Iran Intensifies Assault with Shahed-136 Drones Targeting Tel Aviv and Haifa

In the early hours of Saturday, Iranian armed forces launched a series of ballistic missile attacks on the occupied territories as part of the latest phase of Operation True Promise III.

The eighteenth wave of a significant retaliatory operation commenced at approximately 3:10 a.m. local time in Iran, as online videos emerged depicting the night sky over the occupied territories illuminated by Iranian long-range missiles.

Air raid sirens blared immediately upon the arrival of missiles, compelling residents to retreat to subterranean shelters, where they have predominantly been residing in recent times.

Israeli media outlets have reported significant explosions in central Tel Aviv, suggesting that missiles have once more bypassed the country’s layered air defense systems to reach their targets.

A video has surfaced showing a missile striking a building in Tel Aviv, igniting a significant fire, amid reports that the early warning system did not activate as intended.

Reports have emerged indicating that an explosion was heard in the Krayot area, situated near the strategically significant port city of Haifa. This incident follows a significant missile and drone attack that targeted the city on Friday.

In a recent declaration, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that the latest stage of Operation True Promise III had been executed in the central region of the occupied Palestinian territories and at Ben Gurion Airport. The operation reportedly targeted military installations and support centers belonging to the Israeli army. A significant fire erupted in Tel Aviv following an Iranian missile strike on Israel.

The offensive operation featured an extensive array of Shahed-136 suicide and combat drones, accompanied by precision-guided missiles utilizing both solid and liquid fuels. These forces effectively struck and obliterated the pre-determined targets with precision.

The statement highlighted that on Friday night, multiple squadrons of Shahed-136 drones conducted continuous operations over the occupied territories. Notably, the latest air defense systems were unable to successfully intercept these drones.

The statement asserted that joint operations involving missiles and drones will persist in a methodical and targeted fashion.

This development followed closely on the heels of a robust wave of missile and drone strikes directed at Israeli military installations, industrial facilities, as well as command and control centers and intelligence-gathering hubs.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that this phase involved the deployment of long-range and super-heavy missiles, alongside combat and suicide drones.

A spokesperson declared that the international community should “anticipate our surprises,” emphasizing that the holy defense, bolstered by the backing of Iranian citizens, will culminate in triumph. Iran has launched fresh missile attacks on territories it identifies as occupied Palestine.

Amid widespread censorship, certain video footage has emerged online depicting plumes of smoke rising into the sky at Haifa port following a direct missile strike.

On Friday, a series of missiles, with some deployed for the first time, struck military targets across various areas of the occupied territories, notably impacting the cyber center in Beer al-Sabe.

The headquarters of Channel 14, labeled as a Zionist propaganda outlet, was reportedly targeted on Friday following a prior evacuation warning from the IRGC.

True Promise III has been launched as a reaction to recent Israeli actions that commenced a week prior. These measures, taken by Israel, resulted in the elimination of several high-ranking military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians, and included assaults on nuclear facilities and a state television building.

On Friday, after his discussions with European officials in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that there would be no negotiations as long as the Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic persists.