DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Explosions sent clouds of dark smoke over Tehran early Saturday as Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel, and U.S. officials warned a forthcoming bombing campaign would be the most intense yet in the weeklong conflict.
There was no clear end in sight. The Trump administration approved a new $151 million arms sale to Israel after President Donald Trump said he would not negotiate with Iran without its “unconditional surrender.” Iran’s U.N. ambassador said Tehran would “take all necessary measures” to defend itself.
Associated Press video showed flashes and smoke over western Tehran as Israel said it had begun a broad wave of strikes. The Israeli military also said it was moving to intercept a new salvo of missiles launched from Iran.
The conflict has widened: sirens sounded in Bahrain after an Iranian attack targeted the island kingdom, and Saudi Arabia reported shooting down drones headed for its Shaybah oil field and a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces.
The U.S. and Israel have struck Iran’s military capabilities, leadership and nuclear program. Stated goals and timelines have shifted during the campaign, with U.S. statements at times suggesting efforts to topple Iran’s government or support new leadership from within.
U.S. intelligence officials say Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region, according to two people familiar with the intelligence who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Officials cautioned the intelligence does not show Russia directing Iran’s actions, but it is the first indication Moscow has sought to become involved. Russian President Vladimir Putin phoned Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, expressing condolences over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Kremlin said.
New evidence emerged suggesting a Feb. 28 explosion at a school in Minab, about 680 miles southeast of Tehran, that killed scores of students was likely caused by U.S. airstrikes that also hit an adjacent compound associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran’s state media reported more than 165 people died in the blast, most of them children. Iran has blamed Israel and the U.S.; neither country has acknowledged responsibility, though Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is investigating.
Qatar’s energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, warned the war could “bring down the economies of the world,” predicting widespread shutdowns of Gulf energy exports that could push oil to $150 a barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude rose above $90 on Friday for the first time in more than two years.
Trump posted on social media Friday, “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” He added that after a surrender and “the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s),” the U.S. and its allies would help rebuild Iran economically. Those comments raised questions about the war’s endgame. Officials say the fighting has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel; six U.S. troops have also died.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “some countries” had begun mediation efforts. Trump also told media he should be involved in choosing a replacement for Khamenei and disparaged Khamenei’s son Mojtaba as “a lightweight.” Iran’s U.N. ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani condemned Trump’s remarks, saying Iran “does not accept and will never allow any foreign power to interfere in its internal affairs.” Iranian state television reported a leadership council was discussing how to convene the Assembly of Experts to select a new supreme leader.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview that the “biggest bombing campaign” of the war was still to come. Israel has said it heavily bombed an extensive underground bunker that Iranian leaders had planned to use during the hostilities.
In Lebanon, state media reported clashes early Saturday between local fighters and an Israeli force that landed near Nabi Chit, a Hezbollah stronghold in eastern Lebanon; casualties were not reported. Israel has carried out waves of airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah is strong but which are also densely populated. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 217 people had been killed by Israeli strikes since Monday and 798 wounded. Roads were clogged with people evacuating, smoke rose over southern districts, and two hospitals evacuated patients and staff. “What can we do? We prayed here under the tree. During the night, we slept in the car because there is no place to stay,” said Jihan Shehadeh, one of tens of thousands displaced.
Metz reported from Ramallah; Rising from Bangkok; Abou AlJoud from Beirut. Associated Press journalists around the world contributed.
