President Donald Trump said early Saturday that the United States would expand its targets in the war in Iran, after its president apologized to neighboring countries caught up in the spiraling Middle East conflict — but rejected the notion of surrender.
“Today Iran will be hit very hard! Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social but did not give further details.
Trump referenced a televised message from Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, who earlier Saturday had rejected the idea of giving up the fight — after Trump’s calls for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
Pezeshkian said Iran had “no intention of invading other countries” but stopped short of pledging to hold fire. “There will be no more attacks on neighboring countries and no missile launches, unless attacks originate from those countries against Iran,” he said according to Iran’s state-run Press TV. Still, the country’s state media on Saturday said Iran was engaged in attacks across the Persian Gulf region, seeking to hit Israel and U.S. bases in the region.
Here’s what else to know about the war in the Middle East as the U.S. and Israel continue strikes into a second week.
Trump to visit Dover for dignified transfer
Later Saturday, Trump is expected to visit Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, with the first lady and Cabinet members, to honor the six U.S. service members who have been killed in the war. Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he will “pay our Highest Respect to our Great Warriors, who are returning home for the last time.”
The service members were killed Sunday when an Iranian drone attack struck a tactical operations center in Kuwait that offered little protection from overhead strikes, according to imagery, experts and officials. They are the only U.S. troops known to have died in retaliatory strikes since the operation in Iran began Saturday.
Israel, Iran continue widespread strikes
As the war entered its second week Israel launched a “broad wave” of strikes against Iran, with more than 80 Air Force jets striking Tehran and Isfahan, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets and missile storage units, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Iran also said it launched “large-scale” strikes on American positions throughout the region. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia all reported intercepting attacks. Dubai International airport temporarily suspended operations “for the safety of passengers, airport staff, and airline crew,” it said in a statement. Iran has attacked 12 countries so far, U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, head of Central Command, which oversees operations in the Middle East, has said.
What else to know
- Israeli strikes continued in Lebanon, after the attacks on Iran reignited Israel’s long-running fight with Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim militant group and political party in Lebanon. Israel’s military said it targeted areas in the south and Bekaa Valley region on Saturday. Hezbollah also reported clashes near the Syrian border. Israel has carried out heavy strikes against the southern suburbs of Beirut and issued evacuation warnings for four towns in the country’s east.
- Russia is giving Iran intelligence to target U.S. forces, officials say, marking the first indication that another major U.S. adversary is participating in the conflict, even if indirectly.
- The State Department continues efforts to charter flights to evacuate U.S. citizens, amid criticism it did not provide enough warning before strikes began.
Craw reported from London, Soroka reported from Tel Aviv, Haidamous and El Chamaa reported from Beirut and Shamalakh reported from Cairo.
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