Middle East War: Pentagon Preps for Ground Offensive?

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels joined the month-old Middle East war on Saturday, claiming two missile attacks on Israel. The conflict continues to escalate with multiple countries responding to attacks and threats across the region.

Pentagon Prepares for Potential Ground Operations in Iran

The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of potential ground operations in Iran, possibly including raids on Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet approved any deployment, according to reports.

Any ground operation would likely involve raids by special operations forces and conventional infantry troops, stopping short of a full-scale invasion.

Kuwait Responds to Missile and Drone Attacks

Kuwait’s military reported on Sunday it was responding to “hostile missile and drone” threats. The general staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces stated that any explosions heard were the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile targets.

Iran Threatens US Universities in Mideast

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard threatened to target US universities in the Middle East on Sunday, claiming US-Israeli strikes had destroyed two Iranian universities. The Guard demanded a US condemnation of the bombing by noon (0830 GMT) Monday.

Pakistan to Host Regional Foreign Ministers

Pakistan will host foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey in Islamabad on Sunday and Monday for discussions “on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region”. Islamabad has been serving as an intermediary for messages between Iran and the United States.

Yemen’s Houthis Enter War, Fire Missiles at Israel

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels joined the month-old Middle East war on Saturday, claiming two missile attacks on Israel. They had previously refrained from involvement but warned they would join the conflict if Iran continued to come under attack.

Anti-War Protests in Israel

Hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities on Saturday to protest the war in the Middle East, in unauthorized demonstrations that security forces attempted to disperse. Weekly protests against the war appear to be growing, though participation remains lower than previous demonstrations.

US Condemns Attack on Iraqi Kurdistan Leader

The United States condemned a drone attack Saturday on the residence of Nechirvan Barzani, the leader of autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, blaming Iranian militia proxies in Iraq. A State Department statement called the actions a “direct assault on Iraq’s sovereignty, stability, and unity.” French President Emmanuel Macron also described the attack as “unacceptable.”

Strike Kills Two Police in Iraq

A strike on Iraq’s northern Mosul city killed two police officers, with the ministry of interior blaming the attack on the United States and Israel. The ministry reported that five policemen were also wounded during rescue efforts following the initial strike.

Iran Strike on Israeli Village

A direct Iranian missile strike on a village in central Israel on Saturday wounded 11 people and created a large crater, according to medics. The strike hit a residential area in the village of Eshtaol, near Beit Shemesh, following an earlier strike that killed nine people.

France Links Paris Bank Bombing Bid to War

France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez linked a foiled attempt to bomb a Bank of America building in Paris to the war in the Middle East on Saturday. Nunez noted similarities to actions taken in other European countries by opponents of the conflict.

Iran Navy Arms Complex Hit

Israel’s military said it struck an industrial complex in Tehran used for the research and development of naval weapons as part of overnight attacks from Friday to Saturday. The site handled research, development, and production of various naval weaponry, including surface and sub-surface vessels.

Iraq Fighters Killed in Strike

A strike in northern Iraq on Saturday killed three fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, who blamed the United States and Israel for the attack. Two police officers were also killed and five wounded in a strike on a Mosul police station, which the interior ministry also attributed to a US-Israeli attack.

Aluminium Firm Damaged

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) reported significant damage to one of its sites in Abu Dhabi following an Iranian attack that wounded six people. The Al Taweelah site sustained damage during the missile and drone attacks at Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi.