Iran has declared its intention to continue military actions despite recent comments from Donald Trump. The spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted: "Our capabilities for escalating the conflict are not limited. Security will be ensured either for all or for no one. We will decide for ourselves when and how to end the war." Trump's remarks about ending the conflict were characterized as "absurd" and "false," with the U.S. president himself being labeled a "criminal."
On March 9, Trump stated that the conflict with Iran is "practically over," claiming that Tehran no longer has a navy, air force, or communication system. However, just a day later, on March 10, Iran resumed shelling Gulf countries, triggering sirens in cities such as Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
In Brief:
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied U.S. claims about halting its missile program, asserting that it is increasing the number of missiles with warheads over one ton.
- Trump threatened Iran with a "strike 20 times stronger" if Tehran obstructs the movement of oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after stating that the conflict could end "very soon."
Planet Labs extends the waiting period for the publication of satellite images of the Middle East.
According to Bloomberg News, the American satellite services company is increasing the delay for publishing images from four days to two weeks.
Planet Labs expressed concerns that the photographs could be used by "hostile parties to attack military and civilian personnel of allied countries and NATO," according to information from Bloomberg.
The company is also expanding its monitoring area to include all of Iran and allied bases, as well as Gulf countries and active conflict zones.
This move has drawn criticism from Iranian state media.
"After consultations with the U.S. government, Planet Labs announced an unprecedented 14-day ban on the publication of satellite images of Western Asia, which critics believe is intended to conceal serious damage inflicted on Israeli and American bases as a result of Iran's retaliatory actions," reports Press TV on X.
Israel intercepts a drone over the northern border of the country.
According to Israeli media, a drone was intercepted over Israel's northern border after sirens went off in western Galilee, warning of a possible incursion.
Channel 12 of Israeli television reported that the incident was successfully resolved, citing military data.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut urges citizens to stay safe.
U.S. citizens in Lebanon should be prepared to stay in place if they choose not to take available exit options, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut stated in its security warning.
The embassy recommends finding a "safe place in your home or other shelter" and having a supply of food, water, medications, and other necessities.
According to Lebanon, in recent days, more than half a million people have been forced to leave their homes due to fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, resulting in at least 486 deaths.
The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reports new attacks by Israeli military aircraft on various regions of Lebanon, including Srif and the Ain al-Tine heights in the western Bekaa province.
There are also reports of fierce clashes in southern Lebanon, in the area of Khiam, where sounds of gunfire and shelling can be heard.
According to NNA, four people were killed as a result of Israeli attacks on two areas of Bint Jbeil.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reports that at least 486 people have died and 1,313 have been injured due to the latest wave of Israeli attacks.
Disagreements between the U.S. and Israel regarding the conflict with Iran become apparent.
Nida Ibrahim
Reporting from Ramallah, occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu has been waiting for years for a U.S. president to start a war with Iran, so it is unlikely that he will openly conflict with Trump.
However, active discussions are taking place behind closed doors. Since the beginning of the conflict, the goals of the U.S. and Israel have noticeably diverged.
Now these disagreements are becoming more apparent. Israeli media describe Trump's statements as "contradictory," as his advisors have reported that the outcome of the war does not meet their expectations. A quick fall of Iran was anticipated, but that has not happened.
According to Israeli media, advisors suggested to Trump to start talking about victory in Iran as a way out of the predicament, but this will not please Israel, which intends to intensify its actions.
It is likely that these disagreements are the reason for the absence of a visit from Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, for which no public explanations have been given.
Hezbollah reports new attacks on Israeli positions and soldiers.
The Lebanese group Hezbollah reported rocket attacks on the Israeli facility Al-Malikiyah, located in northern Israel, opposite the Lebanese border town of Aitarun.
Additionally, they claimed responsibility for another rocket strike on a so-called "recently established facility" in Jabal al-Bat, as well as attacks on Israeli troops and artillery positions near El-Abbad in southern Lebanon.
There are also reports of rocket strikes on an Israeli facility in Tell al-Hamamese, south of the town of Khiam.
Saudi Arabia condemns the attack on the UAE consulate in Iraq.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong condemnation regarding the attack on the UAE General Consulate in the autonomous region of Kurdistan in Iraq.
The ministry stated that "repeated shelling" of diplomatic facilities is an "obvious violation" of international law.
This incident occurred after the UAE also called for an investigation into the incident that damaged the consulate. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham criticized Washington's allies in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, for refusing to participate in the conflict against Iran.
Speaking on Fox News, Graham noted that the UAE stated it is unacceptable to use its territory for attacks on Iran, expressing disappointment over this.
"We need partners willing to take the initiative in a fight we cannot afford to lose," he added.
Graham also pointed out the necessity for allies like Saudi Arabia to "step up and say, 'This is my fight too.'"
He added, "I have tried to help our Arab friends create a new Middle East. We need to raise the bar on this issue."
The senator also criticized Spain for its decision not to grant the U.S. access to joint military bases for operations against Iran.
"To our allies: step it up," Graham stated. "Get our air bases out of Spain. They are unreliable. Move all those planes to a country that will allow us to use them if a threat arises from a regime like Iran."
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that the possible redeployment of American weapons from the country to the Middle East "will not affect" South Korea's deterrence strategy.
Lee noted that while Seoul "expressed disagreement" with the withdrawal of U.S. forces from South Korea, "it is also clear that we cannot fully implement everything according to our position."
The South Korean leader spoke at a cabinet meeting where measures for contingencies regarding the conflict in the Middle East were discussed.
On Friday, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reported that U.S. and South Korean military officials are discussing the possibility of redeploying some American Patriot missile defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East.
The article "War in Iran: Tehran promises to use powerful missiles and rejects Trump's negotiations" was first published on K-News.
