U.S.–Israel offensive continues amid regional retaliation, diplomatic signals and rising global concern
U.S.–Israeli military operations against Iran entered a second day Sunday as President Donald Trump suggested the conflict could continue for “four weeks or so,” raising concerns about prolonged instability across the Middle East.
Explosions were reported in Tehran overnight after Israel said it was targeting the “heart” of the Iranian capital. The escalation follows a coordinated strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with senior security officials including the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks aimed at Israel, U.S. military installations in the Gulf, and locations including Saudi Arabia’s capital and Dubai. Iranian authorities also announced that a 66-year-old cleric has been appointed to a three-member leadership council tasked with governing until a new supreme leader is chosen.
Despite the ongoing military action, there are early indications of possible diplomatic overtures. A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said potential new Iranian leadership figures have signalled openness to talks with Washington. Trump told The Atlantic that he intends to speak with Iran’s new leadership, saying, “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk,” though he did not provide a timeline. For now, the administration says the military operation continues.
Trump also acknowledged that three U.S. service members have been killed and five wounded. In a video message, he called the fallen troops “true American patriots” and said the United States would avenge their deaths. He added that additional casualties were possible before the conflict concludes.
The widening confrontation is having global economic implications. Danish shipping giant Maersk announced it is suspending transit through the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal for safety reasons. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, a move that could disrupt nearly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil supply. Analysts are warning of potential spikes in global energy prices if the disruption continues.
Regional governments are also reacting. The foreign ministers of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain held an emergency virtual meeting, calling on Iran to halt attacks on their territories. They said the strikes violated their sovereignty and threatened regional stability, while asserting their right to self-defence under international law.
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that British forces will not join offensive strikes against Iran but have authorized the U.S. to use British bases to target Iranian missile sites. Starmer said Royal Air Force jets are intercepting Iranian projectiles as part of defensive operations and described the threat as serious for British citizens and allies in the region.
The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory for Qatar, allowing nonessential diplomatic staff and families to depart and urging private citizens to reconsider travel due to the threat of armed conflict.
An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously, said months of planning and intelligence co-ordination allowed the U.S. and Israel to strike three leadership targets within a 60-second window, killing Khamenei and dozens of senior officials. Israel’s top general, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, praised what he described as significant early gains but cautioned that many more days of fighting may lie ahead.
As the situation unfolds, uncertainty surrounds Iran’s political future, the possibility of regime change and the broader consequences for regional and global stability. With military operations ongoing and diplomatic channels tentatively emerging, the coming weeks could prove decisive in shaping the next phase of the crisis.