War enters 16th day as Iran launches '54th wave' of missiles amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes

Tehran/ Washington/Tel Aviv (Web Desk):  Tensions in the Middle East have entered their 16th day, with the conflict between Iran and the United States (US) continuing amid limited international response.

Tehran reported that in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks, Iran launched the "54th Wave," firing Sajil missiles.

US President Donald Trump appealed for global support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but so far, no nation has committed to sending naval forces.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed US claims, stating that Iran has not contacted any country for negotiations, is not involved in attacks on Saudi Arabia, and that US drones are copies of the Iranian Shahed drones. The United States (US) has denied these assertions.

Over the course of sixteen days, the conflict has claimed 1,444 Iranian and 850 Lebanese lives, including a significant number of women and children.

Thousands have been injured, and 36,000 residential buildings in Iran have suffered damage.

Saudi forces intercepted dozens of drones today. According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, three waves of drone attacks occurred since morning, with five drones shot down in the first wave, six in the second, and twenty-three in the third, bringing the total number of drones destroyed in Saudi airspace today to sixty.

President Trump warned NATO that failing to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz could jeopardize the alliance's future.

He added that the United States is in talks with seven countries on this matter and that a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping may be delayed.

Rocket and drone attacks were reported in Baghdad, Iraq, while an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese district of Jezzine killed five people and wounded six.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards rejected US claims, stating that while the American Navy is being deployed in the Gulf, Iran continues to use older missiles, and those developed after 2025 have not yet been deployed.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, emphasized that Iran opposes terrorist operations and that the conflict is not aimed at the American public.

Following a drone-related incident in Dubai, flights at the airport were temporarily suspended.

Authorities from Italy, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom (UK) have also declined to send naval ships to the Strait of Hormuz, while China has pledged to play a constructive role in improving relations. France had previously decided not to deploy its naval vessels.

Overall, the situation in the Middle East has grown increasingly precarious, with the limited support from global powers contributing to the escalating crisis.