Lebanon’s president criticises Iran as Israel steps up attacks
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has accused Iran of “using Lebanon as a bargaining chip” in negotiations with the US as Israel’s deadly strikescontinue across the country despite a newly reached ceasefire deal.
- The Israeli military also continues to order the forced displacement of residents in southern Lebanon, telling people in at least nine towns and villages to flee under threat of attack.
- Iran’s navy says it fired missile and drone “warning shots” at US warships in the Gulf of Oman, accusing them of harassing marine traffic; CENTCOM rejects the claim, saying Iran did not “attack or fire” at US vessels.
- Lebanon’s Nabih Berri, a powerful Shia politician who earlier this week said he could guarantee Hezbollah would abide by a ceasefire, has rejected the agreement, calling it “booby-trapped” in favour of Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu Says Israel To Step Up Attacks Against Hezbollah In Lebanon
People started leaving a southern suburb of Beirut that is largely considered a Hezbollah stronghold.
Oil prices will drop after situation in Hormuz ‘straightened out’: Trump
Asked how many oil tankers his administration has gotten through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump has replied: “A lot.”
“I don’t want say how many, but a lot,” he told reporters.
Strikes shut down Kuwait airport with several wounded
The United States military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces conducted “self-defence” strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island and “defeated multiple” Iranian missiles and drones, as civilian vessels and regional allies Kuwait and Bahrain came under attack.
Kuwait’s military said air defence systems intercepted incoming drones and missiles, while Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said warning sirens were activated. Earlier, Iranian media reported that explosions were heard in the vicinity of Qeshm Island.
US President Donald Trump has hit back at reports that negotiations with Iran to end the war have stalled, saying that “conversations between us have been going on continuously”.
Israel continues its deadly bombing campaign in southern Lebanon a day after Trump said that Israel’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, had agreed to call off planned attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbsAt least 3,468 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2, with 10,577 injured, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports.
Iran says Kuwait and Bahrain ‘bear direct responsibility’ for US attacks
Iran said Kuwait and Bahrain bear “direct and clear responsibility” for the attacks, alleging their territory and facilities have been used to support US military operations against Iran.
IRAN, U.S. EXCHANGE FIRE ACROSS PERSIAN GULF AS TALKS CONTINUE
UN says 1.4 million people in Lebanon in need of emergency aid
The UN’s humanitarian office (OCHA) says at least 1.4 million people across Lebanon have been directly affected by Israeli attacks and are now in need of assistance.
Adviser to Iran’s supreme leader says Trump must end negotiations deadlock
These are the same people who withdrew from negotiations….
A military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, says negotiations with Washington to reach a peace deal “are at a deadlock”.
“The negotiations are at a deadlock and Trump must break this deadlock,” Mohsen Rezaei said in an interview with CNN in Tehran. “The ball is in Trump’s court.”