Article:
In a significant escalation of tensions, a US-led coalition launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian targets in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The strikes targeted the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, where a CIA station was reportedly damaged in the attack. According to reports, a drone was used to target the CIA’s center in Riyadh, causing partial damage to the building’s roof. However, it is unclear whether any CIA agents or personnel were injured or killed in the attack.
The US-led coalition, which includes Israeli forces, claims that the airstrikes were aimed at disrupting Iran’s efforts to support militant groups in the region, including Kurdish fighters. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has warned that if Israel attacks the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Iranian diplomatic missions around the world will be targeted.
The airstrikes also targeted Iraqi military bases and a hotel in the city of Erbil, as well as a drone that was reportedly shot down near the Baghdad International Airport. The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claimed to have launched multiple drones at an Israeli military base in Tel Aviv, which was located in the city’s southern-eastern region.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh claimed that the US and Israel have launched an illegal war against Iran, and that the Iranian government has not initiated any military action. US General Kenneth McKenzie stated that it may take some time to assess the damage from the airstrikes, which are a complex and high-risk operation.
The Israeli military claimed that the attack was carried out by its 10th strike squadron, which was guided by intelligence from the Israeli military and Mossad. However, US officials contradicted this claim, stating that an Iranian warship was struck by the US military in the waters off the coast of Sri Lanka.
The New York Times reported that Iranian intelligence officials have signaled their willingness to engage in talks with the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to end the conflict. A debris field from the missile that was shot down was reportedly found in a Turkish town near the Mediterranean Sea, but there were no reports of casualties.
Turkey’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that a missile shot down in the country did not cause any casualties. The US military claimed to have shot down 121 drones in the air, with eight more crashing on Saudi territory.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that no damage was reported to any Iranian nuclear facilities. The Iranian news agency reported that a ceremony to pay tribute to Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, was delayed due to administrative issues. US President Donald Trump stated that he would not be concerned if Iran participated in the 2026 World Cup, but rather would be focused on the tournament.
Sri Lankan officials confirmed that an Iranian warship, the IRIS Aseman, was targeted by the US military. There were reports of a fire breaking out on the ship after the attack, causing panic in the area. Israeli media reported that US officials had claimed that Iran’s intelligence ministry had signaled its willingness to engage in talks with the CIA to end the conflict.
A meeting of opposition leaders in the Israeli parliament was held, where opposition leader MK Shmuel Dahan stated that the US administration was changing its justification for war every hour.
