Hezbollah traps IDF in South Lebanon as Houthis issue shock threats in Red Sea
Despite claims by US President Donald Trump that the US has already won the war with Iran and dismantled their military capabilities, it is evident that the Americans—and their Israeli allies—are not faring well after 28 days of conflict. Iran continues to maintain full control of the Strait of Hormuz, triggering successive shocks to the global economy and energy markets while launching fierce attacks against Israel and American targets in the Persian Gulf region.
In a show of strength, the Iranians are calling on regional citizens to avoid Americans and US bases, warning they will become targets. They further cautioned of severe strikes against hotels where newly deployed American soldiers may stay, amid escalating scenarios of a ground invasion. Meanwhile, Hezbollah, which has been launching heavy missile attacks on Northern Israel, claims to have trapped IDF infantry. Simultaneously, the Houthis in Yemen warn they will fight alongside Iran if the war escalates, effectively closing the Red Sea.
These developments suggest that a US ground invasion of Iran would evolve into a historic hell for the American military, which is already grappling with significant ammunition shortages.
Revolutionary Guards: Avoid US bases
The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have issued an appeal to citizens of Gulf states hosting a US presence to vacate those areas, as they are slated to become targets. According to the Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Fars, the IRGC claims that the US and Israel are "attempting to use innocent civilians as human shields."
"Since we have the obligation to neutralize American terrorist forces, we urgently recommend you leave areas where the US is located to avoid harm," the Revolutionary Guards stated. The US maintains military bases across the Middle East, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. This threat has caused intense concern in other regional states; both Turkey and Cyprus, hosting US and British bases respectively, have found themselves in the Iranian crosshairs, though Tehran denied launching an attack on Turkey.
Hotels hosting American soldiers targeted
Notably, the Iranian armed forces warned that hotels hosting American soldiers throughout the Gulf region will be considered legitimate targets in their war against the US and Israel. "When all Americans are in a hotel, then from our perspective, that hotel becomes American," stated military spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi.
"Would we just sit idly by while the Americans hit us? When we respond, of course, we must strike wherever they are," the Iranian official maintained.
Trump at a deadlock, unable to declare victory
President Donald Trump is considering various options for a dramatic escalation against Iran should his latest diplomatic efforts fail. While the military campaign has so far focused on bombardment, Pentagon officials preparing the next phase have drafted scenarios for troop deployments to seize targets inside Iran.
However, according to a CNN analysis, these scenarios carry the risk of high casualties with little guarantee of successfully ending the conflict. Only a few options remain to secure the Strait of Hormuz and advance US interests to a point where Trump could convincingly declare victory. Officials are increasingly convinced that almost all these options will likely require boots on the ground.
Administration officials have discussed ideas for extracting enriched uranium buried in Iranian nuclear facilities—a mission some believe could provide Trump the clear victory needed to end the war. Options also include seizing Kharg Island, which handles 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, or approving a bombing raid to effectively eliminate the country's oil infrastructure. The Trump administration has also considered seizing other strategic islands near the Strait to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten tanker traffic.
Nightmare – The Americans will be destroyed
A landing of American forces on the Iranian island of Kharg would lead to their total destruction; it is an adventure with catastrophic consequences for the US, both militarily and politically, according to Russian military analyst Igor Korotchenko. Next weekend, several US Navy amphibious ships are expected to arrive in the Persian Gulf with Marine units totaling approximately 7,000 troops, while the deployment of a brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division is also being discussed.
The total US expeditionary force could reach 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers, adding to the 50,000 Americans already in the region. "Should President Donald Trump make the political-military decision to seize Kharg Island, a critical hub for the Islamic Republic's oil exports, the American force will be completely destroyed within a very short time," Korotchenko stated.
Massive strikes on American ships
As proof of US determination, the Pentagon is weighing a landing to seize and hold Kharg Island as a powerful lever for future negotiations with Tehran. However, the island's proximity to the Iranian coast poses severe problems. The analyst warned that upon approaching the island, located deep within the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz, US Navy ships will face massive strikes from Iranian drones, unmanned speedboats, coastal artillery, and multiple launch rocket systems. At this stage, the Americans would begin suffering critical losses.
Burning them alive
"Even if they clear the Strait of Hormuz and land on Kharg Island—which is almost exclusively an oil terminal with full storage tanks—any Iranian strike on the island would destroy the entire US force, which would simply burn in oil flames. For the US and Trump himself, this would have immense negative political and communication consequences," Korotchenko emphasized.
