Israel has concluded its most extensive military operation against Iran to date, code-named “Days of Repentance.” The operation involved over 100 combat aircraft, spanned more than 1,200 miles (2,000 km) and targeted around 20 military sites, including missile, drone, and radar installations.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promises “harsh punishment” for Israel following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday.
Confidential documents and analysis by weapons experts indicate that a significant expansion at Iran’s most fortified nuclear facility could soon triple its production of enriched uranium, the Washington Post reported.
The United States and European allies are imposing new sanctions on Iranian military leaders and weapon makers to punish Iran for its April 14 missile and drone attack on Israel, but they urge the Jewish nation not to retaliate strongly amid fears of a broader war.
Following last weekend’s missile and drone attack by Iran and its proxies, Israel is reported to have launched an airstrike on a military base in Iran that used advanced missiles capable of evading Iranian radar, targeting a crucial component of the air defense system that safeguards Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Israel hit Iran with at least one missile early Friday in what appears to be a retaliatory strike after weeks of escalating tensions between the two countries, U.S. sources say.
While the US has pressed Israel not to attack the remaining Hamas battalions in the Rafah area of Gaza (because of the potential for mass civilian casualties), the Biden administration is now reportedly willing to support a Rafah operation provided Israel does not attack Iran, the Jerusalem Post learned from the Qatari newspaper The New Arab.
The United States and European allies have pledged more sanctions against Iran, but differences remain on whether to designate the country’s feared Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Israeli officials aim to retaliate against Tehran for its unprecedented drone and missile attack while carefully avoiding further escalation, maintaining alliances crucial in repelling the attack, and staying focused on their military objectives in Gaza, according to The Wall Street Journal. US and Western officials expect Israel’s response could come swiftly, potentially as early as today.
Three Group of Seven (G-7) of the most advanced economies have been “firmly condemning the launch of missiles and drones from Iran, reiterating full support for Israel’s security.”
The U.S. has deployed naval warships to safeguard Israel and American forces, aiming to deter a potential direct attack from Iran on Israel, which could occur as soon as Friday or Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran, stressing that Israel would retaliate if attacked, coinciding with Gen. Michael Kurilla, the chief of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), arrival to Israel, whose visit is centered around discussions on what US intelligence officials are calling an “imminent” threat emanating from Tehran.
A U.S. court ordered Iran and Syria on Wednesday to pay $ 191 million over the 2018 Hamas killing of an American citizen living in Israel.
A U.S. official stated that the United States informed Iran it “had no involvement” and lacked prior knowledge of an Israeli attack on a diplomatic facility in Syria, which resulted in the death of a high-ranking Iranian general, Axios reported on Tuesday.
Earlier today, a U.S. Navy Destroyer intercepted and shot down an Iranian-made drone launched by Houthis from Yemen. The drone, directed toward the warship, was successfully shot down over the Red Sea, according to the U.S. Central command.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) criticized Iran last week for non-cooperation regarding its nuclear program. Despite the criticism, the IAEA held back from more decisive action, expressing concerns about provoking a potential counter-reaction from Iran and triggering a broader conflict in the Middle East.
U.S. officials expressed concerns on Tuesday that Iran is gearing up to supply Russia with sophisticated short-range ballistic missiles for its military operations in Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
Iran’s supreme leader has reportedly told the leader of Hamas that his nation won’t enter the Israel-Hamas war amid fears the armed conflict will spread throughout the Middle East.
The Biden administration has extended a U.S. sanction waiver that could provide $10 billion in energy proceeds to Iran despite its links to a massacre in Israel and attacks against American troops.
Iran’s president effectively called for the destruction of Israel and the extermination of Jews and urged Muslim nations “to arm Palestinians” if “Israel’s attacks” continue.