{"id":29843,"date":"2026-03-21T16:04:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T16:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/29843\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T16:04:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T16:04:14","slug":"iran-fired-missiles-at-us-uk-base-in-indian-ocean-trump-considers-winding-down-war-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/29843\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran fired missiles at US-UK base in Indian Ocean; Trump considers \u2018winding down\u2019 war \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Main pointsUS president Donald Trump<\/a> said on Friday he was considering \u201cwinding down\u201d military operations against Iran.The UK ministry of defence condemned Iran\u2019s \u201creckless attacks\u201d after the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia<\/a> was targeted.The US claims Iran\u2019s threat to the Strait of Hormuz has been \u201cdegraded\u201d after an underground facility was destroyed. Iran has launched a new wave<\/a> of drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and Israel.Key readsMark Weiss: From \u2018winning\u2019 the Iran war to sending more troops, Trump\u2019s mixed messages<\/a> serve a purposeIran war: What can EU leaders do about rising energy prices<\/a>?Work from home, use public transport: World\u2019s energy watchdog advises 10 measures<\/a> to combat soaring oil prices<\/p>\n

Jack White – 5 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s president says immediate cessation of US-Israeli aggression needed to end war<\/p>\n

Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian said on \u200cSaturday there needs to be an \u201cimmediate cessation\u201d of what \u200bhe described as US-Israeli aggression to end the war and wider regional conflict, Iran\u2019s embassy in India \u200bsaid in an X post on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Pezeshkian spoke with \u2060India\u2019s Prime Minister Narendra Modi by phone earlier \u200cin \u200cthe \u200bday.<\/p>\n

Pezeshkian told Modi that there should be guarantees to prevent a \u2060recurrence of \u200bsuch \u201caggression\u201d in the future. \u200bHe also called on the BRICS bloc of \u200cmajor emerging economies to \u200bplay an independent role in halting aggression \u2060against Iran.<\/p>\n

The Iranian \u2060president \u200bproposed a regional security framework comprising West Asian countries to ensure peace without foreign interference, according to the country\u2019s embassy in India.<\/p>\n

Telephone Conversation between President Pezeshkian and the Prime Minister of India<\/p>\n

Dr. Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a telephone conversation on Saturday, 21 March 2026, with Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, during which they discussed\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/FFjzPnpe81<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) March 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In a separate post on X earlier on Saturday, Modi said \u200che condemned attacks \u2060on critical infrastructure in the Middle East in the discussion with Pezeshkian.<\/p>\n

The Indian \u200cPrime Minister further reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom \u200bof navigation and ensuring shipping lanes \u200bremain open and secure. – Reuters<\/p>\n

Jack White – 21 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Intelligence agencies were monitoring Nowruz celebrations in Iran on Friday to see whether Iran\u2019s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei would be seen for the first time since his father\u2019s death, Axios reports. <\/p>\n

His father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei previously gave a new year\u2019s address, and it was thought Mojtaba could do the same. <\/p>\n

However he only issued a written statement. <\/p>\n

It comes as it is three weeks without him being seen, since he became supreme leader. \u201cWe have no evidence that he is really the one giving orders,\u201d a senior Israeli official told Axios. – Guardian<\/p>\n

\"IraniansIranians gather in Enqelab Square as the end of Ramadan coincided with the Persian New Year on Friday in Tehran, Iran. Nowruz, or Persian New Year, takes place on the spring equinox, according to the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar. This year, the holiday falls three weeks into the war that broke out on February 28 with US-Israeli joint attacks on Iran, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photograph: Getty Images \"IraniansIranians gather for Iftar as the end of Ramadan coincides with the Persian New Year in Tehran, Iran. Photograph: Getty Images <\/p>\n

Jack White – 47 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Hizbullah has said its fighters have clashed with Israeli forces in two border towns on Saturday. <\/p>\n

AFP reported a Hizbullah statement that said the group had engaged in a four-hour confrontation with Israeli forces in the town of Khiam. <\/p>\n

The statement said here had been \u201cdirect clashes with forces from the Israeli enemy army in the town of Khiam with light and medium weapons\u201d and rockets. <\/p>\n

According to Lebanon\u2019s health ministry, 1,001 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since Hizbullah launched strikes on March 2nd in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. <\/p>\n

