Chaos in the Middle East: At least 10 dead in Beirut, Hezbollah attacks Israel after Khamenei's death. Trump warns that actions will continue
The conflict in the Middle East entered a dangerous new phase on Monday morning after at least 10 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs. The attacks come after Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at Israel.
Residents of the Lebanese capital were awakened around 3:00 a.m. by loud explosions that targeted the southern neighborhoods of the city, known as Hezbollah's stronghold. Witnesses reported that the shock wave was felt in several areas of the city, and fighter jets and intense shelling were heard in southern Lebanon, writes TheGuardian.
Following the attacks, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for 55 villages and towns in eastern and southern Lebanon, asking the population to move at least 1,000 meters away from areas believed to be near Hezbollah infrastructure.
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has condemned the firing of rockets from Lebanese territory at Israel, saying such actions undermine the government's efforts to keep the country out of a regional war.
“The launch of missiles this morning affects all efforts by the Lebanese state to avoid dangerous military confrontations in the regione”, he said in a statement quoted by AFP.
Hezbollah officially claimed the attacks on Israel, claiming that it had “debt” dshe supported Iran after the death of Ali Khamenei. It is the first confirmed action by the group since the launch of US-Israeli military operations against Iran.
In parallel, an Iraqi group, Saraya Awliya al-Dam, claimed a drone attack on American troops at Baghdad airport, signaling an expansion of clashes in the region.
Clouds of smoke rise from missile attacks on Tehran PHOTO: getty images
Trump: “48 leaders are eliminated”
US President Donald Trump said military operations would continue “until all goals are achieved”. He claimed that 48 Iranian leaders were killed in the first two days of the bombing campaign.
According to ABC News journalist Jonathan Karl, Trump reportedly said that potential successors to the Iranian leadership “were eliminated in the initial attack”which complicates the prospect of a political transition in Tehran.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to hold a press conference on the joint US-Israeli military operation and will brief Congress on Tuesday, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Democrats criticized the administration for the lack of consultation before launching the offensive.
They also attack in Cyprus. Bahrain announces first victim
The British Ministry of Defense confirmed that the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus was targeted by a suspected drone attack, with no casualties reported. The incident comes shortly after London allowed the US to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian facilities.
In Bahrain, a foreign worker was killed by shrapnel from the interception of a missile. Authorities said they shot down 61 missiles and 34 drones launched against the kingdom, which is home to the US 5th Fleet.
Oil rises to a 14-month high
The escalation of the conflict had an immediate impact on financial markets. The price of Brent oil rose as much as 13% to $82 a barrel amid fears over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key point for global energy trade.
Asian stock markets registered significant declines, and gold, considered a safe-haven asset, appreciated by almost 3%.
