Daijiworld Media Network- Tehran

Tehran, Jun 18: In a dramatic escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, Iran has launched a hypersonic missile attack against Israel, marking a dangerous turn in the ongoing conflict that has gripped the region for nearly a week. The latest offensive, carried out overnight, comes after a direct declaration of war from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who vowed to show “no mercy” to what he termed the “terrorist Zionist regime.”

Khamenei took to social media platform X, declaring, “In the name of God, the battle begins.” In another post, he emphasized Iran’s determination to deliver a “strong response,” indicating a full-fledged retaliation. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the use of its advanced Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles in what was described as the eleventh wave of the military operation, codenamed 'Honest Promise 3.'

Adding to the intensity of the offensive, Iran also unleashed a coordinated swarm of drones targeting Israeli airspace. Israeli defence forces claimed to have successfully intercepted two drones over the Dead Sea. However, the Revolutionary Guard boasted that Iran had gained “complete control” over the skies of the occupied territories.

In a swift counter-attack, Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes targeting key locations in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Residents reported hearing massive explosions in the districts of Piroozi, Sabalan, and Sayyad during the early hours of Wednesday. Israeli authorities had earlier issued an urgent advisory, asking civilians in District 18 of Tehran to evacuate ahead of the strikes.

Amid this unfolding crisis, the United States is closely monitoring developments, with growing speculation about potential involvement. US President Donald Trump issued a bold statement, demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and asserting that while America is not currently part of Israel’s military campaign, it is prepared to act if necessary. In a provocative remark, Trump claimed the US knows the whereabouts of Ayatollah Khamenei but has chosen not to act “for now,” hinting at possible future action.

The escalating conflict has already begun to take a toll on civilian populations in both countries. Evacuations, disrupted communication lines, and fuel shortages have been reported in parts of Tel Aviv and Tehran. Global leaders have urged both nations to step back from the brink as fears of a broader regional war loom large.

With hypersonic weaponry now part of the battlefield and tensions soaring, the world watches anxiously as the Israel-Iran conflict threatens to spiral into a full-scale war with far-reaching consequences.