Israel has claimed it has \u201csignificantly degraded\u201d ballistic missile production at a factory in Tehran after it carried out air strikes overnight.<\/p>\n

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out attacks in Tehran and hit \u201cdozens\u201d of targets. <\/p>\n

It said the facilities were used to produce critical parts for the development of missiles. <\/p>\n

Among the facilities hit were a components storage facility, a missile fuel plant and a production site. <\/p>\n

The post by the IDF on Telegram said: <\/p>\n

\u201cThe IDF will continue to expand its strikes against the regime\u2019s weapons production facilities in order to degrade its capabilities to advance its ballistic missile program, which poses a direct threat to the State of Israel.\u201d – Guardian<\/p>\n

Twenty-two countries condemn Iran\u2019s closure of Strait of Hormuz<\/p>\n

More than 20 countries have said they would contribute to efforts ensuring safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz, saying interference with shipping and the disruption of global energy supply \u201cconstitute a threat to international peace and security\u201d.<\/p>\n

A joint statement signed by countries including the UK, Germany, France, Japan and South Korea, condemned Iran\u2019s closure of the vital waterway and attacks on \u201cunarmed commercial vessels\u201d and civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations.<\/p>\n

The 22 countries called on Iran to \u201ccease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe effects of Iran\u2019s actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable,\u201d the statement says.<\/p>\n

It says such interference with international shipping and the disruption of global energy supply chains \u201cconstitute a threat to international peace and security\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe welcome the International Energy Agency decision to authorise a co-ordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves. We will take other steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will also work to provide support for the most affected nations, including through the United Nations and the IFIs [international financial institutions].<\/p>\n

\u201cMaritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all states to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security,\u201d the statement says.<\/p>\n

The statement has also been signed by Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Romania, Bahrain, Lithuania, Australia and United Arab Emirates. <\/p>\n

Iran threat to Strait of Hormuz \u2018degraded\u2019 after facility targeted<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s ability to \u201cthreaten freedom of navigation\u201d along the Strait of Hormuz has been \u201cdegraded\u201d after US forces destroyed an underground facility that \u201cpresented a risk to international shipping\u201d.<\/p>\n

In a video posted on X, US admiral Brad Cooper, the head of the US military\u2019s Central Command, said US forces remain \u201czeroed-in on dismantling Iran\u2019s decades-old threat to the free flow of commerce throughout the Strait of Hormuz\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, earlier this week we dropped multiple 5,000-pound bombs on an underground facility located along Iran\u2019s coastline.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Iranian regime used the hardened underground facility to discreetly store anti-ship cruise missiles, mobile missile launchers and other equipment that presented a dangerous risk to international shipping.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe not only took out the facility but also destroyed intelligence support sites and missile radar relays that were used to monitor ship movements.<\/p>\n

\u201cIran\u2019s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz is degraded as a result, and we will not stop pursuing these targets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Over 8,000 military targets struck by US since conflict began<\/p>\n

More than 8,000 military targets, including 130 Iranian vessels, have been struck by US forces, \u201cconstituting the largest elimination of a navy over a three-week period since World War II\u201d.<\/p>\n

That is according to admiral Brad Cooper, the head of the US military\u2019s Central Command, who said Iran\u2019s combat capability is on \u201ca steady decline as our offensive strikes ramp up\u201d.<\/p>\n

Attack on Iranian nuclear facility a \u2018blatant violation of international law\u2019 – Russia\u2019s foreign ministry<\/p>\n

The Russian foreign ministry \u200chas condemned an attack on \u200bIran\u2019s Natanz enrichment facility that occurred \u200bon Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is \u2060a blatant violation \u200cof \u200cinternational \u200blaw,\u201d ministry spokeswoman \u2060Maria \u200bZakharova said \u200bin \u200ca statement. – Reuters<\/p>\n

Iranian gas supplies \u200cto Iraq have resumed \u200bat a rate of \u200bfive million \u2060cubic metres per \u200cday, \u200cthe Iraqi \u200belectricity ministry \u2060said \u200bon Saturday, \u200baccording \u200cto the state news \u200bagency.<\/p>\n

Flows had \u2060been \u2060halted \u200bafter Israel attacked Iran\u2019s main gasfield, \u200cSouth Pars, \u2060on Wednesday. <\/p>\n