Regarding the landing itself, the use of helicopters would allow Iranian air defenses to strike US targets directly, even with man-portable surface-to-air missiles. "In any case, the risks for both military losses and US reputation are critical. Under these conditions, a landing operation is a direct military-political adventure that will lead to disaster—the death of hundreds of American soldiers," the analyst concluded.
US sends another 10,000 troops
The US Pentagon is reportedly drafting plans to deploy 10,000 additional ground forces to the Middle East to provide President Donald Trump with further "options," according to a Wall Street Journal report. It is estimated that over 50,000 US troops are currently in the wider region, while orders have been given to deploy at least another 5,000 Marines and paratroopers. According to Axios, the decision for the additional 10,000 soldiers is expected next week. These troops will reportedly be drawn from combat units different from those already deployed.
Tasnim: Over 1 million Iranians ready for war – A historic hell for the US
Awaiting this force of approximately 70,000 American soldiers are over 1 million Iranian fighters mobilized for a potential ground conflict. According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, as speculation grows regarding a "historic folly" by the US through a ground invasion on Iran's southern front, a wave of enthusiasm has emerged among Iranian ground forces to create a "historic hell" for the Americans on Iranian soil.
Beyond the million organized fighters, there has been a massive surge in applications from Iranian youth to join the Basij, the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), and the Army. "The US wants to open the Strait of Hormuz with suicidal and self-destructive tactics. Fine. We are ready for their suicidal strategy to be implemented and for the Strait to remain closed," an Iranian military source stated.
Crisis in Israel: Escalating rift between Netanyahu and Mossad over Iran war
The Iranian news agency Tasnim reports an escalating rift between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad chief David Barnea regarding the war with Iran. According to the report, Barnea has not participated in any joint meetings with Netanyahu for at least a week.
The dispute arose after Netanyahu accused the head of Mossad of providing misleading information regarding Iran's military capability and socio-political situation, leading Israel into a war with an uncertain outcome that could pose an existential threat. Conversely, Mossad sources believe accurate information was provided, but Netanyahu, driven by a personal spirit of adventure, initiated a war for which he alone bears responsibility. Some sources claim the two offices are now accusing each other of harboring Iranian spies and leaking sensitive information.
Hezbollah trap for the Israeli army
The news is not optimistic for the Israeli military either. Hezbollah claims to have trapped Israeli infantry units, inflicting heavy casualties. Specifically, the group reports that Israeli troops advancing from the Al-Bayada area toward Shama were ambushed.
"In defense of Lebanon and its people, Islamic Resistance fighters today, Friday, trapped enemy IDF soldiers... attacking them with light and semi-heavy weapons, causing direct damage," Hezbollah asserted. The group also launched new heavy missile strikes on Northern Israel, targeting the community of Margaliot with several suicide drones.
Hezbollah launches over 100 operations against Israel in 24 hours
In the last 24 hours, Hezbollah has executed more than 100 operations against the Israelis. According to Tasnim, the group targeted armored vehicles and soldiers with planted bombs on the Al-Taybeh – Al-Qantara road. Fighters also detonated explosives against a convoy on the "Deir Seryan" road in South Lebanon, causing confirmed casualties.
The number of operations has reportedly exceeded 100 as attacks continue. Israeli sources reported several rockets fired toward the Upper Galilee. Hezbollah announced it targeted the "Eliakim" and "Tifun" military bases east of Acre, as well as the "Zeio" air defense base in Haifa. Near the border, a Merkava tank was destroyed by a direct missile hit, and direct clashes were reported in the town of Al-Naqoura.
Houthi warning: Do not escalate
Meanwhile, the Houthis from Yemen maintain they are ready to join the war on Iran’s side if the US and Israel escalate. A Houthi official told CNN they have a "religious, moral, and humanitarian responsibility" to intervene.
"If Washington and its allies rush to escalate against Iran, Yemen will preempt them with its intervention," noted Mohammed Mansour of the Houthi Information Ministry, adding that closing the Bab al-Mandab Strait—a key gateway to global trade—is a "realistic option." The Houthis have previously disrupted navigation through the strait, attacking commercial vessels and causing trade chaos.
Declining support for the war in Israel
According to a survey by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), 78% of the Israeli population supports the ongoing war against Iran, but the intensity of this support has waned over the past month. While the majority still supports the effort, 11.5% now oppose it, up from 4% in previous polls.
Furthermore, only 50% of people "strongly support" the war, compared to 74% at the beginning of the month. The majority of Arab Israelis remain opposed to the conflict, with only 19% expressing support compared to 27% earlier this month, according to the IDI.
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