US Military Operations in Iran Intensify, Raising Fears of Wider Conflict
The United States is openly claiming success in military operations against Iran, with officials stating Washington is aiming to dismantle the Iranian government. This escalation comes amid increasing casualties, including civilian deaths, as the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran intensifies.
Loosened Rules of Engagement and Direct Targeting
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the US military has relaxed its rules of engagement in Iranian airspace, operating with fewer restrictions. According to Hegseth, US and Israeli air power are dominating the skies over Iran, with the intent to maintain this control until “Iran cannot do anything about it.” He described the operations as a deliberate imbalance of power, stating, “We hit them when they were down, and that’s the way it should be.”
Iran Condemns US Actions as War Crimes
Tehran has strongly condemned Hegseth’s statements, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei labeling them an admission of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Baghaei compared the US approach to a “NAZI mentality” coldly unleashing death and destruction.
White House Echoes Hardline Stance
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reinforced the Defense Secretary’s message, stating that the US military will soon achieve “dominance in the skies” and will target specific, critical infrastructure within Iran.
Allegations of Attacks on Civilian Targets
The Iranian government alleges that US and Israeli attacks have been deliberately targeting civilian locations, including schools and hospitals. Baghaei cited the bombing of a girls’ school in Minab, Iran, on February 28th, which resulted in 165 deaths, as a particularly egregious example.
The Pentagon claims to be investigating the incident, with Leavitt asserting that the US military does not target civilians. A Pentagon map presented to the press showed two strikes occurring near Minab during the first 100 hours of the offensive.
Conflict Spreads Across the Region
The conflict has expanded beyond direct attacks on Iranian soil. Both the US and Israel have reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials, as well as targeted Iranian vessels and military installations. Iran has been accused of launching missiles and drones at civilian targets in the Gulf region, including energy facilities, hotels, and airports.
Trump Praises Military Operations
Despite the widespread destruction and displacement, US President Donald Trump has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the military operations, rating them a “15” on a scale of 10.
“Hanya mentalitas NAZI yang dapat dengan dingin melepaskan kematian dan kehancuran terhadap bangsa lain hanya untuk ‘memuaskan keinginan’ atasannya.”Juru bicara Kementerian Luar Negeri Iran Esmaeil Baghaei
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current status of US-Iran conflict? The US is conducting military operations within Iran with relaxed rules of engagement, aiming to dismantle the Iranian government.
- What are Iran’s accusations against the US and Israel? Iran accuses the US and Israel of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.
- What is the US response to these accusations? The US denies intentionally targeting civilians and claims to be investigating reported incidents.
- Has the conflict spread beyond Iran? Yes, the conflict has expanded to include attacks on Iranian assets and targets in the wider Gulf region.
(luc/luc)
