The conflict in Iran continues, and the US, along with Israel, continues to strike the country, this time hitting oil storage facilities and refineries in Tehran, leading to large-scale fires in the capital.
US President Donald Trump has once again expressed his demand for Iran's "unconditional surrender," claiming that the conflict will only end when Iranian leaders "surrender" or their military forces cease to exist.
Trump emphasizes the lack of compromises with Iran.
- In response to a question about his views on Iran's new leader, Trump noted: "We are not going to go back to this every few years... We need a president who will not drag the country into wars."
- The president added that the US has "maximum" leverage in negotiations, but "we are not seeking compromise."
- When asked about reports of Iran attacking a desalination plant, Trump stated that he was unaware of this.
- According to him, Iran launched 9 percent of its missiles and drones in the first two days of the conflict, which he believes indicates that they do not have many left. "We have incapacitated 70 percent of their missile launchers," he added.
- Trump also noted: "They are being exterminated now. I think at some point there will be no one left to say, 'We surrender'."
- He also stated that the US "does not rely on Kurdish assistance," emphasizing the desire not to complicate an already convoluted war.
Below are additional comments from the US president made to reporters aboard Air Force One.
- When asked about his demands on Iran, Trump replied that he wants "unconditional surrender." "This means they surrender or can no longer continue the war," he explained. "That is, if they surrender, or if there is no one left to surrender, they become militarily useless."
- Trump noted that he has no information about Iranian support from Russia.
- When asked about the decrease in ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, he replied that it is the captains' decision. "We cleared it. We destroyed their fleet," he said.
- The president also expressed expectations for a rapid decline in oil prices, noting that the US has "large reserves" of oil.
- When asked about the possibility of sending American ground troops, Trump dodged the question, saying it was "inappropriate."
The US president added that the war with Iran will last "some time" longer and that it is going "incredibly successfully" for American troops.
"In just a week, we have achieved more than anyone could have imagined. We destroyed their fleet — 44 ships. We devastated their air force, all their planes," Trump told reporters aboard the presidential plane.
"We have destroyed most of their missiles. There are many fewer missiles now. We have also struck hard at missile production sites, and their drone capabilities have significantly decreased," he added.
"We hit their most vulnerable spots, including the elimination of almost all forms of leadership," he noted.
When asked how long he thinks the war will last, Trump replied: "As long as it takes."
Iran is ready to confront aggression: Pezeshkian
Iranian state media are disseminating a message from President Masoud Pezeshkian to the people.
Here are some key points from his speech:
- Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran seeks good neighborly relations with neighboring countries despite the enemy's attempts to sow discord.
- He emphasized that Iran will be forced to respond to attacks coming from the territory of other states, but this does not mean conflict with those countries.
- The president stated that Iran will not shy away from retaliatory actions against attackers and will respond with force.
- He called on citizens to unite and defend their country, emphasizing the importance of supporting their waters and lands.
- Iran, relying on the support of its people, will not allow its land to be captured by the enemy.
Iran officially warned Azerbaijan: time is running out.
We know the exact coordinates where the agents of "Mossad" and the CIA are hiding, in which bunkers and hotels they are located. Before it is too late, drive them out of your country.
Our target is not the people of Azerbaijan, not the government, and not the army. We are targeting these killers.
Therefore, the population should avoid places where their military facilities are located.
Our target is not the people of Azerbaijan, not the government, and not the army. We are targeting these killers.
Therefore, the population should avoid places where their military facilities are located.
UAE air defense "responds to missile and drone threats."
The UAE Ministry of Defense reported that their air defense systems are taking necessary measures against missile and drone attacks coming from Iran.
The agency explained that the sounds heard in the country were caused by the interception of projectiles by air defense.
The recent strike in Beirut highlights the expansion of Israel's conflict zone, affecting the interfaith map of Lebanon and increasing the number of casualties.
Israel claims to be targeting Hezbollah militants among their supporters in the Shiite area of Lebanon. However, the strike hit Raushe, which is traditionally a Sunni area, and also affected Christian and Druze areas.
This has heightened concerns about the reception of displaced persons, creating an atmosphere of caution and tension in the country, which Israel may exacerbate or even deliberately ignite.
It now appears that: a) there is no safe place in Lebanon and b) it is unsafe to accept displaced persons due to Israeli airstrikes that may pursue those fleeing from them.
A brief overview of recent events:
- Kuwait reported the deaths of two border service employees while on duty, and that attacks on the international airport and social security office caused fires.
