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# Israel launches 'wide-scale' strikes on Iran as Trump says US not ready to make deal to end war

US Citizens Warned to Leave Iraq

BBC News

## Summary

- Israel launches "wide-scale" strikes on targets in western Iran, the Israeli military says

- Iran and Israel traded strikes overnight, while missile and drone interceptions have been reported in Gulf states

- Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump says Iran wants to make a deal to end the war, but he doesn't want to yet "because the terms are not good enough"

- Any hopes the US may have had that its massive firepower would somehow force Iran to sue for peace on Washington's terms have been frustrated, writes our security correspondent

- In an interview with NBC, Trump adds the US has "totally demolished" Kharg Island - Iran's critical oil export hub - but that "we may hit it a few more times just for fun"

- Elsewhere, UK says it is discussing a "range of options" to secure the Strait of Hormuz after the US called for countries to help secure the shipping lane

## Live Reporting

Edited by Matt Spivey and Rorey Bosotti, with Jon Donnison in Jerusalem, Frank Gardner in Riyadh, Barbara Plett Usher in Doha, Nick Beake in Dubai and Wyre Davies in Lebanon

1. ### Two Indian tankers safely cross Strait of Hormuz published at 13:16 GMT 14 March
   13:16 GMT 14 March

   Image source, Reuters
   Image caption,

   An LPG gas tanker is seen at anchor as traffic comes to a virtual standstill in the Strait of Hormuz

   India says two of its tankers "safely" crossed the Strait of Hormuz this morning and are heading to India.

   The news was confirmed in a press briefing by Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

   The two Indian-flagged tankers are carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

   It comes after Iran's ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, described the two countries as "friends" with "common interests" and a "common fate" on Friday, according to Reuters, citing comments made to the media.

   Iran has previously threatened to open fire on any vessels crossing the waterway - a key artery for global energy markets. Traffic has dropped dramatically as a result, causing oil prices to rise dramatically.

   - Read more: Tracking the wave of ship attacks that has choked off Strait of Hormuz
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2. ### Iran launches two strikes on Israel in rapid succession published at 13:04 GMT 14 March
   13:04 GMT 14 March Breaking

   The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued two updates in the last half hour saying a volley of missiles launched from Iran towards Israel have been detected.

   Iran's state broadcaster IRIB has also said on Telegram a new wave of missiles has been launched from Iran towards Israel.

   The Iranian Tasnim News Agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, also reports that a huge explosion was heard in Tel Aviv as Iran's retaliatory strikes hit the Israeli city.

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3. ### Strikes in Lebanon and Israel - mapped published at 12:47 GMT 14 March
   12:47 GMT 14 March

   Hezbollah launched missiles towards Israel following the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

   This week Israel said it carried out around 70 strikes in Beirut against what it called "terrorist infrastructure" in the city.

   The Lebanese health ministry said on Friday that 773 people have been killed since Israel began its offensive on 2 March.

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4. ### Macron offers to host ceasefire talks between Israel and Lebanon in Paris published at 12:34 GMT 14 March
   12:34 GMT 14 March

   Image source, Reuters

   French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Israel to hold direct talks with Lebanon and has offered to host ceasefire talks in Paris.

   In a post on X, he says he has spoken with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, adding that "everything must be done to prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos".

   He calls on the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah to not escalate and for Israel to refrain from its "intensive bombing campaign" and "large-scale offensive" which has caused hundreds of thousands of people to flee the bombardments.

   "The Lebanese executive branch has expressed its readiness to enter into direct talks with Israel," he says, insisting that Israel should try to reach a ceasefire.

   He adds that France is prepared to hold the talks in Paris.

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5. ### UN base in Lebanon hit by 'machine gun fire', spokesperson tells BBC published at 12:23 GMT 14 March
   12:23 GMT 14 March

   Samantha Granville
   BBC News, Middle East

   A spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) tells the BBC one of their positions has been hit, "likely by heavy machine gun fire".

