IRAN launched fresh waves of strikes at Israel and US and energy assets in the Gulf states today as it continued to retaliate against devastating US and Israeli air raids.

Sirens warned of incoming missiles in Dubai and in Bahrain, authorities said an Iranian attack hit a residential building in the capital, killing a woman and wounding eight others. 

Saudi Arabia said it destroyed two drones over its oil-rich eastern region and Kuwait’s National Guard said it shot down six drones.

Later in the morning sounds of explosions could be heard in Tel Aviv.

“We are definitely not looking for a ceasefire,” Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote on X.

“We believe that the aggressor should be punched in the mouth so that he learns a lesson so that he will never think of attacking our beloved Iran again.”

Witnesses reported hearing several explosions in Tehran in the afternoon as Israel launched its own wave of air strikes. US War Secretary Pete Hegseth said today would “again” be the most intense day of bombing yet.

At least 100 medical facilities in Iran have been hit by the US and Israelis, killing 11 healthcare workers, according to Iranian spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani.

“According to the latest figures, 52 medical centres, 29 treatment hubs and 19 emergency medical aid stations have been attacked,” she said today.

The fighting has continued to send the cost of oil soaring.

Brent crude, the international standard, spiked to as high as nearly $120 (£89) on Monday before falling back to around $90 (£67) a barrel on Tuesday, nearly 24 per cent higher than when the war started on February 28.

US President Donald Trump, who has previously said that the war could last for a month or longer, sought to downplay growing fears that it could take even longer, saying it was “going to be a short-term excursion.”

In remarks to Republican members on Monday, he said he started the war on the advice of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr Hegseth because they said the Iranians were about to attack US forces.

He said, without evidence, that “within a week, they were going to attack us, 100 per cent.”

He also recounted an alleged conversation with an unnamed military official, that “46 top of the line” Iranian naval ships were not captured because “it’s more fun to sink them.” 

There is no verification that 46 Iranian vessels have been sunk.