Israel-Iran conflict: Tehran fires hypersonic missile; Donald Trump issues new warning

Time of India

5 hours ago

Tehran has confirmed the use of hypersonic missiles against Israel as tensions between the two nations stretch into a sixth day. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that its latest assault, "Operation Honest Promise 3", involved Fattah1 hypersonic missiles, and claimed 'complete control over the skies of the occupied territories.
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The development came as President Donald Trump issued his sternest warning yet to Tehran, saying the US knows the whereabouts of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but is 'not going to take him out—at least not for now.' Calling for Iran's 'unconditional surrender,' Trump also declared that America's 'patience is wearing thin.'
Here are ten key developments:
Iran launches hypersonic missiles in new strike on Israel
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed Wednesday that it had deployed hypersonic Fattah1 missiles during a fresh wave of strikes on Israeli targets.
In a statement aired on state television, the IRGC declared: 'The 11th wave of the proud Operation Honest Promise 3' was underway, boasting it had gained 'complete control over the skies of the occupied territories.' The Fattah1, capable of travelling at Mach 5, is designed to outmanoeuvre missile defence systems with a manoeuvrable reentry vehicle.
Trump warns Khamenei: 'We know where you're hiding'
President Trump intensified his rhetoric on Tuesday with a direct message aimed at Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
'We know exactly where the socalled 'Supreme Leader' is hiding,' Trump posted on social media. 'He is an easy target... but we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers.' Trump called for Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,' adding, 'Our patience is wearing thin.'
Khamenei vows no mercy, escalates rhetoric on social media
In response to Trump's threats and Israel's strikes, Ayatollah Khamenei issued a defiant message on X, writing: 'In the name of the noble Haidar, the battle begins.'
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He also vowed: 'We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.' The message signals a hardening stance from Tehran as both sides brace for prolonged conflict.
Trump rejected Israeli proposal to kill Khamenei
According to US officials speaking anonymously, Israel had proposed a plan to eliminate Khamenei early in the conflict. Trump reportedly rejected the plan, fearing it would further destabilise the region.
While Israel believed it had a credible operation in place, White House officials advised restraint, emphasising the risk of deepening the conflict.
Israeli strikes target key missile facility near Tehran
According to Iranian media, Israel has targeted the Khojir missile production site near Tehran in its latest wave of strikes. The facility is considered essential to Iran's ballistic missile programme and was previously struck by Israel in 2024. Tehran continues to launch retaliatory strikes, some of which have penetrated Israeli defences with deadly consequences.
Trump's diplomacy still on the table — but barely
Despite the aggressive tone, Trump has not entirely ruled out diplomacy. He suggested Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff could be dispatched to Iran for talks. However, Trump downplayed National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard's earlier assessment that Iran wasn't building a bomb, saying, 'I think they were very close to having it.'
IAEA says no proof Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons
The Embassy of Iran in India on Wednesday highlighted remarks by the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, claiming that there is no evidence Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons.
In a post on X, the Embassy quoted Grossi as saying, "What we reported was that we did not have any proof of a systematic effort (by Iran) to move toward a nuclear weapon." The statement was part of an interview with CNN, also posted by Iranian Press TV.
Grossi reiterated, "What we informed and what we reported was that we did not have... any proof of a systematic effort to move into a nuclear weapon."
This comes amid conflicting reports.
According to *The Times of Israel*, citing Hebrew media, Israeli intelligence recently discovered Iranian scientists had made significant advances in nuclear weapon design, potentially placing Iran just weeks away from producing a bomb.
The US State Department also weighed in, reaffirming President Trump's firm stance. 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,' said spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Trump contradicts Gabbard on Iran's nuclear intentions
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told Congress earlier this year that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon, and that Supreme Leader Khamenei had not reauthorised the country's suspended nuclear weapons programme.
However, President Donald Trump openly rejected that assessment, saying, 'I don't care what she said,' and insisted Iran was 'very close' to building a nuclear bomb.
Trump's comments bring him in line with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who sees Iran's nuclear capability as an imminent threat. Gabbard later downplayed the contradiction, telling CNN, 'President Trump was saying the same thing that I said.
We are on the same page.'
In her March testimony, Gabbard said Iran's enriched uranium stockpile was 'unprecedented for a state without nuclear weapons,' but maintained that US intelligence had found no evidence of active weapon development.
Military officials have noted that Iran could produce enough material for 10 nuclear weapons within weeks. A senior US official said Trump's concerns were valid, as Iran's uranium enrichment now far exceeds civilian energy needs.
Calls for bunker-busting bombs grow as Israel targets fordo
Israel has conducted extensive strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure but has not yet destroyed the Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which lies deep underground. The only weapon believed capable of reaching it is the 30,000pound GBU57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, currently operated only by the US Israel is reportedly urging Washington to supply the bomb or directly carry out the strike.
Trump faces division within MAGA ranks over Iran strategy
Some of Trump's most loyal supporters have expressed concern about escalating US involvement. Commentator Tucker Carlson and Republican figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Steve Bannon have warned against entanglement in another Middle East war. 'Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, 'IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!'' Trump fired back online.