- The US and Iran exchanged their biggest barrage since July, with US strikes hitting cities and areas along Iran’s southern coast, including a wedding party in Kuhestak, and Iran retaliating with attacks on US bases across the Middle East.
- Iranian officials reported at least 18 killed in the US strikes, including two children, one a four-year-old killed in the strike on the wedding party in Kuhestak in Sirik county, where at least four people were killed.
- US President Donald Trump threatened more attacks on Iran, warning that Washington could hit Iran 'anytime we want', as the death toll from the latest US strikes climbed to 18, with at least 108 others wounded.
- Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the Kuhestak attack as a 'war crime' and said 'The civilians are real. The victims are real.'
- The six-month war has led to a spike in oil prices, roiled the global economy, and posed political problems for Trump’s Republican Party ahead of November midterm elections; only 31 percent of Americans approve of the war, while 63 percent disapprove, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
- Since fighting resumed, Brent crude oil has climbed to about $95, up more than 30 percent from the start of the war, and Trump’s approval rating has fallen from 40 percent to 33 percent.
- Trump said he did not think the renewed military campaign would last long, and that his party respects the fact that 'we’re not allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon.'
President Donald Trump has escalated threats against Iran, stating the U.S. can strike "anytime we want" following a series of airstrikes that killed at least 18 people, including children, and wounded over 108 others.8
The U.S. military targeted areas along Iran's southern coast, including a wedding party in Kuhestak, which resulted in significant civilian casualties.1234567
Trump claimed, "We hit them very hard last night" and emphasized the U.S. military's readiness for further action, stating, "It was a very heavy attack last night. And we’re prepared to do another one."
Iranian officials condemned the strikes, with Esmaeil Baghaei labeling the attack on the wedding party a "war crime" and highlighting the reality of civilian suffering.910
The ongoing conflict has led to a surge in oil prices, with Brent crude climbing to about $95, reflecting a 30 percent increase since the war's resurgence.11121314
Public sentiment in the U.S. is largely against the war, with only 31 percent approval according to a recent poll, while Trump's approval rating has dropped from 40 percent to 33 percent since the conflict began.
Despite the turmoil, Trump expressed confidence that the military campaign would not be prolonged, stating, "I think my party respects the fact that we’re not allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon."
“The strikes hit a wedding party in Kuhestak, killing a four-year-old, which Iran's foreign ministry called a 'war crime'. The six-month conflict has driven Brent crude to about $95 and cut Trump's approval to 33 percent ahead of November midterms.”
