The United States-Israel war on Iran entered its 12th day on Wednesday, marked by intensified missile strikes, expanding regional tensions, and reports that Washington may be redeploying parts of its advanced missile defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East.
Overnight, powerful explosions were reported in central Tehran following what Iranian authorities described as a “massive wave” of Israeli airstrikes. Iranian officials accused Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure.
According to the Iranian Red Crescent, a residential building was struck in the attacks, leaving rescue teams searching through the rubble for survivors.
Tehran says the conflict has already inflicted heavy damage across the country. Iranian officials claim that nearly 10,000 civilian sites have been bombed since the start of the war and that more than 1,300 civilians have been killed. Among the latest targets reportedly hit was Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, which came under bombardment late Tuesday night.
In response, Iran launched a new wave of retaliatory attacks. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it carried out its 37th wave of missile strikes, firing what it described as “super-heavy Khoramshahr missiles” in multilayered barrages lasting more than three hours. The missiles reportedly targeted Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and West Jerusalem, as well as US military facilities in Erbil in Iraq and Gulf locations such as Manama in Bahrain.
Meanwhile, the United States confirmed it had conducted additional strikes inside Iran. The commander of US Central Command, Lt. Gen. Brad Cooper, said American forces recently struck a “large ballistic missile manufacturing facility” as part of ongoing operations against Iranian military infrastructure.
“We are methodically dismantling their capabilities by targeting Iranian missiles and drones while also striking their defense industrial base,” Cooper said in an update on the US operation. “It’s not just about what’s shooting at us today. It’s also about eliminating the threat in the future.”
According to Cooper, US forces have struck more than 5,500 targets across Iran since the start of the war, including over 60 ships. He also said US strikes had destroyed the final vessel in Iran’s Soleimani-class warships, effectively removing the entire class from combat.
American forces have also intensified aerial operations aimed at weakening Iran’s ability to threaten shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Cooper said waves of advanced fighter aircraft have been conducting continuous strike operations to maintain pressure on Iranian military capabilities.
As the conflict widens, reports have emerged that the United States may be repositioning elements of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from South Korea to the Middle East. Video circulating online appears to show military trucks believed to be transporting THAAD launchers moving through Soseong-ri near a radar base roughly 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
The footage was shared by the activist group “THAAD Withdrawal Peace Meeting,” which opposes the deployment of the missile defense system in the region. Military analysts say the vehicles resemble those used to transport THAAD launchers, though the contents have not been officially confirmed.
Sources cited in US media reports say interceptors from a THAAD battery could be relocated to the Middle East in the coming weeks as tensions escalate. The system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at altitudes between 40 and 150 kilometers and has long been considered one of the US military’s most advanced missile defense platforms.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung acknowledged the reports, stating that while Seoul opposes the relocation of US air defense assets, it ultimately cannot prevent such decisions by the United States. He also assured the public that the move would not weaken the country’s deterrence posture against North Korea.
The widening conflict has also triggered reactions from other global powers. China condemned attacks on Gulf states and urged an immediate halt to hostilities. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing opposes strikes on civilians and non-military targets and would continue working with all parties to reduce tensions and restore stability in the region.
The current war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, describing the operation as a preemptive action and the name of the operation is “Operation Epic Fury”. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli territory and US bases across the Middle East, pushing the region into one of its most dangerous escalations in years.
