35 Active And Retired US Soldiers Are Revealing Their Brutally Honest Thoughts On Trump's Parade, And I'm Kinda Shocked By Their Replies

By now, you're probably aware that on Saturday, the Trump administration held a festival and parade for the Army's 250th anniversary — an event that also coincided with Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The celebration featured 6,600 troops, 150 military vehicles, and more than 50 aircraft. While the official cost was not disclosed, the Army estimated the event's expenses to fall between $25 million and $45 million.
From the No Kings protests held across the country on the same day, to many critics voicing their thoughts on the event online, there's been no shortage of opinion on the whole affair. Because the parade was ultimately to be in service of the Army, we asked military members, both active and retired, to share what they thought of the day.
Hundreds of US military members and veterans chimed in — here's what they had to say:
1."Former US Army here, '82–'86. Trump is the greatest threat this nation has ever faced."
—edgycat84
2."Marine vet, '07–'16. It is disgraceful that Trump used the military to boost his little ego. A man who has never lifted a finger to help anyone in his life just wasted millions of dollars to have his own little parade. I would have taken a third non-judicial punishment (NJP) for refusing to march in that parade with a smile on my face."
—surprisedturtle814
3."Horrid. Embarrassing. Complete waste of money."
—Anonymous 63-year-old US Army veteran
4."Disabled veteran here. I work with homeless veterans providing substance abuse and mental health assistance. I come from a long line of veterans, enlisted and officers in all four branches, and my kid is currently serving in the National Guard. That parade the orange fool put on was a disgrace. He is a draft dodger, a criminal, a racist, and a sexist pariah."
"That was NOT put on as a celebration for the Army's birthday, and anyone who tricks themselves into believing that is choosing delusion. This is not the America that I or any family member sacrificed and fought for. It's disheartening that my kid has to serve under this abomination of a 'commander in chief.' By the way, I was proudly at the #NoKings protest that day."
—Anonymous 42-year-old US Navy veteran
5."I am a retired senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) with just over 20 years of service. This parade should never have happened. This was a vanity show for Trump. We are not North Korea, China, or Russia. We generally have national parades at the conclusion of major victories (though that is not always the case) and not at the whim of a 'dear leader.' Right now, our soldiers need the barracks renovated. I have a son serving in the Army right now, and he tells me about the serious shortcomings of the dining facilities."
"Some days, there are no facilities open at all, and single soldiers who live in the barracks now have to go to the fast-food joints on post or off. This would have been unspeakable in my day. I think of all that money wasted on this parade that could have gone to fixing just these two basic issues. Not to mention the time these soldiers had to spend away from their duty stations and their families just to placate someone who has never served and actively avoided military service. He also called those who fell in battle 'suckers' and 'losers.' It's disgusting and disrespectful to kowtow to his selfish behavior."
—Anonymous 62-year-old US Army veteran
6."Being a 25-year Navy veteran, I'm shocked and disgusted by the blatant waste of taxpayers' money. Where is the rest of our so-called government?"
—goldenpear9732
7."Air Force vet here, and I am constantly reminded that our oaths are to the Constitution, not the president. It is, in fact, our duty to refuse orders that go against it."
–JadeFishes
8."I served 22 years and had to march in parades for Veterans Day. In those instances, it was meaningful because the crowd was there to thank us for our service. When we showed up, we were treated well, and the crowd appreciated us showing up. NO POLITICAL PURPOSE AT ALL. Had this president EVER served or at the very least shown respect to veterans like John McCain and medal of honor recipients, maybe it wouldn't piss us vets off."
"But here we are, marching for a person who has been more disrespectful to veterans than any other president in the history of this country. Far worse, disregarding the Constitution, we swear an oath to 'protect and defend against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic.' And to say it's for the Army's birthday and not his birthday is a farce. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May and recognizes the collective strength and contributions of all five branches. That would make more sense."
—Anonymous 44-year-old US Air Force veteran
9."Marine Afghanistan veteran, '06–'13. As I have stated before, if it were really 'about the troops,' the Marines should be having their birthday parade around Nov. 10, [the United States Marine Corps birthday]. But we won't, because everything he has done since announcing he'd run 10 years ago has been about no one but him. He's a selfish, arrogant, stupid embarrassment of a commander in chief. That f**kface doesn't know shit about sacrifice. Duty. Honor. Integrity. If you think he ever gave a shit about veterans, your head has been up your ass."
—jmoney1217
10."I am very hurt by all the negative comments. Who cares that it's the orange man's birthday? That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am currently serving in the Army close enough to DC that I would've gone. I didn't because my police officer husband got called into work to deal with the protests, and I didn't feel safe taking my toddler to the area. I am so upset that I missed out on that celebration because people are upset."
—heroiclight396
Related: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public
11."I feel for those soldiers who were caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, it's their duty to obey orders. On the other hand, they fully knew they were there to pump up the ego of the tiny man who has nothing but disdain for them, and is on the record for calling their fallen brothers 'losers.'"
—Anonymous US Navy member
12."This week has been tough for me, as a Guard member from the 1990s. I never deployed overseas, but was activated a half dozen times to help my fellow New Yorkers during times of need, and I was one of the first ones deployed for the TWA 800 crash. Seeing fellow National Guardsmen sent into California, and then made to throw a vanity birthday parade for somebody who did everything he could to avoid ever wearing a uniform? It just plain hurts me to my core to see somebody who's insulted soldiers so openly just continue to use them like this for his self-promotion and vanity."
