Urgent call to declare an "emergency government" in Iraq
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Former Speaker of Parliament, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, on Saturday called for the declaration of a 45-day emergency government.
Al-Mashhadani said in a post: “I appeal to the parliamentary blocs, the Speaker of Parliament, and his two deputies to hold an extraordinary session and declare an emergency government for 45 days.”
It is worth noting that a source within the coordinating framework that brings together the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq told Shafaq News Agency last Monday that the coalition leadership agreed to postpone deciding on a prime ministerial candidate until after the end of the ongoing regional war between the United States and Israel against Iran .
The Coordination Framework had officially nominated Maliki on January 24, a move that opened the door to negotiations to form the new government, but the process faltered as disagreements continued over the election of the President of the Republic, the constitutional entitlement that precedes assigning the candidate of the largest bloc to form the government .
However, al-Maliki’s nomination was met with rejection from some Sunni forces, as well as parties within the Shiite bloc itself, in addition to strong rejection from the American administration, whose president, Donald Trump, threatened at the time that Washington would stop its aid to Iraq if al-Maliki assumed the premiership.
“I Don’t Think It Will End Soon,” Bolton on Iran War
Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said the war in the Middle East is unlikely to end soon, warning that hostilities will continue at least until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and safe for international shipping, in an exclusive interview with Channel8.
Speaking to Channel8 presenter Ara Ako, Bolton said the objectives of the conflict remain unclear. He added that if President Donald Trump is pursuing regime change in Iran, “there is still a long way to go.”
“I don’t see how he can declare victory with the Strait of Hormuz still closed,” Bolton said. “At an absolute minimum, the war will continue until the Strait is open and safe for shipping in and out of the Gulf.”
On what motivated Trump to launch the strikes, Bolton said the reasons were “entirely legitimate,” citing Iran’s nuclear program and its decades-long support for militant groups.
“Iran’s nuclear weapons program is a threat on a global basis,” he said. He added that Tehran’s backing of groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah represents a broader security threat. “Eliminating those threats, the nuclear threat and the terrorist threat, are both legitimate objectives for the U.S. to seek through military force.”
Bolton, who served as national security adviser during Trump’s first term and has long advocated regime change in Iran, said he believes that was Trump’s objective from the outset. He pointed to a January social media post in which Trump urged Iranian opposition protesters to “keep protesting, take control of your institutions — help is on its way.”
He said achieving that goal would require dismantling the instruments of Iranian state power, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, its Quds Force, and affiliated militias.
Bolton also offered a critical assessment of Trump’s decision-making, saying the president “has a short attention span and doesn’t think through decisions in a strategic manner.” He added that concerns over rising global oil prices could prompt rapid policy shifts.
On regional dynamics, Bolton said he sees no need to redraw borders in the Middle East, but argued that a change of government in Tehran would be transformative.
“The only way we’re ever going to see lasting peace and security in the region is when that regime is gone,” he said, describing Iran’s leadership as “the biggest threat to peace and security” in the region.
Addressing the future of Iran, Bolton said any post-regime transition would require time and internal consensus. He suggested a transitional government led by Iran’s conventional military — rather than the Revolutionary Guard, could help stabilize the country and allow citizens to determine their political future.
On the Kurdish question, Bolton said Kurds across Iran, Turkey, Iraq, and Syria have long sought self-determination and noted he has supported that aspiration. However, he said such discussions should follow any regime change, urging focus on a common objective first.
Bolton cautioned against expectations of a rapid democratic transition, saying Iran is unlikely to become a democracy overnight. He warned that if the current leadership remains in power, it could rebuild its nuclear and regional capabilities and emerge stronger.
“If you don’t have the resolve to see a regime change effort through to success, you shouldn’t start it,” Bolton said.
Washington grants temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil sales
The United States has granted a temporary 30-day sanctions waiver for the sale of Iranian oil at sea, in a move aimed at easing pressure on global energy supplies amid escalating military tensions in the region.
Reuters quoted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bisent as saying that the Trump administration had issued a general license allowing the sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded onto ships, effective from March 20 to April 19.
Bisent explained that this step comes as part of efforts to increase supply in global markets, noting that opening this supply temporarily could add about 140 million barrels of oil, which would contribute to easing pressure on markets and stabilizing prices.
This is the third such exemption in about two weeks, indicating a phased US approach to dealing with the repercussions of disrupted energy supplies, in parallel with the continuation of sanctions imposed on Tehran.
These measures come at a time when global energy markets are facing increasing challenges as a result of geopolitical tensions, prompting a number of countries to take exceptional measures to ensure stable supplies and avoid sharp price fluctuations.
