The conflict in the Middle East continues. The US has targeted Kharg Island with a series of attacks, destroying only its military facilities. Shortly before boarding Air Force One for Florida, Donald Trump announced on Truth that the US had launched heavy air strikes against the island, sparing the vital infrastructure through which approximately 90% of all Iranian crude oil passes.
A move aimed at pressuring Tehran not to interfere with maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded immediately, threatening to "burn to ashes" US-linked oil infrastructure in the Middle East.
During the night, a barrage of drones hit Baghdad, where the American embassy was hit. Hamas appealed to Tehran: "Ceasefire against neighboring countries."
Missiles fired at Israel and Lebanon: A raid on a medical center in Beirut kills 12 personnel, while an Israeli attack hits a UNIFIL base in the south.
LIVE:
22.17 – Iranian missiles rain down
Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced this evening that they had launched a salvo of missiles against U.S. forces stationed at the Prince Sultan Air Base, near Riyadh. Although Saudi authorities did not immediately confirm the attack, the kingdom's Defense Ministry had previously reported intercepting six missiles aimed at Al-Kharj, where the base is located.
January 20 – Israel-Lebanon, Paris' plan to end the war
The French government has developed a proposal to end the war in Lebanon, which would include an unprecedented step: Lebanon's recognition of Israel. Three sources familiar with the details told Israeli television station Channel 12. Under Paris's proposal, Israel and Lebanon will begin negotiations, with the support of the United States and France, for a "political declaration," expected to be agreed upon within a month. This will emphasize the Lebanese government's commitment to respecting Israel's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
7:30 PM – Iran to neighboring countries: "Kick out the Americans."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on neighboring countries to "expel" American forces in the Middle East. "The US security umbrella has proven to be full of flaws and, rather than deterring problems, has encouraged them," Abbas Araghchi writes in a post on X. "Iran calls on its brotherly countries to expel foreign aggressors, especially since their only concern is Israel," he adds.
6:00 PM – Guterres: "Israel must respect Lebanon's sovereignty."
"It is imperative that Hezbollah respects the government's decision to assert full control over its weapons," and "it is imperative that Israel respects Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The war must end." This was stated in a speech delivered in Beirut by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called for an end to the war and for united international support for the Lebanese government.
5:15 PM – Iran: "We will target US companies' facilities."
Iran will target facilities owned by U.S. companies in the Middle East if its energy infrastructure is attacked, according to a warning issued by Tehran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
4:35 PM – Possible talks between Israel and Lebanon
Israeli and Lebanese officials are expected to meet in the coming days for a series of talks, Haaretz reports, citing two informed sources.
4:20 PM – The son of the last Shah: "Ready to lead Iran"
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last Shah, has declared himself ready to lead the country "as soon as the Islamic Republic falls." In a message posted on his social media profiles, Pahlavi, who resides in the US, said he is working to select people from both Iran and abroad who will be part of a "transitional system."
3:30 PM – Trump: "Coalition of countries for Hormuz"
"Many countries, especially those affected by Iran's attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships—in cooperation with the United States—to keep the Strait open and safe," Donald Trump wrote in Truth. "It is hoped that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and other countries affected by this artificial restriction will send ships to the area, so that the Strait of Hormuz ceases to pose a threat from a nation that has been totally decapitated," he added.
3:00 PM – Israeli media: "450 kg of enriched uranium found in Iran"
"Somewhere deep underground in Iran, inside dozens of sealed lead cylinders, 450 kilograms of enriched uranium are hidden, enough material for 11 nuclear bombs. Experts warn that as long as enriched uranium remains on Iranian soil, this war will be far from a success," Israeli TV Channel 12 reported.
2:15 PM – Iranian media: "The Kharg oil terminal is fully operational."
Iranian officials told Tehran news agencies that oil exports from Kharg Island are continuing normally, despite last night's US strikes. The Guardian reports. Sources told the semi-official Tasnim news agency that the oil terminal is "fully operational" and operations are "continuing without interruption," adding that no casualties have been reported. The Mehr news agency stated that "the situation on the island has quickly returned to normal and conditions are under control." Kharg Island handles approximately 90% of Iran's oil exports.
