Iran has said it will carry out another military operation against Israel, according to state media agencies.
Brigadier General Ali Fazli of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), said that a third operation against Israel, known as “True Promise III,” will be carried out “on schedule.”
Newsweek has reached out to the Israeli Defence Forces for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The latest threat comes at a time that Iran is itself preparing for a potential Israeli attack against its nuclear installations. Iran and Israel traded tit-for-tat strikes prompted by the Gaza war and the latest IRGC announcement underscores that it still needs to hit back in response to Israel’s most recent raid.
In this image provided Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, by Sepahnews of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, a missile is launched as a part of the guard’s drill from the coast of the Persian Gulf.
In this image provided Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, by Sepahnews of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, a missile is launched as a part of the guard’s drill from the coast of the Persian Gulf.
Sepahnews/AP Photo
What to Know
On April 13, 2024, Iran launched a large-scale missile attack on Israeli targets, “True Promise I,” marking Iran’s first direct military engagement with Israel in decades. The strikes followed the April 1 Israeli bombing of Iran’s diplomatic mission in Syria, which killed several Iranian officials and military officers.
Iran expanded its operations with a second round of strikes on October 1, targeting Israeli military facilities. Israel then retaliated with airstrikes later that same month. Satellite imagery suggested Iran’s military infrastructure suffered significant damage.
Tensions appeared to cool somewhat after that, but the latest comment points to the threat of renewed action. “The first and second phases of the Operation True Promise have been completed, and the third phase will be carried out on schedule,” Fazali said.
Netanyahu wants to “Finish the Job”
Earlier this month, during a visit from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would “finish the job” against Iran with U.S. support.
Meanwhile, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said Iran had enriched enough uranium to build a “couple of bombs” and that time was running out. “I think that in order to stop a nuclear Iranian program before it will be weaponised, a reliable military option should be on the table,” he said, in an article published by Politico.
Tehran says that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and denies any intention of developing atomic weapons.
Rockets fly over Jerusalem on Oct. 1, 2024, as Iran launches ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killings of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, and others.
Rockets fly over Jerusalem on Oct. 1, 2024, as Iran launches ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killings of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, and others.
Kyodo/AP Photo
Trump Prefers Diplomacy
While President Donald Trump has expressed a preference for diplomacy with Iran, Washington’s military presence in the region signals a readiness for further escalation. Earlier this month, Trump fully reinstated his administration’s “maximum pressure” policy of economic sanctions, aiming to choke Tehran’s ability to fund military operations by eliminating its crude oil exports.
On Thursday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is open to talks with the U.S. but that it would not negotiate under pressure.
What People Are Saying
Negar Mortazavi, Senior Fellow, Center for International Policy told Newsweek: “Iran and Israel have been engaged in a shadow war for years, but since last year, the war came out of the shadows in two episodes of back and forth direct attacks.”
Brigadier General Fazli, IRGC stated: “The first and second phases of the Operation True Promise have been completed, and the third phase will be carried out on schedule.”
What Happens Next
With the latest IRGC announcement, tensions between Iran and Israel are expected to escalate. Iranian military leaders have indicated that future operations will be contingent on Israel’s actions, raising concerns over the potential for wider regional conflict.