All articles tagged with #us israel strikes
The article claims that in two waves of US- and Israel-led strikes against Iran in 2025–2026, at least 70 senior Iranian officials and commanders were killed, including the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the February 2026 attack; it lists victims across the IRGC, Basij, and intelligence agencies, with counts based on confirmed reports and noting that many other deaths are unconfirmed.
After two weeks of deadly bombardment by the United States and Israel, Tehran has grown quiet and largely empty as residents flee or stay indoors; security forces patrol at night and only pro-government demonstrations occur. The war has killed more than 1,348 civilians in Iran and displaced up to 3.2 million people, with inflation and economic distress adding to daily hardship as some cling to hope for regime change while others feel exhausted and uncertain about the future.
Tehran endures intensified US-Israeli airstrikes that have left more than 1,200 dead and damaged cultural sites, while residents face thick smoke, power and currency shortages, rising prices, and limited cash as many flee or adapt to disrupted daily life; amid two wars in less than a year and ongoing protests, ordinary Iranians weigh the economy’s outlook and the country’s future with growing anxiety about what comes next.
U.S. and Israeli forces broadened strikes on Iran, including fuel depots near Tehran, as Tehran vowed retaliation; Iran and allied groups hit Gulf states, Lebanon, and other targets, signaling a widening war. The conflict has unsettled energy markets and pushed U.S. gasoline prices higher, while Iran’s leadership divisions and questions about potential ground intervention add to regional tension during the ongoing exchange of attacks and counterattacks.
Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA says Natanz was targeted by US and Israeli airstrikes, contradicting Rafael Grossi’s statement that Iran’s nuclear facilities have not been damaged. He denounces the attacks as unlawful, urges a board condemnation, and the IAEA continues to seek contact with Iranian regulators amid the ongoing conflict.
Iranian state media confirmed Sunday the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, potentially reshaping the region as the U.S. and Israel’s strikes escalate tensions. The AP report tie-ins include images of Tehran damage, a U.S. carrier operation, Beirut mourning, and a missile strike on Jerusalem, underscoring how the confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program is destabilizing the region and may prompt leadership changes and retaliation.
Geopolitical tensions after the US and Israel struck Iran push gold higher, with spot gold above $5,278/oz and crude oil set for further gains on potential supply disruptions; analysts warn of a sustained rally if the conflict widens, as gold stays a safe haven and oil prices could spike if Hormuz shipping is disrupted, while China’s near-term oil supply impact is limited but higher prices could raise import costs.
Trump administration allies defended the US-Israel strikes on Iran as a necessary move to stop Tehran’s long-running campaign of violence, while Democrats argued it was a war of choice that requires public justification and congressional oversight. The debate touched on the need for a War Powers Act vote, concerns about escalation and accountability, and distinctions between calls for defense of bases and broader regime-change implications, with Republicans backing the president and some Democrats urging scrutiny.
CNN reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike, with nationwide reactions ranging from celebrations to pro-regime demonstrations. The same strikes hit a girls’ primary school in Minab, lifting the toll to about 148 dead and dozens wounded, and state media later confirmed the deaths of senior figures Ali Shamkhani and Mohammad Pakpour. The conflict triggered regional spillover with further attacks and counterstrikes across the Gulf, including Dubai and Doha, as governments reassess security and international responses.
A CFR-curated set of expert analyses argues that while the U.S.-Israel strikes may degrade Iran’s capabilities, toppling the Islamic Republic from air power alone is unlikely; diplomacy had been advancing before the attack, and Iran’s leadership may survive despite damage, risking a prolonged, costly regional war with unpredictable retaliation, Gulf-state hedging, and broader instability across the Middle East.
Airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air canceled or diverted flights to the Middle East after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with Iran’s airspace closed and routes to Tel Aviv, Doha, Dubai and Amman disrupted; UK authorities urged nationals to shelter amid explosions and air raid alerts, as passengers face delays and rerouted flights.
President Trump claims the U.S. and Israeli strikes have completely destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities, contradicting early Pentagon reports suggesting limited damage, and emphasizes that Iran's nuclear program is effectively halted for years, while also dismissing the need for negotiations and highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.