US and Israel bomb Iran for fourth day as Trump says air defences ‘gone’
US and Israel Bomb Iran for Fourth Day as Trump Claims Air Defences ‘Gone’
The United States and Israel continued their aerial assault on Iranian locations for the fourth consecutive day, with President Donald Trump asserting that Iran’s air defences, military infrastructure, and leadership had been effectively neutralized. Israeli forces targeted the presidential office in Tehran, a hidden nuclear facility, and a Revolutionary Guards commander, while American troops focused on command centers, missile installations, and airfields. Iranian officials remained silent, though reports of explosions emerged across the country, citing casualties of 780 since Saturday.
“We’ve had a very powerful impact. Virtually everything they had has been knocked out now. Their missile count is going down.”
Trump reiterated his goal of dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, naval forces, and nuclear development capacity, while pressuring Iranians to reclaim their government. The US and Israel launched a coordinated strike on Saturday, which reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials. This marked the initial phase of the ongoing campaign.
On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed an attack in Tehran that eliminated the interim commander of the Lebanon Corps within the Quds Force, a key component of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The officer, Daoud Alizadeh, was accused of prompting Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned group, to launch attacks against Israel. The IDF has executed numerous strikes in Lebanon since Monday, following Hezbollah’s cross-border missile and drone assaults.
Meanwhile, the US military’s Central Command stated its operations had destroyed IRGC command facilities, air defence systems, and missile launch sites. The damage to the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, a critical nuclear facility, was also noted. Satellite images released by Vantor revealed significant destruction at the presidential office, alongside the judiciary complex, intelligence ministry, and IRGC headquarters.
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation reported no radioactive material leaks after the “criminal attack,” emphasizing the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed recent damage to Natanz’s entrance structures but noted no radiological risks or further impacts. Natanz, which suffered major losses during a US strike in June’s 12-day conflict, now houses enriched uranium buried underground—a material dual-use for reactor fuel and weapons.
The escalating conflict saw drones strike a Dubai car park near the US consulate and the Saudi embassy in Riyadh, causing fires. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Dubai incident as a “fire in that place,” while Saudi officials noted a “limited fire” at their capital. These attacks followed the initial strikes on Saturday, which Trump claimed eliminated 49 Iranian leaders and targeted “new leadership” without specifics.
When asked about the remaining figures in power, Trump responded: “Most of the people we had in mind are dead.” The lack of Iranian commentary on the attacks underscores the ongoing tension, with retaliation expected as the assault intensifies.