The Latest: War spirals further as US and Israel exchange strikes with Iran and its allies

Flames and smoke rose over Beirut’s southern suburbs after Israeli airstrikes Monday, underscoring a dramatic escalation as Israel and the United States pounded targets in Iran and across the region. Tehran and allied groups retaliated against Israel, nearby Gulf states, and critical energy infrastructure, heightening fears of a wider, protracted conflict.

Officials and state-linked agencies reported heavy casualties and damage with no clear path to de-escalation. Iran’s Red Crescent said at least 555 people have been killed in Iran amid the U.S.-Israeli campaign, with more than 130 cities struck. Authorities said 11 people have been killed in Israel and at least 31 in Lebanon. The intensifying violence followed reports of the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, further shaking regional stability.

Diplomacy and warnings

Russia’s Vladimir Putin spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about what the Kremlin described as the risks of the conflict spreading and the need for a political and diplomatic solution. The call highlighted concerns that the fighting—already affecting several Arab countries—could carry catastrophic consequences if it widens.

U.S. objectives, timeline, and possible ground involvement

President Donald Trump outlined four U.S. objectives in Iran: crippling missile capabilities, dismantling naval power, preventing a nuclear weapon, and cutting off support to proxy forces. He said U.S. strikes had already “knocked out” several ships and were degrading missile capacity. Trump suggested the operation was initially projected to take four to five weeks but emphasized it could extend longer if necessary. He has not ruled out deploying U.S. ground troops if required, while noting he believes they may not be needed. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the timeline could be shorter or longer depending on conditions.

Air war over Jerusalem and Beirut

In Jerusalem, clear skies were streaked by contrails Monday as Iranian missiles were intercepted by Israel’s layered air defenses, sending fragments tumbling from the sky amid loud booms. In Beirut, an Israeli airstrike heavily damaged a building near the old Iranian embassy compound in the Beir Hassan neighborhood; the Israeli military said it targeted a senior Hezbollah official. Israel also reported killing Hezbollah intelligence figure Hussein Mokalleh earlier near Beirut. Separately, an Israeli strike in a southern Beirut suburb killed Adham Adnan al-Othman, a top commander of Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Quds Brigades in Lebanon, according to the group.

Lebanon front intensifies; Americans urged to depart

The Israeli army said it carried out a broad wave of strikes on dozens of Hezbollah-linked sites in southern Lebanon, including weapons depots and launchers, after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel for the first time in more than a year. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut urged American citizens to leave Lebanon immediately while flights are available, citing a volatile and unpredictable security environment. Consular services were suspended.

Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean on edge

Cyprus said four Greek F-16s arrived to bolster security after a drone struck a nearby British base, causing minor damage. Qatar said its air force shot down two Iranian Su-24 bombers, while the United Arab Emirates reported intercepting nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles, and 148 drones on Monday alone, adding that it has repelled hundreds of aerial threats since the weekend. No new fatalities were reported in the UAE Monday; three people were killed there Sunday.

Migrant workers bear brunt of Gulf strikes

Iranian attacks across several Gulf states have highlighted the vulnerability of migrant workers who often live in dense accommodations near industrial zones. Reported casualties in the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait included nationals from Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other Asian countries. The Philippines elevated its travel advisory for several Gulf nations, triggering a ban on deploying newly hired workers. Millions of foreign workers underpin the Gulf economies yet remain among the most at risk in crises.

Restrictions and rhetoric in Israel

Israel extended nationwide restrictions: schools remain closed, many workplaces shuttered, gatherings banned, and public beaches off-limits through at least Saturday evening. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Beit Shemesh, where a missile strike on a synagogue shelter killed nine people Sunday. He accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilians and argued that joint U.S.-Israeli action serves global security.

Pakistan urges restraint amid deadly unrest

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the widening war and called for restraint. Authorities said clashes with demonstrators attempting to storm a U.S. consulate left at least 22 people dead and more than 120 injured, reflecting the conflict’s spillover into regional public anger and instability.

Inside Iran: leadership shock and civilian toll

Iranian media reported the death of Mansoureh Khojasteh, the wife of Ayatollah Khamenei, who had been in a coma following strikes on Saturday. Separately, a human rights activists’ group cited an Education Ministry spokesperson as saying 171 students were killed in the past 48 hours, including a devastating strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab. These reports could not be independently verified in the immediate term amid widespread disruptions.

Cyber operations and energy shock

U.S. cyberattacks were employed to “disrupt, disorient and confuse” Iranian forces ahead of initial strikes, according to Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, who said communications outages hampered Iran’s early response. The energy market reacted sharply: European natural gas futures spiked after QatarEnergy announced it would halt liquefied natural gas production as the war rages, citing security concerns and operational risks.

With multiple fronts active—missile duels over Israel, airstrikes in Lebanon, intercepts across the Gulf, and diplomatic frictions involving global powers—the trajectory points to a sustained confrontation with significant humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical consequences. Governments across the region and beyond are urging de-escalation even as military operations expand, underscoring how narrow the pathway remains for containing this conflict.