Explosions sent dark smoke over Tehran early Saturday after Israel launched broad strikes and Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel, further widening a weeklong West Asia conflict that shows no sign of ending. The Trump administration approved a new USD 151 million arms sale to Israel, and President Trump said he would not negotiate with Iran without its “unconditional surrender.” Iran’s UN ambassador said the country would “take all necessary measures” to defend itself. – with agencies
Associated Press video showed flashes and smoke rising 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. Sirens sounded in Bahrain after an Iranian attack targeted the island kingdom. Saudi Arabia reported destroying drones headed toward its Shaybah oil field and shooting down a ballistic missile launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts US forces.
Fighting with Israeli troops was reported in eastern Lebanon early Saturday when local fighters clashed with an Israeli force that landed near the town of Nabi Chit, a Hezbollah stronghold. There was no immediate word on casualties and the Israeli military did not immediately respond to AP requests for comment. Israel has carried out waves of airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, where Hezbollah is strong but which are also home to hundreds of thousands of civilians. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 217 people had been killed by Israeli strikes since Monday and 798 wounded. Roads in Beirut were choked with evacuating traffic as smoke rose over southern districts; 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 the tens of thousands displaced.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview that the “biggest bombing campaign” of the war was still to come. He also said the US had given “permission” to India to buy Russian oil that was already on ships at sea to help ease temporary global supply gaps, praising India for previously halting purchases of sanctioned Russian oil and noting the move was intended to stabilize supplies.
