The Latest: Hegseth vows most intense day yet of US strikes as Iran aims to fight on

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed any suggestion Tehran has sought a ceasefire. Another top Iranian security official, Ali Larijani, appeared to threaten Trump himself, writing on X that “Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.”

Here is the latest:

Israel’s air force strikes a southern suburb of Beirut

Israel’s military had warned people it would attack several areas south of Beirut, saying the Hezbollah militant group is active there.

Tuesday’s strike came a day after more than a dozen other strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, mainly targeting buildings housing offices of Hezbollah’s financial arm, known as al-Qard al-Hasan.

The Israeli military spokesman said shortly after the first strike on Tuesday that the air force has began attacks on Hezbollah infrastructure south of Beirut.

Christians evacuated from Lebanese border town and mourn compatriot

Dozens of residents from a Christian Lebanese border village have been evacuated, gathering at a church in Beirut’s outskirts to hold funeral prayers for a compatriot killed in an Israeli strike.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, helped almost 100 residents leave Alma al-Shaab early Tuesday, the last group of residents who for days tried to stand their ground amid the ongoing bombardments between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.

“The situation was difficult, we were sleeping in the church the entire time,” said evacuee Joe Sayyah. He said the strike that killed Sami al-Ghafri was the turning point that made them decide to leave. “Sami was hit in front of his house, which is 40 meters away from the church.”

Over 600,000 people have been displaced as Israel asked residents across southern Lebanon to flee northward. In Christian villages like Alma al-Shaab, residents insisted they have nothing to do with this war and no military activity is taking place from their areas.

Sri Lanka hikes fuel prices by 8% amid rising global prices and shrinking stocks due to panic buying

“There is no other alternative than increasing fuel prices by this amount (about 8%) at this time in order to manage the crisis related to the oil prices,” government spokesman and media minister Nalinda Jayatissa told the media Tuesday.

Long queues formed at fuel stations across the country last week to collect fuel as people feared a shortage due to the Iran war. As fuel sales doubled and nearly tripled, shrinking supplies compelled the authorities to purchase new fuel consignments at high prices.

Drones hit the UAE as the country reports 2 new deaths

The United Arab Emirates’ Defense Ministry said in a statement that nine drones hit the country on Tuesday, while it intercepted eight missiles and 26 drones. It said the attacks on the Gulf country have so far killed six people and injured 122 others.

Hegseth says US is taking the investigation on a school strike ‘very seriously’

Responding to a question shouted by a reporter at a news conference about accountability for the strike, Hegseth said that “we take things very, very seriously and investigate them thoroughly.”

“No nation takes more precautions to ensure there’s never targeting of civilians,” he said, adding that “open source information” shouldn’t be used to determine what happened.

Satellite images, expert analysis, a U.S. official and public information suggest the explosion that killed at least 165 people, mostly children, was likely caused by U.S. airstrikes that also hit an adjacent compound associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Trump erroneously claimed Monday that Iran has access to the American Tomahawk cruise missile, the weapon likely used to strike the school.

Russia’s top diplomat speaks to his Iranian counterpart

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a call on Tuesday with his Iranian counterpart to discuss the evolving situation and reaffirmed Moscow’s hope for a political and diplomatic settlement.

Lavrov told Abbas Araghchi that the Russian side is ready to help a de-escalation while taking into consideration security interests of Iran and its neighbors.

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German leader concerned about apparent lack of plans for end of war

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Tuesday that he shares many of the aims of the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, but “more questions arise with every day of war.”

“Above all we’re concerned that there is apparently no joint plan for how this war can be brought quickly to a convincing end,” Merz said.

He stressed that “Germany and Europe have no interest in an endless war” or in Iran’s territorial integrity disintegrating.

The chancellor said he shares Trump’s hope that the war will end quickly. He said that if that happens, oil and energy markets should return to normal relatively soon and so there’s no reason to consider loosening sanctions against Russia.

WHO documents dozens of attacks on medical care in Iran and Lebanon

The attacks have killed at least 22 health care workers since the start of the war, the World Health Organization’s top regional official said.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the head of WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region, told The Associated Press that these attacks include strikes on medical facilities, personnel and ambulances. Eighteen of the documented attacks were in Iran and 23 were in Lebanon, where the agency verified 12 deaths and 26 injuries among health care workers after fighting between Israel and Hezbollah resumed earlier this month.

