Israel announced it was entering a ‘decisive phase’ in its war with Iran

“The war against Iran led by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is escalating and entering a decisive phase, and will continue as long as necessary,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said today.

Israeli officials welcomed the US raid on “military targets” on Iran’s Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. The 20 square kilometer island is Iran’s largest oil export center, considered a vital link to the country’s economy.

Mr. Katz said that only the Iranian people can end the current situation “through a fierce struggle, leading to the collapse of the current government.”

On March 14, Iran warned that it would use upgraded weapons, especially missiles with more destructive power, in retaliation against the US and Israel.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the same day declared that Tehran has the legal right to protect its sovereignty and territory by targeting locations believed to be where the US launched attacks at seaports and military facilities in several cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). IRGC has called on UAE residents to evacuate these areas.

The UAE Ministry of Defense said Iran today launched 9 ballistic missiles and 33 drones targeting its territory. In total, Iran has targeted the UAE with 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and about 1,600 drones since the war broke out.

The campaign to attack Iran launched by the US and Israel has entered its third week and shows no signs of ending soon. The campaign killed a series of senior Iranian military and political commanders, sparking a violent response from Tehran targeting Israeli territory and US bases in the Middle East.

The conflict is estimated to have left about 2,000 people dead, including more than 1,200 in Iran and more than 700 in Lebanon. The United Nations refugee agency said more than 3 million Iranians had been evacuated. In the first 6 days of fighting alone, the US spent 11.3 billion USD and to date, 13 soldiers have been killed.