Missile attacks, airstrikes and jet downing claims deepen crisis across West Asia
April 4, 2026: The Middle East conflict entered its 36th day with heavy destruction reported across multiple regions, as Iran escalated attacks targeting US-linked facilities in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. In Israel, missile strikes hit cities including Haifa and Petah Tikva, damaging industrial areas and injuring over 145 people. The fresh wave of attacks comes after significant damage to Iranian infrastructure, prompting a sharp escalation.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it carried out new offensives under “Operation True Promise 4,” targeting key Israeli locations such as Tel Aviv and Haifa. In response, Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes in Iran’s Alborz Province, triggering massive explosions at ammunition depots. At the same time, Israeli forces stepped up operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, claiming major militant losses.
A key flashpoint remains Iran’s claim of downing a US F-15 jet, with reports suggesting one pilot has been rescued while another remains missing—though there is no full independent confirmation. The United States has proposed a 48-hour ceasefire through mediation efforts, but Iran has rejected the offer. With both sides intensifying military actions, fears of a wider regional war continue to grow.