Daily Tribune
Rocket trails are seen in the sky above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks on June 17, 2025. Israel and Iran exchanged fire again on June 17, the fifth day of strikes in their most intense confrontation in history, fuelling fears of a drawn-out conflict that could engulf the Middle East.
JACK GUEZ / AFP
Iran claimed early Wednesday to have launched hypersonic missiles at Israel in a sixth day of intensifying conflict, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for the Islamic republic’s “unconditional surrender.”
While Trump insisted the U.S. is not involved in Israel’s bombing campaign, he also warned Tehran: “Our patience is wearing thin.” He later posted, “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
Israeli warplanes struck Tehran before dawn Wednesday after warning civilians in District 18 to evacuate. Iranian state media reported explosions in the Piroozi, Sabalan and Sayyad areas of the capital.
In response, Iran told residents of Tel Aviv to prepare for an attack. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its “Fattah-1” hypersonic missiles were “repeatedly shaking the shelters” in Tel Aviv. It described the barrage as “the 11th wave of the proud Operation Honest Promise 3 using Fattah-1 missiles.”
Iran also launched a “swarm of drones” toward Israel. The Israeli army said it intercepted two near the Dead Sea.
Hypersonic missiles can travel more than five times the speed of sound and maneuver mid-flight, making them difficult to track.
Trump returned early from the G7 summit in Canada, where world leaders called for a ceasefire. Back in Washington, he reiterated threats toward Iran’s leadership.
“We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there -- We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
He later met with the National Security Council, though no statement followed. U.S. officials confirmed the deployment of the USS Nimitz and military aircraft to the region but said no decision on intervention has been made.
More than 700 foreign nationals have fled Iran into Armenia and Azerbaijan since Friday, officials said. Evacuees included citizens from Russia, China, the U.S., Germany, Spain, Italy and others.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem announced it would close until Friday. In Iran, long lines formed at bakeries and gas stations. A cyberattack Tuesday crippled Sepah Bank, one of Iran’s largest state-owned banks, Fars news agency reported.
In Israel, air raid sirens continued across Tel Aviv. “We've decided to permanently set camp here until it's all clear, I guess,” said resident Mali Papirany, 30, from an underground garage.
Israel said its campaign aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies. Explosions were reported near nuclear sites in Isfahan. The UN nuclear watchdog said there were “direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls” at Natanz.
The conflict has suspended nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Iran said it will not return to talks while under attack.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump plays a critical role in restarting diplomacy and warned that regime change would bring “chaos.” China accused Trump of “pouring oil” on the conflict, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”
Since Friday, Israel says at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds wounded. Iran reported Sunday that 224 had been killed in Israeli strikes, including military commanders, scientists, and civilians.
