{"id":30795,"date":"2026-03-22T02:58:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T02:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/?p=30795"},"modified":"2026-03-22T02:58:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T02:58:20","slug":"irans-president-says-immediate-cessation-of-us-israeli-aggression-needed-to-end-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/?p=30795","title":{"rendered":"Iran&#8217;s president says immediate cessation of US-Israeli aggression needed to end war"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em><strong>Calls on the BRICS bloc of major emerging \u200beconomies to play an independent role in halting aggression \u200cagainst \u2060Iran<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.tribune.com.pk\/media\/images\/iran-president-afp1751898172-0\/iran-president-afp1751898172-0-640x480.webp\" alt=\"iranian president masoud pezeshkian said israel tried to assassinate him during 12 day war photo afp\" title=\"iranian president masoud pezeshkian said israel tried to assassinate him during 12 day war photo afp\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel tried to assassinate him during 12-day war. PHOTO: AFP<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Iran&#8217;s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on \u200bSaturday that there needs to be \u200can &#8220;immediate cessation&#8221; of what he described as US-Israeli aggression to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/iran\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">end the war<\/a>&nbsp;and wider regional conflict, \u200bIran&#8217;s embassy in India said in \u200ba post on X on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pezeshkian spoke with \u2060India&#8217;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi by \u200bphone earlier in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pezeshkian told Modi \u200bthat there should be guarantees to prevent a recurrence of such &#8220;aggression&#8221; in the future. He also called \u200bon the BRICS bloc of major emerging \u200beconomies to play an independent role in halting aggression \u200cagainst \u2060Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Iranian president proposed a regional security framework comprising West Asian countries to ensure peace without foreign interference, according to the \u200bcountry&#8217;s embassy \u200bin India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In \u2060a separate post on X earlier today, Modi said \u200bhe condemned attacks on critical infrastructure \u200bin \u2060the Middle East in the discussion with Pezeshkian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Indian Premier further reiterated the importance \u2060of \u200bsafeguarding freedom of navigation \u200band ensuring shipping lanes remain open and secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Russia condemns attack on Iran&#8217;s Natanz facility&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned a US\u2011Israel attack on Iran\u2019s Natanz enrichment facility, while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) urged military restraint to avoid a nuclear incident in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This is a blatant violation of international law,&#8221; the ministry&#8217;s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The IAEA said on X that Iran had informed it of the attack on the Natanz nuclear site. No increase in radiation levels was reported, and the IAEA said it was \u2018looking into the report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Director General of the IAEA Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterated a call for military restraint to avoid a nuclear incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Iran&#8217;s\u00a0<em>Tasnim<\/em>\u00a0<em>News agency,<\/em>\u00a0\u201cno leakage of radioactive materials was reported in this complex, and no danger threatened the residents of the areas surrounding this site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>US-Israeli strikes on Iran \u2018will escalate significantly\u2019 this week: Katz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that\u00a0<strong>\u200b\u200b\u200b<\/strong>this week, the intensity of the US-Israeli strikes in Iran \u201cwill significantly escalate\u201d, during an assessment with military officials, according to\u00a0<em>Al Jazeera.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the&nbsp;<em>Times of Israel&nbsp;<\/em>newspaper, Katz said that Israel is \u201cdetermined to continue leading the offensive against the Iranian terror regime, to decapitate its commanders and thwart its strategic capabilities, until every security threat to the State of Israel and to US interests in the region is removed\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe will not stop until all war objectives are achieved,\u201d he was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Iran says it disrupted military flights with drones<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tehran says it \u201cseriously disrupted\u201d flights and Israeli military aircraft refuelling with drone strikes on fuel tanks, refuelling jets at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera,&nbsp;<\/em>the military released a statement saying attacks by Iran\u2019s army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on military targets also forced Israel to evacuate some army personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Attacks \u201cwill continue with force\u201d until the threat to Iran is \u201celiminated\u201d, it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ben Gurion Airport, a few kilometres southeast of Tel Aviv, houses special units of the Israeli military and sits next to maintenance and repair facilities for Israeli fighter jets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a statement by the Israeli military, they said that, &#8221; during an operational activity by the Israeli Air Force in Iranian airspace, the launch of a surface-to-air missile toward an Israeli aircraft was identified\u201d. According to&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera,&nbsp;<\/em>no damage was reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Iran FM says war was \u2018imposed\u2019 and rejects ceasefire in Kyodo interview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iran\u2019s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel was \u201cimposed\u201d on Iran, insisting that Tehran is acting in self-defence and will not accept a ceasefire under current conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In an interview with Kyodo News, Araghchi described the conflict as \u201can illegal, unjustified, and unprovoked act of aggression\u201d, saying Iran had been engaged in negotiations with the US when the attacks began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur message is that this war is not our war. This is a war that has been imposed on us,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat we are doing is purely self-defence. We will continue to defend ourselves, however necessary and for as long as necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He called on the international community to take a unified stance against what he described as aggression by the United States and Israel, urging global pressure to bring hostilities to an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Addressing Japan\u2019s potential role, Araghchi said Japan had traditionally maintained balanced relations with Iran and could play a constructive role in resolving the crisis. He noted he had spoken twice with Japan\u2019s foreign minister during the conflict and expressed hope that Tokyo could help end the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe hope that Japan can play a constructive role in ending this aggression and ensuring that this unjust war is completely ended,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Araghchi also made clear that Iran does not support a ceasefire framework, warning against a repeat of previous arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe do not accept a ceasefire because we do not want the scenario of last year to be repeated,\u201d he said. \u201cThe war must be completely and permanently ended, and there must be guarantees that this situation will not be repeated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He added that Iran expects compensation for damage caused during the conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On mediation efforts, Araghchi acknowledged that several countries were attempting to broker a solution, but said the US did not appear ready to halt its actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSome countries are trying to play a positive and constructive role. We welcome any initiative that can completely end this war,\u201d he said. \u201cBut right now\u2026 the US does not seem ready to stop its aggression.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He reiterated that Iran\u2019s position remains unchanged, stressing that \u201cthe only acceptable solution\u2026 is a complete end to the war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Iran fires at US-UK military base<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iran fired two ballistic missiles \u200bat the US-UK \u200cmilitary base Diego Garcia in the \u200bIndian Ocean, the \u200bsemi-official&nbsp;<em>Mehr&nbsp;<\/em>news agency \u2060reported on \u200bSaturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The<em>&nbsp;Wall Street Journal&nbsp;<\/em>reported earlier that Iran had launched two intermediate-range \u200bballistic missiles toward \u200bthe base, but that \u200cthey \u2060did not hit it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Mehr&nbsp;<\/em>said targeting the base was \u200ba &#8220;significant \u200bstep &#8230; \u2060that shows that the range \u200bof Iran&#8217;s \u200bmissiles \u2060is beyond what the enemy previously \u2060imagined&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The White House, the British \u200bembassy in Washington, \u200band \u2060the Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to&nbsp;<em>\u2060Reuters&nbsp;<\/em>requests for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Israeli military struck Iran and Beirut on Saturday, as more than 2,000 people have been killed since the US and Israel&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/iran\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">attacked<\/a>&nbsp;Iran on February 28, while Americans appear increasingly concerned at signs the war could expand further as it enters its fourth week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Israel said it was attacking Hezbollah on Saturday in the Lebanese capital as it steps up&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/israeli-military-says-it-is-striking-hezbollah-targets-beirut-2026-03-21\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">airstrikes<\/a>&nbsp;targeting the Iran-backed militia in the deadliest spillover from the war on Iran since Hezbollah \u200bfired on Israel in support of Tehran on March 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Israel also launched new attacks on Iran on Saturday, including on the capital Tehran, its military said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States was considering \u201cwinding down\u201d military operations against Iran but was not seeking a ceasefire with the Islamic Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He claimed that Operation Epic Fury could wind down in \u201cfour to six weeks,\u201d with no comment on US ground troop involvement, as the White House remains opaque on timelines and objectives, according to&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera,&nbsp;<\/em>he said that he does not \u201cwant to do a ceasefire\u201d with Iran. \u201cYou know you don\u2019t do a ceasefire when you\u2019re literally obliterating the other side,\u201d Trump tells reporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Iran coastal city attacked<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A residential house has been struck in US-Israeli attack on Iran\u2019s coastal city of Ramsar, killing a couple and their child, on the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran province, according to Mehdi Younesi Rostami, the governor,&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera&nbsp;<\/em>reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTargeting defenceless citizens reflects the peak of helplessness and helplessness of the perpetrators of this attack,\u201d he said. \u201cSuch violent acts will not only not weaken the will of the Iranian nation, but will also increase national solidarity and cohesion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>UAE says it has intercepted three missiles, 8 drones<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The United Arab Emirates has intercepted three ballistic missiles and eight drones &#8220;launched from Iran&#8221; on Saturday, according to the country\u2019s defence ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera,&nbsp;<\/em>In