Trump rules out ceasefire as Iran targets US base in Baghdad (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

Missiles launched from Iran toward Israel triggered the activation of interception systems and precautionary alerts sent to residents’ mobile phones in several areas on Saturday, according to the military. People were instructed to enter protected spaces and remain there until further notice, with officials stressing that compliance with safety guidelines “saves lives.” 

Authorities later said it was safe to leave shelters, while urging the public to continue following Home Front Command instructions.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said it had intercepted and destroyed eight drones over the kingdom’s eastern region early on Saturday, without specifying their origin.

Iran is prepared to allow Japan-linked vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, Kyodo News has reported, citing Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

In a phone interview with the Japanese news agency, Araghchi said Tehran has begun discussions with Tokyo on the possible reopening of the waterway for ships connected to Japan.

Japan relies heavily on Middle Eastern crude, sourcing roughly 95% of its oil from the region, with about 90% of imports transported through the strait.

An Iranian military spokesman has warned that popular tourist locations could become targets as tensions escalate with Tehran’s adversaries.

Speaking on state television, General Abolfazl Shekarchi said Iran had information about its enemies’ movements and suggested that leisure sites would no longer be safe.

“From now on, based on the information we have about you, even parks, recreational areas, and tourist destinations anywhere in the world will no longer be safe for you,” the military official said.

He did not name any specific vacation destinations that could be in Iran’s line of fire.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted from March 17 to 19 among 1,545 US adults found that nearly 60% disapprove of strikes on Iran.

The survey also found that 55% of Americans oppose sending any ground troops into Iran, while 34% support deploying “a small number of special forces for targeted operations.”

Israel continued its strikes in southern Lebanon, hitting Beirut’s Dahieh suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold.

The Lebanese Health Ministry said 20 people were killed on Friday, bringing the death toll from Israeli strikes since March 2 to 1,021.

An Iranian projectile reportedly struck the US Victoria Air Base near Baghdad International Airport. Footage circulating on social media appears to show a large fire engulfing part of the facility.

Iran and Iran-backed groups have repeatedly launched missiles and drones at US bases and diplomatic sites in Iraq in recent weeks.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced strikes on military sites in central Iran and in the capital, Tehran.

The IDF said it had targeted weapons factories, including facilities producing “components for long-range ballistic missiles” used by Iran to attack Israel.

US President Donald Trump is weighing whether to deploy potentially thousands of American troops to Iranian ports or small islands in the Persian Gulf to secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, NBC News reported, citing two former US officials and another person familiar with the matter.

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‘Safe’ corridor opening up through Strait of Hormuz: What we know so far

According to NBC, the president is also considering options to use the troops to seize oil facilities or secure Iran’s enriched uranium. The options under consideration are not expected to involve large numbers of soldiers, as in the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the outlet said.

The United States has reportedly dispatched up to 5,000 Marines and an amphibious assault ship to the region.

According to Lloyd’s List, several countries, including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia, and China, are negotiating with Iran to arrange procedures for transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

On Truth Social, President Donald Trump said the United States is “considering winding down” its military action against Iran. He argued that the US is “getting very close” to achieving its goal of degrading Iran’s missile, air defense, naval, and nuclear capabilities.

Trump reiterated his call for other countries to police the Strait of Hormuz. “If asked, we will help these countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated,” he said.