ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Iran has launched its tenth wave of missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli positions in the occupied Palestinian territories, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
New Strikes, Increased Intensity
Iranian state media reported that Tuesday’s coordinated attacks originated from various regions across the country and were directed at what Tehran described as military and strategic installations linked to the “Israeli regime.” Air raid sirens were reportedly activated in multiple areas within Israel as the projectiles reached their targets.
Initial assessments from Iranian sources indicated that some locations suffered “significant damage,” although Israeli authorities had not issued an official statement at the time of reporting.
Use of Cruise Missiles Reported
Earlier in the day, Iran reportedly deployed cruise missiles for the first time in the current conflict. One of the notable targets was the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, central Israel — a facility known for advanced scientific research. Iranian sources claimed the attack caused substantial damage, though this could not be independently verified.
Iranian Military: “Deterrence Now, Punishment Next”
Speaking to Iran’s Press TV, Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said the recent operations were intended as a signal.
“The operations carried out so far have been a warning for deterrence — the punitive operation will be executed soon,” he stated.
Tehran Responds to EU Criticism
Amid the rising hostilities, Iran also responded to comments from the European Union. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas had raised concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme, prompting a strong reaction from Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei responded via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), accusing Kallas of defending Israel and ignoring its undeclared nuclear capabilities.
“How can you express concern over Iran’s peaceful programme that is under the most robust IAEA inspections and ignore the fact that the Israeli regime has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons?” Baghaei asked.
Baghaei reiterated that Iran remains a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and has never pursued nuclear weapons.
“Iran has never sought nuclear weapons — unlike the aggressor that is the only barrier to a Middle East free from nuclear weapons, a goal Iran has advocated since 1974,” he added.
The latest missile strike represents a continuing escalation in the region, with tit-for-tat military actions increasing in both scale and frequency. With both sides refusing to back down, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate remain limited and the potential for broader regional instability continues to rise.
