The Iran war, which has spread across the Middle East and beyond, entered its seventh day on Friday as Israel announced a “next phase” of its military campaign, targeting southern suburbs of Beirut in Lebanon. The Israeli military issued an unprecedented evacuation warning, urging residents to leave immediately, causing panic and mass displacement.
The conflict has already affected countries far beyond the immediate region. A US submarine torpedoed an Iranian warship near the Sri Lankan coast, while Azerbaijan threatened retaliation after a drone struck an airport. Gulf states have also reported casualties from Iranian s, including fatalities in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
On the political front, US President Donald Trump rejected the idea of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Iranian supreme leader, succeeding his father, calling him a “lightweight.” Trump suggested he must be involved in selecting a new leader and emphasized his preference for someone who could bring ility and peace to Iran, citing comparisons to Venezuela’s interim leadership.
Lebanon has been drawn further into the conflict after Hezbollah ed Israel in retaliation for the ing of Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with airstrikes and deployed ground forces to border villages, later targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure. The strikes have ed at least 123 people, wounded 683, and displaced about 90,000 residents.
The war has also strained regional security. Iran denied responsibility for the drone on Azerbaijan but blamed Israel, prompting accusations of terrorism from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Meanwhile, Australia and Canada have deployed military assets or suggested possible involvement in the theatre.
In Tehran, images of destroyed vehicles and damaged buildings show the human cost of the conflict. Iranian authorities report over 1,230 deaths from US and Israeli strikes, while six US personnel have been ed since the war began. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected negotiations with the US and warned that a ground invasion would be disastrous for invaders.
In Israel, the latest missile barrages from Iran caused explosions across Tel Aviv. The Israeli army claims that 60 percent of Iran’s missile launchers and 80 percent of its air defense systems have been destroyed. Army chief Eyal Zamir announced that additional surprises are planned in the campaign.
The Gulf region has also faced significant threats. Iran targeted infrastructure and urban centers, resulting in fatalities and injuries in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates, though some s were successfully intercepted by local defense systems.
The conflict continues to escalate, raising fears of a broader regional war with global repercussions.
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