Iran Keeps Up Attacks on Israel and U.S. Bases as Regional Tensions Intensify
Huo Xing Finance reports that the Israel-Iran conflict saw fresh overnight and morning developments as of April 2.
Iran said its forces struck Israeli defense-industrial sites and pushed Operation "True Promise4" to its 89th round. Iranian officials said more than 115,000 civilian facilities have been damaged since the conflict began. Tehran continues to launch missiles and drones at Israeli and U.S. military positions, saying one of its aims is to force U.S. troops out of the Middle East.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the Strait of Hormuz would not be reopened in response to Donald Trump’s remarks. Iranian officials added that even if navigation resumes, the strait would remain closed to the United States. Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran does not accept a ceasefire and wants guarantees to prevent a repeat of similar conflicts. Iran also said U.S. and Israeli forces attacked its meteorological radar installations, and that a senior adviser was seriously injured in an assault. Tehran denied reports that it had sought a ceasefire.
In the United States, reports said Trump has "lost patience" and will address the nation at 9:00 a.m. Beijing time today. He may announce that the war against Iran is nearing an end and shift responsibility for strait security to NATO. The U.S. is expanding its Middle East posture, including doubling the deployment of A-10 attack aircraft. U.S. intelligence agencies assess Iran currently lacks genuine willingness to negotiate. Trump said the U.S. will "withdraw soon" without giving a timeline and said Washington will track Iranian nuclear materials via satellite.
Israel’s prime minister said Iran no longer represents a "survival threat." The Israeli military said it has used about 16,000 munitions and destroyed thousands of targets, claiming Iran’s missile capabilities and command structure have been degraded. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed the commander of Hezbollah’s southern front. Israeli officials have voiced concern internally that Trump could declare an end to operations prematurely.
Elsewhere in the region, the UAE said it has intercepted more than 2,000 drones and is considering joint operations with U.S. forces to ensure navigation through the strait. Saudi crude exports have fallen by about 50% amid disruptions. Energy and industrial activity across the region has been hit, including a shutdown of Emirates Global Aluminium’s smelter after attacks.
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is holding cooperation talks with multiple Middle Eastern countries. Russia denied providing Iran with intelligence support for strikes targeting civilian facilities.
