Iran fires more missiles at Israel for 4th day, as Trump refuses to put timeline on war

Israel’s military warned people in at least 80 towns in southern Lebanon to leave and not return on Tuesday as it announced that troops had been moved across the border to the neighboring country “to create an additional layer of protection for our towns.”

“The forces have begun a campaign to strengthen the defense line in the northern communities. As part of this, we evacuated the people of Lebanon for their safety. We have sent troops across the border, holding several important points on the border,” said the statement of the Israel Defense Forces, adding that “it has succeeded in controlling operations in the area, and any threats are ready to take action against the border.”

Israel has advanced the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon for years, and with the US-designated terrorist group joining Iran’s offensive against perceived Israeli and US interests across the region in the past few days, Israel has hinted that a new operation is still possible.

“We continue to hit Hezbollah’s centers of gravity in Beirut. In an instant, we have completed the wave of strikes on Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters,” the IDF said on Tuesday, adding that “the ongoing operation, in cooperation with the US, will continue to deepen the damage, eliminate the explosives, and reduce their numbers as part of the operational goals.”

The Israel Defense Forces warned on Tuesday morning of a new Iranian missile launch and urged people to heed orders from the country’s Home Front Command to seek shelter.

“Defense systems are working to contain the threat,” the IDF said, repeating warnings issued several times a day since the US and Israel launched their deadly attack on Iran on Saturday morning.

A red alert was reportedly sounded in central Israel, including the capital Tel Aviv, and there were unconfirmed reports of one impact but the country’s MDA health officials said there were no immediate confirmed casualties.

The MDA said teams are treating two injured people “on their way to a safe place,” but did not say whether the injuries were serious, or the result of Iranian fire.

Tests by US and Israeli forces since Monday have destroyed nearly half of the 500 or so ballistic missiles Iran had before the American “Midnight Hammer” attack on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities in June. They estimate that Iran still has about 250, but believe that by the end of the week, about 70-80% of the country’s launchers will have been destroyed.

The last of Iran’s missile arsenals may be difficult to access because many are underground.

The assessment was that Monday saw very few missiles fired due to Iran’s reduced launch capability, but it is also possible that the country is trying to balance its stocks, given President Trump’s comments that the war could last five weeks or more.

America’s rivals in the Persian Gulf have faced a barrage of bombings from Iran since the US-Israel war on the Islamic Republic began on Saturday.

Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said that since Monday it has successfully intercepted 90 missiles, 24 drones, three cruise missiles and two Su-24 aircraft.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense said on Monday it had found 178 missiles and 384 drones since the war began, according to the official news agency. 27 members of the Kuwaiti army were injured, the ministry said.

Six American service members they have been killed and 18 were seriously injured during the US military’s Operation Epic Fury from Tuesday morning, according to US Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins.

The US embassy in Saudi Arabia was attacked by two drones, the Saudi Ministry of Defense said on X, causing what the minister described as light fire and limited damage.

The apparent drone attack on the Saudi capital Riyadh came as many of America’s allies in the Gulf region faced days of retaliation by Iranian drones and missiles, following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

The embassy urged American citizens in Riyadh and the important commercial cities of Dhahran and Jeddah to seek shelter. It said it will be closed on Tuesday.

In an interview Monday night, President Trump said he would “find out soon” when asked who is now in control of Iran.

Speaking to NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer, the president also responded to the strike at the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, saying he would “find out soon” when asked about retaliation for the attack.

The US embassy in Kuwait on Tuesday said it was closed until further notice, a day after smoke was seen rising from the equipment following Iran’s attack on the country.

“Due to the tension in the region, the American Embassy in Kuwait will be closed until further notice. We have canceled all regular and emergency diplomatic appointments,” said the embassy’s statement to X.

President Trump said late Monday on Truth Social, “United States Munitions Stockpiles, in the medium and high range, have never been higher or better,” and that the US “has an unlimited supply of these weapons. Wars can be fought ‘forever,’ and very effectively, using only these resources.”

“At the high end, we have a good supply, but it’s not where we want to be. More high-end weapons are reserved for us in foreign countries,” said Mr.

Mr. Trump predicted that the war in Iran could last at least five weeks, and he did not rule out the possibility of putting American boots on the ground in Iran.

The State Department’s evacuation of non-emergency workers and family members reached six countries on Tuesday, including the United Arab Emirates.

Other nations where that happens are Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar.

The UAE, home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and long considered a safe haven in the Middle East, has been drawn into Iran’s war with its territorial and missile blockade.

In addition, the American ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, advised Americans there about what he called “VERY LIMITED” travel options, especially by bus to Egypt, using his X account, saying, “We receive many requests about leaving Israel from American citizens who are currently in Israel or have family here.”

CBS/AP

President Trump on Monday submitted a War Powers Resolution to Congress regarding the February 28 military strikes against the government of Iran.

“Despite my Administration’s repeated efforts to find a diplomatic solution to Iran’s misbehavior, the threat posed by the United States and its allies and partners has hardened,” Mr. Trump wrote to Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley in a March 2 letter, obtained by CBS News.

Mr. Trump writes that “in my opinion,” US forces have carried out precision strikes against “multiple targets inside Iran,” including ballistic missile sites, naval mining capabilities, air defenses and command and control capabilities. He writes that these strikes are designed to protect the US forces in the region, to protect his homeland, to ensure the free flow of maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz and to carry out a joint defense mission for US allies, including Israel.

The president says no US ground troops have been used and that the operation is designed to minimize casualties, deter future attacks and stop Iran’s bad actions.

He admits in the letter that it is “impossible at this time to know the full scope and timing of military action that may be required,” adding that US forces remain on standby to take the necessary measures.

The president wrote that he directed this action pursuant to his constitutional authority as commander-in-chief and is submitting a report consistent with the War Powers Resolution.

President Trump insisted in remarks at the White House on Monday that the US is “way ahead” of its projections for the duration of operations in Iran, but added that the military is ready for a long campaign.

“Whatever it takes, we’re going to stay – and we have from the beginning, we predicted four to five weeks, but we have the ability to go longer than that,” he said. “We will.”

Mr. Trump also dismissed the claim from an anonymous source. The president said that this person suspects that he will soon be tired of the military campaign.

“I’m not bored. There’s nothing boring about this,” said Mr. Trump.