US President Donald Trump has said that the ongoing Middle East conflict will only end if Iran surrenders unconditionally, as Israeli forces continue to target Tehran’s leadership.
The war, now in its seventh day, has expanded beyond the region, disrupting global energy markets and air travel, and causing panic in countries typically considered safe. Lebanon is among the hardest-hit nations, with thousands fleeing heavy Israeli airstrikes and its Prime Minister warning of a looming humanitarian disaster.
Despite calls from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for renewed diplomatic talks, Trump has rejected negotiations. On his Truth Social platform, he declared, “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.” The White House emphasized that US goals in the conflict remain unchanged. Trump also suggested that the US could help rebuild Iran’s economy if a leader “acceptable” to him replaces the recently killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The conflict has pushed US crude oil prices up by 11 percent, as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked, worsening global energy concerns.
Tehran has faced some of its heaviest bombardments yet, with residents describing the situation as “very scary.” Israeli military officials say their forces are “crushing the Iranian regime,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that attacks would intensify further. According to Iran’s health ministry, at least 926 people have died from US and Israeli strikes, though this figure could not be independently confirmed.
Iran has launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries. In Israel, ten civilians have died, and six US military personnel have been killed.
The conflict has drawn in Lebanon after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel in retaliation for Khamenei’s death. Israeli strikes on southern Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, forced hundreds of thousands to flee. Lebanon’s health ministry reported 217 deaths, while two UN peacekeepers were critically wounded in southern Lebanon.
Iraq has also been affected, with attacks targeting airports and US-linked facilities. Warnings have been issued about potential strikes on hotels in Iraqi Kurdistan. Azerbaijan reported preventing Iranian attacks on its territory.
Gulf nations have faced drone and missile threats, with Qatar intercepting a drone targeting a US air base, and Saudi Arabia destroying a missile near Al-Kharj. Thirteen people, including an 11-year-old girl in Kuwait, have died in Gulf states since the war began.
The war’s effects have extended as far as the Sri Lankan coast, where a US submarine reportedly sank an Iranian frigate. Nations are racing to repatriate stranded tourists, while airspace remains unsafe due to missile and drone activity.
The UN has declared the situation a major humanitarian emergency. Tens of thousands of people have fled affected areas in Lebanon, and millions more across the Middle East are facing the indirect consequences of war, including energy shortages, disrupted transport, and rising fear among civilians.
