Today, the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas told Iran not to attack its neighbors, but it also said that Iran has the right to defend itself against Israel and the US.
Hamas said in a statement, “While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries.”
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Attack on US Embassy in Baghdad
An Iraqi security officer reported that a drone hit the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday. Our correspondent noticed smoke coming from the building. A second security source said that an incident did happen at the diplomatic station.
It came after explosions shook the Iraqi capital today when two attacks hit the formidable Iran-backed militia Kataeb Hezbollah, killing two members, one of whom was a “key figure,” according to security officials.
The sources didn’t say who was behind the attacks.
Trump Says Iran Lost, Wants a Deal
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated on Friday that Iran has been “totally defeated” in the US-Israeli military assault against the country. This is despite Iranian officials saying they would keep fighting.
“The Fake News Media hates to report how well the US Military has done against Iran, which is completely defeated and wants a deal, but not a deal that I would agree to!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, but he didn’t say much else.
US hits Kharg, Iran threatens US oil targets
Trump said that the US military has massively bombed military sites on Iran’s Kharg Island, which is where most of the country’s oil exports come from. He also said that the US would attack the island’s oil infrastructure.
“I have decided NOT to destroy the Island’s oil infrastructure.” After the bombing, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “If Iran or anyone else does anything to stop ships from passing freely and safely through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately rethink.”
Iran’s military said today that it would destroy US-linked energy infrastructure in the region if its oil installations were targeted. This was reported by Iranian news media.
Trump Says US Will Soon Escort Tankers
Trump informed reporters yesterday that the US Navy would start escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz “very soon” to bring back oil shipments. He is having a hard time dealing with rising energy prices.
Qatar Evacuates “Key Areas”
The interior ministry of Qatar announced today that it was moving people out of several “key areas” since Iran is continuing its bombing war against Gulf countries.
Some people in Doha’s central Musheireb district got phone notifications warning them to “evacuate the area immediately… to the nearest safest place as a temporary precaution.”
Iran Aims at Israel
Iran fired more missiles against Israel, state television stated just after midnight today in Tehran. However, Israeli emergency services confirmed there were no known injuries after the strikes.
The Israeli military announced it had found missiles from Iran and was “working to intercept the threat.” Air raid sirens in many regions urged residents to bunkers.
Lebanon Says Health Center Was Hit
The Lebanese health ministry reported that an Israeli attack on a healthcare center in southern Lebanon killed 12 medical workers.
The ministry added that this was “the second attack on the health sector in a few hours,” following a strike on Sawaneh that killed two paramedics who worked for Hezbollah and its partner Amal.
The health ministry said that since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed at least 773 people in Lebanon.
Hezbollah is not backing down.
Naim Qassem, the commander of Hezbollah, said his party was ready for a long fight with Israel. Israel had promised to make Lebanon pay a “increasing price” in destruction to infrastructure.
Last week, Lebanon got involved in the Middle East war when a militant group sponsored by Tehran attacked Israel in response to the US-Israeli airstrike that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to the health ministry, Israeli attacks resumed yesterday, including one that killed eight people in a town in southern Lebanon near the port city of Sidon.
US Reportedly Increasing Military Presence
The Wall Street Journal says that the United States is strengthening its presence in the Middle East by sending an amphibious assault ship and Marines there.
According to CNN, the deployment includes an Expeditionary Unit, which usually has 2,500 Marines and sailors.
Oil Prices Stay Over $100
On Friday, oil prices maintained above $100 a barrel, while stock markets fell. Investors are worried about a long-term crisis that might raise costs and hurt the global economy.
The price of Brent crude, which is the international standard for crude oil, closed at $103.14 a barrel. This is up more than 42% since the conflict began.
The US is offering $10 million for information about the leader of Iran.
The US State Department offered a $10 million prize for information about Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, and other high-ranking officials.
F1 Races Have Been Called Off
A source who knows about the situation told our reporter that Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be canceled or moved to a later date because of the violence in the area.
The race in Bahrain is set for April 10–12, and the race in Saudi Arabia is set for a week later.
Israel has attacked Iran 7,600 times.
Since the start of its combined operation with the United States, Israel’s military says it has carried out some 7,600 attacks in Iran and 1,100 in Lebanon.
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