{"id":1838231,"date":"2026-03-20T02:32:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T23:32:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1838231"},"modified":"2026-03-20T02:32:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T23:32:28","slug":"the-day-no-deescalation-of-the-iran-war-in-sight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1838231","title":{"rendered":"The Day: No deescalation of the Iran war in sight"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76462259_6.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"s1sfzv1a sk6xmai\">\n<div class=\"content-area sa7l9jt s9mg977\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"sharing-icons-inline\" class=\"c75t7t0 hh5424a in-line closed\">\n<div class=\"copy-button-wrapper closed\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AkJL<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76462259_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76462259_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76462259_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76462259_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi lofg86o m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Trump has decried what he sees as insufficient support from US allies in its war with Iran<small class=\"copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 idu7i8u lxmvniw icns9en rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Image: Kyle Mazza\/TheNews2\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" id=\"live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"c1800ln sq3xutt atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section What you need to know<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"c2fyhwl ctymiyf content-block i1if36d6 i1ytahzz\">\n<h2 class=\"cp7bjxx h1du6kc5 lt5vbch pohyj9x s16w0xvi m1u0isv1 b1fzgn0z\">What you need to know<\/h2>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li>US President Donald Trump says he is considering &#8216;winding down&#8217; the campaign against Iran<\/li>\n<li>US says it will temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea<\/li>\n<li>UK greenlights US use of its bases to hit Iranian missile sites in U-turn<\/li>\n<li>US deploys 2,500 marines, 3 more warships to Middle East<\/li>\n<li>Trump calls NATO allies &#8216;cowards&#8217;\u00a0for not helping secure Strait of Hormuz<\/li>\n<li>Iran&#8217;s\u00a0\u2060Revolutionary Guards report their spokesman has been killed in an air strike<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This blog has been closed. Thank you for reading. For the latest on Saturday, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-israel-launches-strikes-on-tehran-beirut\/live-76462692\">follow our live blog<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Below DW&#8217;s coverage of the\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">war in the Middle East<\/a> on Friday, March 20, 2026. You can catch up on Thursday&#8217;s developments <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-netanyahu-denies-israel-dragged-us-into-conflict\/live-76422645\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"s1ogwy7c ev9ivjh\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76462458\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76462458\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section WATCH \u2014 No deescalation of the Iran war in sight<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/21\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 21, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">WATCH \u2014 No deescalation of the Iran war in sight<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"no-link m1ho1h07 l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi sngcpkw w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Terry Martin<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israel continues its airstrikes on Tehran as Iranians mark THE Persian New Year, and the United States has sent more ships to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran continues to retaliate with strikes against Israel and neighbouring Gulf States.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 The Day: No deescalation of the Iran war in sight\" class=\"headline\">The Day: No deescalation of the Iran war in sight<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-19049331\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"19049331\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/69419587_605.webp\" data-duration=\"26:05\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/td\/td20260320_TheDayFriday_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5ApNS<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76462427\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76462427\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section US temporarily eases sanctions on some Iranian oil<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/21\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 21, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">US temporarily eases sanctions on some Iranian oil<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The United States has said that it will temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil that is already on tankers at sea.<\/p>\n<p>The move comes as global <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-and-energy-prices-attack-on-south-pars-raises-more-energy-fears\/a-76432233\">oil prices soar<\/a> due to the conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Maritime traffic through the strategic <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-wants-help-to-guard-strait-of-hormuz-but-eu-isnt-keen\/a-76380348\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, a vital shipping lane through which a fifth of the world&#8217;s oil normally passes, has largely ground to a halt due to Iran&#8217;s attacks on tankers in response to the joint US-Israeli operation.<\/p>\n<p>The US Treasury said &#8220;the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on any vessel&#8221; on or before March 20 would be &#8220;authorized&#8221; through 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on April 19.