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Day 19 of the US-Israel war on Iran entered with Tehran's confirmation of the assassination of a top Iranian power broker, expanded US strikes on critical infrastructure, and sweeping retaliation by Tehran across the region.

At the centre of the escalation was the killing of Ali Larijani, one of the Islamic Republic’s most influential figures, in a US-Israeli airstrike in Tehran.

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His death, coming weeks after the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has deepened a leadership vacuum even as Iran faces mounting military pressure and internal instability.

Simultaneously, the battlefield widened, here is what we know so far:

Israel vows to continue strikes

The Israeli military has pledged to keep targeting senior Iranian officials after announcing the killing of Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib. A military spokesperson said in a televised briefing, “We will continue to hunt down all of the regime's senior officials. The series of eliminations will not stop.”

‘Uncontrollable consequences’

Iran’s president warned that attacks on energy infrastructure could trigger “uncontrollable consequences” with global implications. Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X, “This will complicate the situation and could have uncontrollable consequences, the scope of which could engulf the entire world.”

Qatar gas complex attacked after Iranian field hit

Qatar condemned attacks on its main gas facility, describing them as “a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of its sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security.” State-run Qatar Energy reported that fires caused by Iranian strikes on its Ras Laffan complex resulted in “extensive damage,” though authorities said the blaze was controlled and no injuries occurred.

The Iranian strikes came after earlier attacks on Iran’s South Pars gas field, which Iran blamed on Israel and the US. The UAE also condemned the targeting of facilities in the shared gas field, calling it a “dangerous escalation.” Iran responded by threatening to “severely strike” energy infrastructure across the Gulf.

Saudi capital hit again

Loud explosions were reported over Riyadh late Wednesday. Authorities previously said they had intercepted four ballistic missiles aimed at the capital. The Saudi defence ministry also reported destroying a drone targeting a gas plant.

Khamenei vows revenge

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed retaliation for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli strike. He said, “Every drop of spilled blood comes at a price, and the criminal murderers of these martyrs will soon have to pay it.” Russia also condemned Larijani’s killing.

‘Debris’ hits Israel airport

The Israeli military told AFP that “debris” had struck Ben Gurion International Airport following Iranian missile fire, without specifying the timing. Earlier, medics reported that two people were killed near Tel Aviv by missiles from Iran, bringing the country’s death toll to 14.

NATO discusses Strait of Hormuz

NATO chief Mark Rutte said allies are discussing “the best way” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil corridor disrupted by Iranian actions that have affected global oil supply.

Iran confirms spy chief death

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed the “cowardly assassination” of top intelligence official Esmail Khatib, whom Israel said it had killed in a strike.

Germany ‘would have advised against’ war

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Berlin “would have advised against” starting a war with Iran, had it been consulted by the US or Israel. While Tehran “bears responsibility” for the crisis, Merz said Israel and the US had “shown no convincing plan as to how this operation could succeed.”

Oil prices surge

Oil prices jumped following the Israeli strike on South Pars. Brent North Sea crude rose over 5% to $108.60 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate climbed 1.9% to $98.01 per barrel.

Nuclear plant hit

The UN nuclear watchdog reported that Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant was struck but suffered no damage. Russia, which helped build the plant and has staff on site, called the strike “completely unacceptable.”

Trump floats ‘finish off’ Iran, signaling possible escalation

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Truth Social the possibility of “finishing off what’s left of the Iranian Terror State,” raising concerns over further escalation in the US-Israel war against Tehran.

His post implied that Washington could shift responsibility for regional security onto other nations he described as “non-responsive allies,” hinting at a more aggressive stance should the conflict continue to paralyze West Asia.

Israel claims killing of Iran intelligence chief, expands leadership decapitation

Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said the military has killed Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, marking a major escalation in its targeting of Tehran’s security establishment.

The strike follows the killing of senior Iranian figures including Ali Larijani and Basij chief Gholam Reza Soleimani, signalling a sustained campaign to dismantle Iran’s command structure.

Iran widens retaliation, fires missiles and drones across Gulf

Iran launched a fresh wave of strikes targeting Israel and multiple Gulf countries, with explosions reported in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, and interceptions in Saudi Arabia.

The UAE said it faced 13 ballistic missiles and 27 drones, underscoring the widening geographic scope of the conflict beyond Israel’s borders.

Energy infrastructure comes under fire as war hits gas, oil assets

Iranian state media reported attacks on facilities linked to the South Pars gas field in Bushehr province, a critical part of global energy supply.

The strikes follow earlier attacks on Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal, raising concerns over prolonged disruption to energy flows as the Strait of Hormuz remains under threat.

Civilian toll mounts with strikes on Beirut and Iran

An Israeli airstrike flattened a residential building in central Beirut, part of a broader wave of attacks that killed at least 10 people and wounded dozens, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

In Iran, an airstrike on a courthouse complex in Fars province killed at least eight people, including civilians and judicial staff, highlighting the growing civilian impact on both fronts.

Hezbollah-linked targets hit as Beirut strikes intensify

Israel said it struck branches of Al-Qard al-Hasan, a financial network it alleges funds Hezbollah’s military wing.

Strikes have increasingly hit central Beirut neighbourhoods without warning, expanding beyond the group’s traditional strongholds in the southern suburbs.

Global powers react as conflict risks further escalation

The Kremlin condemned Israel’s targeted killings of Iranian leaders, while France criticised both Hezbollah and Israel, calling the latter’s response “disproportionate”.

NATO has stepped up deployments, sending additional Patriot missile systems to Turkey amid rising spillover risks across the region.

Regional oil flows disrupted as Iraq reroutes exports

Iraq said it has resumed oil exports from Kirkuk via Turkey’s Ceyhan port, bypassing the Persian Gulf amid disruptions caused by the conflict.

The move highlights the economic fallout of the war, particularly as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz faces severe constraints.

Gulf and regional security under strain

Bahrain reported a missile and drone attack, while Saudi Arabia intercepted drones near Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter. Missile alerts were also triggered in Dubai.

Arab and Islamic foreign ministers are set to meet in Riyadh to discuss regional security, as the conflict shows no signs of easing.

War toll rises sharply across countries

The conflict has killed at least 1,300 people in Iran, over 900 in Lebanon and 14 in Israel, according to official figures.

The U.S. military said 13 of its service members have been killed and around 200 wounded, reflecting Washington’s direct involvement in the war.

Leadership Decapitation: Larijani killed in Tehran

The death of Ali Larijani removes one of Iran’s most influential power brokers at a critical moment in the war.

• Larijani, a longtime confidant of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an airstrike while visiting family in a Tehran suburb.
• He had emerged as a key decision-maker after Khamenei’s death earlier in the conflict, making his loss strategically significant.
• Israel’s defence leadership confirmed the strike earlier, with Iranian media later acknowledging his death.
• His killing signals a sustained campaign targeting Iran’s top leadership and inner decision-making circle.

US expands war to Hormuz

Washington escalated its military campaign by targeting Iran’s coastal missile infrastructure.

• The US deployed 5,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on hardened missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
• These sites were seen as a direct threat to international shipping routes.
• The strikes followed Iran’s move to restrict access through the critical oil chokepoint.
• The escalation signals a shift from nuclear targets to protecting global trade corridors.

Iran retaliates across Israel and the region

Tehran responded with a wide-ranging military offensive targeting Israel and allied positions.

• Multiple-warhead missiles struck central Israel, killing two people near Tel Aviv.
• Cluster munitions caused widespread damage, including a residential building hit in Ramat Gan.
• Missile and drone attacks were reported across Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the UAE.
• A strike near a key military-linked site in the UAE and another inside Baghdad’s US embassy compound underscored the widening battlefield.

Nuclear risks and expanding conflict zones

The war is now threatening nuclear safety and spreading into multiple regional fronts.

• A projectile struck near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant, though no damage or injuries were reported.
• The UN nuclear watchdog urged restraint, warning of risks to nuclear safety during conflict.
• Israel continued strikes in Lebanon, hitting Beirut and other areas, causing civilian casualties.
• Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts remain stalled, even as regional players prepare for further escalation.

Energy crisis and global stakes rise

The Strait of Hormuz has become the economic flashpoint of the war, with global consequences.

• Iran has tightened control over the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil flows.
• Shipping disruptions and attacks on vessels are raising fears of a prolonged energy crisis.
• Countries including the UAE are weighing joining efforts to secure maritime routes.
• Oil market instability and lack of coordinated global response highlight the widening impact of the conflict.

Saudi to host emergency meet

Arab and Islamic nations are scrambling to respond diplomatically as the conflict escalates.

• Saudi Arabia is hosting a consultative meeting of foreign ministers in Riyadh.
• The talks aim to coordinate efforts to maintain regional security and stability.
• The meeting comes amid rising fears of a wider regional war.
• It reflects growing urgency among regional powers to contain the fallout of the conflict.