Strikes and counterstrikes continued across the Middle East on Monday as conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States entered another day, with reports of casualties, missile launches and security restrictions across several states.

 

Iranian media said air strikes hit residential areas in the western city of Sanandaj. Governor Gharib Sajjadi was quoted as saying three people were killed and others were injured. He said the number could increase as rescue work continued.

 

In northern Iraq, loud explosions were heard near Erbil airport, where coalition forces are based. Journalists reported that air defence systems intercepted drones close to the facility. 

 

Missile alerts were issued in Israel after the military said launches had been detected from Iran. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem, with no immediate reports of direct impact.

 

Loud explosions were also reported in Gulf capitals, including Doha, Manama and Dubai, as sirens sounded in parts of the region.

 

In Kuwait, the Kuwait News Agency reported that falling debris caused injuries to two workers at the Mina Al Ahmadi refinery near Kuwait City. The report came as Iranian strikes targeted US-linked assets in the Gulf.

 

In Iran, seven military commanders were killed in strikes across the country, according to the Tasnim news agency cited by Reuters. Separately, Al Jazeera reported that the death toll from an attack on a girls' school in Iran had reached around 180.

 

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani said Tehran would not enter talks with Washington, dismissing reports of renewed negotiations. In a separate post, he said statements by Donald Trump had pushed the region into disorder.

 

Trump said he had a shortlist of three individuals who could lead Iran, without naming them. He also said he expected further casualties among US forces and indicated that military operations could continue for several weeks.

 

Speaking to international media, he said deaths among US service members were expected during the operation, while adding that the strikes would continue until Washington’s objectives were achieved.

 

Britain said its forces were responding to a suspected drone strike at the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus. No casualties were reported. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United States had been allowed to use British bases for missile defence activity, while stating that London was not taking part in strikes on Iran.

 

In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun said attacks launched from Lebanese territory undermined government efforts to keep the country out of regional fighting, while also condemning Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

 

The Pentagon said Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth would hold a press conference alongside Joint Chiefs chair Dan Caine. The White House said Marco Rubio and other officials would brief Congress on the situation.

 

Gulf states said they reserved the right to respond to Iranian attacks after a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The World Health Organization said reports of a hospital in Tehran being hit were concerning and stressed protections under humanitarian law.

 

The United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iranian targets on Saturday, describing the action as preventive. 

 

Iranian media later confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes.

 

Iran has since launched missile and drone attacks against US-linked targets in the Gulf, while security measures and disruptions have been reported across several countries.