The conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its sixth day, with sustained missile strikes, air raids, and cyber warfare raising fears of a broader regional conflagration. Diplomatic channels remain frozen as hostilities intensify across multiple fronts.
On Wednesday morning, the Israeli military reported intercepting three drones launched from Iranian territory, triggering air raid sirens in the Golan Heights. No casualties or material damage were reported.
Overnight, Iran launched a fresh barrage of ballistic and hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles targeting Israel. Explosions were reported over Tel Aviv, with sirens sounding across northern Israel. In retaliation, Israeli forces conducted a series of high-intensity airstrikes on military installations in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj. The targets reportedly included facilities linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a university campus believed to be housing sensitive research.
The conflict has also expanded into cyberspace. Iranian banking systems reportedly experienced widespread disruptions, attributed to cyberattacks believed to originate from Israel or its allies. Satellite imagery released by intelligence sources indicates substantial damage to Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure following five days of sustained Israeli bombardment.
Iran has framed its strikes as retaliation for what it calls acts of terrorism by the ‘Zionist regime’. Israel issued evacuation warnings to residents of Tehran’s District 18, ahead of targeted strikes. Israeli officials claim they now have, ‘very good control over the skies of Tehran’.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has weighed in, calling for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and warning that “American patience is wearing thin.” While stopping short of announcing direct military action, Trump confirmed phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and proposed sending Vice President JD Vance, along with a special envoy, for exploratory talks with Iran. Global financial markets have responded nervously, with U.S. stock indices falling amid fears of wider regional escalation. Regional airspace remains restricted, disrupting commercial aviation and heightening security alerts across much of West Asia.