Things are moving fast and getting scary in the Middle East right now. Israeli forces have just launched fresh airstrikes on military targets in Iran’s capital, Tehran, and Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. At the same time, two drones struck the US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, sparking a small fire and causing only minor damage.
Israel is also sending ground troops deeper into Lebanon to stop rocket fire hitting its border towns.
Iranian media say they’ve destroyed a command building at a US air base in Bahrain, the US hasn’t confirmed that yet. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the really tough strikes on Iran are “yet to come.” This follows President Trump calling the weekend attacks the “last, best chance” to deal with the Iranian regime. Trump also took a swipe at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying the UK’s response hasn’t been helpful and the old US-UK friendship feels different now.
8:46 SAST
Donald Trump has slammed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, telling The Sun the PM “has not been helpful” and that the relationship between the US and UK “is obviously not what it was.” He said France and other allies have been great, but the UK has been very different.
8:26 SAST
Israel’s Defence Minister says ground troops have been cleared to push forward and seize more strategic areas in Lebanon. The goal is simple: stop Hezbollah firing on Israeli border communities. He added that Hezbollah is already paying – and will keep paying – a very heavy price.
8:15 SAST
Hezbollah claims it has hit three Israeli military sites in response – a big missile barrage on a base in the Golan Heights plus drone strikes on two air bases in northern Israel. The Israeli military hasn’t commented yet.
8:07 SAST
Loud explosions are being reported across Tehran right now.
8:05 SAST
Huge plumes of thick black smoke are rising over Beirut’s southern suburbs after the latest Israeli strikes.
05:38 SAST
Day four of this war and Israel has launched a big new wave of airstrikes on military targets in both Tehran and Beirut. The US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones overnight. An Iranian official is threatening to “set fire” to any ships trying to use the Strait of Hormuz. Six US service members have been killed since the conflict started, and the UK is letting America use its bases for defensive strikes only, no regime change from the skies, says Keir Starmer.
Check out:Iran Launches Missile Strikes as Regional Tensions Escalate
05:30 SAST
The US embassy in Kuwait has shut “until further notice” because of the rising tensions. All consular appointments are cancelled.
04:59 SAST
President Trump posted on Truth Social that America has “virtually unlimited” supplies of weapons and can fight for as long as it takes. He also criticised his predecessor for giving away too many top-end weapons to Ukraine.
04:41 SAST
The Israeli military has confirmed it is carrying out simultaneous targeted strikes on military sites in Tehran and Beirut. They’ve already warned civilians in Beirut’s southern suburbs and dozens of villages to get out immediately.
04:21 SAST
Israel just issued urgent evacuation orders for people living near Hezbollah-linked buildings in Beirut and across southern Lebanon. “For your safety, you must leave now,” the military said.
04:00 SAST
Iranian state media claims its forces have destroyed the main command building at a US air base in Bahrain, with rockets hitting fuel tanks too. The US has not commented. American citizens have been told to leave Bahrain straight away.
04:01 SAST
Markets are on edge. Qatar has stopped producing liquefied natural gas after attacks on its facilities. Experts say Asia and Europe could face big shortages if the Strait of Hormuz stays blocked.
04:15 SAST
US commentator Tucker Carlson says America needs to tell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “You are not in charge.” He argued that Israel’s actions are costing American lives and affecting the whole world.
04:11 SAST
Oil prices keep climbing. Brent crude is up almost 2% as fears grow that supplies could be disrupted.
03:35 SAST
New satellite pictures show clear damage to a major Saudi oil refinery after a drone strike. The site had to shut down temporarily.
03:16 SAST
President Trump says the US will retaliate “soon” for the embassy attack in Riyadh and the deaths of American service members – but he doesn’t think ground troops will be needed.
03:54 SAST
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laughed off claims that Israel dragged the US into this war. “That’s ridiculous,” he said. “Donald Trump is the strongest leader in the world. He does what he thinks is right for America.”
03:34 SAST
Amazon reports that two of its data centres in the United Arab Emirates were directly hit by drone strikes, and another facility in Bahrain was affected nearby.