Iranians in Tehran celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking end of Ramadan\"IranianIranian Shia women take part in Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at the Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran on Saturday. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images \"AnAn Iranian woman holds a picture of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at the Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran on Saturday. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n

India\u2019s prime minister, Narendra Modi, has said he spoke to Iran\u2019s president on Saturday, during which he \u201ccondemned\u201d attacks on critical infrastructure in the region.<\/p>\n

Modi said such attacks \u201cthreaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains\u201d.<\/p>\n

While speaking to Masoud Pezeshkian, Modi said he \u201creiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure\u201d.<\/p>\n

Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia.<\/p>\n

Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

US-Israeli strikes on Iran to intensify, says Israeli defence minister<\/p>\n

Strikes by the US and Israel on Iran will intensify in the next week, Israel\u2019s defence minister, Israel Katz, has said. <\/p>\n

In a statement published by AFP, Katz said there would be a significant rise in the attacks on the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis week, the intensity of the strikes to be carried out by the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and the US military against the Iranian terror regime and the infrastructure on which it relies will rise significantly,\u201d he said. – Guardian<\/p>\n

UK ministry of defence condemns \u2018reckless attacks\u2019 after joint US-UK base targeted<\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s ministry of defence has condemned \u201cIran\u2019s reckless attacks\u201d, after Tehran fired missiles towards a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n

Two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were fired at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands on Friday but neither hit, the Wall Street Journal reported.<\/p>\n

On Saturday morning a ministry of defence spokesperson said: \u201cIran\u2019s reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.<\/p>\n

\u201cRAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.\u201d – PA<\/p>\n

There has been no increase in off-site radiation levels reported following an attack on Iran\u2019s Natanz nuclear facility, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. <\/p>\n

The UN nuclear watchdog said it was informed by Iran that the facility was attacked on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported. IAEA is looking into the report.
IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi<\/a> reiterates call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/jDCWYbOwao<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency \u269b\ufe0f (@iaeaorg) March 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

British prime \u200cminister Keir Starmer will next week convene \u200can emergency meeting of senior ministers and Bank \u200bof England governor Andrew Bailey to discuss plans to help households with \u200bthe soaring cost of living caused by \u2060the war in Iran, the \u200cTimes \u200creported \u200bon Saturday.<\/p>\n

Starmer is under \u200bpressure to assist UK consumers \u2060after the US-Israeli war \u2060in \u200bIran drove up petrol, energy and mortgage costs.<\/p>\n

On Monday, he promised to support \u201cworking people\u201d with cost-of-living pressures worsened by the conflict. <\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Starmer\u2019s office and one \u2060for \u200bthe Bank of England \u200bdeclined to comment on the \u200creport.<\/p>\n

Officer killed in drone strike on Iraqi intelligence headquarters <\/p>\n

An officer \u200bwas killed after \u200ba drone \u2060launched \u200cby \u201coutlaw \u200cgroups\u201d \u200bstruck \u2060near \u200bthe \u200bIraqi intelligence \u200cheadquarters in \u200bBaghdad \u2060on \u2060Saturday, \u200bthe national intelligence \u200cservice said \u2060in a \u200cstatement. – Reuters<\/p>\n

Iraqi intelligence headquarters targeted by drone strike<\/p>\n

Iraq\u2019s intelligence headquarters in the country\u2019s capital, Baghdad, has been targeted by a drone strike. <\/p>\n

Gen Saad Maan, head of Iraq\u2019s government security media unit, confirmed the attack in central Baghdad on Saturday morning. <\/p>\n

In comments reported by AFP, he said a drone targeted the headquarters of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in the Mansour district at 10am local time.<\/p>\n

An Iraqi security official told the news agency the attack targeted a national intelligence service \u201ctelecommunications building\u201d. It co-operates with US advisers in Iraq as part of an anti-jihadist coalition. <\/p>\n

Iraq has been drawn into the conflict since the US and Israel attacked its neighbour, Iran, in late February. Strikes have hit Iran-backed groups, which have in turn attacked US-linked buildings or facilities in the region, including Iraq. <\/p>\n

