BREAKING: The United States is at War in the Middle East Again, I Have the Latest

Good morning everyone. The world is waking up to the outbreak of another major war in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched strikes across Iran without Congressional approval. This is not a limited exchange. It marks the start of what is likely to become a prolonged and large scale regional conflict.

I have spent several hours reviewing all available reporting, official statements, and on the ground developments to compile a comprehensive update for you right now. The situation is evolving rapidly, and I will be providing continuous updates throughout the day and all weekend.

I will be working around the clock to track every major development. If you value real time analysis and clear breakdowns of what is happening, please consider subscribing to support my work and keep me fueled for the coverage ahead.

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Here’s the news:

• The United States and Israel launched large-scale coordinated military strikes on Iran overnight. President Donald Trump described the operation as the beginning of “major combat operations in Iran,” signaling a significant escalation beyond limited or symbolic strikes. U.S. officials indicated the campaign could last several days rather than being a one-night operation.
• The Department of Defense has labeled the operation:
• The U.S. military targeted Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure and nuclear facilities. American forces launched Tomahawk missiles from Navy ships and deployed fighter aircraft in the operation. Israeli forces simultaneously targeted Iranian political and military leadership along with additional strategic military sites.
• President Trump justified the strikes by stating the objective was to eliminate “imminent threats” posed by Iran and to prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons. He claimed Iran had rejected repeated opportunities to curb its nuclear ambitions during negotiations. Trump also warned that future American casualties were possible, emphasizing that military conflict carries inherent risks.
• In a direct appeal to the Iranian public, Trump urged citizens to “take over your government” after the strikes conclude. He framed the operation as an opportunity for regime change and described it as potentially a once-in-a-generation chance for freedom. His remarks marked a notable shift from deterrence language to overt political messaging aimed at Iran’s internal governance.
• Here are the initial reactions of United States lawmakers captured from statements posted online and given to Axios:Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) demanded that the Senate immediately return to session to vote on his War Powers Resolution, arguing Congress must formally decide on U.S. involvement in hostilities against Iran.“The Senate should immediately return to session and vote on my War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against Iran.”“Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action.”Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) called for Congress to reconvene at once to hold a war powers vote, saying lawmakers must reflect the will of Americans who do not want another war.“We should have Congress immediately go back into session for the War Powers vote to reassert the American people’s will, which, again, they don’t want to be at war.”“So I’m ready to go right back to the Senate today.”Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the administration for acting without congressional authorization and warned of repeating past mistakes.“The American people have seen this playbook before – claims of urgency, misrepresented intelligence, and military action that pulls the United States into regime change and prolonged, costly nation-building.”Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, argued that the administration was ignoring historical lessons and the risks of escalation.“It does not appear that Donald Trump has learned the lessons of history.”“Military action in this region almost never ends well for the United States, and conflict with Iran can easily spiral and escalate in ways we cannot anticipate.”Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) strongly supported the strikes, describing them as strategically sound and justified in confronting Iran’s leadership.He called the operation “well-planned.”“It will be violent, extensive and I believe, at the end of the day, successful. Again the demise of the ayatollah’s regime with American blood on its hands is necessary and more than justified.”Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, defended the operation as necessary for national security.He described it as a “pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests.”Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) opposed the strikes on constitutional grounds, arguing Congress had not authorized them.He called the strikes “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.”Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) joined Massie in pushing for a bipartisan House vote to halt further escalation.“Congress must reconvene on Monday to vote on my and Thomas Massie’s war powers resolution to stop this war.”
• Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) demanded that the Senate immediately return to session to vote on his War Powers Resolution, arguing Congress must formally decide on U.S. involvement in hostilities against Iran.“The Senate should immediately return to session and vote on my War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against Iran.”“Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action.”
• “The Senate should immediately return to session and vote on my War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against Iran.”
• “Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action.”
• Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) called for Congress to reconvene at once to hold a war powers vote, saying lawmakers must reflect the will of Americans who do not want another war.“We should have Congress immediately go back into session for the War Powers vote to reassert the American people’s will, which, again, they don’t want to be at war.”“So I’m ready to go right back to the Senate today.”
• “We should have Congress immediately go back into session for the War Powers vote to reassert the American people’s will, which, again, they don’t want to be at war.”
• “So I’m ready to go right back to the Senate today.”
• Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the administration for acting without congressional authorization and warned of repeating past mistakes.“The American people have seen this playbook before – claims of urgency, misrepresented intelligence, and military action that pulls the United States into regime change and prolonged, costly nation-building.”
• “The American people have seen this playbook before – claims of urgency, misrepresented intelligence, and military action that pulls the United States into regime change and prolonged, costly nation-building.”
• Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, argued that the administration was ignoring historical lessons and the risks of escalation.“It does not appear that Donald Trump has learned the lessons of history.”“Military action in this region almost never ends well for the United States, and conflict with Iran can easily spiral and escalate in ways we cannot anticipate.”
• “It does not appear that Donald Trump has learned the lessons of history.”
