Fresh airstrikes hit Iran and Lebanon on Friday as Israel vowed to escalate operations in the ongoing Middle East conflict, now entering its seventh day and drawing in regional and global powers.
Images from Beirut’s southern suburbs showed extensive damage, with mangled buildings and burned-out vehicles, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee.
Meanwhile, powerful explosions shook Tehran early Friday as Israel struck “regime infrastructure” in the Iranian capital.
Internet coverage in Iran remains severely limited, with only about one percent of normal access, hampering reporting on the impact on civilians.
Tehran streets were largely empty as security forces maintained strict control. A local resident told AFP that armed personnel and checkpoints had been deployed throughout the city to monitor the population.
The latest strikes follow warnings from Israel and the United States of intensified military action after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in Saturday’s initial attack.
Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said the campaign was entering a new phase with “additional surprises” yet to be disclosed.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of a surge in firepower over Iran and Tehran.
U.S. President Donald Trump described deploying ground troops as a “waste of time” but said he would need to be involved in the selection of Iran’s next leader.
According to Iran’s health ministry, U.S. and Israeli strikes have killed 926 people, though the figure could not be independently verified.
Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and the Gulf. At least 10 people no have been killed in Israel, and the U.S. military reports six personnel deaths.
The conflict has spread to Lebanon after Hezbollah fired missiles in support of Iran. Israeli strikes in southern Beirut killed at least 123 people, prompting mass evacuations.
Residents described fleeing in panic, with many seeking refuge on Beirut’s Ramletn al-Baida beach.
Iran continued targeting Israel, including missile volleys toward Tel Aviv and Netanya.
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Gulf nations have also been affected; Qatar intercepted a drone attack on a U.S. airbase, while Saudi Arabia shot down three drones near Riyadh.
At least 13 people, including civilians, have been killed in the Gulf, with an 11-year-old girl among the victims in Kuwait.
The conflict has extended beyond the Middle East, with a U.S. submarine reportedly torpedoing an Iranian frigate near Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan threatening retaliation after a drone strike hit an airport.
Air traffic has been heavily disrupted, and nations are repatriating citizens caught in the fighting.
Tourism in the Gulf, once seen as a luxury destination, has suffered, with missiles targeting hotels and residential areas.
Global markets have reacted sharply to the conflict, with crude oil prices rising by about 20 percent in the past week and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted.
IG chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp warned that “unless the war ends soon — and if anything a more intense conflict seems more likely — markets will struggle. Volatility remains elevated.”