Nearly a week after the latest Middle East conflict began, Iranian attacks in the region have significantly decreased, while US attacks on Iran continue to intensify and Israeli attacks have caused panic in southern Beirut.
The Trump administration has warned that the war will soon escalate, and NATO allies are reluctantly drawn into the conflict.
Here’s what you need to know:
What are the main headings?
Iran reduces attacks: In the past 24 hours, Iranian ballistic missile attacks have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, US Central Command said Thursday, offering potential relief to neighboring Gulf states bearing the brunt of Iran’s retaliation.
US says more about what’s to come: At the same time, US attacks against Iran, particularly against its navy, are intensifying and the military is using “many new capabilities,” Centcom said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned, “If you think you saw something, just wait.”
Europe drawn in: Countries including Britain, France, and Spain agreed to provide military support to protect allies’ interests. However, many are also critical of the war. Despite Italy sending defense weapons to the Persian Gulf, the country’s defense minister said attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel violate international law.
NATO strengthens equipment: NATO countries strengthened their defense posture after a suspected Iranian missile was shot down Wednesday while flying into Turkish airspace. Iran said it had not fired any missiles at Türkiye, state media said.
What is happening in Iran and Lebanon?
More attacks by Israel: Israel is moving to the “next phase” of the war after carrying out 2,500 attacks with more than 6,000 weapons, military commanders said late Thursday. He added that the Israel Defense Forces would move deeper into Lebanon. Meanwhile, in Iran, Israel launched a “massive wave of attacks” against key regime infrastructure in Tehran early Friday morning.
Beirut targeted: A new Israeli attack targeted the southern outskirts of the Lebanese capital, an area considered a stronghold by the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. An evacuation order for the entire region, home to more than 500,000 people, on Thursday caused mass panic as people rushed to evacuate.
Rising casualties: U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 1,200 people in Iran and 120 in Lebanon since the recent conflict began, according to both countries’ state media. Iranian airstrikes have also killed dozens of people in other countries in the region.
Attacks by Iran: Even though the number of attacks has decreased, the threat remains. A hotel, two homes and a refinery in Bahrain were hit by Iranian attacks, while Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia intercepted missile and drone attacks early Friday. Iran is also accused of attacking Azerbaijan for the first time since the conflict began, a charge Iran denies.
Iran attacks Israel: Iran announced Thursday night that it had launched a hybrid drone and missile attack on Tel Aviv. A CNN team on the ground spotted what appeared to be a cluster warhead over central Israel.
U.S. radars targeted: Satellite images from major military bases in the Arabian Peninsula suggest Iran is seeking to undermine the THAAD air defense system by destroying U.S. radars that detect incoming missiles and drones.
Stranded travelers: Hundreds of Americans returned home Thursday on the first chartered evacuation flight from Abu Dhabi. More than 11,000 flights have been canceled in 10 countries in the region since the conflict began, according to aviation tracking company Flightradar 24.
Congressional vote again: The House failed on Thursday to pass a bill to limit President Donald Trump’s war powers, after a similar vote failed in the Senate on Wednesday.
Next Supreme Leader: President Trump has ruled out the possibility of Mojtaba Khamenei succeeding his father, the late Supreme Leader, saying he needs to be “involved” in appointing Iran’s next leader.