—Anonymous 49-year-old US Army National Guard veteran
13."Having a convicted felon as commander in chief holding a parade of self aggrandizement is beyond dishonoring veterans and active duty service men and women…it's vanity porn."
—zeke1967
14."I would NEVER be a part of anything this administration does. I am so glad that I got out of the military at the beginning of the first Trump administration. This is not what the Army stands for. Nothing this administration does is for freedom of any kind. It's all driven by selfish billionaire interest."
—Anonymous 37-year-old US Army veteran
15."It's a disgraceful attempt to boost a wannabe authoritarian's ego. I'd much rather see my tax dollars go toward programs that help existing military, disabled veterans, and their families."
—Anonymous 59-year-old US Navy veteran
16."I am a former Naval officer of 10 years and a Gulf War veteran. I don't care what party is in office, our service members are not trained monkeys to perform for someone's ego trip. I'm also insulted every time I see a politician rendering a salute when they are not veterans. This is especially true when the president is a draft dodger. The money spent on the ego trip should have been sent to the Veterans Administration and active duty welfare programs."
—Anonymous 58-year-old US Navy veteran
Related: "Let Them Eat Teslas": People At The "No Kings" Protests This Weekend Brought Signs That Were So Clever I'm Still Laughing About Them
17."Dumbest thing ever. We have so many homeless vets and the VA is facing major cuts."
"I had something growing on my arm a few years ago and went to the VA to get it checked out. After multiple tests. Nothing. A doctor pulled me aside and gave me the info for another doctor not associated with the VA. Turns out it was a rare form of skin cancer. Had surgery to remove it, and skin grafts were done. I was finally cancer-free after a few months. After all this, I get a call from the VA asking if I ever found out what was happening with the growth. I don't blame them 'cause they have no funding. This money could've been used for better."
—Anonymous US Marine veteran
18."As a veteran, I've marched in parades before, proudly. Never have I marched in one to honor someone who openly disrespects me (the military and veterans), and wasted so much money on such a massive ego trip, which was ultimately a flop. Maybe some of those soldiers were proud to march, but it did not appear that way. No 'nine to the front and six to the rear' in sight. They were just walking."
—ginnyjensen
19."As an Air Force veteran (9+ years active duty), I considered it a privilege to serve President Reagan in any direct capacity. My heavy-lift helicopter unit in West Germany supported his visits to the European Economic Summits in the '80s. And we were extremely proud to support him in any way, not just because he was the commander in chief, but because he respected all service members and their sacrifices for our country. While we never participated in any kind of parade, we knew he cared about us."
"I can completely understand the lack of enthusiasm from the participants in Trump's 'birthday parade,' as he has shown not only a lack of respect for the military in general, but also disdain and contempt for veterans. To get respect (from the military), you must show (to the military) respect. Donald Trump respects no one. And nothing. He got what he deserved: humiliation."
—crunchyowl271
20."I thought it was a fantastic, heartfelt tribute to the US Army on their 250th birthday. After being a Vietnam area vet, being in uniform during the polarized '70s, and being disrespected by my friends and just people on the street, seeing this type of recognition and support for the military helped me heal old wounds. I see no politics here. Can't we just respect those who serve without always 'picking sides'?"
—Anonymous 67-year-old US Navy Veteran
21."We do not have to have a parade to celebrate our military might. We do that every time we show up on the battlefield to defend our rights and our freedoms."
—lazyking123
22."Definitely was embarrassed by the whole affair. Poor attendance, poor parade, and very unimpressive to all the watchers. I was at the 2015 Beijing parade celebrating the end of WWII and saw a well-organized, precision review of infantry and mechanized performers. Not like what I saw Saturday."
—Anonymous 99-year-old US Army Veteran
23."It is absolutely disgusting for a man whose rich daddy protected him from the draft to throw himself a military birthday parade. It really underscores the complete lack of respect he has already shown to armed services members, current and former. That money would have been much better served by programs for veterans and active duty members. It's like these MAGAts I see who have military or police stickers on their cars or emblems on their shirts who have never served a day and likely never will."
"They speak racial and LGBTQ hatred, and consider themselves to be patriots. They're more like parrots! The pledge of allegiance literally has the words, 'Liberty and Justice for ALL,' not just those whose skin color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity you agree with. I took an oath to the Constitution; Trump constantly violates it. He needs to be impeached! I'm glad that there was such a poor turnout for his pathetic parade, while there were massive turnouts for the No Kings protests."
—Anonymous 53-year-old US Army veteran
24."I didn't see the parade live, but saw the highlights on the news and other media outlets. I felt worse for my fellow service members than anything else. People who support this type of nonsense don't realize that places like North Korea can do their synchronous march because they are NOT in the field war-gaming and preparing to defend the nation at a moment's notice. You don't become the world's best fighting force by doing drills and marching all day, every day."
"This was a waste of OUR taxpayer funds and a waste of the time the soldiers could have used sharpening their war-fighting skills. This is what we get, though, when we have someone like Corporal Bone-Spurs and Captain Oblivious at the helm of our military. Give me Sleepy Joe over Sloppy Don any day! At least Ol' Joe did not waste our tax money on this type of nonsense. One thing I am thankful for is that this spectacle and debacle did not besmirch my beloved Corps."
—Anonymous 52-year-old US Marine veteran
25."I served when our adversary was the Soviet Union. After hearing his praise of Vladimir Putin, I think that our present adversary may be Donald Trump."
—Anonymous 80-year-old US Air Force veteran
26."I was an Army photographer, discharged general, upgraded to honorable six months after discharge, and covered countless ceremonies, training events, and missions. Honestly, most ceremonies I'd cover, I'd have to weed out photos because people would like to flip the photographer off; mostly fun, or being disgruntled, but no active duty likes marching, especially if it's humid. It's not a lack of discipline or a political statement; it's just boring, and on a Saturday to celebrate the Army's birthday, there are more fun ways of doing that."
"Only thing I'd say, which doesn't surprise me, is that our higher-ups actually went along with it. Pull their service records. They probably have a silver star for literally showing up for deployment, while some enlisted soldier had to save their entire platoon while being shot multiple times, then dying of their wounds to have their family get the silver star six years after their death. Those soldiers showed discipline and honor, just not to bad leaders."
—savoryscissors501
27."It was the 250th anniversary of the US Army's founding, and I'm reflecting on the dedication and service of its members. While parades weren't my favorite part of my time in uniform, I understand their significance. It's important to look beyond political divides and truly appreciate the commitment of the men and women who serve in our military."
—Anonymous 46-year-old US Army veteran
28."I believe that it was a great idea to honor the Army with a parade to celebrate 250 years of service to our country. However, to honor a birthday for one of the worst leaders that this country has ever had at the same ceremony was a disgrace to all past and present service members. I served 22 years in the USAF and retired now. I am grateful that I do not have to serve under the current president, who clearly does not understand democracy and wants to turn this country into a monarchy so he can be a king."
—chillporcupine906
29."Fourteen-year Army veteran here. I thought having a military parade in the same vein as the ones dictators hold in their honor was absolutely disgusting. Honoring a draft-dodging wannabe king is a dishonor to all who have served honorably and are still serving. Amidst all of the firings of veterans in the name of 'government efficiency' is a slap to the faces of all that have lost their livelihoods."
—icylatte763
30."I served 24 years in the USAF. During that, I had four tours in Southeast Asia. I flew (flight engineer) 867 combat missions during those four tours. I do not think I can ever explain my utter disgust for Donald Trump. It appears he sees everything through a prism that seems to multiply everything he sees. If a group of 100 people attends one of his rallies, his mind sees 10,000 people. He relishes being in the spotlight. I will never accept his disdain/disrespect for the US military, be it active duty, retired, or former military personnel."
"Having said that, unless the Democrats or the Republicans promote and endorse a centrist candidate for president, we will be saddled with the likes of Herr Trump, JD Vance, Rep. Mike Johnson, and any of the MAGA crowd. As long as the Democrats support progressive policies and candidates, they will never take back control of Congress and the presidency."
—edgycadet757
31."I was drafted into the Army in April 1966 and landed in Vietnam in December. I eventually served in the Infantry as an NCO (non-commissioned officer). While in Vietnam, I had to march in a parade in Saigon for the Vietnamese president. No one in the unit was happy about that, but we knew we had to do that. I served in an honor guard unit upon my return to the United States. We felt honored to help families through their grief, but marching in parades or for dignitaries was a chore."
"Trump's 'parade' was an embarrassment and totally unnecessary money that could have been spent on salary increases for the troops."
—Anonymous, 79-year-old US Army veteran
32."I loved it. It's sad to see people getting caught up in anti-Trumpism. It'd be nice if people would respect the country that gives them freedom, along with the very few who serve."
—dizzysalt785
33."Former Marine, Vietnam vet. I think it was a total waste of money and our military's time to feed his ego. I also note his habit of the big 'pout' in meetings if he doesn't get his way. He really has no business being in the White House. We need an adult there, not a man-child."
—youngcloud79
34."I'm a second-generation career soldier and retiree. Pops served 26 years, fought in Korea and Vietnam, while I served 22 years. I am most definitely proud of my service and the US Army; however, most soldiers who aren't assigned to the 'Old Guard' do not relish drill and ceremonies and, given a choice, would rather do almost anything else."
"They showed up but were not very enthusiastic unless riding on a vehicle. Contrary to popular belief, we rarely march unless it's a school setting or just before the order for double time at PT (physical training). The pretense was honorific, but the POTUS just wanted a parade for show. Sad and unnecessary!!!"
—glitteryeggplant955
35.And lastly: "This president has shown a complete lack of respect for our military — deceased, retired, veteran, and active duty. His purging of the general ranks early in this term in his presidency showed that he has no regard for the professional military; he only wants persons who will be loyal to him rather than loyal to the Constitution that they swore to protect and defend."
"Now, he is using the Army as props to satisfy his ego and need to feel powerful. It's a shameless/shameful display of narcissism that has no bounds. His actions make the US appear weak rather than strong, and he becomes more of an embarrassment to our country day by day."
—Anonymous 66-year-old US Air Force veteran
36.If you're a US military member or a veteran, how has serving under President Trump felt different compared to other administrations? Let us know in the comments or by using this anonymous form.
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'Urgent warning to all people located in the red area of ​​the map in Sefidrood Industrial Park within the village of Kalash Taleshan,' the IDF wrote in Persian language, in a social media post. 'The Israeli army, just as it has been attacking the Iranian regime's military infrastructure throughout Iran in recent days, will soon be operating in this area. 'Dear citizens, for your safety and health, we ask that you leave the designated area on the map as soon as possible. Your presence in this area puts your life at risk.' Canberra has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran due to the deteriorating security environment in Iran and has directed the departure of all Australian officials, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed. Australia's ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the government's response to the crisis, Ms Wong said. 'We are continuing planning to support Australians seeking to depart Iran, and we remain in close contact with other partner countries,' she said in a statement. Officials in Canberra said about 2,700 Australians had been trying to evacuate Iran and Israel in recent days. Israeli authorities have confirmed that at least 240 people were wounded during the attacks near Tel Aviv and on Soroka Medical Centre in southern Israel. The victims included 80 patients and medical workers from the hospital, most of whom received minor injuries. The majority of the 700 patients being treated at the site had been evacuated prior to the missile strike, Associated Press reported. Many hospitals in Israel, including Soroka, had activated emergency plans in the past week. They converted parking garages to wards and transferred vulnerable patients underground. Doctors at Soroka said that the Iranian missile struck almost immediately after air raid sirens went off, causing a loud explosion that could be heard from a safe room. The strike inflicted the greatest damage on an old surgery building and affected key infrastructure, including gas, water and air-conditioning systems, hospital staff said. The body of a Ukrainian mother who had travelled to Israel for her daughter's leukaemia treatment has been recovered from a building struck by an Iranian missile. Officials in the city of Bat Yam, close to Tel Aviv, announced that 'in the past few minutes, a body was found at the site of the missile impact'. They identified the victim as 31-year-old Maria Peshkarova. Israeli authorities had previously released the names of eight people killed in the strike and had stated that one person was missing. Mrs Peshkarova had travelled from Ukraine to Israel in December 2022 on a medical visa to seek life-saving treatment for her daughter Anastasia, 8, who was killed along with her grandmother in the destroyed apartment bloc in Bat Yam. Her husband is fighting in Ukraine's war against Russia, according to the Israeli news website Ynet. Britain and Europe have warned Donald Trump that any US attack on Iran risks endangering Westerners being held by the Islamic Republic. Diplomatic sources told The Telegraph that Washington had also been told that military intervention could trigger a wave of terror attacks by sleeper cells across Europe. It comes as part of an effort by Britain, France and Germany to broker a diplomatic end to Israel's war with Iran. Mr Trump has approved plans for a US strike on Iran, but has not yet given a final order. European foreign ministers will meet their Iranian counterpart for talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday. As the conflict between Israel and Iran continued to escalate on Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer called for 'cool heads and a return to diplomacy'. The Prime Minister's spokesman added: 'We would not want to see anything that ramps up the situation.' Donald Trump heeded warnings from his Maga base to delay striking Iran, the White House suggested. Responding to a question from The Telegraph's Rob Crilly on whether the two week delay is a result of interventions from Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene or requests from Europe, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said that a wide range of opinions had been consulted. 'The President hears all voices across the country, and he makes decisions based on his instincts, and he has always said diplomacy is his first option,' she told The Telegraph. She also confirmed that the president will be attending next week's Nato summit at the Hague, departing from Washington on Monday. Israel has ordered its military to intensify its strikes on Tehran, in retaliation for Iran's latest missile barrage. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, said Tehran's 'tyrants' would pay the 'full price' for bombing civilians, adding that the result of the conflict could be the downfall of the regime. Iranian missiles carrying large warheads hit residential buildings near Tel Aviv, and Soroka hospital in southern Israel, causing extensive damage and injuring more than 200 across the country this morning. Israel Katz, Israel's defence minister, said the army would escalate its attacks 'against strategic targets in Iran and against government targets in Tehran' in order to destabilise the 'Ayatollah regime'. He added that Iran's supreme leader 'can no longer be allowed to exist'. Mr Netanyahu has also refused to rule out a strike on Ali Khamenei. The US has twice vetoed Israeli plans to take out the Iranian leader, according to reports. It is still unclear if Donald Trump intends to join Israel's war against Iran, however sources told Bloomberg that US officials are preparing for the possibility in coming days. The White House has declined to rule out whether the US will help to orchestrate regime change in Iran. Asked if the possibility of the US becoming involved in regime change is on the table, Karoline Leavitt told a press briefing: 'The President's top priority right now is ensuring that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon and providing peace and stability in the Middle East.' The prospect of the US directly attempting to topple Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could potentially lead to an even more hardline figure replacing him. Plans to do so have sparked a rift among Mr Trump's Maga base, for whom the legacy of the US attempting regime change in Afghanistan and Iraq remains an open wound. The White House has urged people to 'trust in president Trump' when it comes to dealing with Iran. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said: 'Trust in president Trump. President Trump has incredible instincts, and president Trump kept America and the world safe in his first term as President, in implementing a 'peace through strength' foreign policy agenda.' Her comments came in response to a question about the president's message to voters, given he campaigned on a ticket to be a 'peacemaker' and not involve America in further wars in the Middle East. Casting Mr Trump's approach as part of his America First agenda, Ms Leavitt added: 'Nobody should be surprised by the President's position that Iran absolutely cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. He's been unequivocally clear about this for decades, not just as president, not just as a presidential candidate, but also as a private citizen.' Donald Trump will decide on whether to strike Iran in the next two weeks, Karoline Leeavitt has just told a White House press briefing. Reciting a message from the president, she said: 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go in the next two weeks.' 'Shots fired!' shouted Gen Michael Kurilla moments before charging towards the sound of gunfire to save two junior officers. Weaving through the rubble-strewn alleyways of war-torn Mosul, Iraq, the then-lieutenant colonel was pursuing a group of terrorist suspects when three more shots rang out. Taking bullets to the arm and both legs, one snapping his femur in half, he 'performed a judo roll' and carried on firing his rifle, witnesses say. As the gunfire continued, he covered his troops and reeled off orders while bleeding on the concrete floor. Nearly 20 years later, Gen Kurilla, who was awarded a Bronze Star for valour and now heads the US military Central Command (Centcom), is once again leading the fight in the Middle East – this time against Iran. Known to be Israel's favourite general and nicknamed 'The Gorilla', Gen Kurilla is understood to have been given unusual levels of authority by Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, to determine the American response to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Sir Keir Starmer has called for 'cool heads' after Donald Trump signed off on plans to bomb Iran. The Prime Minister's spokesman urged all parties to 'de-escalate'. It comes as Britain is prepared to enter crisis talks in Geneva with Iran. 'The continuation of the current situation is in no one's interest. We want to see cool heads and a return to diplomacy because that is the best route forward,' the spokesman said. The conflict between Israel and Iran continued to escalate on Thursday after Tehran launched a barrage of missiles against civilian targets, including a hospital. Israel vowed revenge and said Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, could 'no longer be allowed to exist'. Mr Trump approved plans for an attack on Iran but is believed to be waiting to see if a deal can be reached to end its nuclear weapons programme. Number 10 refused to say whether it would approve the use of its Diego Garcia base on the Chagos Islands for the US to launch a strike against Iran. It comes after Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, warned the Prime Minister that UK involvement in a US attack on Iran could be illegal. Benjamin Netanyahu has just said that he welcomed 'all help' with destroying Iran's nuclear sites, nearly a week into major Israeli air raids on the Islamic republic. Israel is 'capable of striking all of Iran's nuclear facilities' but 'all help is welcome', Mr Netanyahu told public broadcaster Kan. He added that Donald Trump 'will do what is good for for the United States, and I will do what is good for the State of Israel'. Israel's tourism ministry said it had registered 22,000 tourists trying to leave the country. Its airspace has been closed since the fighting started last Friday, except for special flights bringing home Israelis stranded abroad. Out of the some 40,000 tourists visiting Israel last week, roughly 32,000 remain, the ministry added, saying that some had left Israel via its land crossings with Jordan and Egypt. Satellite footage has confirmed the damage to Iran's Arak heavy water reactor after Israel bombed it early this morning. Israel's military said its fighter jets targeted its reactor core seal to halt it from being used to produce plutonium, which can be used to make an atomic bomb. 'The strike targeted the component intended for plutonium production, in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used for nuclear weapons development,' a statement said. Iran still has the naval assets and other capabilities needed to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, according to US officials. Senior military officials have warned the White House to prepare for such an event after Iran threatened to mine the strait if the US joined Israel's attacks, The New York Times reports. As Donald Trump mulls his next move, Pentagon officials are said to be considering all of the ways Iran could retaliate. The 90-mile waterway is a key shipping route that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and is used to transport a quarter of the world's oil. Its closure could also trap US Navy ships in the Persian Gulf. The direct-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has condemned attacks on health facilities in both Israel and Iran. 'The reports on the attacks on health so far are appalling,' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus writes in a post on X. Citing this morning's attacks on the Soroka hospital in Israel and the reported deaths of Iranian Red Crescent health workers in Tehran, he said: 'We call on all parties to protect health facilities, health personnel and patients at all times. The best medicine is peace.' Talks between Iran, the UK, France, Germany and European Union in Switzerland tomorrow are happening in consultation with the Trump administration, according to a Western diplomat The official described the talks to CNN as exploratory - to 'feel the room' about what could be achieved. After meeting with the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, the foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain plan to hold joint nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva, sources have said. Iran's mission to the UN said that the country 'categorically rejects' Israel's 'false claim' that it targeted the Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, souther Israel, this morning. It called Iran's strikes 'precise' and claimed they only target 'facilities directly involved in and supporting' Israel's attacks on Iran. Earlier, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, said that a 'blast wave' of Iran targeting an Israeli military base had caused 'superficial' damage to the hospital. However, Israel said Tehran deliberately targeted the medical centre, calling it a 'war crime'. Israel's military said alerts have been activated in the country's north, warning of a fresh missile barrage launched by Iran. 'At this time, the Air Force is working to intercept and attack wherever necessary to eliminate the threat,' the IDF said. Donald Trump has said the Wall Street Journal has 'no idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran' after the newspaper suggested he had approved military plans to strike the country's nuclear programme. The US president gave private instructions to military chiefs in the situation room inside the White House on Wednesday, sources told the newspaper. He later told reporters: ' I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven't made a final [call]. 'I like to make a final decision one second before it's due, you know? Because things change, especially with war. It can go from one extreme to the other.' Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to rule out killing Iran's supreme leader. Asked if he would sanction a strike on Ali Khamenei, the Israeli prime minister said: 'No one is immune. All options are on the table. 