The White House’s spokesperson, Caroline Leavitt, has stated that the US will continue its military operations against Iran without any restrictions, in spite of the escalating tensions in the region. In an interview with the French news agency, Leavitt mentioned that President Trump is also considering diplomatic options to resolve the ongoing crisis.
According to the White House, Trump and his team are evaluating new possibilities for diplomatic engagement. Leavitt emphasized that the US military operations in Iran are ongoing without any interruptions, with the goal of achieving military objectives.
Bent Abdulrahman Al Miftah countered that targeting a country that is not involved in the conflict is a violation of international laws and poses a threat to global peace. Trump further stated that the opponents are attempting to divert attention from the US military’s successes in Iran, and are unwilling to witness the US’s clear and decisive victory.
The US military has confirmed that the operations are defensive in nature, and their primary objective is to protect American interests and allies in the region.
Meanwhile, meteorologists have issued warnings about the potential for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dust storms in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
In response to Iranian attacks, several buildings in Tel Aviv were destroyed, and sirens sounded in northern Israel. A crisis has emerged in India due to a shortage of gas and petrol, with the poor population being forced to use wood and coal for fuel.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has stated that the conflict in the Middle East has spiralled out of control, and the world is facing a growing threat of global war. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister has revealed that they are in contact with their counterparts in neighboring countries, including Iran, to address the ongoing crisis.
In response to US proposals, the Iranian government has rejected them, describing them as unacceptable. According to the Iranian Press TV, the government has evaluated the proposals and deemed them to be unsuitable.
Iranian officials have been keeping a close eye on US activities in the region, particularly military deployments, according to Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. The Iranian Foreign Minister has held meetings with their counterparts in neighboring countries, including Pakistan and Egypt.
In a separate development, the Chinese shipping company, Cosco, has resumed new bookings for cargo shipments from some Gulf countries, after a three-week hiatus.
To mitigate the impact of the rising petrol prices, the Ministry of Finance has taken steps to protect the public from the effects of increased fuel prices.
