Israeli warplanes pound Tehran and Beirut as the US vows a surge in its strikes on Iran

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israeli warplanes have pounded Beirut and Tehran as Iran launched another wave of retaliatory strikes against Israel and Gulf countries. There was no sign of the war letting up on its seventh day, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned the U.S. air campaign against Iran would “surge dramatically.” The strikes in Lebanon overnight and into Friday were the heaviest since a 2024 ceasefire ended the last war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, who fired rockets at Israel in the opening days of the latest conflict. Tens of thousands have fled after sweeping Israeli evacuation warnings. The United States meanwhile, said it had struck an Iranian drone carrier at sea.