air defense system responds to Iranian ballistic missiles as seen from Tel Aviv.
The guards announced, “The 11th wave of the proud Operation Honest Promise 3 utilizing Fattah-1 missiles” through a state television broadcast.
Hypersonic missiles
Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds exceeding five times that of sound and can maneuver mid-flight, making them difficult to track and intercept.
Iran also deployed a “swarm of drones” towards Israel, where the military reported intercepting two over the Dead Sea area.
World powers are racing to find a diplomatic solution, hoping to prevent the conflict from escalating into a regional war.
In separate conversations with his Iranian counterpart and US envoy Steve Witkoff last night, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized the importance of a diplomatic resolution.
Mr. Trump heightened speculation regarding possible American intervention with a quick departure from the G7 summit in Canada, where the leaders of wealthy democracies collectively called for a ceasefire.
The White House is seen after US President Donald Trump met with his National Security Team.
Back in Washington, the US President reiterated his demand for the Islamic Republic’s “unconditional surrender.”
He also claimed that the United States could easily take out Iran’s supreme leader.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He’s an easy target but is safe where he is. We are not going to eliminate him (kill!), at least not for now,” Mr. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.
He convened his National Security Council to discuss the conflict, concluding after an hour and 20 minutes with no public statement.
Despite his repeated vows to avoid being embroiled in the “forever wars” of the Middle East, Mr. Trump ordered the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and several US military aircraft to the region.
US officials emphasized that no decision regarding military intervention has yet been made.
Evacuations
Despite global concern, neither side has retreated from the long-range bombardment that commenced on Friday, when Israel initiated an unprecedented bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites.
Israel claims that its attacks have resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian commander Ali Shadmani and his predecessor, Gholam Ali Rashid.
Both countries have experienced deadly strikes in residential areas since hostilities began, prompting foreign governments to expedite the evacuation of their citizens.
More than 700 foreigners residing in Iran have crossed into neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia since the start of Israel’s campaign, according to government statistics.
The evacuees included nationals from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and others from Germany, Spain, Italy, Serbia, Romania, Portugal, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Vietnam, as reported by a governmental source to AFP.
The United States announced it is temporarily closing its embassy in Jerusalem until Friday amid the escalating conflict, though no announcements were made regarding assistance for Americans in the “crisis area.”
In light of the violence, many Tehran residents have chosen to flee.
Long lines formed outside bakeries and petrol stations as inhabitants hurried to stock up on fuel and essential supplies.
A cyberattack yesterday disrupted operations at Sepah Bank, one of Iran’s major state-owned banks, according to the Fars news agency.
With air raid sirens constantly sounding over Tel Aviv, some citizens have relocated to an underground parking facility beneath a shopping mall.
“We’ve decided to camp here permanently until it’s all clear, I guess,” remarked Mali Papirany, aged 30.
Rocket trails are visible in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya.
Nuclear facilities
Following decades of animosity and an extended shadow war, Israel stated that its surprise air campaign aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons—a goal that Tehran denies pursuing.
Iranian media reported several explosions yesterday in the central city of Isfahan, which houses nuclear facilities.
The UN’s nuclear watchdog indicated that there seemed to have been “direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls” at Iran’s Natanz facility.
Israel has remained ambiguous regarding its own nuclear endeavors, but the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimates it possesses 90 nuclear warheads.
The conflict has disrupted ongoing nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, with Iran declaring it would not negotiate with the United States while under attack.
French President Emmanuel Macron asserted that Mr. Trump has a pivotal role to play in reviving diplomacy with Iran, warning that attempts at regime change would lead to “chaos.”
China accused Mr. Trump of “adding fuel to the fire” of the conflict, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu as “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”
Since Friday, at least 24 fatalities have been reported in Israel, with hundreds more injured, according to Mr. Netanyahu’s office.
Iran stated on Sunday that Israeli strikes had claimed at least 224 lives, including military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, though it has not issued an updated toll since then.
