The Middle East crisis has sharply escalated on day four of coordinated US-Israel attacks on Iran, with Tehran retaliating across the region and closing the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington has warned that “harder hits” are still to come.
Situation Inside Iran
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Strikes in Tehran hit the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) complex and damaged the historic Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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At least 787 people have reportedly been killed, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state-linked sources.
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The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, threatening global oil supplies.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the “hardest hits” are yet to come.
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said strikes aim to cripple Iran’s navy and halt its nuclear and missile ambitions.
Gulf Nations on Edge
Qatar
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Iranian missiles struck Al Udeid Air Base, which houses US forces.
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QatarEnergy halted LNG production following attacks.
Kuwait
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Three US F-15E fighter jets crashed during Iranian retaliation.
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The US Embassy in Kuwait has closed until further notice.
Saudi Arabia
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Intercepted drones near Riyadh and Al-Kharj.
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The US Embassy in Riyadh suspended services after drone impacts.
UAE
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Dubai International Airport resumed limited operations.
The US State Department has urged Americans to leave several Gulf nations immediately.
Israel Under Fire
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Israeli air defence systems intercepted Iranian missiles and drones.
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Hezbollah launched attacks from Lebanon, calling them retaliation for Israeli actions.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, saying the campaign would be “quick and decisive.”
Developments in the US
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Six US service members have been killed and 18 injured.
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President Donald Trump vowed further retaliation but signalled no immediate plans for ground troops.
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Vice President JD Vance said the objective is to ensure Iran can “never have a nuclear weapon.”
Big Picture
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a key global oil route — has raised fears of soaring energy prices and wider economic fallout. With regional retaliation expanding and US warnings intensifying, the conflict risks spiraling into a broader Middle East war.
