Tel Aviv/Jerusalem, October
25, 2024 – The deadly conflict between Iran and Israel exploded into a
dangerous new phase overnight as Iran claimed a successful hypersonic missile
strike on Israel, prompting immediate Israeli retaliation on targets in Tehran.
The exchange marks a significant escalation on the sixth day of fighting, with
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declaring, "In the name of God, the
battle begins."
Iran's Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it launched its advanced Fattah-1
hypersonic missile at Israeli targets. Dubbed the
"Israel-striker" by Tehran, the Fattah-1 represents Iran's most
sophisticated missile technology, claimed to travel at Mach 5 (five times the
speed of sound) and capable of maneuvering mid-flight to evade defenses like
Israel's Iron Dome and Arrow systems. While military experts note many
ballistic missiles achieve hypersonic speeds on descent, Iran emphasizes the
Fattah-1's maneuverability as a key breakthrough designed to penetrate advanced
air shields. Explosions were reported over Tel Aviv early Wednesday, though
specific impacts and damage from the claimed hypersonic strike remain
unconfirmed.
The Iranian
attack came just hours after former US President Donald Trump delivered
a stark ultimatum, demanding Iran's "unconditional surrender." While
Trump insisted Washington "has played no part in Israel's bombing
campaign," he issued a direct warning to Tehran: "My patience is
wearing thin." His comments added a volatile layer of geopolitical tension
to the ongoing crisis.
Israel's
response was swift and direct. Before dawn on Wednesday, Israeli
warplanes struck targets in Iran's capital, Tehran. Iranian news agencies
reported the attack focused on a university complex linked to the powerful
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the eastern part of the city,
specifically an area known as District 18. Significantly, the Israeli military
issued a public warning on social media prior to the strike, advising civilians
in District 18 to evacuate – a move interpreted as both a signal of imminent
action and an effort to minimize non-combatant casualties.
The Israeli
military also confirmed facing a barrage of Iranian fire earlier in the night,
stating that two waves of Iranian missiles were launched
towards Israel within the first two hours of Wednesday morning. These launches,
potentially including the claimed Fattah-1, triggered air raid sirens and the
reported explosions over Tel Aviv. Israel's multi-layered missile defense systems
were activated in response.
The US Office
of the Director of National Intelligence reiterated Iran's formidable missile
capacity, stating it possesses "the largest number of ballistic
missiles in the Middle East." Iran consistently defends its
missile program as a vital deterrent and retaliatory force against perceived
threats from the US, Israel, and other regional adversaries.
The overnight
exchange underscores the rapidly escalating nature of the conflict. Khamenei's
declaration signals Iran's intent for a prolonged and intensified
confrontation, moving beyond the initial tit-for-tat strikes. The use of the
Fattah-1 hypersonic missile, if confirmed, represents a significant
technological and strategic escalation by Iran, directly challenging Israeli
defenses. Israel's retaliatory strike deep into Iran's capital, targeting an
IRGC-linked site, demonstrates a willingness to hit core Iranian assets. With
Trump re-inserting himself forcefully into the crisis and Iran wielding its
most advanced weaponry, the region edges perilously closer to a full-scale war
with unpredictable and potentially devastating consequences. Diplomatic efforts
to halt the violence face immense challenges as both sides appear committed to
escalating their military actions.
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