a statement, authorities said air defence systems had responded to the incoming threats as part of ongoing efforts to counter what they described as continued Iranian attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ministry added that since the start of the escalation, UAE defences have intercepted a total of 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,748 unmanned aerial vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Officials said the attacks have resulted in casualties, including the deaths of two members of the armed forces while on duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A further six civilians of multiple nationalities \u2014 including Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian \u2014 were also killed, the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2598045\/another-pakistani-killed-in-uae-after-missile-debris-falls-during-interception\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Another Pakistani killed in UAE after missile debris falls during interception<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In total, 160 people have been injured, with wounds described as ranging from minor to severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Drones target US base in Iraq amid NATO pullback<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iraqi security sources report a drone attack in the residential area of Baghdad in the Mansour neighbourhood, with one drone targeting an Iraqi intelligence building, as per&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A separate unnamed source told&nbsp;<em>AFP&nbsp;<\/em>that the targeted building houses an Iraqi security agency that works with US advisers in Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result of this attack, an officer \u2060has been killed, according to a statement issued by \u2060the \u2060National Intelligence Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Al Jazeera&nbsp;<\/em>reports that at least four drones have targeted a major US military installation in Iraq, according to reports from the capital, Baghdad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Explosions were heard overnight near Victory Base, with one drone reportedly striking the rear of a gate and causing a fire. Another is believed to have hit \u062f\u0627\u062e\u0644 the base, while a further device may have involved a rocket-propelled grenade, suggesting a potential escalation in tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There have been no immediate reports of casualties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Al Jazeera&nbsp;<\/em>said that sources indicate the drones were launched from areas within and around Baghdad, including Abu Ghraib and Dora, raising concerns about how such attacks are being coordinated within proximity to the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, US forces have carried out strikes against the Popular Mobilisation Forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The developments come as NATO allies scale back their presence in Iraq. Several countries are withdrawing personnel amid concerns that the situation is evolving into a wider regional conflict\u2014one they did not initiate and are reluctant to be drawn into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Funeral held for IRGC spokesman killed in reported US-Israeli strike<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The remains of Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naini, the IRGC spokesperson, have been brought to the holy city of Qom for more tributes, according to&nbsp;<em>The Tehran Times<\/em>&nbsp;newspaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His remains will eventually be brought further south to the city of Kashan for the final rites and burial, the newspaper reported in a post on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thousands of mourners attended his funeral prayers, according to&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The funeral took place in the capital, Tehran, according to the&nbsp;<em>Iranian Students News Agency<\/em>&nbsp;(ISNA). The ceremony coincided with national observances marking Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera,&nbsp;<\/em>Iranian officials said the 68-year-old was killed in overnight strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. The officials&#8217; statement has not been independently verified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Another wave of Iranian missiles launched towards Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Israel\u2019s military has issued another missile attack warning \u2013 at least the fourth since early Saturday morning \u2013 calling on the public to move to shelters and remain there until the threat has passed,&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera reports.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Israeli military says rescue and recovery personnel are on their way to a scene in the centre of the country, \u201cwhere reports of impacts have been received\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The statement published on X follows the missile attack warning, at least the fourth since early Saturday morning, and calls for the public to move to shelters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The military said air defence systems are operating to intercept the missiles, which were launched from Iran a short while ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At least two people have been killed by shelling in a residential area in the village of Dastak in Kiashahr, in northern Iran, according to the governor of Gilan province, as reported by&nbsp;<em>Al Jazeera.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to&nbsp;<em>Drop Site News<\/em>, a spokesman of the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum dismissed the US decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil at sea as a psychological trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAt present, Iran essentially has no crude oil left floating on water or surplus for supply in other international markets, and the statement by the US Treasury Secretary is merely aimed at giving hope to buyers and psychologically controlling the market.