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Tag: Middle East conflict escalation

  • Confusion Grows Over Iran War as Trump Claims Victory While U.S. Forces Continue Deploying

    Confusion Grows Over Iran War as Trump Claims Victory While U.S. Forces Continue Deploying

    Three weeks into the joint U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, the conflict has entered a phase marked by mixed signals, with statements from Donald Trump often appearing at odds with developments on the ground.

    Trump has described the war as “very complete, pretty much,” and suggested the conflict is “winding down.” However, U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iranian targets continue, and additional American forces are being deployed to the region, including a Marine expeditionary unit.

    Despite claims that Iran’s military capabilities have been largely destroyed, Iranian drones and missiles continue to strike targets across the region. Some attacks have reportedly reached as far as the joint U.S.-UK base on Diego Garcia, demonstrating that Iran still retains operational capacity.

    In a detailed post on his Truth Social platform, Trump outlined what he said were the United States’ core objectives in the war. These include degrading or destroying Iran’s military and defense infrastructure, dismantling its nuclear program, and protecting American allies in the Middle East.

    Notably absent from the list was securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20 percent of global oil exports pass. Trump suggested that safeguarding the waterway should be handled by countries more dependent on Gulf oil shipments.

    While the administration initially spoke about forcing “unconditional surrender” or pushing for regime change in Tehran, Trump’s latest remarks appear to step back from those goals. The possibility remains that the conflict could end with Iran’s current leadership still in power and its oil exports continuing.

    At the same time, military movements suggest the war could escalate further. A U.S. Marine expeditionary unit of around 2,500 troops has reportedly been dispatched from Japan to the Middle East, while another similar force has departed from California.

    Analysts have speculated that the United States could consider targeting Kharg Island, a key hub for Iranian crude exports. Seizing or disabling the facility could dramatically cut Iran’s oil revenue and increase pressure on Tehran during negotiations.

    Iran has warned that such a move would trigger retaliation, including threats to shipping in the Red Sea and attacks on regional energy infrastructure.

    The financial cost of the conflict is also becoming a major issue in Washington. Reports indicate the Trump administration may seek up to $200 billion in emergency funding from Congress to sustain the military operation.

    Members of Congress, including some Republicans, have responded cautiously. Chip Roy said lawmakers would need far more details about the mission and its funding before approving such a request.

    With military deployments increasing, strikes continuing, and political goals shifting, analysts say the conflict has reached a pivotal moment. Whether the war moves toward de-escalation or a broader confrontation remains uncertain.

  • Trump Says He Won’t Make a Deal With Iran as War Escalates and Missile Strikes Continue

    Trump Says He Won’t Make a Deal With Iran as War Escalates and Missile Strikes Continue

    Donald Trump has declared that he has no interest in negotiating with Iran, claiming recent U.S. military operations have already achieved their objectives in the ongoing conflict.

    In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States had effectively crippled Iran’s military capabilities. Responding to analysis questioning the results of the campaign, he wrote that the U.S. had “blown Iran off the map” and insisted the mission was completed “weeks ahead of schedule.”

    “Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defense and they want to make a deal. I don’t,” Trump stated.

    His comments come as violence continues across the region. Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom reported that at least 75 people were being treated after a missile strike in the southern Israeli city of Arad. Among the injured were ten people in severe condition, while others sustained moderate and minor injuries.

    Rescue teams evacuated casualties to nearby hospitals using intensive care ambulances and military helicopters, according to the emergency service.

    Meanwhile, Iranian officials signaled that the conflict could be entering a new stage. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran may soon begin implementing “next pre-planned strategies,” suggesting the war could escalate further.

    Military analysts warn that Iran still retains some missile capabilities despite weeks of bombardment by U.S. and Israeli forces. Experts say certain Iranian missiles could theoretically reach targets far beyond the Middle East, though they note the country likely has a limited supply and that such weapons can be inaccurate at long distances.

    The ongoing confrontation has heightened tensions across the region and raised concerns among global security experts about the potential for wider escalation.

