The Middle East conflict escalates: British base in Cyprus is hit, Hezbollah also enters the war

According to the Pentagon, more than 1,000 targets inside Iranian territory have been struck following a coordinated operation with Israel, in which Ali Khamenei was killed.

The third day of military operations in the Middle East appears to have further expanded the conflict. A drone attack was reported around midnight against the British air base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, with no injuries reported.

On Monday morning, Hezbollah announced its official involvement in the war, carrying out attacks in northern Israel.

The Israeli army said on Monday morning that it was launching bombardments against “targets of the terrorist organization Hezbollah from one end of Lebanon to the other,” following earlier fire by the Lebanese Shiite movement toward Israeli territory.

It stressed that this was a “retaliatory” operation against “the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which acts on behalf of the Iranian regime,” adding that it had been “prepared for this scenario” and for “operations on all fronts.”

For its part, Israel continues its strikes on Tehran, with bombardments damaging a hospital, a police building, and the headquarters of state radio and television. Iran responded with missile attacks on Tel Aviv and Haifa, while at least nine people were killed in Beit Shemesh.

At the same time, Iranian attacks are targeting U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf, with explosions reported in Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Late Sunday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that attacks on Iran would continue until all of Washington’s objectives were achieved, vowing retaliation for the deaths of three American soldiers. “The operation is moving fast. No one can believe the success we are having; 48 leaders were killed with one strike. And it is moving quickly,” he said, adding that it was “ahead of schedule.” He also revealed that Iran’s new leadership wants to begin talks with Washington.

In a phone interview, Trump told The Atlantic that he had agreed to speak with Iranian representatives but declined to specify whether a conversation would take place on Sunday or Monday. He added that some Iranian officials involved in recent contacts “were no longer alive” following what he described as a major strike.

Attack on the base in Cyprus

The British base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, was struck last night by an unmanned Shahed drone, causing minor material damage, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said this morning.

“I want to be clear: our country is not participating in any way and has no intention of participating in any military operation,” Christodoulides said.

Officials at the Akrotiri base said they plan to temporarily relocate some non-essential personnel as a precautionary measure following the incident. No injuries were reported.

Explosions in Dubai, Iranian attacks on Arab countries

Powerful explosions were heard in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as Iran’s retaliation for the massive U.S. and Israeli airstrikes continues.

A photo published by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency shows smoke rising from the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait following a strike from Tehran.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry announced that debris from an intercepted Iranian missile fell onto a ship and caused a fire, resulting so far in one death and two injuries.

The fire broke out at a port near the capital, Manama, but was fully extinguished, according to a ministry update posted on X around 02:30 a.m.

Bahrain, like other Gulf Arab states, has been hit by Iranian strikes in retaliation for the massive U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic since Saturday. The kingdom hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

More than 20 dead in attack at Niloufar Square in Tehran

Iranian media report that more than 20 people have been killed in an attack at Niloufar Square in Tehran as airstrikes continue.

Powerful explosions have been reported in the Iranian capital, with information indicating strikes in both eastern and western regions of the country. The same sources express fears that not only military and political centers but also residential areas are being targeted.

According to the Mehr news agency, raids began in the Pasteur district, where the offices of the Supreme Leader and the president are located. Reports speak of serious damage to residential buildings, some of which were completely destroyed.

Turkey closes border crossings with Iran

Turkey’s Trade Minister said on Monday that cross-border passenger movements for daily travel at three Turkish border crossings with Iran have been mutually suspended. However, Turkey is allowing its own citizens and third-country nationals to enter from Iran.

Minister Omer Bolat said in a post on X that Iran is allowing its own citizens to enter Iran via Turkey, adding that commercial cargo transit through all three gates continues under controlled conditions.

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