<\/p>\n<p>US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had hinted at the move on Thursday when he told US broadcaster Fox that Washington might &#8220;unsanction the Iranian oil that&#8217;s on the water.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against the Iranians to keep the price down for the next 10 or 14 days as we continue this campaign,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The US has already <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-eases-oil-sanctions-at-an-ideal-time-for-russia\/a-76349758\">temporarily lifted bans on purchases of Russian oil<\/a> in a bid to curb rising energy prices.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5ApMx<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76462334\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76462334\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Trump weighs &#8216;winding down&#8217; Middle East operation<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Trump weighs &#8216;winding down&#8217; Middle East operation<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> Editor<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President Donald Trump has said his administration is\u00a0considering &#8220;winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran,&#8221; Trump said on his Truth Social platform.<\/p>\n<p>The remarks came\u00a0just an hour after he told journalists that he\u00a0had ruled out a ceasefire with the Islamic Republic.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think we have won,&#8221; Trump said at the White House alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to do a ceasefire. You know, you don&#8217;t do a ceasefire when you&#8217;re literally obliterating the other side,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>In the Truth Social post, Trump laid out US objectives\u00a0as\u00a0&#8220;degrading Iranian Missile Capability &#8230; Destroying Iran&#8217;s Defense Industrial Base &#8230; Eliminating their Navy and Air Force &#8230; Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability&#8221; and protecting the United States&#8217; Middle Eastern allies,\u00a0specifically mentioning &#8220;Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The five Gulf countries he listed have all come under attack from Iran as part of its retaliation against the joint US-Israeli operation.<\/p>\n<p>The US president also addressed the issue of the shuttered Strait of Hormuz, which has sent oil prices soaring and\u00a0put pressure on Trump to bring the war to an end. Around a fifth of the world&#8217;s oil normally flows through the waterway.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0&#8220;The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it \u2014 the United States does not!&#8221; Trump said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn&#8217;t be necessary once Iran&#8217;s threat is eradicated,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 US calls on allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz\" class=\"headline\">US calls on allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76367472\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76367472\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76363240_605.webp\" data-duration=\"01:34\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG260315_Alliances_PH_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5ApLS<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76460173\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76460173\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section WATCH \u2014 Iran strikes Kuwait refinery after Israel hits gas field<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">WATCH \u2014 Iran strikes Kuwait refinery after Israel hits gas field<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President Donald Trump said the US was not involved in the Israeli strikes on an Iranian gas field.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he urged Israel&#8217;s leader to stop hitting the world&#8217;s largest gas field.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran strikes Kuwait refinery after Israel hits gas field\" class=\"headline\">Iran strikes Kuwait refinery after Israel hits gas field<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76458748\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76458748\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76433361_605.webp\" data-duration=\"01:23\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260320_QUSISRAEL16E_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Aomb<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76461727\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76461727\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Israeli Iron Dome reservist arrested for alleged spying for Iran, media reports<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Israeli Iron Dome reservist arrested for alleged spying for Iran, media reports<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israeli authorities said they have\u00a0arrested a Jerusalem-based reservist on suspicion of spying for <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>, <em>The Times of Israel<\/em>\u00a0and other outlets reported.<\/p>\n<p>According to the allegations, the reservist provided its operators with sensitive information about the Iron Dome missile defense system, with which he had worked as part of his army service, through the messaging app Telegram.<\/p>\n<p>Among the information provided to Iran were details about the system&#8217;s technical aspects, the locations of Iron Dome batteries across Israel and contact details of other potential sources in Israel. Investigators say he knew he was working for Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The reservist allegedly received the equivalent of $1,000\u00a0(\u20ac865) in cryptocurrency from his operator, with the contact between them lasting several months and ending ten days ahead of<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">the joint US-Israeli war<\/a>against Iran that started on February 28.