Explosions Echo Across Middle East as US-Israel Offensive Against Iran Rages On
The relentless sound of explosions has become the grim background noise in the Middle East, as the mission-driven United States military, alongside its "wonderful partner" Israel, continues a fierce offensive against Iran. This joint military campaign, now in its seventh day, shows no signs of abating, with both sides escalating their attacks and rhetoric.
Iran's Defiant Response and Warning of a Prolonged Conflict
In the wake of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death, Tehran has delivered a strong retaliatory response to the operations dubbed Operation Epic Fury by the US and Operation Lion's Roar by Israel. Iran's military has declared its readiness for a "long war," asserting that new inventions are forthcoming and that the enemy should expect "painful blows in every wave of attack." This comes as Iran launched the 19th wave of Operation True Promise 4 on Thursday morning, targeting US military bases and other locations across the region with multiple missile strikes.
US Strikes and Trump's Provocative Statements
The American military has executed a full-scale display of force, striking multiple defence facilities and key locations across Iran, including the capital Tehran. In a recent development, the US military reported hitting an Iranian vessel described as a "drone carrier," roughly the size of a WWII aircraft carrier, which is now on fire. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) emphasized that "US forces aren't holding back on the mission to sink the entire Iranian Navy."
Former President Donald Trump, in a telephone interview with Reuters, made controversial remarks, stating that the United States should be involved in choosing Iran's next leader. He dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader, as an "unacceptable" choice and expressed support for Iranian Kurdish forces based in Iraq to cross into Iran and attack security forces, calling it "wonderful." Trump also boasted about the military campaign, claiming, "We're destroying more of Iran's missile and drone capacity every single hour."
Civilian Impact: Schools Damaged in Bombing Campaign
The conflict has taken a severe toll on civilians, with two schools in Iran reportedly damaged during the bombing campaign on Thursday. Satellite images and verified photos show shattered windows and collapsed walls at an elementary and middle school in Parand, southwest of Tehran. This follows a previous attack on a girls' school in Minab that killed dozens, including children. Iranian authorities report that over 1,000 people have been killed in the conflict, with at least six US service members among the casualties.
Regional Escalation and International Reactions
Israel launched fresh air strikes on Tehran early Friday, targeting what it called "Iranian terror regime infrastructure." Meanwhile, Hezbollah issued a warning in Hebrew, urging Israeli residents near the Lebanon border to evacuate, and Qatar intercepted a drone targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Doha. In the United States, the House of Representatives rejected an attempt to halt Trump's military campaign, voting 219 to 212 mostly along party lines, with supporters arguing it restores congressional war authority.
Satellite Imagery Reveals Scale of Destruction
New satellite images provide a stark visual of the extensive damage across Iran after days of intense military strikes. Analysis shows strike marks and burn scars around various sites, including schools, highlighting the widespread impact of the conflict. The imagery underscores the heavy military action that has not been limited to military installations, contributing to the instability sweeping the Middle East.
