(AFP) – Here are the latest events in the Middle East war:
– **UN force shot at**
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said its peacekeepers were fired upon three times, “likely by non-state armed groups,” in the country’s south, two days after another position was hit.
– **Baghdad airport hit**
Several drones and rockets targeted a military base at the Baghdad airport complex, which also houses a US diplomatic facility, security sources told AFP.
– **Oil reserves released**
Strategic oil reserves will be released “immediately” in Asia and Oceania, and as early as the end of March in America and Europe, the International Energy Agency said, as governments try to contain the surge in prices caused by the war.
– **Iran says no talks**
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran was not interested in talks with the United States, pushing back on President Donald Trump’s stance that Tehran wants a deal to end the war.
– **Israelis injured**
At least eight people were injured in Israel following repeated missile launches from Iran, at least two of which contained cluster munitions, according to Israeli authorities.
– **Italy-US base hit**
Italy’s military said there had been a drone attack on the Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait hosting Italian and US forces but said all its personnel were safe.
– **Lebanon says 850 dead**
Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli attacks have killed 850 people in the country during two weeks of war between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, including 66 women, 107 children, and 32 health workers, with 2,105 wounded.
– **Hezbollah missile**
Hezbollah said its fighters targeted Israel’s Palmachim air base south of Tel Aviv with “an advanced missile.”
– **Hamas official killed**
An Israeli strike in south Lebanon’s Sidon area killed Hamas official Wissam Taha, a source from the Palestinian militant group told AFP, after state media reported a strike on an apartment.
– **Iran footballer drops asylum bid**
The captain of the Iranian women’s football team, Zahra Ghanbari, withdrew her bid for asylum in Australia, state media said—the fifth member of the delegation to do so. Team members sought asylum after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asian Cup match earlier this month in a show of defiance of the Islamic republic.
– **Iran US bases claim**
Araghchi said Tehran has “ample evidence” US bases in the Middle East have been used to attack Iran, claiming missiles were launched from the UAE to attack the Kharg Island oil hub.
– **Israel emergency funds**
Israel approved an $827-million emergency budget allocation for military purchases, Israeli media reported.
– **Iran targets Israeli police**
Iran’s army said it had targeted a police unit called “Lahav 433” and the “Gilat Defense” satellite communications center in Israel with drone strikes, according to a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency.
– **Iran escalation warning**
Araghchi urged other countries to “refrain from any action that could lead to escalation and expansion of the conflict,” according to an Iranian foreign ministry statement.
– **UK de-escalation call**
UK Energy Security Minister Ed Miliband told the BBC the “plan now has to be to de-escalate the conflict,” after US President Donald Trump demanded other nations help protect world oil supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
– **Iran arrests suspects**
Iranian authorities have arrested at least 20 people in the country’s northwestern province of West Azerbaijan on suspicion of cooperating with Israel, Iranian media reported.
– **Deadly strikes hit Lebanon**
Overnight strikes in Sidon and Al-Qatrani, southern Lebanon, killed at least four people, Lebanese state media and the government said.
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© 2024 AFP