• “Military action in this region almost never ends well for the United States, and conflict with Iran can easily spiral and escalate in ways we cannot anticipate.”
• Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) strongly supported the strikes, describing them as strategically sound and justified in confronting Iran’s leadership.He called the operation “well-planned.”“It will be violent, extensive and I believe, at the end of the day, successful. Again the demise of the ayatollah’s regime with American blood on its hands is necessary and more than justified.”
• He called the operation “well-planned.”
• “It will be violent, extensive and I believe, at the end of the day, successful. Again the demise of the ayatollah’s regime with American blood on its hands is necessary and more than justified.”
• Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, defended the operation as necessary for national security.He described it as a “pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests.”
• He described it as a “pivotal and necessary operation to protect Americans and American interests.”
• Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) opposed the strikes on constitutional grounds, arguing Congress had not authorized them.He called the strikes “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.”
• He called the strikes “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.”
• Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) joined Massie in pushing for a bipartisan House vote to halt further escalation.“Congress must reconvene on Monday to vote on my and Thomas Massie’s war powers resolution to stop this war.”
• “Congress must reconvene on Monday to vote on my and Thomas Massie’s war powers resolution to stop this war.”
• According to NBC News, Iran responded by launching missile attacks against multiple U.S. military bases across the Middle East. Targets included installations in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. Iranian missiles were also fired toward Israel, prompting air defense systems such as the Iron Dome to activate over major cities.
• The New York Times has obtained the first known satellite image of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound in Tehran shows multiple buildings destroyed within the complex. While the current whereabouts of Iran’s supreme leader remain unknown, the compound is generally used as his official residence and a key center of authority.
• Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said in an interview with NBC that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is still alive “as far as I know,” following the joint U.S.–Israeli strikes. He stated that two commanders had been killed but that senior regime officials survived, though NBC News has not independently verified those claims. Araghchi also criticized the U.S. and Israel for carrying out the attack despite ongoing nuclear negotiations.
• U.S. officials reported to Reuters no American casualties in the immediate aftermath of the retaliatory strikes. However, they acknowledged infrastructure damage at some regional bases, particularly in Bahrain where the U.S. Fifth Fleet is headquartered. Officials cautioned that the situation remains fluid and that further retaliation is expected. This is a video of an Iranian missile striking a United States military instillation in Bahrain:
• Based on preliminary reports, at least one civilian was killed in Abu Dhabi when debris from intercepted missiles fell onto a residential area. Several Gulf states reported successfully intercepting Iranian missiles before impact. Regional governments condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty and warned of serious consequences if escalation continues.
• According to the Wall Street Journal, Iranian state media reported that an Israeli strike hit a girls’ primary school in the southern county of Minab. Iranian officials claimed dozens of children were killed and many more injured, though those casualty figures have not yet been independently verified. The Israeli military told NBC News that it was reviewing the reports but had not confirmed the details.
• Explosions were reported across central Tehran and in multiple other Iranian cities. Thick smoke was seen rising over parts of the capital, and air defenses were activated. Communication disruptions followed, with internet monitoring groups reporting connectivity dropping to approximately 4% nationwide, indicating a near-total blackout. This is a video provided of the strikes from inside Iran to Iran International, despite the blackout:
• Iran closed its airspace and shut down schools and universities in response to the strikes. Government offices were ordered to operate at reduced capacity, while banks remained open. Authorities urged citizens to remain calm, avoid unnecessary travel, and refrain from gathering in crowded areas. This is an image from the strike from the AFP:
• Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi told NBC News he was “dismayed” that active U.S.–Iran negotiations brokered by Oman had been undermined by the strikes, warning that further escalation would not serve U.S. interests or global peace and contrasting the setback with his recent optimism that progress in indirect talks meant “peace is within our reach.”
• The Basij militia began patrols across all districts of Tehran, suggesting concerns about potential internal unrest. Iran’s Interior Ministry stated it would “preserve order and peace,” language often associated with crackdowns on protests. The moves came after recent nationwide protests that had already led to thousands of deaths in a prior crackdown.
• Reza Pahlavi, the U.S.-based son of Iran’s deposed shah, urged Iranians to prepare to reclaim the country. While encouraging resistance, he advised citizens to stay home and wait for the right moment. Analysts noted, however, that there is no clearly organized opposition structure currently positioned to take control.
• French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran would have “grave consequences for international peace and security.” He called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Macron also urged Iran to return to good-faith negotiations over its nuclear and ballistic programs.
• Russia condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes as an unprovoked act of aggression against a sovereign state. Moscow characterized the attacks as violations of international law and accused the West of escalating tensions. The statement underscored widening geopolitical divisions over the conflict.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that the escalation risks triggering a “dangerous chain reaction” across the Middle East. It emphasized that civilian infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and homes must be protected under the laws of war. Humanitarian officials cautioned that aid organizations would struggle to keep pace with expanding conflict.
• Within the United States, political reaction was divided and did not fall strictly along party lines. Some lawmakers praised the strikes as necessary to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional aggression. Others criticized the operation as unauthorized military action conducted without explicit Congressional approval.
• The escalation follows prior hostilities between Israel, the United States, and Iran, including a 12-day conflict the previous year and earlier U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Nuclear negotiations had been ongoing before this latest round of strikes. Analysts warned that calls for regime change evoke comparisons to past U.S. interventions in Iraq, raising concerns about long-term instability.

See you soon.

— Aaron