The coming days will be decisive for the outcome of the war in Iran, said US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, on Tuesday, warning Tehran that the conflict could escalate if no agreement is reached. The US has conveyed a 15-point plan through mediators.
These new American threats come after Iran attacked a Kuwaiti-flagged oil tanker carrying crude off Dubai, causing a fire on the ship. Tehran has carried out a series of strikes against merchant ships in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in response to military operations by the US and Israel on February 28.
The de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil shipments pass, has caused global oil prices to skyrocket, forcing more countries to take measures to protect their economies.
Having previously criticized NATO countries for not assisting in the reopening of Hormuz, Donald Trump on Tuesday turned his criticism towards European countries, including France, accusing them of prohibiting the US from using their airspace to transport American weapons for the war.
The Elysée Palace expressed surprise at the message published by the American president on social networks, emphasizing that Paris has “not changed its position” since the beginning of the conflict.
Accusing France of actively obstructing the transfer of ammunition to Israel, the Israeli Ministry of Defense stated in a press release that it would stop purchasing military equipment from France.
Meanwhile, Israel continues its military operations in Iran and Lebanon, where the Southern border was invaded by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) denouncing attacks by Hezbollah. Three UN peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were killed in two separate explosions, the source of which has not been confirmed.
Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, reiterated the Hebrew state’s commitment to destroying homes near the Lebanese border and controlling a “security zone” until the Litani River, raising concerns of an illegal occupation similar to that of South Lebanon between 1982 and 2000.
Several European countries are calling for direct political negotiations between Lebanon and Israel to work towards a lasting end to the conflict.
CONTEXT: The news article provides an overview of the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, highlighting key events and developments in the Middle East region.
FACT CHECK: No specific details are mentioned about the conflict.
