US and Israel intensify strikes, Iran rejects truce

The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues to escalate. According to the Pentagon, US and Israeli air forces have carried out the most intense wave of air strikes since the conflict began.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired missiles at the US bases Al Udeid in Qatar and Al Harir in Iraqi Kurdistan. Drone attacks then followed on the Al Dhafra base in the United Arab Emirates and on Juffair in Bahrain. Iran also launched missiles at central Israel, where most were intercepted by air defences.

Tehran also warned that it could halt oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which roughly one fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied gas supplies pass.

Despite the escalation, markets are counting on US President Donald Trump to try to end the conflict relatively quickly in order to prevent a deeper energy and economic crisis.

A Reuters source said that the Israeli army wants to cause as much damage to Iran as possible before the window for further attacks closes, as Trump could end the war at any time.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf wrote on the social network X that Iran ‘is definitely not seeking a truce’ and that the aggressor must ‘be taught a lesson.’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi also said in an interview with PBS that Tehran is unlikely to resume negotiations with the United States.

(reuters, mja)