Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Massive fires lit up the skyline of Tehran after oil depots in the Iranian capital were struck during a new wave of air attacks carried out by United States and Israel, as the war involving Iran entered its second week and continued to spread across the Middle East.
Witnesses reported that a large oil spill ignited following the strikes, creating what residents described as a “river of fire” flowing through parts of the capital. The night sky reportedly turned red as towering flames and thick smoke rose from multiple fuel storage sites targeted during the bombardment. Explosions were visible across the city’s skyline, and residents said the smell of burning fuel lingered for hours after the attacks.
The strikes were part of an intensified campaign against Iranian infrastructure and military-linked facilities, as Washington and Tel Aviv signaled that the next phase of the conflict could involve even broader operations against the Iranian leadership and strategic assets.
The escalation comes as the conflict reached its ninth day, with violence spreading across several countries in the region. Iranian missile and drone attacks have targeted locations across the Gulf, including Bahrain and Kuwait. In Bahrain, three people were reported injured by shrapnel at a university after a missile strike, while Kuwaiti authorities said two border guards were killed following a barrage of missiles and drones.
In Beirut, an Israeli strike reportedly hit a seaside Ramada hotel building believed to be used by members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The attack highlighted the widening geographic scope of the conflict, which has increasingly drawn in locations beyond Iran and Israel.
Speaking about the situation, Donald Trump said the United States could consider deploying ground forces to Iran if necessary, though he emphasized that air operations were currently inflicting heavy damage.
“Right now, we’re just decimating them,” Trump said, adding that sending troops “would be a great thing” but would require a “very good reason.” He suggested that if such an operation were ever launched, Iranian forces would already be too weakened to mount effective resistance on the ground.
According to U.S. officials and military sources, one potential mission under consideration involves securing Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium to prevent them from falling into the hands of militant groups or rival states. Such a mission could involve a limited deployment of special forces rather than a full-scale invasion.
Iranian officials have accused Washington and Tel Aviv of attempting to topple the government in Tehran through sustained military pressure. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have warned that further operations are planned, saying Israel still has “many surprises” prepared for the next phase of the war.
The intensifying conflict has also fueled diplomatic tensions among Western allies. Trump criticized Keir Starmer, the prime minister of United Kingdom, suggesting that Britain should not join military efforts after the United States and Israel had already achieved major battlefield gains. Meanwhile, British officials are reportedly considering deploying an aircraft carrier to the region as part of a broader security response.
As airstrikes and missile attacks continue across multiple fronts, international observers warn that the conflict risks expanding into a wider regional war, with mounting humanitarian, economic, and security consequences for the Middle East.
