US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned of a possible escalation in military strikes against Iran, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that his country would never surrender despite a new wave of coordinated air attacks by the United States and Israel.
The latest bombardment triggered fires at facilities around Tehran, including the city’s Mehrabad International Airport, one of the two major airports serving the Iranian capital. Images captured before dawn showed flames and thick smoke rising from the airport complex following the strikes.
Israeli officials confirmed that the operation included some of the most extensive raids since the aerial campaign began a week ago. According to the Israeli military, the strikes targeted a military academy, an underground command centre and a missile storage facility.
Trump signaled that further attacks could follow, issuing a warning through his Truth Social platform.
> “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” Trump posted.
He added: “Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time.”
Iran Rejects Calls for ‘Unconditional Surrender’
In Tehran, Pezeshkian responded defiantly during a televised address carried by state television, appearing to reply to Trump’s earlier demand that Iran agree to “unconditional surrender.”
Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” Pezeshkian said.
Despite days of heavy bombardment targeting its military infrastructure, Iran demonstrated it still possesses significant strike capability. Authorities across the region reported missile launches and drone attacks on Saturday.
Air raid sirens and explosions were reported above Jerusalem, while alerts were also issued in Gulf cities including Dubai and Manama, as well as areas near Riyadh. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at an air base hosting US military personnel.
The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems intercepted 15 ballistic missiles and 119 drones on Saturday. However, video footage circulating online appeared to show a projectile striking near Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international passenger traffic in normal times.
Footage verified by AFP showed an explosion near an airport building and several parked aircraft as a train passed nearby.
Meanwhile, Jordan accused Iran of launching attacks targeting critical infrastructure within its territory over the past week. Military spokesman Mustafa Hayari said the country had faced 119 missiles and drones during that period.
Pezeshkian also sought to reassure neighbouring Gulf states that host major US military bases, apologising for the growing regional tensions.
He said their territories would only be targeted if they were used as launch points for attacks against Iran.
Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had also fired on the oil tanker Prima as it attempted to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy shipments that Tehran has effectively closed amid the escalating confrontation.
The widening conflict has raised fears of further instability across the Middle East, with military actions now stretching from Iran to multiple Gulf states and key international shipping routes.