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The price of Brent Crude has risen from about $70 to $113 since the war began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Germany, France ready to help on Hormuz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vital energy infrastructure in Iran and neighbouring Gulf states has also been attacked, and oil&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/oil-falls-us-allies-look-boost-supply-unchoke-strait-hormuz-2026-03-20\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">prices<\/a>&nbsp;have jumped 50% since \u2060the war began, threatening global economic shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the US, United Airlines said it would&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/united-airlines-cut-5-scheduled-flights-fuel-prices-soar-2026-03-20\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cut<\/a>&nbsp;its scheduled flights by 5% in the second and third quarters, planning for prolonged higher oil prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/us-israeli-war-iran-causes-major-oil-gas-disruptions-2026-03-18\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Strait of \u200bHormuz,<\/a>&nbsp;conduit for around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, has been effectively closed to most shipping since the United States and Israel launched the war against Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trump on \u200bFriday called US allies&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/trump-calls-nato-cowards-over-lack-support-iran-war-2026-03-20\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;cowards&#8221;<\/a>&nbsp;for declining to help open the strait while fighting continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several allies, who were not consulted before the war, have&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/joint-statement-strait-hormuz-by-european-nations-japan-2026-03-19\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pledged<\/a>&nbsp;to join &#8220;appropriate efforts&#8221; to ensure safe passage through the strait, but Germany and France have said fighting must stop first. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would speak to Trump this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iran is ready to let Japanese-related&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/iran-ready-let-japanese-vessels-transit-hormuz-kyodo-reports-2026-03-21\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vessels<\/a>&nbsp;pass through the Strait of Hormuz,&nbsp;<em>Kyodo News&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/english.kyodonews.net\/articles\/-\/72724\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reported<\/a>&nbsp;on Saturday, citing Iranian Foreign \u200bMinister Abbas Araghchi. Japan gets around 90% of its oil shipments via the Strait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Trump White House, in an effort to increase supply and lower prices, said it would waive<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/us-authorizes-temporary-delivery-sale-oil-originating-iran-2026-03-20\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&nbsp;sanctions<\/a>&nbsp;for 30 \u200bdays to allow the sale of 140 million barrels of Iranian oil stranded on tankers by the war. The administration had previously eased sanctions on a similar amount of sanctioned Russian oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Israeli military said \u200cbefore its Saturday \u2060attacks it had issued evacuation warnings for seven neighbourhoods in the southern suburbs of Beirut, however, some of the evacuations were issued merely an hour before Israeli bombardment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon, and over 1 million displaced in the Israeli attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>US increasing military deployment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The US military is deploying thousands more Marines to the Middle East, officials told&nbsp;<em>Reuters&nbsp;<\/em>on Friday, as President Donald Trump accused \u200bNATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to send forces to help open the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The narrow&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/trump-tells-israel-not-repeat-strikes-iranian-energy-crisis-deepens-2026-03-19\/Strait%20of%20Hormuz,\" target=\"_blank\">waterway<\/a>, conduit for around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, has been effectively closed \u200cto most shipping since the United States and Israel launched the war against Iran&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/trump-tells-israel-not-repeat-strikes-iranian-energy-crisis-deepens-2026-03-19\/attacked\" target=\"_blank\">almost<\/a>&nbsp;three weeks ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2598495\/instability-in-hormuz-and-our-economic-challenges\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instability in Hormuz and our economic challenges<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vital energy infrastructure in both Iran and neighbouring Gulf states has also been attacked, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/oil-falls-us-allies-look-boost-supply-unchoke-strait-hormuz-2026-03-20\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oil<\/a>&nbsp;prices have jumped about 50% since the start of the war on February 28, threatening a global economic shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In an effort to increase supply and lower prices, the Trump administration said it would waive sanctions on Iran to allow the sale of 140 million barrels of oil that have been stranded on tankers since the war began. The administration had previously eased sanctions on a similar amount of \u200bRussian oil as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than 2,000 people have been killed, mostly in Iran and Lebanon and many of them civilians, while Americans appear increasingly concerned at signs the war could expand further after local US oil prices increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2598005\/israel-launches-ground-assault-against-hezbollah\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Israel launches ground assault against Hezbollah<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A new&nbsp;<em>Reuters\/Ipsos<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/americans-believe-trump-will-send-troops-into-iran-dont-like-idea-reutersipsos-2026-03-19\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>&nbsp;<\/em>poll<\/a>&nbsp;showed almost two-thirds of Americans believe Trump will order \u200btroops into a large-scale ground war, with only 7% supporting such a move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><br>Stacked bar chart about sending ground troops to Iran<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Friday, Israel\u2019s