The conflict pitting the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its seventh day, with the regional war intensifying as Israeli forces announced a "next phase" in their campaign, launching significant airstrikes against Beirut’s southern suburbs.

The escalation followed an unprecedented evacuation order issued by the Israeli military for the entire area, instructing residents to "save your lives and evacuate your residences immediately."

The warning triggered a mass exodus from the Lebanese capital, with thousands of civilians creating massive gridlock on the outskirts of the city as they fled in panic.

Lebanese authorities report that at least 123 people have been killed in the country since Monday, with nearly 700 wounded and at least 90,000 displaced.

The conflict, which began on February 28 following US and Israeli strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has rapidly expanded across the Middle East.

On the political front, US President Donald Trump rejected the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader, replacing his father.

In an interview with Axios, Trump dismissed the younger Khamenei as a "lightweight," stating, "I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy... Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran."

The war’s reach has extended far beyond the immediate Levant. Military engagements have been reported as far as the Sri Lankan coast, where a US submarine reportedly torpedoed an Iranian warship.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has threatened retaliation against Iran following a drone strike on one of its airports, with President Ilham Aliyev labeling Tehran's actions "terrorism."

In Iran, state-run media claims the death toll from the ongoing US and Israeli bombardment has reached 1,230, a figure that remains unverified.

Israeli officials maintain that 60 percent of Iran’s missile launchers and 80 percent of its air defense systems have been neutralized. Army Chief Eyal Zamir announced the commencement of a "next phase" in the conflict, warning that Israel has "additional surprises ahead."

Retaliatory strikes from Iran have continued to hit targets across the Gulf, including energy infrastructure and civilian areas in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.

In a statement on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remained defiant, asserting that Tehran had not sought a ceasefire and stated, "We are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them."

As international concerns mount, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has defended the military campaign, claiming that regional partners are increasingly unified in their defensive efforts against Iranian aggression.

Source: AFP