Regional conflict expanded dramatically Monday as Tehran launched missile strikes against Israel and Arab nations, while Iranian-supported militias including Hezbollah escalated their involvement in the widening Middle Eastern warfare.
Following continued American and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani declared on social media platform X: “We will not negotiate with the United States.”
Former President Trump, who recently encouraged Iranian citizens to “take over” their government, indicated Sunday his willingness to engage in talks with Iran’s emerging leadership.
Iran’s foreign minister hinted that military forces may be operating without centralized government oversight when questioned about strikes on Gulf Arab countries that previously served as diplomatic intermediaries for Tehran.
Iranian officials report over 200 fatalities since the beginning of strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials.
The United Arab Emirates announced the closure of its primary stock exchanges as regional warfare intensifies. The Capital Market Authority confirmed that both the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market would remain shuttered Monday and Tuesday.
Officials stated they will continue monitoring regional developments and implement additional measures as needed. The Nasdaq Dubai exchange similarly suspended operations for both days.
Dubai serves as the Gulf’s primary commercial center, while Abu Dhabi functions as a crucial regional financial hub housing some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index, the region’s biggest stock market, dropped 2.2 percent Sunday.
As Kuwait experienced continued attacks, U.S. officials issued emergency advisories for American citizens to seek shelter and stay indoors. The warning stated: “Do not come to the Embassy,” without providing additional details.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported Monday that Israeli airstrikes following Hezbollah’s attack resulted in at least 31 deaths. The ministry indicated the strikes also injured 149 people, with approximately two-thirds of casualties occurring in southern Lebanon.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed that a Shaheed-type drone caused “minor material damage” to military facilities at the U.K.’s RAF Akrotiri base on the island’s southern coastline. The president said the drone impact occurred shortly after midnight Monday.
Christodoulides announced all relevant agencies have been placed on high alert and called a national security council meeting to assess the situation. “I want to be clear: our homeland is not participating in any way, nor is its intention to take part in any military operation,” he stated during a national address.
He emphasized Cyprus remains committed to its humanitarian mission in the region and seeks to be “part of the solution and not the problem,” prioritizing citizen safety and national security.
Overnight strikes were documented throughout Iran, while explosions echoed through Dubai Monday. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry activated sirens nationwide, urging residents to “head to the nearest safe place.”
Kuwaiti authorities reported debris struck the Ahmadi oil refinery, causing minor injuries to two workers. The state-run KUNA news agency earlier confirmed that Kuwait’s forces successfully intercepted a drone attack early Monday.
Ali Larijani’s refusal to negotiate with the United States came in response to reporting by Qatar’s Al Jazeera news network, as American and Israeli bombing campaigns continue targeting Iran.
Tehran and its allied militias have intensified their attacks following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are scheduled to conduct a Monday morning press conference regarding military operations against Iran. The Pentagon announced the 8 a.m. EST briefing Sunday evening on social media.
Tuesday will see Hegseth and Caine joining Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe in briefing the complete Congressional membership on the strikes, according to White House announcements. Rubio was also scheduled to brief Hill leadership Monday.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Hezbollah’s rocket launches from Lebanon, stating they “target all the efforts and endeavors exerted by the Lebanese state to keep Lebanon away from the dangerous military confrontations taking place in the region.”
While condemning Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Aoun warned that “persisting in using Lebanon once again as a platform for proxy wars in which we have no involvement will expose our country to risks once more.”
Cyprus government spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis confirmed an “incident” at the British air base involved an “unmanned drone which caused limited damage.” He said the RAF Akrotiri incident occurred shortly after midnight Monday, with “information received through various channels” indicating a drone strike.
Letymbiotis did not specify the drone type, launch location, or damage extent. He confirmed Cypriot authorities activated security protocols and are monitoring developments in coordination with the U.K. and its two Cypriot military installations.
The suspected drone attack followed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s commitment to assist the U.S. in the conflict against Iran.
