Latest news with #TruePromise3
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Why are Iran and Israel fighting? Rivalry of regional foes explained
The conflict between Israel and Iran, which erupted on June 13, shows no signs of de-escalation, with the United States making its entry into the regional conflict following an unprecedented strike on three nuclear sites in Iran. Rescue workers and firefighters survey the site of a direct missile strike launched from Iran in Tel Aviv.(AP) While US President Donald Trump warned Iran of future attacks if it fails to make peace, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the US attacks "will have everlasting consequences" and that Tehran "reserves all options" to retaliate. Even as the US strikes hit Iranian sites, Tehran continued its attack on Israel, launching fresh missiles targeting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. Iran Israel war news LIVE updates How did the latest conflict start? Israel launched a large-scale attack across Iran on June 13, targeting nuclear and military targets in the country. A day ahead of the attack, the Israel Defense Forces had asked the people in Tehran to evacuate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the country launched Operation Rising Lion to "roll back Iranian threat to Israel's very survival." Read More: Khamenei's circle issues stark warning after US strikes Iran: 'Target naval fleet' Iran retaliated by launching 100 missiles towards Israel, targeting multiple cities in Israel, including the capital Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem, in an operation it called True Promise 3. However, the Israeli strike killed several top Iranian military leaders, including Hossein Salami, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and several nuclear scientists and former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization. While the Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 865 people and wounded 3,396, 29 people have been killed in Israel, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. Are Israel and Iran fighting for the first time? Iran and Israel were allies until the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, which brought supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to power. Iran's secret nuclear programme was revealed by Western intelligence services in 2002. After years of negotiations and backdoor channeling, Iran announces a nuclear agreement with the West in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Read More: US B-2 bombers flew 37 hours non-stop, refueling mid-air to hit Iran nuclear sites Ever since, Iran has alleged Israeli attacks against its nuclear program, including mysterious explosion, death of top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and attack on underground nuclear facility in Natanz. Meanwhile, Iran has used the Axis of Resistance- non-state actors developed by Tehran over decades to launch strikes against Israel. The Axis of Resistance includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. When Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982, Iran helped establish Hezbollah by offering the militant group funds and military training. It also helped Hamas in Gaza and Houthis in Yemen. After the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in 2023, Hezbollah launched its missiles and land attack against Israel. However, Israel managed to eliminate top Hezbollah commanders, including Hassan Nasrallah in an air attack on Lebanon's capital Beirut in September 2024. Having degraded its arsenal and no proper leadership, Hezbollah had not launched any retaliation response after Israel started the conflict with Iran. Read More: 'Fordow is gone': All about the Iranian nuclear plant struck by US, considered immune to Israel bombs Earlier in April, 2024, an Israeli airstrike demolished Iran's Consulate in Syria's Damascus killing 16 people. Iran responded by firing over 300 missiles and attack drones. Israel also assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in an airstrike during a visit to Tehran in July 2024. On October 1, 2024, Iran launched between at least 180 missiles against Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Haniyeh and Nasrallah. This was the second direct attack by Iran against Israel last year, following the April attack.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran's True Promise 3: 20th wave against Israel begins
Shafaq News/ Iran launched the twentieth wave of its True Promise 3 operation early Sunday, with a fresh round of long-range missile strikes. Iranian sources said the attack combined solid- and liquid-fuel rockets equipped with high-explosive warheads and employed new tactics to bypass Israeli air defenses. The strike targeted sensitive and strategic sites, including Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's biological research center, and a number of command, control, and support facilities across central Israel. Israeli media confirmed at least 16 people were injured in the assault, including two in critical condition. Emergency teams rushed to the city of Ness Ziona, south of Tel Aviv, where nearly 20 people were reportedly trapped under debris after a direct missile impact. Israel's Army Radio reported that Iran fired two distinct waves of missiles Sunday morning—the first with 22 rockets and the second with five—Sirens were heard across much of Israel's central and northern regions, following earlier strikes that also hit Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Haifa's Carmel district, and surrounding areas. In response, the Israeli army announced it has begun a counteroffensive, with the air force launching a new wave of strikes on military targets in western Iran. The renewed exchange comes hours after US President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces had carried out coordinated airstrikes on Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's actions, calling them a demonstration of 'strength' that could 'change history.'