Iran responds to the US Treasury: We have no oil for international markets.
Iranian Oil Ministry spokesman Saman Qoddusi responded to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bisnett's statement about lifting sanctions on Iranian oil stuck on oil tankers to help lower prices.
Qudousi wrote on the X platform: “Currently, Iran does not have any floating crude oil or surplus supply in other international markets.”
He added: "The statement by the US Treasury Secretary is only intended to give hope to buyers and to exert psychological control over the market."
Bessent said earlier that "in the coming days, we may lift the sanctions on Iranian oil that is at sea. It amounts to about 140 million barrels."
He noted that the release of sanctioned Iranian oil into global supplies would contribute to lowering crude prices over the next 10 to 14 days.
The US Department of Energy also announced that the United States has allocated (loaned) the first 42.5 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to oil companies, out of a planned total of 172 million barrels.
The escalation in the Middle East has resulted in a near-total paralysis of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which approximately 20% of the world's oil, petroleum product, and liquefied natural gas supplies pass.
Poland is withdrawing its troops from Iraq following the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
Poland withdrew its military forces from Iraq, amid deteriorating security conditions in the Middle East region as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, and the escalating risks associated with it.
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Marcin Kościaniak Kamiesch said in a post on the “X” platform last night that “the decision came after a comprehensive assessment of the potential risks,” confirming that Polish soldiers had been fully evacuated from Iraq.
Kamisch noted that the evacuation was carried out in coordination with Poland's NATO allies, while a spokesman for the Polish Armed Forces High Command confirmed the return of more than 100 soldiers to their country.
Poland had deployed around 2,000 troops to Iraq in 2003 as part of what was known as the “Coalition of the Willing” in support of the United States, and its military participation there continued within the framework of training and advisory missions.
NATO announced on Friday that it was withdrawing its advisory mission from Iraq, following attacks targeting foreign forces at military bases in the north of the country, with hundreds of mission members being transferred to Europe as a precautionary measure.
Iraq declares force majeure on oil fields operated by foreign companies
Iraq has declared a state of “force majeure” on all oil fields developed by foreign oil companies due to the turmoil caused by the US-Israeli-Iranian war.
Reuters quoted three energy officials as saying on Friday that the announcement came after military operations in the region disrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, causing most of Iraq's crude oil exports to halt.
The Iraqi Oil Ministry confirmed in a letter dated March 17, seen by Reuters, that the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the repercussions of the war in the region had pushed storage capacity to its limits, noting that international partners were unable to nominate tankers to load crude oil, thus preventing exports.
The ministry explained that it had issued an order to completely halt production in the affected concession areas based on the existing situation, without this measure entailing any compensation under the terms of the contracts.
The ministry stressed that this reduction will be subject to periodic review according to developments in the regional situation, calling on companies to hold urgent talks to agree on basic operations, costs and labor, under the conditions of “force majeure”.
In a related context, Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani said that crude production at the Basra Oil Company had decreased from 3.3 million barrels per day to 900,000 barrels per day, after exports from the country’s ports were halted, noting that the quantities produced were being pumped to operate refineries.
These measures come at a time when global energy markets are facing increasing challenges as a result of geopolitical tensions and military escalation in the Middle East, prompting a number of countries to take exceptional measures to ensure the stability of supplies and avoid sharp price fluctuations.
The US administration is withdrawing the first batch from its strategic oil reserve.
The US Department of Energy announced that the United States has allocated (loaned) the first 42.5 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to oil companies, out of a planned total of 172 million barrels.
A statement published on the US Department of Energy website, which was reviewed by Al-Maalomah, said that “the United States has begun the first phase of withdrawing 42.5 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserve. Deliveries began on March 20.”
The Ministry of Energy expects that companies receiving oil from the strategic reserve in the first phase will replenish it with a total of 55 million barrels.
She noted that the companies awarded strategic petroleum reserve contracts include BP Products North America, Gunvor USA, Marathon Petroleum and Shell Trading.
The Trump administration is borrowing oil from the strategic reserve to lower prices that have risen due to the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Electricity Ministry announces gradual resumption of Iranian gas supplies
this was urgent breaking news in Iraq when it first came out
The Ministry of Electricity announced today, Saturday (March 21, 2026), the gradual return of Iranian gas supplies.
Ministry of Electricity spokesman Ahmed Moussa stated in a press release, reported by Baghdad Today, that "Iranian gas flow to Iraq has resumed today at a rate of five million cubic meters." He noted that "these quantities have been gradually restored to bolster the national energy grid and increase the operational capacity of power plants."