1:00 PM – US strikes over 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island
«Last night, US forces conducted a large-scale precision strike on Kharg Island, Iran. The attack destroyed naval mines, missile bunkers, and numerous other military sites. U.S. forces successfully struck more than 90 Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, while preserving oil infrastructure. This was reported by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on X.
12:00 PM – Katz: "The war with Iran is intensifying, approaching the decisive phase."
"The battle against Iran is intensifying, and we are entering the decisive phase that will continue as long as necessary. Only the Iranian people can put an end to this with a determined fight, until the overthrow of the terrorist regime," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, as reported by Ynet. "I congratulate President Trump on the heavy blow dealt last night by the US military to the Iranian oil island: this is the appropriate response to the minefields in the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian terrorist regime's blackmail attempts," he added.
11:00 AM – 54 Pahlavi supporters arrested in Iran, 11 neutralized
Iranian police have arrested 54 supporters of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah who, from exile, offered to lead the country's transition. The state-run Fars news agency, cited by the Times of Israel, reported the arrests, adding that they "were allegedly planning uprisings in the country." Eleven other individuals belonging to what is being called the "monarchist faction" were reportedly "neutralized" during the operation, while two others were arrested on charges of spying for Israel and the United States and photographing "important sites."
10:30 a.m. Attacks in Iran in Tabriz, Urmia, and Tehran
Attacks and explosions were reported this morning in Tabriz and Urmia, two cities in northwestern Iran, Iran International reports. Additionally, Israeli media outlet Ynet cites Iranian media as saying that air raid sirens have been sounded again in Tehran. Several explosions were also heard in Urmia.
9:40 a.m. – Iranian warship docks in India: "Most of the sailors repatriated."
The Indian news agency PTI, citing what it calls "people familiar with the matter," states that the New Delhi government has "repatriated non-essential crew members from an Iranian warship that docked in Kochi on March 4, amid the escalation of the military conflict between Iran and the United States." According to New Delhi, on February 28, Iran requested permission to dock three of its ships in Indian ports, and permission was granted on March 1. According to PTI, one of the three ships was the Iris Dena, the Iranian frigate sunk in an attack off the coast of Sri Lanka claimed by the US. The other ship, according to PTI, was the Iris Bushehr, which later docked in Trincomalee, also in Sri Lanka.
8:20 a.m. – Iranian media: "No damage to Kharg oil infrastructure."
During the US attacks on the Iranian island of Kharg, around 15 explosions and thick smoke were reported, but no oil facilities were damaged, according to the Fars news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Previously, US President Donald Trump stated that all military facilities on Kharg had been attacked. Fars added that the enemy attempted to attack the army's defense systems, the port of Joshan, the airport tower, and the helicopter base, but no oil facilities were damaged.
7:40 AM – Media, Israel plans major ground operation in Lebanon
Israel is planning "a massive ground invasion" of southern Lebanon, aiming to "seize control" of the area bordered to the north by the Litani River and "disrupt Hezbollah's military infrastructure," Axios reports, citing several Israeli and US officials. Israel's planned intervention, the same outlet adds, could constitute its "largest ground invasion" of Lebanese territory since 2006.
7:00 AM – Hamas to Iran: Cease attacks on neighboring countries
Hamas has urged its ally Iran to cease attacks against its Gulf neighbors in response to the Israeli-American attacks. "While affirming the Islamic Republic of Iran's right to respond to this aggression with all possible means," the Islamic movement stated on Telegram, "in accordance with international norms and law, the movement calls on its brothers in Iran not to target their neighbors."
6 a.m. – Trump: "Iran is completely defeated and wants a deal, but not one I will accept."
"Iran is completely defeated and wants a deal—but not one I will accept." US President Donald Trump announced this on Truth, adding that "the fake news media hate reporting on the successes the US military has achieved against Iran."
5:00 AM – U.S. Embassy in Baghdad hit by drone
A drone strike has hit the US Embassy in Baghdad, a senior Iraqi security official announced. A France Presse journalist saw black smoke billowing over the diplomatic compound in the heart of the Iraqi capital. Another security official confirmed the attack, which followed numerous explosions heard overnight, which also killed two people.
