Israel Launches Intense Strikes on Beirut and Tehran as War Escalates
Israel has launched new and intense airstrikes on the capitals of Iran and Lebanon, targeting Tehran and Beirut, as the US-Israel conflict with Iran enters its seventh day with no sign of easing. The Israeli military described the operation as a "broad-scale wave" of strikes against what it called "regime infrastructure" in Tehran and Hezbollah command centres in Beirut's southern Dahieh suburb, a stronghold of the Iran-backed group.
The bombardment, which included 14 waves of strikes on Iran since Saturday, has prompted retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Iran targeting Israel and multiple Gulf states hosting US forces. Overnight, Iran launched attacks towards Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, with Saudi Arabia reporting it intercepted missiles and drones near Riyadh and Al-Kharj. Qatar's Defence Ministry said it intercepted a drone attack targeting the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military facility in the Middle East.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that American firepower over Iran is "about to surge dramatically," adding that access to the UK's Diego Garcia military base would help intensify operations. President Donald Trump said the US has been striking Iranian drone and missile systems "every single hour" but described sending ground troops to Iran as a "waste of time," stating Tehran has "lost everything they can lose."
The widening conflict has caused significant civilian displacement and casualties. In Beirut, residents fled southern suburbs after an unprecedented Israeli evacuation order, with many sleeping in shelters, cars, and streets. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported 123 killed since Monday. In Iran, witnesses described the strikes as "unbelievable" in their intensity, with homes shaking from explosions.
The first UK government evacuation flight from Oman has landed at Stansted Airport, as officials organise further charter flights for stranded British nationals. Global diplomatic reactions continue to mount, with international calls for de-escalation amid fears of a broader regional war involving Gulf states.