He pointed out that "power plants were affected by the temporary halt in Iranian gas flow due to the bombing of the Iranian Pars gas field. This prompted the Ministry to adopt alternatives by utilizing domestic gas supplies to power some plants and coordinating with the Ministry of Oil to provide gas oil (diesel). The substations were ready to operate the power plants."
He added that "following the resumption of Iranian gas flow, the national grid has stabilized production at 14,000 megawatts." He indicated that "the Ministry's plans are ongoing and on schedule to ensure readiness before the summer season."
He affirmed that "the electricity situation is stable, alternatives are available, and we are proceeding with the regular plan," explaining that "the grid has recorded stability and good figures in terms of supply hours."
He explained that “fuel and national gas are secured for the benefit of the power stations and there is great control over the loads and with high smoothness,” noting that “there is a permanent operations room in the Ministry headquarters that works to monitor and follow up on the work of the system and transmission lines in order to achieve stability in operating hours.”
Qaani breaks his silence... First comment from the "Quds Force Commander" since the outbreak of the war
Brigadier General Ismail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, issued his first comment on Friday (March 20, 2026) since the outbreak of war on Iran at the end of last month.
In a message addressed to the leaders and commanders of the Resistance Front on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, Qaani said: “The Resistance Front now possesses very valuable capabilities,” noting that it “made a wise decision to independently enter the war against the United States and the Zionist entity in defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
He added, "The front of truth is growing stronger and more powerful day by day," noting that "the martyrdom of its leaders has led to a new beginning and the injection of renewed blood into the body of the resistance."
Qaani stated that the Front will continue its struggle against the enemies of Islam and humanity, thanks to the blood of the martyrs, and is now stronger and more capable than before, stressing that the next stage will witness a humiliating defeat for the enemies.
For this reason, dollar trading has stopped in Baghdad.
No exchange rates for the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar were recorded today, Saturday, in the markets of the capital, Baghdad, due to the suspension of trading coinciding with the Eid holiday.
Despite the near-total closure of the markets, some exchange shops continued to operate on a limited basis in various areas of Baghdad, where the selling price of the dollar reached about 155,500 dinars per 100 dollars, while the buying price recorded 154,500 dinars.
In Erbil, the markets had ended their trading last Thursday before the start of the Eid holiday, with prices reaching 154,600 dinars for selling and 154,500 dinars for buying per 100 dollars.
London grants Washington "limited permission" to use its military bases and warns Tehran against "recklessness".
On Saturday, the British Ministry of Defence decided to grant the United States permission to use its military bases for "specific defensive operations," at a time when military operations in the region are taking on an increasingly rapid dimension.
The ministry said in a statement seen by Shafaq News Agency that "its aircraft and other military assets continue their missions to defend its citizens and interests in the Middle East," stressing its commitment to protecting regional security.
The ministry described the recent Iranian moves as "reckless," stressing that Tehran's threats to navigation and seizure of ships in the Strait of Hormuz pose a direct threat to British and allied interests in the region.
US Central Command: We struck more than 8,000 Iranian military sites
The US Central Command announced on Saturday that it had targeted more than 8,000 Iranian military sites during the three-week-long war in the region.
The US Central Command said in a press statement: "We targeted Iranian ballistic missile depots and Iranian radars used to threaten maritime navigation."
She pointed out that "Iran has lost significant combat capabilities, including thousands of missiles and drones, and we have also targeted 130 Iranian ships," indicating that "Iran's capabilities are witnessing a significant decline."
The command continued: "We dropped 5,000-pound bombs on Iranian bunkers, and we are determined to continue the mission against Iran, and we will continue to use lethal force."
The Revolutionary Guard announces it struck 55 sites in Israel and the region in wave 70
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard vowed on Saturday to continue responding to any attack targeting Iranian territory, asserting its intention to carry out strikes far exceeding those previously conducted, as part of its ongoing military escalation.
The Guard explained in a statement that "its forces targeted more than 55 sites which it described as belonging to the Israeli-American enemy, as part of the 70th wave of Operation True Promise 4."
The statement added that "5 US military bases in the region were attacked during the past 24 hours, including sites in Al-Kharj, Al-Dhafra, Ali Al-Salem and Erbil, in addition to the US Fifth Fleet," noting that "the targeting was effective and repeated," according to him.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard stated that "the attacks were carried out using Qiam and Emad missile systems, along with drones."
This comes at a time when Iran is facing American and Israeli military attacks for the third week in a row, after it turned from a direct confrontation between Tehran and Tel Aviv into an open regional clash whose repercussions have extended to Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and the Gulf, amid growing fears for energy security, navigation and stability in the region.
