The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which escalated sharply after February 28, is showing no signs of easing, with tensions rising across West Asia and fears of a wider regional war growing.
A drone strike targeting the residence of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday has triggered a fresh war of words between Washington and Tehran. The United States blamed Iran-backed militias for the attack, while Iran alleged it was a joint attempt by the US and Israel to carry out an assassination.
The US has condemned the attacks on the private residence of the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan region. The US Department of State blamed Iran for the attacks. “The United States unequivocally and forcefully condemns the despicable terrorist attacks by Iran’s terrorist militia proxies in Iraq on the private residence of Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. These actions by Iran and its proxies are a direct assault on Iraq’s sovereignty, stability, and unity. We categorically reject the indiscriminate and cowardly terrorist acts that Iran and its terrorist proxies have unleashed in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and throughout Iraq,” the statement read.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps condemned the strike, calling it a “clear act of terrorism” and accusing “aggressor enemies” of orchestrating it. In a statement reported by Press TV, the IRGC said the attack reflects a pattern of “cowardly assassinations” aimed at destabilising the region and harming ties between the Kurdistan Region and neighbouring countries.
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'American troops would become good food for sharks of the persian Gulf': Iran warns US against ground invasion
Iranian military on Sunday warned the United States against ground invasion, saying that American troops would “become good food for the sharks of the Persian Gulf" if they attempted an occupation. In a video statement, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, Brigadier General and spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said that US President Donald Trump is under Israeli pressure.
"Trump is a PAWN of Israeli PM, under pressure from Mossad due to his background in EPSTEIN case' — Iran Armed Forces spokesperson added.
His remarks came after some 3,500 additional troops arrived in the Middle East , an indication that Trump may be considering sending boots on the ground.
https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/2038186830617624782
Iran vows to strike Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier when in range to avenge IRIS Dena
The Iranian Navy vowed to strike US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln once it is within range of coastal missiles to avenge the sinking of Iranian warship IRIS Dena, Iranian State Media Press TV reported.
According to Press TV, Iran's Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, said that Iran is closely monitoring the movement of the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in real time.
"Once the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group enters its range, it will be targeted with coastal missiles to avenge the Dena martyrs. All movements and positions of the strike group, as well as its requests to regional countries, are being monitored in real time," he said.
"The eastern Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman--the gateway to the Strait and the Persian Gulf--are fully under Iranian naval control," he added.
Two LPG carriers carrying combined LPG cargo of about 94,000 MT enroute India: Govt
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on Sunday, citing the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, that two LPG carriers- BW TYR and BW ELM carrying a combined LPG cargo of about 94,000 MT have safely transited and are moving towards India shores.
Sharing the details in an official statement, it further noted that BW TYR is proceeding towards Mumbai with an expected time of arrival on March 31, and BW ELM is en route to New Mangalore with an estimated arrival date of April 1.
Iran death toll crosses 2,000, over 26,500 injured
The death toll in Iran in the ongoing war with US and Israel has crossed 2,000, Iranian health ministry said on Sunday.
According to the Iranian Health Ministry, 2,076 people, including 216 children, have been killed in US and Israeli attacks since the start of the war.
Around 26,500 people have been injured, of which around 1,767 are children.
'US secretly planning ground attack while posing to negotiate’: Iran
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States of talking about negotiations while secretly preparing for a ground attack.
Speaking to state news agency IRNA, Ghalibaf criticised US President Donald Trump for expressing willingness to negotiate with Iran, while allegedly planning military action at the same time. “The enemy is openly talking about negotiations but is secretly preparing for a ground attack,” he said.
Ghalibaf added that Iranian forces are fully prepared to respond if US troops enter the country. He warned that Iran’s military is ready to confront any such move.
Iran warns of US-Israeli plans to expand conflict, cites risk of 'false-flag ops"
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the United States and Israel may seek to widen the scope of the ongoing conflict by drawing in other countries or staging "false-flag operations", according to the Iranian media, Press TV.
