U.S. evacuates diplomats, shuts down some embassies as war with Iran enters fourth day

"Trump said Monday that the war could last four to five weeks, then said later that the U.S. had "the capability to go far longer" than that. In a social media post, Trump said that the U.S. had a "virtually unlimited supply" of munitions. "Wars can be fought 'forever,' and very successfully, using just these supplies," Trump wrote."

"The State Department, which earlier ordered evacuations of diplomatic missions in several countries in the Middle East, said it was adding Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq to the list. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia Tuesday urged Americans to avoid the compound after the Saudi defense ministry said the diplomatic post had been attacked by two drones."

"Israel said it sent ground forces across the border into south Lebanon and bombed Beirut suburbs as fighting with Hezbollah resumed after more than a year. The U.S. and Israel kept up their attacks in Iran. Explosions were heard in the Iraqi capital and other parts of the country."

The United States evacuated diplomats from multiple Middle Eastern countries and closed several embassies as tensions with Iran escalated. Israel deployed ground forces into southern Lebanon and conducted bombing campaigns against Hezbollah after over a year of relative calm. The U.S. and Israel maintained offensive operations in Iran while explosions occurred in Iraq. President Trump stated the conflict could last four to five weeks but later suggested the capability for extended warfare, claiming virtually unlimited munitions supplies. Six U.S. service members have been killed with expectations of additional casualties. The State Department expanded evacuation orders to include Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq. Drone attacks targeted the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, causing limited damage.

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