US Plans Fresh Iran Strikes, Warns Citizens to Leave Middle East

The United States is planning a new round of military strikes on Iran as early as this weekend, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the plans. The scope of the strikes and potential targets have not been finalized, and officials cautioned the operation could still be called off. President Donald Trump signaled the plan on Friday during a Cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. Addressing reporters, Trump said “we just want to win” and that the U.S. would hit Iran “very hard” until “they can't take it anymore”. Hours later, the U.S. State Department issued a security advisory urging American citizens in the Middle East to consider departing immediately. The advisory warned that regional security conditions remain “complex” and could worsen rapidly. Americans were told to prepare for flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures and other travel disruptions. The warnings cover 10 countries: Bahrain, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Iran of breaching a memorandum of understanding signed last month that had temporarily halted hostilities. “Iran signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States and then broke it, fired at commercial ships and killed American soldiers,” Leavitt said. She stated Iran would continue to “pay” until it returns to negotiations “in what President Trump deems a meaningful way”. Kuwait’s military reported Saturday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed hostile drones entering the nation's airspace. Major General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, spokesperson for Kuwait’s Defense Ministry, said the drones hit “a number of vital facilities,” including a government structure in the country's north. Falling debris caused structural damage. No casualties were reported. Commercial shipping in the region remains under severe threat. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operati