US-Israel-Iran War: Fresh Blasts in Tehran as Tensions Escalate Across Middle East

Loud explosions shook Tehran on Tuesday as Iran targeted industrial and diplomatic sites across the Middle East, vowing to unleash “the gates of hell” on the United States and Israel amid intensifying hostilities.

The conflict erupted following joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, reportedly killing Iran’s supreme leader. Fighting has continued unabated into its fourth day.

Here are the latest developments:

Fresh Blasts in Tehran
Powerful explosions were heard in central Tehran on Tuesday, according to AFP journalists. The exact targets were not immediately confirmed.

Iran Appeals to UN Security Council
Iran called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and halt the conflict.
“The Security Council has a duty… if it wishes, it can certainly act,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, adding that only political will stood in the way of action.

Oil Surges Above $85 per Barrel
Oil prices spiked as the war disrupted supplies, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed and energy infrastructure affected.
The Brent North Sea crude contract climbed more than eight percent to $85.12 a barrel — its highest level since July 2024.

Meanwhile, precious metals declined sharply. Gold fell more than four percent to about $5,075 per ounce, while silver dropped over 12 percent to just under $78 per ounce.

Iran Threatens US, Israel
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned of intensified attacks on US forces and Israel.
“The enemy must await continuous punitive attacks; the gates of hell will open more and more… upon the United States and Israel,” spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini said on state television.

Israel Advances in South Lebanon
Israeli forces reportedly entered areas near the Lebanon-Israel border, including Kfar Kila and the Khiam plains, according to a Lebanese army source.
Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said the move aimed to establish a buffer zone between Israeli communities and potential threats.

Natanz Nuclear Site Damaged
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed “recent damage” to entrance buildings at Iran’s underground Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant.
The agency said no radiological consequences were expected.

Explosions in Gulf Capitals
AFP journalists reported blasts in Manama and Doha, marking a fourth day of Iranian strikes across Gulf states.

30,000 Displaced in Lebanon
The UN refugee agency said at least 30,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon due to escalating hostilities.

Blasts Heard in Jerusalem
Explosions were reported over Jerusalem after the Israeli military detected new missiles launched from Iran and said it was intercepting the threat.

Over 780 Reported Dead in Iran
The Iranian Red Crescent stated that 787 people have been killed nationwide since the conflict began, though AFP could not independently verify the figure.

Drones Strike UAE and Bahrain Facilities
Amazon confirmed that two of its data centres in the United Arab Emirates were directly hit by drones, disrupting cloud services. A facility in Bahrain also sustained damage from a nearby drone strike.

US-UK Relations Strained
US President Donald Trump said ties with the UK had deteriorated after Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined initial requests to allow US forces to use British bases.
“It’s very sad to see that the relationship is obviously not what it was,” Trump said in an interview with The Sun.

France Deploys Jets Over UAE
France has deployed Rafale fighter jets over the UAE to protect its military bases from potential Iranian attacks, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

China Calls for Hormuz Safety
China urged all parties to safeguard navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and immediately halt military operations.

Drones Target UAE, Oman, Iraq
Drone debris sparked a fire in Fujairah, UAE, while drones struck an Omani port fuel tank. Authorities said damage was contained without casualties.

US Embassy in Riyadh Hit
Two drones struck the US embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital, causing a fire. Saudi authorities condemned the attack as “cowardly and unjustified.”

AFP