Iran war: Hezbollah fires at Israel; US releases IRGC HQ strike video - 10 key points

The war between the United States and Iran has entered a volatile new phase, with President Donald Trump signalling a shift in his projected timeline for the conflict. Speaking to NBC, Trump said that the campaign could last “around four weeks”, describing it as one of the most complex offensives ever undertaken. His remarks came as Iran intensified retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, killing civilians in Israel and striking Gulf states that host Western forces.

Britain, France and Germany have now vowed to support “necessary and proportionate defensive action” to neutralise Iranian missile capabilities. While stopping short of joining offensive strikes, London has allowed the US to use British bases for limited defensive purposes, underlining how rapidly the war risks widening.



The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) further confirmed that Hezbollah was responsible for the rocket fire launched from Lebanon.

It would also be the first instance of the group firing on Israel since the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into force in November 2024.

Here are the 10 key developments:

Trump signals extended campaign

Trump acknowledged that the operation, launched jointly with Israel, may run for weeks rather than days. While insisting US objectives would be achieved, he conceded there would “likely be more” American casualties before it ends. The Pentagon confirmed three US service members were killed and five seriously wounded in the opening phase, codenamed Operation Epic Fury.

IRGC headquarters destroyed

US Central Command said it had destroyed the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the powerful force underpinning Iran’s military and economic influence. Trump further claimed nine Iranian naval vessels were sunk and that the navy’s headquarters had been largely destroyed, though Tehran has not confirmed those losses.

Iran retaliates across the region

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and multiple Gulf states. In Israel, strikes hit Jerusalem and the town of Beit Shemesh, killing at least 11 people. Air raid sirens also sounded in northern Israel after projectiles were fired from Lebanon, raising fears of a broader front.

Gulf states invoke self-defence

Foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned what they called “treacherous” attacks and reserved the right to respond. The Gulf Cooperation Council said member states would take all necessary measures to protect their territories, warning that regional stability is vital to global economic security.

Britain permits US use of bases

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed Britain would allow the United States to use its bases for “specific and limited defensive purposes” aimed at destroying Iranian missile launch sites. He stressed the UK was not joining offensive action but had a duty to protect British lives and allies in the region.

France and Germany align with UK

In a joint statement, Britain, France and Germany said they were ready to enable “necessary and proportionate defensive action” to stop Iranian missile strikes at source. The declaration marks a significant European shift from diplomacy towards active defensive coordination with Washington.

Strait of Hormuz tensions spike

Iran previously declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, and maritime security agencies reported attacks on vessels in the waterway. Any sustained disruption threatens global oil supplies, as roughly a fifth of the world’s traded crude passes through the strait.

Leadership transition in Tehran

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that a provisional leadership council had begun work, with a new supreme leader expected within days. Iran’s foreign minister wrote to the United Nations accusing the US and Israel of opening a “dangerous Pandora’s box”.

Supreme Leader killed in opening strikes

Iranian state media confirmed that Ali Khamenei was killed in one of the first waves of strikes targeting senior leadership and Revolutionary Guard facilities. Israeli officials described the mission as a “golden opportunity”, citing months of intelligence coordination with Washington. The killing has left a leadership vacuum in Tehran.

Tensions in US

In the US, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries criticised the operation as a “reckless decision”. Protests erupted in Pakistan, while shipping companies suspended Suez Canal routes and airspace closures stranded thousands of travellers. Markets remain jittery amid fears the war could engulf the wider Middle East.