Iran War Live: Tehran Vows to 'Completely Close' Hormuz if Power Plants Hit Tehran has issued a stark warning, threatening to fully block the Strait of Hormuz and launch retaliatory strikes on regional energy and water infrastructure if the United States attacks its power plants. The declaration comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with Israeli forces recently targeting critical infrastructure in Lebanon as part of the broader conflict involving Iran, the U.S., and Israel. The Israeli military struck the Qasimiyah Bridge in southern Lebanon, a location near the border with Syria, in an operation described by President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon as a “prelude to a ground invasion.” The attack, which left visible smoke rising from the area, has intensified fears of a wider regional conflict. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, has been engaged in a prolonged standoff with Israeli forces, and the destruction of the bridge is seen as a significant escalation in the conflict. Iran’s threats to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for global oil shipments, underscore the country’s determination to protect its strategic interests. The strait’s closure could have severe economic repercussions, affecting energy markets worldwide. Iran’s military officials have previously warned that any attack on their nuclear facilities or power infrastructure would trigger a massive retaliation, including strikes on key energy hubs in the Gulf. The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran has grown increasingly complex, with multiple fronts of engagement. Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria and Lebanon have been accompanied by U.S. military support for Israel, including intelligence sharing and logistical aid.#iran #israel #strait_of_hormuz #hezbollah #lebanon
Lebanon's Prime Minister Urges Trump to Mediate Ceasefire Amid Escalating Conflict Lebanon’s prime minister, Nawaf Salam, made an urgent plea Thursday to U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the ongoing conflict, demanding an immediate ceasefire and direct negotiations with Israel. Speaking exclusively to CNN, Salam emphasized the need for a resolution “yesterday, not tomorrow,” as the death toll from Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah reached 1,000, with over 100 of the casualties being children, according to Lebanese officials. Salam framed his appeal to Trump as a call for the U.S. to play a decisive role in ending the war, describing the country as a “strategic partner.” He reiterated Lebanon’s willingness to engage in immediate talks with Israel, stating, “We are ready for negotiations with Israel,” while urging greater U.S. involvement. The conflict, which began 17 days ago when Hezbollah launched projectiles into Israel to avenge the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has seen the situation worsen in recent days as Israel’s military campaign expanded to include a broader ground invasion. While France has proposed potential settlement ideas, and there are ongoing contacts with U.S. officials, Salam said actual negotiations have not yet begun. A major obstacle to peace remains Lebanon’s refusal to recognize the state of Israel. When pressed on whether such a concession could be part of a peace deal, Salam avoided a direct answer, instead blaming Israel for the stalled progress. “We have been extending our hands for two weeks to have direct talks with the Israelis,” he said. “So far, we haven’t received an agenda from the Israelis.” He added that Lebanon would only address the issue once Israel provides a clear plan.#israel #donald_trump #hezbollah #lebanon #nawaf_salam
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam asserts President Trump is uniquely positioned to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In an exclusive interview with CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh, Salam emphasized that Lebanon is prepared to engage in diplomatic discussions with Israel but has not yet received a clear framework to initiate meaningful negotiations. He also reiterated his firm stance against accepting any territorial concessions, including buffer zones, that would encroach upon Lebanon’s sovereignty. Salam’s remarks highlight Lebanon’s strategic position in regional peace efforts, though the absence of a defined negotiation agenda has stalled progress. The prime minister’s comments underscore the complexities of brokering a lasting resolution, particularly given the deep-seated tensions between Israel and its neighbors. While Lebanon remains open to dialogue, its willingness to participate hinges on the presence of a structured plan that addresses its security concerns and territorial integrity. The interview underscores the broader challenges in achieving a Middle East peace settlement, with Trump’s potential role as a mediator gaining renewed attention. Salam’s emphasis on Trump’s unique influence reflects the belief that a former U.S. president’s diplomatic experience could offer a fresh perspective on a conflict that has persisted for decades. However, the lack of a clear roadmap for negotiations suggests that significant hurdles remain before any substantial progress can be made.#israel #lebanon #president_trump #lebanese_prime_minister #nawaf_salam
"Very difficult to stop": BBC visits scene of Iran cluster bomb strike on Israel An Iranian cluster bomb struck an elderly couple’s apartment in central Israel late at night, killing both of them. The explosion left behind a clear path of destruction, with a large hole in the ceiling of their top-floor unit and broken concrete and metal rods pushed inward. Shrapnel damage on the back walls showed the force of the blast, which destroyed the front of the apartment and left it open to the street. Inside, a walking frame lay overturned under ash-covered furniture and rubble. Sigal Amir, a neighbor who was sheltering in a safe room during the attack, described hearing three intercepted missiles before the fourth one struck their home. “There was a massive boom, and I felt a pain in my ear from the blast,” she said. She noted that the couple had not been in the shelter, as one of them had mobility issues. The explosion also blew off the door of a nearby house, leaving it filled with dust like snow. Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani visited the site and explained that while missiles carrying cluster bombs are often intercepted, the munitions themselves are harder to stop. Each missile can carry 20 to 80 cluster bombs, which spread over a wide area. “We had dozens of impact points like this in central Israel,” he said. Despite intercepting many missiles, the dispersed nature of cluster bombs makes them particularly dangerous. The attack is part of a broader conflict where Iran has increasingly used cluster munitions. While air defenses have prevented most Iranian missile strikes from causing casualties in Israel, the use of cluster bombs complicates efforts to protect civilians. To date, only 14 people have been killed directly by Iranian strikes, with nine of them in a single attack in Bet Shemesh early in the war.#iran #israel #hezbollah #benjamin_netanyahu #lebanon
Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have escalated, with new air raids and ground attacks targeting Hezbollah positions, marking a significant expansion of the regional conflict. The Israeli Defense Ministry announced "limited and targeted ground operations" on Monday, intensifying its military presence in the area. This follows a series of attacks by Hezbollah, which launched rockets and drones at Israel for the first time in over a year in response to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran. The violence has led to widespread casualties and displacement. Between March 2 and March 16, Israeli attacks killed at least 886 people, including 67 women, 111 children, and 38 health workers, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. Over 2,141 others were wounded. More than one million Lebanese have been displaced from their homes, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stating that the return of residents to southern Lebanon would only occur once the safety of Israelis is guaranteed. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) shows at least 394 Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2. These attacks have primarily targeted southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut, with additional strikes in the Bekaa Valley and Baalbek in eastern Lebanon. In Beirut, Israeli warplanes have bombed areas like Haret Hreik, the Bashoura neighborhood, and Ramlet al-Baida, where displaced families sought refuge. The Dahiyeh region, once home to nearly one million people, has become a focal point of the conflict, with most residents forcibly evacuated. The human toll of the conflict is staggering.#hezbollah #israeli_defense_minister_israel_katz #lebanon #israeli_defense_ministry #armed_conflict_location_event_data
Iran attacks Israel and Gulf neighbors as Israel hits Beirut Iran launched attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab states following the killing of one of its top leaders in an Israeli airstrike, escalating tensions in the Middle East. The strikes, which included some of Iran’s latest missiles, targeted Israel and neighboring countries, with two casualties reported near Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Israel intensified its military operations in Lebanon, striking multiple apartment buildings in Beirut and killing at least six people. The conflict shows no signs of slowing, with both sides continuing to escalate their actions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that a projectile struck Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant complex but caused no injuries or damage. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi urged for “maximum restraint” during the conflict to prevent a nuclear accident. The price of Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, remained above $100 per barrel in early trading, up over 40% since the war began on February 28. Iran has been targeting the energy infrastructure of Gulf states and military bases as part of a strategy to raise oil prices and pressure Washington. Iran has also maintained its efforts to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport. Concerns over a potential global energy crisis have grown as Iran insists the strait remains open, though only to non-U.S. and non-allied vessels. The U.S. military has responded by launching deep-penetrator bombs on Iranian missile sites near the strait, while President Donald Trump criticized allies for not supporting efforts to secure the waterway. Iran executed a man it accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad agency, identifying him as Kourosh Keyvani. The judiciary alleged he provided sensitive location data to Israel.#iran #israel #strait_of_hormuz #hezbollah #lebanon
US-Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates with Ground Operations, Missile Strikes and Regional Impact The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has intensified into one of the most volatile crises in the Middle East, with missile strikes, drone attacks, and air raids reported across multiple countries. The confrontation began after coordinated American and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military infrastructure, triggering a series of retaliatory attacks from Tehran and expanding the conflict beyond the three main adversaries. Since the initial strikes, the war has rapidly spread across multiple fronts, with Iran launching ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israeli cities and US military installations in the Gulf region. Countries hosting American bases, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait, have reported intercepting drones or missile threats, underscoring the conflict’s broad geographical reach. The fighting has disrupted global energy routes, particularly around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which carries a significant portion of the world’s oil shipments. Fears that the conflict could affect tanker traffic have already pushed global energy markets into uncertainty. US President Donald Trump has stated that Washington is in contact with Tehran but believes Iran is not yet ready to reach a deal. He also claimed that US and Israeli strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s military infrastructure, including its air defense systems and drone production capabilities. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, noted that nuclear material at Iranian facilities is buried under rubble following recent attacks and emphasized that it could only be retrieved under supervision from the International Atomic Energy Agency.#us #iran #israel #strait_of_hormuz #lebanon
