Over 555 Killed as US-Israeli Strikes Rock Iran

At least 555 people have been killed across Iran in joint US-Israeli strikes targeting 131 counties, according to the Iranian Red Crescent, as the conflict spreads across the Middle East.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, dismissed reports that Tehran had renewed efforts to resume nuclear negotiations with Washington, saying no fresh talks have been sought.

Israel said it is striking at the “heart of Tehran” and has expanded operations into Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 31 people killed and 149 wounded in Israeli air attacks.

In the Gulf, Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said several US warplanes crashed within its territory, though all crew members survived. US President Donald Trump warned that attacks on Iran would continue until American objectives are achieved and vowed to avenge the deaths of three US soldiers.

Regional tensions also affected energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said debris from two intercepted drones sparked a fire at the Ras Tanura oil refinery, one of the kingdom’s key facilities.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said a drone strike hit the runway of a UK military base in Cyprus. Meanwhile, the US embassy in Bahrain warned that extremist groups may target American citizens.

In Iraq, a security source said joint Israeli-US missile strikes targeted positions linked to Kataib Hezbollah in Jurf al-Sakhr, south of Baghdad, further widening the regional confrontation.