US and Israel bomb Iran for fourth day as Trump says air defences ‘gone’
US and Israel Bomb Iran for Fourth Day as Trump Claims Air Defences ‘Gone’
For the fourth consecutive day, the United States and Israel have targeted various locations in Iran, according to military reports. President Donald Trump asserted that Iran’s air defences, air force, navy, and leadership were “gone” following the strikes. Israeli forces confirmed attacks on the presidential office, a secret nuclear facility, and a Revolutionary Guards commander in Tehran, while U.S. military actions reportedly focused on command centers, missile sites, and airfields.
Iranian Response and Casualties
Explosions were reported nationwide in Iran, where the Red Crescent stated 780 individuals had died since the conflict began on Saturday. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israel and Gulf nations with U.S. bases, including an attack on a Dubai car park near the U.S. consulate that ignited a fire. This followed drone strikes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which damaged the U.S. embassy and sparked a limited fire, as per the Saudi defense ministry.
Initial Strikes and Trump’s Claims
The joint operation began on Saturday, with the U.S. and Israel targeting Iran’s leadership. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed in the initial wave. Trump emphasized the goal of dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and its naval forces, while also targeting its nuclear development infrastructure and support for regional proxy groups. He urged Iranians to “take back your government” through the attacks.
“We’ve had a very powerful impact. Virtually everything they had has been knocked out now. Their missile count is going down,” Trump stated at the White House.
Trump further claimed that 49 Iranian leaders were eliminated in the first strike and that another blow had been delivered to the “new leadership,” though specifics were not provided. When asked about the remaining leaders, he replied, “Most of the people we had in mind are dead.”
Targeting Revolutionary Guards and Nuclear Facilities
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported striking the temporary commander of the Lebanon Corps within the Quds Force, a key component of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The officer, Daoud Alizadeh, was accused of directing Hezbollah to attack Israel. The IDF also targeted a covert compound near Tehran, alleging it housed scientists working on nuclear weapon capabilities.
Iranian authorities have not issued public comments, but they have consistently maintained that their nuclear program is peaceful. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted satellite images confirmed “some recent damage” to the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, though no radiological impact was expected. The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) reported no radioactive material leaks after the attack.
Although the U.S. and Israel did not confirm strikes on Natanz in recent days, the facility was heavily damaged during a previous June operation. Enriched uranium, which can be used for both reactor fuel and nuclear weapons, is believed to be buried underground there.
