The Israeli military has launched a new round of strikes on Tehran and Beirut, saying it is targeting what it describes as “military targets” in both capitals.In Saudi Arabia, the US embassy in Riyadh was struck by two drones, reportedly launched from Iran. According to Saudi authorities, the incident caused a limited fire and minor structural damage. Iranian state media also claimed that a command and staff building at a US air base in Bahrain was destroyed, although US officials have not commented on the report.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that “the hardest hits” on Iran were still to come. His remarks followed comments by US President Donald Trump, who described the war as the “last, best chance” to stop what he called a “sick and sinister regime” in Tehran. The latest escalation comes after US and Israeli forces struck Iran on Saturday, reportedly killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks across the region.
Images from Beirut show thick black smoke rising above the city’s southern suburbs, while the AFP news agency has reported loud explosions in Tehran. Israel earlier confirmed it was carrying out what it described as “extensive airstrikes” on military sites in both the Iranian and Lebanese capitals.
On the fourth day of the conflict, additional developments include: The US embassy in Riyadh being hit by two drones, according to Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry. Iranian media alleging that a US air base facility in Bahrain was destroyed. An Iranian official threatening to “set fire” to vessels attempting to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. Rubio reiterating that further US military action is expected.
Reports that six US service members have been killed since the conflict began. Three US fighter jets were shot down in Kuwait in what officials described as an apparent friendly-fire incident, though the crews survived. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stating that he does not support “regime change from the skies,” but confirming that the US is permitted to use British military bases for what he called defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites. According to the BBC’s international editor, Jeremy Bowen, it remains far too early to predict how or when the conflict will end, as tensions continue to rise across the region.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/
