New Delhi, Mar 24 — The United States–Israel war on Iran entered its 25th day on Tuesday, marked by escalating cross-border strikes and conflicting claims over possible peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump said discussions with Iran were underway and hinted at a broader agreement, but Iranian officials dismissed the claims, calling them “fake news” and a “big lie”.
Trump said “Iran means business” and suggested talks could yield a deal, while the White House cautioned that the situation remained “fluid” and that “speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final”.
Tehran rejected any negotiations, accusing Washington of attempting to “manipulate global oil and financial markets” and buy time as additional US forces deploy to the region.
In a parallel move, Trump ordered a five-day postponement of planned US strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, extending an earlier ultimatum tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran maintained that its position on the strategic waterway remained unchanged. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that the strait would stay closed despite mounting global pressure and economic disruptions.
Military escalation across regions
Fighting continued across multiple fronts, with Iran launching a fresh missile barrage at Israel early Tuesday. The Israeli military said its air defence systems were “working to intercept the threat” after strikes targeted the country’s north.
A malfunction in Israel’s “David’s Sling” interceptor system over the weekend allowed two Iranian ballistic missiles to hit southern areas, injuring dozens.
In the Gulf, Kuwait reported repeated interceptions of incoming missiles and drones, with alarms sounding multiple times overnight. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted around 20 drones targeting its oil-rich Eastern Province, while Bahrain issued frequent warning alerts.
The United Kingdom announced deployment of short-range air defence systems to the region. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move aimed to counter Iranian missile threats.
Wider regional spillover
Hostilities expanded across Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs after issuing evacuation warnings, saying it was targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
On the ground, intensified Israeli operations in Lebanon have damaged key infrastructure, complicating humanitarian access for displaced civilians.
In Iraq, the US carried out a strike in Anbar province targeting a senior commander of an Iran-backed group. Iraqi officials described the country as a secondary battleground in the broader conflict.
Syria reported a missile strike on a military base in its northeast, allegedly launched from Iraqi territory.
Domestic and diplomatic developments
Trump’s outreach comes amid domestic political and economic pressures, with rising oil prices impacting US consumers. Analysts suggest the administration may be seeking an “exit ramp” from the conflict.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the “grave situation” and expressed willingness to play a “constructive role in advancing peace”.
Despite ongoing strikes, pro-government demonstrations were reported in Tehran and other Iranian cities.
Energy crisis deepens
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz continued to disrupt global energy markets. South Korea, which depends on the Middle East for over 70 percent of its oil, faced significant economic strain, prompting cancellation of a key diplomatic visit.
Japan also reported severe disruptions, with nearly 95 percent of its oil imports passing through the strait.
The head of the UAE’s ADNOC termed the blockade “economic terrorism against every nation” amid surging global oil prices.