US and Allies Discuss Special Forces Deployment in Iran
According to Axios, the United States and its allies have discussed the possibility of deploying special forces into Iran to secure its stockpile of highly enriched uranium at a later stage of the conflict. This information was cited from four sources familiar with the discussions. has not independently verified this report.
Missile and Drone Attacks Hit Kuwait and Gulf States
Kuwaiti authorities reported that two border guards were killed when the country was struck by a barrage of missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait all reported new attacks on Sunday, following loud explosions heard in Dubai and Bahrain’s Manama the previous day.
Kuwait’s national oil company announced a “precautionary” reduction in crude production. The Kuwaiti military stated on Sunday that it had responded to “a wave of hostile drones that penetrated the country’s airspace.”
Fuel tanks at Kuwait’s international airport were targeted in a drone attack, according to the military. The official Kuwait News Agency reported that a fire at the airport was brought under control and described the drone attack as “a direct targeting of vital infrastructure.”
The Kuwaiti interior ministry confirmed that two border guards “were martyred... while performing their national duty,” without providing further details. It remains unclear whether their deaths resulted from an Iranian attack.
Israel Intensifies Assault on Southern Lebanon
Israel has renewed its military operations in southern Lebanon, including targeting commanders of the Lebanese branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force in Beirut. The Israeli military issued a statement declaring it would “not allow Iranian terrorist elements to establish themselves in Lebanese territory.”
The recent strikes in Lebanon followed an Israeli attack on Saturday targeting an oil storage facility in Tehran, which produced large pillars of fire visible in the night sky.
Missile Alerts and Air Defenses Activated in Israel
Air raid sirens sounded across Israel early on Sunday, warning of incoming missiles from Iran. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Israeli military statements indicated that air defenses were responding to at least two waves of “missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel.”
Alerts were activated across much of northern Israel, including the port city of Haifa, as ordered by the army’s Home Front Command, which instructed residents to seek shelter or safe rooms. These alerts were later lifted, with the military stating, “it is now permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas of the country.”
Later, air raid sirens were activated across southern Israel, including the city of Beersheba and parts of the occupied West Bank, according to the Home Front Command. Israeli media reported that several missiles were launched, most of which were intercepted.
Trump’s Statements on Iran and US Military Involvement
US President Donald Trump warned via a Truth Social post that more Iranian officials would become targets, stating:
“Today will be hit very hard!”
Trump’s comments followed remarks made to reporters aboard Air Force One, where he clarified that he had no intention of negotiating with Iran and suggested the conflict would only end when Tehran no longer has a functioning military or leadership in power. He also left open the possibility of deploying American troops on the ground.
Images from the Region
Here are some images emerging from the region and the border with Israel.
Overview of the Conflict’s Progress
Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the Middle East conflict, which is spreading across the region with devastating consequences as it enters its second week.
US President Trump has expressed confidence about the war’s progress, stating that Iran is being ‘decimated,’ while not ruling out the deployment of US troops.
Meanwhile, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi condemned the conflict, stating that it should never have occurred.
Recap of Key Developments
Donald Trump claimed that the US and Israel had “decimated” the Iranian regime but was vague about what he meant by demanding an unconditional surrender. He said aboard Air Force One:
“It’s where they cry uncle, or when they can’t fight any longer and there’s nobody around to cry uncle — that could happen too.”
Trump reiterated the possibility of deploying American troops on the ground. His remarks came hours after attending the dignified transfer of six US service members killed in the early days of the conflict.
China’s foreign minister Wang Yi stated on Sunday that the US-Israel war on Iran “should never have happened.” He added:
“The world cannot return to the law of the jungle.”
He called for an end to military operations.
Iran’s Capacity and Leadership Statements
An official from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed that Iran could sustain a war of this magnitude for “at least” another six months. This statement was reported by the semi-official Fars news agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian apologized to neighboring countries affected by Iranian attacks. He also stated that Iran’s interim leadership council had approved a policy that no attacks or missile strikes would be launched against such countries unless an attack against Iran originated from them.
Recent Strikes and Casualties
Vast plumes of smoke and fire were observed over Tehran overnight. The Israeli military reported striking “several fuel storage complexes” across the city.
At least four people were killed after an Israeli strike hit an apartment in the Ramada hotel building in central Beirut, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. Ten people were injured. Israel described the strike as a “precise strike” targeting “key commanders” in the IRGC’s Quds Force foreign operations arm.
Trump Criticizes UK’s Response
In a social media post, Trump renewed his criticism of the UK’s delayed support for US-Israeli strikes on Iran. He claimed that Downing Street was now “giving serious thought” to sending two aircraft carriers to the region and wrote:
“That’s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don’t need them any longer – But we will remember.”
