Trump pictured against backdrop of explosion over a city amid escalating Iran conflict
The US–Israel war on Iran entered its 35th day on Friday, April 3, with US President Donald Trump signalling further escalation even as Iranian missiles struck central Israel, triggering air defence responses and widening the regional conflict.
US President Donald Trump said Iran’s “new regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, fast”, warning that Washington could intensify its military campaign.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US military had “not even started destroying what’s left in Iran”, adding that bridges had already been targeted and that power plants could be next.
The remarks point to a potential next phase in the conflict as hostilities expand across multiple fronts.
Iranian missiles struck central Israel, causing casualties and damage across more than nine locations in the Greater Tel Aviv area. Air raid sirens sounded across central regions following the detection of incoming projectiles, while alerts were also activated in the Upper Galilee after launches from Lebanon.
Israel’s military said its air defence systems were operating to intercept the attacks, as additional missiles were detected heading towards Israeli territory.
The Israeli military said a new wave of missiles had been launched from Iran towards its territory, with air defence systems actively working to intercept the incoming projectiles.
The development marks a further escalation in ongoing hostilities, as repeated exchanges between the two sides continue to heighten tensions across the region.
According to Haaretz, shrapnel from a cluster missile fell across multiple sites in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, adding to the scale of destruction.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had targeted Israeli military-industrial facilities and troop deployment centres in Tel Aviv and Eilat.
The IRGC also said it had shot down a drone over Qazvin in northern Iran.
US intelligence assessments cited by CNN suggested that about half of Iran’s missile launch platforms remain intact, with Tehran still possessing thousands of suicide drones.
The IRGC said it carried out a new wave of strikes under what it described as the 91st phase of “Operation True Promise 4”, targeting US-linked military assets across the Gulf region.
It claimed ballistic missile strikes on US personnel near a base in the UAE and said it launched cruise missiles at the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean, alongside drone strikes on US assets in Kuwait.
Yemen’s Houthi group said it launched a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting what it described as “vital Israeli” sites, in coordination with Iran and Hezbollah.
The group said its involvement could expand depending on developments.
The group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said it carried out five attacks on US bases in the past 24 hours and 23 operations overall using dozens of drones.
A US strike on a bridge near Tehran was reportedly carried out in two phases, with the second hit occurring about an hour after the first, as emergency responders were assisting the wounded.
The incident has raised concerns over attacks affecting civilian infrastructure and rescue operations.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations with the United States were “over forever”, calling the experience a “bitter betrayal”.
He said trust had been “completely” eroded and that the war had effectively shut the door on diplomacy.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Randy George to step down.
A Pentagon official said General George had been asked to take early retirement.
Hezbollah said it launched missile and rocket attacks targeting Israeli forces in settlements including Malkiya and Dishon, alongside an explosive device attack in southern Lebanon.
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom is preparing a “final wave of evacuations” from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, seeking a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the operation.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior urged residents to remain calm and move to safe locations after sirens sounded twice within an hour.
The Dubai Government has dismissed reports that Iran’s IRGC targeted a data centre belonging to Oracle, calling the claims “fake news”.
Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones, with explosions linked to defensive operations. Authorities also dismissed reports of a radiation leak.
The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a Bahrain-backed draft resolution to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, though China has signalled opposition to any use-of-force mandate.
Shipping data showed unusual routes in the Strait of Hormuz, with vessels moving outside Iran’s designated corridor.
Iran is also drafting a proposal with Oman to monitor vessel traffic and ensure safer navigation.
Emergency medical needs in Iran are rising sharply, with trauma supplies at risk of depletion if the conflict continues.
The economic fallout of the conflict is becoming increasingly visible. Amazon will impose a 3.5 per cent fuel and logistics surcharge starting April 17.
This post was last modified on April 3, 2026 9:20 am