Iran warns it has yet to use advanced weapons

 Iran struck the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital with a drone early Tuesday, as it continued to target areas around the region.

Tehran also warned on Tuesday that it has yet to deploy its most advanced weapons, saying it is prepared for a prolonged conflict and still retains its sophisticated military systems.

Across Iran’s capital, Tehran, explosions rang out overnight as the US and Israel pounded Iran with airstrikes since killing its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. Iran and its allies have hit back against Israel, neighbouring Gulf states and targets critical to the world’s oil and natural gas production.

Airstrikes by the United States and Israel have killed at least 787 people in Iran since the start of the war, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said Tuesday.

Here are the latest developments on Tuesday:

Trump says ‘too late’ for Iran to seek talks: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that it was too late for talks with Iran even though Tehran wants them.

“Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said ‘Too Late!’” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, two days after saying he had agreed to talks, amid the joint Israeli-US bombardment of Iran.

Iran bans food exports: The Iranian government announced on Tuesday it was banning exports of all food and agricultural products.

“The export of all food and agricultural products has been banned until further notice,” Tasnim news agency said, citing a government statement. “The government has prioritised the supply of essential goods for the people,” it added.

Netanyahu: Continuing to strike ‘with force’: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel was continuing to pound Iran and vowed to hit Hezbollah with increasing force as the war in the Middle East raged for a fourth day.

“We continue to strike Iran with force. Our pilots are over the skies of Iran and Tehran, and also over the skies of Lebanon. Hezbollah made a very big mistake when it attacked us. We have already responded forcefully, and we will respond with even greater force,” Netanyahu said at an air force base in central Israel, according to a statement from his office.

Khamenei to be buried in Mashhad: Iranian media said the slain supreme leader will be laid to rest in Iran’s second-largest city; no burial date announced.

Bushehr airport damaged: Iranian media reported US-Israeli strikes hit Bushehr airport, damaging aircraft and the terminal.

Strike hits Kataeb Hezbollah base in Iraq: An air strike targeted the Jurf al-Nasr base housing the Iran-backed militia group in southern Iraq.

Trump claims potential successors killed: Trump said most figures he had considered possible new Iranian leaders were killed in two waves of strikes.

EU and Gulf ministers to meet: European Union and Gulf foreign ministers will hold emergency talks by videolink on Thursday.

Russia urges de-escalation: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for de-escalation in talks with Iran’s top diplomat.

UK dispatches warship to Cyprus: Britain announced it will send a warship and anti-drone helicopters after a UK base in Cyprus was struck.

Iran threatens regional economic centres: An IRGC general warned Tehran could target “all economic centres” in the Middle East if attacks continue.

Israel targets missile production sites: The Israeli military said it struck Iranian industrial facilities used to produce ballistic missiles.

Mehrabad airport targeted: Tehran’s domestic airport was hit in fresh strikes, Iranian media reported.

Assembly of Experts building hit: Israeli and US strikes targeted the Tehran building of the Assembly of Experts, the body tasked with choosing Iran’s next supreme leader.

Ninth wave of Tehran strikes: Israel said it launched a large-scale ninth wave of airstrikes on what it described as regime infrastructure in the capital.

Israeli commander strike claim: Israel said it targeted a high-ranking Iranian commander in Tehran following fresh explosions.

Iran appeals to UN Security Council: Tehran urged the Security Council to intervene, saying there was no legal barrier to action.

Nuclear sites targeted: Iran said strikes hit facilities including Natanz; the UN nuclear watchdog reported some damage but no radiological consequence expected.

Oil jumps above $85: Brent crude surged past $85 a barrel as fears mounted over disruption to Gulf energy supplies.

Israel urges countries to cut Iran ties: Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called on governments worldwide to sever diplomatic relations with Tehran.

China urges Strait calm: Beijing called for immediate de-escalation and warned against threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

30,000 displaced in Lebanon: The UN refugee agency said escalating hostilities have forced at least 30,000 people from their homes.

Regional strikes intensify: New Israeli air strikes hit Lebanon and Tehran, while Iran launched fresh missile and drone attacks across Israel and Gulf states as the war entered its fourth day.

Explosions in Doha and Manama: Blasts and air raid sirens were reported in Qatar and Bahrain as Iranian attacks on Gulf targets continued.

US embassy in Riyadh hit: Two drones struck the US embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital, causing minor damage and a fire; the mission closed temporarily.

US embassy in Kuwait closed: The embassy shut indefinitely after Iranian attacks, with Washington evacuating non-essential personnel from several regional countries.

Israeli incursion in Lebanon: Israeli forces advanced into border areas of southern Lebanon, describing it as a “forward defence” move against Hezbollah positions.

Blasts in Jerusalem: Overhead explosions were heard after the Israeli military said it was intercepting fresh missiles launched from Iran.

Explosions in Tehran: Loud blasts rocked northern Tehran and nearby cities as Israel said it struck leadership and security sites.

Iran Red Crescent toll rises: Iran’s Red Crescent said at least 787 people have been killed nationwide since US-Israeli strikes began; AFP could not independently verify the figure.

Casualties across region: At least 11 people were killed in Israel, 52 in Lebanon and several in Gulf states; six US service members were confirmed dead in Kuwait.

Gas and oil prices surge: European gas prices jumped sharply while Brent crude climbed above $81 per barrel amid fears of wider disruption.

Energy and shipping under threat: Iran struck energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and attacked ships near the Strait of Hormuz, rattling global markets.

China urges Hormuz safety: Beijing called for an immediate halt to military operations and warned against disrupting the vital oil shipping route.

US urges citizens to leave region: The State Department advised Americans to depart multiple Middle Eastern countries due to escalating security risks.

Displacement in Lebanon: The UN said at least 30,000 people have been displaced as hostilities intensify.

Conflict widens with proxies: Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at Israel, while Israeli forces struck targets in Beirut and southern Lebanon.

Strait of Hormuz warning: An Iranian Revolutionary Guard adviser declared the strategic waterway “closed,” threatening ships attempting to transit.

GN