Breaking News... Fourth day of US and Israeli attacks on Iran: Ground operation launched into Lebanon

The US and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran struck targets in Israel as well as in several regional countries, primarily Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, where US military bases are located. On the fourth day of the conflict, mutual statements from the field continued to arrive throughout the night.

Here are the minute-by-minute developments:

IRAN HALTS ALL FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS | 16:59

According to reports in foreign media outlets, Iran announced that as of today, it has halted all food and agricultural exports until further notice. The government cited the prioritization of domestic supply as a precaution against potential shortages due to the ongoing war with Israel and the US.

IRAN STRIKES OPPOSITION GROUPS IN IRAQ | 16:50

The Public Relations Unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that positions belonging to opposition groups in Iraq's Kurdistan region were destroyed by launching 30 unmanned aerial vehicles.

IRAN: WE HAVE NOT ATTACKED OMAN | 16:35

According to a statement made by the Tasnim News Agency on its social media account, the Communication Center of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces denied reports that the Iranian military had carried out any military occupation of Oman's territory or ports.

WAVE OF MIGRATION FROM LEBANON TO SYRIA | 16:27

More than 10,000 citizens who left Lebanon due to Israeli attacks against the country have migrated to Syria. Civilians attempting to cross from Lebanon into Syria formed long queues for hours due to the congestion at border crossings.

IRAN ISSUES OPEN THREAT TO EU COUNTRIES TAKING ACTION AGAINST IRAN | 16:25

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei warned European countries considering the option of military intervention against Iran, stating, "Any action against Iran will be considered cooperation with the aggressors and will be treated as an act of war against Iran."

ISRAELI ARMY TARGETED KEY POINTS OF THE TEHRAN ADMINISTRATION | 16:15

The Israeli Army announced that in the attacks carried out in Tehran on Monday night and Tuesday morning, Israeli warplanes heavily bombed guidance institutions, the Presidential Office, the Supreme National Security Council, and the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for electing the new supreme leader. 

14:14 | UK SENDING WARSHIP TO CYPRUS

The British newspaper The Times claimed that the UK will send a warship to the region following drone attacks on the Akrotiri Base in Southern Cyprus. Accordingly, it is stated that the destroyer HMS Duncan could be deployed to the region. It was reported that the Southern Cyprus Greek Administration evacuated the village of Akrotiri, located near the airbase, due to it being targeted by unmanned aerial vehicles aimed at the base.

13:54 | PRODUCTION HALTED IN QATAR, ARAMCO SEEKS NEW ROUTES

Qatar's state-owned QatarEnergy announced it would halt the production of polymers, methanol, aluminum, and similar products. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated in its announcements that there were attempted attacks on Hamad International Airport, which were thwarted. Additionally, it was announced that Iranian fighter jets entering Qatari airspace were shot down. Saudi oil company Aramco also stated that it would review alternative routes, including exports via pipeline to the Red Sea, to avoid passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The company informed crude oil buyers that shipments would be loaded from the Red Sea city of Yanbu.

13:13 | EVACUATION ORDER FROM ISRAEL IN LEBANON

The Israeli military announced that it has launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon and that its forces are deployed at 'strategic points.' Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said that the Israeli Army has been authorized to advance in Lebanon and take control of various locations. A Lebanese official told Reuters that Israeli troops are carrying out attacks in some areas of the Lebanese border. It was reported that the Lebanese army has withdrawn from at least seven forward operating bases along the border. The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for more than 20 towns in southern Lebanon.

12:46 | ISRAELI ARMY STRIKES TEHRAN

The Israeli Army announced that it has struck Iran's presidential building and the National Security building in Tehran.

12:00 | IRANIAN RED CRESCENT: DEATH TOLL IN ATTACKS REACHES 787

On the fourth day since the US and Israel began their attacks on Iran, the Iranian Red Crescent announced that 787 people have lost their lives in the attacks.

11:20 | 13 SOLDIERS KILLED IN MISSILE ATTACK ON IRAN'S KERMAN AIR BASE

As part of their attacks on Iran, the US and Israel carried out a missile strike on the Kerman Army Aviation Base.

The Tasnim News Agency published a statement issued by the Iranian Army regarding the matter.

The statement said, "13 soldiers lost their lives in the missile attack on the Kerman Army Aviation Base."

No statement was made regarding the condition of those wounded in the attack.

10:17 | ISRAEL LAUNCHES GROUND OPERATION INTO LEBANON

The Israeli military announced that it has launched a ground operation into southern Lebanon and that its forces are deployed at 'strategic points'. 

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael KatzIn a statement from his office, it was noted that Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have instructed the Israeli army to deploy to more areas within Lebanon.

Katz claimed that they aim to protect Israeli settlements on the border in the face of rising tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon as Israel expands its occupation.

10:12 | ISRAEL: SENDING GROUND FORCES TO IRAN IS NEITHER POSSIBLE NOR PRACTICAL

The Israeli Army claimed that its soldiers are operating in Southern Lebanon but that this does not constitute a ground operation. The statement indicated that Israel is prepared to conduct operations against Iran for weeks. The Israeli Army also made a statement regarding a ground operation into Iran, using the phrase: "It is neither possible nor practical for Israel to send ground forces to Iran."

