Middle East Conflict Enters Day 14 as Trump Claims Iran Nearing Capitulation; Fresh Strikes, Drone Attacks and Regional Tensions Intensify

The armed confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has now reached its fourteenth day, with hostilities continuing to expand across several parts of the Middle East.

Amid escalating military activity and diplomatic exchanges, global leaders are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation.

During a virtual conference with leaders of the G7 nations, US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran is on the verge of giving up.

According to a report by Reuters quoting Axios, Trump told fellow leaders that his administration had “eliminated a dangerous threat that endangered everyone,” while praising the impact of the military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.

Trump reportedly described the operation as a decisive action against Iran, claiming it had neutralised what he called a major security threat to global stability.

Iran Engages India Over Regional Situation

Amid the ongoing conflict, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss the deteriorating security situation in West Asia.

Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA reported that Araghchi emphasised the importance of the BRICS grouping, which includes both India and Iran, in contributing to regional peace and international stability.

During the discussion, the Iranian minister urged global and regional organisations to strongly condemn what he described as joint military attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory.

Iran Claims Strike on US Aircraft Carrier

Earlier in the day, Iranian authorities claimed that their armed forces had targeted the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln using a combination of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Reports circulating in regional media suggested the vessel sustained serious damage while positioned in the Persian Gulf.

Iran’s elite military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that the aircraft carrier had begun retreating and was heading back toward the United States following the alleged strike.

However, neither the US Department of Defense nor the American military has confirmed these claims.

US Refuelling Aircraft Crashes in Iraq

In another development, a US Air Force tanker aircraft — the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker — crashed in Iraq during a military mission.

Shortly after the incident, a Shia militant group in Iraq claimed responsibility, alleging that its fighters had shot down the aircraft.

The US Central Command later confirmed that four out of the six personnel aboard the aircraft were killed in the crash.

This incident follows earlier reports from March 2 that three American military aircraft crashed in Kuwait, reportedly due to accidental friendly fire.

Israel Questions Visibility of Iran’s New Supreme Leader

Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) raised questions regarding the public absence of Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

In a message posted on the social media platform X, the Israeli military asked why the new leader’s address to the Iranian public was delivered through a television anchor rather than appearing personally on camera.

The statement suggested that Iranian citizens deserve transparency about their leadership and the country’s current crisis.

The comments came shortly after Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first official message since assuming leadership.

In the statement, read on Iranian state television, he warned the United States to shut down its military bases across the Middle East or face continued retaliation.

Khamenei also declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed under the present circumstances and vowed that Iran would persist in its struggle to avenge those killed in recent attacks.

Protest March Held in Leh

In India’s Ladakh region, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Leh during the observance of Youm-e-Quds, staging a protest march to mourn the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in joint Israeli and American strikes earlier in the conflict.

Muslim Nations’ Economic Summit Postponed

The escalating war has also disrupted international diplomatic plans. A scheduled summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, originally set to take place in Jakarta next month, has been postponed due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.

The D-8 alliance consists of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Türkiye, with Azerbaijan joining the organisation in 2025. The bloc aims to strengthen economic collaboration among major Muslim-majority developing nations stretching from Southeast Asia to Africa.

Iran Launches Drone Strikes on Israeli Base

Iran’s military also claimed it had launched a series of drone strikes targeting an Israeli military installation in Beersheba. According to a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency, Iranian forces indicated that further strikes against Israeli military sites were expected in the coming hours.

Israel Warns Lebanon of Escalating Attacks

Tensions are also mounting along Israel’s northern frontier. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel could intensify its military operations in Lebanon if the Lebanese government fails to disarm the militant group Hezbollah.

Following an Israeli airstrike that destroyed the Zrariyeh Bridge over the Litani River, Katz said Israel might expand attacks on Lebanese infrastructure and could even occupy territory if Hezbollah’s activities continue.

“This is only the beginning,” he declared after the strike.

Explosions Reported in Tehran During Rally

Meanwhile, explosions were reported in central Tehran near the location of an Al-Quds Day rally.

According to reports citing Iranian state media outlet Tasnim, videos posted online showed smoke rising while crowds continued chanting slogans during the gathering.

US Grants Temporary Waiver for Russian Oil Purchases

In a separate geopolitical development, the United States has reportedly issued a 30-day waiver allowing countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil, according to a BBC report. The temporary licences suspend restrictions imposed due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

China Announces Humanitarian Assistance

China also announced emergency humanitarian assistance related to the conflict. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the Red Cross Society of China would provide $200,000 in aid to Iran’s Red Crescent Society.

Officials said the funds would help support parents of students who were killed during the ongoing hostilities. China reiterated its condemnation of attacks targeting civilians and urged all parties involved to exercise restraint and safeguard non-combatants.

Israeli Strikes Hit Multiple Iranian Cities

The Israeli military stated that it conducted simultaneous strikes in the Iranian cities of Tehran, Shiraz, and Ahvaz, claiming the operations targeted weapons manufacturing and storage facilities.

Airstrike Hits Residential Building in Lebanon

In Lebanon, several people were injured after an Israeli air raid struck a residential structure on the outskirts of Sidon, also known as Saida. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, the attack caused extensive damage to the building in the Al-Fouad district.

Emergency responders and ambulance teams rushed to the scene to transport the wounded to nearby hospitals.

As the conflict stretches into its second week, the situation across the Middle East continues to remain volatile, with mounting casualties, expanding military operations, and rising fears of a broader regional war.

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