  • Iran Launches New Missile Barrage on Israel as Trump Vows to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

    Iran Launches New Missile Barrage on Israel as Trump Vows to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

    Missiles launched from Iran toward Israel triggered air raid sirens across several parts of the country on Saturday, according to the Israeli military, as the regional conflict continues to intensify.

    The Israel Defense Forces said multiple projectiles were fired toward Israeli territory in a new wave of attacks. Air defense systems were activated to intercept the incoming missiles, while residents in affected areas were instructed to immediately enter shelters.

    Sirens were reported in Jerusalem and other locations across Israel. Authorities also confirmed injuries in the southern city of Eilat following the latest strikes, although details on the extent of casualties were not immediately released.

    The latest missile barrage comes amid escalating military exchanges between Iran and Israel, with the broader conflict now entering a prolonged and increasingly dangerous phase.

    At the same time, tensions are rising around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically important maritime routes in the world. United States President Donald Trump said Washington is determined to ensure the waterway remains open for international shipping.

    In a message posted on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared that the United States would ensure the strait becomes “open, safe, and free,” warning that action would be taken “one way or the other.”

    He urged major global powers including China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to send naval forces to help secure the crucial shipping route. According to Trump, multiple countries are expected to deploy warships to protect vessels traveling through the narrow corridor.

    In the meantime, he said the United States military would continue attacking Iranian positions along the coastline and targeting Iranian naval assets in the area.

    Trump also claimed that U.S. military operations had already destroyed the majority of Iran’s military capabilities. However, he acknowledged that Iran still retains the ability to deploy drones, naval mines and short-range missile systems.

    Iran quickly rejected the claims. Tehran’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahrani, dismissed the statements as fabricated and insisted that Iran’s military capabilities remain intact.

    The Strait of Hormuz sits between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula and serves as one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Roughly 20 percent of global oil supplies move through the passage, making it critical to international energy markets.

    On average, about 3,000 ships travel through the strait each month. In 2025 alone, approximately 20 million barrels of oil passed through the narrow waterway every day, making any disruption a major concern for global trade and energy prices.

    Since the start of the conflict, several ships have reportedly been attacked in the area, while Iran’s new supreme leader recently suggested that Tehran could continue using the threat of blocking the strait as leverage in the conflict.

    Meanwhile, Iran says the war has taken a heavy toll on its civilian infrastructure and population.

    Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said more than 200 students and teachers have been killed since the war began, and at least 120 schools have been severely damaged during airstrikes.

    Iran’s Ministry of Education previously reported that 206 students and teachers had died and another 161 were injured in the attacks.

    The Iranian Red Crescent Society also released updated figures on the broader damage across the country. According to the organization, more than 42,900 civilian properties have been damaged so far during the conflict.

    Of those, approximately 36,489 are residential buildings and more than 6,000 are commercial properties. Around 10,000 damaged structures are located in the capital, Tehran.

    Authorities also reported damage to the iconic Azadi Tower in Tehran, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

    The Red Crescent added that about 160 medical, health and emergency facilities across Iran have been severely damaged since the start of the war, further complicating humanitarian and relief efforts.

    As missile exchanges continue and tensions rise across the region, international observers warn that the conflict risks expanding further, with potential consequences for global security, energy markets and civilian populations across the Middle East.

  • Iran Accused of Attacks in UAE and Bahrain as Israeli Strikes Leave Tehran Covered in Smoke

    Iran Accused of Attacks in UAE and Bahrain as Israeli Strikes Leave Tehran Covered in Smoke

    The conflict between Iran and Israel has expanded across the Middle East, with Tehran accused of launching attacks in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, while Israel carried out fresh strikes that left the Iranian capital, Tehran, blanketed in thick smoke.

    The escalating confrontation, which began after joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has rapidly spread across the region, raising fears of a broader Middle East war.

