Iran broadened its retaliatory strikes on Tuesday, targeting US allies across the Gulf region with drone and missile attacks, as the Biden administration and former President Donald Trump offered sharply contrasting assessments of the escalating conflict. The attacks, which followed the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike last week, have raised fears of a wider regional war.
At least five countries in the region reported being targeted by Iranian drones and missiles, prompting the US to announce the closure of its embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Oil and energy prices surged as stock and bond markets declined amid the growing uncertainty. The narrow Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, was declared closed by Iranian authorities.
President Trump, speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, appeared to contradict earlier statements from his administration regarding the rationale for the US involvement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had asserted that the US took pre-emptive defensive action in joining an Israeli-led assault, but Trump suggested he “might have forced Israel’s hand.” He also announced plans to provide insurance to tankers in the Gulf and potentially escort them through the Strait of Hormuz, should the need arise.
The administration’s messaging regarding potential regime change in Iran remained unclear. Trump acknowledged that many individuals considered as potential successors to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial attacks, may already be deceased. “Now we have another group, they may be dead also, based on reports,” he said, adding skepticism about the return of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. “We haven’t been thinking too much about that. It would seem to me that someone from within might be more appropriate.”
Meanwhile, Israel confirmed new strikes against Islamic Republic officials in Tehran and intensified its attacks on Hizbullah in southern Lebanon. According to reports, workers in Tehran are clearing rubble from a police station destroyed by US-Israeli air strikes.
The conflict has left approximately 1,500 to 2,000 Irish citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar due to flight cancellations. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee stated that the Government is working to finalize a charter flight departing from Oman in the coming days, prioritizing vulnerable citizens and those not resident in the Gulf. Between 250 and 300 people are expected to be on the first flight.
McEntee indicated that Taoiseach Micheál Martin would raise Ireland’s concerns about the US-Israeli action during his scheduled meeting with President Trump at the White House later this month. She also confirmed that no US military aircraft connected to the conflict have passed through Shannon Airport since last weekend.
Late Tuesday night, the Israel Defense Forces announced a new “wave of extensive strikes against launch sites, defense systems, and additional infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
