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US-Israel-Iran War News Live Highlights: Iranian drone hits Dubai building; Israel 'widens' attack on Tehran

US-Israel-Iran War Live: The Middle East war that began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes in Iran entered day 12 on Tue...

The Times of India | Mar 12, 2026, 05:05:06 IST

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05:05 (IST), Mar, 12

Israel Iran War: Iranian drone hits Dubai building, reports Iranian state media

05:03 (IST), Mar, 12

Crew rescued after attack on oil tanker off Iraq

At least 20 crew members were rescued after an oil tanker came under attack in Iraq’s territorial waters, the country’s port authorities said.

Farhan Al-Fartousi of the General Company for Ports of Iraq told the Iraqi News Agency that Iraqi port personnel had rescued the crew of a foreign tanker following the incident, but did not provide details on the nature of the attack.

04:47 (IST), Mar, 12

US to release 172 million barrels of oil from strategic reserve, informs energy department

Earlier, Trump had said that he would tap into US strategic oil reserve to reduce prices.​

04:06 (IST), Mar, 12

US Iran War: My administration is working to keep the oil flowing all over, says Trump

"My administration... is also working to keep the oil flowing all over... We knocked out... they wanted to drop some mines - very friendly people, mines so boats blow up... They knocked out 54 ships in two days... I got angry at my people... I said 'Why do we have to knock them out?' One of my generals said, 'It's a lot more fun doing it this way'... But we knocked out 58 naval ships. We knocked out their Navy... They also knocked out the mine layers... They put mines in the water. Lovely job... we knocked out 31 of them... I was very proud of myself. I said, 'Why did you use the weapon that we use on the drugs that come in by sea?' Do you know that drug shipments by sea are down by 98%? I said, 'That's a hell of a weapon.' They said, 'We'll give it a shot.' It worked very well. We've knocked out... almost all of them... By the time I'm finished speaking, they'll be gone," he said.

03:51 (IST), Mar, 12

Israel Iran War: Drones downed near government hall, hotel in Iraq's Erbil, says security source

Drones were intercepted over the Kurdish city of Erbil, with debris falling near a five-star hotel and a government building, a Kurdish security source said. The intended targets of the drones were not immediately known.

"Two drones were downed over Erbil," with debris falling near a major five-star hotel, and some crashing into a hall used for important government events in an upscale neighbourhood frequented by foreigners, the security source told AFP.

03:36 (IST), Mar, 12

US Iran War: Trump says 'over the past 11 days, our military has virtually destroyed Iran'

"Over the past 11 days, our military has virtually destroyed Iran. Tough country. Their air force is gone... That took the better part of about three hours. They no longer have radar. They don't have anti-aircraft equipment. They don't have anything. Their missiles are down by 90%. Their drones are down by 85%. We're blowing up the factories where they're made, left and right... Nobody has ever seen anything like what you're witnessing now. That can include the original killing of Soleimani and al-Baghdadi, two of the worst killers in the world that I took out, as well as Operation Midnight Hammer, where we totally obliterated Iran's nuclear potential... They don't have nuclear potential. After Midnight Hammer, we left. We figured that'll be the end of them for a while. But they started again. That's why we got to finish it... We don't want to go back every two years," he said.

03:31 (IST), Mar, 12

Iran War News: We had to take a little trip to get rid of some very evil people, says Trump on Khamenei killing

"We did an excursion... We had to take a little trip to get rid of some very evil people. It should have been done 47 years ago. They've been killing our people for 47 years... I can only say this: they were all prepared. They're very strong. They're going to try to take over the whole Middle East. They were going to knock out Israel. They don't know what the hell hit them... They got hit by the American military... They didn't expect anything like this," he said.

03:21 (IST), Mar, 12

US Iran War: 'Don't want to leave early, got to finish the job': Trump signal no end to Iran war soon

US President Donald Trump said that the United States must “finish the job” in Iran — hours after suggesting the war could end soon because American forces had “practically nothing left to target.”

"We don't want to leave early, do we? We've got to finish the job, right?" Trump said while talking about the US-Israeli operation against Iran during a speech in Hebron, Kentucky.

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02:51 (IST), Mar, 12

US Iran War: Iran slams 'misuse' of UN Security Council after vote to stop Gulf attacks

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, denounced as politically motivated a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council calling on Tehran to immediately stop its attacks on Gulf states.

He accused supporters of the measure of attempting to portray Iran as the aggressor and warned that the resolution could undermine the credibility and legitimacy of the Security Council.

"Today's action represents a blatant misuse of the Security Council mandate in pursuit of the political agendas of the certain members, the various states responsible for the brutal war of aggression against my country," Amir Saeid Iravani told the Council.

02:16 (IST), Mar, 12

US Iran War: Trump says to tap US strategic oil reserve 'a little bit'

US President Donald Trump said that the United States may draw “a little” from its strategic oil reserves after the International Energy Agency announced that member nations would release emergency supplies to stabilise global markets amid the Iran war.


“I filled it up once, and I’ll fill it up again, but right now, we’ll reduce it a little bit, and that brings the prices down,” he told Local 12 television.



01:35 (IST), Mar, 12

Israel Iran War: Hezbollah says targeted north Israel with 'dozens of rockets'

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, said that it had fired dozens of rockets toward northern Israel as part of a newly announced operation against its longtime adversary, after Israel launched fresh airstrikes on southern Beirut.

In a statement, Hezbollah said the rocket barrage was carried out “in response to the criminal aggression against dozens of Lebanese cities and towns and Beirut’s southern suburbs,” adding that its fighters targeted multiple sites in northern Israel with dozens of rockets shortly after announcing the new operation.

01:10 (IST), Mar, 12

Israel Iran War: Israel army says launched new 'large-scale' wave of strikes on south Beirut suburbs

"The IDF has begun a large-scale wave of strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in the Dahieh area, Beirut. Interception efforts against Hezbollah projectiles are ongoing. The IDF is operating with determination against the Hezbollah terrorist organization following its deliberate decision to attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian regime," IDF said in a post on X.

01:01 (IST), Mar, 12

US Iran War: UN security council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution urging Iran to immediately stop its attacks on Gulf countries, warning that the strikes violate international law and represent a “serious threat to international peace and security.”

The resolution was approved with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions, and demands the immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

00:23 (IST), Mar, 12

Iran War News:​ Iran mourns slain commanders under heavy security presence

Thousands of people gathered in Tehran, defying ongoing bombardments to mourn senior commanders killed in US-Israeli strikes, marking the largest public gathering in the capital since the war began.

In the otherwise largely deserted city, crowds assembled at the symbolic Enghelab Square, creating a stark contrast with the empty streets and avenues across much of the Iranian capital.

Mourners paid tribute amid a heavy security presence, with special forces personnel — heavily armed and wearing balaclavas — deployed throughout the ceremony and remaining on high alert.

One officer was seen wearing a black scarf bearing the image of Ali Khamenei, the longtime supreme leader who was killed on the first day of the US-Israeli strikes on February 28 after more than three decades in power.

23:35 (IST), Mar, 11

US Iran War: 'We may cut off trade with Spain,' Trump reiterates stance over Nato ally's refusal to let US use bases for Iran war

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday reaffirmed his threat to halt trade with Spain, criticizing the Nato ally for refusing to allow American forces to use its military bases for operations related to the war with Iran.

"We may cut off trade with Spain," the US President said when asked about bilateral ties.

23:30 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News:​ Oman's navy rescues 20 sailors from Thai ship in Hormuz Strait

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23:23 (IST), Mar, 11

US Iran War: Donald Trump claims US destroyed Iran’s mine-laying ships in one night

23:11 (IST), Mar, 11

US Iran War: FBI warns California police of possible Iranian drone retaliation along US West Coast

Federal authorities have warned police departments in California about a possible Iranian retaliation following recent American military strikes, according to a report by ABC News. The alert said Iran may attempt to target the US West Coast using offensive drones as tensions escalate.