    Gulf States Report Iranian Attacks

    Authorities in the UAE and Bahrain reported missile and drone incidents they attribute to Iran as retaliation for attacks on Iranian territory. In Bahrain, officials said an Iranian strike hit critical infrastructure, including a desalination facility and buildings in the capital city of Manama, though authorities reported no immediate loss of life.

    Gulf states have condemned the attacks as violations of their sovereignty and warned that they reserve the right to defend themselves against further strikes. Defense systems in the region have intercepted several missiles and drones launched during the ongoing escalation.

    The widening attacks highlight the growing regional dimension of the war, with several countries now caught in the crossfire as tensions intensify.

    Israeli Airstrikes Ignite Fires in Tehran

    Meanwhile, Israeli forces launched airstrikes targeting oil depots and industrial infrastructure in Tehran. The attacks triggered large fires that sent heavy black smoke across the skyline of the Iranian capital.

    Emergency officials in Tehran warned residents to take precautions due to toxic smoke and potential environmental hazards caused by burning fuel facilities. Authorities advised people to limit outdoor activities and protect themselves from polluted air.

    The strikes marked one of the most significant attacks on civilian industrial infrastructure in the ongoing conflict, according to regional observers.

    Rising Casualties and Regional Impact

    Since the conflict intensified, hundreds of people have been killed across multiple countries, including Iran, Lebanon, and Israel. Infrastructure damage, missile interceptions, and drone attacks have disrupted daily life across the Gulf region.

    Energy markets have also been affected, with concerns growing over oil supply disruptions and the safety of shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

    Fears of a Wider War

    International leaders and organizations continue to urge restraint as the conflict spreads beyond the immediate borders of Iran and Israel. Analysts warn that continued attacks involving Gulf states could transform the confrontation into a much larger regional war.

    Despite diplomatic calls for de-escalation, both sides have signaled that military operations may continue, leaving the region on edge as the crisis unfolds.

    Swifteradio.com

  • Iran Launches Fresh Missile Strikes on Israel and U.S. Bases as Middle East Conflict Escalates

    Iran Launches Fresh Missile Strikes on Israel and U.S. Bases as Middle East Conflict Escalates

    Iran launched a new wave of attacks Thursday targeting Israel, U.S. military bases and other locations across the Middle East, dramatically escalating the regional conflict and raising fears of a wider war.

    Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as Israeli authorities reported multiple incoming missile attacks. Iranian state television also claimed that additional strikes were directed at American bases across the region.

    At the same time, Israel said its military carried out a series of strikes against Iranian targets and Iranian-backed forces. Israeli officials said they hit long-range ballistic missile launch sites inside Iran and attacked 80 targets linked to the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon over the past 24 hours.

    Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States Navy of committing what he called an “atrocity at sea” after an American submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean. According to Sri Lankan authorities, 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the incident, while 32 crew members were rescued.

    “Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set,” Araghchi said in a social media post.

    In a rare and inflammatory statement broadcast on Iranian state television, senior cleric Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli called for retaliation against Israel and former U.S. President Donald Trump, escalating tensions further.

    The war began Saturday when U.S. and Israeli forces launched a coordinated campaign targeting Iran’s leadership, missile stockpiles and nuclear facilities. The strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and severely damaged parts of the country’s military infrastructure. While officials have hinted that regime change could be a long-term goal, the precise objectives and timeline of the campaign remain unclear.

    So far, the conflict has killed more than 1,000 people in Iran, over 70 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel, according to officials from those countries. Six U.S. soldiers have also died since the fighting began.

    The conflict is increasingly spilling across the region. In Azerbaijan, a drone crashed near the airport in the exclave of Nakhchivan, while another drone fell close to a school, injuring two civilians. Authorities in Qatar temporarily evacuated residents near the U.S. Embassy in Doha after reports of a missile attack on the city.

    Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting a drone near its border with Jordan, while a commercial tanker came under apparent attack off the coast of Kuwait early Thursday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said an explosion occurred near the vessel but did not confirm the cause.

    Since the conflict began, attacks have also occurred in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

    Oil prices surged again Thursday after briefly stabilizing earlier in the week. Brent crude, the international benchmark, has risen about 15 percent since the conflict began as Iranian attacks and military activity disrupt shipping through the strait.

