Iran Attacks: Day 14 – US & Israel Response Updates

Heavy Israeli strikes have hit Tehran, Iran, as its allies launch attacks across Gulf states, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted, sending global oil prices soaring. Political pressure is mounting in Washington as the conflict spreads across the region.

In Iran

• Supreme leader speaks: Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first statement, warning that attacks on Israel and US military assets and infrastructure in the Middle East will continue unless bases hosting US forces in the region are closed. The leader did not appear in person.

• Iranian supreme leader ‘wounded’: US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he believes Khamenei is wounded. “We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured.”
• President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said it was a “great honour” to be responsible for killing Iran’s leadership, calling them “deranged scumbags.”

• Tehran rally blasts: Explosions struck near a pro-government rally in Tehran attended by senior officials, including security chief Ali Larijani, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, killing at least one person as Israel and Iran exchanged new strikes.

• Iran promised to deliver an “unforgettable lesson” to the US and Israel, while the Revolutionary Guards warned any protests would face a harsher crackdown than in January.
• Civilian casualties: At least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured in US-Israel attacks since February 28, Iran’s Health Ministry said, with victims ranging in age from eight months to 88 years old.

In Gulf countries

• Regional retaliation and attacks: Iran has launched waves of drones and missiles towards Gulf countries that host US military assets and troops, and has targeted oil tankers and facilities.
• Deadly attack: Two people died after security forces intercepted a drone near an industrial area in northern Oman, state media said.
• Bahrain: The nation has reported intercepting 114 missiles and 190 drones since the war began on February 28.
• Saudi Arabia: The country intercepted 10 drones over its eastern region and later destroyed an additional 28 drones that breached its airspace.
• Attacks on the UAE: The country has strongly condemned Iranian strikes on the region, and said they have hit Dubai International Airport and some hotels.
• Evacuations: Australia has ordered all “non-essential” officials to leave the United Arab Emirates and Israel, and urged its citizens to evacuate the Middle East while it is still safe to do so
• Qatar’s response: Qatar’s airspace is officially closed, but Qatar Airways has scheduled more than 140 special flights to help repatriate stranded residents and citizens.
• Qatar has strongly rejected Israeli media claims that it intentionally paused liquefied natural gas (LNG) production to manipulate US energy prices; officials clarified that the suspension was actually forced by an Iranian drone attack.

In the US

• Troop surge: The US plans to deploy a Marine expeditionary unit of approximately 2,200 personnel from Okinawa, Japan, to the Middle East to support ongoing military operations and potential evacuation missions.

• Domestic opposition: More than 250 US organisations have signed a letter calling on Congress to halt funding for the war. They argue the $11.3bn spent in the first six days of the conflict is diverting crucial funds from urgent domestic needs, such as food benefits.
• No ‘need’ for ground troops in Iran: US Senator Lindsey Graham has played down the possibility of US troops being deployed to Iran, but suggested the war could continue for some time. “I don’t see this conflict ending today,” the Republican senator told reporters in Washington, DC.
• Drone defences: The US Army has deployed 10,000 Merops interceptor drones to the Middle East. These drones, costing around $14,000–$15,000 each, are intended to provide a cheaper alternative to expensive missile defence systems for countering Iranian drones.

In Israel

• New missile wave launched at Israel: The Israeli military said early on Friday that Iran had fired a new barrage of missiles towards Israel, and instructed people in affected areas to head to shelters.
• Israel strikes Basij force: Israel’s military said it had struck checkpoints set up in Tehran by the Basij force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as part of efforts to undermine control by the authorities.
• Regime change: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel can create conditions for regime change, but it is up to Iran’s people to take to the streets. He also said Israel is aiming to stop Iran from moving nuclear and ballistic projects underground.

In Lebanon, Iraq

• Downed US aircraft: All six crew died when a KC-135 aerial refuelling plane crashed in western Iraq, the US military said. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the crash “was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.” A second plane involved in the incident had landed safely.
• Iraqi port closures: Iraq has shut its port operations after an Indian crew member was killed during an attack on a US-owned oil tanker in Iraqi waters.
• French soldier killed: An Iranian drone was responsible for the death of a French soldier in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, the first French casualty of the war, his commanding officer said.
• Multiple attacks attributed to pro-Iranian factions have targeted the region where foreign forces are based.
• Mounting death toll and mass displacement: Lebanese officials have reported that at least 687 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since last Monday, including 98 children. The intense bombardments have displaced an estimated 700,000 to 750,000 people from their homes.
• UN chief in Beirut: UN chief Antonio Guterres said he arrived in Beirut on a “solidarity” visit to Lebanon.