New Delhi, Mar 30: The month-long conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran showed no signs of easing on Monday, with fresh strikes reported across the region even as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions gathered pace.
Missiles hit an Iraqi airbase near Baghdad International Airport early Monday, destroying an aircraft belonging to the Iraqi Air Force, the defence ministry said. No casualties were reported in the strike on the Mohammed Alaa airbase. The Iraqi Ministry of Defence condemned the attack as a “cowardly and criminal act” targeting its military capabilities.
In neighbouring Syria, the Syrian Arab Army said it intercepted a large-scale drone attack aimed at multiple bases near the Iraq border. State news agency SANA reported that most of the drones were shot down before reaching their intended targets.
Meanwhile, in northern Israel, a fire broke out at an oil refinery in Haifa after debris from an intercepted missile struck the facility, according to the BBC. Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service said an industrial structure and a fuel tanker were hit at the Bazan refinery. Firefighters were deployed to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading, with no casualties reported so far. Reuters said emergency teams were also searching for any individuals who may have been trapped.
Amid the escalating violence, Donald Trump claimed that Iran had agreed to “most” elements of a 15-point proposal put forward by Washington to end the conflict, according to CNN. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “They gave us most of the points. Why wouldn’t they?” adding that additional demands could still be raised.
Trump also claimed that Tehran had sent multiple oil shipments as a sign of commitment to the proposed deal. According to CNN, citing regional sources, the US proposal includes curbs on Iran’s defence capabilities, an end to its support for proxy groups, and recognition of Israel’s right to exist. Trump further asserted that Iran had committed to not developing nuclear weapons.
In a striking claim, the US President said there had effectively been “regime change” in Iran during the course of the conflict, citing what he described as major leadership losses. Reports have suggested the deaths of senior Iranian figures, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials such as Ali Larijani, though such claims remain contested.
Separately, in an interview with the Financial Times, Trump suggested the US could seize key Iranian oil infrastructure, including Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports. He claimed the island’s defences were weak and said Washington had “a lot of options.”
However, Iranian officials sharply contradicted Trump’s assertions. Esmaeil Baghaei described the US proposal as containing “very ambitious, unrealistic and illogical requests,” according to CNN. He said there were no direct negotiations underway between Tehran and Washington, with communications taking place only through intermediaries.
“We have had no direct negotiations with the United States so far,” Baghaei said, as quoted by Iran’s state news agency IRNA. Iran also dismissed reports of participation in recent regional meetings facilitated by Pakistan, stating that the framework of such discussions had not been agreed upon by Tehran. Islamabad has indicated its willingness to host talks between the US and Iran in the coming days following consultations with regional partners.
At the same time, Iranian military officials issued fresh warnings. A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said Tehran could target residences of US and Israeli officials in the region as a retaliatory measure, accusing them of striking civilian areas.
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