Missile and drone attacks widen fighting to Lebanon and Gulf states
Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the war against Iran โis not going to take years,โ rejecting comparisons to prolonged regional conflicts as hostilities expanded across the Middle East.
Speaking on Fox News, Netanyahu said the campaign could be โquick and decisive,โ although it may take time. โItโs not an endless war,โ he added.
However, as the conflict entered its fourth day Tuesday, explosions rocked Tel Aviv while air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles. Israel struck Iranโs state broadcaster complex in Tehran and targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah positions across Lebanon.
Meanwhile, drones apparently launched from Iran hit the U.S. embassy in Riyadh, causing minor damage, Saudi officials said. In Bahrain, Iranโs Revolutionary Guard claimed it destroyed the main command headquarters of a U.S. airbase using drones and missiles. Washington did not immediately comment.
U.S. signals open-ended campaign as global disruption intensifies
U.S. President Donald Trump initially projected a four-to-five-week conflict but has since defended a broader campaign, citing threats from Iranโs nuclear and missile programs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that โthe hardest hits are yet to come,โ though he said current objectives could be achieved without ground troops.
The U.S. military reported striking more than 1,250 targets in Iran and destroying 11 vessels. Six American service members died in retaliatory attacks in Kuwait. Additionally, Kuwait mistakenly downed three U.S. F-15E jets during an ุงูุฅูุฑุงูู strike, though all crew members survived.
Consequently, the conflict disrupted global aviation and halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices and tanker rates soaring. Major Gulf airports, including Dubai, remained closed for a fourth day, stranding thousands.
Russia, China and Turkey condemned the war, while a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed limited U.S. public support for the campaign.