Law enforcement agencies have been asked to remain vigilant and step up monitoring of potential aerial threats.

23:05 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News:​ Romania to allow US to use air bases for Middle East ops refuelling

Romania on Wednesday approved allowing the United States to use its air bases to refuel aircraft involved in operations linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran, the country’s president Nicusor Dan said, AFP reported.

23:05 (IST), Mar, 11

​'We could do a lot worse’: Donald Trump warns of harsher action on Iran


US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning about the scale of destruction the United States could inflict, suggesting that Washington had deliberately held back from targeting certain critical infrastructure.

“We could do a lot worse. We're leaving certain things that if we take them out, and we could taken them out by this afternoon, they literally would never be able to build that country back,” Trump said.

22:43 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News: US navy aircraft transits Taiwan Strait ahead of Trump's planned China visit

A US Navy P-8A Poseidon ​aircraft transited the ​Taiwan Strait in international airspace on ​Wednesday, in a move the US 7th Fleet said "demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open ‌Indo-Pacific."

The transit ⁠comes ⁠ahead of US President Donald Trump's planned visit to ​China this month as Washington and Beijing look to stabilise ​ties marred by issues including Taiwan, trade disputes and technology curbs.


"By operating within the Taiwan ​Strait in accordance with international ⁠law, the ‌United States upholds the navigational ​rights ​and freedoms of all nations," the ⁠7th Fleet said in a statement.


US military ​ships or aircraft routinely pass through ​or above the waterway that separates democratically governed Taiwan from China - missions that always anger Beijing.


China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and says it has jurisdiction ‌over the strait. Taiwan and the US dispute that, saying the strait ​is an ​international waterway.


China has ⁠repeatedly said the Taiwan issue is its internal affair and at the core of Beijing's interests - ​a red line that must not be crossed or trampled on.


Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying that only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

(Reuters)

22:37 (IST), Mar, 11

Israel Iran War: Iran’s sports minister says the country can’t take part in the World Cup because of US attacks

Iran’s sports and youth minister said it's “not possible” for the country to take part in the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing war.

Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North America in June, but Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country’s soccer team players are not safe in the US, according to a video of the interview posted Tuesday.

“Due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran — they have imposed two wars on us over just eight or nine months and have killed and martyred thousands of our people — definitely it’s not possible for us to take part in the World Cup,” he said.

Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

FIFA said Tuesday night that it anticipates Iran’s national team will be allowed to come to the United States.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said “I really don’t care” if Iran takes part in the 48-nation tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he met with Trump on Tuesday night “to discuss the status of preparations” for the tournament and received assurances that Iran would be permitted to come to the US

22:32 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News: 'Just about all of their navy is gone': Trump's big claim on Iran, pushes use of Strait of Hormuz

"I think oil companies should use the Strait of Hormuz," said Trump, adding, "We took out just about all of their mine ships in one night... just about all of their navy is gone."

22:21 (IST), Mar, 11

US-Iran war news; Donald Trump says oil companies should use Strait of Hormuz

The US President added that he is not worried about any Iran-backed attacks on US soil.

22:05 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran says oil will reach $200 a barrel

"Get ready for ​the oil barrel ​to ⁠be at $200 because the oil price depends ⁠on ​the regional security ​which you have destabilised," said the ⁠spokesperson for Tehran's ​Khatam al-Anbiya military command ​headquarters ⁠Ebrahim Zolfaqari.

22:03 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran hacking group claims attack on US medical company

An Iran-linked hacking group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a sweeping cyberattack on US medical technology company Stryker, alleging it wiped more than 200,000 systems and extracted 50 terabytes of data in retaliation for military strikes on Iran.

