US and Israel Launch Wave of Attacks on Iranian Civilian Facilities

President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Iran to reach an acceptable agreement to end the ongoing war with the United States and Israel by 8:00 PM Washington time on April 7, 2026. The deadline is tied to demands for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, with the U.S. President threatening severe military escalation if the conditions are not met.

Trump has employed increasingly aggressive rhetoric regarding the potential consequences of a failed agreement. He has pledged to target infrastructure across the country, promising to bomb Iran back to the Stone Ages. On April 7, 2026, the U.S. President posted to social media that a whole civilization will die tonight if an agreement is not struck.

Military Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion

The current conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated military operations against the Iranian regime. The U.S. Operation, designated Epic Fury, was carried out alongside Israel’s campaign, Roaring Lion. According to statements from the U.S. And Israeli governments, the initial focus of these operations was the elimination of imminent threats, specifically targeting leadership, military infrastructure and nuclear facilities to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Since the start of the offensive, the U.S. And Israel have carried out thousands of strikes across Iran. While the operations began with a focus on military and nuclear targets, the scope of the attacks has expanded to include civilian infrastructure. Iran reports that more than 2,000 people have been killed and approximately 90,000 civilian sites have been hit.

Targeting of Civilian and Industrial Infrastructure

Reports and verified footage indicate that U.S. And Israeli strikes have increasingly hit residential areas, hospitals, and schools. One of the earliest such attacks occurred on March 3, 2026, when a school in the city of Minab was struck.

Industrial and critical infrastructure have also become primary targets. BBC Verify has confirmed strikes on a pharmaceutical plant, at least two steel plants, and three bridges over a two-week period. On March 27, 2026, verified footage showed smoke billowing from the Isfahan Mobarakeh Steel company, which forced the facility to suspend operations.

On April 2, 2026, U.S. Aircraft attacked a bridge under construction in the central city of Karaj. Local officials reported that the strike killed at least 13 people. President Trump later shared footage of the event online, stating that the biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again.

Other targeted facilities include power plants and water desalination plants. Reports from The New York Times indicate that fuel depots in Tehran have been set ablaze during the campaign.

Iranian Retaliation and Regional Impact

Iran has responded with retaliatory strikes targeting energy, industrial, civilian, and military facilities within Israel. These attacks have resulted in at least 19 deaths and thousands of injuries. Beyond Israel, Tehran has carried out attacks on Gulf nations that host U.S. Military bases, leading to at least 25 deaths. The U.S. Military has confirmed that at least 13 American soldiers have been killed in Iranian attacks.

The conflict has also extended into Lebanon, where Israeli forces have been accused of applying tactics similar to those used in the Gaza Strip. In Gaza, Israeli forces have killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of aid workers, and medics.

International and Legal Concerns

The expansion of targets to include civilian infrastructure has drawn criticism from international bodies and political figures. UN officials and senior Democrats in the U.S. Congress have warned that the targeting of hospitals, schools, and water facilities could constitute war crimes.

During a news conference on April 6, 2026, President Trump dismissed these concerns. The U.S. Administration maintains that the operations are necessary to dismantle the Iranian regime’s global terror campaign and its illicit missile and nuclear programs.