Region on Fire: Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Fire as Iran Conflict Enters Third Day

Israel and Hezbollah traded fire on Monday, while President Donald Trump vowed to avenge the deaths of US service members and warned that the conflict with Iran could last for weeks.

The European Union announced it was reinforcing its naval mission in the Red Sea, warning of the cost to the region of a prolonged war.

The Battlefield

Fresh explosions were heard across Gulf cities, while blasts in Jerusalem triggered air raid sirens.

An Iranian official confirmed that US and Israeli strikes over two days have killed at least 27 people in Iran’s north-west.

“The number of martyrs who have fallen over the past two days in the province as a result of Israeli and American attacks reached 27,” said Majid Farshi, director general of the East Azerbaijan province crisis management department.

Israel said it was striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon after the militant group launched rockets and drones at Israel. The Israeli military ordered residents of about 50 towns and villages in Lebanon to evacuate. Witnesses reported South Lebanon residents fleeing by car.

The Gulf Under Fire

Strikes hit Dubai, Doha, and Manama. Reporters heard several loud blasts in the Qatari and Bahraini capitals, as well as in the UAE’s most populous city.

Loud bangs were heard near Iraq’s Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops. Drones have repeatedly been intercepted over Erbil since the campaign began.

The US embassy in Kuwait warned citizens to “take cover in your residence on the lowest available floor and away from windows. Do not go outside.”

The Diplomatic Front

Iran’s Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran “will not negotiate with the US,” dismissing reports that Iranian officials had sought talks. He called Trump’s “delusional fantasies” the cause of regional chaos.

Trump told the New York Times he has “three very good choices” for who could lead Iran, but declined to name them. “I won’t be revealing them now. Let’s get the job done first.”

Top US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will brief Congress today on the attack on Iran.

The Economic Impact

Container shipping giant Maersk announced it was halting passage through the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz for “safety” reasons, following Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declaration that the strait was closed.

British forces responded to a suspected drone strike at its RAF Akrotiri military base in Cyprus. No casualties were reported.

The Human Cost

On Sunday, an Iranian missile attack killed at least nine people and injured dozens more in the central Israeli city of Beit Shemesh.

Gulf states, meeting via video-link, vowed to defend themselves against Iranian attacks, including by “responding to the aggression” if necessary.

The Bottom Line

Israel and Hezbollah are exchanging fire. Gulf cities are under strike. US officials are briefing Congress. Shipping is halted. And the death toll is rising.

The conflict with Iran is no longer a skirmish. It is a regional warand it is only in its third day.