International
Israel Preparing Strikes on Iran’s Underground Missile Bunkers as War Escalates
Israel is preparing to launch attacks on Iran’s underground ballistic missile facilities as the conflict between the two countries enters what officials describe as the second phase of the war, according to sources familiar with the military campaign.
Two sources with knowledge of Israel’s strategy said the Israeli Air Force is expected to target deeply buried missile bunkers and storage facilities across Iran. The move follows earlier operations that focused primarily on destroying above-ground missile launchers and military infrastructure.
The war, which began after Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in late February, has rapidly escalated into one of the most serious military confrontations in the Middle East in recent years. The opening wave of attacks reportedly killed several senior Iranian figures and triggered retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran against Israeli targets.
Israeli officials say the next phase of the campaign aims to weaken Iran’s remaining missile capabilities by destroying facilities where ballistic missiles are stored or hidden underground. Intelligence estimates suggest Iran possesses thousands of missiles, many kept in hardened underground bunkers designed to withstand air attacks.
Military analysts believe these underground sites; sometimes referred to as “missile cities” are central to Iran’s ability to continue launching long-range missile strikes against Israel and its allies in the region.
The Israeli military has already confirmed that it carried out overnight strikes on underground missile storage locations, signalling a shift in operational focus toward destroying Iran’s remaining strategic weapons.
The widening conflict has raised fears of a broader regional war. Iran has continued to fire missiles toward Israel, while Israeli forces have also conducted strikes linked to Iran’s regional allies, including targets in Lebanon.
International observers warn that further escalation could draw in more countries across the Middle East, increasing the risk of a prolonged and destabilizing conflict.
A coalition of two dozen U.S. states has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump over a newly imposed 10 percent tariff on imports from around the world, escalating the legal battle over the administration’s aggressive trade policies.
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, was spearheaded by Democratic attorneys general from Oregon, New York, California and Arizona.
In their court filing, the states argued that the president overstepped his constitutional authority by imposing the sweeping tariff, which they described as an unlawful tax on global imports.
According to the lawsuit, the states contend that Trump lacked the legal power to introduce the measure and attempted to bypass the authority of the Supreme Court of the United States.
The legal challenge follows a major setback for the administration last month when the Supreme Court struck down an earlier set of sweeping tariffs introduced by the president as part of his broader trade crackdown.
The new case is expected to reignite the legal dispute over the scope of presidential powers in trade policy and the legality of the administration’s ongoing tariff-driven trade strategy.
United States President Donald Trump has announced the replacement of Kristi Noem as Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security after more than a year in the role.
Trump disclosed the decision on Thursday through a social media post, stating that Noem would be succeeded by Markwayne Mullin.
Noem had overseen several controversial initiatives during her tenure, including the administration’s aggressive push to remove undocumented immigrants from the United States. She was also involved in efforts aimed at dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The president did not immediately provide detailed reasons for the leadership change but confirmed that Mullin, a Republican senator representing Oklahoma, would take over the position.
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing forward with a sweeping redesign of the White House and parts of Washington, D.C., a move that has sparked both support and criticism across the United States.
The plan includes the construction of a massive ballroom on the White House grounds, replacing the historic East Wing that was demolished in 2025. The new structure, estimated to cost about $400 million, is expected to cover roughly 90,000 square feet and host large state events and receptions.
According to reports, the project forms part of one of the most extensive physical changes to the presidential residence in decades. The ballroom would significantly expand the White House’s capacity for official gatherings, something the administration says is necessary for hosting foreign leaders and major diplomatic events.
Beyond the ballroom project, Trump has also introduced several changes inside the White House itself. The Oval Office has been redesigned with additional gold accents, while the historic Rose Garden lawn has been replaced with a paved stone patio similar to one at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
In Washington, more broadly, the administration is pursuing ambitious architectural projects aimed at reshaping the capital’s landscape. One proposal includes a 250-foot triumphal arch known as the Independence Arch to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.
Trump has also pushed for major renovations at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, placing allies in leadership positions and proposing significant upgrades to the cultural complex.
Supporters say the projects will modernize the White House and strengthen the symbolic image of the American presidency. Critics, however, argue that some of the changes could damage historic architecture and alter the character of the nation’s capital. Public opinion has also been divided, with preservation groups warning that historic structures and traditions could be lost.
Despite the controversy, construction and planning for several of the projects are already underway, marking a bold effort by the Trump administration to leave a lasting architectural legacy in Washington.