Explosions Rock Tehran as Israel Strikes Military Targets Amid Escalating War With Iran
On the sixth day of intense hostilities between regional arch-rivals Iran and Israel, a series of powerful explosions shook the eastern districts of Tehran on Wednesday afternoon, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict that has already claimed dozens of lives and destabilized the wider Middle East.
Plumes of Smoke Rise Over Tehran
According to reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP) and corroborated by social media videos verified by Reuters, multiple blasts occurred around 3:50 p.m. local time in eastern and southeastern Tehran. At least five distinct plumes of smoke were seen rising across the skyline, igniting panic among residents and sending emergency services scrambling to assess the damage.
While the exact nature and extent of the damage remain unclear, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed shortly after the blasts that its air force was behind the attack. In a statement posted to its official account on X (formerly Twitter), the IDF said:
“The IAF is currently striking military targets belonging to the Iranian Regime in Tehran.”
This marks one of the most direct strikes deep inside the Iranian capital since open hostilities began on June 12, signaling that Israel is intensifying its air campaign to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and command infrastructure.
A War of Wills: Leaders Refuse to Blink
The attack comes just hours after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, broke his silence in a nationally televised address—his first appearance since June 13, the day after the conflict erupted. In his statement, the 86-year-old cleric issued a defiant message to both Israel and the United States, vowing that Iran would not yield under military pressure or foreign diktats.
“The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage,” Khamenei warned, in what many observers interpreted as a thinly veiled threat of escalation beyond the current Israel-Iran theater.
Rejecting recent calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to surrender “unconditionally,” Khamenei declared,
“Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender.”
He further described Israel’s strikes as a “grave miscalculation”, warning of retribution: “The Zionist regime has made a huge mistake. It will be punished.” Khamenei reiterated his rejection of any externally imposed peace deal, insisting Iran would not participate in ceasefire talks perceived as dictated by Tel Aviv or Washington.
Shift in Power Amid Health Concerns
In a significant political development, sources close to the Iranian leadership told Iran Insight that Khamenei has delegated key powers to the Supreme Council of the Iranian Military, effectively placing operational command in the hands of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The move is being interpreted as a strategic shift designed to streamline military responses and possibly signal preparations for a prolonged conflict.
Adding to speculation about Khamenei’s health and security, Iran Insight also reported that the Supreme Leader and close members of his family, including his influential son Mojtaba Khamenei, have been moved to a secure underground facility in northeastern Tehran.
Trump Raises Stakes: Knows Khamenei’s Whereabouts
Meanwhile, in Washington, President Donald Trump raised eyebrows with a provocative statement during a press briefing late Tuesday night. Confirming heightened U.S. surveillance over Iranian leadership targets, Trump declared:
“We know exactly where the Iranian Supreme Leader is hiding.”
Although he added, “We have no intention to kill him—for now,” the remark has only added to tensions and prompted international concern about a potential U.S. entry into the conflict.
Trump also warned that American patience is “wearing thin,” suggesting that continued Iranian aggression or any threats to U.S. regional assets may trigger a broader military response.
Missile Exchanges Continue
Wednesday’s strikes follow a day of sustained missile exchanges between Iran and Israel. Both countries have been locked in a cycle of tit-for-tat attacks since last Friday.
Israeli sources claim that Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles in the past six days, while Iran accuses Israel of targeting key military and nuclear-linked facilities with precision airstrikes.
So far, Israeli officials have confirmed 24 deaths and more than 600 injuries since the start of hostilities. Iran has not yet released an official casualty count, though social media posts and unofficial reports suggest dozens may have been killed or wounded in the latest Israeli strike on Tehran.
What Lies Ahead?
As the region braces for further escalation, global powers including Russia, China, and European nations are calling for restraint and immediate de-escalation.
However, with both sides digging in and neither showing signs of backing down, the conflict appears poised to enter an even more dangerous phase.
Diplomatic channels remain largely frozen, and observers fear that if a ceasefire is not brokered soon, a broader regional war involving Hezbollah, U.S. forces in the Gulf, and other Iranian proxies may become unavoidable.
As smoke continues to rise over Tehran and air raid sirens wail in Israeli cities, the world watches anxiously, hoping this war does not spiral into something far more catastrophic.
