Iran Threatens Global Recreational and Tourist Sites Amid Gulf Strikes
In the context of Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region, the Iranian military has issued warnings targeting recreational and tourist locations worldwide.
Gen Abolfazl Shekarchi, Iran’s top military spokesperson, declared that
“parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations”globally would be unsafe for the country’s adversaries. This statement, reported by the Associated Press, has heightened concerns that Tehran might resume militant attacks beyond the Middle East as a strategy to pressure the US and Israel to cease their strikes.
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Drone Attacks
Saudi Arabia reported ongoing interceptions and destruction of drones in recent hours. The defence ministry, citing a spokesperson, stated on Saturday via social media that it had intercepted drones in its eastern region. Earlier posts from the ministry indicated the interception of seven drones, followed by another 12 in the same area. Additional reports mentioned dozens of drones being intercepted overnight in the east.
In neighbouring Kuwait, the army announced that air defence systems were actively intercepting missile and drone attacks. The General Staff of the Army noted that any explosion sounds heard were the result of air defence systems countering hostile attacks.
Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Strikes in Syria
The Saudi foreign ministry condemned Israeli strikes on Syrian army camps, labeling them as
“aggression”and joined Turkey in urging the international community to intervene. Israel’s military stated on Friday that it had targeted southern Syria in response to attacks against the Druze community in Sweida province, asserting that it
“will continue to act for their protection”.
The Saudi ministry’s statement on Saturday, as reported by Agence France-Presse, condemned
“the blatant Israeli aggression ... in flagrant violation of international law and Syrian sovereignty”and called on the international community to
“put an end to Israel’s violations of international laws and norms”.
Turkey’s foreign ministry described the Israeli attack as
“a dangerous escalation”that requires international intervention.
Last year, Israel launched strikes during a deadly period of sectarian violence, claiming to defend the Druze minority group. Syria has so far avoided direct involvement in the regional conflict triggered by US-Israeli attacks and Iran’s retaliatory actions.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Thursday that clashes with government forces in Sweida province resulted in at least four Druze fighters killed. Israeli shelling subsequently struck residential neighborhoods in Sweida city.
Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes as an
“outrageous assault on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”and dismissed Israel’s justification as
“flimsy pretexts and fabricated excuses”.
Live Coverage Summary
Welcome to our ongoing live coverage of the Middle East crisis and its implications for the region, global affairs, and the economy.
On Friday, President Donald Trump indicated he was considering
“winding down”military operations against Iran as efforts to stabilize global oil supplies continue. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that the US was
“getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great military efforts in the Middle East”. This statement represents the strongest suggestion yet that hostilities, which began on 28 February, may soon conclude.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on X shortly after Trump’s message that
“The President and the Pentagon predicted it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to achieve this mission.”
Amid concerns over rising oil prices and supply shortages, the US Treasury announced a temporary lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels. This authorization permits the delivery and sale of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products loaded before 20 March and will remain effective until 19 April.
Meanwhile, Iran launched a new series of drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and Israel after Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei claimed to have dealt a
“dizzying blow”to the country’s enemies. In response, the Israeli military conducted strikes on
“regime targets”in Tehran early Saturday.
Additional Key Developments
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News in an interview published Saturday that Iran is willing to assist Japanese ships navigating a critical route for global fuel supplies. Japan relies heavily on crude oil imports from the Middle East, most of which transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports from the Wall Street Journal and CNN, citing multiple US officials, indicated that Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, a joint US-UK military base in the Indian Ocean. Neither missile struck the base; one failed mid-flight, and a US warship intercepted the other with an SM-3 interceptor. The exact timing of the missile launches was not confirmed.
State media reported that an Israeli airstrike early Saturday hit a house in a town in southern Syria, resulting in one death and two injuries.
President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the British government, stating that the UK
“should have acted a lot faster”in permitting US military use of its bases in the Middle East.
Earlier, Downing Street approved US use of its bases for
“the collective self-defence of the region”, including
“defensive operations”targeting Iranian missile sites threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, Britain had only allowed US forces to use its bases to prevent Iranian missile attacks that endangered British interests or lives.
Araghchi criticized UK Labour leader Keir Starmer, stating he
“is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran”.
