Thousands of Strikes Reported as Tehran and Tel Aviv Exchange Fire
The conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has entered its fifth day, with all sides reporting intensified military operations and widening regional repercussions.
According to US military officials, American forces have carried out more than1700 strikes on targets inside Iran since February28. Israeli authorities stated that their air force has dropped over4000 bombs and destroyed approximately300 Iranian missile launchers during the current campaign, exceeding the scale of munitions used in the 12-day confrontation between the two countries in June2025.
Explosions were reported across Tehran, particularly in districts believed to host military facilities. Israeli statements described the strikes as targeting defence infrastructure and ballistic missile systems.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that it had launched the 16th phase of its retaliatory operation, known as “True Promise4.” The campaign reportedly involved coordinated missile and drone attacks against Israeli military sites in Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva and parts of northern Israel. Iranian officials claimed significant Israeli casualties, though independent verification remains limited.
Conflict Extends Beyond Primary Frontlines
The confrontation has also expanded geographically. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon reported observing Israeli troops briefly crossing the Blue Line into Lebanese territory before returning south. Israel said its operations in southern Lebanon aim to reinforce forward defensive positions.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Lebanon announced an indefinite closure due to security concerns, cancelling all consular services. The US State Department advised American citizens to leave Lebanon.
Further east, a drone strike caused a fire near the US Consulate in Dubai. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an Iranian drone hit a parking area outside the compound but reported no casualties. Washington confirmed that personnel adjustments were under way at certain diplomatic facilities in the region.
Iraqi militia groups also claimed responsibility for drone activity targeting a US air base near Erbil, though regional security sources reported no casualties or confirmed damage.
Iranian officials characterised the conflict as an externally imposed war, stating that the country had entered prior negotiations in good faith and does not seek nuclear weapons. However, Tehran has vowed to continue military operations, describing the confrontation as an existential struggle.
US President Donald Trump, speaking during a White House meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, defended the American campaign as pre-emptive action. He said US intelligence indicated that Iran was preparing attacks against Israel and other targets. Trump denied that Washington had been drawn into the conflict by Israel and asserted that Iran’s air defence and missile capabilities had been significantly degraded.
The escalation marks one of the most direct and sustained exchanges between Iran and Israel in recent years, raising concerns about broader regional instability. Previous confrontations have tended to remain limited in duration and scope, but the scale of current operations suggests a more sustained phase of conflict.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate have not yet yielded public breakthroughs. With operations continuing across multiple theatres, international attention remains focused on whether the fighting can be contained or will widen further.