    The Iranian warship sunk by the U.S. Navy had been returning from multinational naval exercises hosted by India in February. The United States also participated in the exercise with a P-8A Poseidon aircraft used for surveillance and anti-submarine operations.

    U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine fired the torpedo that sank the vessel.

    Meanwhile, Israel said it continues to target Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Among the 80 targets struck in the past day were several command centers in Beirut used by the Iran-backed group.

    Lebanese officials reported that eight people were killed in Israeli strikes Thursday, including casualties in the Beddawi refugee camp in Tripoli and along a coastal highway. Earlier drone strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs also hit two vehicles, killing three people and injuring six.

    Despite the continued missile threats, Israeli authorities announced they were easing some nationwide restrictions, allowing workplaces to reopen if shelters are nearby. Schools across the country, however, remain closed as the conflict continues.

  • Lebanese Families Flee as Hezbollah–Israel Clashes Kill Dozens and Threaten New War

    Lebanese Families Flee as Hezbollah–Israel Clashes Kill Dozens and Threaten New War

    Residents in southern Lebanon are fleeing their homes as renewed fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group intensifies, raising fears of a return to full-scale war.

    A 38-year-old business owner who escaped with his family described waking to urgent calls from friends warning that rockets had been fired from Lebanon and Israeli strikes were imminent. He said bombardments could be heard nearby and that repeated overnight messages convinced him to leave at first light rather than risk driving in darkness and heavy traffic. He packed essential belongings and fled with his mother and sister.

    Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli attacks in Beirut and southern Lebanon have killed at least 31 people and wounded 149 others, underscoring the growing humanitarian toll of the renewed violence.

    The latest escalation follows rocket and drone attacks launched by Hezbollah, prompting heavy Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. The clashes come amid the wider U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran and threaten to unravel a fragile ceasefire that ended a devastating year-long war between Israel and Hezbollah just 15 months ago.

    Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist movement backed by Iran, is considered one of the most powerful armed groups in the region. Tehran has invested billions of dollars in training and equipping the organization over decades to confront Israel. The two sides have fought multiple wars, including a major conflict in 2006 and another in 2023–24 linked to the Gaza war.

    During the last round of fighting, Lebanese officials said about 4,000 people were killed and more than 1.2 million displaced, while Israel reported the deaths of more than 80 soldiers and 47 civilians. Hezbollah’s military capabilities were significantly weakened, and under the November 2024 ceasefire agreement it agreed to pull back from much of southern Lebanon.

    Monday’s exchange of fire now places that ceasefire in jeopardy. Civilians on both sides of the border are once again bracing for the possibility that limited strikes could spiral into a broader conflict, with displacement already rising and international concern mounting over a renewed humanitarian crisis in Lebanon and northern Israel.

  • Iran Appoints New IRGC Chief as Deadly Pro-Iran Protests Erupt and Explosions Rock Tehran

    Iran Appoints New IRGC Chief as Deadly Pro-Iran Protests Erupt and Explosions Rock Tehran

    Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has appointed Ahmad Vahidi as its new commander-in-chief following the death of Gen Mohammad Pakpour in joint Israeli and US strikes on Iran over the weekend. The IRGC, a powerful military, political and economic institution, operates separately from Iran’s regular army and plays a central role in the country’s regional influence.

    The leadership change comes amid escalating unrest and violence linked to the ongoing conflict. In Pakistan, at least nine people were killed and more than 30 injured during pro-Iran protests near the United States Consulate General in Karachi, according to hospital officials and rescue workers. Clashes broke out when police attempted to stop demonstrators from entering the consulate complex. Protests also spread to Lahore and Islamabad following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

    A United Nations office was reportedly set on fire in Gilgit, in Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan, prompting authorities to impose a curfew as crowds gathered in the area. Shia organisations had earlier announced nationwide rallies in several cities to protest the attacks on Iran.

