‘Tit-For-Tat Attacks’: Iran urges Gulf nations to expel ‘US forces’ as Trump threatens strikes on shoreline

• US president says US forces ‘obliterated’ Iranian military targets on Kharg Island, warning to get Hormuz Strait ‘OPEN, SAFE, AND FREE’ one way or the other

• Iran’s IRGC warns US ‘hideouts’ in Gulf are legitimate targets, vowing retaliation against US facilities if energy infrastructure attacked

• Strait of Hormuz remains open, but Iran blocks enemies’ tankers and vessels: FM Araghchi

• US embassy in Baghdad says US citizens ‘should leave Iraq now’

• Thousands rally in Tehran in support of Palestinians amid US-Israeli strikes

 TEHRAN/WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV: Iran has urged Gulf neighbours and other Middle East nations to “expel foreign aggressors” as tensions escalate sharply, following President Donald Trump’s warning that the US will be “bombing the hell out of” Iran’s shoreline. The warning comes after US forces reportedly “obliterated” Iranian military targets on Kharg Island along Iran’s southwest coast and threatened potential attacks on oil infrastructure.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has informed the United Arab Emirates that US “hideouts” are “legitimate targets” following the strikes on Kharg Island.

Across the Gulf, countries including Qatar and Bahrain issued evacuation warnings as Iran continued missile and drone attacks. Meanwhile, “huge blasts” were reported in central Tehran after thousands rallied in the capital in support of Palestinians and in defiance of US and Israeli strikes.

Since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28, US-Israeli strikes have reportedly killed 1,450 people in Iran.

Iran urges Middle East nations to expel US forces

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Gulf neighbours and other Middle East countries to “expel foreign aggressors” as tit-for-tat attacks continue across the region.

Touted US security umbrella has proven to be full of holes and inviting rather than deterring trouble. US is now begging others, even China, to help it make Hormuz safe.

Iran calls on brotherly neighbors to expel foreign aggressors, especially as their only concern is Israel.

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 14, 2026

“Touted US security umbrella has proven to be full of holes, inviting rather than deterring trouble,” Araghchi said. “The US is now seeking assistance from other countries, even China, to make Hormuz safe. Iran calls on brotherly neighbours to expel foreign aggressors, whose only concern is Israel.”

Araghchi warned that Iran would target the facilities of US companies in the Middle East if Iranian energy infrastructure is attacked. “If Iranian facilities are targeted, our forces will target facilities of American companies in the region, or companies in which the United States holds shares,” he said, according to the YCJ news agency. He added that Iran would “act with caution so that densely populated areas are not targeted” in retaliatory strikes.

Araghchi also noted that while the Strait of Hormuz remains open, Iran will not allow “oil tankers and vessels of enemies and their allies” to pass freely. The strategic waterway connects the Gulf to the Indian Ocean and handles roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments.

Trump warns US will target Iranian shoreline

In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said the US “will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian boats and ships out of the water.” He added, “One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, AND FREE!”

Iranian state TV says new wave of missiles launched at Israel

Iran has launched a new wave of missiles towards Israel, AFP reports citing Iranian state TV.

Tehran has launched repeated salvos at Israel since the Middle East war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

US base at Baghdad airport once again under attack: report

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reports that a US base near Baghdad airport has come under attack once again.

پایگاه آمریکایی‌ها در فرودگاه بغداد باز هم مورد حمله قرار گرفت

— خبرگزاری تسنیم - خبر فوری (@Tasnimbrk) March 14, 2026

Drone strike halts operations at refinery in Iraq’s Erbil, officials say

Operations at the Lanaz refinery in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil have been suspended until a fire caused by a drone strike is extinguished, Reuters reports citing provincial officials.

Work will remain suspended until the extent of the damage is assessed, officials at the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Natural Resources told Reuters.

Drone intercepted, destroyed in Eastern Province: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry has said it intercepted and destroyed a drone in the country’s Eastern Province.

