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Amid US President Donald Trump’s proposed 10-day pause in strikes on Iran, the conflict in West Asia appears to be widening rather than easing. Israel
on Saturday faced its first missile attack from Yemen since the war began on February 28. Furthermore, fresh strikes were reported in Tehran, including at a university in the capital. Trump on Thursday announced a 10-day pause on the proposed strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure and extended his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz until April 6. He said that the decision was made on Iran's request; however, Tehran was quick to counter the claim. Check Iran War Live Updates Here
Israel Faces First Missile Strike Since the Beginning of the War
Israel’s military said early on Saturday it had detected a missile launched toward Israel from Yemen and was working to intercept it. It marks the first time authorities in Israel have identified missiles launched from Yemen since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran four weeks ago.
Earlier, the Houthi rebels in Yemen had issued a blunt warning, saying that they are ready to step into the war in support of Iran if the current US-Israel escalation continues. Speaking on Friday, military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group’s "fingers are on the trigger," making it clear they are prepared for direct military intervention.
University in Tehran Hit in US-Israel Joint Strikes, Says Iranian Media
Earlier today, Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran was targeted in a joint US-Israeli attack. However, a confirmation regarding the same is yet awaited.
Israel struck Iran's nuclear facilities hours after threatening to "escalate and expand" its campaign against Tehran on Friday. Following this, Iran vowed to retaliate and struck a base in Saudi Arabia, wounding US service members and damaging planes.
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake production plant in Yazd Province were targeted, IRNA reported. The strikes did not cause any casualties and there was no risk of contamination, it said. The Arak plant has not been operational since Israel attacked it last June. "Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said via X.
US Rules Out Boots on The Ground
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is "on or ahead of schedule" in its military operations against Iran and expects to complete its objectives "in a matter of weeks, not months." He ruled out the need for ground troops, stating the objectives could be achieved "without any ground troops – without any."
Speaking after meetings with G7 allies in Paris, Rubio said the mission had been clearly defined from the outset. "We are on or ahead of schedule in that operation and expect to conclude it at the appropriate time here, in a matter of weeks, not months, and the progress is going very well," he said, adding that "we have to finish the job, and we are finishing that job."