It’s an “unprecedented situation,” she said, adding that the intensity of attacks and the massive displacement have added more burden on the health care systems of both countries.

More than 100,000 people fled their homes in Iran, while over 500,000 were forced to flee in Iran, she said.

Top US general says no request for tanker escorts through the Strait of Hormuz yet

Caine says the military is considering options to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is open for tanker traffic but has not yet been asked to escort tankers through the narrow passage.

Speaking at a Pentagon news briefing, Caine said says military leaders are looking at “a range of options” and would present them to Trump if asked.

Hegseth noted Trump’s threat on Monday to increase strikes on Iran by 20 times if it stops the flow of oil through the Strait. He also said Iran’s decision to target its neighbors was a desperate move that would only drive other Middle East nations toward the U.S.

“I can’t say that we anticipated necessarily that’s exactly how they would react,” Hegseth said.

Iranian official says athlete’s forced withdrawal from Paralympics is heartbreaking

Cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi had to withdraw from the Winter Paralympics because of he couldn’t travel safely to Italy due to the Iran war.

“The recent events have been very painful for many people, and it is especially heartbreaking for athletes who have dedicated years of hard work and preparation to represent their country,” Hamid Alisamimi, the chief executive of Iran’s National Paralympic Committee, said in a statement to The Associated Press.

“Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, like many others, has faced deep disappointment at being unable to participate in the Paralympics after such long and determined preparation. At the same time, he believes that sport should always remain a bridge between nations and a symbol of peace.”

Pakistan’s navy escorting commercial shipping and energy suppliers

A merchant vessel escorted by Pakistan Navy warships docked overnight in the southern port city of Karachi and another was expected to enter Pakistan’s territorial waters in the Arabian Sea later Tuesday in the nation’s maritime security operation.

About 90% of Pakistan’s trade moves by sea, making maritime routes vital for the country’s economy and energy imports from Saudi Arabia and other gulf countries. Pakistan’s military said its navy launched Operation “Muhafiz-ul-Bahr” or Maritime Guardian in response to potential disruptions to key sea lanes.

Iran is firing off fewer ballistic missiles, drones since U.S. campaign began

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says the number of ballistic missiles fired off by Iran continues to go down since the first day of the U.S. military’s campaign against Iran.

Speaking at a Pentagon news briefing, Caine said missile attacks have fallen 90% and one-way attack drones have decreased 83% since the war began.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the numbers show U.S. strikes are making progress by wearing down Iran’s defenses and its ability to strike its neighbors and U.S. forces.

“That is strong evidence of degradation,” Hegseth said of the numbers.

Hegseth says Tuesday will be the “most intense day of strikes inside Iran”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Tuesday morning from the Pentagon that “today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran.”

Hegseth’s statement came shortly after he said that “the last 24 hours have seen Iran fire the lowest amount of missiles they have fired yet.”

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the same news conference that the U.S. military is moving into the 11th day of its operation against Iran.

Qatar intercepts missile attack

Qatar’s Defense Ministry reported that it has intercepted an incoming missile.

Qatar had warned the public to go inside Tuesday afternoon out of concern of an incoming Iranian attack.

Also, the United Arab Emirates said that its air defenses had been activated to intercept incoming fire from Iran.

Iranian security official threatens Trump

Iranian security official Ali Larijani wrote a message on X after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran “TWENTY TIMES HARDER” if Tehran stopped oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Larijani wrote: “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.”

Iran has been accused of plotting attempts to kill Trump in the past.

Revolutionary Guard official makes oil threat

A spokesman for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has threatened to not allow “a single liter of oil” to leave the Persian Gulf.

Ali Mohamad Naeini has made the comment in a statement.

He says Iran “will not allow the export of even a single liter of oil from the region to the hostile side and its partners until further notice.”

“Their attempts to reduce and control oil and gas prices will be temporary and ineffective,” he said. “Trade in wartime conditions is subject to security considerations.”

UK military warns of possible ship attack off Abu Dhabi

A ship likely came under attack in the Persian Gulf off the coast of the United Arab Emirates’ capital, a center run by the British military says.

The possible attack on the bulk carrier would expand the radius of ongoing assaults against shipping by Iran during the war.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported the incident, saying a captain aboard the vessel reported seeing “a splash and heard a loud bang in proximity of a bulk carrier.”

