USA

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A senior United States senator has suggested that the ongoing war against Iran could bring major economic benefits if the current Iranian government collapses.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has long supported military intervention abroad, made the remarks during an interview with Fox News on Sunday. He said it would be worthwhile for Washington to invest resources in removing Iran’s leadership.

“When this regime goes down, we are going to have a new Middle East, and we are going [to] make a tonne of money,” Graham said.

The veteran lawmaker has been one of the most outspoken supporters of the US-Israel war against Iran under President Donald Trump’s administration. He also appeared to link recent US actions abroad to control over global oil supplies.

“Venezuela and Iran have 31 percent of the world’s oil reserves. We’re going to have a partnership with 31 percent of the known reserves. This is China’s nightmare. This is a good investment,” he said.

Iran strongly rejected the claims and accused Washington of attempting to divide the country in order to control its natural resources.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States had a clear plan to weaken the country and take over its oil wealth.

“Their design is clear, their enterprise is quite obvious – they aim at partitioning our country to take illegal possession of our oil riches,” he said. “Their objective is to violate our sovereignty, defeat our people and undermine our humanity.”

Graham also warned that US and Israeli attacks on Iran could intensify in the coming weeks. He issued a strong warning to Tehran over threats to shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.

The senator said the US was ready to escalate military pressure.

The Trump administration has defended the strikes against Iran. President Trump said the Iranian government posed a serious danger to Americans.

“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American,” Trump said on March 2.

However, some analysts and legal experts have questioned the justification for the military action. They said the claim that Iran posed an immediate threat lacks legal backing under international law.

The conflict has also affected the global economy. Oil prices have risen above 100 dollars per barrel since the fighting began. Iranian missile and drone attacks have targeted Gulf countries that host US military bases. These include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The strikes have disrupted oil and gas production and forced several countries in the region to close their airspace.

Reports also show that Graham held several meetings with Israeli officials before the war began. He said he had discussions with members of Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.

“They’ll tell me things our own government won’t tell me,” Graham said.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the senator also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visits. The report said Graham advised Netanyahu on how to persuade President Trump to support military action.

Netanyahu later presented intelligence information to Trump that helped convince him to approve the joint attacks on Iran, the senator said.

Israel has repeatedly claimed that Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies the accusation and insists its nuclear programme is designed for civilian purposes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has also said there is currently no evidence of a systematic programme by Iran to produce nuclear weapons.

Graham has supported several US military operations in the Middle East during the past two decades. These include the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as well as interventions in Syria and Libya.

During the interview, he also urged Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join the fight against Iran.

“Yeah. I want them to get into the fight. We sell them weapons. Iran is striking their country; they have good capability,” he said.

Graham’s remarks also suggested that US attention could shift to Cuba in the future.

“You see this hat? ‘Free Cuba.’ Stay tuned. The liberation of Cuba is upon us. We’re marching through the world. We’re clearing out the bad guys. Cuba is next.”

By Uzair Adam

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday warned that Iran’s next supreme leader would not remain in power for long without Washington’s approval, as Tehran prepares to announce a successor to the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Nine days after joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on his compound killed Khamenei and triggered a wider Middle East conflict, Iran’s Assembly of Experts met behind closed doors and selected a new leader, members of the body said.

The clerics did not disclose the identity of the chosen candidate but indicated that an announcement would be made soon. Some members suggested that Khamenei’s 56-year-old son, Mojtaba Khamenei, could succeed his father.

Trump had earlier insisted that the United States should have a say in the decision and described Mojtaba Khamenei as an unacceptable “lightweight.”

“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” Trump said in an interview with ABC News. “If he doesn’t get approval from us, he’s not going to last long.”

However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the suggestion, saying the leadership decision was solely Iran’s internal matter.

Speaking on Meet the Press on NBC, Araghchi also called on Trump to “apologise to people of the region” over the escalating war.

Mojtaba Khamenei is widely viewed as a hardline conservative, partly because of his close ties with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israel’s military has already issued a warning to any incoming Iranian leader, saying it would not hesitate to target them if necessary.

