Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that military operations targeting Iran will intensify in the coming days, signalling a further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Speaking from the rooftop of the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv after a high-level security meeting, Netanyahu said he had instructed Israel’s defence leadership to continue expanding attacks against Iranian targets.
The meeting included the defence minister, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff, and the head of the Mossad intelligence agency.
“Our forces are now striking the heart of Tehran with increasing strength, and this will only increase even more in the coming days,” Netanyahu said, underscoring Israel’s determination to sustain its military campaign.
The Israeli leader acknowledged the growing human cost of the conflict, describing recent days as painful for the country following deadly Iranian strikes on Israeli territory.
He referenced casualties recorded in Tel Aviv and the city of Beit Shemesh, where lives were lost after missile attacks hit residential areas.
“My heart goes out to the families,” Netanyahu said, extending condolences to victims and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
He added that Israel was deploying the full capabilities of its armed forces in what he described as a campaign necessary to safeguard the country’s future and national security.
Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran and son of the last Shah, renewed calls for political change inside Iran following the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In posts shared on X, Pahlavi urged Iranians to mobilise and demonstrate against the Islamic Republic, calling for widespread public action and nightly protests.
Pahlavi, who has emerged as a prominent opposition voice during previous anti-government demonstrations, also appealed to Iranian security forces to abandon loyalty to the current system and instead defend the Iranian people.
As tensions continue to rise, the United States confirmed its first military fatalities since joining Israel in strikes against Iran under Operation Epic Fury.
U.S. Central Command said three American service members were killed in action, while five others sustained serious injuries.
The identities of the deceased troops have not yet been released pending notification of their families.
The casualties mark the first confirmed American deaths since Washington launched military operations against Iran.
In announcing the campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump had warned that American casualties were possible, noting that loss of life is an inherent risk in wartime operations.
Military analysts say casualties were anticipated given the scale of deployments and the intensity of operations across the region.
However, the deaths could increase political pressure domestically in the United States, where the administration has sought to portray the operation as swift and decisive compared with prolonged conflicts of previous decades.
The conflict has continued to widen, raising fears of a prolonged regional war as both sides exchange strikes and international calls for de-escalation grow louder.
