The conflict in the Middle East has reached a critical tipping point as the United States and Israel intensify their joint military campaign against Iran’s power structures. Associated Press.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Wednesday confirmed the sinking of an Iranian warship in international waters, marking a significant escalation as Tehran threatened an all-out assault on the region’s military and economic infrastructure.
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Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guards issued their most intense threat yet, saying strikes against them would “cost the complete destruction of the region’s military and economic infrastructure.”
At a Pentagon briefing, Secretary Hegseth revealed that an American submarine had used a torpedo to sink an Iranian naval vessel. He noted that Tuesday night’s operation represented the first such strike on an enemy surface ship since World War II.
“The American submarine sank the Iranians warship who thought he was safe in international waters,” Hegseth said. “He was sunk by a torpedo instead.
While the vessel has not been officially named USAreports from Sri Lankan authorities indicated that an Iranian ship had sunk off their coast. While 32 crew members were rescued, others are confirmed to have perished.
‘Ramadan War’
The intensity of the bombing forced Iranian state television to postpone funeral services for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed earlier in the conflict. The delay is in stark contrast to the millions who attended the funeral of his predecessor Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989.
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State media has now dubbed the conflict the “Ramadan War”, a term that suggests the leadership is preparing citizens for a long-term struggle during the holy month of fasting.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, echoed that sentiment, saying, “We’ve just begun.”
The Israeli strikes specifically hit buildings associated with the Basij command (volunteer paramilitary units of the Revolutionary Guards) and internal security.
Bombing was reported in the seminary city of Qom, specifically targeting a building used by the clerical panel responsible for selecting the next supreme leader.
More than 1,045 people have been killed in Iran, reports of ruins in central Tehran.
Regional impact
The fifth day of the war saw the conflict spread far beyond the borders of the main warring parties.
Israel continues to pound Hezbollah targets near Beirut.
Iran has retaliated against Bahrain – home of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet – as well as Kuwait and Israel.
NATO defenses successfully intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile before it breached Turkish airspace.
The number of victims is increasing
The human and economic costs of war are rising rapidly – Iran (1,045), Lebanon (over 50), Israel (11) and the United States (6).
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In addition to the loss of life, the war has severely disrupted global oil and gas supplies, crippled international shipping routes and left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded in the Middle East.
US and Israeli officials say that while damage to Iran’s air defenses and missile launchers has led to a drop in the frequency of launches, the exchange remains relentless. Explosions continue to ring out over Jerusalem while Hezbollah and Iran maintain a steady stream of missiles and rockets.