“Our major cyber operation has been executed with complete success,” the group, Handala, said in a statement, describing the attack as retaliation for what it called “the brutal attack on the Minab school” and “ongoing cyber assaults against the infrastructure of the Axis of Resistance.”

21:30 (IST), Mar, 11

'We are having a tremendous impact,' says Trump in G7 call after IEA decision on oil stocks

"I think we are having a tremendous ?impact, unbelievable actually, on ?the world," said Trump, after being given the floor by French President Emmanuel Macron, who chaired the G7 meeting.

21:25 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News: Air India and Air India Express will together be operating a total of 58 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from West Asia on 12 March

Both airlines will operate one non-scheduled round-trip flight each on Thursday to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, departing from Mumbai and Kozhikode respectively.

The carriers will also continue their scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat. In total, there will be 10 flights operating to and from Jeddah, while Air India Express will operate eight scheduled flights to and from Muscat.

In addition, Air India will operate one round-trip flight from Delhi and two from Mumbai to Jeddah. Air India Express will run one round-trip each from Bengaluru and Kozhikode to Jeddah.

Air India Express will also continue its scheduled Muscat services, including one round-trip each from Delhi and Mumbai and two round-trips from Kozhikode.

20:56 (IST), Mar, 11

India 'deplores' attack on Thai vessel enroute to India, was bound for Kandla

A press release by Ministry of external affairs reads, "A statement regarding ship bound for Kandla, India. We have seen reports about the attack on a Thai ship, Mayuree Naree, in the Straits of Hormuz on 11 March. The ship was bound for Kandla in India."

"India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Precious lives, including of Indian citizens, have already been lost in multiple such attacks in the earlier phase of this conflict and the intensity and lethality of the attacks only seems to be increasing. India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided," it added to its statement.

20:53 (IST), Mar, 11

US military warns of possible strikes on Iran's civilian ports along Hormuz Strait

20:47 (IST), Mar, 11

Citi, other companies, evacuate Dubai financial district after Iran threats

Employees at US financial services group Citigroup and two other firms in Dubai International Financial Centre were asked to evacuate their offices on Wednesday after Iran threatened to strike US- and Israel-linked banks in the Middle East.

The oil-rich Gulf region has borne the brunt of Iran’s retaliatory attacks following US-Israeli strikes that triggered the latest Middle East conflict, with Tehran targeting US assets as well as civilian infrastructure.

Iran’s military warned on Wednesday it could attack US and Israeli economic targets in the region, including banks, after overnight strikes reportedly hit an Iranian bank.

A source familiar with the situation told Agence France-Presse that employees were asked to evacuate Citigroup offices in the Dubai International Financial Centre and in the Oud Metha area, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Employees at two other companies in the financial centre also told AFP their offices had been evacuated as a precaution.

20:22 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News: Energy shock response gathers pace as IEA agrees to record 400 million-barrel oil release amid US-Iran war

A coordinated global effort to stabilise volatile energy markets gathered momentum after the International Energy Agency (IEA) agreed to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

According to an Associated Press report, the Paris-based agency plans to make 400 million barrels available from member countries’ strategic reserves — far exceeding the 182.7 million barrels released in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.

IEA member nations currently hold more than 1.2 billion barrels of public emergency oil stocks, in addition to roughly 600 million barrels of industry reserves maintained under government mandates. Read full story

20:04 (IST), Mar, 11

New Iran supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei had fractured foot and face lacerations on first day of war

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei sustained a fractured foot and other minor injuries on the first day of the US and Israel’s bombing campaign, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

The source said Khamenei also suffered bruising around his left eye and minor cuts to his face.

An Israeli source earlier told CNN that Khamenei was injured in an assassination attempt last week, while reports and speculation about his condition have circulated for several days.

19:47 (IST), Mar, 11

US Iran War: Switzerland closes Tehran embassy but maintains 'open line' between US, Iran

Switzerland said it would temporarily close its embassy in Tehran due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, while continuing to facilitate communication between the United States and Iran.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said it "has decided to temporarily close the Swiss embassy in Tehran", but added that "as part of its good offices, Switzerland will continue to maintain an open line of communication between the United States and Iran, in consultation with the two countries."

