Middle East on Edge as Iran Fires Hypersonic Missiles at Israel Amid Rising Tensions and International Alarm
Tehran said it launched a barrage of hypersonic Fattah-1 missiles at Israel early Wednesday, June 18, 2025, intensifying the latest round of high-stakes military exchanges between the two regional foes. The announcement came just hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump demanded restraint from both sides but warned Iran that his patience was “wearing thin” as the conflict entered its sixth consecutive day. Trump’s comments followed a dramatic exit from the G7 summit in Canada, where world leaders had jointly called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent the confrontation from escalating into a broader regional war.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that its “11th wave” of missile strikes, part of the so-called “Operation Honest Promise 3,” had targeted Tel Aviv with advanced Fattah-1 missiles, which are capable of travelling at more than five times the speed of sound and evading conventional defense systems. Iranian state television claimed the weapons had “shaken shelters” across the Israeli commercial hub. At the same time, Tehran issued warnings for Tel Aviv residents to prepare for further attacks, while deploying a swarm of drones toward Israeli territory. Two of the drones were intercepted over the Dead Sea, according to the Israeli military.
In retaliation, Israel launched airstrikes deep into Iran, including a rare bombing raid on the outskirts of Tehran. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted weapons manufacturing plants and a facility reportedly used for the production of centrifuges. Prior to the bombing, Israel had issued warnings for civilians to evacuate the area.
As both nations exchange increasingly sophisticated weaponry, global concern continues to mount. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held urgent calls with officials in Washington and Tehran, urging a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. With fears of a full-scale regional conflict looming, world powers are pressing for immediate de-escalation. Yet with both sides vowing to continue their offensives, prospects for peace remain uncertain.