<\/p>\n<p>Several Israelis have been arrested in recent months on suspicion of espionage for Iran.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5ApBf<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76461318\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76461318\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section UK to let US use bases to strike Iranian missile sites<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">UK to let US use bases to strike Iranian missile sites<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The UK authorized the use of its military bases for use by the US to strike <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iranian<\/a>missile sites that are targeting ships in the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>According to a statement released by Downing Street, British ministers gave a green light to the agreement, which includes &#8220;US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships&#8221; going through the strait.<\/p>\n<p>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said London would not be drawn into the\u00a0war and rejected calls from Washington to allow US forces to use the Fairford and Diego Garcia air bases. The latter is a joint US-UK base located in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>US President Trump has repeatedly attacked Starmer and expressed his irritation at the lack of authorization for the bases. The president also posted an angry message on his Truth Social account earlier, calling NATO allies &#8220;cowards&#8221; for not heeding his call for military support in allowing tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer changed his position after Iran hit UK allies across the Middle East. A statement from Downing Street on Friday called for\u00a0\u2060&#8221;urgent de-escalation and \u200ba swift resolution to the war.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 No longer special? Britain's relationship with the US\" class=\"headline\">No longer special? Britain&#8217;s relationship with the US<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76297300\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76297300\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76297425_605.webp\" data-duration=\"11:48\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG260310_UK_new_friends_PH_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Ap54<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76460466\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76460466\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Switzerland will not export arms to US during Iran war<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Switzerland will not export arms to US during Iran war<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/switzerland\/t-19068697\">Switzerland<\/a> will halt all arms exports to the US for as long as <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">the war with Iran<\/a> continues on grounds of neutrality.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The export of war materiel to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict,&#8221; the government said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>The move will affect potential future deals, with arms already provided as part of the existing agreements not being used as part of the war in Iran, the Swiss government said.<\/p>\n<p>This comes while Switzerland and the US are still negotiating the final details of the deal that would see tariffs applied to\u00a0Swiss goods come down from 39 to 15%, a deal the US hoped to seal by the end of March, Reuters reported in February.<\/p>\n<p>According to Swiss public broadcaster SRF, the local government&#8217;s stance could stem from the fact that any new dispute could result in conflict with US President Donald Trump and a possible change of stance in the US.<\/p>\n<p>The Swiss policy has been dictated by the principle of neutrality, which affects countries involved in armed conflicts regardless of the circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>The country has not exported war material to Israel and Iran for several years. Countries in possession of Swiss weapons were also not permitted to send them to Ukraine due to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/russias-war-in-ukraine\/t-60931789\">Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Bern exported some 95 million Swiss Francs ($120 million, \u20ac104 million) to the US in 2025, making it Switzerland&#8217;s second-largest customer of arms and military components after Germany.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AorK<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76460108\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76460108\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section US deploys 2,500 Marines to Middle East<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">US deploys 2,500 Marines to Middle East<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348667\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348667_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A archive photo of the USS Boxer on patrol in the Persian Gulf\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The USS Boxer is reportedly heading to the Middle East to join other US forces<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Cappello\/Fotogramma\/ROPI\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>US military forces are reinforcing their presence in the Middle East, with three additional warships and about 2,500 Marines ordered to the region amid speculation that operations could expand to include ground assaults.<\/p>\n<p>The move comes as US\u00a0defense officials ask Congress for an extra $200 billion (\u20ac173 billion)\u00a0to sustain the war effort.<\/p>\n<p>The USS Boxer has reportedly set off for the Middle East along with two other amphibious assault ships.