Middle East don enter another round of tension as Iran reject ceasefire plan wey mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey bring. The plan wey dem propose na make ceasefire hold for 45 days, make Strait of Hormuz open, while dem dey talk about other matters for 15-20 days. But Iran say dem no go accept temporary ceasefire or deadline wey US President Donald Trump dey give.
Trump don set deadline for Tuesday 8pm US eastern time for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran no do am, Trump promise say “power plant day” and “bridge day” go happen for Iran. “The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” Trump talk for White House news conference on Monday night.
Iran respond with 10-point plan wey include end to the war, safe passage for ships through Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction for Iran and lifting of international sanctions. Trump say Iran response “significant, but not good enough.” Trump add say if e get e way, e go “take the oil” from Iran because “it’s there for the taking.”
War no dey slow down. On Monday, day 38 of the conflict, US and Israel attack Iranian petrochemical complex for southern Fars province. Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz say dem strike “the largest petrochemical facility in Iran.” Katz talk say together with another facility wey dem hit last week, the two sites dey responsible for about 85% of Iran petrochemical exports and dem don put am out of operation.
Israeli air force also attack dozens of Iranian air force aircraft and helicopters overnight on Sunday for three airfields for Tehran. Israel talk say strike for Sunday for Tehran kill Asghar Bagheri, commander of Iran Quds Force special-operations unit. Four bodies dem recover from apartment block for Israel northern city of Haifa wey Iranian cluster rocket hit on Sunday night.
International Atomic Energy Agency confirm Monday say military strikes affect area close to Iran Bushehr nuclear power plant, but the plant itself no get damage. European Council President António Costa warn against strikes on civilian targets, talk say “only a diplomatic solution” go end the war with Iran. “Any targeting of civilian infrastructure, namely energy facilities, is illegal and unacceptable,” Costa talk.
Anwar Gargash, adviser to United Arab Emirates president, talk say any settlement must guarantee access through Strait of Hormuz. E warn say deal wey no curb Iran nuclear programme and missiles and drones go pave way for “more dangerous, more volatile Middle East.”
Trump talk say e “not at all” concerned about committing war crimes as e continue to threaten destruction of Iran bridges and power plants. E add say US get to stand up to Iran to ensure safe world, talk say if not “Israel will be gone, the Middle East gone, then they will go for Europe.” Trump talk say e “very disappointed with NATO” over response to the war.
More than 3,400 people don die across Middle East since US and Israel joint attack on Iran on February 28. According to Iran deputy health minister, US-Israeli strikes kill more than 1,900 people. For Lebanon, at least 1,400 people die, including at least 124 children. For Israel, at least 23 people die, while 13 US service members die, and two more die of noncombat causes.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accuse US and Israeli forces of strike Sharif University for Tehran. “Israeli-US aggressors have bombed the MIT of Iran,” e write for X. Iran foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei talk say US operation to rescue airman from downed fighter jet may be cover to “steal enriched uranium” from Iran.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warn US say attacking civilian infrastructure na against international law. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric talk say even if specific civilian infrastructure qualify as military objective, attack still dey prohibited if e risk “excessive incidental civilian harm.”
Trump talk about rescue of two US airmen wey eject from downed fighter jet for Iran. Operation involve CIA deception campaign to throw off Iranians as 155 aircraft move into interior of country. One airman seriously injured and avoid detection for over 24 hours while treating wounds, scale mountainous terrain and communicate location to US forces.
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva talk say inflation go rise and economic growth across world go slow as result of war with Iran. Global oil supply don shrink by 13% as Iran block oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz, create worst-ever disruption to global fuel supplies.
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