The United States has announced that President Donald Trump does not want Iran’s energy installations to be attacked further. According to a US newspaper, Trump believes that the attacks on Iranian oil installations have sent a message to Iran, and if Iran continues to provoke the situation by escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump is prepared to carry out further attacks.
The newspaper also reported that Trump was aware of the drone attack on the South Pars Gas Field and wanted to put pressure on Iran over the issue of the Strait of Hormuz. However, the efforts of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are aimed at blocking all available avenues for Trump to negotiate a ceasefire and then talk to Iran.
The US has approved the sale of a sophisticated defense system to the United Arab Emirates, worth approximately $4.5 billion. The system includes modern long-range radar. Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have said that they were forced to target energy installations linked to American companies after the attacks.
The attacks on Iranian energy installations have affected the facilities that produce 17% of Iran’s exportable Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). In a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Trump was asked why the US did not provide prior notice to its allies, including Japan, before the attacks. Trump responded that the US did not want to give away too much signal, and instead carried out sudden and comprehensive action.
In a separate incident, a C-130 military aircraft made an emergency landing in Australia, but the crew and passengers were unharmed. Investigations are ongoing.
The conflict between the US and Iran has led to a record increase in gas prices in the UK and Europe. Iranian media have reported that Israel’s military communication system has been hit by serious security vulnerabilities, leading to a crisis in the management of the war strategy.
In Bangladesh, the Roza Committee has announced that the Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on March 21, as the crescent of Shawwal was not spotted. The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has slammed President Trump’s handling of the US-Iran conflict, calling it a disaster.
Iranian state media have reported that 13 alleged spies have been arrested in southeastern Iran, including 13 suspected intelligence operatives.
