• Israel signals intent to intensify military campaign against Iran, targeting key regime and military sites in Tehran.
  • Escalation follows Iranian missile attacks that killed 13 and wounded hundreds in Israel over three days.
  • U.S. reinforces regional military presence amid fears of broader conflict spillover.

Israel Escalates Response to Iranian Attacks

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning Thursday that Israel will strike "significant targets" in Tehran today, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two nations. The announcement comes after Iranian missile barrages killed at least 13 people and wounded around 400 in Israel over the past 72 hours, according to Israeli officials.

Israeli airstrikes have already targeted Iranian military installations, economic hubs, and internal security infrastructure in recent days. But Katz's statement suggests a shift toward higher-value targets within the Iranian capital itself—a move that could dramatically raise the stakes in this conflict.

Economic and Strategic Targets in Focus

People familiar with Israeli military planning say the strikes are designed to degrade Iran's capacity to sustain its military and nuclear programs while deterring further attacks. "This isn't just about retaliation; it's about altering the regime's calculus," said one source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The U.S. has rapidly deployed additional military assets to the region, including aircraft carriers and refueling planes, signaling concerns about potential spillover effects on global energy markets and trade routes. Oil prices surged following Katz's announcement, with Brent crude climbing over 3% in early trading.

Regime Stability in Question

Some analysts suggest sustained Israeli strikes could test the Iranian government's grip on power. "There's growing unrest inside Iran, and these attacks may accelerate that," said a regional security expert who requested anonymity. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly warned Iranian leaders privately that their regime's survival could be at risk if the conflict continues to escalate.

Israeli officials maintain they are taking precautions to avoid civilian casualties in Tehran, but the anticipated strikes are expected to cause significant disruption. Attempts to reach Iranian government spokespeople for comment were unsuccessful.

Correction

An earlier version of this article misstated the number of wounded in Israeli strikes. The correct figure is approximately 400.