Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Iran Amid Widespread Airstrikes
Former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, vowing to hit the country "very hard" in the coming days while labeling its leaders as "deranged scumbags." His inflammatory comments came as Tehran residents reported relentless bombing, with US and Israeli warplanes launching successive waves of attacks on the Iranian capital and other locations across the Middle East.
Chaos in Tehran During al-Quds Day Rally
On Friday, one airstrike reportedly struck close to a square near Tehran University, where crowds had gathered for an al-Quds Day rally in support of Iran's regime. The area, home to numerous government buildings, saw demonstrators screaming "Death to Israel!" and "Death to America!" as plumes of grey smoke rose above the city. Video published by the semi-official Tasnim news agency captured the chaotic scene, highlighting the intensity of the conflict.
Residents of Tehran described a city under siege, with a 66-year-old retired professor stating, "The buildings are shaking ... There's rubble everywhere and people are still risking their lives to go to work." A 42-year-old shopkeeper from central Tehran counted six explosions within a single hour, noting, "We've taped the windows with newspapers. I am hardly even sleeping. They have bombed all night."
Regional Violence Spreads Across Middle East
The violence has extended far beyond Iran's borders, creating widespread chaos, bloodshed, and destruction. In Lebanon, where 800,000 people have been displaced, Israeli strikes continued, with at least eight people killed in an attack on the southern coastal city of Sidon. Israel's military also targeted the Zrarieh Bridge, claiming it was used by Hezbollah militants, though no evidence was provided.
Hezbollah and Iran launched new missile and drone attacks on targets in Israel, while Iran also struck civilian infrastructure in Gulf states. In Oman, two people died when drones crashed in an industrial area, and Saudi Arabia reported downing nearly 50 drones. The Dubai International Financial Center sustained damage from debris, highlighting the economic impact of the conflict.
Trump's Social Media Threats and Military Actions
In a post on social media, Trump wrote, "Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today ... They've been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do so!" Later on Friday, he announced that US forces had "obliterated" military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, the primary terminal for the country's oil exports, and warned that oil infrastructure could be next if Iran interferes with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth added to the tension, claiming that Iranian leaders were "desperate and hiding" and that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been "wounded and likely disfigured." Hegseth stated that over 15,000 enemy targets had been struck since the war began, averaging more than 1,000 per day.
Humanitarian and Economic Fallout
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Iranian authorities reporting over 1,300 deaths in Iran, Israel confirming 12 deaths, and the US losing at least 13 service members. In Lebanon, more than 600 people have been killed in recent fighting. The economic repercussions are also severe, as Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for about a fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies, though stock markets rallied slightly as oil prices fell.
European countries, including France, have reportedly opened talks with Tehran to negotiate safe passage for ships, though Italy denied such discussions. As the violence spirals, residents like the Tehran professor plead, "Please stop this. I am begging the world to act now before the entire city is destroyed." With Trump's threats and ongoing airstrikes, the Middle East faces an uncertain and volatile future.
