Two explosions reported near Espinas Hotel in Tehran

"Immediately leave Haifa and Tel Aviv,” Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces said Tuesday.

“Punitive operations are imminent" he added. Mousavi said earlier strikes were only a deterrent and that the real response is yet to come.

Iran International has learned that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has handed over key powers to the Supreme Council of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), amid a five-day absence from public view.

The move follows reports that Khamenei has been relocated to an underground bunker in Lavizan, northeast Tehran, along with close family members, including his son Mojtaba.

US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

While Iran has not officially declared a state of war, judiciary officials have acknowledged that the country is operating under de facto emergency conditions. The delegation of authority is seen as a precaution to ensure continuity of command if Khamenei is killed.

US President Donald Trump is seriously considering joining the war and launching a US strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, especially its underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordow, Axios reported citing US officials.

Trump will meet with his national security team in the White House Situation Room at 1pm on Tuesday to make a decision on US policy towards the war between Israel and Iran, the report added citing three US officials.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli defense establishment continue to believe the Trump is likely to enter the war in the coming days to bomb Iran's underground enrichment facility, the report said citing two Israeli officials.

US president Donald Trump called for 'unconditional surrender' in an apparent message to Iran's leadership.

Shortly after a post about 'total and complete control' over Iran's skies, Trump wrote on Truth Social, UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!, followed by a stark warning to supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

"We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," the US president said.

"But we don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

The United States is deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East to bolster its military forces in the region as the war between Israel and Iran rages, Reuters reports citing three US officials.

One of the officials said the deployments include F-16, F-22 and F-35 fighter aircraft.

Two of the officials stressed the defensive nature of the deployment of fighter aircraft, which have been used to shoot down drones and projectiles.