Iran’s top military official has issued a stark warning to residents of Haifa and Tel Aviv, urging them to evacuate ahead of what he described as an imminent “punitive operation.” In a video message broadcast by Iranian state media, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said that recent operations were meant as deterrent warnings, and that a more severe response was forthcoming. He framed the coming escalation as retribution for the deaths of Iranian commanders, scientists, and civilians in Israel’s recent attacks. “The martyrdom of commanders, compatriots and scientists will definitely make the armed forces more determined to carry out the punitive order,” Mousavi said, referencing last week’s Israeli strikes that killed key figures within Iran’s military and nuclear leadership.
As tensions continue to rise, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that loud, continuous explosions have been heard in western Tehran. The blasts follow statements from Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz, who earlier indicated that Israel was preparing to hit “significant targets in Tehran,” signaling a potential escalation of direct strikes in the Iranian capital.
At the same time, Iran’s Cyber Security Command has accused Israel of launching a broad cyber offensive aimed at crippling the country’s digital infrastructure. According to Iran’s state-run IRIB, the cyberattacks were intended to disrupt essential services to Iranian citizens. Authorities claim many of the intrusions have been successfully repelled, though defensive measures remain in place to block further breaches. The cyber campaign is reportedly designed to disable networks that could support military or retaliatory operations. In a related development, FARS news agency confirmed that a cyberattack had disrupted operations at Iran’s Bank Sepah, with an Israel-linked hacking group claiming responsibility and alleging it had “destroyed all of Bank Sepah’s data.”
