Fresh explosions were reported in Iran's capital Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj. Local sources confirmed that loud blasts were heard near Payam Airport in Karaj, while simultaneous explosions were also reported in the eastern outskirts of Tehran.

While authorities have not yet confirmed the specific targets or extent of the damage, a government spokesperson acknowledged that two Iranian banks had recently come under cyberattack. In response, internet access was temporarily restricted in certain areas to manage the situation.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning to the United States on Wednesday during a televised address, declaring that any form of U.S. military intervention against Iran would result in "irreparable damage" to America.

"Those familiar with Iran’s history know that this nation does not respond to threats," he said. Khamenei also warned Israel, stating it would be forced to pay the price for its "miscalculations," and reiterated that Iran will never surrender or accept defeat under pressure.

According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, 24 people have been killed and more than 800 injured in Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel. Over 3,800 residents have been evacuated to safety.

Tehran has launched more than 400 missiles and hundreds of drones toward Israel, the office stated. In response, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed over 240 people in Iran, including more than 70 women and children.

Tehran has reported the downing of 28 Israeli aircraft over the past 24 hours, including Hermes drones—long-range surveillance and attack UAVs frequently used by Israel in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria—as well as F-16 and F-35 fighter jets.

Iran also claims it has intercepted several manned aircraft and successfully countered Israel’s electronic warfare systems.

In the past several hours, the Israeli military has carried out over 50 airstrikes on various locations across Iran. Among the key targets, Israel claims to have struck a facility used for centrifuge production — a critical component in uranium enrichment. According to Tel Aviv, the air raids also targeted factories producing raw materials and components for surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles.

Israel began planning a potential military strike on Iran in December, following the collapse of the Syrian government and the weakening of Hezbollah’s presence in the region, according to a report by The New York Times.

The report states that the changing geopolitical landscape effectively opened the skies for Israeli operations. In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a detailed dossier on Iran's nuclear program to then-U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Trump reportedly took a more moderate stance but agreed to provide undisclosed intelligence support for a possible strike.

The report further reveals that Trump claimed credit for the operation and hinted at direct U.S. involvement—making a diplomatic resolution increasingly unlikely.

Iran’s Chief of Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, announced that Iran is preparing to launch a “punitive operation” against what he described as the “occupying Zionist regime.”
He stated that prior Iranian responses were mainly warnings or defensive actions.
“This time, it will be different,” Mousavi warned.
He urged residents of Israeli cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate to save their lives, adding, “Don’t become casualties of Netanyahu’s brutal ambitions.”
Mousavi emphasized that Iran has never bowed to aggression and does not intend to do so now.

The Iranian government has issued a warning to its citizens against using WhatsApp, Telegram, and other location-based apps, claiming they are being used by Israel to track and attack individuals.
State media IRIB reported the announcement on Tuesday.
In response, a WhatsApp spokesperson stated:

“We are deeply concerned that such false accusations might be used as a pretext to block our services. We do not track users’ precise locations, nor do we retain message logs or share user data with governments at scale.”

A Washington D.C.-based human rights organization reports that Israeli airstrikes across Iran have killed at least 585 people and injured 1,326 others. Among the dead are 239 civilians and 126 security personnel. Iran has not consistently released casualty figures but, according to its last official update on Monday, the death toll stood at 224 with 1,277 injured.

Global oil prices have surged following intensified military exchanges between Israel and Iran. On Tuesday, Brent crude jumped by $3.22 (4.4%), reaching $76.45 per barrel. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose by $3.07 (4.28%), settling at $74.84 per barrel. Reports indicate Iran has slightly reduced gas production after Israeli strikes targeted key gas fields.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed complete control over Israeli airspace following Tuesday night’s missile strikes. In an official statement, Colonel Tajik asserted that the successful deployment of the Fattah missile system had broken through Israel's air defenses. “This strike proves we now dominate the skies over occupied territory, leaving Israeli civilians completely exposed to our missile attacks,” he said.

According to BBC reports, Iran launched a ‘Fattah-1’ hypersonic missile at Tel Aviv on Tuesday. This marks the first time the Fattah missile has been used in the current conflict, although Iran had previously deployed several during its October 1, 2024, attack on Israel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) referred to the weapon as the "Israel-Striker." At the time of its unveiling, a massive banner in Tehran read in Hebrew: “400 seconds to Tel Aviv.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reiterated that Iran will never compromise with Zionists. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he declared, “We will show no mercy to the Zionists.” In another post, he ominously stated, “The war has begun.” This came in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s comment on Truth Social, saying, “We know exactly where the so-called Supreme Leader is hiding. He’s an easy target, but he’s safe for now—we won’t take him out, at least not yet.”

Iran has continued launching missile strikes on Israel even after losing top military commanders, surprising Israeli defense officials. According to U.S. analyst Trita Parsi, Israel underestimated Iran’s ability to recover and maintain operational control. Iranian missiles have reportedly breached multiple layers of Israel’s air defense. Early Monday, fresh attacks on Tel Aviv and Haifa killed at least five people and injured many more. The Middle East remains tense as both nations engage in ongoing, deadly exchanges of fire.

Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that the whereabouts of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are known to the United States. In a social media post, Trump said, "We know where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ Khamenei is hiding. He’s an easy target, and he’s currently safe there—we won’t kill him, at least not yet." Trump also added that the US does not want missiles fired at civilians or military personnel, warning that America’s patience is wearing thin. "Thank you for paying attention," he concluded. In an earlier post, Trump asserted that the United States has achieved "full control" over Iran's airspace.