TEL AVIV, June 18: In a dramatic escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that “the battle has begun” following Tehran’s launch of a hypersonic missile at Israel on Tuesday. The attack marks a critical intensification in hostilities, with military confrontations now stretching into their sixth consecutive day.
According to Israeli military sources, the hypersonic missile was one of several launched from Iranian territory, triggering air raid alerts across major Israeli cities. The Iranian offensive came in retaliation to a series of Israeli airstrikes that struck deep within Iranian territory, reportedly killing at least 224 people, including senior military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians.
Iran’s counterattacks have so far claimed the lives of at least 24 Israelis, including women and children, with multiple injuries reported across central and southern Israel.
The spiraling conflict prompted US President Donald Trump to abruptly leave the G7 Summit in Canada. Before departing, he issued a firm statement of support for Israel and warned civilians in Tehran to prepare for further escalation.
The hostilities began last Friday when Israel launched a large-scale offensive targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, citing a growing threat to its national security. Since then, both nations have exchanged continuous air and missile strikes, raising fears of a broader regional war.
Despite fragile diplomatic attempts by global powers to bring Iran and the United States back to the negotiation table over Tehran’s nuclear program, the current trajectory appears increasingly combative.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to the press, emphasized that Israel’s actions have dealt a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “I believe we have set them back a very, very long time,” he said, underlining Israel’s resolve to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
