Washington. The ongoing war in the Middle East has intensified further, with new missile strikes between Iran and Israel, air attacks in Lebanon, growing maritime security threats in the Persian Gulf, and rising diplomatic tensions among global powers signaling a wider regional crisis.
Early Thursday morning, several explosions were heard in Tehran, the capital of Iran, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim News Agency. Following the blasts, Iranian authorities said the country’s security system had been placed on high alert.
Meanwhile, Iran launched a new phase of missile attacks toward Israel, according to both the Israel Defense Forces and Iranian state media. Air raid warnings were issued across multiple areas including Tel Aviv. Journalists from Agence France‑Presse reported that warning sirens also sounded in Jerusalem, followed by explosions. Israel’s emergency services said there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Israel has also continued strikes in Lebanon. After issuing evacuation warnings, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes Thursday morning in southern Beirut, an area considered a stronghold of Hezbollah. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that two separate Israeli strikes on a highway leading to Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport killed three people.
Tensions have also spread across the Gulf region. The British maritime security agency United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported a “large explosion” near Kuwait, damaging an oil tanker and causing an oil spill. According to the agency, the tanker’s captain reported seeing a large explosion near the port before a small vessel quickly left the area.
Amid rising tensions with Iran, Qatar has taken precautionary measures. The Qatari Interior Ministry said residents living near the Embassy of the United States in Doha are being relocated to safer locations due to the possibility of Iranian attacks.
Turkey also reported that an Iranian ballistic missile entering its airspace was intercepted and destroyed using a NATO air defense system. The missile had reportedly been launched from Iran and passed through Iraq and Syria before heading toward Turkish airspace. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador to demand an explanation. One Turkish official said the missile was originally aimed at a military base in Greek Cyprus but changed course.
Regarding the war, Donald Trump, President of the United States, praised the performance of American forces on the battlefield. Speaking at a gathering of technology industry leaders, Trump described the U.S. operation as extremely successful, saying its performance was “like a 15 on a scale of 10.”
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also claimed that Washington, D.C. and Tel Aviv had achieved “historic gains” in the conflict.
However, divisions have emerged within U.S. domestic politics. The United States Senate rejected a bipartisan proposal aimed at halting military operations against Iran. With Republicans holding a 53–47 majority, the proposal failed by the same margin. The resolution sought to stop the military campaign launched without explicit congressional approval.
International reactions have varied. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country could not rule out playing a role in the growing conflict. Speaking in Canberra after meeting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he said Canada would stand with its allies.
Meanwhile, Spain rejected claims that the United States had used Spanish military bases for operations against Iran. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares clarified that Madrid’s policy regarding the bombing campaign had not changed.
China has signaled a diplomatic initiative. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that Beijing would send a special envoy to help reduce tensions in the Middle East. China, considered a close partner of Iran, has repeatedly urged the United States and Israel to halt military attacks while supporting Iran’s sovereignty.
At the same time, Qatar expressed frustration with Tehran. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani reportedly told Iran’s foreign minister in a phone call that Iran was attempting to drag neighboring countries into the conflict.
The war has also begun to disrupt global maritime trade. Danish shipping giant Maersk and German carrier Hapag‑Lloyd have suspended bookings to the Gulf region until further notice after reviewing security risks. Earlier, China’s COSCO Shipping had taken a similar decision.
Oil prices have also risen after Iran warned ships to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes for energy transportation.
The navy of Oman said it rescued 24 crew members from a container ship struck by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz. The rescue came a day after President Trump said U.S. naval forces were ready to escort tankers through the region, while Iran’s military claimed it had “full control” over the strait.
The conflict’s impact has reached as far as South Asia. A Sri Lanka naval official said that near the Sri Lankan coast an American submarine torpedoed an Iranian warship, sinking it. Rescue teams later recovered the bodies of 87 sailors from the sea, according to the official.
