Lebanon’s Health Minister has disclosed that the death toll from recent Israeli airstrikes in the country has risen to about 400 people, amid intensifying hostilities in the Middle East.
The strikes, carried out by Israel Defense Forces, have targeted several locations across Lebanon, with authorities warning that the number of casualties could increase as rescue operations continue.
Meanwhile, the United States Central Command has confirmed that a seventh U.S. service member has died from injuries sustained during the initial wave of attacks launched by Iran across parts of the Middle East last week.
The escalation has heightened concerns about the widening scope of the conflict, as military and political tensions between regional and global powers continue to grow.
In a related development, a member of Iran’s powerful clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, revealed that the council has reached a consensus on who will eventually succeed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. However, the official noted that certain “obstacles” still remain before the appointment can be finalized.
Analysts say the remarks could signal preparations within Iran’s leadership structure amid growing geopolitical uncertainty in the region.