Global tensions have escalated as Iran has denied reports of missile strikes on Azerbaijan and Turkey, despite evidence of drone attacks on the region. The Iranian government has maintained that it respects the territorial sovereignty of both countries.
According to reports, drones and missiles struck the region of Nakhchivan in Azerbaijan, injuring two people. The Azerbaijani government has announced that it will retaliate against the drone attacks.
Prior to this incident, Iran had denied reports of missile strikes on Turkey, stating that it respects Turkish territorial sovereignty. The British government has also stated that a drone attack on Cyprus was not carried out by Iran, but has not clarified the origin of the drone.
Iran has also denied reports of missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities, with international experts questioning who might have carried out the attacks if Iran was not responsible. Indonesia has offered to mediate in the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US, with Pakistan and the UAE expressing support for the initiative.
In a separate incident, Israeli warplanes have struck a three-story building in the Lebanese town of Al-Aqaba, which belonged to a retired Lebanese military officer, Younes Rida Ramel. The building was completely destroyed in the attack.
Iran has claimed to have struck the Israeli embassy in Bahrain’s capital, Manama. Following a drone attack on a US military base in Kuwait, a fire broke out in the area. The failure of the US to open the Strait of Hormuz has led to a sharp increase in oil prices, which rose by 9% on the global market.
The Israeli military has announced that a senior Iranian commander was targeted in an air strike in Tehran. The conflict has put pressure on the budgets and economies of Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, which may be forced to abandon their investment plans in the US.
Russia has provided Iran with locations of US military aircraft and ships, with Iranian authorities claiming to have identified 112 drones, of which 109 were shot down in mid-air, and three landed in the UAE.
Israel has announced the resumption of flights for foreign nationals from March 19. In a surprising move, the state of Texas has defied expectations in the US primaries, with record voter turnout and unexpected results that have sparked a new debate about the state’s future as a swing state or even a Democratic stronghold.
Reports suggest that the son of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was also injured in the clashes on the Lebanese border. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has claimed to have struck US and Israeli targets with advanced ballistic missiles.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has claimed that the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln has withdrawn from the conflict zone. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has announced that some countries have initiated mediation efforts.
