CNN’s Erin Burnett forced to take refuge as sirens sound in Tel Aviv amid US, Israel, Iran war: Watch

The death toll in the region continues to rise as Iran’s capital, Tehran, and its allies fight back against operations against Israel, Gulf neighbors and key targets linked to global oil and gas production.

Given the severity of the attack, Khamenei’s assassination and the apparent lack of a strategic exit plan, this suggests the conflict is likely to persist in the coming weeks.

U.S. and Israeli missile attacks have so far killed hundreds of people across the Middle East, while Iranian counterattacks have killed six U.S. service members.

Also read: Grief and tears grip Iran and Israel as people mourn loved ones lost in fierce war: Photos

Trump and other officials in his administration said the U.S. launched the attack on Iran because of an imminent threat after nuclear talks failed to reach an agreement.

Some members of Congress expressed concern about that assessment and the scope of Trump’s authority to launch an attack on Iran without congressional approval. Democrats and some Republicans are preparing to launch a war powers vote aimed at limiting Trump’s ability to take more military action in Iran.