The coming days will be decisive for the outcome of the war in Iran, said U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday, warning Tehran that the conflict could escalate if no agreement is reached, as Washington has conveyed a 15-point plan through mediators.
These new American threats come after Iran attacked a Kuwaiti-flagged oil tanker carrying crude off the coast of Dubai overnight, resulting in a ship fire. Tehran has conducted a series of strikes against merchant ships in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in response to military operations launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28.
The de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil transport passes, has caused global oil prices to soar, forcing an increasing number of countries to take measures to protect their economy.
After previously criticizing NATO countries for not aiding in the reopening of Hormuz, Donald Trump on Tuesday targeted European countries, including France, accusing them of preventing the U.S. from using their airspace to transport American weapons for the war.
The Elysée expressed surprise at the message posted by the American president on social media, emphasizing that Paris has “not changed its position” since the first day of the conflict.
Accusing France of actively obstructing the transfer of ammunition to Israel, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced in a statement that it would stop procuring military equipment from France.
Meanwhile, Israel continues its military operations in Iran and Lebanon, including invading the South of Lebanon to denounce the attacks launched by Hezbollah. Three UN peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon were killed in two separate explosions within a few hours, with the origin of the incidents not yet established.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated the state’s willingness to destroy homes in Lebanese villages near the border and control a “security zone” up to the Litani River, reviving memories of the illegal occupation of South Lebanon from 1982 to 2000. A minister called for the annexation of the territory to make the Litani River the northern border of Israel.
Several European countries have issued a joint statement calling for “direct political negotiations” between Lebanon and Israel to advance towards a sustainable end to the conflict.
CONTEXT: Tensions are escalating in the Middle East as Iran and the United States, along with Israel, engage in military operations, impacting global oil prices and raising concerns about wider conflicts.
FACT CHECK: The information in this article is presenting a hypothetical situation involving the U.S., Iran, Israel, and other countries. It is crucial to verify news related to international conflicts for accuracy and context.
