Watch: BBC asks Hegseth about reports of strike on school
Watch: BBC Questions Hegseth on Alleged School Strike in Iran
The BBC’s state department correspondent, Tom Bateman, probed US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about claims of an attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh all-girls elementary school. Iran alleged that the strike, attributed to either the US or Israel, resulted in the deaths of at least 153 individuals, including numerous children.
Iran also targeted the US Navy base in Bahrain, underscoring vulnerabilities in regional air defenses. This development could raise concerns for Washington and its allied forces. Hegseth provided limited details on the operation, leaving uncertainties about its scale and duration.
US Jets Shot Down by Kuwaiti Defenses
The US reported that six F-15 jets were “mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” with all crew members in stable condition. Meanwhile, Donald Trump warned of escalating casualties after three US service members were killed during the second day of US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
“Major combat operations have begun,” Trump declared in a video statement posted on Truth Social, accusing the Iranian regime of perpetrating an “unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder targeting the United States.”
An eyewitness in Kuwait documented the crash of an Iranian drone, capturing the moment it struck the ground. The BBC’s Helena Humphrey provided coverage from Washington DC, detailing the second day of the strikes. Iran’s state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, amplifying the conflict’s intensity.
Global Reactions and Ongoing Context
Meanwhile, millions of people worldwide celebrated the Lunar New Year, with festivities occurring from Hong Kong to Buenos Aires. The expiration of the New START treaty has removed nuclear weapon limits between the US and Russia for the first time since 1991, adding to geopolitical tensions.
Clive Myrie reported from Tel Aviv’s bomb shelter as Iran launched retaliatory strikes toward Israel. The operation, named “Epic Fury,” was part of a coordinated US-Israeli effort. Sarah Smith analyzed Trump’s potential strategic goals, while Bernd Debusmann Jr covered the president’s military directives in Palm Beach, Florida.
Protests erupted in American cities on Saturday, with more demonstrations scheduled for the coming days. Lyse Doucet assessed the immediate effects of the strikes, highlighting their broader implications for international relations.
