TEHRAN: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) on Tuesday claimed to hit a centre of Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, in Tel Aviv as the two arch-rivals continue to strike each other for the fifth consecutive day.
In a statement aired on state television, the IRGC said they “struck the military intelligence centre of the Zionist regime’s army, Aman, and the Zionist regime’s terrorist operations planning centre, the Mossad, in Tel Aviv”, adding it was “currently on fire”.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also announced that they had launched an attack targeting Israeli air bases, which they claim were used to launch fighter jets in strikes against the Islamic Republic.
“In the new wave of attacks, a large-scale missile operation was carried out against the air bases of the Zionist regime’s army, which are the bases from which the regime’s fighter jets take off towards our beloved country,” the IRGC said in a statement carried by state TV.
Israel says intercepted ‘most’ of new Iran missiles
Meanwhile, Israel’s military reported that it had intercepted the majority of a new wave of missiles launched from Iran, following air raid sirens that sounded in Tel Aviv and northern regions of the country.
According to a military statement, “several missiles were launched from Iran toward the State of Israel. Most of them were intercepted.”
Earlier in the evening, residents in Tel Aviv and the northern areas were instructed to take shelter. Approximately 20 minutes later, the military announced that it was “now permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas.”
Israel’s sophisticated air defence systems have been largely successful in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, although some have penetrated them.
The strikes on Iran have killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, Iran said Sunday. It has not issued an updated toll since then.
At least 24 people have been killed in Israel and hundreds wounded, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Israeli forces claimed to have killed Iran’s newly appointed Chief of Staff General Ali Shadmani in an airstrike on a command centre in central Tehran, four days after he assumed the role following the death of his predecessor in an Israeli strike.
US won’t kill Iran Supreme Leader — ‘for now’: Trump
US President Donald Trump, in his rhetoric against Iran’s Supreme Leader on social media, said that the United States knows where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is located but will not kill him “for now.”
In another post, Trump also appeared to demand Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” as he fueled questions about whether the United States would join Israel’s attacks on Tehran’s leadership and nuclear facilities.
“We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there — We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
“But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” said Trump.
Iran warns Israeli civilians to evacuate
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, on Tuesday urged residents of the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv to evacuate, warning of impending “punitive” strikes.
“Punitive operations will be carried out soon,” Mousavi said in a video statement carried by state TV on the fifth day of the deadly confrontation triggered by an Israeli air raid on Friday.
Referring to Israel, Mousavi said that “residents of the occupied territories, especially Tel Aviv and Haifa, are strongly urged to leave these areas for the sake of their lives”.
Internet disruption in Iran
Iranian media reported widespread internet disruptions on Tuesday. According to the Ham Mihan newspaper, “Internet users in several provinces are reporting widespread internet disruption,” with similar accounts echoed by other local outlets.
