The Israel-Iran conflict took a dangerous turn overnight as the United States launched targeted air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, drawing sharp warnings from Tehran and heightening fears of a wider Middle East war. The development dominated the front pages of The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Daily Mail, Financial Times, and London Daily, all of which led with dramatic coverage of the fast-escalating crisis.
The strikes, confirmed by US President Donald Trump in a televised address, targeted several nuclear sites deep inside Iranian territory, including the heavily fortified Fordow facility near Qom. Washington said the operation was aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear weapons development, accusing Tehran of covertly breaching international agreements.
In an emergency session of Iran’s parliament this morning, lawmakers voted in favour of closing the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which around 20% of global oil shipments pass. The Guardian reported updates from Tehran, where chants of “Death to America” echoed through the parliament as senior officials vowed retaliation.
The Times highlighted the severe global economic risks posed by any blockade of Hormuz, warning that oil markets are bracing for turmoil, with prices already surging by over 10% in early trading.
According to The Telegraph, President Trump issued a blunt warning to Iran, stating that any retaliatory action against US or allied interests would be “the worst mistake they have ever made”.
“America will not sit idly by while Iran threatens the stability of the region and the safety of the world,” Trump declared, adding that the US remains prepared for “further decisive action” if necessary. Israel’s Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, welcomed the US strikes, describing them as a “necessary and justified response” to what he called Iran’s “reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons”. In contrast, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi accused Washington of committing “an act of war” and vowed a “swift and crushing response”. State media reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has been placed on full alert, with missile units deployed across key strategic locations.
The Financial Times offered insight into the sophisticated nature of the operation, revealing that US forces employed advanced decoys and electronic warfare to bypass Iranian air defences. Sources told the paper that stealth bombers and cyber-attacks were used in coordination to maximise the mission’s effectiveness while minimising casualties.
The Daily Mail summed up the mood of alarm sweeping capitals around the world, with fears mounting that the region could slide into full-scale war.
The London Daily echoed those concerns, reporting that British ministers have convened an emergency COBRA meeting to assess potential economic shocks and security threats to UK interests. Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged “all parties to exercise maximum restraint”, while Downing Street said contingency plans are being reviewed in case the crisis disrupts global energy supplies or triggers fresh waves of instability.
While the UN Security Council has called an emergency meeting, prospects for diplomacy appear bleak. Both Iran and the US have traded fierce rhetoric, and Israel has indicated it will continue operations to neutralise Iranian military capabilities. With the Strait of Hormuz now at risk of closure and major powers on high alert, analysts warn the coming days will be critical in determining whether the crisis can be contained — or whether the world is facing the prospect of a devastating new war in the Middle East.
