Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that "the battle has begun" after Iran's firing of a hypersonic missile at Israel, a dramatic escalation that has sharply ratcheted up the worsening tensions between the two countries.
Now in its sixth day on Wednesday, the conflict has emerged as one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the region in years.
Israel, in reprisal against Iran's actions, has carried out a series of lethal airstrikes across Iranian borders. At least 224 individuals have been reported killed as a consequence of these airstrikes, including senior military personnel, nuclear scientists, and civilians.
Iran has quickly retaliated, carrying out several attacks on Israeli targets. The Israeli authorities reported at least 24 persons, including women and children, as killed due to these counterattacks.
On Tuesday, the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that they had picked up further missile firing from Iranian territory, contributing to heightened tension and concerns of an expanded regional war.
In the midst of the fast-deteriorating circumstances, U.S. President Donald Trump prematurely departed the G7 summit in Canada. Prior to his exit, he publicly expressed unwavering support for Israel and made a serious threat against Iranian citizens. "People in Tehran should consider evacuation," he warned, hinting at possible escalation.
The hostilities were provoked last Friday when Israel went on a huge military offensive with the purpose of debilitating Iran's nuclear equipment and defense system. Tehran's reprisals were swift and decisive, bringing the Middle East to the edge of a wider conflict.
This military buildup comes amid continuous diplomatic initiatives between Washington and Tehran to resuscitate moribund negotiations over Iran's nuclear program—a process now badly imperiled.
Addressing the media, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military campaign had caused serious setbacks to Iran's nuclear advancements. "I believe we have set them back a very, very long time," he said, highlighting the strategic interest behind Israel's attack.
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