For a third day, U.S. and Israeli forces have carried out widespread strikes across Iran, hitting more than a thousand targets including key government and military buildings in Tehran. The initial assault early Saturday reportedly killed Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and dozens of senior officials, and U.S. and Israeli aircraft and cruise missiles have continued strikes intended to degrade Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities.
President Trump, speaking as more U.S. forces headed to the region, said the U.S. has “the strongest and most powerful” military and “will easily prevail.” He warned the conflict could last “four or five weeks” and did not rule out a U.S. ground operation. Officials say the fighting could extend for a month or more as both sides sustain and intensify attacks.
Iran’s military has responded with large counterstrikes, firing missiles and launching drones that have struck sites in at least 11 countries across the Middle East. Iranian weapons hit facilities that included a U.S. operations center in Kuwait, where six American service members were killed. In a separate friendly-fire episode in Kuwait, three U.S. F-15 fighter jets were reportedly shot down; all six aircrew ejected safely.
The humanitarian and civilian toll has been severe. The Red Crescent reports more than 500 killed across Iran, and Iranian state media said a strike at a girls’ elementary school killed more than 100 children. Iranian strikes also damaged a hotel in Dubai, an apartment building in Bahrain, and neighborhoods in Israel, including a direct hit near Jerusalem that left several dead and dozens wounded.
The attacks have disrupted travel and daily life across the region: commercial flights have been severely reduced, authorities have issued missile/rocket alerts advising people to shelter in place and stay away from windows, and the U.S. State Department evacuated the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, after an unnamed threat. The State Department has urged Americans to leave 14 countries in the region.
U.S. and Israeli officials say they are systematically targeting Iran’s missile launchers and other military infrastructure; Israeli officials estimated that about half of the launchers have been destroyed, and suggest Iran is conserving missile stockpiles. On the battlefield, U.S. fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and Tomahawk cruise missiles have been used in sustained operations.
In public remarks, President Trump honored the American troops killed in the attacks and vowed “ferocious, unyielding resolve” to crush the threat posed by Iran. He framed the U.S. military as overwhelming and confident that it will prevail in the conflict, while allies and partners watch the fighting and civilian casualties mount.
Correspondents report that, amid sirens and the threat of incoming fire, many civilians across Israel and neighboring countries have been forced into shelters; thousands of travelers remain stranded as airlines suspend flights through the region. With missiles reportedly seen streaking across skies toward Israel, U.S. officials are continuing to move forces and materiel to the area as the conflict enters what officials describe as an especially dangerous and volatile phase.