Amid mediation proposals to de-escalate the West Asia conflict, the United States on Tuesday signalled it would go all out against Iran in the coming days, despite President Donald Trump’s earlier remarks that the war could end soon.
In a diplomatic development, Trump held a one-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, discussing the escalating conflict in Iran and prospects for peace in Ukraine. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin presented proposals for a swift settlement. Trump later described the discussion as a “very good call.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would continue fighting for as long as necessary, citing a “very bitter experience” negotiating with the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope that the Iranian people would eventually rid themselves of “tyranny.” Israeli forces launched new airstrikes targeting Tehran, including a financial institution linked to Hezbollah, and continued troop deployments near the Israel–Lebanon border.
Separately, an Iranian strike on a residential building in Manama, Bahrain, killed one person and injured several others.
Photo: People attend gatherings to pledge allegiance to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei at Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, on March 9, 2026.
