Casualties Mount and Regional Attacks Expand on Day 13 of U.S.-Iran Conflict

The conflict between the United States and Iran has entered its 13th day with a sharp increase in reported humanitarian and economic costs. Iranian state media reports that over 1,300 civilians have been killed and nearly 10,000 civilian sites struck during ongoing U.S.-Israeli airstrikes. Among the reported targets was a school in southern Iran, where officials say over 160 schoolgirls were killed. While the Trump administration maintains that strikes are limited to military assets, the scale of reported damage has drawn international scrutiny. The conflict has expanded significantly across the region as Iran launched what observers call its "most intense" operation yet. Missile and drone barrages have struck critical infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, targeting airports and oil refineries. This retaliation has led to widespread travel disruptions and reports of interceptor missile shortages among Gulf allies. In the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security has deteriorated further following attacks on three cargo and bulk vessels, resulting in one crew member's death and intensifying fears of a global oil supply crisis. In Washington, political divisions over the war are sharpening. Republican Representative Don Bacon defended the military action as "long overdue," while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats have challenged the administration following a defeated War Powers Resolution. Despite President Trump’s assertions that the war will end soon due to a lack of remaining targets, regional analysts warn that Iran’s strategic position makes a swift conclusion unlikely as the conflict now involves over a dozen nations.