Over 1,000 children injured in Iran; Deaths and displaced mount in Lebanon amid Israeli assault; IEA to release unprecedented 400M barrels of oil reserves U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have continued to target Iran for the twelfth consecutive day, escalating civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Nearly 20,000 civilian buildings have been damaged across the country, with reports of 77 medical centers and 65 educational institutions affected. The Iranian Red Crescent Society confirmed over 19,000 civilian structures were damaged since the conflict began, including 16 of its own facilities. In Tehran, strikes have targeted residential areas, with witnesses reporting explosions near homes and a villa destroyed in the Mehrshahr district. The death toll in Iran has surpassed 1,300, with more than 17,000 injured, including over 1,000 children—65 under the age of 5 and 35 infants under two. Russia condemned the destruction of its consulate in Isfahan, which was damaged during earlier strikes on a nearby governor’s office. Moscow called the attack a “blatant violation” of international law and is pushing for a UN Security Council resolution to halt the conflict. Meanwhile, Iraqi militias claimed to have launched 31 drone and missile strikes on U.S. bases, though no evidence of casualties was provided. A drone attack on the U.S. Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center resulted in one drone hitting near a guard tower, according to the Washington Post. The conflict has also disrupted global energy markets, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) voting to release 400 million barrels of oil reserves. The move follows reports of a drone strike that shut down Abu Dhabi’s Ruwais refinery complex, one of the world’s largest single-site refineries.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #hezbollah #lebanon #international_energy_agency
Israel Vs Lebanon | Tensions High In Israel Border, Death Toll Rises In Lebanon Israeli strikes have intensified along the border with Lebanon, resulting in casualties and destruction in the region. Officials reported at least 10 deaths in Sir al-Gharbiyeh, with buildings damaged and multiple injuries reported. The escalating conflict involves Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran, with tensions rising as military actions continue. The situation has drawn international attention, highlighting the ongoing instability in the area. The attacks have led to increased casualties and further destabilization, raising concerns about the broader implications for regional security. The involvement of multiple factions has complicated efforts to de-escalate the situation, with each side accusing the other of escalating hostilities. The conflict has also prompted discussions about the humanitarian impact and the need for diplomatic solutions to prevent further loss of life. As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely monitoring developments, with calls for restraint and dialogue to address the underlying causes of the conflict.#iran #israel #hezbollah #lebanon #sir_al_gharbiyeh
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli forces killed a top Hezbollah commander in an airstrike and confirmed over a million Lebanese civilians have followed evacuation orders. According to the defense ministry, the IDF’s Northern Command reported that 650,000 people have left Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, while an additional 500,000 have evacuated southern Lebanon. The IDF issued evacuation warnings for the entire southern region of Lebanon and four major neighborhoods in Beirut’s south ahead of targeted strikes on Hezbollah positions. Katz’s office stated that the commander of Hezbollah’s Nasr Unit, Abu Hussein Ra’ab, was eliminated in an IDF strike earlier that night. The Nasr Unit is one of three regional divisions of Hezbollah operating in southern Lebanon, responsible for the area between Mount Dov and the Bint Jbeil region. The defense minister emphasized that Israel would not retreat from its stance against Hezbollah, stating the operation presented an opportunity to strike the group and impose a “very, very great security” outcome. The IDF’s actions followed reports of Hezbollah’s missile attacks on central Israel, which caused infrastructure damage and injured 16 people. Meanwhile, Jerusalem sought to resume school operations for young children on Wednesday, while other cities awaited similar decisions. The article also noted ongoing efforts to provide accurate coverage of the conflict, with calls for readers to support The Times of Israel Community to access exclusive content and ad-free reporting.#hezbollah #israel_katz #nasr_unit #beirut #lebanon
Iran updates: Bombing rages as US Senate fails to curb Trump war powers US and Israel continue to bombard Iran and Lebanon, as Tehran’s counterstrikes disrupt oil flows in the Middle East. The ongoing conflict has intensified with airstrikes targeting key infrastructure in both countries, while Iran’s retaliatory strikes have further complicated regional energy markets. Analysts warn that the escalating violence risks deepening economic instability across the Middle East, particularly as oil shipments face delays and supply chain disruptions. The situation has drawn international attention, with calls for diplomatic resolution amid growing concerns over the humanitarian impact of the prolonged hostilities.#us #oil #iran #middle_east #lebanon
Middle East Conflict Escalates as Israel, Iran, and Allies Engage in Escalating Military Actions The Middle East war entered its seventh day on Friday, with Israel intensifying strikes on Beirut as part of a broader conflict involving Iran, the United States, and regional allies. The fighting has drawn in multiple countries, including Lebanon, Bahrain, and Italy, as tensions escalate over Iran’s alleged attacks on Israeli and Western targets. Lebanon became embroiled in the conflict after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel to avenge the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The war has seen coordinated military actions, with Israel and the U.S. targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, including missile sites and naval assets. Reports indicate that over 60% of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers and 80% of its air-defense systems have been destroyed, according to Israeli military officials. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks, including strikes on Tel Aviv and Manama, Bahrain. While these attacks caused damage, they have not resulted in significant casualties. The U.S. military confirmed it has sunk more than 30 Iranian ships since the conflict began, including a large drone carrier ship that was reportedly set ablaze. President Donald Trump has remained a central figure in the conflict, suggesting Iran is seeking a deal with the U.S. amid the war. He also expressed interest in addressing Cuba, stating that the situation there is "just a question of time." Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the military campaign against Iran is focused on neutralizing its offensive capabilities without expanding objectives.#iran #israel #bahrain #hezbollah #lebanon
