Amid the ongoing 2026 US-Israel-Iran conflict—sparked by the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missiles carrying cluster munitions at Israel on the 17th day, damaging eight central sites and hospitalizing 142 people. Israeli media reported fragments in greater Tel Aviv.
The military confrontation between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began in early March 2026 following US and Israeli strikes that killed Ayatollah Khamenei, entered its 17th day with intensified exchanges. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced missile attacks on Israel under the 55th wave of “Operation True Promise 4,” also targeting US facilities at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, and Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
Israeli media reported cluster munitions in some missiles, causing damage at eight central sites. Israel's Health Ministry reported 142 hospitalizations in the past 24 hours. Missile fragments hit a house in Shoham near Ben Gurion Airport, damaging property but causing no casualties, according to social media videos. Channels 12 and 13 noted cluster warheads across greater Tel Aviv.
Iran faced counterstrikes: explosions in Tehran from Israeli attacks on a satellite-targeting facility, and US Central Command precision strikes inside Iran, including over 6,000 combat missions, destruction of warships, and hits on 19 targets on Kharg Island last Friday.
Gulf states bolstered defenses: Qatar intercepted a missile and raised alerts; Bahrain downed 129 missiles and 215 drones since February 28; Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones. In the UAE, a Palestinian died in a missile strike on a civilian vehicle in Abu Dhabi, and a drone fire near Dubai airport was extinguished without casualties.
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, though tanker Karachi transited under escort. IRGC warned attacks on Kharg Island would disrupt energy prices. President Trump described operations in Iran as progressing 'very well.' Iran claimed over 61,000 civilian facilities damaged, with US war costs at $12 billion.
