Live updates: US-Iran war, Iran warns Trump’s threat to attack underground nuclear site would expand regional war
The conflict between the United States and Iran has reached its eleventh consecutive night of military strikes, with both nations continuing to trade fire across the region. Recent reports confirm that the U.S. military has conducted strikes against targets in multiple Iranian cities, including locations in the western and southern provinces. In response, Iranian authorities have reported air defense activity in Tehran and various other regions, with no immediate confirmed reports of large-scale infrastructure destruction.
President Donald Trump has stated that the U.S. will soon target the Pickaxe Mountain facility. This site remains a focal point for international concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program, as intelligence reports suggest the facility stores enriched uranium and advanced centrifuge technology. While the U.S. administration maintains this course of action, Iranian officials warned that any direct strike on their nuclear infrastructure would be interpreted as a significant expansion of the regional war.
Funding for these military operations has become a major topic of debate on Capitol Hill. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently informed the Senate Appropriations Committee that the conflict has cost $37.5 billion to date. This figure has met with significant skepticism from lawmakers, as many analysts suggest the actual expenditure is higher due to the high cost of munitions and the loss of sensitive military hardware. During the hearings, senators expressed concern regarding the lack of clear exit strategies and specific metrics to measure operational success.
Beyond the military engagement, the global oil market faces rising instability. Recent threats against shipping in the Red Sea have led some oil tankers to change course, raising concerns about supply chain disruptions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the risk to international trade by warning against allowing Iran to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. As the situation continues to shift, military and political leaders face mounting pressure to provide transparency on the objectives and the long-term human and financial costs of the conflict.