The US-Israel-Iran conflict entered a new phase on Monday, March 30, with diplomacy and military pressure moving side by side: President Donald Trump said a deal with Tehran could come soon, while the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed severe damage to Iran’s heavy water production plant at Khondab.
Iran, meanwhile, sharpened its language after strikes on its universities and industrial sites, while fallout from the conflict spread to Kuwait, Lebanon, and Israel’s northern front. The fighting, which began on February 28, is now pushing deeper into nuclear, energy and civilian-linked spaces.
Israel strikes IRGC military university amid regional tensions
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Monday claimed it targeted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) key military university, Imam Hossein University, citing its role in advancing Iran's military capabilities.
In a post on X, the IDF said, "STRUCK: The IRGC's main military university, Imam Hossein University. Under civilian cover, research and development for advanced weaponry were conducted within the university. Due to its direct affiliation with the IRGC and its involvement in advancing terrorist activity, several countries have imposed sanctions on the university and its senior officials."
Iran denies Trump's claims of direct talks with US
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that the country has held no "direct" talks with the United States as of now and added that it has received messages through some mediators regarding the US' desire for negotiations, according to a report by Press TV on Monday.
As per Press TV, Baghaei said during a press conference, "It seems quite natural that when the US raises the issues of negotiations and diplomacy, sensitivities will be increased. It is not clear how much, even inside the US, the country's claims about diplomacy and negotiations are seriously taken into account. Reactions and reflections also show that the extent of global trust in the US claims in the field of diplomacy is very limited".
PM Modi calls for restoration of peace in West Asia during call with Dutch counterpart
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, discussing the security situation in West Asia and underlined the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
During the conversation, they also discussed ways to further deepen ties between New Delhi and Amsterdam. Significantly, PM Jetten said that he is looking forward to welcoming PM Modi to the Netherlands soon so the two countries can make further progress on these themes.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the leaders highlighted the potential of partnership in areas such as semiconductors, mega water projects, green hydrogen and talent mobility.
"Also exchanged views on the situation in West Asia and emphasised the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region", PM Modi added.
Iranian Mahan Air aircraft hit in US strike at Mashhad airport: Iranian Sources
An aircraft belonging to Mahan Air was reportedly struck during a United States airstrike at Mashhad Airport in Iran, disrupting a planned humanitarian mission to India, according to Iranian sources. The aircraft, stationed at Mashhad International Airport, was scheduled to fly to New Delhi as part of a humanitarian aid operation.
"Mahan Air aircraft was hit by the US in an airstrike at Mashhad Airport. The plane was reportedly scheduled to fly to Delhi for humanitarian aid," Iran sources said. According to reports, the aircraft was expected to arrive in New Delhi in the coming days to facilitate the transport of humanitarian supplies, including medicines.
The disruption has raised fresh concerns over the safety of civilian and aid-linked aviation operations in the region amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
'COME CLOSER': Iran dares LEGO Trump over Kharg Island ground invasion
https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/2038438402266202466
'COME CLOSER': Iran dares LEGO Trump over Kharg Island ground invasion
https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/2038438402266202466
US continues military pressure despite talks
Even as negotiations proceed, Trump said the US has thousands of targets remaining.
“We’ve bombed 13,000 targets… about 3,000 targets left,” he said, adding that military operations are continuing alongside diplomatic efforts.
Trump says backchannel talks via Pakistan showing ‘positive progress’
US President Donald Trump said indirect negotiations with Iran, facilitated through Pakistani intermediaries, are making “positive progress.”
He said discussions are ongoing through “emissaries,” while declining to confirm whether a ceasefire or reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is imminent.
India Embassy in Kuwait confirms death of Indian national
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait expressed condolences following the death of an Indian worker in a strike on a desalination facility.
The embassy said it is in touch with Kuwaiti authorities and is providing all possible assistance to the victim’s family.
Rising fuel prices may worsen inflation, slow recovery
S&P noted that sustained energy price shocks could stall the decline in inflation and weaken growth momentum across the region.
Bangladesh, already facing inflation above 9 per cent, could see further pressure on its economy and external balance if the crisis continues.
Bangladesh most exposed to fuel supply pressures
The report said Bangladesh remains particularly vulnerable, with oil reserves likely to last less than a month if imports are disrupted.
Nearly half of its electricity generation depends on gas, with a significant portion sourced through imports, making it sensitive to prolonged instability in West Asia.
South Asia faces economic risk as oil shock looms
The ongoing Iran conflict poses heightened risks for Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to their heavy dependence on imported energy, according to an S&P Global Ratings report.
The agency warned that prolonged high oil prices and supply disruptions could impact their sovereign credit ratings and derail fragile economic recoveries.
Japan flags Middle East stability as critical to energy security
Takaichi stressed that stability in the Middle East is vital for Japan, which depends on the region for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports.
She also warned that the ongoing conflict could have a significant impact on the global economy.
Japan PM open to talks with Iran amid rising tensions
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she is open to holding talks with Iran’s leadership if it aligns with Japan’s national interest.
She said the timing of any such meeting would be decided based on a “comprehensive” assessment.
Iran claims attacks on industrial sites in UAE, Bahrain
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it carried out missile and drone strikes on industrial facilities in the UAE and Bahrain.
The IRGC said the targets included aluminium plants it described as linked to US military and aerospace industries.
Iran, Turkey defence ministers speak; Ankara signals role in de-escalation
Iran’s Acting Defence Minister Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza held a phone call with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler as the conflict continues to intensify.
Reza condemned the strikes on Iran as “brutal military aggression” and a violation of international law, saying Tehran is exercising its “legitimate and inalienable right to self-defence.”
Guler echoed concerns over the attacks and said Turkey is ready to play an active role in efforts to reduce tensions and restore stability in the region.
Netanyahu says Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas are all weakened
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s military operations are creating “visible cracks” in what he called the “terror regime in Tehran".
After a security review at Northern Command headquarters, he said Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas were all “battered enemies fighting for their very existence".
Israel says key missile-linked site in Iran was struck
The IDF said it carried out strikes on a central Iranian site used to produce critical components for ballistic missiles.
It said more than 140 strikes were conducted over the past day, including against launch and storage sites, ballistic missile engines, UAV-related facilities and air defence systems.
CENTCOM chief meets Israeli military leadership
US CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper met IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir and other senior Israeli officers, with the talks focused on the conflict involving Iran and efforts to curb Tehran’s weapons production capabilities.
Iran threatens residences of US and Israeli officials
Iran on Sunday vowed retaliatory attacks targeting the residences of US and Israeli commanders and political officials in the region, calling them legitimate targets.
The warning came from the spokesperson of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Iran’s top operational command coordinating the Army and the IRGC.
IRGC claims strikes on aluminium facilities in UAE and Bahrain
Iran’s IRGC said it had targeted industrial sites in the UAE and Bahrain, including the Emirates Global Aluminium facility and Aluminium Bahrain, in what it described as a combined missile and drone operation.
It claimed the sites were linked to American military and aerospace industries and warned of retaliation “beyond any level of aggression.”
Iran state media reports strike on Tabriz petrochemical unit
Iranian state media said US- and Israel-led air raids hit a petrochemical unit in Tabriz in northwestern Iran.
Officials quoted by Press TV said the situation at the facility had been brought under control.
IRGC warns over retaliation linked to universities
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said universities affiliated with the US and Israel in West Asia could be treated as legitimate targets unless certain conditions were met.
It also called on people near such campuses to stay at least one kilometre away.
Tehran says academic and scientific centres were deliberately hit
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said universities, research centres, historical sites and scientists had been systematically targeted during the war.
He named Isfahan University of Technology and the University of Science and Technology in Tehran among the institutions hit over the past 30 days.
Iran condemns strikes on universities
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi accused the US and Israel of targeting knowledge and education through attacks on universities and academic institutions.
In a post on X, he said, “Israel and its partner-in-crime believe that knowledge can be bombed away,” adding that such attacks would only inspire more pursuit of knowledge.
Indian worker killed in strike on Kuwait utility facility
Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said an Indian worker was killed after what it described as an Iranian strike on a service building at a major power and water desalination plant.
The ministry said the attack caused significant material damage and that emergency teams were deployed immediately to maintain operations.
Kuwait says 10 troops hurt in camp strike
Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted multiple aerial threats over 24 hours, but a projectile strike on a military camp injured 10 armed forces personnel.
The country said it detected and shot down 14 ballistic missiles and 12 drones. Warehouses belonging to a private logistics company were also hit, causing damage but no reported casualties.
Regional talks begin, but US and Iran stay out
Diplomatic efforts are also under way. Pakistan hosted talks involving the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt aimed at stopping the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
But neither Washington nor Tehran joined those talks, and there was no clear sign of a breakthrough.
More US troops and assets under consideration
The reports said the Pentagon has discussed sending an additional 10,000 ground troops to the region. The USS Tripoli, carrying around 3,500 Marines and soldiers, has already entered the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
Reports say US is weighing an operation to seize uranium
Separate media reports cited by IANS said Trump is considering a risky operation to seize nearly 1,000 pounds of uranium from Iran.
According to those reports, military planners are examining options that could put US troops on the ground for days or longer, while the Pentagon is also preparing for a broader campaign that could stretch for weeks.
Trump keeps military options open
Even while talking up a possible agreement, Trump said all options remained on the table.
Asked about using troops, he said the US had “lots of alternatives". He repeated that he did not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon and warned that if Tehran did not comply, it may not “have a country".
Trump links diplomacy to battlefield pressure
Trump claimed US strikes had reshaped Iran’s military and leadership and helped speed up negotiations.
He said Washington had hit Iran’s navy, air force and missile capacity, and described the current leadership in Tehran as “a new regime” acting “very reasonable.” He also said Iran was, “for the most part,” agreeing to a US plan.
Trump says an Iran deal ‘could be soon’
US President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran may be close even as he described recent US military action as decisive.
“I do see a deal in Iran… could be soon too,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. He said the US was engaged in both direct and indirect talks with Tehran.
Bushehr concerns return after fresh military activity
The IAEA also flagged military activity near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, marking the third such strike-related concern around the site in 10 days.
No radiation risk at Khondab, says IAEA
The agency said it had earlier been informed by Iran that the Khondab facility was hit on March 27. It also said no radiation risk had been identified from the strike.
Iran separately reported that the Khuzestan Steel Production Factory, which uses sealed radioactive sources for industrial gauging, was also targeted, but authorities said there was no off-site radiation release and that operations remained normal.
IAEA says Iran’s Khondab heavy water plant is badly damaged
The IAEA said Iran’s heavy water production plant at Khondab in central Iran has been severely damaged and is no longer operational.
The agency said its assessment was based on independent satellite imagery analysis and its knowledge of the installation. It added that the site contains no declared nuclear material.