A senior Iranian official issued a thinly veiled threat against former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, warning him to 'be careful not to get eliminated' as the United States intensified its bombing campaign against Iran. The warning came from security chief Ali Larijani in a post on X, responding to Trump's earlier threat of 'death, fire and fury'.
The exchange escalated as US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth promised the 'most intense' day of strikes yet, while Iran continued to strike Gulf countries. Bahrain reported its first death—a 29-year-old woman—bringing the total killed across the region to at least 12, mostly migrant workers, according to the New York Times.
Around 140 US troops have been wounded in the past 10 days, with 108 already returned to duty, said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. Doubts over the war's duration emerged after Trump called it a 'short-term excursion', but Hegseth said it would end on 'our timeline and at our choosing'.
Energy markets remain in turmoil as oil prices surged to $115 a barrel before falling after Trump's comments. The Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global crude oil passes, faces potential closure as Iran reportedly began laying mines. Trump warned of a military response 'at a level never seen before' if mines are not removed.
Britain deployed HMS Dragon, a Type 45 Destroyer, to the Eastern Mediterranean to support commercial shipping. Meanwhile, reports suggest the US is considering seizing Iran's Kharg Island, which handles 94% of its oil exports. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi signalled no backing down, stating Iran is 'well prepared to continue attacking'.
