Iran Urges Saudi Arabia to Expel U.S. Forces Amid Intensifying Air Campaign

Seyed Abbas Araghchi made the call as the U.S.-Israeli Operation Epic Fury hammered over 11,000 Iranian targets, slashing their missile and drone attacks by 90 percent while sinking 150 naval vessels. The operation marks a significant phase in the ongoing conflict, reflecting coordinated military action and its far-reaching consequences.

Iran responded with strikes on U.S. assets at Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan Air Base, damaging aircraft and wounding 12 American troops. The retaliation extended to Israeli sites, including Haifa's oil refinery, underscoring the widening scope of the confrontation and its strategic implications.

The war has triggered a 33-day internet blackout for Iran's 92 million people, severely restricting communication and access to information. Reactions among expatriates remain divided, with monarchists cheering the bombings while critics decry the deaths, revealing deep fractures in public sentiment.

The conflict has also disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, with fees imposed on ships, leading to a spike in global oil prices and raising concerns over international trade stability and energy security.

The developments highlight a rapidly intensifying regional crisis, with military, economic, and humanitarian consequences that continue to unfold, signaling a prolonged and volatile phase in the conflict.