“No Mercy,” Declares Khamenei as Iran Fires Hypersonic Missiles at Israel in Escalating Conflict

Tehran: Tensions between Iran and Israel surged dramatically as Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed “no mercy” and confirmed the use of hypersonic missiles in the latest round of overnight attacks. The conflict, now entering its sixth day, has taken a dangerous turn with both nations intensifying their military operations.

Here are the key developments:

In a strongly worded statement on social media, Khamenei declared, “In the name of God, the battle begins,” adding, “Iran must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.” His remarks came shortly after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a major escalation in military action.

According to Iranian state media, Tehran launched a barrage of Fattah-1 hypersonic missiles in what the IRGC described as the “11th wave” of Operation Honest Promise 3. These hypersonic weapons, which are difficult to intercept due to their speed and maneuverability, marked a significant step up in Iran’s offensive capabilities.

In addition to missile strikes, Iran also deployed a “swarm of drones” toward Israeli territory. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting two drones over the Dead Sea, while the IRGC claimed it had “gained complete control over the skies of the occupied territories”—a bold and disputed assertion amid ongoing aerial combat.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes hit targets in the Iranian capital early Wednesday. The Israeli military had earlier issued a warning for civilians in Tehran’s District 18 to evacuate. Local Iranian media reported a series of loud explosions in the Piroozi, Sabalan, and Sayyad neighborhoods.

The rapid escalation has triggered concerns of a broader regional conflict, with the United States closely monitoring developments. According to a CNN report, the U.S. is weighing whether to directly enter the fray as the exchange of strikes threatens to destabilize already volatile areas.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, in a stark warning to Iran, demanded its “unconditional surrender.” Although he insisted that Washington has not been involved in Israel’s bombing campaign, Trump warned Iran that “his patience is wearing thin.” He also issued a chilling statement, suggesting that the U.S. knows the whereabouts of Khamenei but has chosen not to act “for now”—hinting that the assassination of the Iranian Supreme Leader remains a potential option on the table.

Trump convened a National Security Council meeting on Tuesday to discuss the implications of the Iran-Israel conflict. The high-level meeting, held in the White House Situation Room, lasted over an hour. While officials declined to share specific outcomes, the meeting fueled speculation about a possible shift in the U.S. military posture in the region.

As tensions escalate, the U.S. announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Jerusalem until Friday, citing security concerns and the risk of retaliatory attacks. The move further underscores the gravity of the situation and the growing risk of a wider Middle Eastern confrontation.

The geopolitical uncertainty has sent ripples through global markets. Oil prices surged, while stock indices in the U.S. tumbled following Trump’s abrupt departure from the G7 Summit and rising fears of direct American involvement in the conflict. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.7% to 42,215.80, the S&P 500 dropped 0.8% to 5,982.72, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.9% to close at 19,521.09.

As diplomatic channels fall silent and both nations escalate hostilities, the international community braces for what could become a prolonged and highly destructive confrontation in the Middle East.