Israel demonstrated its military reach overnight with two new operations — air strikes on fuel depots in and around Tehran and an attack on a hotel in Beirut believed to house suspected Iranian commanders.

Warplanes hit five oil facilities near the Iranian capital, killing at least four people, according to a state oil executive, and sending thick smoke across the city.

Tehran’s governor told the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency that fuel distribution in the capital had been temporarily disrupted.

A dense haze covered the city of about 10 million people, blocking sunlight as the smell of burning fuel filled the air.

Authorities warned that the smoke could be toxic and advised residents to remain indoors, although many buildings had their windows shattered by the force of the explosions.

A 35-year-old resident said the fire had been burning for more than 12 hours and that the air had become difficult to breathe.

“At first, I supported this war. After Khamenei’s death, I celebrated with my friends,” she said in a message sent to Europe. “But since yesterday, people say there is no gasoline left at the stations.”

As the conflict entered its ninth day, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had enough supplies to sustain missile and drone operations across the Middle East for up to six months.

Explosions were also reported over Israel’s commercial hub of Tel Aviv after the Israeli military detected a barrage of Iranian missiles. The emergency service Magen David Adom said six people were wounded in central Israel.

Trump again declined to rule out deploying U.S. ground troops in Iran but insisted the war was close to being won despite continued Iranian attacks.

The U.S. president also spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday, according to Downing Street, after previously criticising him over Britain’s involvement in the conflict.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini said the country had so far used only first- and second-generation missiles but would soon deploy more advanced long-range weapons.

The conflict has also affected other countries in the region. Authorities in Saudi Arabia said a projectile killed two people and injured 12 in Al Kharj province after a wave of drones was intercepted near the capital Riyadh.

Kuwait reported damage to fuel tanks at its international airport, while Bahrain said a desalination plant had been hit.

Iran’s health ministry said at least 1,200 civilians had been killed and about 10,000 wounded in the war, although the figures could not be independently verified.

In Lebanon, the health ministry reported that at least 394 people had been killed in Israeli air strikes since the country was drawn into the conflict, including dozens of women and children.

Two Israeli soldiers were also killed during clashes in southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military.

Analysts say there is still no clear path to ending the conflict, which U.S. and Israeli officials believe could last for several weeks.

Trump suggested Iran’s economy could be rebuilt if a leader acceptable to Washington replaces Khamenei.

Meanwhile, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi warned that the war should never have occurred, saying the world “cannot return to the law of the jungle.”

During his Sunday prayer, Pope Leo XIV also called for peace, urging that “the roar of the bombs may cease, the weapons may fall silent, and space for dialogue may open.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least eight people have died after powerful tornadoes struck parts of the central United States, affecting the states of Michigan and Oklahoma. Authorities have warned that more severe weather could occur in the coming hours.

Officials confirmed on Saturday that four people died in southern Michigan while another four lost their lives in Oklahoma. Emergency responders are still assessing the affected areas, and authorities say the death toll may rise as more information becomes available.

The storms swept through several communities on Friday. They left widespread destruction that included damaged buildings, crushed vehicles, fallen trees, and power lines. Videos released by local media showed heavy damage across some towns after the tornadoes passed.

The United States National Weather Service also warned that additional severe weather could develop across a wide region stretching from the Great Lakes to Texas. The agency said thunderstorms and flash floods remain possible, and there is still a chance that more tornadoes could form.

In Michigan, the Branch County Sheriff’s Office reported that three people died and 12 others were injured in the Union Lake area near Union City.

About 81 kilometres southwest of that location, officials in Cass County confirmed another fatality. Several people were also injured after another tornado struck the area.

“Emergency Management personnel will be conducting damage assessments in the affected area as required by the State of Michigan,” the local sheriff’s office said.

In Oklahoma, authorities reported additional deaths linked to the storms. Law enforcement officials said at least two people were killed after a tornado hit the town of Beggs in Okmulgee County.

State Governor Kevin Stitt also confirmed that two other victims, a mother and her daughter, died in Major County on Friday.

