NEWS CENTER – Israel and the United States continue their attacks on Iran, which have now entered their 12th day. During overnight strikes, many Iranian cities were targeted.

 

Twelve days have passed since the attacks carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran on February 28. While the attacks have continued uninterrupted for nearly two weeks, diplomatic initiatives taking place in the background have so far produced no results.

 

Last night, attacks targeting regime forces were carried out in Isfahan, Bushehr, Hormozgan Province, Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Shahr-e Kord, Tehran, and Karaj.

 

Regarding the attacks, the US military claimed that it had struck 16 Iranian vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement, it alleged that the ships had been “laying mines” near the strait.

 

Israel is also continuing attacks it launched against Iran’s ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. Overnight, Israel carried out airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon. According to available information, at least seven people were killed and many others were injured.

 

Iran has continued detention and arrest operations on allegations of “espionage” in response to possible protests. Regime forces detained dozens of people accused of spying for the United States and Israel. Iranian police also announced that 81 people allegedly linked to foreign media or external actors had been arrested.

 

Ahmadreza Radan, commander of Iran’s Law Enforcement Force, threatened that “our finger is on the trigger” against possible protests.

 

WHO SAID WHAT?

 

Statements regarding the attacks are also continuing from the governments of countries directly involved in the conflict or affected by the strikes.

 

US President Donald Trump said the war “could end very soon,” though he noted that it might not happen this week. Trump threatened harsher military operations if Iran does not reach an agreement regarding its nuclear program. He also warned that the United States would respond very harshly if Iran attempts to block oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks on Iran are not over and that operations will continue. Netanyahu stated that Israel’s aim is to “eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime.”

 

Iranian officials announced that retaliatory attacks will continue. Iran also warned that if the attacks persist, oil exports from the Middle East could be halted.

 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the United States and Israel to halt military operations to prevent the war from escalating. He said Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected.

 

Meanwhile, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks and called for de-escalation. Saudi Arabia and several Gulf countries have begun diplomatic contacts aimed at reducing tensions with Iran.