At least three drone attacks overnight targeted a US diplomatic and logistics hub that houses US military personnel at Baghdad International Airport, according to two security officials speaking to AFP.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, the Pentagon said combat helicopters had carried out strikes against pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq. – Guardian<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s Natanz nuclear facility attacked, state media reports<\/p>\n

The US \u200cand Israel launched \u200ban attack on the \u200bNatanz \u2060uranium-enrichment facility \u200con \u200cSaturday morning, \u200bIran\u2019s \u2060Tasnim news \u200bagency \u200bsaid.<\/p>\n

No \u200cradioactive leaks \u200boccurred and \u2060residents \u2060near \u200bthe site were not at \u200crisk, Tasnim \u2060added. – Reuters<\/p>\n

Some photos are coming in from the southern \u2060suburbs of Beirut which have been targeted in Israeli air strikes.<\/p>\n

The Israeli \u200cmilitary said early on Saturday it was \u200bstriking Hizbullah targets after issuing an evacuation warning \u200bfor seven neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n

\"AA picture shows damaged buildings following an Israeli air strike that targeted the Haret Hreik neighbourhood in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Saturday. Photograph: AFP via Getty Images EU urges members to cut gas-storage targets<\/p>\n

The EU has urged member states to lower natural gas-storage targets and start \u200crefilling reserves gradually to curb demand, as energy prices spike during the US-Israeli war on \u200bIran, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen instructed member states to lower the filling target for their gas storage facilities to 80 per cent of \u200bcapacity, 10 percentage points below the EU\u2019s official targets \u201cas early as possible in the \u2060filling season to provide certainty and reassurance to market participants\u201d, \u200cthe \u200cnewspaper said, \u200bciting a letter.<\/p>\n

Gas \u2060prices in Europe \u200bsurged as much as 35 per cent on \u200bThursday as Iranian and Israeli strikes targeted some of the Middle \u200cEast\u2019s most important gas infrastructure, doing \u200bdamage that will likely take years to repair.<\/p>\n

Gas storage allows Europe to meet winter heating and power demand, underpinning the region\u2019s energy security. – Reuters<\/p>\n

\"IsraeliIsraeli air strikes have hit Dahiyeh, Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs (AP) Israeli military says it is striking Hizbullah targets in Beirut<\/p>\n

The Israeli \u200cmilitary said early on Saturday it was \u200bstriking Hizbullah targets in Beirut, after issuing an evacuation warning \u200bfor seven neighbourhoods in the southern \u2060suburbs of the Lebanese capital.<\/p>\n

There \u200cwere \u200cno \u200bimmediate reports of casualties.<\/p>\n

Israel has been \u2060stepping \u200bup air strikes against \u200bLebanon in the third \u200cweek of its \u200bwar with Iran-backed Hizbullah.<\/p>\n

The Hizbullah-Israel \u2060conflict has \u2060become \u200bthe deadliest spillover of the US-Israeli war on Iran since the Lebanese militant group fired at Israel in \u200csupport of \u2060Tehran on March 2md, with more than 1,000 people \u200ckilled in Lebanon and more than one million displaced. – Reuters<\/p>\n

Russian president Vladimir Putin congratulates Iranian leaders<\/p>\n

Russian president Vladimir Putin<\/a> congratulated Iranian leaders on Nowruz and said Moscow remained a loyal friend \u200cand reliable partner to Tehran, the Kremlin said on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The extent of Moscow\u2019s support for \u200bIran, though, is in dispute. Some Iranian sources have said that they have had little real help from Moscow in the biggest crisis for Iran since the US-backed Shah was \u200btoppled in the 1979 revolution.<\/p>\n

Putin sent congratulations to Iran\u2019s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and \u2060Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on the Iranian new year, the Kremlin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cVladimir \u200cPutin \u200cwished \u200bthe Iranian people to overcome the harsh trials with dignity and stressed that in this difficult time Moscow \u2060remains a loyal friend and \u200breliable partner of Tehran,\u201d the Kremlin \u200bsaid. <\/p>\n

Russia says the US and Israeli attacks on Iran have thrust the entire \u200cMiddle East into the abyss \u200band triggered a major global energy crisis, while describing the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah \u2060Ali Khamenei as a \u201ccynical\u201d murder.<\/p>\n

