Paris (France) (AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:
– **US ops finishing in ‘couple weeks’: Rubio**
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he expected Washington’s war objectives in Iran to be completed “in the next couple weeks,” regardless of whether the United States sends ground troops. “When we are done with them here in the next couple weeks, they will be weaker than they’ve been in recent history,” he told reporters in Paris after G7 talks. He also said Washington was open to diverting US weapons from Ukraine to the Iran war if needed.
– **Iran has sent ‘messages’: Rubio**
Rubio also stated that Iran had sent “messages” to the American side but had not responded to a US-proposed peace plan. “We’ve had an exchange of messages and indications from the Iranian system — whatever’s left of it — about a willingness to talk about certain things,” he said.
– **’Regime change’ unlikely: Merz**
The war is unlikely to lead to “regime change” in Iran, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “If that’s the goal, I don’t think you’ll achieve it. It’s mostly gone wrong” in past conflicts, he commented at a forum in Frankfurt, pointing to the Afghanistan war.
– **US, Israel strike Iran nuclear sites**
US-Israeli strikes hit a uranium processing facility in central Iran, the country’s atomic energy organization announced. “The plant in Ardakan, located in Yazd Province, was targeted minutes ago in an attack by the American-Zionist enemy,” it reported on its Telegram channel, adding that the strikes “did not result in the release of any radioactive material.” Israel’s army confirmed it had struck the facility and a heavy water reactor in central Iran. Iranian media reported there were no casualties or radiation leak from the latter site.
– **More than 300 US soldiers wounded**
More than 300 American troops have been wounded since the start of the Iran war on February 28, according to US Central Command. A US official who asked not to be identified told AFP that 10 US troops remain seriously wounded.
– **G7 calls for Hormuz reopening**
G7 foreign ministers urged an “immediate cessation” of attacks against civilians in the war and called on Iran to immediately restore freedom of navigation in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. A joint statement, released in the name of all G7 members, including the United States, “reiterated the absolute necessity to permanently restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.” Rubio mentioned after the G7 meeting that there was “a lot of buy-in” from allies on opposing Iranian threats to impose tolling in the strait.
– **Israel hits Beirut, no warning**
A strike hit Beirut’s southern suburbs without warning from the Israeli military, according to Lebanese state media. AFPTV footage showed smoke rising from the area. The state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes “carried out a very heavy strike…on the Tahouitet al-Ghadir area,” the same district where Lebanese authorities said another raid earlier killed two people.
– **US not arming Kurds**
A senior Iraqi Kurdistan official stated that the United States is not arming Iranian Kurdish opposition groups exiled in his autonomous region, reiterating his government opposes any involvement by these groups in the Middle East war. In an interview with AFP on Thursday, Qubad Talabani, the deputy prime minister of the autonomous northern region, also mentioned that Iraqi Kurdistan has asked Baghdad to stop daily drone attacks by pro-Iran armed groups targeting US military advisers belonging to an international anti-jihadist coalition.
– **Hezbollah-Israel clashes**
Hezbollah reported that its fighters had clashed directly with Israeli forces in two south Lebanon villages, as Israeli airstrikes on several areas killed at least six people, according to the health ministry. In a statement, the Iran-backed militant group said its fighters had clashed with “Israeli enemy army forces in the villages of Bayada and Shamaa at point-blank range with light and medium weapons,” while also claiming responsibility for attacks on Israeli border towns and positions.
– **US, Israel target Iran steel**
US-Israeli airstrikes damaged two major steel plants in Iran, according to Iranian media reports.
– **Lebanon ‘humanitarian catastrophe’**
Nearly a month into the war, Lebanon faces a deepening humanitarian crisis that now risks teetering over into a “catastrophe,” the UN refugee agency warned. Since March 2, more than a million people — one in five residents — have been forced to flee their homes, said the UNHCR.
– **US, Iran talks in Pakistan?**
The United States and Iran are preparing for direct talks, the German foreign minister stated, adding that it was “expected to take place in Pakistan very soon,” without revealing the source of the information.
– **Iran turns back ships**
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported that they had turned back three ships trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the route was closed to vessels traveling to and from ports linked to its “enemies.”
– **Iran warns civilians**
The Guards also urged civilians across the Middle East to stay away from areas near US forces.
© 2024 AFP
