The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel escalated further as Iran has cautioned that any intervention from the United States could lead to an ‘all-out war’ in the region.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the dire consequences of American involvement.
‘Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region,’ he stated, maintaining that Iran has strong relations with Arab countries who understand that Israel is attempting to draw others into the conflict.
President Donald Trump, who had initially taken a step back from the unfolding situation, hinted at a shift towards increased U.S. engagement in the conflict.
Expressing a desire for a resolution beyond a mere ceasefire, Trump noted that he hoped for something ‘much bigger.’
As a show of strength, the U.S. has deployed additional warplanes to the area and is sending the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier to bolster its military presence.
There are already thousands of American troops stationed in neighboring countries, all within range of Iranian weaponry.
Despite the military buildup, the U.S. has issued stark warnings of a massive response should it be attacked.
On Tuesday, Trump raised the stakes by demanding Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender,’ boasting on his Truth Social platform about the U.S. capability to easily target Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
He claimed, ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz tweeted about the precarious state of Tehran, suggesting that the nation could collapse, saying, ‘A storm is passing over Tehran.’
Khamenei responded defiantly, asserting that Iran would ‘never surrender.’
He warned the U.S. against intervening, indicating that such actions would lead to ‘irreparable damage.’
Khamenei made it clear that Iran would respond to Israeli military actions vigorously and without hesitation.
Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, reiterated this sentiment, stressing that Iran would ‘respond seriously and strongly without restraint.’
The ongoing pattern of violence saw both sides exchanging fire for the sixth day on Wednesday, with Israeli military sources reporting barrages of Iranian missiles being launched toward Israel early in the morning.
Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv as Israeli defenses intercepted at least ten drones from Iran.
On the same day, Iran informed residents of Tel Aviv to prepare for an impending attack, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claiming that their hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles were causing widespread alarm in the city.
The IRGC announced that the ’11th wave of the proud Operation Honest Promise 3′ was underway, targeting central Israel and its northern regions.
Reports from the Israeli Ministry of Health indicate that 94 Israelis were treated for injuries as a result of these missile strikes, which also caused fires in areas affected by the impacts or debris from interceptors.
In retaliation, the Israeli military reported successful strikes on Iranian weapons manufacturing sites and a facility responsible for centrifuge production in Tehran.
The military categorized these operations as part of a broad initiative to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons development program.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the damage at two centrifuge production facilities, noting that advanced centrifuge rotors were tested and manufactured at the targeted Tehran Nuclear Research Center.
Simultaneously, Al Jazeera’s Tohid Assadi reported on the ground conditions in Tehran, which further reflected the escalation of hostilities.
Widespread explosions could be heard overnight, as heightened tensions prompted many Tehran residents to evacuate.
However, a significant portion of the city’s 10 million inhabitants remained amid fears of potential strikes from Israel and the threats posed by President Trump.
In a parallel development, Iran’s state media indicated that Iranian forces successfully shot down an Israeli Hermes drone in Isfahan.
The IRNA news agency reported that Iranian defenses also destroyed an Israeli F-35 fighter jet in Varamin city.
Global leaders from Russia, China, and the European Union expressed concern regarding the ongoing conflict, highlighting the potential for regional destabilization.
Since the violence reignited, over 700 foreign nationals residing in Iran have fled to neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia, as reported by the Iranian government.
Additionally, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the evacuation of more than 700 citizens from Iran and Israel to safe locations.
In response to the escalating crisis, the U.S. announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Jerusalem, indicating a heightened state of alert as the conflict intensifies.
According to a human rights group based in Washington, D.C., at least 585 people, including 239 civilians, have perished in the Israeli attacks on Iran, while Iranian strikes on Israel have reportedly resulted in over 24 deaths.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides poised for further confrontation as exchanges of fire continue.
image source from：aljazeera
