DUBAI – In a significant escalation of hostilities, Iranian missiles and drones targeted both Israel and Gulf Arab states on Tuesday. This aggressive military action occurred against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump claiming that negotiations with Iran were underway to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
President Trump also announced a postponement of a deadline for Iran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz for shipping. Failure to comply could result in airstrikes on Iranian power stations, which briefly led to a drop in oil prices and a boost in stock market performance.
The delay provided a temporary reprieve as tensions escalated over the weekend, with threats exchanged between the U.S. and Iran. Potential strikes could have severely impacted electricity supplies in Iran and the surrounding Gulf region, disrupting desalination plants crucial for water supply in desert nations. Concerns also mounted regarding the catastrophic implications of a strike on nuclear facilities.
However, the validity of Trump’s claims about ongoing talks is disputed. Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, have denied any negotiations, asserting that “no negotiations have been held with the U.S.” and labeling the reports as “fake news” designed to manipulate financial and oil markets.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to continue its military operations against Iran and its ally, Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite the U.S. considering a ceasefire. “There’s more to come,” he stated, signaling that Israeli military activities would persist.
The conflict escalated further as Iran launched three waves of missiles targeting Israel, with reports of impacts in northern Israeli territories, according to the Israeli Home Front Command. Concurrently, Israel conducted airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs, claiming to target infrastructure affiliated with Hezbollah.
An airstrike on a residential building southeast of Beirut resulted in at least two fatalities, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. In Kuwait, air defense shrapnel caused partial electricity outages, while missile alert sirens were activated in Bahrain. Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reported the destruction of 19 Iranian drones aimed at its oil-rich Eastern Province.
Oil prices briefly dipped below $100 per barrel following Trump’s announcement regarding negotiations. However, this decline was short-lived, as Brent crude prices rebounded to $104 per barrel, reflecting a more than 40% increase since the onset of hostilities between Israel and the U.S. on February 28.
Iran remains skeptical regarding Trump’s motives behind the extension of the deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Initially, Trump had set a deadline for late Monday for Iran to comply or face attacks. However, he extended this deadline by five days on Monday.
While Iran has permitted a limited number of vessels to pass through the Strait, it has reiterated its intention to target ships associated with the U.S., Israel, or their allies. Iranian leaders are cautious, partly due to previous negotiations with the U.S. that preceded the surprise military actions that ignited the current conflict.
The U.S. military is reportedly deploying thousands of Marines to the region, leading to speculation regarding potential plans to seize Kharg Island, a critical component of Iran’s oil infrastructure. The U.S. had previously bombed the island’s defenses over a week ago while claiming to have spared its oil facilities.
Iran has threatened to mine the Persian Gulf if it perceives the U.S. is preparing for a ground invasion, a move that could complicate military operations and threaten shipping in the region. Some analysts suggest that the timing of Trump’s deadline extension may align with the anticipated arrival of U.S. Marines, potentially signaling preparations for an invasion.
Trump stated he has no immediate plans to deploy ground forces into Iran but has not eliminated that possibility. Israeli officials have also indicated that their ground forces could participate in the conflict.
The ramifications of this conflict have been severe, with Iran’s reported death toll surpassing 1,500, while Israeli casualties include 15 fatalities due to Iranian strikes. Additionally, at least 13 U.S. military personnel have died, alongside numerous civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gulf Arab states.
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Reporting contributed by Associated Press writers from various locations, including Bangkok and Cairo, with additional insights from Elena Becatoros in Athens, Greece, and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut.
