Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday vowed to kill Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a “child-killing criminal” as tensions escalate in the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
In a statement carried by its Sepah News website, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would pursue Netanyahu “with full force” as fighting intensifies across the region.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes reportedly hit the central Iranian city of Isfahan early Sunday, with videos circulating online showing smoke rising over the area as aircraft flew low overhead. Iranian media also reported explosions in the southern city of Shiraz, where strikes were said to have hit residential areas and caused civilian casualties.
Iran responded with a fresh wave of missile attacks overnight, triggering air raid sirens across central Israel, the Negev and northern regions, including Haifa. Israeli media reported loud explosions as air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles. Emergency responders treated four people who were injured while rushing to shelters after debris from intercepted missiles fell in populated areas.
The IRGC later said the strikes formed part of the 53rd wave of attacks under its ongoing military campaign and warned that operations targeting Israeli and American interests would continue.
The conflict also prompted regional interceptions of drones and missiles. Saudi Arabia said its forces intercepted drones over Riyadh and eastern regions, while Jordan reported intercepting 79 of 85 missiles and drones that entered its airspace. Kuwait said its National Guard destroyed five drones within 24 hours, and authorities in Bahrain activated warning sirens after detecting aerial threats.
Amid the escalating tensions, Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express, scaled back flights to the United Arab Emirates after airport authorities imposed operational restrictions. India’s embassy in the UAE advised travellers to check flight updates as services between Indian cities and UAE airports were curtailed.
The regional situation also affected education schedules, with the Central Board of Secondary Education cancelling Class 12 board examinations in several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Iranian authorities also said 20 people had been arrested in the northwestern province of West Azerbaijan for allegedly assisting Israel by sharing information about Iranian military and security locations.
As missile exchanges, drone interceptions and airstrikes continue across the region, governments in the Middle East remain on high alert amid fears of further escalation.