المتحدث الرسمي لـ #وزارة_الدفاع: اعتراض وتدمير مسيّرة في المنطقة الشرقية. pic.twitter.com/F1gplkY8fk

— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 14, 2026

 US bases ‘a threat’ to Middle East security: Ghalibaf

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, has again railed against the presence of US forces in Gulf states, Al Jazeera reports.

“This war proved one thing quite clearly: American bases in our region do not protect anyone — they are a threat,” he has written on X.

This war proved one thing quite clearly: American bases in our region does not protect anyone—they are a threat. America sacrifices everyone for Israel and does not care about anyone but Israel.

Anyone clothed by the US is literally NAKED!

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) March 14, 2026

“America sacrifices everyone for Israel and does not care about anyone but Israel.”

He adds, “Anyone clothed by the US is literally naked!”

Iran has vowed to attack the facilities of US companies in the region if its energy infrastructure is targeted, Reuters reports.

In comments reported by state media, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran will act with caution to avoid targeting populated areas.

 Trump says ‘many countries’ to send warships to keep Strait of Hormuz open

US President Donald Trump has said that many countries would send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, but did not provide details on which countries would do so, Reuters reports.

pic.twitter.com/zknvhwqjnI

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 14, 2026

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he hoped that China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others would send ships to the area.

US President Donald Trump has said on social media that four of five KC-135 refuelling aircraft targeted by an attack in Saudi Arabia suffered “virtually no damage”, adding that the base was “hit a few days ago”, Reuters reports.

 US embassy in Baghdad says US citizens ‘should leave Iraq now’

In a latest security alert by the US embassy in Baghdad says: “U.S. citizens should leave Iraq now.”

تنبيه أمني – سفارة الولايات المتحدة في بغداد، العراق – 14 آذار\مارس 2026

الموقع: العراق

الميليشيات الإرهابية الموالية لإيران شجّعت ونفّذت هجمات عشوائية ضد المواطنين الأميركيين والأهداف المرتبطة بالولايات المتحدة في جميع أنحاء العراق، بما في ذلك إقليم كردستان العراق. على… pic.twitter.com/MIbYzqCejY

— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) March 14, 2026

“U.S. citizens choosing to remain in Iraq are strongly encouraged to reconsider in light of the significant threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups,” it added.

Iran says senior army commander killed in Israeli attack

Iran’s army says that Brigadier General Abdullah Jalali Nasab was killed in an Israeli attack.

Nasab “was martyred while defending the country following an attack by the Zionist entity”, it said in a statement.

Iran has confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking military commanders since the start of the war, including: Abdolrahim Mousavi: chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces; Aziz Nasirzadeh: defence minister and deputy chief of staff of the armed forces; Mohammad Pakpour: commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Swiss govt says it rejected two US overflight requests related to Iran war

We have a statement from the Swiss government, which says it discussed today military overflight requests from the US.

Today the Swiss government discussed military overflight requests from the US. Citing the law of neutrality, the Federal Council rejected two requests made in connection with the war in Iran. It decided to permit three flights. Details in DE/FR/IT: https://t.co/Dps46MlpBG

— Swiss Federal Government (@SwissGov) March 14, 2026

“Citing the law of neutrality, the Federal Council rejected two requests made in connection with the war in Iran,” it said, adding that one maintenance flight and two overflight requests for transport aircraft were approved.

FM Araghchi says ‘no problem’ with supreme leader after reported injuries

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says there is “no problem” with Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei after US officials reported he was wounded.

On Friday, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he believed Khamenei “is wounded and likely disfigured”.

Araghchi told MS NOW, “There is no problem with the new supreme leader. He sent his message yesterday, and he will perform his duties.”

In his first address as supreme leader, Khamenei stated that the Strait of Hormuz would continue to be effectively closed. He also threatened that new fronts would be opened, should the US-Israel war on his country continue.

Iran President Pezeshkian says country running normally despite war

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the country is continuing to run as normal despite the war, due to the diligent efforts of “our colleges in the government” to maintain services, Al Jazeera reports.

