In the chaos, the U.S. military reported that Kuwait “mistakenly shot down” three American F-15E Strike Eagles during a combat mission.

Iran and Iranian-backed militias have launched missiles at Israel and neighboring Arab states, reportedly striking the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait. In retaliation, Israel and the United States have targeted various locations in Iran, marking an escalation in the conflict with rising casualties.

Iranian cleric Alireza Arafi, in his first public comments since joining Iran’s temporary leadership council, expressed hope for a swift appointment of a new supreme leader to succeed Ali Khamenei.

6:35 p.m. EST

Number of wounded troops in Iran grows

The conflict has resulted in 18 American service members suffering serious injuries, according to Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command. This figure has increased from five troops reported as seriously wounded on Sunday morning.

Additionally, six soldiers have been killed in Kuwait, all from the same logistics unit, as confirmed by a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Commenting on the fatalities, Hegseth noted that an Iranian weapon had breached allied air defenses and struck a fortified tactical operations center.

— By Konstantin Toropin

Bahrain ambassador criticizes Iran for targeting his country, Gulf nations at UN meeting chaired by U.S. First Lady

Bahrain’s U.N. Ambassador Jamal Alrowaiei addressed the U.N. Security Council, stating that “Iranian aggression is causing significant material and psychological damage that threatens the safety and security of residents and citizens.” He highlighted that ongoing Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Bahrain, which hosts a major U.S. naval base, have led to temporary school closures to protect children.

In a broader context, he informed the council that UNICEF estimates 30 million children in the Middle East and North Africa are out of school or not receiving formal education, equating to one in every three children being deprived of education.

State Department urges Americans to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries

The State Department issued a warning on Monday, advising all U.S. citizens to evacuate more than a dozen Middle Eastern nations due to escalating safety risks amid the ongoing conflict. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar urged Americans in countries like Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel to “DEPART NOW” using any available commercial transportation.

This advisory comes as several major airlines have canceled flights to and from the region following the outbreak of hostilities that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday, which have since spiraled into a wider regional conflict affecting nearly every neighboring country.

Voters in Texas wonder why U.S. attacked Iran

In Texas, voters expressed concerns about the implications of the U.S. attack on Iran during a primary election. Charles Padmore, a 45-year-old independent contractor, remarked, “This could drag on for years if there isn’t a clear exit strategy. It feels like they went in without a plan.” He suggested that former President Trump acted on Israel’s whims.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old college student Sophia Morales and her mother, Dina, voiced their confusion over the situation, questioning the rationale behind the U.S. involvement. Sophia noted, “I thought Iran was at war with Israel, but now we’re involved too,” particularly in light of reports about a girls’ school being bombed. Her mother added, “I haven’t heard any clear plans for what happens next after the bombing, similar to the situation in Venezuela.”

Alex Diaz, a 31-year-old high school teacher, criticized the lack of congressional authorization for military action, stating, “If Iran was a legitimate threat, Trump should have sought Congress’s approval. Are we trying to provoke World War III?”

Two Trump voters trust the president on Iran

Conversely, two Trump supporters in Texas expressed confidence in the president’s actions regarding Iran, asserting that they see no conflict with his campaign promises for peace. Connie Stamps from Waco stated, “I expected him to do what needs to be done to protect America. He cares about the whole world, so he’s the peace president.”

Mollie Leutwyler Smith, also from Waco, acknowledged that while she didn’t vote specifically for war with Iran, she appreciates Trump’s decisive actions, preferring his approach over the previous administration’s deal with Iran.

Israel says it will reopen a Gaza border crossing closed since Iran war began

COGAT, the Israeli military body managing civilian affairs in Gaza, announced that one crossing into the territory would reopen on Tuesday for the gradual entry of humanitarian aid. Initially, Israel had stated that it could not safely operate the Gaza crossings under fire. However, the U.N. humanitarian office monitoring Gaza warned that a total closure would exacerbate shortages of food, water, and fuel, inflating prices of basic goods in the already devastated Palestinian territory.

In its late Monday announcement, COGAT indicated it would coordinate with the American Civil Military Coordination Center and operate under certain security restrictions to reopen the Kerem Shalom Crossing.

U.S. Embassy in Jordan temporarily evacuates staff

U.S. diplomatic staff in Jordan have evacuated the embassy compound in Amman due to a security threat. While the U.S. diplomatic mission did not provide further details, this decision follows threats from Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah to attack American military bases in Jordan. The announcement of the embassy personnel’s departure suggests a potential larger evacuation of diplomatic staff from Jordan.

