US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared today the “most intense” phase of the ongoing US-Israeli military operation against Iran, with heavy airstrikes reported across Tehran and other cities.
Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, Hegseth said the US has deployed the highest number of fighters, bombers and strikes so far. He stressed that “our will is endless” but that President Trump will decide when the campaign ends.
A top Iranian security official had threatened Donald Trump to be careful “so that you won’t get eliminated” .
Key developments today
- Iranian ballistic missile attacks have fallen 90% and one-way attack drones 83% since the operation began on 28 February.
- Fresh explosions reported in eastern Tehran targeting an underground Revolutionary Guard complex.
- Millions of Israelis rushed to shelters after at least 30 missile and drone alerts in northern and central Israel.
- Israel carried out new strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
- Iranian official Ali Larijani warned the US not to block the Strait of Hormuz, threatening “defeat and suffering” for “warmongers”. Oil prices dipped toward $90/barrel.
- Hegseth said the US is preparing options to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz if needed and will investigate any civilian casualty claims.
People in Tehran described hearing loud explosions and seeing smoke plumes, with some areas reporting power outages.
