On the fifth day of the war, Israel and the United States continue their bombardments in Iran, having now struck more than 2,000 targets. Among today’s targets were critical security force facilities in Tehran (nearly 1,100 dead, including more than 160 children). In addition, the United States sank a vessel of the Iranian navy off the coast of Sri Lanka. Of the 180 crew members, more than 30 have been rescued, while 80 deaths have been confirmed.
At the same time, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon continue, mainly in Beirut, while ground fighting between Hezbollah and the Israeli army (IDF) is intensifying in southern Lebanon, reaching up to 6 kilometers inside Lebanese territory (50+ dead in total).
Iran, with the support of Hezbollah, is responding with missiles and drones against Israel (11+ dead), as well as against at least four U.S. allies (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait). Among other targets, the U.S. consulate in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) has been hit, along with a U.S. base in Qatar, while a drone struck again the Ras Tanura complex of Saudi Aramco, where Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery is located. Overall, at least eight civilians and six American soldiers (in Kuwait) have been killed in the Gulf countries.
Turkey announced that NATO shot down an Iranian ballistic missile that had been heading toward its airspace, a development that could signal a serious escalation of the conflict if it is confirmed that a NATO member state was the intended target.
Trump threatened to “cut off all trade” with Spain after it refused to allow the use of its bases for attacks on Iran.
In Iran, the funeral of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a U.S.–Israeli strike, has been postponed. At the same time, according to New York Times sources, the most likely “successor” to the position of supreme religious leader is believed to be his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
In the United States, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the U.S. war against Iran has “only just begun,” with more warplanes arriving in the region, while warning Iranians that American forces will bring “death and destruction all day long.”
In the European Union, Spain responded to Trump’s threats to “cut off all trade” with the country — which he called “terrible” — following the Spanish government’s refusal to allow the use of its bases for attacks on Iran. The European Union reminded that a trade attack against one member state constitutes an attack against the entire bloc of 27 countries.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated: “The government’s position can be summed up in four words: No to war,” adding that “The question is not whether we are on the side of the ayatollahs — no one is. The question is whether we stand for peace and international legality.”
Sources: BBC [1], [2], Al Jazeera, The New York Times, Reuters
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