Israel vows no let-up despite U.S push to end war

Mar 28, 2026 News

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(AL-JAZEERA) Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz says Israel will “intensify” its attacks and target a broader range of sites in Iran as he accused Tehran of directing missiles at Israel’s civilian population.

The remarks came after US-Israeli strikes targeted the Khondab Heavy Water Complex in central Iran, according to Iran’s Fars news agency. There were no casualties or radiation leak from the site.

In response, Iran warned employees of US and Israeli industrial facilities in the region to leave their workplaces, saying it was making retaliatory strikes.

Iranian officials say US and Israeli strikes have hit at least 120 museums and historical sites across the country since the war began, raising concerns over damage to cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has accused Russia of helping Iran identify potential strike targets, alleging President Vladimir Putin was hoping to use the US-Israel war as a distraction from his Ukraine invasion.

Wadephul described reports of direct US-Iran communication as “encouraging” and said he expects or has heard signs of possible direct Washington-Tehran talks, potentially hosted in Islamabad (Pakistan) in the coming period. Pakistan regional reports.

Separately, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that the country could achieve its goals in Iran “without any ground troops”, stating that the operation was expected to conclude in “weeks, not months”, Al Jazeera reported.

Speaking to reporters following a G7 meeting in France, he said ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remained open to shipping was likely to pose an “immediate challenge” even after the US accomplished its military objectives in Iran.

He said the US would seek international cooperation on a plan to keep the strait open after hostilities end.

“Not only is this illegal, it’s unacceptable. It’s dangerous to the world,” Rubio said of the possibility that Iran would seek to restrict traffic through the strait.

“And it’s important that the world have a plan,” he added.

Rubio also said Iran may decide to set up a tolling system for the Strait of Hormuz.

He also said that weapons destined for Ukraine are not being diverted for use in the war on Iran, “but that could happen.”

Separately, Lebanon said on Friday evening that 26 people were killed and 86 others were injured in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of casualties since March 2 to 1,142 dead and 3,315 injured.

The death toll includes 122 children and 83 women, while the total number of injured includes 403 children and 456 women, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

As the war enters day 28, United States President Donald Trump has delayed planned attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure by 10 days until April 6, saying peace talks are going “very well” – even as Iranian officials describe a US proposal as “one-sided and unfair”.

Pakistan says it is relaying messages between Washington and Tehran, with Turkiye and Egypt also supporting mediation efforts to try to end the war, as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent a wider regional conflict.

In Iran

Military strikes and casualties: US and Israeli forces continued with their bombardment of Iranian cities: more than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran so far.

Iran’s retaliation: Tehran fired missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Trump pushes back deadline: Trump paused planned attacks on Iranian energy plants until April 6 at 8pm Eastern Time (00:00 GMT on April 7), saying talks are “going very well”.
Negotiations and demands: Iran called the US proposal “one-sided and unfair” and said it has five non-negotiable demands.

Unacceptable demands: Iran’s five-point proposal, which includes reparations for the war and continued Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, is viewed as likely unacceptable to the White House.

Actions over words: Mohamed Vall, reporting from Tehran, said Iranians are focusing on ongoing attacks, not US claims of progress in talks, and see the continuing strikes as a sign that Washington is not serious about a deal.

US, Israel target Iran steel: US-Israeli air strikes damaged two major steel plants in Iran, Iranian media reports said.

Iran turns back ships: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said they had turned back three ships trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz, adding the route was closed to vessels travelling to and from ports linked to its “enemies”. Analysts note that this incident demonstrates that “safe passage could not be guaranteed”.

The Israeli army has carried out airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2.

Iran’s Health Ministry and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reports that more than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since US-Israeli strikes began on February 28, 2026, with tens of thousands injured.

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