Large-scale attacks also hit Hezbollah in south Beirut, while the conflict between Israel and Iran has left more than 2,200 dead in the region
Israel announced large-scale bombings this Tuesday (17) against Tehran and against positions of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement in south Beirut, on the 18th day of the war in the Middle East, which was also marked by a wave of attacks in the Iraqi capital.
In just over two weeks, the war launched by Israel and the United States against Iran left more than 2,200 deadthe majority in Iran and Lebanon, according to authorities in the countries involved.
The geopolitical instability caused by the conflict, as well as the economic consequences, worries the whole world and generates nervousness in the marketswith prices for a barrel of oil around 100 dollars.
In Baghdad, four people died this Tuesday in a missile attack that hit a residence in the Jadriya neighborhood that, according to a source from pro-Iranian groups in Iraq, housed Iranian military advisers.
The United States embassy in the Iraqi capital was attacked twice within a few hours between Monday and Tuesday. An AFP journalist observed the moment air defense intercepted a projectile, while a drone crashed into the diplomatic complex.
A projectile hit the ceiling of a hotel located in Zona Verde, a Baghdad high security area. The attack caused a fire.
Tehran and Beirut bombed
The war started on February 28 by Israel and the United States against Iranã involved Iraq, which wanted to avoid this scenario at all costs. Pro-Iran groups in Iraq claim daily drone strikes against US interests or oil installations, while their armed factions are attacked by US and Israeli forces.
Israel continued this Tuesday with bombings in Lebanon and Iran. At the same time, several Gulf countries have reported drone and missile attacks on their territories.
The Israeli Army launched “a wave of large-scale attacks against the regime’s terrorist infrastructure in Tehran”, the capital of Iran, according to the Armed Forces.
It also carried out “an additional wave of attacks against Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Beirut,” it added in a statement.
The state-run Lebanese National News Agency reported that three neighborhoods in Beirut were hit by Israeli shelling, including a residential building.
In turn, Hezbollah announced an attack against Israeli soldiers and tanks in several locations in southern Lebanon.
A Pakistani citizen died when debris fell from a missile intercepted in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government said.
Furthermore, the oil industrial zone of Fujairah, on the coast of the United Arab Emirates, was attacked with drones, that caused a fire, according to authorities, who reported no injuries.
Iran wants to play in Mexico
More than a million people have been displaced since the start of Israeli bombings in Lebanon, a country drawn into war after Hezbollah attacks on Israel in retaliation for death of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the conflict.
In Israel, alarms were raised again after the detection of missiles launched from Iranian territory.
The Islamic Republic also attacked neighboring Gulf countries that host American bases and interests, where it launched drones and missiles, in particular against Dubai airport, one of the main hubs for global air traffic.
The UAE Civil Aviation Authority briefly closed the country’s airspace on Tuesday morning.
American President Donald Trump insisted on Monday that allied countries, especially European ones, must help guarantee naval transit through the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas production passes, which has been blocked by Iran since the start of the conflict.
“We have been protecting them for 40 years and they don’t want to get involved,” said Trump, who encouraged “other nations” to get involved “quickly and with great enthusiasm.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday ruled out NATO action to open the Strait of Hormuz. Japan and Australia also rejected Trump’s appeal.
On the sports field, Iran’s football team, qualified for the 2026 World Cup, stated that he is negotiating with FIFA to play his matches in Mexico.
According to the group draw for the World Cup, which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the Islamic Republic team is expected to play its first phase matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. Furthermore, its base camp would be in the state of Arizona.
“As Trump has made it clear that he cannot guarantee the safety of the Iranian national team, we certainly will not go to the United States,” said Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj.
*AFP