Politico reported \u2060that Moscow \u200bproposed a quid pro quo to Washington: the Kremlin would stop sharing intelligence with Iran if Washington ceased supplying Ukraine with intelligence about Russia, but the United States rejected the idea. The Kremlin has dismissed the report as fake.<\/p>\n

Russia was deprived of an ally when the United States toppled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, though Moscow \u200chas benefited from the \u2060high oil prices triggered by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, a strategic partner.<\/p>\n

The published strategic partnership does not \u200ccontain a mutual defence clause, and Russia has repeatedly said that it does not want Iran \u200bto develop an atomic bomb, a step that \u200bMoscow fears would trigger a nuclear arms race across the Middle East. – Reuters<\/p>\n

Iran attack on Indian Ocean base \u2018a significant step\u2019<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s semi-official \u200bMehr news agency \u2060also reported on Saturday that Iran \u200cfired two ballistic missiles at \u200cthe US-UK military base \u200bon Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n

Mehr \u200bsaid targeting the base was a \u201csignificant step … that shows that the range \u200cof Iran\u2019s \u2060missiles is beyond what the enemy \u200cpreviously imagined\u201d. <\/p>\n

The reported attacks on the island mark a significant attempt by Iran to reach far beyond the Middle East and threaten US interests. <\/p>\n

The Wall Street Journal described Diego Garcia \u2013 about 4,000km from Iran \u2013 as a crucial overseas US military staging post for operations far from home and a key airfield for the US military\u2019s heavy bomber fleet. <\/p>\n

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said last month that Iran had deliberately limited the range of its missiles to 2,000km.<\/p>\n

As the Guardian reported in March, Trump said he was \u201cvery disappointed\u201d in British prime minister Keir Starmer over the UK government\u2019s deal to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as a means to preserve the status of the UK-US airbase on Diego Garcia, which is part of the Indian Ocean archipelago. <\/p>\n

The Chagos deal, which Trump initially supported before changing his mind, was a \u201cvery woke thing\u201d, the US president said. <\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Iran launched a new wave of drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and Israel, meanwhile, after supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei claimed to have dealt a \u201cdizzying blow\u201d to his country\u2019s enemies. <\/p>\n

In response, the Israeli military launched strikes on \u201cregime targets\u201d in Tehran early on Saturday. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe tail section of a ballistic missile fired from Iran sticks out of the ground at a vineyard in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Iran has continued firing waves of drones and missiles at Israel after the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran early on February 28th. Photograph: Amir Levy\/Getty Images Diego Garcia \u2018targeted by Iran missiles\u2019<\/p>\n

Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia but neither of them hit the joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and CNN reported, citing multiple US officials. <\/p>\n

The WSJ said one of the missiles failed in flight, and a US warship fired an SM-3 interceptor at the other. Neither outlet confirmed when Iran launched the missiles. One person was killed and two others wounded after an Israeli air strike hit a house in a town in southern Lebanon early on Saturday, state media said.<\/p>\n

Donald Trump considering \u2018winding down\u2019 war on Iran<\/p>\n

Good morning \u2013 and welcome to our ongoing coverage of the US-Israel war on Iran<\/a> and its repercussions for the Middle East, the world and the global economy. <\/p>\n

US president Donald Trump<\/a> said on Friday he was considering \u201cwinding down\u201d military operations against Iran<\/a>, as the US temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil shipments to stem a global supply crisis. <\/p>\n

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the US was \u201cgetting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great military efforts in the Middle East\u201d. <\/p>\n

His post was the strongest indication yet that he may be prepared to soon end hostilities that began on February 28th. <\/p>\n

The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said on X shortly after Trump\u2019s message: \u201cThe President and the Pentagon predicted it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to achieve this mission.\u201d <\/p>\n

Amid growing concern over oil prices and global supply shortages, the US Treasury said it was temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded on to vessels. The authorisation allowed for the delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and other petroleum products loaded on to ships before March 20th and would last until April 19th, it said. \u2013 Guardian<\/p>\n

Since Day One of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump clearly outlined the U.S. Military\u2019s objectives to end the threat of the Iranian terrorist regime. <\/p>\n

The President and the Pentagon predicted it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to achieve this mission. <\/p>\n

Tomorrow marks week\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/A5F8UTxpPZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n