Neutral Switzerland has for decades served as an intermediary, helping maintain basic diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States.

19:34 (IST), Mar, 11

US Iran War: 'Any time I want it to end, it will end,' says Trump on Iran conflict

Trump also said in an interview with Axios that there is “practically nothing left” for the US to target in Iran after recent military strikes.

19:03 (IST), Mar, 11

Israel Iran War: Iran Guards say struck Liberia-flagged ship, Thai bulk carrier in Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had struck a Liberia-flagged vessel, which they claimed was Israeli-owned, as well as a Thai bulk carrier in the Strait of Hormuz after they ignored warnings to stop.

"The Israeli-owned Express Rome ship, flying the Liberian flag, and the container ship Mayuree Naree, were hit by Iranian projectiles and stopped after ignoring the warnings of the IRGC naval forces," the Guards said in a statement carried by Iran's ISNA news agency, as quoted by AFP.

18:46 (IST), Mar, 11

Israel Iran War: Hamas says, 'hope' new Iran leader will 'defeat Israeli-American aggression'

18:35 (IST), Mar, 11

Israel Iran War: Iran says it hit US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, threatens to carry out more 'continuous' strikes

Iran's military says Tehran's policy of 'reciprocal hits' has ended, and will carry out continuous strikes from now on.

18:29 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War: Iran's new supreme leader 'lightly injured' but still active, says official

Newly appointed Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was lightly injured but remains active in his role, an Iranian official told Reuters.

The official did not provide further details on when or how the injury occurred, and also did not explain why Khamenei has yet to address the public since assuming the country’s top leadership position.

Despite the injury, the official said the new leader continues to carry out his duties.

18:20 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News: EAM Dr S Jaishankar speaks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the West Asia conflict

EAM said, "A good telecon with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia. Shared our assessments on the West Asia conflict and related diplomatic efforts. Also took stock of our bilateral cooperation agenda."

17:54 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News: 2 Indians killed, 1 missing after merchant vessels attacked, says MEA

" There have been reports of some casualties. We have two Indian nationals whom we have lost, and one is missing. These three Indian nationals died or are missing. It happened when they were on merchant vessels which came under attack. A few Indians who have suffered injuries in the GCC region are being treated. Our consulate is in touch with them. Today, in the morning, you would have seen reports that the Indian National was injured in Dubai. This gentleman, our consulate is in touch with him. He is also receiving treatment at the hospital, and we are in regular touch with him to ensure his welfare and well-being," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

17:37 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War: No need for panic LPG booking; normal delivery cycle for household remains 2.5 days, says Oil ministry

Government measures have led to a 25 per cent rise in LPG production, further said the Oil Ministry. Crude oil being sourced from non-Strait of Hormuz routes; supplies secured more than those that were disrupted, it added further in assurance to the people.

17:32 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War: Germany to release part of oil reserves as Middle East war drives up energy costs

Germany will release part of its strategic oil reserves as global energy prices surge due to the war in the Middle East, Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche said.


The move is aimed at helping ease pressure on global oil prices, Reiche said, adding that other members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) were also grappling with rising costs.


"The International Energy Agency therefore asked its member states yesterday evening to release oil reserves amounting to 400 million barrels," Reiche said.


"We will comply with this request and make our contribution," she told a Berlin press conference.

17:30 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News: EU approves sanctions on 19 Iranian officials, entities over protest crackdown

The European Union has approved fresh sanctions against 19 Iranian officials and entities, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday, citing “serious human rights violations” linked to Tehran’s deadly crackdown on mass protests.

The measures were agreed by EU member states as the conflict involving Iran continues in the region.

"As the Iran war continues, the EU will protect its interests and pursue those responsible for domestic repression," Kallas said, announcing the measures agreed by EU member states.

