Iranian officials and state-aligned media are increasingly calling for direct attacks on Israel, arguing that such strikes would effectively target the United States following the latest wave of U.S. military operations against Iran.

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, warned that President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “crossed Iran’s red lines” and said Tehran must respond with “decisive and appropriate punishment.” Rezaei described retaliation for the deaths of senior Iranian officials as a serious obligation and warned that if assassinations of national leaders become accepted, no country would remain secure.

Meanwhile, Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the hardline Iranian newspaper Kayhan, openly called for attacks on Israel, describing it as “America’s most vulnerable point” in the region. He argued that because Iran cannot currently strike the U.S. mainland with its missiles and drones, it should instead target Israeli infrastructure and strategic sites, claiming such attacks would inflict significant damage on the United States as well.

Shariatmadari also urged continued attacks on U.S. military bases across the Gulf, claiming countries hosting American forces had become partners in the war against Iran. He asserted that striking Israel should be viewed as a direct strike against the United States.

Earlier Sunday, Iranian parliament National Security Committee spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei claimed Iran had taken control of the Strait of Hormuz and intended to maintain that control by force.

In recent hours, Al Arabiya reported that Iran renewed missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. The four Gulf nations activated their air defense systems and implemented heightened security measures in response.

Sabereen News, a media outlet affiliated with Iran, published a list of alleged targets struck during the latest exchanges, including Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Sheikh Port in Kuwait, the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and the Al Juffair area in Bahrain, Duqm Port in Oman and U.S. military fuel storage facilities.

Britain’s maritime security agency warned that the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains “severe” and advised commercial vessels to exercise extreme caution while transiting the strategic waterway.

Pakistan and India separately called for de-escalation as tensions continue to rise following the reported attack on the container ship GFS Galaxy near the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia also strongly condemned Iran’s actions, accusing Tehran of undermining regional security and violating international law.

The developments come after the U.S. military carried out its third major wave of strikes against Iran in the past week. According to U.S. Central Command, approximately 140 targets were struck overnight, following previous operations targeting roughly 80 and 90 sites. Iranian media reported that some of the latest strikes hit locations far beyond the Strait of Hormuz region.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Iranian leaders now view control of the Strait of Hormuz as more valuable than tens of billions of dollars in potential sanctions relief. Officials in Tehran reportedly believe that despite suffering heavy military losses, the regime has emerged from the conflict stronger and has reinforced its position as a dominant regional power.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC).