Dubai, Mar 27 (AP) Israel warned Friday it will expand its attacks on Iran as Tehran kept firing missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab nations. The U.S. military also continued striking Iran, while President Donald Trump delayed his threat to obliterate Iran’s energy plants over its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel has moved thousands of troops across the border into Lebanon, where Israeli officials said they want to take control of the entire area south of the Litani River – some 20 miles (about 30 kilometers) north of the border.
Facing a convulsing stock market, Trump on Thursday extended a deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz until April 6, saying Iran asked for the grace period and that talks were going “very well,” despite the fact Iran continues to publicly insist it is not negotiating with the White House on a 15-point proposal to end the conflict.
The war has killed more than 1,900 people in Iran and nearly 1,100 in Lebanon. Eighteen people have died in Israel, while four Israeli soldiers have also been killed in Lebanon. Thirteen U.S. military members have died, as well as a number of civilians on land and sea in the Gulf region. Millions of people in Lebanon and Iran have been displaced.
Here is the latest: Israel’s air force carry out strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs —————————————————————— Warplanes were seen flying over the Lebanese capital Friday afternoon as they conducted strikes on its southern suburbs.
The Israeli military said it has begun a wave of strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut.
303 US troops have been wounded in the Iran war —————————————————— Of the total wounded to date, 273 service members have returned to duty, said Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for U.S. Central Command.
That leaves 30 troops wounded and out of action, with 10 still considered seriously wounded, Hawkins said.
The total of 303 is an increase of 13 troops since the last update provided March 24. Earlier in the week, 35 service members were too injured to return to their posts.
Since the war in Iran began, 13 U.S. service members have been killed in combat.
Russia sends medicines to Iran ——————————— Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said Friday that it has delivered a batch of medicines to Iran.
The ministry said that 313 metric tons of medicines were carried by rail to Azerbaijan’s border with Iran, where they were handed over to Iranian representatives. It said the supplies have been sent on President Vladimir Putin’s orders.
Earlier this month, an Emergencies Ministry plane delivered 13 metric tons of humanitarian supplies to Iran.
In the US, older and younger conservatives disagree on Iran war ——————————————————————– A sharp generational split over the Iran war is opening up at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference.
Younger attendees tell The Associated Press they feel disappointed and even betrayed by Trump’s launch of strikes against Iran. They say his actions clash with his America-first promises.
Older conservatives defend Trump and call the war a pragmatic response to threats. Some younger voters say their support has slipped, and they worry about troops deploying.
Prominent conservatives in the media are also divided. CPAC leaders are pushing for unity with tough midterms ahead. The conference chairman, CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp acknowledged the divisions and said the convention’s annual straw poll will include a question about it, with results released Saturday, the convention’s final day.
Airstrike on southern Lebanese village kills 4 ———————————————- The Health Ministry said the airstrike that destroyed a house in the coastal village of Saksakiyeh also wounded eight people.
Lebanon’s state media reported airstrikes in other parts of south Lebanon including the southern city of Nabatiyeh and villages close to it as well as other towns and villages in the coastal Tyre region.
The strikes came as other parts of south Lebanon witnessed intense clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters.
Hezbollah said its fighters fought fierce battles in the villages of Chamaa and Bayada near the Mediterranean coast.
Iran formalizing its chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz ———————————————————– Iran appears to be setting itself up as the gatekeeper for the Strait of Hormuz. The move could cement Tehran’s de facto chokehold over the crucial waterway and formalize its ability to keep its own oil flowing to China.
Iranian communications to the U.N. maritime authority and the experience of ships transiting the strait suggest the creation of something akin to a “toll booth.” Ships must enter Iranian waters and be vetted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. At least two vessels paid for passage using Chinese currency.
Iranian news agencies quoted a lawmaker as saying “parliament is pursuing a plan to formally codify Iran’s sovereignty, control and oversight over the Strait of Hormuz, while also creating a source of revenue through the collection of fees.” Traffic through the strait has fallen by 90%, sending global oil prices skyrocketing and inflicting alarming shortages on Asian nations in particular. (AP) AMS
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