Iran War Day 82: Tehran warns of 'new front' as Trump gives deadline
Elizabeth Melimopoulos
Iran warned that any renewed conflict would bring 'more surprises' after President Donald Trump gave Tehran 'two to three days' to reach a deal. Vice President JD Vance said both sides have made 'good progress' in negotiations. The wars in Iran and Ukraine are also expected to dominate talks as Chinese President Xi Jinping hosts Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Iran warned that any renewed conflict would bring 'more surprises' after US President Donald Trump gave Tehran 'two to three days' to reach a deal. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said both sides had made 'good progress' in negotiations aimed at ending a war that is causing a global energy crisis.
At the same time, Chinese President Xi Jinping is hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks expected to focus on energy and arms deals, with the wars in Iran and Ukraine weighing heavily on discussions.
Inside Iran
- US permanent resident freed: Iranian authorities released Shahab Dalili, an Iranian citizen and US permanent resident, after 10 years of imprisonment at Evin prison in Tehran, according to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The rights group said Dalili has returned to the US.
- Military warns broader retaliation: Iran's military said it would 'open new fronts' against the US if Washington launches fresh attacks. Military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Tehran would respond with 'new equipment and new methods' if the conflict continues, according to Iran's ISNA news agency.
War diplomacy
- Vance says talks progressing: The US vice president said negotiations with Iran are making 'good progress', while warning Washington was ready to resume military operations if diplomacy fails.
- G7 stresses economic coordination: G7 finance ministers pledged closer cooperation to address economic risks related to the war, following talks in Paris that also highlighted tensions between the US and some allies.
Inside the US
- Trump predicts quick end to conflict: The US president said Washington would end the war with Iran 'very quickly', claiming Tehran is eager to strike a deal. His remarks came as the Republican-controlled Senate pushed forward the War Powers Resolution requiring congressional approval to continue military action against Iran.
- School strike investigation continues: A senior US military commander declined to accept responsibility for an attack on a school in Iran that killed 155 people on the first day of the war, saying a 'complex' investigation was still ongoing.
- Growing concern over new US strikes: Journalist Alex Marquardt told Al Jazeera that President Donald Trump's patience with Iran appears 'about to run out', despite reconciliation efforts led by Gulf states with the involvement of Pakistan and Turkey. Marquardt said the talks have made little progress in recent weeks, increasing the likelihood of the US resuming military strikes if negotiations remain deadlocked.
In Lebanon, Israel and Gaza
- Israeli attacks kill 19: Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon killed 19 people, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Ten people, including three children and three women, died in Deir Qanun al-Nahr in Tyre district, while nine others died in separate strikes elsewhere in the south.
- Hezbollah ramps up attacks: The group said its fighters carried out 26 attacks targeting Israeli forces inside southern Lebanon, including clashes near the town of Haddatha. The group also reported targeting Israeli troop concentrations in several areas, including Rachaf.
- Israeli strike causes huge fire in Gaza City: An Israeli air strike hit a house in the Nassr neighborhood of Gaza City before dawn, causing 'huge fires' as described by witnesses. Verified footage showed civil defense forces responding at the scene, while no immediate casualties were reported.
- Health facilities targeted in Lebanon: Lebanon's Public Health Ministry condemned the destruction of a primary healthcare center in al-Maashouq in Tyre district, saying the latest attack brings the total number of health facilities hit by Israel in the conflict to 31.
- The Israeli military said Wednesday in a Telegram post that sirens sounded in northern Malkia were false alarms. It added that an interceptor missile was fired at a 'decoy target' in the Kiryat Shmona and Margaliot area.