“I declared a state of emergency for Alfalfa, Creek, Grant, Major, Okmulgee, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner counties to ensure Oklahomans have the support and resources they need after last night’s storms,” Stitt wrote on social media on Saturday.

Emergency teams continue rescue and assessment operations across the affected communities as authorities prepare for the possibility of further extreme weather.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States government has played down reports that Russia provided intelligence to Iran about American military targets across the Middle East amid the ongoing war involving the US, Israel and Iran.

The report was first published by The Washington Post. It claimed that Moscow had supplied Tehran with information about the location of US military assets in the region.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed the issue during an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes on Friday. He said the US military is closely monitoring developments and incorporating any relevant information into its operational planning.

Since the conflict began on February 28, Russia has reportedly passed details to Iran about US military positions, including warships and aircraft. Three officials who spoke anonymously told The Washington Post about the alleged intelligence sharing.

“It does seem like it’s a pretty comprehensive effort,” one of the sources told the newspaper.

However, other unnamed officials who spoke to The Associated Press said US intelligence agencies have not found evidence that Moscow is instructing Iran on how to use the information. The conflict has continued with US and Israeli forces carrying out air strikes while Iran responds with attacks targeting American assets and allies in the Gulf region.

Hegseth dismissed concerns that the reported intelligence sharing could endanger US citizens.

“The American people can rest assured their commander-in-chief is well aware of who’s talking to who,” Hegseth said.

“And anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channelled, is being confronted and confronted strongly.”

He added: “We’re putting the other guys in danger, and that’s our job. So we’re not concerned about that. But the only ones that need to be worried right now are Iranians that think they’re gonna live.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also responded to the report on Friday. She told journalists that the alleged intelligence sharing has not affected US military operations in Iran.

“[the report] clearly is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them,” Leavitt said.

She declined to comment on whether President Donald Trump had discussed the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin or whether Russia might face consequences. She said the president would address the issue himself if necessary.

President Trump also reacted sharply when asked about the report later on Friday. During a White House meeting focused on college sports, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy raised the issue during a question-and-answer session.

“I have a lot of respect for you, you’ve always been very nice to me,” the US president said to Peter Doocy, the Fox News reporter.

“What a stupid question that is to be asking at this time. We’re talking about something else.”

The intelligence report marks the first indication that Russia may have taken steps to involve itself in the conflict that began about a week ago.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tehran has not requested military assistance from Moscow. He noted that Russia continues to maintain communication with Iranian leaders.

“We are in dialogue with the Iranian side, with representatives of the Iranian leadership, and will certainly continue this dialogue,” he said.

When asked directly whether Russia had provided military or intelligence assistance to Iran since the start of the war, Peskov declined to comment.

Russia and Iran have strengthened their ties in recent years. Moscow has relied on Iranian missiles and drones during its ongoing war in Ukraine. Both countries have maintained cooperation even as Iran faced long-standing Western sanctions linked to its nuclear programme and its support for armed groups across the Middle East.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States economy recorded an unexpected decline in employment in February after official figures showed that thousands of jobs were lost across several sectors.

Data released in the latest labour report indicates that payrolls dropped by 92,000 during the month. The unemployment rate also increased slightly to 4.4%. Analysts had predicted that the labour market would remain steady.

The development has raised fresh concerns about the strength of the US job market. Economists now question whether the labour sector could be entering a period of weakness.

The report shows that job losses affected nearly every major sector of the economy. The healthcare industry also recorded losses despite its reputation as a stable source of employment. Strikes in the sector contributed to the decline in February.

The drop represents the largest monthly job loss since October. At that time, the United States government shutdown disrupted economic activity.

Economic observers also point to rising oil prices as another potential challenge. The increase followed tensions linked to the US-Israel war in Iran. Analysts warn that the surge in energy costs could place additional pressure on economic growth in the coming months.

US mining companies are lining up to invest in Venezuela, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said during a visit to the country on Wednesday, where he pressed for greater access to critical minerals.

Burgum represents an administration that claims to effectively control Venezuela and its vast natural resources following the removal of Nicolás Maduro.

He is the second senior US official to visit Caracas since an American bombing raid on January 3 left around 100 people dead and saw Maduro and his wife flown to New York to face US drug trafficking charges.