Jordanian police have advised residents living near the embassy to remain indoors, close windows, and take other precautionary measures.

4:34 p.m. EST

Rubio warns ‘hardest hits’ are still to come on Iran

Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed reporters before a scheduled briefing on Iran, stating that the U.S. military’s focus on Iran will continue “as long as it takes.” He warned that the most severe strikes are yet to come, indicating that the next phase of military action will be even more punishing for Iran.

Rubio did not provide a timeline for the operation but emphasized that the U.S. has clear objectives and will persist until those goals are achieved.

He clarified that regime change is not the objective, stating, “We would love for there to be an Iran that’s not governed by radical Shia clerics, but that’s not the goal of this operation.” The initial U.S.-Israeli strikes resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials.

Rubio reiterated that the mission aims to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and prevent the country from rebuilding its nuclear program.

U.S. death toll rises to 6 troops

The U.S. military confirmed on Monday that two additional service members were killed during operations against Iran, raising the total death toll to six. U.S. Central Command announced that the remains of the two previously unaccounted service members were recovered from a facility struck during Iran’s initial attacks in the region. Their identities will be disclosed 24 hours after their families are notified.

Iran’s top diplomat shares a photo of graves dug for girls killed in apparent airstrike

Iran’s foreign minister posted an aerial image showing rows of freshly dug graves for over 160 girls allegedly killed by an airstrike on an elementary school in southern Iran. Abbas Araghchi stated, “Their bodies were torn to shreds,” criticizing the U.S. for its military actions.

The photo depicted mourners among orderly rows of graves, with white chalk rectangles marking burial plots as excavators dug into the earth. Iranian state media reported that the airstrike on the girls’ school resulted in at least 165 fatalities and numerous injuries. The Israeli military claimed it was unaware of any strikes in that area, while the U.S. military stated it was investigating the reports.

3:47 p.m. EST

Senior UN official highlights impact of recent Middle East escalations on children

U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo addressed the U.N. Security Council, emphasizing the immediate impact of the U.S.-Israel strikes and Iranian retaliation on children in the region. She noted that schools in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman have closed or shifted to remote learning due to ongoing military operations.

DiCarlo acknowledged reports of the deaths at the girls’ school in southern Iran, which Iran claims killed dozens of children, stating that both the U.S. and Israel are investigating the incident.

Mourners grieve Israeli teens killed in Iranian missile attack

Three siblings, Yaakov, 16, Avigail, 15, and Sarah Biton, 13, were buried Monday night at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem after being killed in an Iranian missile strike in central Israel. Their deaths marked the deadliest attack on Israelis since the conflict began. Rescuers continued to search the rubble late into the night.

Israeli rescue services reported that 65 individuals were hospitalized, including two with serious injuries. President Isaac Herzog visited one of the injured, Penina Cohen, at Hadassah Hospital, where she recounted the traumatic experience of losing her husband and mother-in-law in the strike.

Iran accuses U.S. of hypocrisy before Melania Trump’s UN meeting on protecting kids during conflict

Just before U.S. First Lady Melania Trump led a U.N. Security Council session on protecting children in armed conflict, Iranian ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani criticized the U.S. for its military actions, calling it “deeply shameful and hypocritical” to convene a meeting on child protection while simultaneously launching missile strikes against Iranian cities.

He asserted that the U.S. approach to “protecting children” and “maintaining international peace” starkly contrasts with the principles outlined in the U.N. Charter.

U.S. military says it’s taken out 11 Iranian warships in the Gulf of Oman

U.S. Central Command announced that the Iranian regime’s naval presence in the Gulf of Oman has been completely eliminated, stating, “Two days ago, the Iranian regime had 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman; today they have ZERO.” This statement followed President Trump’s declaration that U.S. forces had “destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian Naval Ships,” with plans to target the remaining vessels.

UN says Israel’s Gaza closure causes fuel rationing and water shortages

The U.N. humanitarian office reported that Israel’s closure of all crossings into Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, inflated prices of basic goods, and halted municipal services. Humanitarian workers are struggling to ration fuel supplies, while reduced water production has left some residents in Gaza City with as little as two liters of water per day.

COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing civilian affairs in Gaza, had initially closed crossings at the start of the conflict, stating they could not operate safely under fire. They indicated that crossings would reopen once the security situation allowed.

3:01 p.m. EST

Tense calm in Jerusalem during a lull in Iranian missile fire

A tense calm has settled over central Jerusalem after a period of no sirens indicating incoming missiles from Iran. The streets remain largely empty in West Jerusalem, where most Israelis reside.

NATO chief calls on European allies to support war against Iran

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the importance of the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran for European security. He stated that allies could support the effort without direct military involvement, through logistics and access. Rutte expressed strong approval of Trump’s decision to attack Iran and eliminate its supreme leader, citing the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran as a potential danger to Israel.

When asked about NATO’s potential involvement, Rutte clarified that no one expected NATO to engage, as the conflict is outside its territory.

Iran says it shot down 20 drones since the war began

Iranian state-run IRNA reported that the country’s military has successfully shot down 20 “enemy drones” since the onset of U.S. and Israeli attacks.

Iraqi militias threaten U.S. military presence in Jordan

A prominent Iran-backed Iraqi militia has threatened to target American military bases in Jordan. Kataib Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for attacks on U.S. bases in northern Iraq in solidarity with Tehran.

For years, the Iraqi government has attempted to maintain a delicate balance between its relationships with both Washington and Tehran.

Israel strikes a Hezbollah-linked financial institution in Lebanon

The Israeli military announced it has completed a series of strikes targeting branches of al-Qard al-Hasan, a quasi-banking system allegedly used to fund Hezbollah’s military operations. These strikes occurred amid a day of intense Israeli bombardment in southern Lebanon and its capital, following Hezbollah’s rocket fire into Israel.

Al-Qard al-Hasan, officially a non-profit charity, has been previously targeted by Israel during its conflicts with Hezbollah.

More U.S. adults oppose initial airstrikes on Iran, early polling suggests

Initial reactions from Americans regarding Trump’s airstrikes against Iran appear more negative than positive, according to a recent snap poll conducted by The Washington Post. Approximately half of those surveyed opposed the strikes, while 39% supported them. Disapproval was primarily driven by Democrats and independents, with nearly 90% of Democrats and about 60% of independents opposing the military action.

In contrast, 81% of Republicans expressed support for the strikes, with only about 10% opposed. Respondents were more likely to advocate for halting military strikes rather than continuing them.

1:54 p.m. EST

Spain says joint U.S. bases were not used in attack on Iran

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the U.S. attack as “unjustifiable” and “dangerous.” Defense Minister Margarita Robles clarified that no assistance had been provided from the Rota and Morón bases, which are shared with the U.S. but remain under Spanish command. She emphasized that operations must comply with international legal frameworks and require international support.

Flight data indicated that several U.S. military aircraft had departed from the bases in southern Spain since the weekend attack, including nine tankers that left for Germany.

Israel says it intercepted a drone from Lebanon

The Israeli military reported intercepting a hostile drone, although it did not attribute the incident to Hezbollah or any other group. Hezbollah had previously fired rockets into northern Israel, prompting Israeli strikes throughout Lebanon that resulted in at least 31 fatalities and displaced thousands.

Drone hits at a fuel terminal in the UAE but fire is contained

Authorities in Abu Dhabi swiftly responded to a drone attack on the Musaffah fuel terminal, managing to contain the fire without any reported injuries or disruption to operations.

12:24 p.m. EST

Russia’s Putin speaks to Saudi crown prince

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the escalating situation in the Middle East due to U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran. Both leaders expressed serious concern over the risks of the conflict spreading, which has already impacted several Arab nations.

Putin emphasized the urgent need for a political and diplomatic resolution to the current dangerous situation, while the Crown Prince suggested that Russia could play a stabilizing role given its friendly relations with both Iran and Gulf countries.

Tennis stars in Dubai and Paralympians face travel issues due to war

Former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev reported that he is among a small number of players and team members the ATP Tour is trying to assist in leaving Dubai. The ongoing travel shutdown has also affected athletes heading to the Paralympics.

Medvedev’s Instagram account shared that he is safe and staying with a friend in Dubai, amid flight cancellations following his recent ATP event victory. The Winter Paralympics are set to begin in Italy, with some athletes facing travel difficulties, including one Iranian cross-country skier expected to compete.

