Iran launched a fresh round of strikes on Israel on Tuesday, state television reported, marking the fifth consecutive day of escalating hostilities, as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed they have "control over the skies" of Iran.
"The tenth wave of Operation Honest Promise 3 against the occupied territories (Israel) has begun," Iranian state TV said, with the Tasnim news agency reporting that the new barrage consisted of "drone and missile attacks" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Trump said Tuesday that "we" have control of the skies over Iran as questions grew over whether the United States will join Israel's strikes against Tehran.
"We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran," Trump said on Truth Social, hailing the use of U.S.-made weaponry, although without explicitly mentioning Israel. "Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA."
The chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces has urged people to leave the major Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The residents are advised to "leave these areas to save their lives," Abdolrahim Mousavi said on Tuesday, according to the Iranian news agency Fars. "Punitive actions" are imminent, he said. The call has not yet been commented on by Israel.
The threat came after first Israel and then U.S. President Donald Trump warned residents of Tehran to evacuate, turning some neighbourhoods in the city of millions into virtual ghost towns.
The number of people killed in attacks in Israel since Friday is 24. More than 600 people have been injured since then, according to an Israeli spokeswoman. In Iran, more than 200 people were killed in Israeli attacks, including journalists and Red Crescent aid workers.
