Iranian-Backed Militias Enter Conflict as Middle East War Escalates
Iran has expanded its military operations across the Middle East, firing missiles at Israel and Arab states on Monday, as Tehran-backed militias join the fight against Israeli and American strikes on the Islamic Republic. The conflict has intensified with Hezbollah launching attacks on Israel from Lebanon, leading to Israeli retaliation, while the United States continues to pound targets within Iran.
Iranian Official Rejects Negotiations with US
Amid ongoing American and Israeli airstrikes, top Iranian security official Ali Larijani declared on social media platform X, "We will not negotiate with the United States." This statement came in response to a report from Qatar's Al Jazeera news network. The comment underscores the deepening diplomatic rift, as former US President Donald Trump had previously signaled openness to dialogue with Iran's new leadership, following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials in earlier strikes.
Hezbollah Actions Draw Lebanese Condemnation
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a statement condemning Hezbollah's rocket launches from Lebanon, warning that they "expose our country to risks once more" by involving Lebanon in proxy wars. While he criticized Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Aoun emphasized that these actions undermine efforts to keep the nation out of regional military confrontations.
US Military and Diplomatic Briefings Planned
The Pentagon announced that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will hold a press conference on Monday morning to discuss the military operation against Iran. Additionally, Hegseth and Caine, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, are scheduled to brief the full Congress on Tuesday, with Rubio also meeting Hill leadership on Monday.
Drone Incident at British Base in Cyprus
Cyprus government spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis reported an "incident" at RAF Akrotiri, a British air base on the island's southern coastline, involving an unmanned drone that caused limited damage. The strike occurred shortly after midnight on Monday, following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's commitment to assist the US in the war against Iran. Cypriot authorities are coordinating with the UK to monitor the situation, though details on the drone's origin and full damage remain unspecified.
Background and Casualties
Iranian leaders have stated that more than 200 people have been killed since the start of strikes that eliminated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures. Iran's foreign minister suggested earlier that military units might be acting independently from central government control, particularly in attacks on Gulf Arab nations that have historically served as intermediaries for Tehran.