Accompanied by more than two dozen mining executives, Burgum described the group as representing “billions of dollars in investments and billions of dollars in well-paid jobs.”

“They are eager to get started, and they are eager to cut the red tape to allow that capital investment to flow,” he said after meeting with interim President Delcy Rodriguez.

Burgum, who heads President Donald Trump’s National Energy Dominance Council, described cooperation between Caracas and Washington as “unlimited.”

His visit follows that of Energy Secretary Chris Wright last month, who called for a “dramatic increase” in Venezuela’s oil output and highlighted “tremendous opportunities” for both countries.

The shift in tone reflects the altered US-Venezuela relations since Maduro’s capture. Trump has allowed Rodriguez, formerly vice president, to serve as interim leader as long as she complies with his directives regarding access to Venezuela’s natural resources.

In another sign of the diplomatic reset, the US Department of Transportation approved Envoy Air, an American Airlines subsidiary, to operate direct flights between Miami and the Venezuelan cities of Caracas and Maracaibo. These will be the first direct flights since US-Venezuela relations deteriorated in 2019.

— Gold and Coltan —

While US attention has focused on Venezuela’s oil, Burgum noted the country is also “rich in critical minerals.” In addition to gold and diamonds, Venezuela has deposits of bauxite and coltan, a mineral used in mobile phones, laptops, and other electronics. Mining activity is concentrated in the southeastern Orinoco arc.

Environmentalists have condemned the expansion of illegal mining in the area, citing deforestation and river pollution. Rodriguez, who recently overhauled the state-controlled oil sector to attract private investment, is now planning reforms to the mining code. Her brother, Congress Speaker Jorge Rodriguez, said Monday that the changes would allow “large foreign companies” to exploit minerals and rare earth elements.

— ‘Doing a great job’ —

Trump has praised Rodriguez’s compliance, posting on Truth Social on Wednesday that she was “doing a great job and working with US Representatives very well.”

“The Oil is beginning to flow, and the professionalism and dedication between both Countries is a very nice thing to see,” he wrote.

Rodriguez thanked Trump on Telegram for the US administration’s “kind willingness to work together for the benefit of the people of the United States and Venezuela.”

On Tuesday, Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA announced new oil contracts with the United States. Since January, PDVSA has shipped over 80 million barrels of crude to the US, according to Trump. These deals come amid concerns about falling global oil output due to the war in the Middle East, which has already driven crude prices to their highest level in 18 months.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has alleged that Iran attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump, as he announced the killing of a senior figure linked to the plot.

Hegseth made the remarks during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Wednesday, where he provided updates on the ongoing conflict with Iran. He referred to recent interceptions of drones and rockets by American forces and praised the strength of the US military.

He said: ‘Yesterday, the leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump was hunted down and killed.

‘Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump got the last laugh.’

The defence chief also vowed retaliation for American personnel killed in the fighting. He stated that the United States would ‘avenge’ the four servicemen and women who died in attacks involving Iranian drones and rockets.

Hegseth stressed that operations are still underway. He said the mission is not ‘accomplished’. He cited a recent naval action in which a US submarine sank an Iranian warship that, according to him, ‘thought it was safe in international waters’.

Hegseth added: ‘This was never meant to be a fair fight, and it’s not a fair fight… they’re going down.

‘More and larger waves are coming; we are just getting started.’

A Defence Department map displayed during the briefing outlined the first 100 hours of what has been named Operation EPIC FURY. The chart detailed a series of strikes across Iranian territory.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities reported a rising death toll from the conflict. Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs said at least 1,045 people have died so far. The agency explained that the figure reflects bodies identified and prepared for burial.

The fighting entered its fifth day with continued airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Tehran and other cities. Israeli forces targeted members of Iran’s leadership and security services. Iran responded with missile launches and drone attacks aimed at Israel and locations across the region.

Residents in Tehran reported explosions at dawn. State television broadcast images of damaged buildings in central areas of the capital. The city of Qom and several other locations also came under attack.