“Fifteen days have passed since the imposed and unjust war, and despite the transportation, communication, and other challenges, thanks to our colleagues in the government, no serious disruption in service delivery to the people has occurred,” Pezeshkian has said in a post on social media.

با گذشت ۱۵ روز از جنگ تحمیلی ظالمانه علیرغم مشکلات حمل و نقل، ارتباطات و ... به لطف همکاران ما در دولت وقفه جدی در خدمت رسانی به مردم ایجاد نشده است. با همراهی شما مردم نجیب ایران این شرایط را سپری خواهیم کرد و هرچه را که ویران کرده‌اند بهتر از قبل خواهیم ساخت. #دولت_پای_کار_مردم

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 14, 2026

“With the companionship of you noble people of Iran, we will overcome these conditions and rebuild everything they (Israel and the US) have destroyed even better than before.”

Qatar says intercepted all 4 ballistic missiles, drones launched by Iran

Qatar’s Ministry of Defence says four Iranian ballistic missiles and a number of drones attacked the Gulf state today.

تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض دولة قطر لهجوم بعدد (4) صواريخ باليستية وعدد من الطائرات المسيّرة من الجمهورية الإسلامية الإيرانية، اليوم السبت، ونجحت قواتنا المسلحة "بفضل من الله" بالتصدي لجميع الطائرات المسيّرة، والتصدي لعدد (4) صواريخ باليستية.

حفظ الله قطر وأميرها وشعبها… pic.twitter.com/aGEZebIuMN

— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 14, 2026

In a statement, it said Qatar’s armed forces successfully intercepted all drones and ballistic missiles.

Strait of Hormuz ‘not yet been militarily closed’: IRGC naval commander

The IRGC’s naval commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri has said that the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the global oil industry, has “not yet been militarily closed” and merely remains under Tehran’s control.

آمریکایی‌ها به دروغ ادعای نابودی نیروی دریایی ایران را داشتند.
بعد به دروغ ادعای اسکورت نفتکش‌ها را کردند.
حالا هم از دیگران درخواست نیروی کمکی دارند.
البته این را یادآور میشویم که تنگه هرمز هنوز به شکل نظامی مسدود نشده و صرفا کنترل می‌شود pic.twitter.com/cmUC5CDXRP

— علیرضا تنگسیری (@alirezatangsiri) March 14, 2026

He has also taken jabs at US President Donald Trump, writing on X, “Americans falsely claimed the destruction of Iran’s navy, then they falsely claimed the escorting of oil tankers, now they’re even asking others for backup forces.”

 Iran says US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln leaves region after being ‘neutralised’

US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has left the operational area in the region after being “neutralised” by Iranian forces, Anadolu Agency reports, quoting the spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff.

US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has left the operational area in the region after being “neutralized” by Iranian forces, the spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff claimed https://t.co/BnvurPpXZ1 pic.twitter.com/WOKyCp2WNo

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 14, 2026

 Israel says it carried out 400 strike flights on Iran

The Israeli military says it conducted about 400 air raids on western and central Iran since the start of its current campaign, targeting what it claimed was Iranian “military infrastructure”.

In a statement, it said more than 200 sites were attacked in the past 24 hours alone.

The strikes targeted ballistic missile launchers, some of which it claimed were prepared to be fired towards Israel, as well as air defence systems and weapons storage facilities.

Attacks were carried out by fighter jets “acting on intelligence” and aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones towards Israeli territory.

 Israel claims senior Iranian military intelligence officials killed

The Israeli military says it killed two senior officials in Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Emergency Command in an air strike on Tehran.

In a post on X, army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Abdullah Jalali-Nasab and Amir Shariat – described as senior figures in the command’s intelligence branch – died in the attack.

Adraee said the attack followed the earlier killing of Saleh Asadi, head of the intelligence unit, at the start of the US and Israel’s ongoing assault.

Iran arrests dozens of people for passing information to ‘the enemy’

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence organisation says it has arrested 25 people in Tehran and eight in the western city of Hamadan for “collecting photos and information about military and security sites to send to the enemy”, Al Jazeera reports.

At least 81 people have also been detained so far for “sharing internal Iranian information with hostile media and enemies”, Iran’s police chief Ahmadreza Radan told Press TV earlier this week.

 Israelis defy army censor to show Iran attack aftermath

The only reason we’ve been able to see what happened in Eilat is because people broke the military censor’s veil of secrecy. There was no way to hide all of those impact sites with damage to 10 different areas of the strategic city.

We also saw damage reported in central Israel in the larger Tel Aviv area. Nobody was reported killed but there is one person critically wounded in Eilat.

So a little bit of a challenge to the censor’s blackout. The Jordanian city of Aqqaba is also nearby, and plumes of smoke were seen there.

These kinds of attacks that continue really impose a lot of stress on Israeli society. In northern Israel, sirens are sounding off every 30 minutes, so it’s hard to see how things will return to normal.

 Whoever controls Kharg Island controls the destiny of this war: US senator

United States Senator Lindsey Graham has lauded the US strikes on Kharg Island as a “necessary, bold and … highly effective action”.

“This will help shorten the war. Seldom in warfare does an enemy provide you a single target like Kharg Island that could dramatically alter the outcome of the conflict,” Graham writes on X.

Iran’s attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz is done at its own peril.

President Trump’s decision to take the war to Kharg Island - the crown jewel of Iran’s oil and gas economy - was necessary, bold and in my view, highly effective. This will help shorten the war. Seldom in…

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 14, 2026

The senator adds that if Tehran loses control of the island, or is unable to operate its oil infrastructure, Iran’s economy will be “annihilated”.

“He who controls Kharg Island, controls the destiny of this war,” Graham adds.

 Jordan says intercepted 79 Iran missiles, drones in war’s second week

Jordan’s military says it has intercepted 79 missiles and drones launched by Iran at the kingdom during the second week of the Middle East war, AFP reports.

Jordan’s armed forces have said in a statement that “85 missiles and drones were launched directly from Iran” toward Jordan “during the second week of the war, targeting vital sites”.

They add that the air force intercepted 79 of them, while five drones and one missile landed in Jordan.

The spokesperson for Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said in a statement that fragments from 93 rockets and drones fell during the war’s second week “in most of the kingdom’s provinces, injuring nine people”.

9 drones fired at Kuwait, 2 damage military facility: Kuwaiti armed forces

The Kuwaiti military, quoting a defence ministry spokesperson, says that nine hostile drones were fired at the country, with two causing damage to a military site.

تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة معادية.

تنوه رئاسة الأركان العامة للجيش أن أصوات الانفجارات إن سمعت فهي نتيجة اعتراض منظومات الدفاع الجوي للهجمات المعادية.

يرجى من الجميع التقيد بتعليمات الأمن والسلامة الصادرة عن الجهات المختصة.… pic.twitter.com/zLLRCpCpfx

— KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) March 14, 2026

“The air defence system has detected, since the dawn of this Saturday, a number (seven) of hostile drones, of which a number (three) were destroyed, while a number (two) fell outside the threat area and posed no danger,” the military has said on X.

“Additionally, a number (two) [of] hostile drones targeted Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base, resulting in some material damage in the vicinity of the base, and three members of the armed forces sustained minor injuries, for which they received the necessary treatment, and their medical condition is stable.”

The Kuwaiti military says that air defence systems are engaging hostile missiles and drones.

“The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosion sounds heard are the result of air defence systems intercepting the hostile attacks,” the military has written on X. “Everyone is requested to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities.”

15 killed in strike on factory in Iran’s Isfahan

At least 15 people were killed when a strike by Israel and the United States hit a factory in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, the semi-official Fars news agency said, according to Reuters.

Israel carried out an airstrike on the Iranian city of Isfahan ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/mTjYX3aalG

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 14, 2026

There were workers inside the factory, which produces heaters and refrigerators, when the strike hit, Fars reported.

 Lebanon says Israeli strikes since March 2 have killed 826 people

Lebanon’s health ministry says that Israeli strikes have killed 826 people, including 65 women and 106 children, since the start of the war with Hezbollah, adding that 2,009 others were wounded, AFP reports.

