As hostilities escalate in the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that the United States is prepared to extend its military operations against Iran well beyond the initially estimated duration of four to five weeks.
In the capital city of Tehran, the night air was punctuated by the sound of explosions that continued into the early hours of Tuesday. This follows sustained military action by the U.S. and Israel, which began after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday.
In retaliation, Tehran and its allies have launched attacks targeting Israel, neighboring Gulf countries, and crucial oil and natural gas infrastructure worldwide.
The relentless nature of these attacks, coupled with an absent clear exit strategy, suggests a potentially prolonged conflict with significant global implications. Both the U.S. and Israel have offered varying explanations regarding the objectives and potential outcomes of this war.
On Monday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the decision to engage in military conflict. During an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” he claimed that Iran was developing “new sites” that could render its ballistic missile and nuclear programs invulnerable within months, although he did not provide any evidence to support these claims.
According to The Associated Press, satellite imagery has shown minimal activity at two Iranian nuclear sites prior to the conflict. Analysts suggest that Tehran may have been assessing damage from prior American strikes in June and attempting to salvage any remaining assets.
Here is the latest:
US State Department orders Bahrain and Jordan evacuation
The U.S. State Department on Tuesday ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and family in Bahrain and Jordan.
The State Department announcement online said the decision came “due to safety risks.” The department has urged Americans across the Mideast to leave over the ongoing war with Iran.
US Embassy in Saudi Arabia tells Americans to avoid embassy
The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia acknowledged coming under attack from Iranian drones Tuesday and urged Americans to avoid the diplomatic post for the time being.
The Saudi Defense Ministry earlier Tuesday said the embassy was attacked by two drones.
Explosions heard in Tehran
Across Iran’s capital, the sound of explosions rang out throughout the night into the early morning hours.
Witnesses described hearing aircraft overhead as well.
It wasn’t immediately clear what had been hit.
Iran launches attack on Bahrain air base, state TV reports
Iranian state television early Tuesday read a statement from the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, saying that it launched a missile and drone attack targeting an air base in Bahrain.
Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut
Israeli airstrikes hit the Lebanese capital Tuesday morning.
The Israeli military said it was targeting “Hezbollah command centers and weapons storage facilities in Beirut.”
Hezbollah also said it launched drones targeting an Israeli air base.
The Israeli military said it downed two drones.
Japan tells its shipowners to steer clear of Persian Gulf
Tokyo has told Japanese shipowners to have their ships stay away from the Persian Gulf to ensure the safety of their crew members.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters Tuesday that the Transport Ministry has notified the Japanese Shipowners’ Association to do the utmost to protect crews on board the ships in the region.
Kihara said those already in the Gulf are urged to lie at anchor where it is safe to do so.
On Monday, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met with Iranian ambassador to Japan Peiman Seadat and conveyed Japan’s consistent stance that Iran must stop attacks on neighboring countries and other actions destabilizing the region.
Motegi also noted the importance of ensuring safety in the Strait of Hormuz, which is key to Japan’s energy security.
Iranian foreign minister says US entered ‘war of choice on behalf of Israel’
Iran’s top diplomat early Tuesday sought to turn the tables on the United States, describing it as entering “a war of choice on behalf of Israel.”
After Trump urged Iranians to take over their government, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the same call to Americans.
“Shedding of both American and Iranian blood is thus on Israel Firsters,” Araghchi wrote on X. “American people deserve better and should take back their country.”
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