The Israeli military said one of its F-35 fighter jets shot down a piloted Iranian Air Force YAK-130 aircraft over Tehran on Wednesday.

The conflict has intensified tensions across the Middle East, with both sides signalling that further military action may follow.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Spain has pushed back against pressure from the United States after President Donald Trump warned that Washington could halt trade ties over Madrid’s refusal to support American military strikes on Iran.

In a national broadcast from the Moncloa Palace, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez set out his government’s position in clear terms. He told citizens that Spain’s stance could be reduced to three words: no to war. He also stressed that one “illegality” could not be met with another, framing the issue as a matter of principle and international law rather than political rivalry.

Tensions escalated when Spain declined to grant the United States permission to use the shared military bases at Morón and Rota for operations targeting Iran. Spanish authorities described the strikes as unjustified and risky. In response, Trump labelled Spain a “terrible” partner and threatened to cut off all trade between the two countries.

The warning has raised concerns about a key economic partnership. The United States ranks among the top destinations for Spanish exports and remains a major source of investment. Although no formal sanctions or tariffs have been announced, the prospect of trade restrictions has unsettled investors and business leaders.

Spain’s approach aligns with its recent foreign policy record. The government has adopted firm positions on conflicts it believes may violate international law. It has criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza and recognised a Palestinian state ahead of several European Union members. At the same time, Madrid has backed Ukraine in resisting Russia’s invasion, while urging restraint to avoid broader escalation elsewhere.

Spanish officials have also invoked the memory of the 2003 Iraq invasion. That conflict, which Spain supported under a previous administration, sparked widespread protests at home. Many citizens still regard that decision as an error that increased insecurity and carried lasting costs. Leaders now argue that military action can produce consequences that endure well beyond the battlefield.

The dispute unfolds at a delicate time for Spain’s coalition government. It faces political pressure in parliament and allegations of corruption involving individuals close to the leadership. However, recent opinion polls indicate that a significant number of Spaniards hold unfavourable views of Trump. Analysts say this could reduce the domestic fallout from the diplomatic clash.

For Madrid, the confrontation extends beyond Iran or access to military facilities. It touches on Spain’s broader role in global affairs. The government maintains that adherence to peace and international legality reflects national values and long-term interests. Critics counter that challenging the United States may expose the country to economic strain that could affect ordinary citizens.

The next phase depends largely on Washington’s response. If the White House moves from rhetoric to concrete measures, trade relations could face serious disruption. Until then, Spain remains in a tense standoff that tests both its diplomatic principles and its economic stability.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A new economic assessment has indicated that the United States’ military action against Iran could impose a heavy financial burden on the American economy, with potential losses reaching as high as $210 billion.

Kent Smetters, a fiscal analyst and director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, said the conflict has already unsettled trade flows, global energy markets, and fuel prices. He explained in an interview with Fortune that estimating the exact cost of the war remains difficult due to uncertainty surrounding its duration and scope.

According to his projections, the economic loss could stand at about $115 billion under current conditions. However, he noted that the figure could be as low as $50 billion or rise to $210 billion, depending on how events unfold.

“One problem I have with cost of war calculations is that they really do ignore the counterfactual,” he told the outlet. “If Iran really did get a nuclear weapon, then we might have spent a lot more on military and even repair of cities later on.”

President Donald Trump has acknowledged the possible strain on the economy. He has proposed measures aimed at stabilizing energy supplies, including government-backed insurance and naval escorts for oil tankers passing through strategic routes in the Gulf.

“If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible,” President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday on Truth Social. “No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD. The United States’ ECONOMIC and MILITARY MIGHT is the GREATEST ON EARTH.”

Speaking with reporters in Washington, the president admitted that oil prices could remain elevated “for a little while,” but expressed confidence that costs would eventually decline. He said once the conflict ends, “these prices are going to drop, I believe even lower than before.”

Energy markets have already reacted to the hostilities. By the end of trading on Tuesday, West Texas Intermediate crude rose by more than five percent. Data from the American Automobile Association also showed that the national average price for a gallon of gasoline increased by more than 10 cents.

Economic observers say the overall impact will depend largely on the length of the war and whether key shipping lanes remain secure.

