The ongoing war involving Iran, Israel and the United States continued to escalate on Friday, with US President Donald Trump declaring that Iran must accept “unconditional surrender” as military strikes and missile exchanges spread across the Middle East.
The statement came as the conflict entered its seventh day, with explosions reported in several Iranian cities and growing concerns that the fighting could trigger a wider regional crisis.
Trump Rejects Negotiations Without Surrender
In a social media post, Trump said that the United States would not enter into any negotiations with Iran unless it agrees to unconditional surrender.
He also suggested that a change in Iran’s leadership could open the door for future cooperation and rebuilding efforts supported by Washington and its allies.
The remarks came amid intense military operations and rising casualties across the region.
Israeli Strikes Hit Iranian Cities
Israeli forces reported launching a new round of attacks targeting Iranian infrastructure in the capital Tehran and the central city of Isfahan.
The Israeli military described the latest operation as a broad wave of air strikes aimed at weakening what it called Iran’s military capabilities. Authorities in Iran also reported explosions in the religious city of Qom after Israeli warnings urging civilians to leave certain industrial areas ahead of possible strikes.
Some residential buildings in Tehran were reportedly damaged during the bombardment.
Rising Casualties and Damage
Iranian health officials say the conflict has already caused significant human and infrastructural losses.
According to the country’s Health Ministry, more than 2,000 injured people are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, and doctors have carried out over 625 surgeries since the fighting began.
Among the victims are women, elderly people and children. Officials also reported damage to 11 hospitals, eight emergency medical facilities and multiple ambulances during the attacks.
Separate reports said at least 20 people were killed in the southern city of Shiraz, including civilians.
Iran Responds With Missile and Drone Attacks
Iran launched retaliatory attacks across several locations in the region.
Iranian state media reported missile strikes targeting a US military base in Kuwait and positions of Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its missiles also targeted Israeli locations including Ben Gurion Airport and other strategic sites.
Iranian forces further claimed to have attacked a US-linked oil tanker near Kuwait, while another vessel reportedly caught fire after being hit by a drone in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments.
Gulf Countries on High Alert
Several Gulf states reported intercepting missiles and drones amid fears of further escalation.
The United Arab Emirates said its defence systems shot down nine ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones in a single day, bringing the total number of intercepted Iranian projectiles during the conflict to hundreds.
Authorities in Qatar raised their security threat level and advised residents to remain indoors as a precaution against potential attacks.
Meanwhile, Kuwait confirmed its air defence systems were responding to hostile missile and drone activity in its airspace.
Fighting Spreads Into Lebanon
The conflict has also intensified in Lebanon, where Israeli forces launched multiple air strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Lebanese officials reported additional attacks in the southern city of Sidon, where several people were killed and others wounded.
Lebanon’s government warned that the country faces a serious humanitarian risk as thousands of civilians are displaced by the escalating violence.
International Leaders Warn of Wider Impact
Global leaders are increasingly concerned that the war could destabilize the wider region.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that prolonging the conflict could threaten both regional stability and Europe’s energy security.
Energy officials also cautioned that disruptions to Gulf oil production could have severe consequences for the global economy.
Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi warned that the ongoing war could potentially affect global economic stability if energy exports from the region are interrupted.
Iran Signals Openness to Mediation
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran supports diplomatic efforts to end the conflict but insisted that mediation should focus on those he accused of starting the war.
He stressed that Iran would continue to defend its sovereignty while remaining open to dialogue aimed at restoring stability in the region.
Regional War Fears Grow
With missile exchanges, air strikes and drone attacks continuing across several countries, analysts warn that the conflict risks expanding into a broader regional war.
The involvement of multiple nations and the threat to vital oil shipping routes have raised concerns that the crisis could significantly impact global security and energy markets in the coming weeks.
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