    Meanwhile, fresh explosions were reported in Iran’s capital Tehran, with eyewitnesses describing blasts stronger than those heard the previous day. Iranian media confirmed explosions in multiple parts of the city, raising fears of further escalation.

    In the United Kingdom, Defence Secretary John Healey warned that British bases and personnel were at risk from what he described as “increasingly indiscriminate attacks from Iran.” He revealed that hundreds of British personnel were stationed close to a recent strike on a military base in Bahrain. Healey also accused the Iranian leadership of exporting terror and destabilising the region, saying the current crisis posed serious risks to international security.

    The developments highlight the widening impact of the conflict, with leadership changes in Tehran, civilian casualties in Pakistan, and renewed explosions in Iran underscoring fears that tensions could spiral further across the Middle East and beyond.

  • Iran State Media Confirms Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Joint U.S.-Israel Airstrikes, Raising Fears of Wider War

    Iran State Media Confirms Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Joint U.S.-Israel Airstrikes, Raising Fears of Wider War

    Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in a major joint military strike carried out by the United States and Israel, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday, plunging the future of the Islamic Republic into uncertainty and heightening the risk of regional instability.

    U.S. President Donald Trump announced Khamenei’s death hours earlier, saying it offered Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back” their country. Iranian state television reported that the 86-year-old leader was killed when an airstrike struck his compound in downtown Tehran. Satellite images from Airbus showed extensive destruction at the site.

    “Khamenei stood at the forefront of his responsibilities confronting global arrogance,” Iranian state TV said. Trump described Khamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and warned that heavy and precise bombing would continue for days as part of what he called an effort to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

    The killing marks a dramatic escalation in U.S. involvement in Iran and creates a leadership vacuum in a system where Khamenei held ultimate authority over government, the military and the powerful Revolutionary Guard. He had ruled for decades with no clear successor publicly identified.

    Eyewitnesses in Tehran told the Associated Press that some residents celebrated by cheering from rooftops and blowing whistles. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that several of Khamenei’s relatives were also killed, including a daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and a grandchild.

    Iran vowed retaliation. The government said the “great crime will never go unanswered,” while the Revolutionary Guard warned of “severe and regret-inducing punishment.” Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, said Iran would deliver “an unforgettable lesson to international oppressors.”

    The strikes followed months of rising tension and failed nuclear negotiations. They occurred during Ramadan and at the start of Iran’s workweek. U.S. officials said targets included Revolutionary Guard command centers, missile launch sites, air defense systems and military airfields.

    Israel confirmed it killed the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s defense minister and the secretary of the Iranian Security Council. Trump said the operation showed that Iran’s leadership could not escape advanced intelligence tracking systems.

    An Iranian diplomat told the United Nations Security Council that hundreds of civilians were killed or wounded. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at Israel and U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Israeli rescue services reported at least one death in the Tel Aviv area from missile strikes.

    Explosions were reported in northern Tehran near the Intelligence Ministry building, while Israel said it continued strikes on missile launchers and air defense systems. In southern Iran, officials reported at least 115 people killed when a girls’ school was hit, though U.S. Central Command said it was investigating those claims.

    Flights across the Middle East were disrupted, with air defenses activated over cities including Dubai. Shrapnel from a missile strike in the United Arab Emirates killed one person, according to state media.

    Israel said the operation had been planned for months in coordination with the United States. Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said air force pilots struck hundreds of targets across Iran.

    Trump acknowledged the risk of U.S. casualties and said his goal was to dismantle Iran’s navy and regional proxy forces. He called on the Revolutionary Guard to surrender or face “certain death,” promising immunity to those who laid down arms.

    The strikes threaten to destabilize global markets, especially if Iran disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil exports. Saudi Arabia reported repelling Iranian attacks on its capital and eastern regions, while Bahrain said missiles targeted the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters. Kuwait and Qatar also reported drone and missile incidents.

    With exchanges of fire continuing and diplomatic efforts stalled, fears are growing that the conflict could expand into a broader regional war with severe consequences for civilians and international security.

