Israeli attacks in Iran-Lebanon, US destroys 16 Iranian minelaying ships

❐ International Desk

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has intensified. Israel has launched new air and missile strikes on Iran and Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes targeted Iranian-backed Hezbollah infrastructure south of the Lebanese capital Beirut.

The latest announcement by the Israeli military said that a new phase of additional attacks has been launched on various locations, including the Iranian capital Tehran.

On the other hand, the US Central Command (Centcom) said that US forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Iran not to lay any naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said that the US would deal with any attempt to lay mines in the Strait “swiftly and harshly”.

Meanwhile, Iran’s police chief Ahmadreza Radan has issued a stern warning about possible anti-government protests. He said on state television that anyone who joins a protest “at the instigation of the enemy” will be considered an enemy, not a protester, and will be dealt with accordingly.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to the people of Iran on the social media platform X (X), in which he called on Iranians to remove the Ayatollah regime and achieve their freedom.

Tensions have also spread to other countries in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates said its air defenses were responding to a possible missile threat and advised people to stay in safe places.

The conflict is also having an impact on ordinary people. Many Iranians are fleeing the country across the border to Turkey. One woman who crossed the border told the BBC that “it felt like we were dying” during the US and Israeli strikes. Another said that one explosion was so powerful that it “knocked her back.”

Meanwhile, in Beirut, Lebanon, many families fled their homes and took refuge in schools, stadiums and other government buildings due to Israeli attacks. Smoke was seen rising in the southern part of the city and people were seeking shelter in many areas.

According to analysts, the joint attacks by the United States and Israel and Iran’s counter-threats have raised fears of a wider conflict across the Middle East.