100+ killed in Iran school strike, attack on US embassy in Riyadh triggers more tensions: 10 points
The conflict in the Middle East has entered a dangerous new phase, with the United States and Israel escalating their military campaign against Iran, and Tehran launching retaliatory strikes across the region. What began as a targeted operation has rapidly widened, drawing in Gulf states and threatening infrastructure critical to global energy supplies.
US President Donald Trump said Washington has “the capability to go far longer” than the initially projected four-to-five-week timeline for operations against Iran, signaling that the confrontation may not end quickly.
His remarks came as US and Israeli forces pressed ahead with strikes following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran and its regional allies launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and several Gulf countries.
The scale of the exchanges — and the absence of a clearly defined endgame from either side — has intensified fears that the crisis could spiral into a prolonged and destabilizing regional war with global consequences.
1. Netanyahu on the war
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the conflict may take time but will not drag on for years. Speaking on Fox News’ Hannity, he described the campaign as potentially swift and decisive, though not an endless war. Netanyahu framed the operation as an opportunity to reshape the Middle East and said he sees a possible path toward lasting peace in the region, including normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
2. US embassy in Riyadh attacked
The US embassy in Riyadh was targeted by two drones as Iran expanded strikes against the kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry said the attack caused a limited fire and minor material damage.
Washington issued fresh shelter-in-place orders for Riyadh and Jeddah, while maintaining one for Dhahran. The US State Department also urged American citizens to leave several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia.
3. Over 100 killed in Iran school strike
Iranian officials said more than 100 people were killed when strikes hit a school in the southern town of Minab. Tehran blamed its adversaries for the attack.
However, neither Washington nor Tel Aviv confirmed involvement. Israel said it was unaware of any US or Israeli strike on a school, while US officials said they were reviewing the reports.
4. Travellers stranded as limited flights resume
Thousands of travelers stranded by the expanding war began departing the United Arab Emirates aboard limited evacuation flights. Some services resumed from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, though most commercial air traffic across the region remains suspended amid sweeping airspace closures.
5. US urges Americans to depart multiple countries
The United States has advised citizens to immediately leave more than a dozen countries in the region, including the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Oman, citing serious safety risks.
The UAE condemned Iranian missile attacks as a dangerous escalation and announced the closure of its embassy in Tehran, withdrawing its ambassador and diplomatic staff.
6. Blasts reported across Gulf cities
Fresh explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Manama and Kuwait City as Iran continued its third day of retaliation against US-Israeli strikes. The expanding geographic scope of the blasts underscored the widening footprint of the conflict.
7. UAE-Kuwait coordination
The UAE Ministry of Defence said Dubai’s Crown Prince — who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister — held discussions with Kuwait’s defence leadership to review regional developments and reinforce security coordination.
8. India’s stance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the escalating US-Iran-Israel conflict as a matter of grave concern for India. Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Modi reiterated that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
He also spoke with Netanyahu and urged an early cessation of hostilities, reaffirming India’s consistent position in favor of peace and regional stability.
9. US on the war’s trajectory
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the campaign would not become an endless conflict, declaring, “This is not Iraq.” However, he cautioned that further American casualties are likely in the coming weeks.
Trump defended the strikes, arguing that Iran’s expanding missile capabilities posed a direct threat to US forces stationed overseas.
10. Wider regional escalation
The US-Israeli air campaign broadened further, with Israel striking Lebanon in response to attacks by Hezbollah. Iran continued targeting Gulf states hosting US military bases, heightening concerns that the confrontation could evolve into a full-scale regional war with no clear off-ramp in sight.
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