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Israel issued a stark warning on Friday, indicating its intention to “escalate and expand” its military actions against Iran. This development comes as US President Donald Trump contends that negotiations aimed at halting the conflict are progressing positively, while simultaneously extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Despite these diplomatic efforts, Iran shows no signs of retreating from its current stance.
The ongoing conflict has sent shockwaves through global markets, with the economic repercussions felt far beyond the Middle Eastern borders. President Trump faces mounting pressure to dismantle Iran’s grip on the strait, a pivotal maritime route through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply is transported.
Tehran has turned down a 15-point proposal from the US for a ceasefire, which among other things, demands Iran relinquish control of the strait. Despite rejecting this proposal, Iran has deployed additional troops to the region, potentially preparing for a military confrontation to maintain its hold over this vital passage.
In response to the escalating tensions, President Trump has issued a stern ultimatum: if Iran fails to reopen the strait for all maritime traffic by April 6, he will authorize the targeting of Iran’s energy infrastructure. On Thursday, Trump reassured the public that discussions aimed at resolving the conflict were proceeding “very well,” although Iran continues to deny any such negotiations are taking place.
In Israel, the air raid sirens have become a regular alarm as the military reports the interception of Iranian missiles on a daily basis. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared that Iran will incur “heavy, increasing prices for this war crime,” highlighting the ongoing volatility and the serious implications for regional stability.
Air raid sirens sounded in Israel and the military said it has been intercepting Iranian missiles on a daily basis. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran “will pay heavy, increasing prices for this war crime.”
“Despite the warnings, the firing continues,” Katz said.
“And therefore attacks in Iran will escalate and expand to additional targets and areas that assist the regime in building and operating weapons against Israeli citizens.”
Israel’s military said its attacks on Friday targeted sites “in the heart of Tehran” where ballistic missiles and other weapons are produced. It said it also hit missile launchers and storage sites in Western Iran.
Smoke rose over Beirut after a pre-dawn strike, and Lebanon’s Health Ministry later reported two people were killed.
Iran launches missiles and drones at its Gulf Arab neighbours
Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said it shot down missiles and drones targeting the capital, Riyadh.
Kuwait said its Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait City and the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port to the north, which is under construction as part of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, sustained “material damage” in attacks. It appeared to be one of the first times a Chinese-affiliated project in the Gulf Arab states has come under assault in the war. China has continued to purchase Iranian crude.
US stocks fell on opening on Friday, in a fifth straight losing week — Wall Street’s longest such streak in nearly four years. The S&P 500 dropped 0.4 per cent in early trading on Friday. The Dow lost 0.6 per cent, and the Nasdaq fell 0.6 per cent, breaking the week’s pattern of flip‑flopping gains and losses as hopes for an end to the war vacillated.
Asian shares also fell on Friday over growing doubts about the chances of de-escalation. Oil prices rose again, the Brent crude, the international standard, at $107 a barrel in morning trading, up more than 45 per cent since Israel and the US attacked Iran on February 28 to start the war.
US pushes diplomatic solution while sending more troops to the region
Iran’s stranglehold on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has increased concerns of a global energy crisis, and appears part of a strategy to get the US to back down by roiling the world economy. A Gulf Arab bloc said on Thursday that Iran has been exacting tolls from ships to ensure safe passage.
Trump envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington delivered a 15-point “action list” to Iran for a possible ceasefire, using Pakistan as an intermediary. It proposes restricting Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran rejected the US offer and presented its own five-point proposal that included reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over the vital strait.
Diplomats from several countries have tried to organise a direct meeting between US and Iranian envoys, possibly in Pakistan.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday that Foreign Minster Badr Abdelatty spoke with his Turkish and Pakistani counterparts by phone as part of “intensive efforts” to organise the talks.
Abdelatty said they hoped for “gradual de-escalation efforts that would ultimately lead to the end of the war.”
Meanwhile, US ships drew closer to the region carrying some 2500 Marines, and at least 1000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne — trained to land in hostile territory to secure key positions and airfields — have been ordered to the Middle East.
The UN Security Council will engage in a closed consultation on Iran on Friday, according to two UN diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting is not public. They said Russia requested the meeting and that the US — which holds the Security Council presidency — scheduled it.
Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said its teams in Iran have reported “countless homes, hospitals and schools have been damaged or destroyed,” and that nearly every neighbourhood in Tehran has sustained damage.
“Civilians are paying the highest price for this war — it must end” Egeland said in a statement.
The UN’s International Organisation for Migration said Friday that 82,000 civilian buildings in Iran, including hospitals and the homes of 180,000 people, are damaged.
“If this war continues, we risk a far wider humanitarian disaster,” Egeland said.
“Millions could be forced to flee across borders, placing immense pressure on an already overstretched region.”
Israel deployed the 162nd Division into southern Lebanon to support efforts to protect its northern border towns from Hezbollah attacks and uproot the militant group, the military said.
Death toll climbs, primarily in Iran and Lebanon
Eighteen people have died in Israel, while four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon. Two Israeli soldiers were severely injured in Lebanon on Friday during an “operational accident,” the military said.
Authorities said more than 1100 people have died in Lebanon and over 1900 people have been killed in Iran.
At least 13 American troops have been killed and four people in the occupied West Bank and 20 in Gulf Arab states have also died.
In Iraq, where Iranian-supported militia groups have entered the conflict, 80 members of the security forces have died.
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