President Donald Trump has warned that further casualties are likely after three US service members were killed in the US-Israeli bombing campaign on Iran. The conflict, which began on Saturday, has already resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, along with at least 148 civilians killed in a missile strike on a girls' school in southern Iran, according to Iranian state media.
Trump defended the military operation in a video on Truth Social, stating that combat operations would continue "until all of our objectives are achieved." He urged the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to "lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death." The US president also claimed that 48 Iranian leaders had been killed in the strikes, describing the campaign as "moving along rapidly."
The conflict has sparked international concern, with a suspected drone strike hitting RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, though no casualties were reported. The UK confirmed it had allowed the US to strike Iranian missile sites from British bases. Oil prices surged by 13% to $82 per barrel amid fears of disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade artery.
Public opinion in the US appears divided, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll showing only 27% approval for the strikes that killed Iran's leader. Half of respondents, including one in four Republicans, believe Trump is too willing to use military force. Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for Khamenei's killing, prompting Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs.
The war has caused major disruption to air travel, with countries across the region closing their airspace. Trump has indicated that Iran's new leadership wants to negotiate, saying he has agreed to talks, though he added, "They should have done it sooner."
