The war in the Middle East enters its seventh day after Israel announced a “new phase” in its conflict against Iran, parallel to new strikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“After successfully completing the surprise attack phase, during which we established our aerial superiority and neutralized the ballistic missile network, we are now moving on to the next phase of the operation,” announced the Israeli chief of staff in a televised statement on Thursday.
Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir stated that Israel would continue “dismantling the Iranian regime” and its military capabilities during this new phase.
“We have more surprises in store, which I do not intend to reveal,” he added.
On the sixth day of a war launched by the American-Israeli offensive against Iran, hostilities continue to escalate in the region, especially in Beirut, where the conflict rages between the pro-Iranian Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
The latest development has seen panic ensue in Beirut as Israel ordered the evacuation of the southern suburb of the capital, causing huge traffic jams in the Hezbollah stronghold where hundreds of thousands of people reside.
– Trump’s Requirements –
In the evening, the area was hit by strikes, including one described as “very violent” by the official Ani agency, with the Israeli army announcing it had started targeting “Hezbollah infrastructure.”
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry on Thursday night, at least 123 people have been killed and 683 injured since Monday.
“Everything must be done” to prevent Lebanon from “being dragged back into war,” urged French President Emmanuel Macron, responding to a call from his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun.
In Washington, Donald Trump demanded to be “involved” in the choice of Ali Khamenei’s successor and stated that the son of the Iranian supreme leader was not “acceptable” in his eyes to lead the country.
The American president also expressed support for a possible offensive by Iranian Kurdish militias against the government. Tehran had earlier claimed it struck the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed Tehran’s determination in this war, declaring to the American channel NBC that they are not seeking “ceasefires” or “negotiations.”
– “Finger on the Trigger” –
In Tel Aviv, a series of explosions were heard after the Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced they had launched drones and missiles on targets in the city. Israeli authorities have not reported any casualties from these attacks.
Tehran was hit again on Thursday, with the Azadi Stadium reduced to ashes, as seen in photos from AFP. Iran’s state news agency claimed 1,230 deaths since Saturday, figures not independently verified by AFP.
On the naval front, the United States reported sinking 30 Iranian ships since the start of the war.
Shortly before, the Iranian state television claimed that drones had targeted the American aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln deployed in the region, but the report remains unconfirmed.
Allied with Tehran, the Houthi rebels in Yemen stated through their leader that they have “the finger on the trigger” and are “ready to respond at any moment.”
Dragged into the conflict by Iranian strikes against American interests, Gulf monarchies are reluctant to fully engage in combat but are preparing to defend themselves against daily alerts of drones and missiles.
– Decrease in Strikes –
Explosions were heard in Qatar and Bahrain on Thursday, where an Iranian strike targeted a hotel and two residential buildings without causing casualties, as reported by the government. Saudi Arabia also intercepted three missiles heading towards the Prince Sultan Air Base hosting American military personnel.
However, the number of Iranian strikes continued to decrease significantly, according to US Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads the US military command for the Middle East.
“In the last 24 hours, ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90% compared to the first day, and drone attacks by 83%,” he detailed.
In Europe, cautious mobilization is underway. A Spanish frigate will accompany the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean with Greek vessels, while London has deployed four Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar.
Amid market panics, volatile prices, and disrupted trade flows, business communities fear a major economic downturn.
The Revolutionary Guards effectively obstruct traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas trade passes.
“We have no intention” of closing the strait, reassured Iranian minister Abbas Araghchi. “It is the ships and tankers that do not attempt to cross it, fearing they may be targeted by either side.”
