Israel and Iran exchanged missile fire for a fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump issued an extraordinary warning urging Tehran residents to “immediately evacuate,” amid escalating fears of a full-scale regional war.
The latest round of Israeli airstrikes hit multiple locations in western Iran overnight, including a direct hit on the state broadcaster’s headquarters in Tehran, which reportedly killed three people. The Israeli military said its strikes targeted missile and UAV sites, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air launchers, and drone storage facilities. Accompanying video footage showed missile platforms exploding in black-and-white infrared imagery.
Shortly after, air raid sirens wailed across parts of Israel. Explosions echoed over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and shrapnel was reported in the latter, according to local authorities. The Israeli military said it successfully intercepted incoming missiles launched from Iran and declared an all-clear minutes later.
The escalating conflict began Friday when Israel launched an unprecedented wave of strikes on Iran, targeting nuclear and military infrastructure. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has since vowed to continue retaliatory attacks “without interruption.”
Despite mounting global pressure for de-escalation, both nations have intensified their campaigns. Israel briefly advised its citizens to seek shelter on Tuesday, while the U.S. deployed additional military assets to the region. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, previously scheduled to dock in Vietnam, was diverted to the Middle East, officials confirmed.
Trump’s warning and early G7 exit
Speaking at the G7 summit in Canada, President Trump reiterated calls for diplomacy but struck a dire tone.
“They have to make a deal, and it’s painful for both parties,” Trump said. “Iran is not winning this war. They should talk—immediately—before it’s too late.”
He then left the summit abruptly, returning to Washington. On Truth Social, he warned: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Later, he denied French President Emmanuel Macron’s claim that his early departure was to broker a ceasefire, saying, “Much bigger than that… Stay Tuned!”
Missile hits near U.S. embassy
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said a missile lightly damaged a building used by the American embassy in Tel Aviv. The State Department has issued a travel advisory for Israel, warning U.S. citizens to avoid the region.
At least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. Iran has reported 224 deaths, including military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, although no updated toll has been released since Sunday.
Netanyahu vows to continue strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was systematically eliminating Iran’s security leadership “one after the other.”
“We are changing the face of the Middle East,” he said. “And that can lead to radical changes inside Iran itself.”
International appeals for calm continue. G7 leaders issued a joint statement calling for “de-escalation” while affirming Israel’s right to self-defense and warning that “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
China also urged both parties to “immediately take measures to cool down the tensions.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would not enter negotiations under fire. “Absent a total cessation of military aggression, our responses will continue,” he said.
One U.S. official told AFP that President Trump had personally intervened to stop Israel from targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Netanyahu, when asked about the report, told ABC News: “It’s not going to escalate the conflict. It’s going to end it.”
AFP
