Iran fires hypersonic missile at Israel, Trump demands Tehran's surrender
The military conflict between Israel and Iran intensified further on Wednesday, marking the sixth consecutive day of hostilities as both sides continued to pound fresh missile attacks at each other. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) even claimed to have launched a Fattah-1 hypersonic missile at Israel, the first use of this missile in the ongoing conflict, the BBC reported.Explosions were reported over Tel Aviv following early morning missile barrages from Iran, while Israeli airstrikes continued near Tehran, targeting suspected military infrastructure.advertisementMeanwhile, the US media have reported that President Donald Trump is considering joining Israel's ongoing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The speculation of the US joining Israel in the conflict is fuelled by Trump's abrupt departure from the G7 Summit and a string of ominous social media warnings.
Amid escalating tensions, Trump also held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, according to a report by Axios. At the same time, US officials confirmed that more American fighter jets are being deployed to the Middle East.ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT: TOP DEVELOPMENTS
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched a Fattah-1 missile towards Israel on Wednesday, according to the BBC. This marked the first reported use of the missile in the current conflict, though Iran had previously fired multiple Fattah-1s during its October 1, 2024 strike on Israel. The missile, first revealed in 2023, has been referred to by Iranian officials as the "Israel-striker".
advertisementA banner displayed during its unveiling read, "400 seconds to Tel Aviv" — a reference to its alleged speed.
Earlier today, Iran even launched two waves of missile attacks at Israel, triggering explosions across Tel Aviv. In response, the Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes near the Iranian capital. Residents in Tehran's District 18 were reportedly ordered to evacuate before the strikes. Iranian media confirmed explosions in both Tehran and Karaj.
Trump posted a string of aggressive messages on Truth Social, warning Iran's leadership. He claimed the US knows the location of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but clarified, "We are not going to take him out (kill!) — at least not for now". Trump warned, "Our patience is wearing thin", before demanding Iran's "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" minutes later.
Amid fears of further escalation, the United States has deployed additional fighter aircraft to the Middle East. Some air missions already underway have been extended.
advertisementA White House official confirmed that Trump convened a 90-minute meeting with the National Security Council on Tuesday to review possible courses of action. For now, US forces remain in a defensive posture.
Khamenei issued his first public statement since Trump's ultimatum, vowing retaliation. In a post translated by Iran International, he wrote, "The battle begins. Ali returns to Khaybar". Shortly after, he declared: "We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy".
Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's last monarch and an exiled opposition figure, called for regime change amid the escalating conflict. He claimed that Khamenei had 'gone into hiding underground' and that the Islamic Republic was collapsing.
"Like a frightened rat, he has lost control of the situation," Pahlavi said in a statement.
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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'of a fate similar to Saddam Hussein'. The Iraqi dictator ruled the country with an iron fist for nearly three decades. He was executed in 2006 following his capture by the US forces. But why was America after him? read more Israel has warned Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'of a fate similar to Saddam Hussein' — the late Iraqi dictator. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made the remarks on Tuesday (June 17) during a meeting with Israeli military and security service commanders. 'I warn the Iranian dictator against continuing to commit war crimes and launch missiles toward Israeli civilians,' he said, as per a statement from his office. 'He should remember what happened to the dictator in the neighbouring country to Iran who took the same path against Israel.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Katz's comments come amid mounting tensions between Israel and Iran . The West Asian countries have launched strikes and counterstrikes against each other for six days now. But who was Saddam Hussein and what fate did he meet? We will explain. Who was Saddam Hussein? Saddam Hussein ruled Iraq for nearly 30 years. Born into a poor family in the al-Awja village outside Tikrit, 150 km north of Baghdad, in 1937, he went on to join an uprising against pro-British royalist rulers at the age of 19. As a member of the Baath Party, Saddam participated in a botched assassination attempt against Iraq's military ruler, General Abd al-Karim Qasim, in October 1959. Saddam, who was wounded in the attempt, fled – first to Syria and then to Egypt. He returned to Baghdad after the Baath Party returned to power in a military coup in February 1963. However, nine months later, the party was ousted and Saddam was imprisoned. He was made the deputy secretary-general of the Baath party while in jail. 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