Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates: Khamenei Declares ‘Battle Begins’ as Hypersonic Missiles and Airstrikes Intensify

The Israel-Iran conflict has sharply escalated into its sixth day, marked by intense missile exchanges, airstrikes, and powerful rhetoric from global leaders. On Wednesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) declaring, “In the name of Nami, the battle begins. Ali returns to Khaybar with his Zulfiqar,” referencing Imam Ali and invoking deep Shia Islamic symbolism. Later, he warned, “We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy.”

This came shortly after US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, claiming, “We know exactly where the so-called Supreme Leader is hiding… but we don’t want him killed – for now.” Trump also demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and revealed he had rejected Israel’s proposal to assassinate Khamenei, fearing it would dangerously escalate the crisis.

As tensions mounted, Tehran was rocked by aerial attacks launched by Israel. Key targets included the Imam Hossein Imam Hossein University, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Khojir missile production facility near the Iranian capital. Despite massive explosions and damage, Iranian authorities did not officially acknowledge the strikes.

Simultaneously, Iran intensified its response, launching hypersonic missiles at Israel. The Iranian offensive is said to be Tehran’s strongest retaliation yet, as it vowed no leniency toward the “Zionist entity.” The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported multiple sirens across its territory and confirmed that a hostile aircraft was intercepted near its eastern border. The back-and-forth assaults have now reached a new level of intensity.

Human rights monitors reported at least 585 people killed and 1,326 injured across Iran due to Israeli strikes. The airstrikes and retaliatory missile launches have created panic, with Trump urging Tehran’s 9.5 million residents to evacuate, warning of further escalations.

With both nations trading attacks and religious, political, and military tensions surging, the Middle East faces a grave new chapter in regional conflict. The situation is compounded by U.S. involvement, religious symbolism, and the use of advanced weaponry like hypersonic missiles, making diplomacy an urgent necessity.