The conflict in Iran continues to develop. The USA and Israel are intensifying their attacks on Iran, striking oil storage facilities and plants in Tehran, which has led to large-scale fires in the capital.
US President Donald Trump has once again demanded "unconditional surrender" from Iran, emphasizing that the conflict will only end after the "surrender" of Tehran's leaders or the complete incapacitation of their army.
Trump points to the lack of compromises with Iran.
- In response to a question about the future leader of Iran, Trump stated: "We don't want to go back to this every five or ten years... We need a president who won't drag the country into wars."
- He noted that the US has "maximum" leverage, but "we are not seeking compromises."
- When asked about Iran's claim that the US struck a desalination plant, Trump said he was unaware of such an incident.
- According to him, Iran launched 9% of missiles and drones in the first two days of the conflict, which he believes indicates a lack of resources, as 70% of missile installations were rendered inoperable.
- Trump added: "In the end, there will be no one left to say, 'We surrender'."
- He also stated that the US "does not count on Kurdish assistance" and that "we do not want to complicate an already complicated conflict."
Below are some comments from the president made during a flight on Air Force One.
- In response to a question about his demands on Iran, Trump emphasized that he wants "unconditional surrender," which means they either surrender or become incapable of war.
- He received no confirmations of Iran's support from Russia.
- When asked about the reduction of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said that it is the choice of the ships themselves: "We cleared it. We destroyed their fleet."
- Trump expressed hope for a rapid decrease in oil prices, pointing to "huge reserves" of oil in the US.
- When asked about the possibility of deploying ground troops, he replied that he does not wish to discuss that topic and considers it inappropriate.
The US president noted that the conflict with Iran could continue for "some time," while for American troops, it is going "incredibly well."
"We have achieved more in one week than anyone could have expected. We destroyed their fleet — 44 ships, as well as all aircraft," Trump told reporters aboard the presidential plane.
"We destroyed most of their missiles. There are significantly fewer of them. We also dealt serious blows to missile production facilities," he added.
"Our strikes were aimed at the most sensitive areas, including the destruction of almost all forms of leadership," he emphasized.
When asked about the duration of the war, Trump replied: "Whatever it costs."
Iran firmly responds to aggression, says Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the nation through state media.
Here are the main points from his speech:
- Pezeshkian noted that Iran seeks to normalize relations with its neighbors, but enemies are trying to incite conflict.
- He stated that Iran is forced to respond to attacks from the territory of other countries, but this does not mean conflict with them.
- Iran is ready to confront those who attack and will respond with force, Pezeshkian said.
- He called on the people to unite and come to defend their country, emphasizing the need for every citizen to stand up for the water and land of Iran.
- Iran, relying on the unity of its population, will not allow enemies to seize even an inch of its territory.
Iran officially warned Azerbaijan: time is running out.
We have precise coordinates of the locations of "Mossad" and CIA agents, in which bunkers and hotels they are located. While there is still time — expel them from your country.
Our target is not the people of Azerbaijan, nor its government and army. We are targeting these killers.
Therefore, the population should stay away from military facilities.
Our target is not the people of Azerbaijan, nor its government and army. We are targeting these killers.
Therefore, the population should stay away from military facilities.
UAE air defense systems respond to aerial threats.
The UAE Ministry of Defense reports that its air defense systems are taking measures against missiles and drones coming from Iran.
The agency noted that the sounds heard in the country are the result of air defense intercepting projectiles.
The recent strike in Beirut is significant as it expands the strike zone of Israel and the interfaith map of Lebanon, increasing the number of citizens at risk.
Israel reports strikes against Hezbollah militants among their supporters in the Shiite area of Lebanon. However, the strike hit Raushe, a traditionally Sunni area, and Christian and Druze sites were also attacked.
As a result, fear of a potential influx of displaced persons is rising across the country, creating an atmosphere of distrust and tension that Israel risks exacerbating.
It currently seems that a) there is no safety anywhere in Lebanon, and b) accepting displaced persons is unsafe, as Israeli strikes may target those trying to escape.
Brief overview of recent events:
- Kuwait reports the death of two border guards and fires caused by attacks on the international airport and social security office.
- Saudi Arabia reported preventing an attack on the diplomatic quarter of Riyadh and shot down several drones in its airspace.
- Israeli forces destroyed a hotel in Beirut, resulting in at least four deaths and 10 injuries.
- Trump again demanded "unconditional surrender" from Iran, stating that the conflict will only end when Iranian leaders "surrender" or their army becomes ineffective.
- Human Rights Watch called for an investigation into the attack on a girls' school in the Iranian city of Minab on February 28 as a war crime.
Human rights defenders demand an investigation into the attack on a girls' school in Iran as a war crime.
Human Rights Watch claims that the attack on an elementary school in southern Iran, which resulted in the deaths of at least 160 people, most of whom were schoolchildren, should be investigated as a war crime.
"Those responsible for the unlawful attack must be held accountable, including prosecuting all those involved in war crimes," said Sofia Jones, an open-source researcher from Human Rights Watch's Digital Investigations Lab.
"An immediate and thorough investigation of this incident is necessary, including determining whether the perpetrators should have known that a school filled with children and teachers was present at the site before noon," Jones added.
This attack was one of hundreds of strikes carried out by American and Israeli forces against Iran on the first day of the operation on February 28.
According to an investigation by Al Jazeera, the attack on the school was likely "intentional," and The New York Times reported that the strike may have been carried out by the United States.
According to The Washington Post, a report from the US National Intelligence Council states that even a "large-scale" US offensive against Iran is unlikely to overthrow the country's government.
According to the Post, the intelligence assessment, based on three unnamed sources, raises questions about the credibility of the Trump administration's claims regarding the possibility of ending the conflict within four to six weeks.
The report was completed just a week after the joint US and Israeli strike against Iran on February 28, which resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The report also notes that the likelihood of a fragmented Iranian opposition seizing power is assessed as "unlikely."
Kuwaiti authorities reported that firefighters managed to localize a fire that broke out this morning in the airport's fuel tanks.
Other crews continue to battle the blaze in the main building of the social security administration, according to government agency information.
This statement came shortly after the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior reported the deaths of two border service employees.
Israeli media report that air raid sirens have been activated in the south of the country, including the Negev desert, following a new wave of missile and drone attacks from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Israeli Channel 12 reports intercepting projectiles with air defense systems.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military posted on social media platform X that they discovered missiles launched from Iran and urged citizens to be attentive to emergency warnings.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense stated that it shot down three more drones near Riyadh after preventing a previous attack on the diplomatic quarter.
This occurred just hours after the ministry reported shooting down at least 15 drones.
Over 1300 casualties in a week of war in Iran
After more than a week of conflict, the number of casualties among the Iranian population continues to rise.
Over 1300 people have already died, and about 100,000 have been forced to leave their homes. The war is causing many to lose their homes, and according to the UN Refugee Agency, there has been a sharp increase in requests for assistance.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has initiated a new wave of attacks on Israel and American targets in the region.
According to Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has begun a new wave of attacks on Israeli and American targets in the Middle East.
The attack has been dubbed the "27th wave of Operation 'True Promise'" and is aimed at precision missiles targeting the headquarters of the American base in the Kuwaiti city of Arifjan.
US allies express concern that the war with Iran may leave them without American weapons — Politico.
European countries struggling to replenish arsenals after sending weapons to Ukraine fear they will not be able to protect their interests in light of possible Russian attacks.
Allies in Asia, shocked by America's high firepower, wonder whether this will lead to aggression from China and North Korea.
Even in Middle Eastern countries, there is doubt about whether they will receive the necessary air defense resources from the US to address their issues.
The Trump administration is pressuring allies to increase defense budgets and purchase American weapons, leading to rapid depletion of these munitions during the war.
"This is extremely frustrating; words do not match actions," noted one Eastern European official. "It is clear to everyone that the US will prioritize its own interests, as well as those of Taiwan, Israel, and other countries, over European ones."
Officials warn that joint actions by the US and Israel could lead to a deterioration of relations with allies on defense issues.
The commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Esmail Qaani, is reportedly safe in Israel, according to Israeli sources.
It has been revealed that he played a significant role in the elimination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, as well as in the removal of Hezbollah leaders Nasrallah and Safieddine, and in the elimination of Khamenei and high-profile generals of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
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