   They say a fire started following the attack on their base near Meiss el-Jabal, which is situated around 70 miles (114 kilometres) away from the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

   "One peacekeeper on his way to the shelter was lightly injured. We have launched an investigation. We remind all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers at all times," the spokesperson adds.

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6. ### Strikes near key oil infrastructure in Iran and UAE raise stakes of war for both sides published at 12:10 GMT 14 March
   12:10 GMT 14 March

   Jacob Phillips
   Live reporter

   Image source, Getty Images
   Image caption,

   Smoke and flames rise from an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah

   The US has gone for Iran's economic jugular vein as the conflict in the Middle East enters its third week, writes our security correspondent.

   The US says more than 90 military targets on Iran's Kharg Island have been destroyed in overnight strikes. The vital island in the northern Gulf is the terminal for close to 90% of the Iran's oil exports.

   Tehran, however, says there has been no damage to its oil infrastructure and no fatalities.

   Israel says the attack delivered a "severe blow" to the regime as its defence minister warns the conflict with Iran is now entering a "decisive phase".

   Meanwhile, thick plumes of black smoke have been rising from one of the largest oil facilities in the Middle East at the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

   The port is a key location for fuelling ships as it sits just past the Strait of Hormuz - meaning vessels do not need to navigate through it as it remains practically cut off.

   Earlier, the US embassy in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, was attacked while Israel continues to trade strikes with Iran and militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

   Media caption,

   Plumes of smoke seen rising over UAE port city

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7. ### US hit more than 90 Iranian military targets on key oil island published at 11:53 GMT 14 March
   11:53 GMT 14 March

   Image source, Reuters
   Image caption,

   Aerial footage of the oil terminal at Kharg Island taken five days before the US attack

   US Central Command (Centcom) has just shared further details on last night's strike on the Iranian oil island of Kharg.

   US forces hit "more than 90 Iranian military targets" on the island, while "preserving the oil infrastructure", it says.

   The strike destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites, it adds.

   This aligns with earlier comments from Iran, which said oil facilities "remain intact" with exports "fully under way".

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8. ### Iranian Armed Forces tells UAE residents to evacuate areas close to US targets published at 11:42 GMT 14 March
   11:42 GMT 14 March

   The Iranian military says it reserves the right to defend its territory and target US interests in the Middle East, Iran's state media reports.

   Colonel Ebrahim Zulfiqari, a spokesman for the Khatam Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, says Iran has a legitimate right to target American missiles in shipping ports and docks in the UAE as well as US soldiers' "hideouts".

   He calls for Muslim people to evacuate cities in the UAE so that they are not harmed.

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9. ### Iran conflict entering 'decisive phase' - Israeli defence minister published at 11:29 GMT 14 March
   11:29 GMT 14 March

   Image source, Reuters
   Image caption,

   Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz pictured earlier this year

   Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says the conflict with Iran is entering a "decisive phase". He made the comments at a situational assessment this morning.

   Katz also congratulated Donald Trump on delivering a "severe blow" to Iran's key oil island of Kharg last night, calling it an "appropriate response to the minefields of the Strait of Hormuz".

   Earlier this week, the US said it had struck mine-laying vessels operating close to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has denied it is laying explosives in the shipping channel.

   In his comments this morning, Katz added that the Israeli Air Force was "continuing a powerful wave of attacks on Tehran and throughout Iran", but said only the Iranian people can put an end to the conflict by overthrowing the regime.

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10. ### Pictures show smoke rising across the Middle East published at 11:19 GMT 14 March
    11:19 GMT 14 March

    In the United Arab Emirates, smoke has been seen rising above the port of Fujairah, one of the largest oil storage facilities in the region, after it was targeted by a drone strike.

    Elsewhere a fire raged through an apartment building in the Haret Saida area of Sidon, southern Lebanon, following an Israeli strike.

    Residential areas of Israel have also been damaged in recent attacks.

    The roof of a building in Shoham, central Israel, has been completely destroyed following a strike. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it detected Iranian missiles targeting Israel overnight.

    Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the port of Fujairah

    Image source, Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    Smoke billows from a building after an Israeli air strike hit the Haret Saida area of Sidon in southern Lebanon

    Image source, EPA/Shutterstock
    Image caption,

    A damaged building after a reported overnight missile strike hit a residential area near the city of Shoham in central Israel

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11. ### New wave of missiles fired towards Israel, IDF says published at 11:07 GMT 14 March
    11:07 GMT 14 March Breaking

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a new wave of Iranian missiles had been fired towards Israel at approximately 12:41 local time (10:41 GMT).

    It was the first attack in 10 hours.

    The IDF has since confirmed that people are allowed to leave protected spaces but is urging the public to continue following safety instructions.

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12. ### Iran says Kharg Island oil exports 'fully under way', no casualties reported published at 10:57 GMT 14 March
    10:57 GMT 14 March

    Ghoncheh Habibiazad
    Senior reporter, BBC Persian

    Ehsan Jahanian, political deputy to the governor of the Bushehr province in southern Iran, acknowledges US attacks on Kharg Island but says that oil exports are “fully under way” and oil facilities “remain intact” following the strikes.

    Jahanian says that “the process of exporting oil from the Kharg oil terminal is fully under way, and the activities of companies based on the island are continuing without interruption”, according to a report by the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)-affiliated Tasnim News Agency.

    He adds that “parts of the military facilities and Kharg Airport” were damaged, but that “no military personnel, oil company employees, or island residents suffered casualties in the attack, and all sectors are continuing their routine activities".

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13. ### US strike on Kharg Island raises stakes in war published at 10:49 GMT 14 March
    10:49 GMT 14 March

    Frank Gardner
    Security correspondent, reporting from Riyadh

    In the battle of wills between Tehran on the one hand and the US and Israel on the other, the stakes have just been raised.

    The US striking this small but vital island in the northern Gulf is like going for Iran’s economic jugular vein.

    Kharg is the terminal for close to 90% of Iran’s oil exports because its waters are deep enough to load that oil onto tankers known as Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs).

    If President Trump decides to go one step further and destroy its actual oil facilities – as opposed to just the Iranian troops guarding them – then that is likely to drive oil prices even higher.

    More worrying is how hard Iran will hit back. Two weeks into this war it still has the capacity to launch large numbers of low-cost, high explosive drones at its Gulf Arab neighbours as well as at shipping.

    It could, potentially, expand those targets to include vital infrastructure like desalination plants that provide drinking water to millions.

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14. ### UAE port struck by drone is one of the largest oil storage facilities in Middle East published at 10:37 GMT 14 March
    10:37 GMT 14 March

    Nick Beake
    Europe Correspondent, reporting from Dubai

    Image source, AFP via Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in Fujairah

    The port of Fujairah, which was targeted by a drone strike earlier, is a very significant location for the United Arab Emirates and one of the largest oil storage facilities in the Middle East.

    It’s also a key location for bunkering - the refuelling of ships.

    Fujairah sits on the Gulf of Oman, rather than the Gulf, and so vessels don’t need to navigate the Strait of Hormuz - which has been practically closed to marine traffic since this war began a fortnight ago.

    Footage shared online today shows huge clouds of smoke rising across the complex on the UAE’s eastern coast.

    It comes as Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps said US interests in the UAE, including ports, docks and military locations had become legitimate targets in light of American attacks on Kharg island, which is so crucial to Tehran’s oil industry and the wider economy.

    - We'll bring you more on the strike on Kharg Island in our next few posts
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15. ### Two weeks of war published at 10:27 GMT 14 March
    10:27 GMT 14 March

    Katie Williams
    Live reporter

    Image source, Reuters

    Two weeks into the US-Israel war with Iran, the impact of the conflict has spread across the Middle East. The conflict has quickly escalated and Gulf countries have found themselves in the firing line.

