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 Defense 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, whose military capabilities have been hit by several days of bombing, has vowed to keep fighting. 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. “We are breaking their bones,” Netanyahu said of the ongoing campaign.
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 Tire 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 neighborhoods and knocking out power in parts of the capital. Eyewitnesses said the strikes lasted for a long time around midnight, with some residents reporting that residential buildings were also affected. 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, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has become a focal point of conflict. 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. On the other hand, if they remove what has been put up, that would be a huge step in the right direction! 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 said about 140 US service members have been injured since the conflict began, although most injuries are minor. Eight soldiers are reported to be seriously injured, while many have already returned to duty. Civilian and military casualties have also increased across the region. In Lebanon alone, officials say hundreds of people have been killed and more than a thousand wounded since the latest round of fighting began.
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 stabilize oil markets. With both sides rejecting calls for talks and stepping up military operations, fears are growing that the conflict could further destabilize the Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies.