Tensions continued Saturday when Iran launched a drone assault targeting Bahrain, home to the US Navy\u2019s 5th Fleet, in a likely response to overnight airstrikes<\/a> by the US. Hours later, the US said it struck multiple Iranian military targets after it said Iran attacked a ship near the Straight of Hormuz.<\/p>\n \t During the World Cup, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei and players complained about numerous complications, including travel restrictions, visa denials for support staff and quick departures from the US after matches. US officials have said all restrictions were known before the tournament.<\/p>\n The US and Israel began the war on February 28 by attacking Iran, which retaliated with attacks in the region and by asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n In March, Iran sought to move its group-stage matches to Mexico, with which it has diplomatic ties. Its request to move its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana was granted two weeks before the team\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n At its first match, several hundred Iranian Americans protested outside the stadium, calling for regime change in Tehran and waving the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun flag. Thousands more poured into the stadium to watch them play, and the pre-game national anthem was met with a mix of cheers and boos.<\/p>\n \t For the first two matches, near Los Angeles, the team was not permitted to travel until the day before and had to return to Mexico immediately after each game. The US then eased its restrictions, allowing the squad to travel to Seattle two days before Friday\u2019s match against Egypt. If Iran had advanced, it would have played its next match in Vancouver, British Columbia.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were treated very, very badly,\u201d Ghalenoei said after Friday\u2019s draw with Egypt left the Iranians clinging to a slim hope they would get to the next round. \u201cI hope the world becomes aware of these issues.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat these young Iranian national team players have done should be recorded in history,\u201d Ghalenoei said. \u201cWhy? Because the host treated us in the worst possible way.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t The war with Iran has been draining for all of us in Israel. But when I heard about a high casualty incident \u2013 ballistic missile impacts in Arad and Dimona that left nearly 200 people wounded \u2013 I drank a cup of coffee, packed a bag, and headed south.<\/p>\n There, I spoke with Shilgit, the head of an after-school program for underprivileged youth. Standing outside her destroyed center, Shilgit said it was a miracle that no children were hurt and spoke about the community coming together in the hours since.<\/p>\n As a Times of Israel reporter, I\u2019m committed to telling stories of resilience like Shilgit\u2019s. But my colleagues and I can’t do this alone. If you value work like this, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to keep real human reporting like this going.<\/p>\n \u2014 Stav Levaton, military reporter<\/p>\n \t\t\t
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\n\t\tAustria\u2019s Marcel Sabitzer (9) scores their second goal past Algeria goalkeeper Oussama Benbot (16) during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Missouri, June 27, 2026. (Reed Hoffmann\/AP)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26167104826087-640x400.jpg\")
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\n\t\tPeople unfurl a large Pre-revolutionary Iranian flag during a protest outside Los Angeles Stadium before the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, California, near Los Angeles, June 15, 2026. (AP\/Ty ONeil)<\/p>\n
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