The Iran–Israel conflict entered its sixth day on Wednesday with intense missile exchanges between the two nations. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Israel had "made a huge mistake" and would be "punished," while Israel launched fresh airstrikes on Tehran, targeting key installations including the Iranian internal security headquarters and reportedly a Red Crescent facility.

Amid the escalation, US President Donald Trump refused to confirm if he would order a strike on Iran but warned that "our patience is wearing thin." He claimed Iran has "no air defence systems and are defenceless" and reiterated his call for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” Trump also said the US knows Khamenei’s whereabouts but has decided not to target him “for now.”

Air raid sirens sounded multiple times across Israel, including in the north, as Iranian missiles struck Israeli territory. Despite Trump’s hardline stance, Iran denied reaching out to Washington for talks and dismissed his threats as “cowardly,” though reports suggest Iranian officials expressed willingness to negotiate through Qatari and Omani mediators—on the condition that Israel de-escalate.

Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate that the military is “prepared to execute” any presidential order. The US has begun evacuating its citizens from Israel, while the UK has temporarily withdrawn families of its diplomatic staff. Germany, France, and the EU urged Iran to return to nuclear talks, as regional and global concerns over a broader conflict continue to mount.

At least 224 people, including 70 women and children, have been killed in Iran since Israel launched a massive and unprovoked attack on the Islamic Republic on June 13. The attack also killed several of Iran's highest military officials and senior nuclear scientists. Iran's retaliatory missile attacks have wreaked havoc in central and northern Israel, killing at least 24.

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