Iran Fires New Missile Barrage at Israel as Middle East War Enters Sixth Day
By Tahir Shah :
Iran launched a fresh wave of missiles at Israel early on Thursday, forcing millions of people to take shelter as the war between Iran, Israel and the United States entered its sixth day.
Explosions were reported in Jerusalem following warnings of incoming missile fire, according to journalists from AFP. Israel’s emergency services said there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Iranian state-linked news agency Tasnim also reported explosions in Tehran on Thursday morning, saying the country had activated air defence systems in response to attacks.
US Senate Blocks Effort to Halt Air Campaign
In Washington, lawmakers rejected a motion aimed at halting the US air campaign against Iran and requiring congressional approval for continued military action.
The US Senate voted 53 to 47 against advancing the measure, largely along party lines. Most Republicans opposed the motion while nearly all Democrats supported it, leaving President Donald Trump with broad authority to continue directing the military campaign.
Mr Trump praised the US military’s performance, telling a gathering of technology executives that operations were going “extremely well”.
“On a scale of 10, I’d say about a 15,” he said.
Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the joint campaign had achieved what it described as “historic gains”.
Strikes Intensify in Lebanon
The conflict has also intensified in Lebanon. An Israeli air strike targeted southern Beirut early Thursday after the Israeli military warned residents to evacuate the area.
Lebanon’s health ministry said three people were killed in two separate strikes on vehicles along the airport highway. Authorities say at least 72 people have been killed, 437 wounded and more than 83,000 displaced since the latest fighting began earlier in the week.
In his first address since the escalation, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed that the group would continue resisting Israeli attacks.
“We are facing aggression… our choice is to confront it until the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.
Conflict Expands Across the Region
The war has begun affecting countries across the wider region. Qatar said it had started evacuating residents living near the US embassy in Doha as a precaution following Iranian strikes.
Governments worldwide are organising emergency flights to evacuate citizens stranded in the Middle East as commercial aviation remains severely disrupted. Major travel hubs, including Dubai the world’s busiest airport for international passengers have seen widespread cancellations.
In a further escalation, a US submarine reportedly sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka on Wednesday, killing at least 80 people. NATO air defences also intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkey, marking the first direct involvement affecting the NATO member state.
However, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the incident was not expected to trigger NATO’s collective defence clause.
Oil Supplies and Global Markets at Risk
The conflict has also disrupted global energy supplies. Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route for Middle Eastern oil exports has largely stalled.
Around 200 vessels are currently anchored near the waterway, according to Reuters estimates, raising concerns about global energy markets.
The US has said it plans to escort oil tankers through the strait once military priorities allow, though officials indicated naval resources are currently focused on combat operations.
Despite the ongoing violence, financial markets showed signs of recovery on Thursday after earlier losses, amid speculation that diplomatic channels could eventually reopen.
Iranian officials, however, dismissed reports that intelligence contacts with the United States had begun, describing them as “psychological warfare” during the conflict.
As fighting spreads across several fronts, the war continues to reshape security conditions across the Middle East, while raising concerns about wider international involvement.
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