12:14 p.m. EST

Trump articulates his four objectives for the U.S. war in Iran

The president outlined four objectives for U.S. forces in Iran: to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, eliminate its naval capacity, prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and ensure that the Iranian regime cannot continue to fund and direct armies outside its borders.

Trump claimed that U.S. attacks have already “knocked out” 10 ships and emphasized the importance of destroying Iran’s missile capacity to prevent future threats.

He projected that the operation would last four to five weeks but stated that the U.S. has the capability to extend the timeline if necessary.

Iranian missiles filmed flying over Jerusalem skies

On the afternoon of the conflict’s third day, Iranian missiles were seen flying over Jerusalem, with interceptions by Israel’s advanced aerial defense system visible as the projectiles lost course and fell from the sky. Loud booms accompanied the missile interceptions, and residents were advised to take shelter during the day.

Israeli military says airstrike in Beirut targeted a senior Hezbollah official

The Israeli military conducted an airstrike in Beirut, targeting a senior Hezbollah official and causing significant damage to a building near the Iranian embassy compound. This strike is part of a broader military response to Hezbollah’s rocket fire into Israel.

Medal of Honor Ceremony begins at the White House

Trump attended the ceremony alongside top administration officials, which commenced with a prayer.

4 Greek warplanes land in Cyprus after a drone strike on air base

Four Greek F-16 fighter jets arrived in Cyprus to enhance security following a drone strike on a U.K. military base. The drone strike caused minor damage, according to Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides. The Greek government is also sending two navy frigates equipped with anti-drone systems.

Iran’s deadly strikes in the Gulf highlight vulnerability of migrant workers

The five reported casualties from Iranian strikes in Gulf nations were foreign nationals, underscoring the vulnerability of migrant workers in the region. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait heavily rely on labor from South and Southeast Asia.

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs has raised its travel advisory for the UAE and several other Gulf nations, triggering a deployment ban on newly hired workers.

Reports indicate that three deaths occurred in the UAE, with one each from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, while Kuwait’s Health Ministry reported one fatality among foreign nationals.

The International Labor Organization estimates over 24 million foreign workers were employed across the Gulf states in 2024, forming a crucial part of the region’s economy while often remaining among its most vulnerable populations.

Medal of Honor Ceremony begins at White House

Trump is attending with top members of his administration. The event began with a prayer.

WATCH LIVE: Trump may address war with Iran at Medal of Honor ceremony

Israeli military says airstrike in Beirut targeted senior Hezbollah official

The Israeli military conducted an airstrike in Beirut, targeting a senior Hezbollah official and causing significant damage to a building near the Iranian embassy compound. This strike is part of a broader military response to Hezbollah’s rocket fire into Israel.

Qatar says its air force shot down 2 Iranian warplanes

The Gulf state of Qatar reported that its air force shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 bombers. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates intercepted multiple ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, successfully repelling hundreds of Iranian attacks since the conflict began.

No fatalities were reported in the UAE on Monday, although three people were killed in Iranian attacks on Sunday.

Trump says he doesn’t ‘have the yips’ about sending U.S. ground troops into Iran

In a brief interview, Trump stated he is not ruling out the deployment of U.S. ground troops in Iran if deemed necessary. He expressed confidence in the military’s capabilities and indicated that he does not shy away from the prospect of boots on the ground.

Trump has acknowledged the likelihood of American military casualties in any conflict but has not committed to a long-term ground presence.

Israel launches a new wave of strikes on Lebanon

The Israeli army announced it has completed a broad wave of strikes on numerous targets in southern Lebanon, including weapons storage facilities and missile launchers associated with Hezbollah. At least 31 individuals were killed in overnight strikes following Hezbollah’s rocket fire into Israel.

11:16 a.m. EST

British prime minister defends letting U.S. use bases in the country

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his decision to allow U.S. forces to utilize British bases for defensive strikes against Iran, emphasizing the need to support allies in the region. He stated that the government is focused on ensuring the swift and safe return of British citizens at risk due to indiscriminate Iranian attacks.

Starmer also clarified that the U.K. would not participate in offensive actions aimed at regime change, citing lessons learned from the Iraq War and the necessity of legal justification for military action.

Pakistan’s president urges restraint

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the ongoing military actions against Iran, calling for restraint and expressing condolences for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He criticized the attacks on neighboring Gulf countries and urged for diplomatic solutions.

Demonstrators in Pakistan supportive of the Iranian government attempted to storm a U.S. consulate in response to the escalating conflict.

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