Israeli forces moved into southern Lebanon on Tuesday and warned residents of more than 80 villages to evacuate, as Iran-backed Hezbollah declared itself ready for an “open war” with Israel following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Explosions echoed across Tehran through the night and into Tuesday morning amid continued strikes since the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. Thousands attended solemn funerals after an alleged Israeli strike on a school in Minab that reportedly killed more than 150 schoolgirls; the UN human rights office called for an impartial investigation.
Tehran and allied groups have launched retaliatory strikes targeting Israel, neighboring Gulf states, and energy infrastructure crucial to global oil and gas supplies. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said the US-Israeli operation has killed at least 555 people. In Israel, Iranian missile strikes hit several locations, killing 11, while Israeli strikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon reportedly killed 52 people. Iranian state television said two explosions occurred early Tuesday at a broadcasting facility in Tehran, with no injuries reported.
US President Donald Trump said Washington has “the capability to go far longer” than a previously projected four-to-five-week timeframe for operations against Iran and did not rule out deploying ground troops, saying they “will probably not be necessary, but can be used, if required.” He defined US objectives as destroying Iran’s missile, naval and nuclear capabilities and ending its support for regional armed groups.
France, Germany and the UK said they would coordinate with the United States. Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s actions as “reckless and destabilising.” The US urged American citizens to leave large parts of West Asia immediately, citing serious safety risks; the advisory covered Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE and Yemen.
Iranian news agency Tasnim reported US-Israeli aircraft struck central Tehran. Saudi authorities said two drones hit the US Embassy in Riyadh, causing a limited fire and minor damage; President Trump vowed retaliation for the embassy attack and for the deaths of six US service members since operations began.
Iranian strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure have driven oil and gas prices sharply higher. Qatar’s state-owned petroleum company suspended all liquefied natural gas production after two facilities were reportedly hit. The Israeli military said it intercepted missiles over West Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eilat as Iran struck multiple sites across Israel.
The situation remains highly fluid, with continuing exchanges of fire, regional diplomatic responses, and mounting humanitarian concerns for civilians in affected areas.
