A fast-moving war in the Middle East is spilling across borders this morning, with new strikes in Iran and a deadly escalation in Lebanon. Israel and the United States say Operation Epic Fury is focused on Iranian military targets and leadership, while Tehran insists it is responding to aggression. U.S. officials say B-2 bombers were part of the strike package.
Here are some of Monday's other developments:
- CENTCOM has confirmed that a fourth US service member has died from injuries sustained in retaliation from Iran over the weekend.
- Smoke has been rising from the American embassy in Kuwait.
- Three American fighter jets crash after being accidentally shot down by forces from Kuwait. All crew members are n stable condition.
Iran’s leadership is signaling it will not negotiate, and the wider region is bracing for more missile and drone launches. In Lebanon, officials say Israeli airstrikes killed dozens after Hezbollah fired into Israel and Israel answered back. Gulf states are warning they could take further steps, including military action, if the attacks keep spreading.
Britain says it is allowing U.S. use of its bases for a limited defensive effort aimed at stopping Iranian missiles before they launch. The economic shock showed up quickly, with oil jumping and stock futures sliding, and tankers reportedly steering clear of the Strait of Hormuz, the corridor that normally moves about a quarter of the world’s oil trade. OPEC and other producers say they’ll boost output to cover any supply gap from Iran, announcing the move Sunday.