Araghchi cautioned that Washington and Tel Aviv could attempt to expand "unprovoked aggression" against Iran by compelling other countries to participate in the aggression or conduct false-flag operations against third countries.
Yemen's Houthis carry out second military operation against Israel
Yemen's Houthis on Sunday announced a "second military operation" targeting Israel in a significant escalation of the ongoing West Asia conflict, using a barrage of cruise missiles and drones against what it described as "vital and military sites" in southern occupied Palestine.
In a statement posted on Telegram, Yahya Saree, the Houthis' military spokesperson, said that the operation was launched as part of the "Holy Jihad Battle" and coincided with military actions by allied groups, including forces in Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. He added that the second operation "successfully achieved its objectives."
Iranian military infrastructure struck in Tehran, says IDF
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Sunday said it carried out a "wide-scale wave of strikes" targeting the Iranian military infrastructure in the "heart" of Tehran. In a post on X, the IDF said the operation targeted multiple sites linked to the "Iranian terror regime", including dozens of weapons storage and production facilities.
According to the X post, several temporary command centres were also dismantled during the strikes, including locations where commanders were reportedly operating. The IDF added that ballistic missile production and storage facilities, aerial defence systems, and observation posts were among the targets hit in the operation.
US hit over 11,000 military targets in Iran: CENTCOM
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US has so far hit over 11,000 targets, including over 150 damaged or destroyed ships. CENTCOM claims that the US Air Force has conducted over 11,000 combat sorties.
Kuwait shoots down 4 drones
The Kuwaiti National Guard says its troops have shot down four drones after air raid sirens sounded in the Gulf nation for a second time in recent hours.
Iran's Exiled Crown Prince says regime must go 'in its entirety'
Iran's exiled Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi asserted that the transition from the current regime in the Islamic Republic will be done in an "orderly" manner, noting that the regime in Tehran must go "in its entirety" amid escalating conflict in the region.
Speaking during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Texas, Pahlavi credited US military operations against the Islamic Republic, referred to as "Midnight Hammer" and "Epic "Fury," for significantly weakening the ruling establishment and claimed that these operations had resulted in the killing of key leadership figures, including the former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and the destruction of a substantial portion of Iran's missile capabilities and nuclear infrastructure.
Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli bases near Safed, Israel
The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on Sunday morning targeting Israeli military positions near the northern city of Safed, according to Al Jazeera.
In a statement, Hezbollah said it carried out a missile strike on Israel's Mahava Alon base and launched drones at the Berea base, both located in the vicinity of Safed, on Sunday morning. The group also claimed it fired three salvoes of rockets at Israeli troops and vehicles positioned at the Al-Malikiyah site in northern Israel.
Aluminium Bahrain confirms attack targets on industrial facility
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) on Sunday confirmed that its industrial facility was targeted in an Iranian attack. In its statement, Alba said that two employees sustained minor injuries, adding that the safety and security of its workforce remain its top priority.
The company further noted that it is currently assessing the extent of damage to its facilities while continuing efforts to maintain operational resilience and ensure employee safety.
"The safety and security of Alba's people remain its top priority, and the Company confirms that two of Alba's employees sustained minor injuries," the statement read as quoted by BNA.
In Israel, IDF intercepting missiles launched from Iran
Emergency alerts were also issued by the Israel Home Front Command, directing residents in affected areas to move to protected spaces.
Shortly afterwards, Israeli authorities said residents were permitted to leave shelters, suggesting that the immediate threat had subsided.
Air raid sirens activated across Kuwait, Bahrain, Israel
Air raid sirens were activated across parts of West Asia early Sunday, with alerts issued in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Israel following reports of incoming missile and drone threats, according to CNN.
In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry urged citizens to take shelter and "remain calm" after warning sirens were sounded across affected areas. In a post on X, the Ministry said, "The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place ."