Trump Says U.S. 'Very Close' to Meeting Objectives in Iran Campaign
from Kurdish news
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States is “very close” to achieving the goals of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz should be protected and monitored.
The 22-day joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran continues, with the stated primary objectives of neutralizing Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and preventing its nuclear program from becoming a functional threat.
“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the terrorist regime of Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He emphasized that the unstated goals are to render Iran's missile capabilities inoperable, including launchers and supporting infrastructure. Additionally, he noted that the objectives include dismantling Iran's defense industrial base and neutralizing its naval and air forces, as well as its anti-aircraft capabilities.
“Never allowing Iran to get even close to nuclear capability, and always being in a position where the U.S.A. can quickly and powerfully react to such a situation, should it take place,” he added.
Trump emphasized that one of the objectives Washington closes is to protect, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.
U.S. to Help Allies, But Won't Patrol Hormuz Strait
The Hormuz Strait will require “to be guarded and policed" to ensure its safe and secure passage for all nations that rely on it.
“The United States does not! If asked, we will help these countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated. Importantly, it will be an easy military operation for them," he added.
Trump Rejects Ceasefire, Says Iran 'Literally Obliterated'
Trump characterized the military campaign earlier as highly successful, asserting that the deaths of high-ranking Iranian officials have left the country without a centralized leadership.
He rejected the ceasefire, saying, "You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side."
Iran's Khamenei Says U.S.- Israel Campaign 'Miscalculation’
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iranian Supreme Leader, issued a message yesterday, stating that Iran has dealt a "confusing blow" to the U.S. and Israel and calling the campaign a "gross miscalculation."
He highlighted that operations against Iran were carried out under the "illusion" that killing top leaders—including his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—would lead to the government's collapse.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected reports that Iran had requested a ceasefire, instead demanding a "complete, comprehensive, and lasting end to the war."
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The G7 demands that Iran immediately halt the attacks and threatens to take "necessary measures".
The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations on Saturday called on Iran to immediately and unconditionally halt its "unjustified" attacks, stressing the importance of protecting maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.
A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the top diplomat of the European Union, read: "We express our support for our partners in the region in the face of the unjustified attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies."
The G7 foreign ministers expressed their readiness to take "necessary measures" to support global energy supplies, adding: "We condemn in the strongest terms the regime's reckless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure."
These statements come amid an unprecedented escalation by Iran, which in recent weeks has carried out missile and drone attacks on countries in the region in response to Israeli and American attacks.
The escalation also coincides with growing concerns about the threat to international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, raising the likelihood of market disruption and higher energy prices if the conflict widens.
Saudi Arabia has declared the Iranian diplomatic mission in the country "persona non grata".
Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday that the Iranian diplomatic mission was "persona non grata" and ordered it to leave within 24 hours.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s categorical condemnation of the blatant Iranian attacks against the Kingdom, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and a number of Arab and Islamic countries.”
She added, "Since the Islamic Republic of Iran's continued targeting of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its sovereignty, civilian objects, civilians, economic interests, and diplomatic headquarters in the Kingdom, represents a clear violation of all relevant international conventions, the principles of good neighborliness and respect for the sovereignty of states, the Beijing Agreement, and Security Council Resolution No. 2817 (2026), and is incompatible with Islamic brotherhood and the values and principles of the Islamic religion that the Iranian side constantly speaks of, which confirms that these are words that are not reflected in actions."
“And in confirmation of what was included in the statement issued by the Ministry on March 9, 2026, that the continued Iranian attacks mean further escalation and this will have a significant impact on relations now and in the future, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has notified the military attaché at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Kingdom, the assistant military attaché at the Embassy, and three members of the mission staff to leave the Kingdom and consider them persona non grata, and that they must leave the Kingdom within (24) hours.”
Japan reveals Iranian offer: safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but with conditions.
"The restrictions are selective and do not apply to everyone."
The Japanese news agency Kyodo reported an Iranian offer from Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, expressing his country's readiness to grant Japanese ships and tankers "safe passage" through the Strait of Hormuz, provided there is direct coordination with the Tehran authorities.
According to Kyodo, Araqchi explained that Tehran does not adopt a policy of “complete closure,” but rather imposes selective restrictions targeting countries involved in direct conflict against it, thus opening the door for countries like Japan to overcome the supply crisis.
Despite Iran’s openness, Japan remains part of a six-party international movement (comprising France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands) that has declared its readiness to contribute to securing navigation in the Strait, which puts Japanese diplomacy before a difficult balancing act between securing its oil lifeline and its commitments to Western powers.
Wholesale dollar trading in Baghdad and Erbil has stopped due to the Eid holiday.
