War in the Middle East: UN peacekeepers killed, Madrid closes its airspace to American planes, Trump m

Two UN soldiers died on the 31st day of the war in an “explosion of unknown origin” in a location in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel, announced the Interim Force of the United Nations in Lebanon (Finul).

Two new UN soldiers killed in Lebanon, new threats from Donald Trump on the Iranian island of Kharg, a fourth Iranian missile intercepted by Turkey, Spanish airspace closed to American planes… On the 31st day of conflict in the Middle East, Monday, March 30, tensions continue to rise between Iran, Israel, the United States, and their allies. Here is what you need to remember from this new war day.

Two UN peacekeepers killed in southern Lebanon

Two UN peacekeepers died in an “explosion of unknown origin” in a location in southern Lebanon, close to the border with Israel, announced the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Finul). Clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army are ongoing in this region. These two deaths come after another UN peacekeeper, Indonesian, died in another location in southern Lebanon, killed by the explosion of a projectile of unknown origin. “Two soldiers of the Finul were tragically killed in southern Lebanon (…) by an explosion of unknown origin that destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third was seriously injured, and a fourth was hit,” detailed a statement from Finul, which said it was investigating the incident and did not assign responsibility.

Turkey announces interception of an Iranian missile

Turkey announced the interception of a fourth missile aimed at its territory, attributed to Iran according to the Ministry of Defense. “A ballistic munition, which was found to have been fired from Iran and entered Turkish airspace, was neutralized by the air and missile defense means of NATO deployed in the eastern Mediterranean,” detailed the ministry in a statement. NATO confirmed, emphasizing that it would “always do what is necessary to defend all Allies.”

Madrid closes its airspace to American planes

Spain, whose left-wing government is “totally opposed” to American-Israeli attacks against Iran, has closed its airspace to American planes involved in this war, announced the Spanish Defense Minister. “The use of (American bases in Spain) is not authorized, and of course the use of Spanish airspace for actions related to the war in Iran is not authorized either,” said Margarita Robles in statements transmitted to AFP, confirming information from the newspaper El País. In reality, “Spain’s refusal to cooperate has complicated the American operation” in the Middle East, El País claims, as some of Washington’s bombers “had to bypass the Iberian Peninsula to enter through the Strait of Gibraltar,” forcing them to “alter their routes” and logistics.

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to expel American forces

The Iranian foreign minister called on Saudi Arabia to expel American forces from its territory, reaffirming that its attacks in the region were only aimed at its enemies. “Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly country,” said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. “Our operations target enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians and who cannot provide any security (…). It is high time to expel American forces,” he added.

Donald Trump threatens Kharg Island again

The American president promised in a post on his social network, Truth social, to “annihilate” this essential oil site for Tehran if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened and if discussions with the Iranians, which he describes as “serious,” do not progress “rapidly.” The head of state’s post, before the opening of American markets, comes as the price of oil continues to rise, a result of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic point for global oil supply has been almost blocked by Tehran since the start of the war triggered by an attack from Israel and the United States.