(AFP) – Israel traded fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon on Monday and pressed its attacks on Iran as the fallout from two days of US-Israeli strikes widened. Iranian counterattacks have been hitting Gulf states and a British base in Cyprus. US President Donald Trump vowed to avenge the deaths of US service members and stated that the war with Iran could last for weeks.
Here are the latest developments:
– **Israel strikes Tehran**
The Israeli military announced on Monday that it had begun a new “broad strike” in the “heart of Tehran,” after generals vowed to escalate attacks on “key elements of the regime.” Loud explosions were reported in various areas of the Iranian capital, shaking apartment buildings. Iran’s president appointed Revolutionary Guards general Majid Ebnelreza as the acting defense minister following the death of his predecessor in Israeli-US strikes.
– **Hezbollah fighting**
Israeli attacks on the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, prompted thousands in southern Lebanon to flee. The Israeli army instructed residents in towns and villages in the south to evacuate, although they stated there was no immediate reason for a ground invasion. The Lebanese government imposed an “immediate ban” on Hezbollah’s military and security activities and called for the group to surrender its weapons to the state, as announced by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
– **Iran retaliates**
Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, declared on X that: “We will fiercely defend ourselves and our six thousand years old civilization regardless of the costs and will make the enemies sorry for their miscalculation.” Throughout the day, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued statements about missile and drone attacks on Israel, targeting sites including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and security installations in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and east Jerusalem. A series of explosions were reported over Jerusalem late in the morning on Monday.
– **Gulf states targeted**
Iran also launched strikes across the Gulf, claiming to have fired 15 cruise missiles at a US air base in Kuwait and at vessels in the Indian Ocean. QatarEnergy had to stop LNG production after its processing base and a power plant were hit. An oil tanker off Oman was targeted, resulting in one death, while British officials reported that a vessel in a Bahraini port was struck by “unknown projectiles.” The US embassy in Kuwait advised people to take cover.
– **Gas price surge**
European gas prices spiked over 50% due to fears that the conflict would disrupt supplies in the Gulf region, worsened by the attacks in Qatar.
– **Iranian deaths**
The Iranian Red Crescent reported that “131 cities have been affected” by US-Israeli strikes, resulting in the unfortunate death of 555 Iranian citizens. Iranian officials confirmed the deaths of three Guards members and five army personnel.
– **Trump vows vengeance**
The US military confirmed the death of a fourth service member shortly after Trump vowed to avenge the deaths of three other US soldiers killed during operations against Iran. Trump also encouraged the Iranian people to rise up, stating: “America is with you,” and warned the Revolutionary Guards to surrender or face “certain death.”
– **War could last ‘four weeks’**
Trump projected a four-week military operation against Iran, telling the Daily Mail, “It’s always been a four-week process.” However, Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani responded that “Iran, unlike the United States, has prepared itself for a long war.”
– **UNESCO site ‘damaged’**
Reports indicated that Iran’s UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace in Tehran was damaged in US and Israeli strikes. According to local media, parts of the palace were harmed after blasts affected windows, doors, and mirrors.
– **Nuclear sites undamaged**
UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi stated that there were “no indications” of damage to any nuclear facilities in Iran resulting from the US-Israeli strikes.
– **Drone hits Cyprus base**
At least one drone crashed into Britain’s RAF Akrotiri military base in Cyprus early Monday, and two others were intercepted, leading to the evacuation of the facility. Greece announced it would send two frigates and two F-16 jets to Cyprus, while the island’s government sought guarantees from Britain regarding the humanitarian use of its bases.
– **UK-US spat**
Britain initially refused a US request to use its military bases for “defensive” strikes against Iranian missile systems, which led to Trump’s dissatisfaction. He expressed his disappointment to the Daily Telegraph, saying it “took far too much time.”
– **Saudi attack**
Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry reported that operations at the Ras Tanura refinery were disrupted following an attack that caused a fire. The Saudi army subsequently raised its readiness to “full alert.”
– **US warplanes shot down**
Three American warplanes crashed in Kuwait on Monday morning, yet their crews survived. US officials later clarified that Kuwaiti air defense had “mistakenly shot down” the US warplanes.
– **China urges truce**
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called for a ceasefire and diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict, confirming the death of a Chinese citizen in Iran. Later reports indicated that Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed support for Iran’s right to defend its sovereignty.
– **Iran says no US negotiation**
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council head Ali Larijani announced that the country “will not negotiate with the United States,” dismissing media claims of potential talks and attributing regional chaos to Trump’s “delusional fantasies.”
– **US officials to make case for war**
Key US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are expected to present their case to Congress on the rationale for attacking Iran. Rubio, along with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and military chief Dan Caine, will brief members of both chambers on the situation.
– **Revolutionary Guards HQ ‘destroyed’**
The US military declared that it had destroyed the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), with US Central Command stating: “America has the most powerful military on earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters.”
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© 2024 AFP
