The war between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its 12th day on Wednesday and shows no signs of slowing down, as US and Israeli forces launched the most intense attacks yet on Iranian targets as the conflict spread across the region. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday would see the largest wave of US strikes since the war began, with more aircraft, bombers and intelligence-directed strikes deployed against Iranian military infrastructure. Iran has vowed to keep fighting, despite suffering from several days of bombing that have hit its military capabilities. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejected the possibility of a ceasefire and said Tehran intended to punish Washington and Tel Aviv’s aggression. Another senior Iranian figure, Ali Larijani, issued a warning to US President Donald Trump on social media, saying that Iran is not afraid of US threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said the broader aim of the war was to weaken Iran’s leadership to the point where popular forces could overthrow the government. Netanyahu stated that the ongoing campaign is causing significant damage.
Strikes are expanding across the region
The fighting has spread beyond Iran’s borders, with new attacks reported in Lebanon and Iraq. Israeli strikes early Wednesday killed at least seven people in southern Lebanon, including five in the city of Qana, Lebanon’s health ministry said. Additional air strikes in the Tyre and Bint Jbeil districts also caused casualties. Israeli forces also attacked Hezbollah-linked infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs after issuing a warning to evacuate the densely populated area. Elsewhere, drones targeted military installations at Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad late Tuesday, according to Iraqi security officials. The drones landed near facilities used by US-led coalition forces, including the US-run Victoria Base, although no casualties were reported.
Heavy bombing in Tehran
Residents of Tehran reported some of the “heaviest bombardment” of the war overnight, with powerful explosions shaking neighbourhoods and knocking out power in parts of the capital. Eyewitnesses reported that the strikes persisted for an extended period around midnight, impacting residential buildings as well. Many businesses in Tehran closed early amid fears of further attacks, the AP reported. Thousands of civilians have reportedly fled major cities to seek refuge in rural areas.
US targets Iranian naval assets
The US military said it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, amid fears that Tehran may attempt to block the vital shipping lane. The waterway has become a focal point of conflict, with about a fifth of the world’s oil supply passing through it. President Trump warned that if Iran deploys naval mines in the strait, they must be immediately removed or face serious military consequences. “If Iran has placed any mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and we have had no reports of it doing so, we want them removed immediately! If mines were placed for any reason, and they are not immediately removed, the military consequences for Iran would be at a level never seen before. If they remove what’s been put up, that would be a big step forward! Additionally, we are using the same technology and missile capabilities deployed against drug smugglers to permanently destroy any boat or ship attempting to mine in the Strait of Hormuz. They will be dealt with swiftly and violently. Be careful!” he said.
140 US service members injured
The Pentagon reported that approximately 140 US service members have sustained injuries since the onset of the conflict, with the majority being minor. Reports indicate that eight soldiers have sustained serious injuries, while many have already resumed their duties. Civilian and military casualties have also increased across the region. Officials in Lebanon report that the latest round of fighting has resulted in hundreds of deaths and over a thousand injuries.
Markets and global concerns
Despite the escalating conflict, financial markets showed relative stability on Tuesday after several days of volatility due to uncertainty about how long the war will last. The S&P 500 slipped slightly, while oil prices fell from nearly $120 a barrel at the start of the week to steady around $90. Global leaders are closely monitoring the economic consequences of the conflict. Leaders of the Group of Seven are expected to hold emergency talks on energy security and possible measures to stabilise oil markets. With both sides rejecting calls for talks and stepping up military operations, fears are growing that the conflict could further destabilise the Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies.
