Middle East

Pre-war intelligence assessments did not say that Iran’s response was "a guarantee, but it certainly was on the list of potential outcomes," said one source.

"There is a wide feeling across the Gulf that Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country,” said Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center.

According to Leiter, Israel has extended its help to all the Gulf countries interested in receiving it after more than 2,000 missiles and drones were launched against them by Iran.

The Afghan Taliban government says at least 400 people were killed and 250 injured in the Monday night attack, but Islamabad denied having targeted any such facility.

The Trump administration is attempting to rally reluctant allies - many of whom were not briefed ahead of the US-Israeli air war that started two weeks ago - to support its military operation.

IDF: Mojtaba Khamenei is not safe, we will hunt him down • IDF kills Iran's top official Larijani in targeted strike • Israel preps for large Hezbollah barrage

While the security forces have been weakened by US and Israeli attacks, Iranians say that they are still exercising strict control over the cities, especially at night.

Sa'ar emphasized the danger of this piracy by comparing the activity to that of the Houthis in the Red Sea in the past, suggesting that “it might become like a new practice of mad regimes."

Two explosive drones targeted the US embassy in Baghdad, with one landing near the embassy, according to security sources early Tuesday morning. Smoke was seen rising from the area.

Reza Pahlavi announces the formation of a committee for drafting transitional justice regulations to address Iran's repression over the past five decades.