Middle East crisis live: Trump considering ‘winding down’ war as US eases sanctions on Iranian oil; Israel launches retaliatory strikes | US-Israel war on Iran
important events
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli attacks in Syria
The Saudi foreign ministry condemned Israel’s attacks on Syrian army camps as “an attack” and joined Türkiye in calling for the international community to intervene.
The Israeli military said on Friday it had struck southern Syria in response to attacks on the Druze community in Sweida province and “will continue to take action to protect them.”
The Saudi ministry said in a statement on Saturday that the kingdom condemned the “blatant Israeli attack, which clearly violates international law and Syrian sovereignty,” Agence France-Presse reported.
The foreign ministry called on the international community to “put an end to Israel’s violations of international laws and norms.”
Türkiye’s foreign ministry described the Israeli attack as a “dangerous escalation” that the international community must stop.
Last year, Israel launched airstrikes on Syria, claiming it was acting in defense of its minority group, at a time when sectarian conflict was deadly.
Syria has so far avoided being dragged into the regional conflict triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes by Tehran.
At least four Druze fighters were killed in clashes with government forces in Sweida province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday. It was stated that Israeli bombardment later hit residential neighborhoods in the city of Sweida.
The Syrian foreign ministry condemned “an outrageous attack on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and described Israel’s justification as “flimsy excuses and fabricated excuses”.
Welcome summary
Hello, welcome to our ongoing live coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran and its repercussions on the Middle East, the world, and the global economy.
President Donald Trump said Friday he was considering “ending” military operations against Iran as the United States temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil shipments to prevent a global supply crisis..
Trump said on his Truth Social platform that “the United States is very close to achieving our goals as we consider halting our major military efforts in the Middle East.” His mission was the strongest indication that he may soon be ready to end hostilities that began on February 28.
White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt“The President and the Pentagon anticipated it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to accomplish this mission,” he told X shortly after Trump’s message.
At a time when concerns about oil prices and global supply shortages are increasing, the US Treasury announced that sanctions on Iranian oil currently loaded on ships have been temporarily lifted. It was stated that the authorization allows the delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and other oil products loaded on ships before March 20 and will last until April 19.
Meanwhile, Iran has launched a new wave of drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and Israel, following the religious leader. Mojtaba Khamenei He claimed to have dealt a “stunning blow” to his country’s enemies. In response, the Israeli army launched an attack on “regime targets” in Tehran early on Saturday.
Here’s a snapshot of other important developments:
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Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News that Iran is willing to help Japanese ships navigate a vital route for global fuel supplies. in an interview published Saturday. Japan depends on crude oil imports from the Middle East, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Iran fired two medium-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, but neither hit the joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean. The Wall Street Journal and CNN reported this, citing multiple US officials. One of the missiles failed in flight and a US warship fired an SM-3 interceptor at the other, the WSJ said. Neither organization confirmed when Iran launched the missiles.
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One person was killed and two others were injured in an Israeli airstrike on a house in a town in southern Lebanon early on Saturday.state media said.
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Trump continued to express his frustration with the British government, saying Britain “needs to move much faster.” Allowing the US military to use its bases in the Middle East.
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Previously, Downing Street had approved the US using its bases “for the collective defense of the region”.They include “defensive operations” that destroy Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Britain had previously allowed US forces to use its bases only for operations aimed at preventing Iran from firing missiles that put British interests or lives at risk.
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Araghchi said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was “endangering British lives” By allowing UK bases to be used for offensive purposes against Iran”.
