- Nuclear and Military Concerns: The US claimed Iran was expanding its nuclear weapons program, aiming to destroy it permanently.
- Pre-emptive Action: The US justified strikes as a necessary, proactive measure to protect its forces, allies, and prevent Iranian retaliation.
- Regional Influence: The operation seeks to curb Iran’s support for proxy groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
- Regime Change: President Trump has called on the Iranian people to overthrow their government.
- Security of Strategic Assets: Protecting the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial, high-volume shipping lane for oil.
- Failed Negotiations: The attack began following stalled negotiations that were mediated by Oman.
US Strikes Iran’s Military Infra As Peace Plan Collapses
US President Donald Trump sent a peace plan to Iran as he expressed confidence on Tuesday over putting an end to nearly a month of war with the country.
Tehran, on the other hand, declared it will allow “non-hostile” oil vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital maritime chokepoint which accounts for one-fifth of the global oil and gas trade.
President Trump spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and discussed the regional developments. This was the first conversation between the two leaders since February 28 — when the war broke out with the United States and Israel launching coordinated attacks on Iran, killing at least six Indians in the region and affecting global energy supplies.
Islamabad Ready To Host Negotiations
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad is prepared to host negotiations to end the West Asia conflict, involving the US, Israel and Iran.
Despite the signs of a diplomatic solution, Tehran fired fresh missiles at Israel on Tuesday, causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv mayor Ron Huldai told journalists a “direct strike” had targeted a building in the upscale neighbourhood.
Iran US war LIVE updates: Iran claims it targeted a US F-18 fighter jet, shares video as proof
After reviewing Trump’s 15-point peace plan, Iran has rejected the proposal, calling it “excessive”. In response, Tehran has laid out five key demands for the end of the war, which includes a demand for sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran Parliament speaker says forces monitoring ‘enemy’ movements, warns of attack on vital infrastructure
- Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf said the country’s forces were monitoring “enemy” movements.
- Iran US war LIVE updates: Tracking very closely how to get tankers through Hormuz, says White House
- US House Speaker says Operation Epic Fury ‘wrapping up’
- Gulf states call on Iraq to ensure attacks are not launched from its territory
- Netanyahu says Israel is expanding ‘buffer zone’ in Lebanon
- Iran threatens to block Bab El-Mandeb strait near Yemen if attacks continue
- UN chief Antonio Guterres has called on the US and Israel to end Iran war. The UN chief also called on Tehran to stop attacking Gulf countries, saying the conflict has ‘gone too far’, reported AP.
- Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Wednesday that Cairo was ready to host any meetings related to Iran as long as it serves de-escalation.
- Abdelatty said in a press conference that Egypt supported US President Donald Trump’s initiative to negotiate with Iran.
- “We have to continue our efforts, it’s all about diplomacy and negotiations,” the minister added after Iran rejected the US proposal.
- Iran has stated that US President Donald Trump ‘cannot dictate’ when the war will end. In a list of fresh demands, Iran has stated that it will end the war “at a time of its own choosing and only if own conditions are met.”
- Russia’s Rosatom has evacuated an additional 163 staff from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, leaving about 300 still on site, reported Iran International on Wednesday.
- Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said more personnel would leave as work on additional units remains suspended following the war.
- A complete halt to “aggression and assassinations” by the enemy.
- The establishment of concrete mechanisms to ensure that the war is not reimposed on the Islamic Republic.
- Guaranteed and clearly defined payment of war damages and reparations.
- The conclusion of the war across all fronts and for all resistance groups involved throughout the region
- Iran’s exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz is and will remain Iran’s natural and legal right, and it constitutes a guarantee for the implementation of the other party’s commitments, and must be recognized.
- In what is being reported as the first reaction to Trump’s 15-point proposal, Iran has stated that it would like a “concrete guarantee” from the US that the war will not happen again or restarted, reported Press TV
India holds all-party meeting on West Asia conflict
Amid the West Asia conflict, India conducted an all-party meeting on Wednesday, where opposition leaders were briefed on India’s response to the crisis and its preparedness to tackle the ongoing energy crisis.
“The purpose of calling the meeting was to clarify the situation, that is, what exactly is going to happen and what is happening. It has been made clear what the situation of the country is… The government is concerned about how to deal with this situation,” a BJP leader told media after the briefing was concluded.
The Modi-led government also noted that while four ships and tankers have returned to India, more are on their way back after coordination with Iran. Among these vessels are two LPG carriers – Jag Vasant and Pine Gas – which are expected to dock on March 26 and March 27.
Gulf states tell UNHRC that Iranian strikes pose an ‘existential threat’
Gulf Arab states told the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday they face an existential threat from Iranian attacks on their infrastructure.
“We are seeing an existential threat to international and regional security. This aggressive approach is undermining international law and sovereignty,” Kuwait’s ambassador Naser Abdullah H. M. Alhayen told the Geneva-based council.
Other Gulf states said Iran’s actions were designed to spread terror, with the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador Jamal Jama al Musharakh denouncing Iran’s “attempt to destabilise the international order through reckless adventures of expansionism.”
