The Iranian capital, Tehran, endured one of the most severe bombardments since the outbreak of hostilities in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. As the war entered its seventh consecutive day, heavy airstrikes shook multiple neighborhoods across the city, marking a dramatic escalation in military operations. Explosions reverberated through the night, with thick smoke plumes visible from various parts of Tehran, including areas near residential zones and the vicinity of Tehran University.
The US military deployed its advanced B-2 Spirit stealth bombers in a strategic assault targeting deeply buried Iranian ballistic missile launch facilities. These bombers unleashed dozens of high-powered bunker-busting munitions designed to penetrate fortified underground installations. This operation reflects a calculated effort to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities at their core.
Beyond Tehran, the scope of the strikes extended to other key Iranian cities such as Shiraz, Kermanshah, and Isfahan. These locations reportedly house several missile bases, which have also come under intense bombardment. The widespread nature of these attacks underscores the United States’ determination to significantly weaken Iran’s military infrastructure across multiple fronts.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled that the current intensity of airstrikes might escalate further in the coming days, indicating a potential broadening of the campaign. Meanwhile, Iranian state media have reported a grim toll, stating that at least 1,230 individuals have lost their lives since the conflict began, including 181 children. Among these casualties, a particularly tragic incident involved a girls’ school in the southern city of Minab where numerous children were killed, with investigations into the attack still underway.
In the past 72 hours alone, the US military claims to have conducted nearly 200 strikes targeting a variety of military assets across Iran. Central Command commander Brad Cooper highlighted the use of B-2 bombers in these operations, emphasizing their role in neutralizing Iran’s deeply embedded ballistic missile launchers. He also noted a significant reduction—approximately 90 percent—in Iranian missile attacks since the onset of the conflict. Additionally, US forces have reportedly sunk over 30 Iranian naval vessels, further crippling Tehran’s maritime capabilities.
The Pentagon has outlined that the next phase of their military campaign will concentrate on dismantling Iran’s missile manufacturing infrastructure, aiming to curtail the country’s ability to replenish its arsenal. These efforts are part of a broader US strategy to degrade Iran’s military strength and reduce future threats posed by its missile and drone programs.
The death toll continues to climb as the conflict intensifies. Arab media outlets have reported that the combined casualties from US and Israeli strikes on Iran have surpassed 1,230. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have also resulted in at least 77 fatalities. Iranian retaliatory attacks on Israel have reportedly caused 11 deaths, including six American service members. Other countries in the region have not been spared; three individuals were killed in Iranian assaults in the United Arab Emirates, while Bahrain suffered one casualty following a missile interception that sparked a fire in an industrial zone. Kuwait reported four deaths, including two soldiers, and Oman recorded one fatality from a projectile strike on an oil tanker at a port.
In a bold move, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a missile strike on Tel Aviv using Kheibar-Shekan missiles equipped with cluster munitions. Russian sources reported that Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles simultaneously towards Israel, although the extent of damage and casualties remains unclear. Notably, during the attack, a live broadcast of Tel Aviv’s skyline was abruptly redirected to street-level views, and sirens warning of incoming missiles reportedly failed to sound.
Iranian drones also targeted the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf of Oman, prompting the carrier to withdraw from the region. Concurrently, drone strikes hit two hotels and a residential building in Manama, Bahrain, though no casualties were reported in these incidents.
US President Donald Trump weighed in on the conflict, dismissing the deployment of American ground troops in Iran as unnecessary at this stage. In a televised interview, he stated that no plans currently exist for a ground invasion, emphasizing that Iran has already sustained significant losses, particularly in its naval forces. Trump described claims from Iranian officials about preparedness for a US ground assault as unfounded.
At a White House briefing, Trump asserted that the United States is more committed to the conflict than Iran and is focused on eliminating the threats posed by the Iranian regime. He claimed that Iran’s naval capabilities have been effectively destroyed, and its missile and drone programs are steadily being degraded. Trump, Iran’s air force and air defense systems have also been neutralized, with many aircraft destroyed.
Looking ahead, Trump declared that the United States would ensure that any future Iranian leadership would not pose a threat to America or its allies, particularly Israel. He further alleged that Iran had reached out to Washington seeking negotiations, but the US had rejected these overtures, stating it was too late for a deal. The president encouraged Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders and diplomats abroad to dissociate themselves from the regime, offering full immunity to those who step down, while warning that those who remain loyal would face lethal consequences. He also called on Iranian diplomats to seek asylum and contribute to building what he termed a “new and better Iran.” Additionally, Trump announced measures aimed at alleviating pressure on global oil prices amid the turmoil.
In a related development, a CNN investigative report revealed that Iran successfully targeted several critical US defense systems at the start of the conflict. Satellite imagery analysis indicated that Iran destroyed the radar of a THAAD missile defense system stationed in Jordan. Similar radar systems at two separate THAAD battery locations in the United Arab Emirates were also targeted, though assessing the full damage was complicated by the equipment being housed indoors. Furthermore, an early warning radar system in Qatar was reportedly destroyed. This pattern suggests Iran employed a strategy focusing on disabling air defense networks by attacking communication channels, radar installations, and surveillance infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the evacuation of American citizens from the Middle East has emerged as a significant challenge for the US government. More than 200,000 Americans remain in the region, with approximately 18,000 having returned home so far. The largest populations reside in the United Arab Emirates (around 50,000), Saudi Arabia (80,000), Kuwait (30,000), and Qatar (15,000). The US government has advised its nationals to leave the area due to escalating risks, but limited flight availability has complicated evacuation efforts. Additionally, the US embassy in Kuwait has temporarily suspended its operations amid the ongoing conflict.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that American military forces are entering a new phase in the campaign, gaining increasing control over air and sea domains. This development marks a significant milestone in the US-led operations aimed at curbing Iran’s military capabilities and stabilizing the region amid rising tensions.
