Israel Raises Alert as Iran Expands Attacks Across the Region, Officials Say

Israeli officials confirmed Thursday evening that they are "closely monitoring the escalation in the Gulf region and the Iranian attacks against targets in neighboring countries." The officials added that "the current assessment is that the conflict is not expected to spill over into Israel at this stage and remains, for now, confined to the confrontation between the United States and Iran. Nevertheless, we are prepared for escalation and have raised our level of alert."

Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed the situation during the Israeli Air Force graduation ceremony, saying, "The IDF is on high alert and prepared to resume the campaign, regain aerial superiority, and carry out Israeli strikes in Iran to eliminate threats — even for a third time. If we have to return, we will return with even greater force."

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir added, "At this very moment, we are closely monitoring developments in Iran and Lebanon and are prepared to act immediately. Anyone who attempts to harm us will be met with a powerful response."

Earlier in the afternoon, Iran launched ten ballistic missiles at Jordan's Muwaffaq Al Salti Air Base, where American forces are stationed, according to Jordanian media reports. Eight of the missiles were intercepted, and no casualties were reported. This marked Iran's second attack toward Jordanian territory since the morning.

An Iraqi television channel affiliated with the Iran-backed Shiite axis reported that sirens sounded at a U.S. military base in Baghdad amid Iran's attacks on American forces across the region.

The New York Times reported Thursday evening that the U.S. military has struck more than 170 Iranian military targets over the past two days, including air defense systems, drone and missile storage facilities, military boats, and logistical infrastructure along the coast near the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the report, the strikes were intended to weaken Iran's ability to target commercial shipping passing through the strategic waterway. Iranian authorities also confirmed that a U.S. missile struck an area near the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

(Photo credit: Section 27A of the Israeli Copyright Law)

Meanwhile, a funeral ceremony for Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed by Israel at the start of Operation Rising Lion, was held Thursday evening in the city of Mashhad. During the ceremony, members of the crowd raised signs calling to "Kill Trump."