The war between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its 12th day on Wednesday with no sign of abating, as US and Israeli forces carried out what officials described as the most intense strikes yet on Iranian targets as the conflict spreads across the region.US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that Tuesday will witness the largest wave of US attacks since the start of the war, with the deployment of more aircraft, bombers and intelligence-guided strikes against Iranian military infrastructure.
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Iran, whose military capabilities have been damaged by days of bombing, has vowed to continue fighting. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf rejected the possibility of a ceasefire, saying that Tehran intends to punish what it describes as aggression by Washington and Tel Aviv.
Another prominent Iranian figure, Ali Larijani, issued a warning to US President Donald Trump on social media, saying that Iran is not afraid of US threats.Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the broader goal 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 throughout the region
The fighting has extended beyond Iran’s borders, with new strikes reported across Lebanon and Iraq.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health said that Israeli raids killed at least seven people in southern Lebanon early Wednesday, including five in the town of Qana. Additional air strikes in the Tire and Bint Jbeil regions also caused casualties.Israeli forces also launched strikes on Hezbollah-linked infrastructure in the southern suburb of Beirut after issuing warnings to evacuate the densely populated area.Elsewhere, drones targeted military facilities at Baghdad International Airport 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.
Violent bombing on Tehran
Tehran residents reported some of the “heaviest bombing” of the war during the night, as powerful explosions rocked neighborhoods and caused power outages in parts of the capital.Witnesses said that the strikes continued for long periods around midnight, with some residents describing residential buildings being bombed. The Associated Press reported that many businesses in Tehran closed early amid fears of more attacks.Tens of thousands of civilians reportedly fled major cities to seek refuge in rural areas.
The United States targets Iranian naval assets
The US military said it destroyed 16 Iranian ships laying mines near the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid fears that Tehran is trying to close the vital shipping lane.The waterway, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil supplies pass, has become a focal point of the conflict.President Trump warned that if Iran deploys naval mines in the Strait, they must be removed immediately or face serious military consequences.“If Iran plants any mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed immediately! If for any reason mines are planted, and they are not removed immediately, the military consequences for Iran will be at a level never seen before.”
On the other hand, if they removed what was put in, it would be a giant step in the right direction! In addition, we are using the same missile technology and capabilities used against drug traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship that attempts to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
They will be dealt with quickly and violently. Be careful!” he said.
140 American soldiers were injured
The Pentagon said that about 140 US service members have been injured since the conflict began, although most of the injuries are minor.
Eight soldiers were reported to have been seriously injured, while several have already returned to duty.Civilian and military casualties also increased throughout the region. In Lebanon alone, authorities say hundreds have been killed and more than a thousand wounded since the start of the latest round of fighting.
Global markets and concerns
Despite the escalating conflict, financial markets showed relative stability on Tuesday after days of volatility caused by uncertainty about how long the war might last.The S&P 500 fell slightly, while oil prices stabilized after falling from about $120 a barrel earlier in the week to about $90.World leaders are closely monitoring the economic consequences of the conflict. G7 leaders are expected to hold emergency talks on energy security and potential measures to stabilize oil markets.With both sides rejecting calls for negotiations and intensifying military operations, fears are growing that the conflict could further destabilize the Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies.