DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Heavy Israeli bombardments hammered the capitals of both Iran and Lebanon during the early morning hours Friday, while American forces apparently destroyed an Iranian naval drone vessel, escalating military operations against Tehran’s maritime fleet.
Tehran launched fresh counter-strikes across the Middle East following a complete week of sustained attacks, prompting U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to caution that the bombardment was “about to surge dramatically.”
Israeli defense forces announced Friday morning they had initiated “a broad-scale wave of strikes” against Tehran, Iran’s capital city. Local witnesses characterized the Israeli bombardments as exceptionally heavy, causing residential buildings in the vicinity to tremble. Additional reports indicated explosions near the Iranian city of Kermanshah, an area housing several missile installations.
Israeli military officials stated their strikes have already eliminated the majority of Iran’s air defense systems and missile launching platforms.
The conflict has expanded to impact nations throughout the Middle East and beyond. During the early Friday hours, Iran launched missile and drone assaults against Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, all nations that provide bases for American military personnel. No immediate casualty reports were available.
In Lebanon, where the conflict has heightened clashes between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah forces, Israel conducted multiple airstrikes from late Thursday into Friday morning targeting Beirut’s southern neighborhoods and surrounding regions. Vehicle traffic clogged roadways as drivers attempted to evacuate or find protective shelter.
American and Israeli forces have pummeled Iran with nationwide bombardments, focusing on their military infrastructure, leadership structure and atomic weapons program.
Tehran’s assaults have focused on neighboring Arab states, interrupted petroleum deliveries and disrupted international aviation routes. The conflict has claimed at least 1,230 lives in Iran, over 120 in Lebanon and approximately twelve in Israel, based on government reports from these nations. Six American service members have lost their lives.
American military forces reported early Friday they attacked an Iranian drone vessel, causing it to catch fire.
The U.S. military’s Central Command distributed black-and-white video footage showing the burning vessel. Iranian military officials had not immediately confirmed the attack.
The drone vessel, designated IRIS Shahid Bagheri, represents a modified cargo ship featuring a 180-meter-long flight deck for unmanned aircraft. The ship can navigate up to 22,000 nautical miles without requiring port refueling, according to reports from its 2005 commissioning.
Adm. Brad Cooper, commanding officer of U.S. Central Command, characterized the vessel as “roughly the size of a World War II aircraft carrier.”
“And as we speak, it’s on fire,” Cooper informed media representatives.
Speaking with Cooper, Hegseth provided limited information Thursday when he announced an impending escalation.
“It’s more fighter squadrons, it’s more capabilities, it’s more defensive capabilities,” Hegseth stated. “And it’s more bomber pulses more frequently.”
Qatar’s Defense Ministry announced early Friday it successfully intercepted a drone assault aimed at Al Udeid Air Base, which houses the forward command center of U.S. Central Command.
Saudi Arabia intercepted and eliminated three ballistic projectiles launched early Friday toward Prince Sultan Air Base south of Riyadh, hosting American personnel, according to a Saudi Defense Ministry representative.
Emergency warning systems activated in Bahrain, where Interior Ministry officials reported Iranian strikes hit two hotels and an apartment complex. Officials stated no casualties occurred. In Kuwait, where six American soldiers died Sunday, Kuwaiti military forces said their air defense systems engaged when missiles and drones violated Kuwait’s airspace.
During brief White House comments Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump once again encouraged Iranian citizens to “help take back your country.” This time he pledged America would provide them “immunity” during the conflict and continuing threats under Iran’s current government.
“So you’ll be perfectly safe with total immunity,” Trump declared, without providing specifics about the meaning. “Or you’ll face absolutely guaranteed death.”
In a discussion with news outlet Axios, Trump stated he should participate in selecting Iran’s new supreme leader to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in the war’s initial strikes. Trump spoke critically of Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, being considered a leading candidate to succeed his father, describing him as “a lightweight.”
“We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump stated.
Iran has not sought discussions with America to end the expanding conflict, Iran’s ambassador to Egypt informed the Associated Press Thursday. Ambassador Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour rejected Trump’s claims that Iran desires negotiations.
He explained that insufficient trust prevents such discussions after nuclear agreement talks failed twice and resulted in warfare.
“There will be no trust in Trump,” Ferdousi Pour stated.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. Navy of conducting “an atrocity at sea” for destroying the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, resulting in at least 87 crew deaths.
The Iranian vessel was returning from naval exercises hosted by India’s navy that America also participated in. Sri Lankan officials reported 32 crew members were rescued. Araghchi indicated it carried “almost 130” personnel.
An Iranian religious leader subsequently demanded on state television the killing of both Israelis and “Trump’s blood.”
Israel executed at least 11 airstrikes from late Thursday through early Friday, focusing on Beirut’s southern neighborhoods. Blazes erupted near a fuel station.
Israeli military forces issued an alert Thursday evening, encouraging residents to “save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately.” Two medical facilities evacuated patients and personnel. No casualties were immediately confirmed.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported the fatality count has increased to 123 since renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which attacked Israel during the war’s opening phase.
A representative for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, Tilak Pokharel, stated Thursday that peacekeepers had observed and heard fighting, including ground battles, in southern Lebanon as additional Israeli forces crossed the border.
