The ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran has now entered its sixteenth day as of Sunday.
Military strikes have intensified, resulting in a rising death toll, with reports indicating over 1,400 fatalities, predominantly from Iran.
On the fifteenth day of hostilities, several significant developments unfolded.
Negotiations Rejected by Both Sides
President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that Iran has shown interest in negotiations, but the proposed conditions are "not adequate." In an NBC interview, he emphasized that any ceasefire agreement must be "very robust." Reports from Reuters suggest that the Trump administration has dismissed its allies in the Middle East who sought to facilitate diplomatic discussions aimed at halting the military actions.
Iran has also declined any ceasefire proposals unless the US and Israeli attacks cease and guarantees against future assaults are presented. Oman and other nations have made repeated attempts to mediate communication, but the White House has reportedly expressed disinterest in such variances.
Trump Requests Warships for Hormuz
Trump has cited that multiple countries will be dispatching warships to ensure the safety of maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. This comes on the heels of his assertion that the US has destroyed all strategic military objectives and installations in the Strait. He noted that he refrained from targeting oil facilities "for reasons of decency" but warned that should Iran intervene with shipping security, such facilities could become targets.
Despite claims of incapacitating Iran's military capability, Iranian missile strikes against Israel and US bases are ongoing, and the Strait of Hormuz remains perilously affected. Amid the increased military presence in the area, Trump is rallying other nations to aid in reopening the strategically vital Strait. He mentioned that many nations, particularly those impacted by Iran's attempts to blockade Hormuz, will collaborate with the US to maintain its openness and safety, but he did not clarify which nations would participate.
He expressed hopes that countries such as China, France, Japan, and South Korea would also contribute ships to the area, where several tanker attacks have occurred since the onset of the conflict.
Global Response Hesitant
However, nations have yet to confirm their commitment openly. China has principally called for an end to hostilities, urging all parties to ensure a steady and uninterrupted energy supply. Japan has stated to local media that it won’t initiate a troop deployment merely at the request of the US, emphasizing that it must make its own decisions based on independent judgment. Prime Minister Takayuki Kobayashi noted that while the possibility of deployment exists legally, caution is essential given the current volatile circumstances surrounding the conflict. The UK Ministry of Defence has stated that it is assessing a variety of options to secure maritime operations in the region. Meanwhile, France has indicated no intention of sending ships, confirming that its aircraft carrier will remain in the eastern Mediterranean.
Indian Tankers Navigate Hormuz Safely
In a related matter, India announced that two of its tankers carrying Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) have successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz. This maneuver followed diplomatic discussions between Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. As part of the arrangements, India facilitated the return of Iranian naval personnel seeking refuge after a US assault on an Iranian vessel during an exercise off the Indian coast. The Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that the tankers traversed the Strait early morning and were on their way back to India.
Threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
In other developments, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to eliminate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he remains alive amid unverified reports of his death. They stated their intent to pursue and kill him "with full force" if he is indeed alive.
Casualties Among Nigerians in UAE Attacks
The UAE's authorities reported that Nigerians were included among the 141 individuals injured during Iranian assaults on the nation within the past fortnight. The Ministry of Defence confirmed foreign nationals, including Nigerians, suffered various degrees of wounds in these attacks, which also resulted in at least six fatalities among nationals from the UAE, Pakistan, and Nepal. Though the exact number of injured Nigerians was not disclosed, they are among the 141 foreign nationals noted to have sustained injuries of varying severity.
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