Washington. Amid the ongoing war between America, Israel and Iran, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that troops deployed on the ground may not be needed. In an interview, Trump said that the attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the death of its members would soon be avenged. As of Monday, six American soldiers have been killed in action. This statement of Trump is different from his earlier claim. After attacking Iran on Saturday, Trump told the New York Post that every president says there will be no troops on the ground. I don’t say that. I say maybe they are not needed.
The war between Iran, Israel and the United States escalated sharply on Monday, involving militias backed by Tehran and expanding attacks across the Middle East. Iran fired missiles at Israel and several Arab countries, while Hezbollah attacked Israel with rockets and drones from Lebanon. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials confirmed at least 31 deaths. Israel has warned of a long war.
This increase comes after the American-Israeli attacks in which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. Iranian officials say hundreds of people have been killed since the campaign began, with the Iranian Red Crescent reporting at least 555 deaths in 131 cities. Amidst the war, Tehran has toughened its stance. Senior official Ali Larijani said Iran would not negotiate with the US despite signals from Trump that Washington was ready to talk.
This fight is now impacting the global energy market. Iranian drones attacked Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery, briefly halting operations at a facility that processes more than half a million barrels a day. Attacks and threats around the Strait of Hormuz have increased concerns about oil supply routes.
