Middle East Crisis Iran War

Rubio: We attacked so that Israel would attack

The US attacked Iran as a preemptive strike after they learned that Israel was about to attack, says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio according to AFP.

The Americans wanted to anticipate potential retaliatory attacks against their own troops in the region after Israeli attacks, he adds.

Rubio reiterates Donald Trump's statement that "the hardest blows" against Iran have not yet been dealt. He also says that the US currently has no plans for ground forces in Iran.

Starting Tuesday, the US will take measures to stabilize the price of oil, the minister continues without specifying.

At the same time, the US Central Command Centcom announces that the US death toll in the war has now reached six soldiers.  

US warns citizens: Leave the Middle East now

The US State Department is urging American citizens to immediately leave 14 countries in the Middle East due to "serious security risks". Mora Namdar, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, writes on X.

The department offers 24/7 telephone assistance to Americans who want help booking flights home, she adds.

Countries covered by the warning

• Bahrain
• Egypt
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel, West Bank and Gaza
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Syria
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen