The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place until further notice, citing heightened caution amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The warning follows U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites and Israel’s earlier attacks that killed top Iranian officials and civilians. Iran has since launched retaliatory strikes. With around 10,000 U.S. troops stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, the situation remains volatile, prompting the embassy to issue the alert without providing further details.

Iran has declared it will persist with uranium enrichment according to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, despite recent U.S. missile strikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Following these attacks, Iran launched missile strikes on Israeli cities, escalating the conflict. Israeli authorities report casualties on both sides, with Iran citing over 400 dead and thousands injured. The ongoing tension follows Israel’s sudden offensive on June 13 targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, with Iran retaliating through ballistic missile strikes.

At least 10 members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed and several others injured in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday in Yazd Province, according to Al Jazeera. Israel claims its ongoing military campaign, which began on June 13, has already killed over two dozen Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has requested more active support from Russian President Vladimir Putin following recent US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a letter from Khamenei during a Moscow visit, seeking stronger Russian backing against US and Israeli aggression. Russia expressed concern over Middle East instability but has not publicly condemned the US nuclear actions. Tehran remains unsatisfied with current support, expecting Russia to take a more significant role amid escalating tensions.

The Israeli military announced on Monday that it had carried out airstrikes on at least six airports in western, eastern, and central Iran. As a result, the targeted airports are currently non-operational. Israel claims that remotely operated drones destroyed 15 Iranian aircraft and helicopters. The military also released an image on social media, stating that Tehran’s Mehrabad, Mashhad, and Dezful airports were among the primary targets. The attack reportedly damaged runways, underground bunkers, a refueling aircraft, and several Iranian military aircraft, including F-14s, F-5s, and AH-1 helicopters.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has clarified that the objective of the recent strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities was to neutralize a growing nuclear threat, not to change the regime. “This operation was carried out to protect U.S. and Israeli interests, and to ensure the safety of our troops,” said Hegseth. “Iran’s nuclear program has been effectively dismantled,” he added.

Following the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iranian politicians and state media have called for retaliatory attacks on American military bases in the Middle East. Iranian Channel-3 aired a map highlighting U.S. bases within missile range in countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq. Hossein Shariatmadari, editor of the Supreme Leader-aligned Kayhan newspaper, urged an immediate missile strike on the U.S. Navy in Bahrain and called for closing the Strait of Hormuz. MP Hamid Rasai also called for strikes on American installations in Saudi Arabia.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling it a violation of international law. “The United States has blatantly breached all international rules with this attack,” Araghchi said. “Under the UN Charter, Iran reserves the right to self-defense and may respond through multiple avenues.”
He emphasized that Iran will never compromise on its sovereignty, independence, or territorial integrity. “We will use all necessary tools and options for self-defense,” Araghchi added, declaring that Iran will not enter talks until the attacks stop.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning on X (formerly Twitter), declaring, “The Zionist enemy has made a grave mistake and committed a great crime. It must be punished—and is being punished now.” The post included a graphic image of a burning Star of David superimposed on a skull, symbolizing Iran’s retaliatory stance following the U.S. strike on its nuclear facilities.

An Israeli drone strike on an ambulance in central Iran has killed at least three people, including a patient, the driver, and a family member. According to Hamidreza Mohammadi Fesharaki, governor of Najafabad County, the ambulance was transporting a patient between hospitals when it was hit. The damaged vehicle then crashed into another car, worsening the tragedy.

In retaliation to U.S. military actions, Iran has launched a coordinated missile strike dubbed “Operation Honest Promise 3 - Phase 20” targeting key Israeli facilities. These include Ben Gurion International Airport, a controversial “biological research center” in Ness Ziona, supply depots, and multiple command and control centers. Missiles also struck residential areas in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Ness Ziona. The Ness Ziona facility has long been rumored to be involved in the development of chemical and biological weapons for military use.

In a special operation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have recovered the bodies of three Israeli citizens from Gaza. Among the deceased are soldier Shai Levinson and two civilians, Ofra Keidar and Yonatan Samrano. According to CNN, two of the victims were killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, while the third died trying to escape the Nova Music Festival during the same assault.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that every American in the Middle East is now a legitimate target following U.S. strikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites. The IRGC vowed to use unexpected measures beyond the enemy’s anticipation and confirmed it will continue attacks targeting Israel. Since Israel’s attack on Iran on June 13, the region has witnessed multiple missile and drone assaults, escalating tensions further in an already volatile area.

In response to recent U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities, Iran’s parliament has voted to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route. Senior lawmaker Esmail Kowsari confirmed the decision, stating that a formal announcement will follow from the Supreme National Security Council. The move comes amid rising tensions and silence from the international community. Experts warn the closure could spike oil prices by up to 80% and severely disrupt global energy supplies.

Iran has carried out its 20th missile attack on Israeli territory as part of its Operation True Promise 3, claiming to have used Kheibar Shekan missiles in the latest assault. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed the use of the missile, warning that no part of Israeli-occupied territories would remain safe. The Kheibar missile boasts a range of 2,000 kilometers and can carry a warhead weighing 1,500 kilograms, making it one of Iran’s heaviest medium-range ballistic missiles. The missile is liquid-fueled and can be guided mid-flight.