<\/p>\n<p>The US military says it has around 50,000 troops already in the region.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AolY<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76457957\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76457957\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section NATO withdraws advisory force from Iraq<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">NATO withdraws advisory force from Iraq<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nato\/t-19016346\">NATO<\/a> military alliance said that it had withdrawn its security advisory mission from\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iraq\/t-19037666\">Iraq<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It said that it had relocated all of its personnel to its facilities in Naples in southern Italy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I would like \u200bto thank the \u200bRepublic \u200cof Iraq and all the Allies who assisted \u200cin the safe \u200crelocation \u200bof NATO personnel from Iraq,&#8221; US general Alexus Grynkewich said.<\/p>\n<p>The mission is a non-combat force that was established in 2018 to advise Iraqi authorities.<\/p>\n<p>Pro-Tehran militia groups have <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nato-making-mistake-on-hormuz-trump-says\/live-76387955\">attacked US targets in Iraq<\/a> since the start of the US and Israel&#8217;s war with Iran, including Washington&#8217;s embassy in Baghdad.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 How the Iran war compares to the US's 2003 invasion of Iraq\" class=\"headline\">How the Iran war compares to the US&#8217;s 2003 invasion of Iraq<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76225270\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76225270\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/64911565_605.webp\" data-duration=\"09:39\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/sonder\/sonder20260305_Iran_Irak_Invasion_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AoCr<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76457516\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76457516\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Israeli Foreign Ministry slams &#8216;madness&#8217; after missile hits Jerusalem<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Israeli Foreign Ministry slams &#8216;madness&#8217; after missile hits Jerusalem<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israel&#8217;s Foreign Ministry condemned Iran after Israeli media reported that a missile strike had hit an area near the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Iranian &#8216;gift&#8217;\u00a0for Eid al-Fitr: Missiles on Al-Aqsa,&#8221; the ministry said in a statement on X, referring to the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/jerusalem-the-ongoing-fight-over-the-holy-city\/a-71299714\">Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem<\/a>, one of the holiest sites in Islam.<\/p>\n<p>The X post contained an image showing a plume of smoke over the city.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Iranian attack on the holy sites sacred to all three religions reveals the madness of the Iranian regime, which claims to be religious,&#8221; it said, making reference to the fact that the city carries religious significance to adherents of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5Ao5k<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76457121\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76457121\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Khamenei hails Iranian &#8216;Resistance Economy&#8217; in Nowruz speech<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Khamenei hails Iranian &#8216;Resistance Economy&#8217; in Nowruz speech<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Iran&#8217;s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, gave a speech to the nation to mark the start of the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz.<\/p>\n<p>The Iranian leader said that he extended his condolences to the families of those killed in the war with the Israel and the United States as well as a briefer conflict that occurred in June of last year.<\/p>\n<p>He declared the year&#8217;s slogan to be &#8220;Resistance Economy in the Shadow of National Unity and National Security,&#8221; in an apparent reference to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/irans-economic-woes-expose-regimes-tight-grip\/a-75567127\">Iran&#8217;s economic woes<\/a> and the ongoing war.<\/p>\n<p>Khamenei is the son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli air strike on February 28.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AnzN<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76455889\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76455889\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Iranian missile hits Old City of Jerusalem \u2014 Israeli media reports<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Iranian missile hits Old City of Jerusalem \u2014 Israeli media reports<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>An Iranian missile hit an area near the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem, Israeli media reported.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Times of Israel<\/em> cited medics as saying that no injuries had been reported.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli media posted video footage appearing to show damage to a fence near the wall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AnfV<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76454729\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76454729\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Trump calls NATO allies &#8216;cowards&#8217; for not helping against Iran<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Trump calls NATO allies &#8216;cowards&#8217; for not helping against Iran<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President Donald Trump criticized <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nato\/t-19016346\">NATO<\/a> member states over their lack of support for the United States&#8217; war with Iran, calling them &#8220;cowards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They didn&#8217;t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran,&#8221; he said in a post on his Truth Social platform, referring to Washington&#8217;s NATO allies.