A ministry statement says 31 paramedics are among the dead, raising an earlier toll after the bodies of additional health workers were found following an overnight strike, which authorities said hit a healthcare centre in the country’s south.

Israel warns civilian trucks on Lebanon’s coast could be attacked

Israel’s military has warned that “every truck travelling near the coast may be putting itself at risk.”

The coastal highway is Lebanon’s main transport artery, raising concerns that such warnings could disrupt movement and potentially deter civilians from travelling or fleeing areas affected by Israeli bombardment.

In a statement, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee has alleged that Hezbollah is disguising missile launches and transporting weapons using civilian trucks moving through towns along Lebanon’s coast.

#عاجل ‼️جيش الدفاع يكشف ويحذر: حزب الله الإرهابي يقوم بتمويه إطلاق الصواريخ ونقلها من خلال شاحنات مدنية ويعرض سكان لبنان في مدن وقرى الساحل اللبناني للخطر

🔸وفقًا لمعلومات استخبارية وصلت إلينا يمكننا الآن الكشف عن قيام حزب الله الإرهابي بالعمل على تمويه وسائل قتالية داخل شاحنات… pic.twitter.com/lEJ8sWeFDO

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) March 14, 2026

The trucks appear to be civilian to blend in among residents, he added, without providing evidence.

 Turkish FM says Israel ‘dragging region into instability’

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says the United States and Iran must return to negotiations to prevent the regional war from escalating further.

Speaking in Ankara, Fidan warns that the conflict risks spreading across the region.

“The war must end as soon as possible. We are concerned about the spread of the war.”

Fidan has said Turkish air defences intercepted a missile fired towards the country and confirmed Ankara remains in contact with Iranian officials.

“Israel is dragging the region into new instability. As long as the attacks continue in the region, it will turn into an inescapable spiral. Turkiye will resist all kinds of provocations,” he said.

Fidan also warned that Israel’s continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshipers is a “dangerous step that will trigger new unrest in our region”.

He expressed deep concern over Israel’s ongoing strikes on Lebanon over concerns it would commit “a new genocide” under the guise of fighting Hezbollah, AFP reports.

“We are frankly concerned [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is moving toward a new genocide under the pretext of fighting Hezbollah,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said, urging the international community to “take immediate action”.

WHO confirms 12 health workers killed in strike on Lebanon health centre

The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) says a total of 14 health workers have been killed in attacks in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours.

The killings in the last 24 hours of 14 health workers in southern #Lebanon mark a tragic development in the escalating Middle East crisis.@WHO has confirmed that 12 doctors, paramedics and nurses were killed in a strike late last night on the Bourj Qalaouiyeh primary… pic.twitter.com/SXazI9XBai

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 14, 2026

WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that 12 doctors, paramedics and nurses were confirmed killed in a strike on the Bourj Qalaouiyeh primary healthcare centre late on Friday.

Lebanon’s National News Agency has said an Israeli drone hit a residential apartment building.

The WHO chief has added that the incidents were part of what the agency describes as a continuing assault on Lebanon’s healthcare system, noting that the agency has verified 27 attacks on healthcare facilities since March 2.

He has stressed that under international humanitarian law, medical personnel and healthcare facilities must be protected and should never be targeted.

 Iran envoy says Ukraine support to US, Gulf is a ‘joke’

Iran’s envoy to Ukraine, Shahriar Amouzegar, has dismissed the support Kyiv has offered to the United States and its Gulf allies, as Ukraine advertises its expertise in destroying Iranian-designed drones launched by Russia, AFP reports.

“As for the actions Ukraine is taking in the Middle East against drones, we essentially consider them nothing more than a joke and a showy gesture,” Amouzegar told AFP in an exclusive interview at the Iranian embassy in Kyiv, a partly vacated house near the Ukrainian presidential administration.

Ukraine said it had sent seasoned drone experts to Gulf states, which are facing similar threats, a move condemned by Amouzegar.