10:10 | CHINA REACTS TO ATTACKS ON IRAN

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Stating that it is concerned about the conflict spreading to neighboring countries, China called on all parties to cease military operations. China also stated that the peaceful use of nuclear energy is Iran's right.

09:40: US TEMPORARILY CLOSES ITS EMBASSY IN KUWAIT

The US Department of State has decided to withdraw non-essential personnel serving in Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, and Jordan. The US also announced that it has closed its embassy in Kuwait until further notice.

A statement regarding the matter was issued by the US Embassy in Kuwait. The statement read, "Due to ongoing regional tensions, the US Embassy in Kuwait will be closed until further notice. We have cancelled all routine and emergency consular appointments." the statement said.

09:30: IRAN STRIKES TEL AVIV

It was announced that 1 person was killed and 4 others were injured in a missile attack launched by Iran on Tel Aviv. While footage showed the missile directly hitting two buildings in the Gush Dan region, known as Greater Tel Aviv, causing serious damage to surrounding buildings and vehicles, the Israeli press noted that this missile attack by Iran was the first direct hit to be reflected in the public eye.

09:07 | "SELECTING KHAMENEI'S SUCCESSOR WILL NOT TAKE LONG"

According to Iranian sources, the Assembly of Experts, which will choose the new supreme leader, stated that the selection of a successor to Ali Khamenei, who died in the US and Israeli attacks, will not take long. According to the Iranian constitution, the supreme leader must be a Shia Islamic cleric chosen by the Assembly of Experts, which consists of 88 elected clerics. According to Iranian news sources, until Khamenei's successor is chosen, a temporary council chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian and jurist Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, appointed from the Guardian Council, will govern the country as required by the constitution.

08:38 | ISRAEL ATTACKS TEHRAN AND BEIRUT SIMULTANEOUSLY

The Israeli military announced that it carried out simultaneous airstrikes on Tehran and Beirut. The US also decided to evacuate non-essential personnel stationed in Iraq, Bahrain, and Jordan. The Iranian ISNA agency announced that 5 Revolutionary Guards were killed in the US-Israeli attacks.

07:40 | CENTCOM: REVOLUTIONARY GUARD COMMAND CENTER DESTROYED

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that US forces have destroyed command and control facilities, air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

07:37 | NEW ATTACK FROM ISRAEL ON BEIRUT

The Israeli military threatened to attack 59 villages and towns in southern Lebanon, ordering residents to leave their homes.

07:45 | TRUMP'S IRAN NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS

It was reported that US President Donald Trump sent a "war powers" notification to Congress regarding the attacks on Iran, stating that additional steps are possible if necessary. According to the letter obtained by FOX News, Trump argued in his notification to Republican Senatör Chuck Grassley that no US ground troops were used in the attacks and that the operation was planned to minimize civilian casualties. Noting that the US is in favor of a "swift and lasting" peace, Trump pointed out that the duration and scope of military activities cannot be predicted under current conditions. Trump stated, "Despite my administration's repeated efforts to find a diplomatic solution to Iran's malign behavior, the threat to the United States and its allies and partners has become intolerable."

06:11 | ARAQCHI: WASHINGTON HAS MOVED FOR TEL AVIV

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi argued that the US administration's rhetoric does not reflect the truth. Stating that there is no threat from Iran toward the US, Araghchi expressed that Washington has joined the war on behalf of Israel. Araghchi stated, "Rubio admitted what we all know: The US has entered a war of its own volition on behalf of Israel. There has never been a so-called 'threat' from Iran. Therefore, the shedding of both American and Iranian blood is the responsibility of those who say 'Israel first.' The American people deserve better and should take their country back."

05:21 | NETANYAHU: THE CONFLICT WILL NOT BE PROLONGED

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that operations against Iran would be carried out swiftly and decisively. Stating that the process would not turn into a permanent war, Netanyahu noted that a change of government in Iran is a decision for the country's people. He also noted that the military steps taken against Iran could pave the way for a possible normalization process between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

04:32 | REVOLUTIONARY GUARD: US TARGET IN DUBAI STRUCK

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that an attack was carried out with kamikaze drones on a location in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where US soldiers were stationed. According to claims from the field, there were more than 160 US naval personnel in the area. It was alleged that at least 40 American soldiers lost their lives and 70 soldiers were injured.

04:13 | TRUMP: GROUND OPERATION NOT ON THE AGENDA

In his assessment to News Nation, US President Donald Trump said, "You will see the responses the US will give to the attack on the embassy in Riyadh and the death of US personnel very soon." Trump also stated that he does not think a ground offensive against Iran would be necessary.

03:05 | EXPLOSIONS IN THE EMBASSY DISTRICT IN RIYADH

Explosion sounds were heard in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in the district where diplomatic missions are located. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense reported that the US embassy compound was targeted by two unmanned aerial vehicles and that a small-scale fire broke out following the incident.

News Source: 12punto