'It's best not to speak about this in the press.' It comes after the defence minister, Israel Katz, said Khamenei should 'not be allowed to exist' and said killing him was an IDF war aim. The US has twice vetoed Israeli plans to take out the Iranian leader, according to reports. Donald Trump said earlier this week that the US knew where he was hiding but said he would not be targeted - 'for now'. Iran 'strung' Donald Trump along during negotiations over the future of its nuclear programme, Benjamin Netanyahu has said. Speaking outside the hospital struck by an Iranian missile, the Israeli prime minister refused to say whether the US would join Israel's military campaign but lavished praise on the US president. 'President Trump will do what's best for America,' he told reporters. 'I trust his judgement, he is a tremendous friend, a tremendous world leader, a tremendous friend of Israel and the Jewish people. 'And we will do what we have to do, and we are doing it.' Mr Netanyahu went on to say that Iran could not be allowed to enrich uranium, a process which leads to the development of nuclear weapons. 'He gave them the chance to do it through negotiations, they strung them along,' Mr Netanyahy said. 'You don't string along Donald Trump, you know, he knows the game, and I think that we're both committed to making sure that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon and they won't.' Another morning, another scene of devastation. Israel had gone nearly two days without a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile. But this morning, as people were beginning to return to work, another barrage came in from the Islamic Republic. I was actually caught out in the open during the barrage and I could see Israel's missile defence system working hard to intercept them. But they didn't manage to get all of them. The UK Government is pressing to get the airspace over Israel reopened in the next 24 hours to help British citizens there who want to leave to fly home. The Foreign Office has been urging Britons to register their presence in the country via what they call a 'portal' but are yet to formally recommend they leave. Intense contingency planning is understood to be going on in the Foreign Office about how to bring Britons back if Israel's conflict with Iran intensifies over the coming days. One current focus is to try to get Israeli airspace open for some period of time so that commercial planes can restart flights. That would allow those Britons who wanted to leave to do so without the need for more direct intervention from the UK Government, such as the organising of military planes or ships to extract people. The formal Foreign Office advice continues to be that people should not travel to Israel. Whether the advice for people already there changes likely depends on how the conflict morphs over the coming days. Israel said it had carried out an attack on an Iranian nuclear reactor in the central city of Arak this morning. Iran's heavy water nuclear reactor was 'inactive' but had been designed to eventually produce high-yield plutonium, which can be used to produce nuclear weapons. The IDF said it had also struck two other sites linked to Iran's nuclear programme in Isfahan and Natanz overnight. At least 40 fighter jets took part in Israel's latest round of strikes, which also targeted ballistic missile and defence system production sites. Credit: IDF Israeli officials fear they are burning through missile interceptors as it continues to face missile barrages from Iran. Israel has already conserved its use of interceptors, giving priority to densely populated areas and strategic infrastructure, officials told the New York Times. One former official told the newspaper that Israel should declare victory and end the war before it is faced with difficult choices about which areas to protect. 'Now that Israel has succeeded in striking most of its nuclear targets in Iran, Israel has a window of two or three days to declare the victory and end the war,' said Zohar Palti, a former senior officer in the Mossad, Israel's spy agency. Iran is also facing its own shortage. According to Israeli estimates, Tehran has fired between one third and half of its 2,000-strong missile stockpile. As a result, Tehran has been forced to start firing missiles from central Iran, rather than in the West, which take longer to reach their targets. Israel also believes it has destroyed enough Iranian launchers to limit the number of missiles Iran can fire in a single attack. The Iranian missile strike on the Soroka Medical Centre in the southern city of Beersheba has dealt a further blow to already remote chances of a negotiated solution. It is the first time Iran has struck an Israeli hospital since the war began nearly a week ago. Tehran insists the facility was not deliberately targeted and claims it was aiming at two adjacent military sites. It is possible that the hospital was collateral damage, but Iran's explanation is difficult to square with facts on the ground. Had most patients and staff not already been evacuated as a precaution, the casualty toll would almost certainly have been far higher. Little wonder, then, that Israel is using the attack as justification to threaten even more intense retaliation against 'strategic targets' in Iran. The Israeli defence minister also responded to the attack by saying Iran's leader 'can no longer be allowed to exist'. Iran, for its part, is matching Israel's bellicose rhetoric. Its deputy foreign minister, in remarks clearly aimed at the US, vowed to 'teach aggressors a lesson', while supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has again ruled out negotiating with Washington. Tehran has also ridiculed Mr Trump's claim that Iranian officials had offered to come to the White House for talks, a step he called 'courageous'. Mr Trump's claim may be exaggerated – but is not necessarily far from the truth. On the back foot militarily, Iran has reportedly indicated through back channels that it remains open to dialogue with the US, whatever Khamenei says in public. Still, with this morning's strikes marking a grave new turn in the conflict, the chances of a negotiated settlement look more distant than ever. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz if Israel continues its military campaign or if the US joins the war. A member of Iran's national security board said Tehran had 'numerous options to respond to the enemies', which included closing the economically important waterway. 'The enemies of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran should know that if there is a threat against our homeland and people, they will certainly face a crushing response,' the official said. Such a move could temporarily restrict US warship's ability to exit the Persian Gulf and lead to the disruption of global oil supply, causing a sharp spike in prices. Lord Hermer's warning that UK involvement in a US attack on Iran could be illegal 'is not in this country's interest', a Labour MP has said. Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, is understood to have raised concerns that assisting the US in attacking Iran would be against international law. The Spectator reported on Wednesday that he had suggested Britain limited its military response to protecting Israel. Graham Stringer, the Labour MP for Blackley and Middleton South, told The Telegraph: 'I think Hermer has shown that his legal advice is often flawed, and he seems to delight in giving advice which is not in this country's interest. 'It is clear that when a country like Iran has an explicit policy of genocide against Jews that under the international conventions there is an obligation on countries to stop the genocide before it happens. 'He should never have been appointed. The Prime Minister made a fundamental error in appointing him.' The UK has faced calls to publish legal advice on whether it would be lawful to assist Israel in attacking Iran. Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: 'The Government needs to publish any legal advice received around involvement in the conflict with Iran. 'The last thing we need is for the UK to be dragged into another illegal war in the Middle East by the US.' Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping condemned Israel's strikes on Iran in a phone call which was held today, the Kremlin has said. Both men strongly condemned 'Israeli actions which violated the UN Charter and other norms of international law,' a Kremlin aide told reporters. He said there was a consensus that Israeli and Western concerns about Iran's nuclear programme could not be solved militarily and that only diplomacy could succeed. Xi, the Chinese president, also told Putin that he was in favour on Russian mediation efforts on Iran. Israel's defence minister has said Iran's supreme leader 'can no longer be allowed to exist' after Iran's strike on an Israeli hospital. 'Khamenei openly declares that he wants Israel destroyed - he personally gives the order to fire on hospitals,' Israel Katz told journalists in Holon near Tel Aviv, which was struck by Iranian missiles this morning. 'He considers the destruction of the state of Israel to be a goal. 'Such a man can no longer be allowed to exist.' He added that the IDF had been 'instructed' and knows that 'in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist'. The Telegraph has been able to verify footage that captures the moment an Iranian missile struck an Israeli hospital this morning. Dozens of people were injured in the attack, which occurred at around 7am local time (5am in the UK). Credit: Social Media China has evacuated more than 1,600 citizens from Iran and hundreds more from Israel, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said this morning. Evacuation efforts are ongoing and China has maintained communication with Iran, Israel, Egypt and Oman, spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters. Mr Guo added that China had urged all parties - especially Israel - to immediately stop striking Iran. The number of people injured in Iran's missile attacks has risen to 129, according to Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service. The Iranian missile that slammed into a densely packed area of housing in Holon just south of Tel Aviv just after 7am this morning injured dozens and left four seriously wounded. The devastation was immense and it was a miracle no one was killed. If you had to guess where pictures of the site came from, many would say Gaza. The missile hit one ageing five storey block directly, completely demolishing it and leaving the four immediately adjacent buildings without windows and structurally unstable. A surrounding 12 floor high rise had its cladding and glass stripped away from to bottom on two sides, and even 400 meters away on surrounding streets the blast had blown out doors and windows. The local synagogue was badly damaged and a school and three local kindergartens were strewn with rubble. Gill Vaknin, 57, said he had just got into his building's shared bomb shelter when the missile hit. There was no 'whoosh' of warning, just an 'incredibly loud and powerful blast'. 'It's hard to describe,' he said, 'the whole building shook. If we were not in the shelter I would not be talking to you now'. The strike on was one of three that got through in a 20 missile barrage that arrived early Thursday, just as lockdown regulations had been relaxed to allow most businesses to reopen. The roads were much busier ahead of the strike but are noticeably quieter again now. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced its first combat use of the Sejjil missile, the longest range missile in its arsenal, with a range of 2,000 kilometers. The IRGC is also echoing Israel's language about gaining supremacy in the skies, claiming it has 'shattered the Zionist army's air defence systems' and warning that the 'gates of hell' would soon open on Israel. All this – the missiles and the messaging – is directed at wearing down the Israeli military and its public as war rages on. Prior to the launch of the Sejjil, experts had believed that Iran had used missiles with a maximum range 1,750 kilometers in its attacks against Israel last October. Attack drones, too, have been used. It's unclear how much remains in Iran's war chest; in 2022, the US estimated about 3,000 missiles, though more recent Israeli assessments put it closer to 2,000. Now that war has begun, and Iran is firing missiles from its stock, those figures will be dwindling, especially as experts note that production capacity – assessed by the US to be about 50 missiles per month – would not be enough to sustain the regime's current rate of fire. 'Iran will, therefore, need to carefully calibrate its use of a limited missile arsenal for the duration and intensity of the conflict,' said Fabian Hinz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Israel, too, is thought to be running low on US-supplied Arrow interceptors, which are used to shoot down ballistic missiles fired from Iran. Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by Lord Hermer that UK involvement in a US attack on Iran could be illegal. Advice ascribed to the Attorney General is understood to have said that Britain must limit its involvement to protecting its allies from attack. On Wednesday afternoon, Sir Keir held a meeting of the Cobra crisis committee at which options for joining a US-led strike were discussed, with Donald Trump suggesting he was poised to enter Israel's war. Britain's capabilities extend from offering air and maritime logistics support in the Gulf to shooting down attack drones targeting Israel or even firing submarine-launched missiles at Iran itself. The missile landed in Ramat Gan, just east of Tel Aviv, shortly after 7am, obliterating a kindergarten, according to witnesses, and devastating a high-rise apartment block next door. The barrage hit Israel just as people were venturing out to go to work for the first time in a week, after restrictions were lifted thanks, in part, to the army's success in intercepting them. Mercifully, restrictions on education had not yet been lifted. Iran's first direct hit for nearly 48 hours, the missile has not left an intact window for hundreds of metres in each direction. Even an hour after the blast, as emergency workers scoured the damaged high-rise for casualties, whole panes were still occasionally falling out onto the pavement below - a grave risk to the emergency workers going about their mission. Einav Chicurel, was sheltering with her two rescue dogs, Chloe and Eva, in the safe room when the ballistic hit. 'When the bang happened the shelter immediately filled with dust. 'I'm not in the government, so I can't answer whether it's worth it. But it must be good to give the Iranian people a chance of freedom.' Although, miraculously, it appears no one was severely injured in this direct hit, the minutes after the strike were ones of fear and confusion for the residents, with news breaking out on the building WhatsApp group of a fire spreading in the upper floors. People did not know whether to stay put and wait for the all-clear, or flee for their lives. Russia has again warned the US against getting involved in Israel's military campaign against Iran. The Kremlin said this morning that doing so would lead to 'another terrible spiral of escalation'. It comes after Donald Trump approved plans to attack Iran, though he is yet to give the final order. Vladimir Putin reportedly offered to mediate talks between Israel and Iran in a phone call with Mr Trump, according to the US president. Mr Trump claimed he responded by telling Putin: 'I spoke to him yesterday, and, you know, he actually offered to help mediate. I said, do me a favour. Mediate your own. Let's mediate Russia first, okay? I said, Vladimir, let's mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later.' After Donald Trump approved plans to attack Iran, his defence chiefs will now be gaming out the possible retaliation. The US president has not yet given the order, but the Pentagon will be looking closely at how the Iranian regime could strike back. Washington has put its 40,000 troops deployed in the Middle East, including in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, on high alert amid escalating tensions. Here are the top threats they must consider. The most conventional of Iran's possible retaliations against America would be through its arsenal of ballistic missiles. The Islamic regime has launched hundreds at Israel in response to the Jewish state's ongoing campaign to cripple its nuclear programme and military capabilities. We're here just south of Tel Aviv, where a ballistic missile ploughed into a housing estate early this morning. The missile directly hit one building and the shock wave blasted the windows and rooms out of all the surrounding buildings. Most people were in bomb shelters - as I was - keeping out of harm's way. There was a barrage earlier this morning but this one was obviously a lot bigger. Around 20 missiles were fired and several clearly got through. The number of people injured in today's Iranian attacks is 65, according to Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service. This includes a man in his 80s and two women in their 70s in a serious condition. Two women in their 80s are in 'moderate condition'. Some 42 are in a mild condition, while 18 were hurt on their way to bomb shelters. Israel has ordered its army to 'increase the intensity' of its attacks on Iran after Tehran fired missiles at a hospital in the south of the country. 'The cowardly Iranian dictator sits in the depths of the fortified bunker and fires aimed shots at hospitals and residential buildings in Israel,' said Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister. 'These are war crimes of the most serious kind - and Khamenei will be held accountable for his crimes. 'The Prime Minister and I have instructed the IDF to increase the intensity of attacks against strategic targets in Iran and against government targets in Tehran in order to remove threats to the State of Israel and undermine the ayatollahs' regime.' Credit: X/@SharrenHaskel David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, will reportedly attend nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva tomorrow. He will join ministers from Germany and France, in coordination with the US, in a meeting with Iran's foreign minister. The goal of the talks is to guarantee that Iran doesn't weaponise its nuclear programme, Sky News reported. Moving away from Iran's latest missile attack, Donald Trump has approved a plan to attack Iran but is yet to give a final order, according to White House officials. Mr Trump gave private instructions to military chiefs in the situation room inside the White House on Wednesday, sources told US media. He told reporters: 'I have ideas on what to do but I haven't made a final – I like to make the final decision one second before it's due.' Sources said Mr Trump was waiting to see if Iran would concede to a last minute deal to end its nuclear programme before moving forward with attack plans. Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to enact revenge on the 'tyrants in Tehran' after Iran struck an Israeli hospital in a missile attack. 'This morning, Iran's terrorist tyrants launched missiles at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba and at a civilian population in the centre of the country,' the Israeli prime minister said. 'We will exact the full price from the tyrants in Tehran.' Israel targeted the nuclear reactor in the area of Arak in Iran overnight and what it called a nuclear weapons development site in the area of Natanz, the military has said. Earlier, the IDF warned people living in the cities of Arak and Khondab, which are near the heavy-water research reactor, to evacuate. Israel's deputy foreign affairs minister has described Iran's missile attack on a hospital as 'deliberate' and 'criminal'. Sharren Haskel said that site was 'not a military base' but ' a hospital'. 'This is the main medical centre for Israel's entire Negev region,' she said. 'Deliberate. Criminal. Civilian target. The world must speak out.' Iranian missiles did not just strike a hospital in Beersheba, southern Israel, but also a building in Ramat Gan, a city east of Tel Aviv. At least 32 people have been injured in Iran's attack on an Israeli hospital. Two people are in a serious condition, while 30 have mild injuries, according to Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service. The Soroka Hospital in Beersheba - the main health centre in the south - suffered 'extensive damage' after Iran launched 'dozens' of missiles, according to authorities. A hospital in Israel's south has been struck, Israel's foreign ministry said, as Iran fired a fresh salvo of missiles at the country. 'BREAKING: A direct hit has been reported at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, southern Israel. More details to follow,' the foreign ministry posted on X. A spokesperson for the hospital reported 'damage to the hospital and extensive damage in various areas'. 'We are currently assessing the damage, including injuries,' they said. 'We ask the public not to come to the hospital at this time.' Israel has struck Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, Iranian state television confirmed on Thursday. The report said there was 'no radiation danger whatsoever' and that the facility had already been evacuated before the attack. Israel overnight warned it would attack the facility and urged the public to flee the area. Several explosions sounded in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Thursday morning, as sirens rung out in several parts of the country amid a wave of Iranian missile strikes. According to the journalists at the scene in Jerusalem, the explosions heard around 7.10am (4.10am GMT) were the biggest since the conflict with Iran began one week ago. We will be bringing you the latest out of the Iran-Israel conflict today. Just in: Iran has launched a new wave of missile strikes at Israel. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.