An oil tanker off the coast of Dubai is on fire. Italy has denied the use of the Sigonella base to the USA

The Israeli army has launched an investigation into the deaths of three peacekeepers in Lebanon, suggesting that the pro-Iranian Islamist movement Hezbollah could be responsible. “These incidents are being thoroughly investigated to clarify the circumstances and determine whether they are the result of action by Hezbollah or the Israeli army,” the army said on Telegram. “It should be noted that these incidents occurred in an active combat zone,” he added.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), which has around 8,200 soldiers from 47 countries, announced on Monday the death of two Indonesian peacekeepers in an “explosion” in southern Lebanon, in the aftermath of another deadly accident on the border between the Country of Cedars and Israel.

“It should not be assumed that the incidents involving UNIFIL soldiers were caused by the IDF,” the Israeli army added.

President Trump has told aides that he is willing to end the war against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. This is what the Wall Street Journal reports, citing US administration officials as sources. In this case, Tehran’s control over the strait would continue and the operation to completely reopen the strait would be postponed to a later date, observes the Wall Street Journal. In recent days, Trump and his aides assessed that a mission to unblock the navigability of the Strait of Hormuz would prolong the conflict beyond its expected timeline of four to six weeks.

Therefore, the US administration could be oriented towards achieving its main objectives, namely weakening the Iranian navy and its missile stockpile, and gradually reducing the current hostilities, while exerting diplomatic pressure on Tehran to restore the free flow of trade. If that failed, Washington would pressure allies in Europe and the Gulf to take the lead in reopening the strait, officials said.

Crosetto denied use of the Sigonella base to the USA

In recent days, Italy has denied the United States the use of the Sigonella base for some planes that were supposed to land at the Sicilian military airport and then continue towards the Middle East. The Corriere website reports this. It was the Chief of Defense Staff, Luciano Portolano, the newspaper reconstructs, who informed the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, that some US air assets were flying towards Sigonella with a flight plan that envisaged them continuing towards the Middle East. However, no authorization had been requested, nor had the Italian military leaders been consulted.

Once it was ascertained that these were not normal or logistical flights and that they were therefore not included in the Italy-USA treaty, Crosetto denied the authorization. The Minister of Defense himself, the Corriere recalls, had assured Parliament that he would submit to the Chambers any operation that does not fall within the treaties and must therefore be authorized

THE LIVE

11.28 Iran “54 enemy mercenaries arrested”

The public relations office of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has announced the arrest of 54 people considered agents of the United States and Israel. “Thanks to reports from the public and the work of the military, 54 mercenaries of the American-Zionist enemy and agents of terrorist groups were identified and arrested on the orders of a judicial authority in the provinces of Fars, Tehran, Kermanshah and Gilan”, reads a note reported by the Iranian media.

10.15 Explosion near Erbil airport in Iraq

An explosion was heard near Erbil international airport in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan. Erbil is home to a major US consular complex and military advisors from the US-led international anti-jihadist coalition are stationed at the airport.

8.53 Pasdaran, Hormuz under control. Ready to strike

The Navy of the Revolutionary Guard Corps has ensured that it maintains control of Hormuz. “The Strait of Hormuz is completely, and by order of the supreme commander of the armed forces, firmly and decisively under the control of our forces, and the slightest movement of the enemy will be countered by attacks with missiles and drones”, reads a note broadcast by state television.

8.28 IDF, new missile launch on Israel

The IDF announced that it had detected a new missile launch from Iran towards Israel. The anti-aircraft guns were alerted, we read in a note.

8.00 Pasdaran, we will cut off the legs of the invaders

Pasdaran are known to threaten grave consequences if American forces enter Iran. “The defeated Zionist-American enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran must know that the conscious and resilient nation and its proud sons in the armed forces have demonstrated that they will cut off the legs of any aggressor who enters their country and reduce it to utter ruin and humiliation,” said Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya military command headquarters, as reported by Fars.

7.47 Trump posts video of attack on ammunition depot

American President Donald Trump posted a video on Truth, without comment, which appears to immortalize the attack on an ammunition depot in Isfahan. According to the Wall Street Journal, the US hit the site with 2,000-pound bunker-busting bombs. In the images you can see chain explosions and increasingly higher flames.

7.29 Blackout in several neighborhoods of Tehran

Some neighborhoods of Tehran woke up this morning without electricity, after the capital was again under attack during the night. The Fars news agency spoke of “several explosions” and power outages “in some areas” of Tehran, while the Tasnim agency mentioned explosions in the east and west of the capital, as well as interruptions in energy supplies in the eastern areas.

6.51 hit with anti-bunker bombs ammunition depot in Isfahan

The United States has hit a large ammunition depot in the Iranian city of Isfahan with 2,000 pound (about 100 kilogram) bunker-buster bombs. The Wall Street Journal reported it.

5.56 Local media, several explosions in Tehran

In Tehran, the capital of Iran, several explosions occurred and the electricity supply was interrupted in some areas of the city. This was reported by the Fars news agency. Tasnim news agency also reported that some residents in eastern Tehran remained without electricity and that authorities were working to restore service.

5.47 Lebanon, four Israeli soldiers dead in the south of the country

Four Israeli soldiers died during the same “accident” which occurred in southern Lebanon, bringing to 10 the number of its soldiers killed since the resumption of hostilities with Hezbollah on March 2nd. This was reported by the Israel Defense Force (IDF).

4.55 Missiles against Israel, explosions in Jerusalem

The Israeli military said its air defenses responded to missiles fired from Iran. Anti-missile sirens sounded in Jerusalem and several explosions were heard. “Shortly ago, the IDF (Israel defense force, ed.) identified missiles launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel”, the Israeli army announced on Telegram.

1.44 Kuwaiti oil tanker hit in the port of Dubai

An Iranian attack caused a fire on a Kuwaiti oil tanker in the port of Dubai. Kuwait’s state media reported it, specifying that there were no injuries. “The giant Kuwaiti oil tanker was subjected to a direct and malicious Iranian attack while in the anchorage area of ​​the port of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates,” the official Kuna news agency reported, citing sources from Kuwait’s state oil company.

“The tanker was fully loaded at the time of the accident. The attack caused material damage to the ship’s hull and a fire on board, and now there is a risk of an oil spill in the surrounding waters”, wrote the Kuna agency, reporting a communication from the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
Kuwait’s military also said its air defenses were responding to “hostile missile and drone attacks.”