In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a coordinated barrage of missiles and suicide drones on Israel early Saturday, intensifying already volatile tensions across the Middle East and raising international alarm over the potential for a wider regional war. Codenamed Operation True Promise 3, the IRGC claimed the strikes targeted “military and logistical facilities” at Ben Gurion Airport and other strategic locations, deploying its Shahed-136 suicide drones in what it described as a “precision offensive.” The paramilitary force asserted that all designated targets were successfully destroyed, though these claims have not been independently verified.
Israeli authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the attack, casualties, or potential damage. However, Israeli media outlets reported heightened air-defense activity overnight, indicating a significant response by Israel’s Iron Dome and other advanced aerial interception systems. The IRGC further claimed its drones evaded these defenses, calling it a demonstration of Iran’s “unmatched deterrent capability” in asymmetric warfare.
In a chilling warning, the IRGC stated that similar combined drone and missile attacks would continue as long as Israeli operations persist, underscoring the fragility of the region’s security environment. The attack follows a flurry of diplomatic activity by Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Minister held urgent consultations yesterday with his counterparts from France, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, urging them to intervene and halt Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and southern Lebanon. According to Al Jazeera, the Iranian Foreign Minister cautioned that Israel’s continued military actions were “endangering regional stability” and appealed for an immediate ceasefire.
As tensions mount, U.S President Donald Trump reaffirmed his unflinching support for Israel, stating, “Israel must be allowed to defend itself against any threat.” Israeli officials have also vowed to respond forcefully to any further aggression, intensifying fears of a full-scale confrontation between the two regional powers.
International analysts warn that the latest developments mark a critical turning point. With drone technology now a central feature of Iran’s military doctrine, the ongoing conflict risks spiraling beyond containment unless immediate diplomatic de-escalation is pursued.
“The precision and reach of these drone attacks represent a dangerous evolution in Iran’s strategic posture,” noted a Middle East analyst speaking to Al Jazeera. “The window for preventing a broader war is rapidly narrowing.”
As the world watches with growing concern, the prospect of open confrontation between Iran and Israel looms larger than ever—threatening not just regional actors but the fragile equilibrium of the wider Middle East.
