Trump says deal could be reached ‘soon’ as Iran warns against US ground invasion
Trump Says Deal ‘Soon’ as Iran Warns Against U.S. Ground Invasion
Overnight air strikes intensified in Iran, with retaliatory attacks targeting Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Amid this escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that a peace agreement with Iran might be finalized in the near future. He highlighted the impact of the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict, stating that the death of several Iranian leaders has already led to a shift in the country’s leadership, which he described as “far more reasonable.”
“We’ve had regime change,” Trump declared during a press briefing on Air Force One. “This is a completely different group of individuals. They are much more open to dialogue.”
Pakistan, meanwhile, sought to leverage its relationships with Tehran and Gulf nations, as well as its growing ties with Trump, to act as a mediator. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed optimism, noting that “both Iran and the U.S. have shown confidence in Pakistan’s ability to guide the discussions.” However, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, dismissed these diplomatic gestures as misleading.
“Washington uses negotiation as a smokescreen while plotting a ground assault,” Ghalibaf stated in a press release via IRNA. “Our forces are ready to ignite the invaders and eliminate their regional allies permanently.”
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the U.S. military has been reinforcing its presence in the region. The USS Tripoli, an amphibious ship carrying over 3,500 troops, arrived in the Middle East on Friday. Reports from The Washington Post suggest the Pentagon had been planning extended ground operations for weeks, potentially involving strikes near the Strait of Hormuz, though Trump has not yet given final approval.
Iran’s energy ministry confirmed power disruptions in Tehran and nearby areas following attacks on electrical infrastructure. “Outages have occurred in the capital and its surrounding regions, with efforts underway to restore service,” the ministry stated. The strikes on Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, which damaged facilities and claimed an Indian worker’s life, were a response to targeted assaults on Iran’s energy systems.
Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry reported intercepting five ballistic missiles, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to “expand the security zone” in the north. “Iran is no longer the same, and Hezbollah has been transformed,” he said, framing the conflict as a victory over “terrorist armies.”
Lebanon’s health ministry noted that Israeli strikes since March 2 had resulted in 1,238 fatalities, including 124 children, and over 3,500 injuries. On Saturday and Sunday alone, 49 people were killed, among them 10 rescuers and three journalists. A UNIFIL peacekeeper also lost their life after a projectile struck a position in Lebanon.