    As the war enters its third week, we've taken a brief look back:

    Strikes, counter-strikes and Iranian leadership

    - The war began on 28 February, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Trump said the aim was to eliminate "imminent threats"
    - Iran launched counter-strikes, targeting Israel and Gulf states in response
    - After mounting speculation, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead a day after the conflict began
    - Tehran was then hit by an extensive bombing campaign - satellite imagery shows damage to nuclear and missile facilities. Oil depots and refineries are also struck, with photos showing black rain in the aftermath
    - Israel launched strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon, and conducted commando raids inside Lebanese territory - it has said the campaign will continue until the Shia militia group Hezbollah is disarmed
    - The late supreme leader's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was announced as Iran's next leader. He has not been seen in public. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he is "wounded, and likely disfigured"

    Wider repercussions

    - The human cost of the war continues to grow, with thousands of deaths reported across the Middle East
    - Thirteen US service members have been killed in operations against Iran - including all six members of the crew on board a military refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq
    - Oil prices have been taken on a rollercoaster ride, exceeding $100 (£75) a barrel, prompting inflation fears and economic uncertainty
    - Travel chaos persists as a result of airspace closures and commercial jets being grounded - over 170,000 Britons register their presence in the region

    For more on how the bombing of Iran sent shockwaves around the world, our diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams has taken a closer look.

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16. ### Israeli strikes hit Hezbollah command centres in Beirut, IDF says published at 10:02 GMT 14 March
    10:02 GMT 14 March

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued an update in the last few minutes, saying it hit Hezbollah command centres in Beirut in strikes carried out yesterday.

    It says it has struck approximately 110 command centres since the start of the war.

    "Prior to the strikes, measures were taken to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians," the IDF says.

    It has issued sweeping evacuation orders in southern Lebanon in recent days, displacing hundreds of thousands of residents.

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17. ### Iranian missile hits residential area in central Israel - IDF published at 09:56 GMT 14 March
    09:56 GMT 14 March

    Image source, EPA

    We're seeing some new images from Shoham, central Israel, where an overnight missile strike hit a residential area, taking the roof off a building.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it detected Iranian missiles targeting Israel overnight.

    Home Front Command members and emergency services can be seen inspecting the damage at the scene.

    Image source, EPA
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18. ### Hamas urges Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries published at 09:47 GMT 14 March
    09:47 GMT 14 March

    Hamas has called for Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries and called for nations and international organisations to work towards halting the war immediately.

    The Palestinian militant group says it is following the ongoing war in the Middle East with "deep concern" and adds that it "threatens peace and security in the region and the world".

    Hamas adds that the US-Israeli aggression against Iran violates international law and international humanitarian law in a statement on Telegram, and urged all states in the region to co-operate and stop the aggression.

    Hamas is considered a terrorist organisation by the US, UK, Israel and many other countries.

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19. ### Work under way to contain fire in Fujairah, UAE - local authorities published at 09:33 GMT 14 March
    09:33 GMT 14 March

    The media office of the government of Fujairah, in the northwest of the United Arab Emirates, says the local civil defense is working to contain a fire in the area.

    Authorities say the blaze is the result of "falling debris following the successful interception of a drone by air defenses". "No injuries were reported," they add in a post on Facebook.

    The statement comes after Bloomberg reported that some oil loading operations at the port of Fujairah, which is located just off the Strait of Hormuz, had been suspended after a drone attack and a fire.

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20. ### Qatar's evacuation order focused on areas hosting US economic interests published at 09:15 GMT 14 March
    09:15 GMT 14 March

    Barbara Plett Usher
    Reporting from Doha

    Shortly after midnight in Doha, people living in the central Musheireb district got phone alerts to evacuate immediately to the "nearest safe place" as a "precautionary measure".

    Some residents and hotel guests rushed into underground car parks for shelter.

    Then around 01:30 (22:30 GMT) a thunderous boom echoed across the city. A member of the BBC's team here saw the explosion as the missile was intercepted, briefly lighting up the city skyline. That was followed by distant bangs in the opposite direction.

    Later this morning, the Qataris shot down a second missile.

    If you look at the areas receiving evacuation orders, it seems the aim was to protect places which host US economic interests. Iran said earlier this week these were legitimate targets.

    Offices for Google and American Express are located in Musheireb, as are some Qatari government offices.

    Parts of a 12-acre campus known as Education City were also evacuated, possibly because Microsoft has a presence there, as do branches of six American universities.

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