“Unfortunately, Ukraine has now effectively entered a stage of direct confrontation with us; that is, it has placed itself alongside our enemies,” he said.

 Netanyahu led Trump into ‘horrific, unpopular war’: Bernie Sanders

US Senator Bernie Sanders has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led US President Donald Trump into a “horrific and unpopular war”.

“Now he doesn’t know how to get out,” Sanders said on X.

Netanyahu led Trump into this horrific & unpopular war. Now he doesn’t know how to get out.

Cost so far:

• 1,200+ Iranian civilians killed
• 13 U.S. troops killed
• 3.2M Iranians displaced
• 773 killed in Lebanon
• 10,000+ Iranians injured
• $16.5B spent in 12 days

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 14, 2026

 Trump rejects efforts to launch Iran ceasefire talks: sources

US President Donald Trump’s administration has rebuffed efforts by Middle Eastern allies to start diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the Iran war that started two weeks ago, Reuters reports citing three sources familiar with the efforts.

Oman, which mediated talks before the war, has tried multiple times to open a line of communication, but the White House has made clear it is not interested, according to two sources, who, like others in this story, were granted anonymity to speak freely about diplomatic matters.

A senior White House official confirmed Trump has rebuffed those efforts to start talks and is focused on pressing ahead with the war to further weaken Tehran’s military capabilities.

“He’s not interested in that right now, and we’re going to continue with the mission unabated. Maybe there’s a day, but not right now,” the official said.

A second senior White House official has told Reuters, “President Trump said new potential leadership in Iran has indicated they want to talk and eventually will talk. For now, Operation Epic Fury continues unabated.”

 Iranian FM expresses gratitude to Sri Lankan govt for rescuing crew members, transferring remains of sailors

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed gratitude to the Sri Lankan government for its efforts in rescuing the crew members of the IRIS Dena corvette, as well as for its assistance in transferring the remains of 84 other sailors back to their homeland.

Iranian, Sri Lankan Foreign Ministers discuss regional developments in phone call

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of #Iran, held a telephone conversation on Friday evening with Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs of #SriLanka.… pic.twitter.com/0TUQrlOlMM

— Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran (@IRIMFA_EN) March 14, 2026

In a call with his Sri Lankan counterpart Vijitha Herath, Araghchi elaborated on the “latest situation of war resulting from the military aggression of the US and the Israeli regime against Iran”, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X.

 Lebanese people ‘dragged into’ war, UN chief says

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is “deeply saddened” at the situation in Lebanon after visiting some of the hundreds of thousands of displaced and hospitals where wounded civilians are being treated after Israeli attacks, Al Jazeera reports.

“The south [of the country] risks becoming a wasteland. Southern Beirut, which is under sweeping evacuation orders by Israel, risks being bombed to oblivion,” Guterres has told a news conference in Lebanon’s capital.

The Lebanese people did not choose this war, “they were dragged into it,” he added.

“My message to the warring parties is clear: stop the fighting, stop the bombing. There is no military solution, only diplomacy, dialogue, and the implementation of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions,” Guterres has said.

“Civilians must be respected and protected at all times. Lebanon’s sovereignty and territory must be respected,” he states. “The war must stop.”

 By and large, we could do everything we wanted to, says CNN journalist who covered war in Iran

Frederik Pleitgen, CNN’s correspondent who had been covering the war from Iran until recently, has told The Guardian that “by and large, we could do everything that we wanted to do”.

Asked if the team had a “minder” or if it was taken around by someone, Pleitgen replied in the negative.

“No, we didn’t. So, we don’t have a minder. We have a translator who’s a guy that we hire and we pay, but he obviously – the culture ministry asks him to not take us to places that are sensitive.

“It was more restrictive this time than it had been in the past, but still, by and large, we could do everything that we wanted to do,” he added, detailing that they had to inform the authorities before going to important sites to avoid misunderstandings.

“I can take the criticism. I think it’s fine,” he said, responding to a query about the snide remarks, particularly from the Trump administration, that he and CNN had to face.