The exchange rates of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar were not recorded on Saturday in the markets of the capital, Baghdad, as a result of the suspension of trading coinciding with the Eid holiday.
However, a limited number of exchange shops continued to operate in some areas of Baghdad, where the selling price was recorded at about 155,500 dinars per 100 dollars, while the buying price was 154,500 dinars.
Initial discussions within the Trump administration to begin "peace talks" with Iran
According to the website, Trump’s advisors are discussing who should lead the negotiating track with Iran, which countries could play the role of mediator, and initial ideas regarding confidence-building measures in case talks begin.
The report noted that these discussions are still in their early stages, but they come at a time when Washington is considering a diplomatic path in parallel with the continued military escalation, amid a belief among some officials that military pressure may push Tehran towards negotiations.
The website quoted a source as saying that Trump's envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Wittkopf, are involved in discussions about potential diplomacy.
According to the website, any agreement to end the war would need to include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, addressing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, as well as concluding a long-term agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for proxies in the region.
The report confirmed that no direct contact had taken place between the United States and Iran in recent days, although Egypt, Qatar and the United Kingdom had relayed messages between them, according to a US official and two sources familiar with the matter.
According to Axios, Egypt and Qatar informed both the United States and Israel that Iran was interested in negotiating, but under very difficult conditions.
The report stated that the Iranian demands included a ceasefire, guarantees that the war would not be resumed in the future, and compensation.
A U.S. official who believes the Iranians will come to the negotiating table said: "We see that we have hindered Iran's growth," adding that the United States wants Iran to adhere to six points.
The provisions include: "No missile program for five years, no uranium enrichment, and shutting down the reactors at the Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow nuclear facilities that were bombed by the United States and Israel last year."
It also includes "strict external monitoring protocols on the establishment and use of centrifuges and related machinery that could contribute to the development of a nuclear weapons program, and arms control treaties with countries in the region that include a maximum limit of no more than 1,000 missiles."
Finally, "No funding for proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, or Hamas in Gaza."
The American website added that "Iran has repeatedly rejected many of those demands in the past, and leaders in Tehran have pointed to the difficulty of negotiating with a president who has engaged in talks in the past only to suddenly bomb them."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told his Indian counterpart on Saturday that normalizing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz requires the United States and Israel to stop attacking Iran and commit to not resuming attacks in the future, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
Trump, for his part, said on Friday that he does not oppose talks, but is not currently interested in meeting Iran's demands for a ceasefire.
A U.S. official said Trump also considers the demand for compensation "out of the question," while a second official said there might be room for negotiation regarding the return of frozen assets to Iran.
The official added, according to the report: "They call it compensation. We might call it the return of frozen funds. There are many different ways we can phrase the words so that they resolve politically what they need to resolve, and to develop consensus within their system."
He continued: "This is the art of wordplay. We first need to reach a stage where there is a high-quality problem in wordplay."
Axios noted that Trump's team is currently trying to answer two key questions: Who is the best contact for negotiations in Iran, and which country is the best mediator?
US officials say Araqchi was the chief mediator in previous talks, but Trump's advisers see him as a "fax machine" rather than someone authorized to actually make a deal.
US officials say they are trying to find out who is actually making the decisions in Iran and how to communicate with them.
While Oman mediated the latest round of nuclear talks, the United States is seeking another mediator, specifically Qatar, due to mutual distrust with Oman.
American officials have stated that the Qataris have proven themselves to be an effective and trustworthy mediator in Gaza.
Two sources told the American website that the Qataris are willing to provide assistance behind the scenes, but they do not want to be the main official mediators.
The sources said Trump's advisers want to be prepared should talks with Iran take shape in the near future.
According to the sources, Whitkopf and Kushner's conditions will be similar to those they presented in Geneva two days before the start of the war.
Trump: The United States has wiped Iran off the map and my goals have been achieved.
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday (March 21, 2026) that the United States has wiped Iran off the map and achieved his goals.
Trump said in remarks, "The Iranians want to make a deal and I don't," noting that "the United States has wiped Iran off the map and my goals were achieved weeks ahead of schedule."
He added, "The Iranian leadership is gone, its naval and air forces are finished, and it currently has no defenses."
These statements come at a critical juncture, as the region witnesses an unprecedented escalation following the widespread war between the United States and Israel on one side, and the Islamic Republic of Iran on the other.
Remembering Operation Iraqi Freedom
- US President Donald Trump threatens to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if it fails to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
- Iran attacks southern Israel, wounding dozens in the cities of Dimona and Arad, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a “difficult evening of battle”.
