Iran has declared it is engaged in a "full-scale war" with the United States, following a ninth consecutive night of American airstrikes that have targeted multiple Iranian cities. The heightened military action comes as U.S. President Donald Trump stated the latest strikes were conducted "in honor" of three American service members killed in action over the weekend.
American commanders confirmed a "new wave" of strikes on Monday night. The U.S. has reportedly dispatched an additional fleet of F-16 jets to the Middle East from bases in Europe, a move that defense sources suggest is part of a strategy to "escalate to de-escalate." These actions are expected to further intensify the ongoing conflict.
President Trump commented on the strikes on Saturday, asserting that Iran had been "very badly damaged" and had "lost everything almost, militarily." However, concerns have been raised within the U.S. military regarding missile capacity, with one American official warning that "the White House is aware" of potential shortages in the context of the escalated conflict.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that "The reality is that the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in a full-scale war." The three U.S. service members who died were identified as Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19. Their deaths bring the total number of U.S. casualties in the conflict to 17, though the exact circumstances of their deaths were not specified.
The conflict has also extended to neighboring countries. Kuwait reported intercepting missiles aimed at the U.S. Ali Al-Salem base, and Jordan stated that Iranian warheads had entered its airspace. Reports of oil tankers being struck in the Strait of Hormuz have also emerged, although these claims remain disputed.
The latest escalation follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran last month with the stated aim of ending the war. However, reports indicate that the terms of this agreement were breached within days.
