Tensions in the widening conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States escalated further on Thursday after Azerbaijan accused Tehran of launching drone attacks on its territory, even as fresh missile strikes and military operations were reported across several parts of the Middle East.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said two drones were fired toward its territory, injuring two people. One drone reportedly crashed at an airport in Nakhchivan near the Iranian border, while another landed close to a school.
Baku condemned the incident and summoned the Iranian ambassador to lodge a strong protest. In a statement, the ministry demanded an explanation from Iran and warned that Azerbaijan reserved the right to take “appropriate response measures.”
Meanwhile, Israel signalled that its military campaign against Iran is far from over. According to Israeli officials, the Israel Defense Forces plans to continue operations for at least one to two more weeks, targeting thousands of additional regime and military sites.
The Israeli Air Force said it had already dropped more than 5,000 bombs on Iranian targets since the conflict began, according to reports cited by the Times of Israel.
Massive explosions were reported on Thursday in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas. The blasts reportedly occurred near Bandar-e Bahonar, located within the First Naval Zone of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian authorities also reported fresh strikes beginning around midnight in the capital Tehran, where loud explosions and shockwaves were felt across parts of the city. Overnight attacks were also reported in the Kurdish cities of Sanandaj, Saqqez and Bukan.
Iranian officials claim that more than 150 cities have been targeted since the bombing campaign began last weekend.
In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had launched the 19th wave of retaliatory strikes against Israel and US bases in the region.
The Israeli military confirmed that a new round of Iranian missiles was launched toward Israel on Thursday, triggering air raid sirens in several areas including Tel Aviv. Air defence systems were activated to intercept the incoming missiles.
“The Israeli Air Force has identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,” the military said, adding that interceptions were underway. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Iranian state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting also confirmed the missile launches.
US President Donald Trump described Iran as a country “out of control,” defending the pre-emptive strikes carried out by Washington and Israel.
He said the attacks were aimed at preventing Tehran from launching a strike on Israel first. Trump also claimed the United States was now in a strong position, warning that individuals attempting to assume leadership in Iran were being eliminated.
The US said it had destroyed more than 20 Iranian vessels, including one of Tehran’s top submarines, during the ongoing military campaign.
Iranian state media reported that more than 1,000 people have been killed since the joint US-Israeli strikes began last weekend.
Among those killed were Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, several members of his family and multiple senior political and military leaders.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country had sought diplomacy to avoid war but had been forced to defend itself against what he described as “American-Zionist military aggression.”
Meanwhile, senior cleric Ahmad Khatami said the process of selecting a successor to Khamenei was nearing completion. He said Iran’s Assembly of Experts would soon identify a new supreme leader despite the wartime situation.
Public mourning ceremonies for Khamenei began at Imam Khomeini Musalla, where thousands of Iranians were expected to pay their respects.
The fighting has begun spilling into neighbouring countries. In Beirut, Israeli air strikes targeted strongholds of the militant group Hezbollah in the city’s southern suburbs.
Lebanon’s health ministry said strikes on vehicles along the airport highway killed three people, while at least 72 people have been killed and more than 83,000 displaced since the latest escalation began.
Israel said it had made “historic gains” in the war against Iran. A statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran was attempting to rebuild its nuclear weapons programme using new underground facilities.
The conflict is also affecting global shipping routes. Danish shipping giant Maersk announced it was suspending new bookings through the Gulf after assessing the security risks. Several companies have already halted routes through the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz.
The Royal Navy of Oman said it rescued 24 crew members from a container ship struck by missiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, tensions extended further as Turkey summoned Iran’s ambassador after a ballistic missile believed to be targeting a base in Cyprus landed inside Turkish territory.
Elsewhere, Sri Lanka said its navy had recovered 87 bodies after a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off its coast earlier this week, with search operations continuing for missing sailors.
With missile attacks, air strikes and diplomatic tensions spreading across the region, the conflict shows little sign of easing, raising fears of a broader war across the Middle East.
Leave Your Comment