The Israel-Iran conflict has entered its sixth day on Wednesday, with Israeli forces launching a fresh wave of air strikes targeting oil depots and refineries near Tehran, while Iran responded with ballistic missile attacks directed at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv.
The Israeli military confirmed a series of targeted strikes near the Iranian capital, prompting warnings for civilians to evacuate key areas in Tehran. According to social media visuals cited by defence analysts, large fires were reported near the Tajrish district in northern Tehran.
Reports indicated that the latest Israeli attacks came shortly after an evacuation alert was issued in Tehran for a designated military zone. Iran responded early on Wednesday by firing approximately 10 ballistic missiles toward Israel, though Israeli air defences intercepted most of them, an Israeli military official said. Explosions were heard across Tel Aviv.
The tit-for-tat missile exchanges, now in their sixth consecutive day, have brought the region to the brink of a wider conflagration. Both governments have openly indicated their intent to escalate. Iran and Israel have continued to trade missile fire despite U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated calls for de-escalation.
Trump demands Iran's 'unconditional surrender'
Trump, writing on Truth Social on Tuesday, warned, "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now ... Our patience is wearing thin." Three minutes later, he posted in capital letters: "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!"
According to a White House official, President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone and later held a 90-minute meeting with the U.S. National Security Council. While the U.S. has thus far limited its involvement to defensive measures, including intercepting missiles aimed at Israel, Washington is said to be deploying additional fighter aircraft to the region and extending existing deployments.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking at the G7 Summit in Canada, said there was no indication the United States was preparing to join the conflict directly.
Also read: Iran launches fresh retaliatory missile strike on Israel
Heavy civilian toll
Israeli military officials reported that two missile barrages were launched from Iran during the early hours of Wednesday. Iran's official media outlets confirmed explosions in Tehran and Karaj, west of the capital. Iran also reported casualties, stating that 224 people had been killed, most of them civilians, while Israel said 24 of its civilians had lost their lives.
Iran's internal command structure is reportedly under strain, with five senior military and security advisers to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly killed in recent Israeli strikes. In response, Iranian cyber command has banned the use of mobile phones and communications devices among government officials, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
Cyber war and regional fallout
Iranian media has also reported a "massive cyber war" launched by Israel against key digital infrastructure in the Islamic Republic. Since the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza conflict, Tehran's regional influence has appeared to wane as Israeli strikes have systematically targeted its allies, from Hezbollah in Lebanon to militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, long a close ally of Tehran, has been reportedly ousted. Meanwhile, Israeli operations against Iran have intensified amid allegations that Tehran is nearing nuclear weapons capability.
Nuclear threat
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tuesday stated that Israeli strikes had directly hit the underground enrichment halls at Iran's Natanz facility. Prior to the current escalation, the IAEA Board of Governors had, for the first time in nearly two decades, declared Iran to be in breach of its non-proliferation obligations.
Israel maintains that its objective is to neutralise Iran's nuclear development capacity. Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed not to relent until this is achieved. Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons and insists its programme remains within the scope of peaceful use under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Although Israel claims it now controls Iranian airspace, military analysts suggest it may struggle to deal a fatal blow to fortified nuclear facilities such as Fordow without American involvement.
The regional crisis has also affected global markets, particularly after Israeli strikes hit the South Pars gas field, which Iran shares with Qatar and which is one of the world's largest.
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