US-Israel-Iran War Highlights: Iran warns of strikes on global tech centres if Iranian power plants targeted

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An Iraqi armed group, Ashab al-Kahf, has claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting what it described as a “Mossad office” in the northern city of Erbil. The group made the claim in a statement shared on its Telegram channel. It also warned civilians to stay away from US bases across Iraq
 

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz remains open, but warned that fears among shipping insurers are driven by what he called a “war of choice” initiated by the United States. “The Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated—not Iran,” he said. He added that threats would not influence Iran’s position, urging respect instead of pressure. “No insurer—and no Iranian—will be swayed by more threats. Try respect,” he said. 

Israel’s Health Ministry said a total of 4,697 people have been injured and treated in hospitals since the start of the war. Of those, 124 are still hospitalised, including 14 in serious condition, according to the ministry.

Israel’s military said it has intercepted more than 90% of incoming missiles fired by Iran, but acknowledged that its air defence systems are not foolproof. He also said Israel expects the conflict with Iran and Hezbollah to continue for “weeks”.

Three air strikes targeted positions of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) south of Baghdad late, according to local officials, though no casualties were reported. The strikes hit separate locations used by the group, but the sites were said to be empty at the time of the attacks.

The PMF, a state-backed armed coalition that includes several Iran-aligned factions, is formally part of Iraq’s security forces and plays a key role in the country’s military structure.

In response to Nato chief Mark Rutte’s remarks that Europe is likely to unite on Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X that it is “common sense” for President Donald Trump to call on allies to do more to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. She added that countries are already beginning to respond to the president’s call.

Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte said he expects European nations to come together in response to the ongoing Iran conflict, expressing support for US President Donald Trump’s military actions. Speaking on CBS’ Face the Nation, Rutte said the alliance has a history of unity during crises.

“What I know is that we always come together,” he said, adding that while some countries may take time to respond, support is likely to build. Rutte also backed Trump’s approach, saying, “He’s doing this to make the whole world safe.” He noted that while the process may be slow, nations need time to prepare for such developments.

Iran has warned it will respond “proportionately” to any attacks on its key infrastructure. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said such strikes would be treated as attacks on civilian facilities and would draw a direct response from Tehran.

In remarks cited by Mehr news agency, he said threats against Iran’s “power plants and vital infrastructure” amount to targeting civilian objects, which are protected under international law. “Any attack on Iran’s vital infrastructure will be met with a proportionate response,” he said, adding that responsibility for any escalation would lie with those who initiated it.

Israeli airstrikes have killed at least four people in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials. A strike on a police vehicle in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza killed three men, while another person was killed earlier in a separate attack in the north.

Medics and police told news agency Reuters that three killed in Nuseirat were members of a Hamas-run police unit. At least 10 others were injured in the strike, according to health officials.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the government has “plenty of money” to continue funding the war against Iran, while also seeking additional support from Congress to strengthen military supplies in the future. 

“We have plenty of money to fund this war,” Bessent said, adding, “This is supplemental… he wants to make sure that the military is well supplied going forward.” He said President Donald Trump has been building up military strength and aims to maintain that momentum.

Lebanon’s death toll from Israeli attacks has risen sharply, according to the country’s Health Ministry. Figures reported by the National News Agency show that since March 2, at least 1,029 people have been killed and 2,786 others injured in the ongoing strikes.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has strongly condemned Israel’s strikes on key infrastructure in southern Lebanon, calling them a form of “collective punishment and expansion.” In a statement carried by the National News Agency, he criticised attacks on bridges, including the Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River, warning they could signal a possible ground invasion.

“This is unacceptable, condemned, and unjustified, and it explicitly violates the rules of international humanitarian law, which prohibit targeting civilians and their essential facilities,” Aoun said.

Israel’s military said it carried out a new wave of overnight strikes targeting Iranian weapons production sites and government-linked infrastructure, according to its latest update. The attacks were aimed at facilities connected to Iran’s military capabilities.

The military said it targeted an army base used to train soldiers and store missile systems, along with weapons production sites linked to Iran’s Defence Ministry and the IRGC air force.

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said a popular uprising in Iran is likely, arguing that growing public frustration could lead to change. 

“Probably, it’s going to take place because the Iranian people have had enough,” he said.

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said the war against Iran should continue until the country’s leadership is weakened to the point where it can no longer pose a threat to the region. In an interview with CNN, he said the goal is to reduce the regime’s power so that Iranians themselves are able to challenge and potentially bring about change.

He said the campaign would end only when “there is not an entity in Tehran that’s going to threaten the region.” He added that such an outcome could also come if the leadership in Iran has “a change of heart”, though he described that possibility as “hard to imagine.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country will respond firmly to any threats, stressing that pressure from the United States is only strengthening national unity. His remarks came after US President Donald Trump warned of strikes on Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened.

Kuwait said its forces intercepted several drones over the past 24 hours after detecting seven “hostile” unmanned aircraft entering its airspace, according to the Defence Ministry. Four of the drones were shot down, while others fell without causing any damage or posing a threat.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB has quoted the country’s health minister as saying that 210 children have been killed and another 1,510 injured in the ongoing war. The minister also said that attacks have so far damaged around 300 health, treatment and emergency centres, highlighting the impact of the conflict on civilian life and critical infrastructure.

Israel has carried out a strike on the Qasmiyeh Bridge in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The attack came after the Israeli military had earlier warned that the bridge would be targeted. Footage aired by Israel’s Kann broadcaster appeared to show multiple explosions hitting the bridge and nearby areas, sending thick smoke into the air.