Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, has called on residents of Tel Aviv and Haifa to evacuate “to save their lives,” warning of imminent punitive strikes in response to Israel’s recent attacks on Iranian territory.

In a televised statement, Mousavi declared that Iran’s previous missile operations were merely deterrent measures, and that the “real punitive operation” is yet to come.

He accused Israel of committing war crimes by targeting civilians, including women, children, and journalists, and warned that the Zionist regime would pay for its actions.

The warning follows five consecutive days of hostilities, which began with Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, including a direct hit on the IRIB state broadcaster, killing dozens. In response, Iran has launched multiple waves of missile attacks on Israeli cities, including Haifa and Tel Aviv, damaging infrastructure and prompting air raid sirens across the country.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump urged residents of Tehran to evacuate, echoing Israeli warnings and fueling panic in the Iranian capital. Traffic jams and mass departures have overwhelmed Tehran’s infrastructure, which lacks the civil defense systems available in Israel, such as the Iron Dome.

While the United States continues to back Israel, countries like Russia and China have called for restraint. The United Nations is attempting to mediate, but so far, efforts have failed to halt the escalation.

IN THIS ARTICLE