Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched the 86th wave of Operation True Promise 4 at dawn Sunday, calling it a "harsh response" to attacks by the "American-Zionist axis" on Iran’s industrial centres and part of ongoing strikes on US-linked industries in the Gulf.
The IRGC said ballistic missiles hit the Neot Hovav industrial park near Beersheba, causing successive explosions and plunging the area into a total blackout. It also claimed strikes on Israeli military sites in the Negev, the Northern Command, and government security centres in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as well as US bases at Camp Victory in Iraq, Arifjan in Kuwait, and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Sites linked to the Komala party, a Kurdish group, were also targeted in Iraq, the statement added.
The multi-phase operation involved joint missile and drone strikes by the IRGC Aerospace and Naval forces. The first phase targeted "enemies’ aerial and UAV assets, ammunition depots, and hideouts in the region." Subsequent strikes hit the hideouts of "terrorist forces" across Israel, including Tel Aviv and the Negev.
In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, Israel’s Home Front Command told residents near Beersheba to stay indoors, close windows, and turn off air conditioning. A hazardous chemical event was declared, and factory workers were ordered to remain in safe areas, Reuters reported.
Israel’s fire and rescue service confirmed a blaze broke out in Neot Hovav, likely caused by debris from an intercepted missile, Reuters reported. Thirty-four firefighting crews battled the industrial fire for hours before bringing it under control.
Images and video from the scene showed a massive fireball and thick black smoke as firefighters worked to prevent the blaze from spreading.
Israel's medical emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA), reported that 11 people were injured by flying debris and shockwaves from the missile strike, while 20 others were treated for acute anxiety. All 31 individuals were evacuated to Soroka Medical Centre, with one worker treated for minor smoke inhalation.
Despite earlier concerns, Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection later confirmed that no toxic threat to the public was detected. On-site checks found no chemical leaks at the plant, and regional stay-at-home orders were lifted, according to the Times of Israel.
The Israeli army assessed that the damage was caused by a large fragment from an intercepted ballistic missile rather than a direct warhead hit.
The Negev Desert, home to the ADAMA plant, is known for chemical factories, including those producing insecticides and herbicides.
Earlier on Sunday, Al Mayadeen TV reported that Iran launched three missile strikes targeting Dimona, Beersheba, and Tel Aviv, while the Israeli military confirmed detecting missile launches from Iran. Multiple waves of missiles were fired at Israel on Sunday, though no damage or injuries were reported until the fire broke out in Beersheba.
US‑Israeli warplanes bombed Iranian industrial sites on Friday, severely damaging Khuzestan Steel Company and Mobarakeh Steel Company, two of Iran’s largest and most strategic steel factories.
Following the strikes, Tehran identified six steel plants in Israel and five in other Middle Eastern countries as potential targets for retaliatory attacks, including facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, according to Tasnim News Agency, which is linked to Iran’s IRGC.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that the Israeli attacks, which targeted steel factories, a power plant, and civilian nuclear sites, were conducted in coordination with the US and contradicted US President Donald Trump’s deadline for diplomacy.
"Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy," he said, adding that Tehran "will exact a heavy price for Israeli crimes."
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