US President Donald Trump issued a new threat online to Iran, writing: "Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today."
Trump made the post on Friday on his Truth Social website, saying: "Iran's Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth. 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."
Saudi Arabia intercepted dozens of drones entering its airspace, as Iran carries out attacks on oil-rich Gulf countries in response to US-Israeli strikes. "Twelve drones were intercepted and destroyed after entering Saudi airspace," a spokesperson for the defence ministry posted on X.
A wave of nine, and then seven, drones had also been shot down, they said in separate statements. Saudi Arabia has been targeted by drones in recent days, with authorities confirming they had shot down several headed toward the crucial Shaybah oil field this week.
Iran has vowed to disrupt global energy markets in response to US and Israeli strikes, which began at the end of last month, killing the Iranian supreme leader and plunging the Middle East into war.
President Emmanuel Macron announced that a chief warrant officer died during an attack in Iraq's Erbil region that also injured "several" other French soldiers, which he linked to the war with Iran.
Macron said in a post on X: "To his family, to his brothers in arms, I want to express all the affection and solidarity of the Nation. Several of our soldiers have been wounded. France stands by their side and with their loved ones."
The president said French troops were based in Iraq as part of the fight against the ISIL (ISIS) group. "The war in Iran cannot justify such attacks," he added.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy claimed its ballistic missiles struck the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, forcing it to withdraw from Gulf waters. The US denied the claim, saying the carrier remains operational and continues supporting Operation Epic Fury. Officials added American forces opened fire after an Iranian vessel approached too closely, using a Mark-45 naval gun, though it is unclear if the vessel was hit.
US Senator Raphael Warnock has called for accountability after a missile strike on a girls' elementary school in Minab reportedly killed more than 170 students. Warnock said the tragedy should "shock our conscience," urging lessons from the incident. He was among 40 Democratic senators who wrote to the United States Department of Defense seeking answers from the administration of Donald Trump over civilian casualties in Iran.
Tensions in West Asia have spiraled into one of the most serious regional crises in recent years, as fighting between Iran, Israel, and the United States intensifies, raising fears of a prolonged conflict with global economic repercussions.
The conflict erupted on February 28 after coordinated air strikes by the United States and Israel targeted multiple sites across Iran. The attacks reportedly killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, dramatically escalating hostilities and pushing the region toward open confrontation.
Tehran swiftly vowed retaliation, warning that the strikes would have far-reaching consequences for both the region and global security. In response, Iran launched waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli-linked assets and vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which nearly one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes.
The attacks disrupted shipping routes and rattled energy markets, triggering a sharp spike in crude prices. Several major economies have already begun releasing oil from strategic reserves to stabilize global supply.
Iranian officials have warned the confrontation could evolve into a prolonged war of attrition that may destabilize the global economy. Tehran maintains that it still controls the Strait of Hormuz and has threatened to strike economic infrastructure connected to the United States and Israel.
Iranian forces have also reportedly targeted commercial vessels operating in the Gulf, deepening concerns about a potential maritime security crisis in one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.
US President Donald Trump has signaled that military operations could continue, stating that most major Iranian military assets have already been hit, including naval vessels suspected of laying sea mines. However, Israeli officials insist the campaign is still underway and say numerous additional targets inside Iran remain under consideration.
The conflict has also expanded to neighboring fronts. The Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has launched attacks from Lebanon into Israel, prompting Israeli retaliatory air strikes in Beirut and eastern Lebanon. The escalating exchanges have reportedly killed hundreds of people and displaced hundreds of thousands across affected areas.
Diplomatic tensions have intensified at the United Nations Security Council, where members have urged Iran to halt attacks targeting Gulf states and shipping routes.
With the war now entering its second week, analysts warn that further escalation could disrupt global trade, threaten energy supplies, and push the Middle East toward a wider regional conflict.
