Developing | Iran strikes day 3: Pentagon chief Hegseth hails ‘most precise aerial operation in history’
China’s foreign ministry reports more than 3,000 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Iran
The US-Israel joint military campaign against Iran, now on day 3, has widened rapidly, with Iranian retaliatory missile and drone waves hitting Israel, American bases and Gulf states.
Casualties include at least 555 people in Iran, four US service members killed, at least nine Israeli civilians dead, three in the United Arab Emirates and dozens in Lebanon. While US President Donald Trump has pledged to avenge losses and continue operations for up to four weeks, Iran is refusing to negotiate.
Global financial markets have reacted sharply, with a broad risk-off sentiment dominating amid fears of prolonged conflict, energy disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz and wider regional instability following Khamenei’s death.
US defence chief speaks
The US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine are briefing reporters in Washington about the strikes against Iran, calling the operation a war.