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don\u2019t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So easy for them to do, with so little risk,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>He said that the alliance would be a &#8220;PAPER TIGER&#8221; without the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Trump had previously <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nato-making-mistake-on-hormuz-trump-says\/live-76387955\">requested help from NATO allies and from China to secure the Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, a major passage for energy deliveries in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region.<\/p>\n<p>Several top European officials have <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-wants-help-to-guard-strait-of-hormuz-but-eu-isnt-keen\/a-76380348\">ruled out helping secure the strait<\/a> while hostilities are ongoing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AnMn<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76454389\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76454389\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section IDF confirms Basij intelligence chief killed in Tuesday strike<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">IDF confirms Basij intelligence chief killed in Tuesday strike<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israel&#8217;s military, known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said on Friday it killed the head of intelligence for Iran&#8217;s Basij paramilitary, Esmail Ahmadi, in a strike earlier in the week.<\/p>\n<p>The IDF said in a statement on X that Ahmadi died in a Tuesday strike on Tehran that also <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nato-making-mistake-on-hormuz-trump-says\/live-76387955\">killed commander Gholam Reza Soleimani<\/a> and other senior Basij members.<\/p>\n<p>It said that Ahmadi had a &#8220;central role&#8221; in the application of repressive mechanisms in Iran.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AnHJ<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76453591\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983#post-liveblog-post-76453591\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Iran says it will target US, Israeli officials in &#8216;recreational areas&#8217;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/20\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 20, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Iran says it will target US, Israeli officials in &#8216;recreational areas&#8217;<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> Editor<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The spokesperson of Iran&#8217;s armed forces said Tehran\u00a0could target US and Israeli officials and military personnel\u00a0in recreational and tourist areas.<\/p>\n<p>Armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi was cited by semi-official news agency Mehr as saying that Iran was monitoring &#8220;enemy officials, commanders, pilots and soldiers,&#8221; adding that\u00a0&#8220;recreational areas, tourist destinations and leisure centers&#8221; would &#8220;no longer be safe\u00a0for them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The United States and Israel have killed multiple high-ranking Iranian officials in their aerial campaign, including <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/khameneis-death-never-thought-i-would-see-this-day\/a-76175776\">Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei<\/a> and more recently <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-new-head-khamenei-vows-to-avenge-larijani-killing\/live-76402968\">security chief\u00a0Ali Larijani<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, Iran&#8217;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said their spokesman, Ali Mohammad Naini, was killed in US and Israeli strikes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5An4R<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"bp605kw center\">\n<div role=\"button\" data-tracking-name=\"show-more\" class=\"show-more-button s1va3u11 t1y9040i m7i2pic e3w9kkf b19vsmfu cx4rgdt ih9bob8 sngcpkw w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Show more posts<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li>US President Donald Trump says he is considering &#8216;winding down&#8217; the campaign against Iran<\/li>\n<li>US says it will temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea<\/li>\n<li>UK greenlights US use of its bases to hit Iranian missile sites in U-turn<\/li>\n<li>US deploys 2,500 marines, 3 more warships to Middle East<\/li>\n<li>Trump calls NATO allies &#8216;cowards&#8217;\u00a0for not helping secure Strait of Hormuz<\/li>\n<li>Iran&#8217;s\u00a0\u2060Revolutionary Guards report their spokesman has been killed in an air strike<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This blog has been closed. Thank you for reading. For the latest on Saturday, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-israel-launches-strikes-on-tehran-beirut\/live-76462692\">follow our live blog<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Below DW&#8217;s coverage of the\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">war in the Middle East<\/a> on Friday, March 20, 2026. You can catch up on Thursday&#8217;s developments <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-netanyahu-denies-israel-dragged-us-into-conflict\/live-76422645\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>This blog has been closed. Thank you for reading. For the latest on Saturday, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-israel-launches-strikes-on-tehran-beirut\/live-76462692\">follow our live blog<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Below DW&#8217;s coverage of the\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">war in the Middle East<\/a> on Friday, March 20, 2026. You can catch up on Thursday&#8217;s developments <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-netanyahu-denies-israel-dragged-us-into-conflict\/live-76422645\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israel continues its airstrikes on Tehran as Iranians mark THE Persian New Year, and the United States has sent more ships to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran continues to retaliate with strikes against Israel and neighbouring Gulf States.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 The Day: No deescalation of the Iran war in sight\" class=\"headline\">The Day: No deescalation of the Iran war in sight<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-19049331\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"19049331\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/69419587_605.webp\" data-duration=\"26:05\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/td\/td20260320_TheDayFriday_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Israel continues its airstrikes on Tehran as Iranians mark THE Persian New Year, and the United States has sent more ships to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran continues to retaliate with strikes against Israel and neighbouring Gulf States.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The United States has said that it will temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil that is already on tankers at sea.<\/p>\n<p>The move comes as global <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-and-energy-prices-attack-on-south-pars-raises-more-energy-fears\/a-76432233\">oil prices soar<\/a> due to the conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Maritime traffic through the strategic <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-wants-help-to-guard-strait-of-hormuz-but-eu-isnt-keen\/a-76380348\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, a vital shipping lane through which a fifth of the world&#8217;s oil normally passes, has largely ground to a halt due to Iran&#8217;s attacks on tankers in response to the joint US-Israeli operation.<\/p>\n<p>The US Treasury said &#8220;the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on any vessel&#8221; on or before March 20 would be &#8220;authorized&#8221; through 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on April 19.<\/p>\n<p>US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had hinted at the move on Thursday when he told US broadcaster Fox that Washington might &#8220;unsanction the Iranian oil that&#8217;s on the water.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against the Iranians to keep the price down for the next 10 or 14 days as we continue this campaign,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The US has already <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-eases-oil-sanctions-at-an-ideal-time-for-russia\/a-76349758\">temporarily lifted bans on purchases of Russian oil<\/a> in a bid to curb rising energy prices.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The United States has said that it will temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil that is already on tankers at sea.<\/p>\n<p>The move comes as global <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-and-energy-prices-attack-on-south-pars-raises-more-energy-fears\/a-76432233\">oil prices soar<\/a> due to the conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Maritime traffic through the strategic <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-wants-help-to-guard-strait-of-hormuz-but-eu-isnt-keen\/a-76380348\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, a vital shipping lane through which a fifth of the world&#8217;s oil normally passes, has largely ground to a halt due to Iran&#8217;s attacks on tankers in response to the joint US-Israeli operation.<\/p>\n<p>The US Treasury said &#8220;the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude oil or petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on any vessel&#8221; on or before March 20 would be &#8220;authorized&#8221; through 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on April 19.<\/p>\n<p>US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had hinted at the move on Thursday when he told US broadcaster Fox that Washington might &#8220;unsanction the Iranian oil that&#8217;s on the water.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against the Iranians to keep the price down for the next 10 or 14 days as we continue this campaign,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The US has already <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-eases-oil-sanctions-at-an-ideal-time-for-russia\/a-76349758\">temporarily lifted bans on purchases of Russian oil<\/a> in a bid to curb rising energy prices.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President Donald Trump has said his administration is\u00a0considering &#8220;winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran,&#8221; Trump said on his Truth Social platform.<\/p>\n<p>The remarks came\u00a0just an hour after he told journalists that he\u00a0had ruled out a ceasefire with the Islamic Republic.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think we have won,&#8221; Trump said at the White House alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to do a ceasefire. You know, you don&#8217;t do a ceasefire when you&#8217;re literally obliterating the other side,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>In the Truth Social post, Trump laid out US objectives\u00a0as\u00a0&#8220;degrading Iranian Missile Capability &#8230; Destroying Iran&#8217;s Defense Industrial Base &#8230; Eliminating their Navy and Air Force &#8230; Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability&#8221; and protecting the United States&#8217; Middle Eastern allies,\u00a0specifically mentioning &#8220;Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The five Gulf countries he listed have all come under attack from Iran as part of its retaliation against the joint US-Israeli operation.