TEHRAN, (PIC)
The US-Israeli war on Iran has entered its second month, with US President Donald Trump announcing a possible withdrawal of American forces within weeks, even as fighting intensifies across multiple fronts, including Iran and Lebanon.
US withdrawal and political statements
Trump said that US troops could “leave” Iran within two to three weeks, claiming the main objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons had been achieved.
He also asserted that a “regime change” in Iran had effectively taken place, adding that Washington is now engaging with what he described as more “rational” actors.
He noted that while a return to negotiations by Tehran would be positive, it is not a condition for ending military operations, predicting that reconstruction in Iran could take 15 to 20 years.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed ongoing indirect contacts with Iranian parties through mediators.
Escalation between Iran and Israel
On the ground, Iranian media reported new missile barrages toward Israel, prompting widespread alerts across Jerusalem and central areas.
Israeli outlets reported material damage and burned vehicles in Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv after debris from a cluster missile fell in the area, alongside explosions linked to interception attempts.
In response, Israeli forces carried out extensive airstrikes targeting infrastructure in Tehran, with explosions reported across multiple parts of the city.
Lebanon front intensifies
Along the Lebanese front, Israel reported intercepting rockets launched from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli targets, including a Merkava tank struck by a guided missile in Al-Qantara.
The group also said it downed a Hermes 450 drone and carried out drone strikes on Israeli troop positions in Naqoura.
The Israeli military acknowledged the killing of four soldiers, including an officer, and the injury of three others during close-range clashes involving anti-tank fire.
Threats to expand operations
Politically, Israeli Army Minister Israel Katz announced plans to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon extending to the Litani River, warning that large numbers of residents could be prevented from returning to their homes and that border villages may be destroyed.
The developments highlight a widening regional confrontation, with military escalation continuing despite parallel diplomatic contacts.
