The war in the Middle East escalated Thursday as Israel launched strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure in Isfahan, while Iran responded with missile attacks on central Israel, causing destruction and injuries. Israel also faced rocket attacks from Lebanon, resulting in the death of an Israeli soldier.
Iran, Hezbollah and Israel trade strikes
NPR’s Daniel Estrin in Tel Aviv spoke to military officials who said Israel intends to continue fighting for weeks in Iran, focusing on targeting Iran’s arms factories. The Israel Defense Forces stated on X it had completed a “wave of extensive strikes in Isfahan…targeting infrastructure.”
Simultaneously, Israel was under attack, with air sirens sounding in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The IDF reported a soldier in Lebanon, 21-year-old Sergeant Ori Greenberg, was killed. Israeli airstrikes continued in southern Lebanon, anticipating a “prolonged” ground invasion targeting Hezbollah militants. Israeli officials plan to take Lebanese territory up to the Litani River, while Hezbollah claims to have targeted a group of Israeli soldiers in that area with a drone.
Trump repeats negotiation claims
President Trump, speaking at a Republican fundraising dinner Wednesday night, asserted that Iran desires a deal but fears backlash from its citizens. He stated, “They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people.”
A proposed U.S. plan would require Iran to end its nuclear program, cease support for proxy militias, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and limit its missile program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, Iran has rejected the proposal, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating the country wants to end the war only on “our own terms,” outlining five conditions including an end to aggression and guaranteed compensation.
Will U.S. forces seize Kharg Island?
The Pentagon is preparing to deploy up to 3,000 paratroopers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. NPR’s Jackie Northam reports the U.S. is considering seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil processing facility, a move analysts say would be risky for U.S. service personnel. The U.S. military claims to have hit more than ten thousand targets in its air campaign on Iran.
German minister slams U.S.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius criticized the U.S. approach to the conflict, stating, “To make it crystal clear, this war is a catastrophe for the world’s economies.” He added, “What really concerns me the most…is there was no consultation, there is no strategy, there is no clear objective and the worst thing from my perspective is that there is no exit strategy.” He also criticized the U.S. for changing demands of Europe.
Oil prices higher amid Strait standoff
Iranian news agencies reported that Iran’s parliament is considering formalizing fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely blocked since the start of the war. Oil prices rose in Asia trading, with Brent crude reaching around $100 a barrel, and Asian and European stock markets opened lower Thursday.
UAE’s stable reputation at risk
Alerts sounded in the United Arab Emirates Thursday morning, with two people killed in Abu Dhabi by falling debris from intercepted missiles. Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting a drone, while Kuwait and Bahrain also reported attacks. Oman Air announced flight cancellations to numerous regional countries and parts of Europe until April 15.
Daniel Estrin in Tel Aviv, Lauren Frayer in Beirut, Emily Feng in Van, Turkey, Diaa Hadid in Mumbai, Jackie Northam, and Kate Bartlett contributed to this report.
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