<\/p>\n<p>The US president also addressed the issue of the shuttered Strait of Hormuz, which has sent oil prices soaring and\u00a0put pressure on Trump to bring the war to an end. Around a fifth of the world&#8217;s oil normally flows through the waterway.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0&#8220;The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it \u2014 the United States does not!&#8221; Trump said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn&#8217;t be necessary once Iran&#8217;s threat is eradicated,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 US calls on allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz\" class=\"headline\">US calls on allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76367472\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76367472\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76363240_605.webp\" data-duration=\"01:34\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG260315_Alliances_PH_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>US President Donald Trump has said his administration is\u00a0considering &#8220;winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran,&#8221; Trump said on his Truth Social platform.<\/p>\n<p>The remarks came\u00a0just an hour after he told journalists that he\u00a0had ruled out a ceasefire with the Islamic Republic.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think we have won,&#8221; Trump said at the White House alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to do a ceasefire. You know, you don&#8217;t do a ceasefire when you&#8217;re literally obliterating the other side,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>In the Truth Social post, Trump laid out US objectives\u00a0as\u00a0&#8220;degrading Iranian Missile Capability &#8230; Destroying Iran&#8217;s Defense Industrial Base &#8230; Eliminating their Navy and Air Force &#8230; Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability&#8221; and protecting the United States&#8217; Middle Eastern allies,\u00a0specifically mentioning &#8220;Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The five Gulf countries he listed have all come under attack from Iran as part of its retaliation against the joint US-Israeli operation.<\/p>\n<p>The US president also addressed the issue of the shuttered Strait of Hormuz, which has sent oil prices soaring and\u00a0put pressure on Trump to bring the war to an end. Around a fifth of the world&#8217;s oil normally flows through the waterway.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0&#8220;The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it \u2014 the United States does not!&#8221; Trump said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn&#8217;t be necessary once Iran&#8217;s threat is eradicated,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President Donald Trump said the US was not involved in the Israeli strikes on an Iranian gas field.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he urged Israel&#8217;s leader to stop hitting the world&#8217;s largest gas field.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran strikes Kuwait refinery after Israel hits gas field\" class=\"headline\">Iran strikes Kuwait refinery after Israel hits gas field<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76458748\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76458748\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76433361_605.webp\" data-duration=\"01:23\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260320_QUSISRAEL16E_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>US President Donald Trump said the US was not involved in the Israeli strikes on an Iranian gas field.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he urged Israel&#8217;s leader to stop hitting the world&#8217;s largest gas field.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israeli authorities said they have\u00a0arrested a Jerusalem-based reservist on suspicion of spying for <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>, <em>The Times of Israel<\/em>\u00a0and other outlets reported.<\/p>\n<p>According to the allegations, the reservist provided its operators with sensitive information about the Iron Dome missile defense system, with which he had worked as part of his army service, through the messaging app Telegram.<\/p>\n<p>Among the information provided to Iran were details about the system&#8217;s technical aspects, the locations of Iron Dome batteries across Israel and contact details of other potential sources in Israel. Investigators say he knew he was working for Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The reservist allegedly received the equivalent of $1,000\u00a0(\u20ac865) in cryptocurrency from his operator, with the contact between them lasting several months and ending ten days ahead of<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">the joint US-Israeli war<\/a>against Iran that started on February 28.<\/p>\n<p>Several Israelis have been arrested in recent months on suspicion of espionage for Iran.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Israeli authorities said they have\u00a0arrested a Jerusalem-based reservist on suspicion of spying for <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>, <em>The Times of Israel<\/em>\u00a0and other outlets reported.<\/p>\n<p>According to the allegations, the reservist provided its operators with sensitive information about the Iron Dome missile defense system, with which he had worked as part of his army service, through the messaging app Telegram.