Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pressuring President Donald Trump to intensify the war in Iran, seeing it as a historic opportunity to reshape the Middle East, according to The New York Times sources. The Saudi prince views Iran as a long-term threat that will continue while the regime is in power, major media reports indicate, and Saudi Arabia fears Iran will retaliate against them if the US pulls out without destroying Iran's government and military, specifically worrying about strikes on oil infrastructure, according to The New York Times. However, Saudi officials deny that Prince Mohammed bin Salman wants the war to continue, and last night said they are pursuing peace, not war, according to major media. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan stated, 'Our patience with Iranian attacks is not unlimited.'
The Pentagon is expected to announce a further deployment of 3,000 airborne soldiers to the Middle East. These soldiers could be used to seize the strategically vital Kharg Island through which Iran exports 90 per cent of its crude oil, according to major media reports. The US and Israel targeted Iran's nuclear program sites and energy infrastructure, including Kharg Island and South Pars, according to research from eight sources. In the first two days of fighting, at least three US jets were shot down, with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense stating several US warplanes crashed over Kuwait, though the US claims the jets were shot down by friendly fire. An Iranian warship was sunk by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka on March 4, killing at least 87 people, according to research from eight sources.
Our patience with Iranian attacks is not unlimited.
The US and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran on February 28, aimed at regime change and killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to research from three sources. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial strikes, according to research from four sources. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Mojtaba Khamenei was injured and likely disfigured, a claim denied by Iran. Other high-ranking Iranian officials killed include Ali Larijani, Esmail Khatib, and Gholamreza Soleimani, according to research from eight sources. Ali Larijani had briefly been considered Tehran's de-facto ruler until he was assassinated last week, major media reports indicate.
Human Rights Activists in Iran reported 3,220 people killed in Iran as of March 20, including military personnel, civilians, and children. Iran accused the US and Israel of attacking a girls' school near an IRGC base, killing 168 people including around 110 children. The US said it was investigating the school incident, while Israel said it was not aware of any military operations in the area. BBC Verify reported that a US Tomahawk missile hit a military base near the school. More than 1,800 people have been killed overall, including 8 US service members and at least 175 students in a reported US strike on an Iranian elementary school, according to research from eight sources, though the discrepancy in casualty numbers makes it difficult to assess the true human cost of the conflict.
We're talking to the right people and they want to make a deal so badly.
Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US-allied Gulf states, according to research from two sources. Israel and Tehran continued to pound each other with rocket fire, major media reports indicate. Israeli authorities said 15 civilians were killed by Iranian missile fire as of March 19. An Emirati soldier was killed responding to Iranian attacks alongside Bahraini forces, according to Bahrain's Defence Ministry. Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed a drone in its eastern region, according to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence.
Conflicting narratives surround US-Iran negotiations and diplomatic efforts. Donald Trump pulled back from threats to 'obliterate' the Islamic Republic's power plants on Monday and instead said he was 'close to a deal', according to major media. Trump claims Iran has agreed it will never develop a nuclear weapon, and stated, 'We're talking to the right people and they want to make a deal so badly,' adding, 'No more war and no more nuclear weapons.' However, Iran denied Trump's claims that the two countries held productive conversations regarding a resolution of hostilities, and the Iranian regime dismissed Trump's claims as 'fake news', according to major media. Ali Larijani stated there will be no negotiations with the United States. According to Daily Mail - News, a senior Iranian foreign ministry official described receiving points from the US through mediators that are being reviewed. Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt have reportedly been instrumental in pushing for both sides to de-escalate in calls with Mr Trump's peace envoy Steve Witkoff and an unnamed Iranian representative over the weekend, according to major media, and Pakistan said it 'stands ready' to host talks as early as this week that could see US vice president JD Vance meet with Iran's Mohammad Ghalibaf, according to major media. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged diplomacy, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi supporting a comprehensive ceasefire, according to Chinese and Iranian officials.
No more war and no more nuclear weapons.
Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused a global energy shock, prompting the International Energy Agency to release 400 million barrels from its strategic reserve, according to research from eight sources. Iran has already struck Saudi refineries and siphoned off the Strait of Hormuz, crippling the global oil market, according to research from eight sources. QatarEnergy declared force majeure on LNG contracts due to production disruptions from the war, affecting customers in Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China, according to research from eight sources. Oil traders wagered $580 million in bets minutes before Trump announced productive conversations with Iran, suggesting market manipulation, according to the Financial Times.
Regional actors are increasingly involved in the conflict. The United Arab Emirates is cracking down on Iranian-owned assets while debating sending its military to the fight, according to major media. Iran has received MiG-29, Su-35 fighter jets, and Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters from Russia, according to research from eight sources. Qatar denied a report that a US-Iran deal could include shutting down the Al-Udeid airbase, according to a Qatari government spokesman.
We received points from the US through mediators and they are being reviewed.
Iran's internal leadership is undergoing significant changes. Mohammad Ghalibaf is increasingly seen as a key figure in the Iranian regime, according to major media, and was yesterday promoted to become secretary of the national security council, replacing Ali Larijani, according to major media. Observers speculated the 'respected' leader was Mohammad Ghalibaf, something he denied, according to major media. Iran's war is being run by the Supreme National Security Council chaired by Ali Larijani, with a Provisional Leadership Council convened, according to research from eight sources.
Several claims remain unresolved. Tehran claimed the US and Israel had attacked its Bushehr nuclear plant, but there were no casualties or damage, according to major media. Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping but not to vessels from countries engaged in the conflict. Three Palestinians were injured in an attack by Israeli settlers near Beit Imrin in the West Bank, according to Wafa news agency. The specific terms being discussed in the US-Iran negotiations and the identity of the 'respected' leader Trump claims to be talking to remain unclear, as does the total casualty count across all affected countries.
I was talking with a 'respected' leader in Iran on Monday but declined to say who.
Iran has agreed it will never develop a nuclear weapon.