Tehran: The conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States escalated sharply on Thursday as Tehran fired a fresh wave of missiles toward Israeli territory, marking the sixth consecutive day of open hostilities in the region. The latest strikes came hours after reports that an American submarine had sunk an Iranian naval vessel, further intensifying an already volatile confrontation.
Israeli authorities confirmed the incoming missiles early in the day, shortly after the military announced it had initiated new operations in Lebanon. The strikes targeted positions linked to Hezbollah in Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area long regarded as a stronghold of the Iran-backed armed group. Explosions were reported across parts of the Lebanese capital as residents sought shelter.
The widening battlefield follows days of sustained bombardment by US and Israeli forces on Iranian security installations, missile depots and key government sites. What began as a targeted offensive has rapidly evolved into a broader military campaign, with Washington and Tel Aviv signalling that dismantling Iran’s military capabilities — and potentially reshaping its leadership — are central objectives. However, shifting public statements from officials have left the scope and timeline of the war unclear.
In Tehran, the intensity of the strikes has disrupted plans for national mourning. State television announced that ceremonies honouring the late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be deferred due to security concerns. Khamenei was killed in the opening phase of the conflict. His predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, drew millions to the streets during funeral rites in 1989 — a reminder of the symbolic weight such events carry in Iran.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday commended American forces, saying they were performing strongly in ongoing operations. Lawmakers aligned with the administration in the Senate rejected a resolution aimed at curbing US involvement, underscoring continued political backing in Washington despite mounting casualties and regional fallout.
The violence has spilled beyond Iran and Israel. Iranian projectiles were reportedly launched toward Bahrain and Kuwait, while Turkey said NATO air defence systems intercepted a ballistic missile before it could cross into Turkish airspace. The developments have heightened fears of a broader regional war, drawing multiple states into defensive postures.
Casualty figures continue to climb. Officials in Iran report more than 1,000 deaths since the start of the fighting, while authorities in Lebanon say over 70 people have been killed there. In Israel, around a dozen fatalities have been confirmed. Beyond the human toll, the war has rattled global energy markets, disrupted oil and gas supplies, complicated maritime trade routes and left hundreds of thousands of travellers stranded across the Middle East.
With missile exchanges ongoing and diplomatic efforts struggling to gain traction, the confrontation shows little sign of abating. Regional capitals remain on high alert as the conflict enters a critical and unpredictable phase.
