Iran’s Operation True Promise 4 Latest as 2 Killed in Tel Aviv & More
IRAN – As the Iran’s Operation True Promise 4 continues in retaliation to the US-Israeli strikes, Israeli media early Wednesday reported the deaths of 2 people in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan after an Iranian missile strike.
Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth reported that four people were also injured in the attack, while emergency teams searched for people trapped in damaged buildings in the area.
A fire broke out in Ramat Gan after debris from intercepted missiles fell in the city.
Israel also announced the suspension of central train services in Tel Aviv after Iranian missile attacks caused damage to parts of the station’s platforms.
Saudi Arabia Reports Intercepting Missiles
Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Al-Kharj governorate, south of the capital Riyadh.
A Defense Ministry spokesman said debris from the interception fell near Prince Sultan Air Base, but no damage was reported.
Since early Wednesday, Saudi air defenses have intercepted and destroyed 13 drones in the Eastern Province, the spokesman added. The drones were shot down in separate incidents.
Iran’s Political System Remain Strong; Araghchi
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country’s political system remains strong, despite the killing of senior officials in US-Israeli attacks, insisting that such actions will not weaken the structure of the state.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi stressed that the Islamic Republic has a solid political system.
“I do not know why the Americans and the Israelis still have not understood this point: The Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure with established political, economic and social institutions,” he said.
“The presence or absence of a single individual does not affect this structure,” he added.
Araghchi acknowledged that individuals can play important roles but stressed that the strength of the system does not depend on any single figure.
“Of course, individuals are influential, and each person plays their role – some better, some worse, some less. But what matters is that the political system in Iran is a very solid structure,” he said.
His remarks came after Iran confirmed Tuesday that Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, was killed in an Israeli strike.
In a statement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Larijani was killed in the attack along with his son, his aide Reza Bayat and several companions.
In a statement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Larijani was killed in the attack along with his son, his aide Reza Bayat and several companions.
The Israeli army said it had killed Larijani in an airstrike near Tehran overnight on Monday.
IRGC Reports Avenging Ali Larijani’s Martyrdom
The Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday reported striking 100 Israeli targets in Tel Aviv in response to the assassination of Ali Larijani in the 62nd wave of Operation True Promise 4.
It added that it used multi-warhead Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles as well as Emad and Kheibar Shekan projectiles to hit the targets.
“During these intense lightning strikes, the Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles hit more than 100 military and security targets in the heart of the occupied territories without facing any obstruction,” it said.
It added that the operation has killed or injured at least 230 so far.
UAE, Kuwait Report Intercepting Aerial Targets
Kuwait and the UAE announced early Wednesday that air defense systems intercepted drones and missiles launched from Iran.
Kuwait’s National Guard spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jadaan Fadel Jadaan said in a statement that seven drones were “neutralized.”
He added that National Guard units continue to prioritize the protection and defense of Kuwait, working to maintain security and stability.
In a separate statement, the UAE Defense Ministry said its air defense systems were responding to incoming missile and drones launched from Iran.
It added that explosions heard across different parts of the country were the result of interceptions by air defense systems.
Fire at Iraq’s Erbil After Drone Strike
A large fire broke out in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil on Wednesday following an attack by a kamikaze drone, according to local media reports.
The drone reportedly targeted Koy Sanjaq district. An explosion was heard following the strike, igniting a fire at the impact site, with thick smoke seen rising from the area.
The site that was struck was reported to be a commercial warehouse.
Fire crews were onsite to extinguish the fire.
Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has not issued a statement on the incident.
Separately, three loud explosions were heard in quick succession near Erbil International Airport, where a US base is also located.
Air defense systems were activated during the drone attack, with parts of a neutralized drone falling into a park in a residential area of the city.
Security forces, fire trucks and ambulances were deployed to the scene.
There was no immediate reaction from the regional government on the matter.
Since the first day Iran launched retaliatory attacks against the US and Israel, explosions have been heard daily in Erbil, and air defense systems have been activated.
Sirens Sound in Tel Aviv
Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv early Wednesday amid a fresh wave of attacks by Iran.
The Israeli army said air defense systems were actively working to intercept the missles.
Sirens were heard across central Israel, particularly in the Tel Aviv area.
An Anadolu correspondent in the region reported seeing at least one missile carrying multiple warheads in the skies over Tel Aviv, accompanied by loud explosions.
Israel’s Channel 12 said a fragment from a multi-warhead missile struck an area in Holon, causing damage.
The Magen David Adom emergency service said teams were dispatched to the impact site, adding no injuries were initially identified.
Australian Facilities in UAE Damaged
Australian medical and accommodation facilities at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates were damaged in a fire that ignited after an Iranian projectile struck a nearby road, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday.
The incident occurred around 9.15 a.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time (2215GMT Tuesday), according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Albanese said that while it is unclear whether the projectile was a missile or a drone strike, it sparked a fire that caused “minor damage” to an accommodation block and a medical facility.
“I can confirm that no Australian personnel were injured and everyone is absolutely safe at this point in time,” he said.
“There was minor damage to an accommodation block and a medical facility due to a small fire that was created as a result of that projectile hitting a road leading up to that base,” he added.
Australian troops have operated from Al Minhad since 2003, although their numbers were significantly reduced following the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. More than 100 personnel are currently based there alongside British forces and a small number of US personnel.
While the base is owned by the UAE, Australia uses it as its primary military, logistics, surveillance and training hub in the Middle East.
The Wedgetail aircraft deployed to the Middle East last week by the government was not at the base when the projectile landed, according to ABC.
Albanese also said that Iran “is engaging in random attacks right across the region” when asked whether Al Minhad was being targeted by Iran.
Al Minhad was also targeted earlier this month. The strike caused no damage to Australian facilities.
