President Donald Trump said on Friday that only Iran’s “unconditional surrender” would end the escalating war in the Middle East, as Iran was struck by some of the heaviest joint US-Israeli attacks since the conflict began a week ago.
Now in its seventh day, the war has drawn in countries beyond the immediate region, disrupted global energy and transport systems, and spread instability even to normally calm areas around the Gulf.
The conflict has also reached Lebanon, where Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned of an impending humanitarian crisis as tens of thousands of residents fled intense Israeli bombardments in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Trump, who has offered varying explanations for launching the war that resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei last weekend, said Washington would assist in rebuilding Iran’s economy if Tehran installed what he described as an “acceptable” new leader.
“There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!),” he added.
In the Iranian capital Tehran, large crowds dressed in black gathered for the first Friday prayers since the outbreak of the war, according to online footage. Several loud explosions were heard across the city, with thick black smoke rising over parts of the capital. AFP journalists described the day’s bombardment as the most intense so far.
“It’s really very scary,” a Tehran businessman who gave his first name as Robert told AFP.
“Checkpoints have been put in place in the city to prevent looting and ensure control,” the 60-year-old said from the Armenian border with Iran.
Escalating Attacks
Both Israel and the United States warned that their operations against Iran would intensify.
“We have additional surprises ahead which I do not intend to disclose,” said Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir.
According to Iran’s health ministry, US and Israeli strikes have killed 926 people. Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that 30 per cent of the victims were children, although AFP could not independently verify the figures.
Iran has responded by launching missile and drone attacks on Israel and several Gulf states. Journalists in Tel Aviv reported hearing multiple explosions on Friday.
Israeli emergency responders say at least 10 people have been killed in the country, while the US military confirmed that six of its personnel have died in the conflict.
Lebanon and Regional Spillover
The war has drawn in Iran’s regional ally Hezbollah, whose fighters fired missiles into Israel from Lebanon. Israeli air strikes subsequently targeted locations in southern and eastern Lebanon.
Heavy destruction has been reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area widely regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold and home to between 600,000 and 800,000 people.
Scenes of panic unfolded on Thursday as residents fled following an unprecedented Israeli warning ordering them to evacuate immediately to avoid being caught in air strikes.
Hundreds of displaced families gathered along a Beirut beach after fleeing their homes.
“We’ll sleep on the road tonight and God alone knows what will happen to us,” one man told AFP, declining to give his name.
Lebanon’s health ministry said the country’s death toll had risen to 217, while Israel’s military reported killing more than 70 Hezbollah fighters. Neither figure could be independently verified.
War Expands Beyond the Region
The conflict has also spread to Iraq, where drones struck an airport and two oil facilities in the south, according to a security official.
Oil prices surged earlier in the day after Kurdish authorities said crude production had been halted following a previous attack.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees declared the crisis a major humanitarian emergency and called for urgent international assistance.
Meanwhile, the UN’s human rights chief demanded “impartial investigations” after Iran accused the United States and Israel of striking a school, an attack Tehran claims killed more than 150 people. Neither country has confirmed responsibility, and the casualty figure could not be independently verified.
The war has also drawn criticism in Europe. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, described the US-Israeli strikes as an “extraordinary mistake” and said they were not consistent with international law. Leaders of the European Union are scheduled to discuss the conflict on Monday.
Gulf States and Global Impact
Even the wealthy Gulf states, long regarded as relatively stable tourist hubs in the Middle East, have not been spared.
Qatar intercepted a drone targeting a US air base early Friday, while Saudi Arabia shot down three drones east of the capital Riyadh.
Thirteen people have been killed in Gulf countries since the war began, including an 11-year-old girl in Kuwait. Fresh explosions were reported in Kuwait City on Friday.
The conflict has also stretched far beyond the Middle East. A US submarine reportedly torpedoed an Iranian frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka, while Azerbaijan threatened retaliation after a drone strike hit one of its airports.
Countries have been scrambling to evacuate tourists and residents from Gulf states as missiles and drones dominate the region’s skies, severely limiting air travel.
Global markets have also been shaken, with crude oil prices rising by roughly 20 per cent since the war erupted and shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted.
Iranian television also reported that a fire broke out on another vessel attacked in the strategic waterway on Friday, underscoring the growing risks to international shipping.