“Markets are right now really under-pricing the tail risk of a sustained engagement and an operation that does not wrap up quickly, restore travel through the Strait of Hormuz and get everything back to de-escalation and normal in a timely manner,” former Biden economic adviser and chief of policy and advocacy at the Groundwork Collaborative, Alex Jacquez, told The Associated Press.

Beyond the broader economic effects, the military campaign itself may require substantial federal spending. Estimates suggest the operation could add about $65 billion in budgetary costs as U.S. air and naval forces mobilize across the region.

In a letter to Congress, President Trump stated that it is “not possible at this time to know” how long the mission, known as Operation Epic Fury, will continue.

“Although the United States desires a quick and enduring peace, it is not possible at this time to know the full scope and duration of military operations that may be necessary,” Trump wrote Monday.

He has earlier indicated that the bombing campaign could last “four to five weeks.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States has recorded an estimated loss of almost $2 billion in military assets within the first four days of its military campaign against Iran, according to figures compiled by Anadolu Agency.

The report shows that Iran has damaged military equipment valued at about $1.902 billion across several locations in the Middle East since hostilities began on Saturday.

The most costly single asset affected is the US AN/FPS-132 early warning radar system stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The radar, valued at $1.1 billion, was struck by an Iranian missile on Saturday. Qatari authorities later confirmed that the facility was hit and sustained damage.

On Sunday, three F-15E Strike Eagles were lost in what officials described as a friendly fire incident involving Kuwaiti air defence systems. Although all six crew members survived, the aircraft were destroyed. The estimated replacement cost for the three jets stands at $282 million.

During its initial retaliatory operation, Iran targeted the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. The strike destroyed two satellite communication terminals and several large structures within the facility. Open-source intelligence assessments identified the damaged terminals as AN/GSC-52B systems. Each unit is estimated to cost around $20 million, including deployment and installation expenses.

Iran also announced that it had destroyed the AN/TPY-2 radar component of the THAAD Anti-Ballistic Missile system deployed in Al-Ruwais Industrial City in the United Arab Emirates. Satellite imagery reviewed through open-source intelligence indicated that the site was indeed hit. The radar component alone is valued at approximately $500 million.

When combined, the value of the damaged assets amounts to $1.902 billion.

Multiple US sites targeted

Iran has reportedly targeted at least seven US-linked military locations in the region since the conflict escalated. These include the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Camp Arifjan, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Camp Buehring in Kuwait, Erbil Base in Iraq, Jebel Ali Port in the UAE, and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

In Kuwait, images taken after reported strikes showed collapsed rooftops at various sections of Ali Al Salem Air Base. Camp Arifjan recorded the deaths of six US service members. A widely shared video from Camp Buehring captured a drone flying over the base before exploding within its perimeter.

At Erbil International Airport in Iraq, where US forces are stationed, footage verified by The New York Times indicated repeated strikes over the weekend. Smoke and flames rose from the installation. Satellite images taken on Sunday morning revealed that four structures in one section of the base had either been damaged or destroyed. Fires continued into early Monday.

In Dubai, satellite imagery from Sunday showed smoke rising from a large building inside a fenced US Navy recreational zone at Jebel Ali Port. Although the site is not officially designated as a US base, it remains one of the navy’s most frequently used ports in the region.

Diplomatic missions also hit

In addition to military installations, several US diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE came under attack.

The US Embassy in Riyadh was struck by two drones. The Saudi Defence Ministry reported “limited fire and minor material damage” within the compound. The Washington Post later reported that the CIA station located inside the embassy complex was also hit.

The US Embassy in Kuwait City faced drone and missile strikes. Smoke was seen near the compound. Authorities have not released detailed information about the extent of the damage. The embassy announced it would remain closed “until further notice,” while non-essential staff and family members were evacuated.

In the UAE, a suspected Iranian drone struck a parking area near the US Consulate General in Dubai. The incident caused a fire, which local authorities quickly brought under control. The consulate compound experienced some impact, though no major structural damage was reported.

The escalation marks one of the most significant direct confrontations between the United States and Iran in recent years.