- Saudi Arabia announced the prevention of an attack on the diplomatic quarter of Riyadh and shot down several drones in its airspace.
- Israeli forces blew up a hotel in downtown Beirut, resulting in at least four deaths and ten injuries.
- Trump again demanded "unconditional surrender" from Iran, stating that the war will only end when Iranian leaders "surrender" or their army becomes useless.
- Human Rights Watch indicated that the attack on a girls' school in the Iranian city of Minab on February 28 should be investigated as a war crime.
Human rights advocates assert that the attack on a school in Iran should be investigated as a war crime.
The organization Human Rights Watch states that the attack on an elementary school in southern Iran, which claimed the lives of at least 160 people, many of whom were children, should be investigated as a war crime.
"Those responsible for this unlawful strike must be held accountable, including prosecution of all those involved in war crimes," asserts Sophia Jones, a researcher from Human Rights Watch's Digital Investigations Lab.
"An immediate and thorough investigation of this incident is necessary, including determining whether the perpetrators knew that a school was present on the premises and that it would be full of children and teachers before noon," Jones added.
This attack was one of hundreds of strikes on Iran carried out by American and Israeli forces on the first day of operations on February 28.
During an investigation by Al Jazeera, it was established that the attack on the school was likely intentional, and the New York Times reported that the strike may have been carried out by the United States.
According to information from The Washington Post, an intelligence report from the US National Intelligence Council indicates that even a "large-scale" US offensive against Iran is unlikely to overthrow the country's government.
According to the publication, the report was completed just a week after the US and Israel jointly struck Iran on February 28, resulting in the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the very first day of the operation.
The report also mentions that the likelihood of the fragmented Iranian opposition seizing power is assessed as "unlikely."
Kuwaiti authorities reported that firefighters managed to localize the fire in the fuel tanks at Kuwait Airport.
Other teams continue to fight the fire in the main social security building, as reported by the government news agency.
This statement was made shortly after the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior reported the deaths of two border service employees.
Israeli media report the activation of air raid sirens in southern Israel, including the Negev Desert, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a new wave of missile and drone attacks.
Israeli Channel 12 confirmed that air defense systems are intercepting projectiles.
Meanwhile, Israeli military officials on social media X warn of missiles launched from Iran and urge citizens to be vigilant in emergencies.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense reported the prevention of a new attack, shooting down three more drones near Riyadh.
This occurred shortly after the ministry announced the prevention of a drone attack on the diplomatic quarter of Riyadh, reporting the downing of at least 15 other drones.
Over 1300 lives lost in the war in Iran in a week
More than a week after the onset of military actions, the death toll among the Iranian population continues to rise.
Over 1300 people have died, and around 100,000 have been forced to leave their homes. Military actions have compelled many people to leave their residences, and according to data from the UN Refugee Agency, there has been a sharp increase in urgent requests for assistance.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has initiated a new wave of retaliatory attacks on Israel and American targets in the Middle East.
According to Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has begun a new series of retaliatory strikes against Israeli and American targets in the Middle East.
The Corps named the latest operation "27th wave of Operation True Promise," indicating high-precision missiles aimed at the headquarters of the American base in the Kuwaiti city of Arifjan.
US allies fear that the conflict with Iran will leave them without American weapons they have already acquired — Politico.
European countries struggling to replenish their arsenals after sending weapons to Ukraine fear they will be unable to repel Russian aggression.
Allies in Asia, shaken by the high firepower of the US, wonder whether this will provoke China and North Korea into action.
And even in the Middle East, countries are uncertain whether they will receive air defense resources from the US to address their future needs.
The Trump administration is putting significant pressure on allies, demanding increases in defense budgets and purchases of American weapons, only for these munitions to be quickly depleted in the context of the ongoing war.
"This is extremely frustrating; words do not match actions," says one Eastern European official. "It is clear to everyone that the US will prioritize its own interests, as well as the interests of Taiwan, Israel, and the entire hemisphere over Europe’s."
Officials warn that the joint war of the US and Israel could deepen the rift between America and its defense allies.
The commander of the Quds Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Esmail Qaani, is reportedly under protection in Israel.
It has now been revealed that he played a key role in the elimination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leaders Nasrallah and Safieddine, as well as in the removal of Khamenei and high-ranking generals of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The article "War in Iran: Trump demands surrender again; Israel bombs oil storage facilities" first appeared on K-News.
