Update: Attacks and counter-attacks continue - Iranian Defense Minister killed, 85 schoolgirls killed in a school

The United States and Israel have jointly launched a massive series of airstrikes targeting ten major cities in Iran, including the capital Tehran. As a result of these military operations, codenamed 'Lion's Roar' and 'Epic Fury', a missile strike on a girls' school in Minab city, Hormozgan province, southern Iran, has killed 85 schoolgirls and injured approximately 45 others.

Although foreign media have reported that Iranian Defense Minister Amir Nazirzadeh and Commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Mohammad Pakpour were killed in these attacks, the Iranian Foreign Minister states that their high-ranking leaders are safe.

The highly controversial situation that arose during nuclear talks regarding Iran's ballistic missile program has been the main reason for this attack, and US President Donald Trump has stated that its purpose is to protect American citizens and completely destroy Iran's missile program. In response, Iran has launched nearly 400 missiles targeting Israel and American military bases in the Middle East region, and their targets include nine countries: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Israel, Iraq, and Syria.

As a result of these massive retaliatory attacks by Iran, drone attacks have been launched on the area around the Burj Khalifa building, the world's tallest building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and reports indicate that missiles have also struck the Palm Hotel complex. Additionally, one person has died in an attack on Abu Dhabi, and Iran has launched massive drone and missile attacks on the camp where the US Navy's Fifth Fleet is stationed in Manama, Bahrain, as well as on residential buildings. The Al Udeid US Air Base in Qatar and Al Salem US Air Base in Kuwait have also been subjected to Iranian attacks, and due to missile debris falling in several areas of Israel, schools and offices there have been closed and a state of emergency declared.

In light of this situation, the United Nations Security Council has convened an emergency meeting, and several countries, including France, Russia, Norway, and Oman, have urged the relevant parties to immediately cease the conflict. Due to the escalating wartime situation in the region, more than 12 major airlines, including Air India, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates, have temporarily suspended all flights through the Middle East, and operations at Dubai Airport have been completely halted. Yemen's Houthi rebels have also warned that they are preparing to launch further attacks targeting Israel, and amidst strong concerns for the safety of foreigners, including Indians, working in the region, the International Cricket Council has also taken steps to enhance the security of players participating in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka.