Israel’s military has announced preparations for a potentially extended conflict with Iran, while Tehran’s top diplomat warned that any U.S. military involvement in the confrontation would carry “very, very dangerous” consequences for all parties involved.
The threat of a broader regional escalation looms. Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen issued a warning on Saturday, threatening to resume attacks on U.S. vessels and warships in the Red Sea should the United States join Israel’s military operations. The group had suspended these attacks in May following a temporary agreement with Washington.
Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to Israel confirmed the commencement of “assisted departure flights” for American citizens — the first such evacuations since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In overnight operations, the Israeli military said it targeted and struck an Iranian nuclear research site in Isfahan province, claiming to have eliminated three senior Iranian commanders. According to the military, the strike aimed at a centrifuge production facility — the same site reportedly targeted on the war's first day.
Isfahan’s deputy governor for security affairs, Akbar Salehi, confirmed that the facility sustained damage. The International Atomic Energy Agency also verified the attack, stating that the site was “extensively damaged,” though it noted there was no indication of off-site radioactive contamination.
In retaliation, Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel, but reports indicated minimal damage. An unnamed senior Israeli military official estimated that over half of Iran’s missile launch infrastructure has been destroyed.
“We’re making it harder for them to fire toward Israel,” the official stated.
Israeli military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin added that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has instructed the armed forces to prepare for a “prolonged campaign,” signaling the likelihood of sustained military engagement in the region.