DaysofPal- U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a potential withdrawal of American forces from Iran within weeks, even as military confrontation between Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran continues to intensify through missile exchanges and expanding regional tensions.
Trump stated that U.S. troops could leave Iranian territory within two to three weeks, arguing that their presence is no longer necessary. He claimed that the primary objective of the military campaign, preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, had been achieved. He also suggested that political change inside Iran is already taking place, noting that Washington is now engaging with what he described as more pragmatic actors.
On the diplomatic front, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that indirect contacts with Iranian parties are ongoing through intermediaries. Trump described a potential return by Iran to negotiations as a positive step, though not essential for ending military operations. He estimated that rebuilding the damage caused by the conflict could take between 15 and 20 years.
Military Escalation Between Iran and Israel
Military escalation between Iran and Israel continues on multiple fronts. Iranian state television reported the launch of new waves of missiles toward Israel, while Israeli authorities declared a broad state of alert covering Jerusalem and central regions of the country.
Israeli media outlets reported property damage and vehicle fires in the Bnei Brak area near Tel Aviv resulting from cluster missile fragments. Numerous explosions were heard in the sky due to interception operations.
In response, the Israeli military announced large-scale air strikes targeting infrastructure in Tehran. Reports from inside the Iranian capital indicated multiple explosions across different areas of the city.
Conflict in Lebanon: Clashes and Casualties
Clashes have also intensified along the Lebanese front. Israeli military radio reported intercepting rockets fired from southern Lebanon, while regional outlets described heavy rocket fire directed toward northern Israel.
The group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting an Israeli Merkava tank with a guided missile in the town of Qantara, stating that a direct hit was achieved. The group also said it had shot down a Hermes 450 drone and launched two unmanned aerial attacks against Israeli forces in the Naqoura area.
The Israeli military acknowledged the deaths of four soldiers, including an officer, and reported that three others were injured during close-range fighting in southern Lebanon. The clashes involved anti-tank missile fire and direct engagements.
On the political level, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon extending to the Litani River. He warned that hundreds of thousands of residents could be prevented from returning to their homes and that border villages may be destroyed as part of the plan.
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