The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed that the Israeli Air Force has launched what appears to be its 9th wave of intensive airstrikes targeting the Iranian capital, Tehran. This latest escalation comes as part of the ongoing joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran’s regime infrastructure, ballistic missile capabilities, and leadership sites.
IDF’s Latest Strike Wave Hits Tehran Hard
According to official IDF statements and military correspondents, the Israeli Air Force initiated a broad and “extensive” wave of attacks focused on regime targets in the heart of Tehran. These precision-guided strikes build on previous operations where the IDF achieved air superiority over the city, allowing fighter jets to operate directly overhead with stand-in munitions for the first time in the conflict.
Context of the Escalating War
The current phase of direct strikes on Iran intensified following earlier events, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and subsequent retaliatory actions from Tehran. Over the past days:
- Combined US and Israeli forces have conducted hundreds of sorties, dropping thousands of munitions.
- Strikes have expanded to nuclear-related sites (e.g., damage reported at Natanz) and naval assets.
- Iran has responded with multiple waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel, US forces, and regional neighbors, though Israeli intercepts and preemptive strikes have limited their impact.
Casualty reports vary significantly by source:
- Iranian officials and the Red Crescent have claimed hundreds of deaths, including civilians, from strikes across the country.
- The conflict has also seen spillover into Lebanon, with simultaneous Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut.
US President Donald Trump has described the campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, curb its missile program, and eliminate threats to American and allied interests, warning of further “harder hits” if needed.