TEHRAN, Jun 18 (Alliance News): Iran has launched the tenth wave of its Operation Promised Sadiq III, targeting Israeli military bases with fresh missile strikes that triggered air raid sirens across Israel, including Tel Aviv.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims it has now achieved “complete control over the airspace over the occupied territories,” declaring Israeli air defenses ineffective against their attacks.
According to Iranian military sources, 20 Bestak missiles were fired toward Tel Aviv overnight, prompting the Israeli government to instruct civilians to take shelter in bunkers. The latest salvo marks a significant escalation in the conflict, intensifying fears of a broader Middle East war.
IRGC spokesman General Ali Mohammad confirmed the continuation of Operation Promised Sadiq III until morning, declaring, “We will not allow the enemy a moment of peace.” Meanwhile, Iran’s Armed Forces Chief, Major General Seyyed Abdul Rahim Mousavi, urged Israeli civilians in Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate, warning of a harsher response to what he termed Israeli “crimes.”
American intelligence sources have reported that Iran is now prepared to retaliate against US bases in the region, with potential attacks originating from Iraq.
The U.S. media also revealed that Iran may deploy naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, while Houthi rebels are expected to launch attacks on Red Sea shipping routes as part of Tehran’s regional retaliation strategy.
The cyber dimension of the conflict escalated as Israel reportedly carried out a successful cyberattack on Iran’s central bank, disabling ATMs across the country.
On the diplomatic front, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Iran that if it refuses to return to nuclear negotiations, its entire nuclear infrastructure could be destroyed. He added that only the US military—not Israel—possesses the technology to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned against military attempts at regime change in Iran, calling it a “huge mistake” that could plunge the region into chaos. He stressed the importance of bringing all sides, particularly Iran and the US, back to the negotiating table.
In a fiery address, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened continued attacks on Tehran’s military and government facilities and warned Iranian civilians to evacuate the capital.
He went as far as comparing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s fate to that of Saddam Hussein if Tehran does not de-escalate.
Amid these developments, US President Donald Trump, speaking from the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, urged Iran to resume talks immediately.
He reiterated his long-standing position that Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and criticized the Biden administration for what he called its role in enabling the current conflict.
Trump confirmed that he had previously given Iran 60 days to agree to a new deal and warned that “the war is painful for both sides.” He instructed his National Security Council to prepare for all contingencies and warned that time was running out.
“This is not a war Iran is winning,” Trump said. “Iran must come to the table—before it is too late.”
