Tehran | Haifa | Jerusalem: In an unprecedented escalation of hostilities in the region, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a fresh and intensified wave of missile and drone strikes on Israel late Saturday night, marking the latest phase of its ongoing retaliatory campaign, “Operation True Promise III.”
The new phase, codenamed “Ya Ali ibn Abi Talib”, was launched on the eve of Eid al-Ghadir, a significant religious occasion for Shia Muslims. The operation was described by Iranian officials as a response to the Israeli regime’s earlier airstrikes, which resulted in the assassination of high-ranking Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri and Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
Haifa and Northern Israel Under Fire
Iranian precision-guided missiles reportedly struck key Israeli infrastructure in the occupied port city of Haifa, setting fire to oil refineries and targeting power grids. Several viral videos circulating on social media show massive fires and thick black smoke rising from impacted areas, including strategic military and industrial facilities.
Reports also indicate widespread power outages in northern occupied Palestine, particularly in Upper Galilee, Western Galilee, Nazareth, and Afula, due to direct hits on electricity infrastructure.
According to Iranian state media, missiles used in this wave included Emad, Qadr, and Kheibar Shekan—a powerful arsenal from Iran’s long-range missile inventory. Unconfirmed reports also suggest ammonia storage tanks in Haifa may have been hit, potentially releasing toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
“Largest Missile Strike by Iran”
This latest wave has been described by some regional media as the largest coordinated missile and drone strike ever launched by Iran against Israeli targets. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, early reports confirm severe disruption to Israel’s energy and industrial systems.
The IRGC Aerospace Division claimed responsibility for the strikes, issuing a statement warning Israeli military pilots to surrender rather than engage in combat:
“Protect your life. We are true to our promise.”
Context: Retaliation After High-Profile Assassinations
The Iranian operation comes in direct retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil, which occurred in the early hours of Friday and killed several prominent figures, including:
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Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces
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Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, IRGC Aerospace Division Commander
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General Gholam Ali Rashid, IRGC senior commander
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Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi, Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and Dr. Abdolhamid Minoucher—senior Iranian nuclear scientists
Civilians, including women and children, were also reportedly killed in the attack.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the Israeli strike as a “grave mistake” and vowed harsh consequences, stating:
“The Iranian nation will not overlook the blood of its martyrs and will not ignore aggression against its sky.”
US-Israel Cooperation Under Scrutiny
Iranian officials have accused the United States of complicity in the Israeli strikes, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calling out U.S. support during a phone call with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The situation intensified after former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to CNN, expressed open support for Israel, calling the assault “a very successful attack” and warning Iran to return to the negotiating table.
A report by Middle East Eye further claimed that the U.S. had quietly delivered hundreds of advanced laser-guided missiles to Israel prior to the strike, knowing they would be used in attacks against Iran.
Conclusion
With the Middle East on the brink of broader conflict, the True Promise III operation—launched under the spiritual code name “Ya Ali ibn Abi Talib” and timed with Eid al-Ghadir—signals not just military retaliation, but a symbolic stance of resistance.
As tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States reach a critical tipping point, independent observers and global powers are calling for restraint amid fears of a wider regional war.
