Day 4: US and Israel Strike Iran as France Deploys Aircraft Carrier
The Middle East remains tense. A blast rocked the capital of Lebanon, and Israel said it would launch a new wave of overnight strikes against Iran. The region is now engulfed in war after the United States (US) and Iran launched large‑scale attacks on Iran on Saturday, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran subsequently retaliated with large‑scale strikes on Iran and US military bases across several Middle Eastern countries.
Non-emergency US staff depart from Saudi Arabia and Oman
The U.S. Department of State has granted permission for non‑emergency US personnel and their family members in Saudi Arabia and Oman to depart the country. This was stated by the U.S. embassy in Riyadh and Muscat on Tuesday, as Iran launched retaliatory strikes in response to the US–Israel air strikes. “Providing permission to non‑emergency US government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia and Oman due to safety risks,” the U.S. embassy in Riyadh and Muscat said in a statement on their websites.
Oman, which acts as a mediator in talks between the United States and Iran, has called for a ceasefire in the war. Meanwhile Riyadh condemned the Iranian attacks, including an attack on the U.S. embassy in Riyadh that forced the embassy to close on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia says it has intercepted two cruise missiles
The Saudi Defence Ministry said two cruise missiles were intercepted on Wednesday in the southern area of the capital Riyadh. State media reported a separate drone attack was also repelled. “Two cruise missiles were intercepted and destroyed in the Al-Kharj district,” the Defence Ministry said, while the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted a ministry spokesperson saying “nine drones were intercepted and destroyed as they entered the Kingdom’s airspace.” The statement did not specify who might be behind the attacks.
US commander says 2,000 targets hit in Iran
The United States issued the latest statement on strikes against Iran. Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads US military forces in the Middle East, said in a video message that nearly 2,000 targets had been struck so far in Iran. “We have significantly weakened Iran’s air defences and destroyed hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones,” he said.
Explosions shake Beirut and other cities
A loud explosion was heard in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on Wednesday night. The US–Israel strikes on Iran led to renewed exchanges of attacks and rocket fire between Israel and Hizbullah. Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Israeli strikes on two southern Beirut cities killed six people and wounded eight. That area lies outside Hizbullah’s traditional stronghold supported by Iran. Lebanese state media also said an Israeli attack hit a hotel on the outskirts of Beirut, Hazmieh. A four‑storey building in Baalbek in the east was also shelled by Israel.
Qatar says Iran spy networks have been dismantled
Qatar, which hosts the main US military base and has been a target of several Iranian attacks since the start of the war, reported that it had dismantled two espionage cells linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Ten suspects were arrested.
“They admitted during investigations their links to the IRGC and have been ordered to undertake espionage and sabotage activities,” said the state news agency.
Israel says it has launched a new wave of attacks
The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it had launched a wide wave of attacks against targets in Iran. This followed the Islamic Republic launching three separate volleys of missiles into Israeli territory. Earlier on Tuesday, Israel said it had attacked underground nuclear sites in Iran where it claimed scientists were quietly developing key components for a nuclear weapon. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the strike.
Drone attack on the US consulate in Dubai
A drone attack caused a fire near the US consulate in Dubai as Iran escalates targeting of American diplomatic missions in the Gulf. Residents said they heard a bang and one person said he later saw flames. “Police closed roads nearby and evacuated passersby trying to view the damage,” said a witness.
France deploys aircraft carrier
France has dispatched its flagship aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean in response to the widening conflict in the Middle East, President Emmanuel Macron announced. The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle has been withdrawn from its Atlantic patrol to head for the eastern Mediterranean.
Charter flights to help Americans leave the Middle East
The United States said it has arranged charter flights to help Americans leave the Middle East. Officials said they had arranged charter flights from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and would continue to secure additional capacity as security conditions allow.
Trump threatens to cut all trade with Spain
President Donald Trump threatened to sever all trade with Spain after the country refused to allow US aircraft to use its bases to attack Iran. The left‑wing Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, one of Europe’s most vocal Trump opponents, said bases long used by US forces could only be used for activities in line with the United Nations Charter.
US proposes escort through the Strait of Hormuz
The United States proposed an escort through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the US Navy would…