The Middle East war just doubled in size. Hezbollah entered the fight late Sunday, launching missiles and drones at Israel over Supreme Leader Khamenei’s killing. Israel responded by blasting targets across all of Lebanon including Beirut’s southern suburbs.
More than a dozen explosions rocked the Lebanese capital overnight. Roads jammed instantly as thousands fled on foot and by car. Israel also killed Mohammad Raad, head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc.
The expansion comes as Israel’s military claims its air force has now achieved “aerial superiority” over Tehran itself. American B-2 stealth bombers pounded Iran’s ballistic missile sites with 2,000-pound bombs Saturday night, part of over 1,000 targets struck in 24 hours.
President Trump says the US has sunk nine Iranian warships and “largely destroyed” Iran’s naval headquarters. His warning to the rest: “They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea.” The IRGC headquarters is also rubble.
Iran is hitting back hard. It claims to have struck three US and UK oil tankers in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, killing one seafarer. A drone also slammed into a British Royal Air Force base in Cyprus hours after London approved US use of its bases. No casualties there.
The civilian toll is mounting. Iran reports 158 students aged 7 to 12 killed at a girls’ elementary school in Minab. UNESCO called it “a grave violation of humanitarian law.” The US military says it is “looking into” the reports.
Markets are in freefall. Dow futures dropped 375 points at open Monday. Brent crude exploded 8.8% to $82.37 with UBS warning it could blow past $120 if this escalates. Gold futures jumped 1.6%.
Iran says it will not negotiate. Trump told the New York Times the war could last “four weeks or less” but offered to lift sanctions if new leadership plays ball. He admitted more American casualties are “likely” and vowed to avenge the three US troops already dead.
Diplomacy is collapsing. The UAE and Saudi Arabia both recalled their ambassadors from Tehran and shut embassies. That destroys the China-brokered 2023 rapprochement between the Gulf powers and Iran.
The US State Department issued Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warnings for Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. Worldwide caution alerts are now active for all Americans.
This is Day 3. The war is getting bigger, not smaller.
Follow on Google News