Russia’s mediation offer remains ‘on the table’

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Russia remains ready to help broker an end to the war in the Middle East.

Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s call on Monday with U.S. President Donald Trump, Peskov said that Russia’s mediation offers “are still on the table.”

He told reporters that “Russia is ready to provide assistance to the best of its ability and will be happy to do so.”

New attacks on Tehran

Israel’s military says it has launched new airstrikes targeting Iran’s capital, Tehran.

Witnesses reported hearing several explosions in the city as the Israelis began their airstrikes.

Bahrain reports missile and drone attacks

The Persian Gulf country was attacked with three missiles and a drone as Iran keeps up its strikes in the Middle East, authorities said.

One strike hit a residential building in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, killing a 29-year-old woman and wounding eight others, the Interior Ministry said.

Iran has repeatedly hit Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. 5th Fleet.

G7 nations mulling use of emergency oil stocks

The group of industrial nations on Monday held off releasing oil stocks to bring down prices but are picking up the issue again with more discussions between their energy ministers on Tuesday, according to France.

France, which currently holds the G7’s rotating presidency, wants “to advance on that question, with one objective, which is to bring down prices,” government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told broadcaster France Televisions.

“France is working on that for a very simple reason: If you put volume back into the market, you can have an impact on the lowering of prices,” Bregeon said.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the G7 ministers will meet Tuesday afternoon by video call.

“It’s a process, we are working on it,” Lescure said. “All options are on the table.”

German foreign minister says no need to send military hardware

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says there is no need now to send his country’s warships or other military hardware to Cyprus or the eastern Mediterranean.

An Iranian Shahed drone struck a British air base on Cyprus’ southern coast last week.

Wadephul lauded Greece, France and Italy for dispatching warships to the region as a “pragmatic step,” adding that Germany would augment a European force presence if needed.

Following talks with his Cypriot counterpart, Constantinos Kombos, Wadephul said he doesn’t have intelligence indicating “a real current threat” to Cyprus or another European country from the Iran war.

But he added “you can never predict what will happen the next day” with groups like Hezbollah.

Saudi Aramco says East-West pipeline to reach capacity

Saudi oil company Aramco says it will reach capacity of its East-West pipeline “in a couple of days” to get its product out to the global market.

Amin Nasser, Aramco’s CEO and president, said the East-West pipeline has a daily capacity of 7 million barrels.

“We should be reaching capacity, in a couple of days. It’s all been going on the repositioning of tankers from the East to West,” Nasser said. “You know, this crisis happened all of a sudden, and tankers need to reposition to the West coast for loading.”

He added: “The situation at the Strait of Hormuz is blocking sizable volumes of oil from the whole region.”

The East-West pipeline sends oil to the Red Sea for transport. Saudi Aramco operates the pipeline from the Aqaiq oil processing center near the Persian Gulf to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea, avoiding the chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz.

Aramco CEO says company focused on safety and commitments

Amin Nasser, the president and CEO of Aramco, said the firm remained “focused on safety and meeting our commitments.”

“That situation continues to evolve, and the safety of our people and our operations remain our highest priorities,” Nasser said.

He did not immediately elaborate on any effects from the war on the company’s output.

Nasser hinted at global oil markets being squeezed the longer the Iran war goes on and shipments from the Mideast being affected.

“Given the current geopolitical situation, we may see inventories eroding and being drawn down faster as shipments are being curtailed from the region,” he said. “This is at a time when current global spare capacity remains extremely low.”

That likely could push the price per barrel globally even higher, translating to higher costs for gasoline and jet fuel.

Netanyahu says Israel will continue Iran strikes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Tuesday that Israel will continue striking Iran.

“Our aim is to bring the Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny, ultimately it depends on them,” Netanyahu said during a meeting with Israel’s hospital and health system leaders.

“But there is no doubt that with the actions taken so far, we are breaking their bones,” he said.

Southeast Asian countries urge remote work to counter higher fuel prices

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told government agencies and state companies to begin having staff not in public facing roles to work from home.

The government said Tuesday that Thailand was also suspending overseas training and study trips.

The announcement comes as countries in Southeast Asia move to counter disruptions to oil and gas supplies from the war in the Middle East.

The Vietnamese government ordered similar measures, but also urged people to limit private use of their vehicles.

Fuel prices have climbed and long lines have formed outside filling stations as drivers and motorcycle riders rush to ensure they can fill their tanks.