Daily brief about U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran: Day 15

CAIRO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 15th day Saturday, with Washington striking military facilities on Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal. Tehran warned it would target regional infrastructure and U.S.-linked energy assets if its own energy facilities are attacked.

The following is a brief overview of the latest developments on the escalating crisis affecting nearly all regional countries and beyond.

The United States

-- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that U.S. forces had carried out heavy strikes on Kharg Island, Iran's principal oil export terminal, while deliberately sparing its oil facilities.

Trump warned that any interference with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, by Iran or any other party, would prompt him to "immediately reconsider" that decision.

-- U.S. officials said the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli has been deployed to the Middle East with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which typically includes about 2,200 Marines and aircraft such as MV-22 Ospreys, helicopters, and F-35 fighters.

-- Trump rejected a Russian proposal to move Iran's enriched uranium to Russia as part of a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, a U.S. news website reported Friday.

-- Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed in two weeks of conflict, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, adding that 10 others have been seriously wounded. 

-- More than 50,000 U.S. service members are involved in the strikes, a senior Pentagon official said Friday, claiming "operational dominance" over air and sea domains.

Iran

-- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday warned that any attack on Iran's oil and energy infrastructure would trigger retaliation against regional facilities linked to U.S. companies.

Araghchi added that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping, except for vessels belonging to Iran's enemies and their allies. 

-- Iran on Saturday threatened for the first time to strike infrastructure in a neighboring state, calling for the evacuation of three major ports in the United Arab Emirates. Tehran labeled the facilities "legitimate targets," alleging they are used by the U.S. military to launch attacks.

-- A senior Iranian official outlined Tehran's conditions for ending the conflict on Saturday, demanding full compensation for damage and a complete U.S. military withdrawal from the Gulf.

Israel

-- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that "the global and regional struggle against Iran is escalating and we are entering the final decisive phase," vowing it "will last as long as necessary."

-- The Israel Defense Forces said on Saturday that it dismantled the primary research center of the Iranian Space Agency in Tehran, killed two senior Iranian intelligence officers in a precision strike, and hit more than 200 infrastructure sites across western and central Iran in the past day.

-- Representatives from Israel and Lebanon are expected to meet for talks in the coming days, with the U.S. involved in the process, Israeli daily Haaretz reported Saturday. Cyprus or Paris are possible venues.

Lebanon

-- Twelve medical workers were killed early Saturday when an Israeli airstrike struck a primary healthcare center in the southern Lebanese town of Burj Qalaouiyeh, Lebanon's Health Ministry said. One worker was wounded, and search operations continue.

-- Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health on Saturday rejected the Israeli army's claims that ambulances were used for military purposes, calling the accusations an attempt to justify "crimes against humanity."

-- Israeli airstrikes on Friday hit the Nepalese battalion's compound of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to Lebanese official sources, with no Nepali soldiers injured.

-- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation between Israel and Lebanon during a press conference in Beirut on Saturday, warning that violence risks devastating large parts of the country.

-- Lebanon's Public Health Ministry said the death toll from Israeli attacks since March 2 has risen to 826, with 2,009 people wounded.
 

Iraq

-- The U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad was struck by a drone at dawn Saturday, a security source said. No casualties were immediately reported, and smoke was seen rising from the site.

The United Arab Emirates

-- Debris from an intercepted Iranian drone struck an oil facility in the country.

Jordan

-- Jordanian military forces said that 85 missiles and drones were launched from Iran toward Jordanian territory during the second week of the conflict.

Türkiye

-- Türkiye voiced deep concern Saturday over Israel's expanding military operations in Lebanon, with its top diplomat accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing "a new genocide" under the guise of fighting Hezbollah, and urging the international community to "take immediate action".

France

-- French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Saturday that Lebanon has signaled readiness for "direct talks" with Israel, offering Paris as a potential venue for negotiations. He also urged Israel to avoid a large-scale ground operation in Lebanon.

Arab League

-- The Arab League Saturday strongly condemned Israeli bombing raids on Lebanese civilian infrastructure, including the destruction of bridges and bombing of residential areas in Beirut, warning of severe risks to civilians, and describing Israeli plans to re-occupy Lebanese territory as an "unacceptable and condemned expansionist policy."■