Tensions sharply increased after Donald Trump demanded “unconditional surrender” from Iran. In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will never surrender and will continue defending itself.
The conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran has now entered its second week. Iranian forces have continued launching drones and missiles toward targets in Israel and parts of the Gulf region.
Trump has warned that if tensions continue to rise, the United States could launch “very hard” strikes against Iran. At the same time, he claimed that Iran had already “surrendered” to its neighbouring countries after Tehran said it would not target regional states unless attacks were launched from their territory.
An Iranian military spokesperson issued a sharp warning, saying that any American ships entering the Gulf could end up at the bottom of the sea. The warning came after Trump announced that the US Navy would start escorting oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz “as soon as possible”.
Meanwhile, violence has spread across parts of the region. Lebanon’s state run National News Agency reported that since Monday more than 1,023 people have been wounded during Israeli air strikes.
Read more: Iran war success confirmed by CNN as US radar, defence systems destroyed
Israeli forces recently carried out another air attack on the town of Zibdin in the Nabatieh area of Lebanon, according to local reports.
The UK Ministry of Defence said that the United States has started using British bases for certain defensive operations aimed at stopping Iranian missiles. It warned that the situation could put British lives at risk.
The ministry also said British warplanes are currently flying missions over Jordan, Qatar and Cyprus to protect British interests and allies in the region.
However, British Member of Parliament Zarah Sultana accused the government of secretly supporting US attacks on Iran. She claimed American B-1 Lancer bombers had landed at British bases before flying missions targeting Iran.
In a social media post, she said the aircraft were landing on “British soil before flying off to bomb Iran”, adding that this meant the UK was “directly involved” in the conflict.
Sultana also criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying he had previously claimed that the UK was not at war.
Starmer has maintained that Britain would only allow its bases to be used for “defensive” strikes against Iranian missile sites.
The statements from both sides show the conflict is becoming more dangerous. Neither side appears ready to step back. If attacks continue, more countries could become involved in the crisis. This could also affect global oil routes and regional stability.
