Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Wednesday that the West should “get lost” from the Middle East following a massive missile attack on Israel, while Israeli officials vowed swift retaliation.
Addressing a crowd in Tehran, Khamenei blamed the ongoing escalation on the “US and some European countries,” which he accused of falsely promoting peace in the region.
The remarks came hours after Khamenei ordered nearly 200 ballistic missiles to be fired at Israel, striking Tel Aviv and other populated areas despite air defences.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran had “made a big mistake” and would face severe consequences. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also issued a warning, stating that Israel would face a harsh reaction if it did not halt its “crimes.”
As tensions escalated, Israel’s military intensified its operations against Hezbollah along the Lebanon border, with regular infantry and armoured units joining the ground campaign.
The Israeli army emphasised its focus on dismantling Hezbollah tunnels and infrastructure without intentions of launching a broader offensive targeting Beirut.
Hezbollah continued to clash with Israeli forces near the border towns of Maroun el-Ras and fired rockets at military posts within Israel. Meanwhile, global concerns over a potential wider conflict prompted Western leaders to condemn the Iranian attacks. France reiterated its support for Israel’s security, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that Iran risked “setting the entire region on fire.”
With fears of an all-out war looming, military forces from various nations are being mobilised in response to the rapidly deteriorating situation.
