Conflict Escalates as Iran Strikes Gulf Neighbors; U.S. Hits 90 Targets

The conflict between the United States and Iran entered a volatile new phase over the last 24 hours as Tehran expanded its offensive operations to include drone strikes against Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. This significant widening of the regional proxy front coincides with a heavy U.S. aerial campaign, which saw approximately 90 targets hit including air defense systems, coastal surveillance, and IRGC naval capabilities. President Trump, speaking from the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, officially declared the ceasefire over, citing Iranian violations against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In a major internal shift, Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, as the country's new Supreme Leader. The transition comes amidst domestic instability, including reports of fatalities during funeral processions for the elder Khamenei in Mashhad. Meanwhile, regional tensions have sparked friction within NATO; Turkey’s pursuit of F-35 fighter jets has met stiff resistance from Greece and Israel, with Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly warning President Trump against the deal. Despite the surge in kinetic operations, the U.S. administration appears to be maintaining a 'dual-track' strategy. Officials confirmed that technical talks with Iranian representatives are continuing through back-channels even as CENTCOM intensifies strikes. The situation is further complicated by a series of unclaimed airstrikes occurring within Iran, raising questions about the direct involvement of other regional actors or covert units beyond the acknowledged U.S. and Israeli operations.