The constant sound of explosions has become the default soundtrack in the Middle East as Donald Trump’s mission-driven US military, along with its “wonderful partner” Israel, continues its offensive against Iran. Tehran, incensed by the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has responded strongly to the military campaign, which began as Operation Epic Fury for the United States and Operation Lion Roar for Israel.The fierce military operation in the Middle East region has entered the 7th day.Using massive force, the US military has attacked several defense facilities and key locations across Iran, including the capital Tehran. In response, Tehran has launched strong retaliatory strikes, launching multiple missile strikes targeting US military bases across the region and other locations in the Middle East, marking the beginning of the 19th wave of Operation True Promise 4 on Thursday morning.
Donald Trump on combat operations in Iran: “The United States military, in cooperation with wonderful Israeli allies, is completely destroying the enemy ahead of schedule… We are destroying Iran’s missile and drone capability every single hour.”Trump has repeatedly called for the fall of the Tehran regime and suggested that the United States should help choose Iran’s next leader. Ali Khamenei, whose son Mojtaba Khamenei is among those considered in the running to become the next Ayatollah, has been described as an “unacceptable” alternative to a Trump-led United States.Even after the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, the intensified military attacks that began last weekend show no signs of slowing down. Instead, the skies across the Middle East continue to echo with the rumble of escalating attacks.
Here are the top developments
‘Prepared for a long war’: Iran
Reflecting on its preparations amid the rapidly deteriorating situation, Iran’s military said, “We are prepared for a long war. Our new inventions are on the way. We have not used anything on a large scale yet. The enemy should expect painful blows in every wave of attack.”
Iranian ‘drone carrier’ attacked in US attack
The US military said it attacked an Iranian ship it described as a “drone carrier”, which it said was “now on fire.”“US forces are not backing down from the mission to sink the entire Iranian Navy,” the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on Twitter.CENTCOM described the drone carrier as “approximately the size of a World War II aircraft carrier.”The post did not specify where the attack took place.A video released by CENTCOM shows the alleged Iranian ship surrounded by thick smoke after it was hit by US strikes.
Satellite images show scale of destruction
New satellite photos show the extent of damage in Iran following days of intense military attacks.The picture provides a clear picture of the heavy military action taken in many parts of the country.However, the attacks were not limited to military sites.
School damaged during bombing campaign
Two schools were damaged in Iran on Thursday during a bombing campaign carried out by the United States and Israel.Pictures from two boys’ schools, an elementary school and a middle school southwest of the capital Tehran, showed broken windows and damaged or collapsed classroom walls.The photos were published by Iranian semi-official news agency Tasnim News Agency. The exterior photos were later verified by The New York Times.Satellite image analysis also showed multiple attack marks and burn marks around a school in southern Iran, suggesting it may have been hit more than once. Iranian officials say 168 people were killed in Saturday’s attack.The damage to both schools was reported nearly a week after an attack on a girls’ school in the southern Iranian city of Minab killed dozens of people, many of them children.The two schools damaged on Thursday are located in the city of Parand, southwest of Tehran. Shortly after the attacks, an image of a large plume of brown smoke appeared online. The New York Times later verified the image and confirmed that the smoke came from the area where the two schools are located.
Trump says America should help choose Iran’s next leader
Donald Trump said that America should also be involved in choosing the next leader of Iran.Speaking to Reuters in a telephone interview, Trump said it would be “wonderful” if Iranian Kurdish forces based in Iraq entered Iran to attack security forces.
Trump said Iran’s next leader was unlikely to be the son of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a military strike at the beginning of the war.“With Iran, we have to choose that person. We have to choose that person,” Trump said.Speaking six days after the US and Israel launched the attack, Trump also supported the actions of Kurdish fighters.“I think it’s wonderful that they want to do this, I’m all for it,” the president said.The conflict has killed more than 1,000 people, including at least six U.S. service members, and caused widespread damage and instability throughout the Middle East.
Israel launches new attacks on Tehran
Israel said it launched a new wave of airstrikes on Tehran early Friday.
The Israeli military said it carried out massive strikes against the infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime in Tehran.Iranian state television reported several explosions in different parts of the capital.
Hezbollah warns Israelis near Lebanon border
Lebanon-based group Hezbollah said its fighters had returned to supporting Iran after earlier attacks killed a senior leader of the Shia group.
Hezbollah issued a warning in Hebrew asking Israeli residents in northern Israel to evacuate settlements within 5 km of the Lebanese border.In its statement, the group said the Israeli military’s actions against Lebanese sovereignty, civilians and infrastructure “will not go unanswered”.
Qatar stops drone targeting US airbase
Qatar’s Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted a drone targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Doha.Authorities had earlier raised the security alert level and asked residents to stay indoors and away from windows or open areas.
US House supports Trump’s military campaign
The United States House of Representatives on Thursday rejected President Donald Trump’s effort to prevent an air war on Iran and require congressional approval for military action.MPs voted 219 to 212, mostly along party lines. The Republican majority in the House is currently narrow.Two Republicans supported the resolution, while four Democrats voted against it.Opponents accused Democrats of bringing in votes just because they oppose Trump.Rick Crawford, Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said, “We all know that we would not be here today if the president was not named Donald Trump.”Supporters of the resolution said it was an attempt to restore Congress’s constitutional authority to approve war.The conflict began after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Saturday, a war that has now killed more than 1,000 people and increased instability across the Middle East.