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The Iran war entered its 12th day as uncertainty grew over when it might end – amid continued attacks and a mounting human toll.
Iranian and Lebanese health officials and Israeli authorities have reported more than 1,200 people killed in Iran, 570 in Lebanon and 12 in Israel. Seven U.S. soldiers have died, the Pentagon says.
The Pentagon also said Tuesday that roughly 140 U.S. soldiers have been injured by Iranian missile and drone strikes. Eight of those injuries were considered severe, but most were described as minor. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said many of the injuries occurred at U.S. bases in countries neighboring Iran.
Here are other major updates about the conflict.
U.S. attacks Iranian mine-laying vessels near Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. military said Tuesday it destroyed 16 mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement came after President Trump warned Iran to “immediately” remove any mines placed in the strait.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also said the U.S. would not allow what he called “terrorists” to hold the strait hostage.
Roughly a fifth of the oil consumed globally passes through the narrow waterway between Oman and Iran. The Iran war has effectively shuttered the strait to tanker traffic and roiled markets.
Cargo vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British group that monitors maritime security, said Wednesday that a commercial cargo vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a fire onboard.
UKMTO said the crew was being evacuated from the vessel after issuing a distress call.
Strikes and interceptions across the Gulf
Authorities in Dubai said two drones fell near Dubai International Airport on Wednesday, injuring four people. Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry said it had intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base. Kuwait’s National Guard said it downed eight drones.
Israel strikes Hezbollah sites in Lebanon and says it thwarted a drone launch squad in Iran
Israel’s military said it completed another wave of strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs. It also said it struck a Hezbollah command post in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said it struck a drone launch squad in western Iran.
UN says nearly 700,000 people displaced in Lebanon
The United Nations says nearly 700,000 people are now displaced in Lebanon, including large numbers of children. U.N. agencies say the scale of displacement has strained shelters and basic services.
Samer Safaer, who works with the nonprofit Makhzoumi Foundation, told NPR resources are stretched.
-Hadeel Al-Shalchi
Netanyahu tells Iranians to “seize the moment”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a direct appeal to Iranians Tuesday, calling the war a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to remove the country’s clerical leadership.
In a lengthy post on X, Netanyahu urged Iranians to “seize the moment,” saying Israel and the United States are striking regime targets.
Sen. Chris Murphy says war briefings are “incoherent and incomplete”
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said he attended another classified briefing on the Iran war Tuesday and accused the Trump administration of keeping the briefings closed.
Murphy also criticized what he said was a lack of planning to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning the situation could become an “endless war.”
Other Senate Democrats have raised similar concerns after classified briefings, saying the administration has not laid out clear goals, urging for more public transparency.
Two more members of Iranian women’s soccer team granted asylum in Australia
Australia Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said two more members of Iran’s women’s soccer delegation were granted humanitarian visas overnight, bringing the total to seven team members allowed to remain.
Rebecca Rosman contributed to this report from Paris. Hadeel Al-Shalchi contributed from Beirut.
