Israel Pledges to Intensify and Expand Strikes on Iran as Tehran Warns Civilians Near U.S. Sites to Evacuate

(SeaPRwire) –   On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel plans to “intensify and expand” its military operations against Iran. This declaration coincided with a warning from Iranian forces advising civilians located near U.S. military installations to evacuate in anticipation of possible attacks.

These reciprocal threats came after a fresh Iranian missile salvo early Friday, which Israeli authorities reported was intercepted by its defense systems over the central and southern regions of the country.

“Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] and I issued a warning to the Iranian terror regime to cease its missile attacks targeting the civilian population in Israel,” Katz stated in a release covered by Israeli news outlets.

“Despite these warnings, the attacks have persisted. Consequently, strikes by the Israel Defense Forces within Iran will be intensified and broadened to include additional targets and sectors that support the regime in manufacturing and deploying weapons against Israeli civilians,” he continued.

Katz stated that Iran would face “heavy and increasing prices” for its assaults.

Escalating threats between Israel and Iran

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released its own warning on Friday morning, calling on civilians in the vicinity of American military bases in the region to depart.

The communiqué, disseminated by Iranian state media, alleged that the U.S. and Israel operate from within civilian zones and declared that Iranian forces would strike them “wherever we find them.”

“As it is our responsibility to eradicate the terrorist forces of the U.S. and the usurping (Zionist) regime, who indiscriminately kill Iranian civilians and carry out assassinations, wherever we find them, we advise you to promptly vacate the areas housing American forces to prevent any injury to you,” the statement said.

This escalation unfolds as President Donald Trump announced he would postpone planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6.

“Discussions are continuing and, contrary to incorrect reports from the fake news media and others, they are proceeding very well,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Cease-fire talks and competing proposals

The delay follows accounts that the U.S. administration forwarded a 15-point cease-fire plan to Iran through Pakistan, a proposal that Iranian state media claims was turned down.

Tehran has presented its own set of demands, which include war reparations and control over the Strait of Hormuz—a vital shipping lane linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

In a Wednesday interview, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that messages are being exchanged but refrained from labeling the process as negotiations.

“I firmly declare that there has been no negotiation or dialogue with the American side,” he said.

“Nevertheless, in recent days, the American side has started to send various messages through different intermediaries; messages being relayed via our friendly nations, and us replying by stating our stances or delivering necessary warnings, is not termed negotiation or dialogue, it is merely an exchange of messages through our friends.”

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Trump claimed that Iran is eager to reach an agreement.

“They’re begging to make a deal, and anybody that saw what was happening over there would understand why they want to make a deal,” he stated.

Israel reported on Friday that it had hit an Iranian facility involved in the production of missiles and sea mines, which was used for the “planning, development, assembly, and storage of advanced missiles” aimed at maritime targets.

Israel says it killed Iran navy chief

The Israeli military also claimed it killed IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri in a strike on Thursday. The IDF stated that Tangsiri was a key figure in operations to block shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed since the conflict started, contributing to instability in energy markets. Iran has not yet verified the commander’s death.

International pressure is growing on both the United States and Iran to reach a settlement to stop the war.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in France for a G7 foreign ministers meeting centered on the conflict and the Strait of Hormuz, but he rejected the idea that U.S. policy would be influenced by its allies.

“I’m not there to make them happy,” Rubio told reporters on Thursday before the meeting. “For all the countries who care about international law, they should be doing something about it.”