New Delhi, Mar 29: The ongoing conflict in West Asia has widened significantly, with Yemen’s Houthis launching missile strikes towards Israel on Saturday, according to the BBC. The Iran-backed group has warned of more attacks in the coming days, raising concerns of further disruption to Red Sea shipping routes.
Citing a report by The Washington Post, the BBC said the Pentagon is preparing for possible weeks-long ground operations in Iran, though it remains unclear whether US President Donald Trump would approve such a move. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington could achieve its objectives without deploying ground troops. Meanwhile, the US Central Command confirmed the arrival of the USS Tripoli in the region, leading a force of around 3,500 sailors and marines along with aircraft, further signalling a build-up of American military presence.
On the ground, the Israel Defence Forces reported the death of a soldier during operations in southern Lebanon, while also confirming fresh airstrikes on Tehran targeting command centres and weapons facilities. Across the Gulf, the conflict has intensified with multiple countries reporting attacks on critical infrastructure. An aluminium plant in Bahrain reported minor injuries to two workers following an Iranian strike, while the UAE and Kuwait activated air defence systems to intercept missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted and destroyed 10 drones in recent hours, reports the international media.
In Iran, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Iranian forces were “waiting for American soldiers to enter on the ground so they can rain fire upon them,” following the US troop deployment. Diplomatic efforts are also underway, with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey set to meet in Islamabad for talks aimed at de-escalating tensions. The discussions are expected to take place over Sunday and Monday.
The BBC also reported that Iran’s internet blackout has entered its 30th day, with connectivity reduced to about 1% of normal levels, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. While some users retain access, others are resorting to costly alternatives such as satellite services like Starlink, the use of which can reportedly lead to legal penalties in Iran. Amid the escalating violence, regional media outlet Al Araby TV said its office in Tehran was damaged in a missile strike, though it remains unclear who was responsible.
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