Shafaq News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran escalates against Israel with 19th strike wave and Dimona threat
Shafaq News/ Tehran launched the 19th wave of its True Promise 3 campaign against Tel Aviv on Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed, as warnings to strike Israel's Dimona nuclear power plant mount. In a brief statement, the IRGC said the latest wave included a large number of drones targeting northern and southern Israel, marking a continued escalation in Iran's direct military response. The announcement came amid growing threats from senior Iranian officials. Speaking to Al Jazeera, a high-ranking Iranian official cautioned that Israel's Dimona nuclear facility could become a 'legitimate target' if the Israeli war enters a more complex phase. He further noted that the Iranian strikes had already dealt significant damage, accusing the Israeli army of deliberately hiding the extent of its losses. 'We have yet to deploy our most advanced missiles—but we will, without a doubt.' The official explained that his country's strategy hinges on depleting Israel's interceptor missile stockpiles through sustained, calculated attacks. 'We have detailed intelligence on their air defense capacity and are systematically wearing it down.' He also warned that any direct US involvement would trigger a broader regional conflict and expose American interests in the Middle East to 'serious danger.' According to the official, targeting US bases in the region would be 'easier than hitting Israel's heartland.' Meanwhile, Colonel Iman Tajik, spokesperson for Operation True Promise 3, delivered a sharp message to Israelis: 'Flee [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's quagmire—your death is inevitable.'
Shafaq News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Red Sea alert: Houthis to target US ships if Washington backs Israel
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Yemen's Ansarallah (Houthis) threatened to target the US interests in the Red Sea if Washington supports Israeli military operations against Iran. 'If the US involves in an attack and aggression against Iran with the Israeli enemy, the armed forces will target its ships and warships in the Red Sea,' the group wrote on X. The Houthis described Israel as 'the aggressor against Iran,' referencing previous operations in Gaza and current attacks on Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. It further accused Tel Aviv of seeking regional dominance, allegedly underwritten both openly and strategically by the United States. The movement explained that the objective of this project is to 'confiscate the freedom, independence, and dignity of our nation,' while also aiming to erode the region's identity, occupy land, exploit resources, and normalize violations of sacred sites and human life. The statement comes amid reports indicating that the United States is preparing to support Israel militarily in its confrontation with Iran. Tensions have sharply escalated following Israel's launch of Operation Rising Lion, a campaign of targeted strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. The operation has killed several senior commanders from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and several key nuclear scientists. Iran responded with True Promise 3, its most extensive direct attack on Israeli territory to date. The retaliatory operation has so far included 18 waves of missile and drone strikes.
Shafaq News
14 hours ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraqi oil ports 'UNAFFECTED' by regional tensions
Shafaq News/ Iraq's oil and commercial ports are functioning without disruption despite heightened security tensions across the region, the General Company for Ports of Iraq confirmed on Saturday. Speaking to Shafaq News, the company's Director General, Farhan Al-Fartousi, reported that maritime traffic at the Basra Oil Terminal and offshore single point moorings (SPMs) remains steady, with large tankers continuing to dock, offload, and depart according to schedule. 'All marine units are functioning under well-defined operational plans that ensure safety and continuity,' Al-Fartousi added, stressing that between June 1 and 20, a total of 48 oil tankers arrived at Iraqi ports. The reassurance comes as regional tensions mount sharply following Israel's launch of Operation Rising Lion — a series of targeted strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. Iran has retaliated with True Promise 3, its most extensive direct attack on Israeli territory to date. The Iranian operation has so far involved 18 waves of missile and drone strikes. With both sides signaling the possibility of further escalation, concerns have grown over potential impacts on maritime security, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for nearly 20% of global oil shipments.
