US & ‘Israel’ at war with Iran | Day 19 coverage
The 2026 war between ‘Israel’, the United States, and Iran started on February 28 with the launch of Operation Epic Fury, a joint US-‘Israeli’ military campaign. Nearly 900 coordinated strikes were executed within the initial 12 hours, targeting Iranian missile systems, air defenses, military infrastructure, and senior leadership figures across multiple sites.
The operation resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous other high-ranking officials, with explicit objectives of preventing nuclear weapon development, dismantling ballistic missile capabilities, and advancing leadership change.
Iran initiated large-scale retaliatory missile and drone attacks against ‘Israeli’ settlements, US bases, and allied targets throughout the Middle East.
The escalation also encompassed disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian forces shut it down; heightening risks to global energy supplies.
Subsequent phases featured intensified ‘Israeli’ airstrikes on Iranian fuel depots and energy facilities in Tehran and surrounding provinces, complemented by US efforts to neutralize naval assets and remaining missile infrastructure.
The war produced over 2,000 reported deaths across Iran, ‘Israel’, and Lebanon.
Economic effects have included sharp increases in oil prices and interruptions to international shipping, prompting releases from strategic petroleum reserves to stabilize markets.
Kuwait intercepts missile and drone attacks
The Kuwaiti army said its air defense systems successfully intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks targeting the country.
Explosion rocks Baghdad
A powerful explosion hit Baghdad triggering alarms and emergency responses across the city.
Power outage hits parts of Tel Aviv after Iranian missile strike
Electricity was cut in several areas of Tel Aviv after an Iranian missile strike targeted the city.
The power outage affected parts of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area shortly after air-raid sirens sounded and explosions were reported following the missile attack launched from Iran.
Hezbollah rockets target 'Israeli' troop gatherings near Lebanon border
Hezbollah said it carried out several rocket attacks targeting gatherings of 'Israeli' soldiers near the Lebanon border, according to statements released by the group.
They said it struck a concentration of 'Israeli' troops in the Khanouq area of the border village of Aitaroun using rockets.
In a separate statement, Hezbollah said it targeted for a second time a gathering of 'Israeli' soldiers in the Taybeh project area in southern Lebanon.
The group also reported launching rockets at two additional troop gatherings in Jadidat Mays al-Jabal and the Aqabat Rab Thalathin area, both located in southern Lebanon near the border.
4 injured in Tel Aviv area after Iranian missile attack
Four people were injured in the greater Tel Aviv area following Iranian missile attacks, according to the 'Israeli' newspaper Ynet.
Missile attack halts trains in Tel Aviv
Train movement in Tel Aviv stopped on Wednesday after two missile attacks launched from Iran targeted the area, according to Al Jazeera.
Two killed, dozens injured in 'Israel' after rocket attacks from Iran
Two killed, dozens injured in 'Israel' after rocket attacks from Iran.
Reports of rocket debris fall across central 'Israel'
Emergency and firefighting teams rush to multiple sites in central 'Israel' following rocket attacks, reportedly launched from Iran.
Massive explosions heard in ‘Israel'
Huge explosions shake ‘Israel’ as sirens blare across the country
Resignation of US intel official over Iran “good thing”: Trump
A senior US counterterrorism official who resigned to protest the Iran war was "very weak on security" and it's a "good thing" that he stepped down, President Donald Trump said Tuesday.
Joseph Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), resigned on Tuesday saying he "cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran."
"I always thought he was weak on security, very weak on security," the president told reporters in the Oval Office.
He said that when he saw Kent's resignation statement "I realized that it's a good thing that he's out."
Several loud explosions heard in Dubai
Several loud explosions heard in Dubai.
‘Israel’ army issues evacuation orders for south Lebanon’s Tyre city
'Israel’s' military on Tuesday issued evacuation orders for residents of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, warning it was preparing to strike targets in the area.
The military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, posted an “urgent alert” on social media urging residents of the city and nearby areas to leave, saying the army planned to “act forcefully” against Hezbollah and providing a suggested evacuation route.
USS Gerald R. Ford to leave Red Sea for repairs: report
US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is preparing to leave the Red Sea to undergo repairs in the US Navy base on a Greek island after a fire that required several hours of putting out, according to USNI News.
The aircraft carrier will travel to Souda Bay on the island of Crete for repairs that will last for more than a week, according to the report citing a senior US official.
The fire occurred on March 12 in aft laundry facility, and it resulted in “major damage control” that displaced US troops on the carrier and disrupted operations on the ship.
USNI news added that one sailor was medically evacuated after being injured while controlling the fire. The report said he was in stable condition.
Two others were also treated for lacerations.
“The ship's force is inspecting and overhauling affected spaces, and the cause of the fire is under investigation,” a spokesperson for US 5th Fleet told USNI News in a statement.
“The ship continues to operate in the Red Sea, accomplishing US Central Command tasking in support of Operation Epic Fury.”
The report also contrasted another one by the New York Times, which said the fire lasted for 30 hours.
“One source told USNI News that the damage control efforts, like ensuring the fire had not spread, lasted for more than a day,” USNI news said.
Iran confirms death of security chief Larijani
Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday confirmed the death of its chief Ali Larijani, after ‘Israel’ said it had killed him in an air strike.
"The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of God's righteous servant, Martyr Dr. Ali Larijani," the council said, adding that his son and his bodyguards had died with him.
"After a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution, he ultimately attained his long-held aspiration, answered the divine call, and honourably achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service," it added.
