Intensifying Conflict: Israel Strikes Beirut and Tehran Amid Ongoing War

Escalation of Hostilities in the Middle East

Dubai, March 7: On Friday, Israeli air forces launched attacks on both Beirut and Tehran as Iran retaliated with further strikes against Israel and its Gulf allies.

The conflict shows no signs of abating on its seventh day, with US President Donald Trump dismissing the possibility of negotiations with Iran and demanding its "unconditional surrender."

In response to extensive Israeli evacuation alerts, tens of thousands have fled from the suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon.

The war has escalated, impacting over a dozen nations across the Middle East and beyond. The US reported that it targeted an Iranian drone carrier at sea, continuing its aggressive campaign against Iran's naval forces, which previously included the sinking of a warship in the Indian Ocean.

Both the US and Israel have intensified their strikes on Iran, focusing on its military assets, leadership, and nuclear initiatives.

In a social media update on Friday, Trump stated that following Iran's surrender, "and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, along with our brave allies, will work tirelessly to restore Iran, making it economically stronger than ever before."

The ongoing conflict has already led to a surge in oil prices, with Qatar’s energy minister warning that it could potentially destabilize global economies, predicting a halt in Gulf energy exports that could drive oil prices to USD 150 per barrel.

Israel's military announced on Friday morning that it had initiated a "broad-scale wave of strikes" targeting Tehran. Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli airstrikes were particularly fierce, causing tremors in nearby homes. Explosions were also noted around Kermanshah, an area in Iran housing several missile installations.

In retaliation, Iran has conducted missile and drone assaults on Israel, as well as on Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, all of which host US military personnel.

The conflict has resulted in at least 1,230 fatalities in Iran, over 120 in Lebanon, and approximately a dozen in Israel, according to official reports. Additionally, six US service members have lost their lives.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian mentioned on Friday that some nations have started mediation efforts to resolve the conflict, though he did not provide further details.