U.S.-Israeli Campaign Targets Iranian Energy Infrastructure Amid Rising Civilian Toll

The military campaign led by the United States and Israel against Iran has entered a more destructive phase, with Israeli airstrikes expanding to target gas facilities in Bushehr. This shift toward degrading Iran's energy infrastructure follows previous strikes on anti-ship missile capabilities near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Ministry of Health reports that the campaign has resulted in at least 1,444 deaths and nearly 19,000 injuries among the population since February 28, highlighting a sharp increase in civilian and infrastructure damage. In response, Tehran has intensified its regional asymmetric operations. The Saudi Defense Ministry reported the launch of nearly 100 Iranian drones toward Saudi Arabia on Monday, while rocket and drone attacks targeted the U.S. Embassy and a luxury hotel in Baghdad’s Green Zone. Intelligence tensions are also mounting within Iran, where authorities claim to have seized hundreds of Starlink devices and arrested individuals on espionage charges, marking an effort to disrupt foreign technological influence. Domestically, the Trump administration is facing institutional dissent. Joe Kent, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), resigned his post, stating in a formal letter that Iran posed no imminent threat to the U.S. and that the conflict was driven by pressure from Israel. Meanwhile, leaked diplomatic cables reveal concerns from Israeli officials that Iranian citizens may face severe crackdowns if they participate in the anti-regime protests currently being encouraged by foreign powers.