  • U.S. and Israel Strike Iran as Global Leaders React to Escalating Middle East Conflict

    U.S. and Israel Strike Iran as Global Leaders React to Escalating Middle East Conflict

    The United States and Israel launched a major coordinated military strike on Iran on Saturday, sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East and prompting strong reactions from world leaders. U.S. President Donald Trump urged the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has governed the country since 1979.

    Iran retaliated within hours, launching missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases across the region. Some of the first reported strikes inside Iran appeared to hit areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Smoke was seen rising over the capital as Iranian media reported nationwide attacks. It was not immediately known whether the 86-year-old leader was present at the time.

    Canada formally backed the U.S. action, with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stating that Ottawa supports efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and threatening international security. The statement described Iran as the principal source of instability in the Middle East and reaffirmed Canada’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself.

    Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre also expressed support for the United States and Israel, calling for the dismantling of Iran’s clerical military leadership.

    Air travel in the region was disrupted as Air Canada cancelled flights to and from Dubai, citing security concerns. The airline said it was monitoring developments closely and would adjust schedules as needed.

    The United Nations warned the attacks could further destabilize the region. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the strikes and Iran’s retaliation undermine international peace and security and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation to prevent a wider regional war.

    In the United States, congressional leaders confirmed they were notified ahead of the strikes, as required by law, though some lawmakers said the scale of the operation was broader than expected. Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally briefed senior members of Congress. Representative Jim Himes warned that the U.S. was entering what he described as a “war of choice” without a clear strategic endgame.

    Saudi Arabia reported that Iran attempted to target its capital and eastern region, calling the action “blatant and cowardly” and confirming the attack was repelled. The development came despite a Chinese-brokered rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran in 2023.

    China’s Foreign Ministry said it was highly concerned by the strikes and urged all sides to halt military actions and return to negotiations, emphasizing respect for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for the U.S.-led operation, accusing Iran of enabling Russia’s war against Ukraine through the supply of Shahed drones. He said the focus must now be on saving lives and preventing the conflict from spreading further.

    Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who recently served as a mediator in talks involving Iran, urged Washington not to become further drawn into the conflict and called for restraint.

    As missile exchanges continue and diplomatic pressure mounts, international leaders warned that failure to de-escalate could lead to a wider regional conflict with serious consequences for civilians and global stability.

  • Iran Threatens “Crushing Response” After Joint US-Israel Air Strikes During Nuclear Talks

    Iran Threatens “Crushing Response” After Joint US-Israel Air Strikes During Nuclear Talks

    Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has vowed a “crushing response” following joint air strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, saying the attacks took place once again while negotiations with Washington were underway.

    In a statement, the council accused the “enemy” of wrongly believing that the Iranian people would surrender under military pressure, describing the strikes as cowardly actions carried out during a diplomatic process. It said Iran’s armed forces had already begun retaliatory measures and promised to keep the public informed of further developments.

    The council warned that further operations by the US and Israel could continue in Tehran and other cities and urged citizens, while remaining calm, to move to safer areas where possible and avoid crowded shopping centres. It also reassured the public that essential supplies had been secured in advance and that there were no concerns over access to basic goods.

    Schools and universities will remain closed until further notice, while banks will continue operating and government offices will function at 50 percent capacity. Additional updates will be announced in due course, the statement said.

    Iran’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged that the strikes occurred while Tehran and Washington were in the midst of indirect nuclear negotiations. Officials said Iran had been aware of US and Israeli intentions but chose to enter talks regardless. The latest round of discussions was held two days earlier in Geneva without a breakthrough.

    Tensions escalated further when explosions and air raid sirens were reported in Doha, as Qatar’s defence ministry said it had successfully intercepted several attacks targeting its territory. A Qatari official confirmed that a US-made Patriot missile system had intercepted an Iranian missile. Qatar hosts the largest US military base in the region at Al Udeid.

    The strikes mark a sharp deterioration in regional security and come after months of stalled diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear programme, raising fears of a wider conflict across the Middle East.