US-Israel War on Iran: 40 Killed in Tehran Bombing as Trump Predicts Quick End

TEHRAN – The conflict in the Middle East reached a harrowing new peak on Tuesday as intense US and Israeli aerial bombardments struck the Iranian capital, leaving at least 40 people dead near Tehran’s Risalat Square. As the US-Israel war on Iran enters its eleventh day, the humanitarian toll is mounting alongside global economic anxiety.

Escalation in Tehran and Beyond

Witnesses in Tehran described the overnight strikes as the “most intense” since the outbreak of hostilities. The bombardment targeted strategic areas, but the proximity to residential zones has led to significant civilian casualties.

Beyond the capital, the conflict is rapidly expanding across the region. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has retaliated by targeting US and Israeli assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. In a defiant statement, the IRGC rejected US claims that its missile capabilities had been crippled, asserting that it is now deploying warheads weighing over one tonne.

Trump: “A Very Small Price to Pay”

In Washington, President Donald Trump maintained an optimistic tone regarding the duration of the war, suggesting the conflict would be “over soon.” Despite the Strait of Hormuz being effectively closed and global oil markets reeling from the largest supply shock in decades, Trump dismissed economic concerns.

“The rise in oil prices is a very small price to pay for safety and peace,” Trump stated, even as White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt argued that the military operation would eventually lead to lower energy prices for Americans.

The Global Economic Fallout

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent shockwaves through the global economy. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warned Tuesday of surging freight rates and insurance premiums. Experts are particularly concerned about the impact on developing nations, as the strait handles one-third of the global seaborne fertilizer trade.

In a rare public statement, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser called the situation “absolutely critical,” urging for the immediate resumption of shipping to avoid “catastrophic consequences” for world markets.

Diplomatic Tightrope

The war has forced regional players into difficult diplomatic positions. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held urgent talks with Saudi officials today, following a letter of condolence from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Khamenei took leadership following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28—the event that triggered the current escalation.

What’s Next?

While US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Tuesday would see the “most intense” strikes yet, domestic pressure is building in the US. Democratic senators have raised concerns over the lack of a clear “endgame” or exit strategy.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a special multi-billion shekel war budget, signaling that while the US hopes for a quick resolution, the Israeli military is prepared for a sustained campaign to topple the current system of governance in Tehran.