military said it carried out two large waves of air strikes on Tehran and central \u2060Iran, targeting weapons production facilities and sites storing ballistic missile launchers and components. Israel faced multiple waves of missile attacks from Iran, according to the Israeli military, triggering air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where explosions from interceptions were heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fragments \u200bfrom an Iranian missile struck Jerusalem on Friday, landing just outside the Old City, which is sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, police said, releasing a photograph of the debris. There were no reports of injuries or casualties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kuwait&#8217;s state oil firm said its Mina Al-Ahmadi \u200brefinery had suffered multiple drone attacks that set some units alight, the latest energy facility hit by Iran in recent days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/us-deploy-thousands-additional-troops-middle-east-officials-say-2026-03-20\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Three<\/a>&nbsp;US officials told&nbsp;<em>Reuters&nbsp;<\/em>that 2,500 Marines, along with the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, and accompanying warships, would deploy to the region, although they did not say what their role would be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two officials said there had been no decision on whether to send troops into Iran itself. Sources have earlier&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/middle-east\/us-weighs-military-reinforcements-iran-war-enters-possible-new-phase-2026-03-18\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">told<\/a>&nbsp;<em>Reuters&nbsp;<\/em>that possible targets could include Iran&#8217;s coast or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/kharg-island-struck-by-us-is-key-hub-iran-oil-exports-2026-03-14\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kharg Island<\/a>&nbsp;oil export hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trump said the United States was close to reaching its goals \u200bin the war, which include degrading Iran&#8217;s military and preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon, and may wind down its military effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2597896\/how-many-countries-have-pushed-back-on-trumps-hormuz-ship-demand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How many countries have pushed back on Trump\u2019s Hormuz ship demand?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The UK government authorized the US to \u200cuse its bases \u2060in Britain to strike Iranian missile sites that are targeting ships in the Strait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Most of Iran\u2019s major energy facilities, as well as major assets in nearby countries, have been targeted.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Khamenei&#8217;s health in question<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Muslims around the region tried to celebrate Eidul Fitr, which ends the fasting month of Ramazan, and Iranians marked Nowruz, the Persian New Year, new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a message of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2598623\/iran-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-names-new-year-resistance-economy-denies-role-in-attacks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">defiance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since the Israeli attack that killed his father and predecessor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the war&#8217;s first day, said Iranians had responded with unity and resistance and &#8220;dealt a disorienting blow to the enemy&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A US intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the statement raises questions about Khamenei&#8217;s condition, as his father traditionally marked the New Year with a video address. The official said Khamenei&#8217;s extended absence raises questions about his condition and \u200bwho is running the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>US and Israeli officials say Iran \u200bcan still hit back, even though weeks of bombing \u2060have severely weakened the government and depleted its stock of missiles and drones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iran&#8217;s Revolutionary Guards said they had attacked Haifa and Tel Aviv with multi-warhead missiles and used drones to attack weapons stocks at US bases, including Sheikh Isa air base in Bahrain. No comment was immediately available from US forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim said intelligence minister Esmail Ahmadi was killed, the \u200blatest of dozens of leading figures assassinated by Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;We have nobody to talk to,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;And you know what? We like it that way.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reference Link:- <a href=\"https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2598632\/iran-targets-us-uk-base-in-diego-garcia-after-trump-hints-at-winding-down-military-operations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/tribune.com.pk\/story\/2598632\/iran-targets-us-uk-base-in-diego-garcia-after-trump-hints-at-winding-down-military-operations<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Calls on the BRICS bloc of major emerging \u200beconomies to play an independent role in halting aggression \u200cagainst \u2060Iran Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel tried to assassinate him during 12-day war. PHOTO: AFP Iran&#8217;s President Masoud Pezeshkian said on \u200bSaturday that there needs to be \u200can &#8220;immediate cessation&#8221; of what he described as US-Israeli [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30796,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[28202,1990,27554,27950,28201,1360,361],"class_list":["post-30795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sample-category","tag-hormuz","tag-iran-2","tag-iran-war","tag-iranian-president-2","tag-israel-america","tag-middle-east-5","tag-war","post_format-post-format-aside"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30795"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30797,"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30795\/revisions\/30797"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gsrra.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}