"It also sends a message to Tehran that Iran's future cannot be built on repression."

17:20 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran Israel War: Israel urges UNSC to designate Iran Guards 'terrorist organisation'

Israel urged the UN Security Council to designate Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards a “terrorist organisation”.

"The Iranian regime's recent actions underscore that its aggression constitutes a direct threat not only to Israel, but to regional and international peace and security," said Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar on X.

"I urge the UN Security Council to condemn Iran and immediately designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation," he added, addressing a letter to the US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, who is the current president of the Security Council.

17:09 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News: vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz; 3 crew members missing

Twenty crew members have been rescued, while three remain missing after a Thai cargo vessel was struck by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, Thailand’s Transport Ministry said on Wednesday. According to the ministry, the crew abandoned the vessel in a lifeboat after the incident and were later rescued by the Omani navy. Authorities said an explosion occurred at the stern of the ship, triggering a fire in the engine compartment where the three missing crew members had been working at the time. Read full story

17:07 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran Israel War: EAM Jaishankar talks to French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot to discuss West Asia situation

Appreciate the exchange of assessments today with FM Jean-Noël Barrot of France on the West Asia conflict. Look forward to continuing it in person," said Jaishankar on X.

16:37 (IST), Mar, 11

Israel Iran War: Israel army says begun new 'wide-scale' strikes across Iran, in Beirut

Israel’s military said that it had launched a new “wide-scale wave of strikes” across Iran and was also targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

The latest strikes, which the Israeli army said were aimed at what it described as Iranian regime infrastructure, came on the 12th day of the US-Israeli war with Tehran.

16:21 (IST), Mar, 11

Iran War News: Iran says it targeted Israeli military intelligence and naval facilities

Iran’s army said that it had targeted several Israeli military sites, including the military intelligence directorate, a naval base in the northern port city of Haifa, and a radar system.

According to a statement broadcast on state television, the army said the targets included Israel’s military intelligence directorate known as Aman, Unit 8200, the Green Pine radar system, and the submarine headquarters building at the Haifa naval base.

It added that the attacks were ongoing.

16:11 (IST), Mar, 11

Israel Iran War: Israel launches extensive wave of attacks on Beirut and Iran: Military

The Israeli military says it has begun extensive waves of attacks on Beirut and Iran simultaneously.

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US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States and Israel are “winning very decisively” in the ongoing military campaign against Iran and suggested the conflict could end within days.

His remarks came as the Middle East conflict, which began with joint US-Israeli strikes in Iran on February 28 - entered its 12th day. Tehran has retailated by targeting both Israel and Gulf states hosting US bases.

Speaking at a press conference at Trump National Doral Miami, Trump described the joint operation — named Operation Epic Fury — as one of the most extensive military campaigns in recent years.

“Over the past nine days, we've carried out some of the most powerful and complex military strikes and maneuvers the world has ever seen,” Trump said.

The president claimed the campaign had significantly degraded Iran’s military capabilities, including its naval forces, drone infrastructure, and missile launch systems.

“We've wiped every single force in Iran out very completely. Most of Iran's naval power has been sunk. It's at the bottom of the sea,” he said.

Trump said nearly 50 Iranian naval vessels had been destroyed. “It's almost 50 ships. I was just notified. It's 51 ships.”

According to the president, Iranian missile and drone capacity has been sharply reduced as a result of sustained strikes.

Meanwhile, Iran has named Mojtaba Khameini, son of late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country's new supreme leader. Khameini was killed after the US and Israel targeted his residence in Tehran on the first day of the conflict. Several family members of Khamenei were also killed.

In retaliation, Iran began targeting both Israel and Gulf countries that host US bases in the region and civilian infrastructure in those countries. On Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian "apologised" and said that Iran would target Gulf countries only if attacked first.

After Khamenei's death, the Islamic Republic was being governed by a three-member body, with President Masoud Pezeshkian as one of its members.


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