<\/p>\n<p>Among the information provided to Iran were details about the system&#8217;s technical aspects, the locations of Iron Dome batteries across Israel and contact details of other potential sources in Israel. Investigators say he knew he was working for Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The reservist allegedly received the equivalent of $1,000\u00a0(\u20ac865) in cryptocurrency from his operator, with the contact between them lasting several months and ending ten days ahead of<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">the joint US-Israeli war<\/a>against Iran that started on February 28.<\/p>\n<p>Several Israelis have been arrested in recent months on suspicion of espionage for Iran.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The UK authorized the use of its military bases for use by the US to strike <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iranian<\/a>missile sites that are targeting ships in the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>According to a statement released by Downing Street, British ministers gave a green light to the agreement, which includes &#8220;US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships&#8221; going through the strait.<\/p>\n<p>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said London would not be drawn into the\u00a0war and rejected calls from Washington to allow US forces to use the Fairford and Diego Garcia air bases. The latter is a joint US-UK base located in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>US President Trump has repeatedly attacked Starmer and expressed his irritation at the lack of authorization for the bases. The president also posted an angry message on his Truth Social account earlier, calling NATO allies &#8220;cowards&#8221; for not heeding his call for military support in allowing tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer changed his position after Iran hit UK allies across the Middle East. A statement from Downing Street on Friday called for\u00a0\u2060&#8221;urgent de-escalation and \u200ba swift resolution to the war.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 No longer special? Britain's relationship with the US\" class=\"headline\">No longer special? Britain&#8217;s relationship with the US<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76297300\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76297300\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76297425_605.webp\" data-duration=\"11:48\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG260310_UK_new_friends_PH_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The UK authorized the use of its military bases for use by the US to strike <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iranian<\/a>missile sites that are targeting ships in the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>According to a statement released by Downing Street, British ministers gave a green light to the agreement, which includes &#8220;US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships&#8221; going through the strait.<\/p>\n<p>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said London would not be drawn into the\u00a0war and rejected calls from Washington to allow US forces to use the Fairford and Diego Garcia air bases. The latter is a joint US-UK base located in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>US President Trump has repeatedly attacked Starmer and expressed his irritation at the lack of authorization for the bases. The president also posted an angry message on his Truth Social account earlier, calling NATO allies &#8220;cowards&#8221; for not heeding his call for military support in allowing tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer changed his position after Iran hit UK allies across the Middle East. A statement from Downing Street on Friday called for\u00a0\u2060&#8221;urgent de-escalation and \u200ba swift resolution to the war.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/switzerland\/t-19068697\">Switzerland<\/a> will halt all arms exports to the US for as long as <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">the war with Iran<\/a> continues on grounds of neutrality.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The export of war materiel to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict,&#8221; the government said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>The move will affect potential future deals, with arms already provided as part of the existing agreements not being used as part of the war in Iran, the Swiss government said.<\/p>\n<p>This comes while Switzerland and the US are still negotiating the final details of the deal that would see tariffs applied to\u00a0Swiss goods come down from 39 to 15%, a deal the US hoped to seal by the end of March, Reuters reported in February.<\/p>\n<p>According to Swiss public broadcaster SRF, the local government&#8217;s stance could stem from the fact that any new dispute could result in conflict with US President Donald Trump and a possible change of stance in the US.<\/p>\n<p>The Swiss policy has been dictated by the principle of neutrality, which affects countries involved in armed conflicts regardless of the circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>The country has not exported war material to Israel and Iran for several years. Countries in possession of Swiss weapons were also not permitted to send them to Ukraine due to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/russias-war-in-ukraine\/t-60931789\">Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Bern exported some 95 million Swiss Francs ($120 million, \u20ac104 million) to the US in 2025, making it Switzerland&#8217;s second-largest customer of arms and military components after Germany.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/switzerland\/t-19068697\">Switzerland<\/a> will halt all arms exports to the US for as long as <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">the war with Iran<\/a> continues on grounds of neutrality.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The export of war materiel to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict,&#8221; the government said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>The move will affect potential future deals, with arms already provided as part of the existing agreements not being used as part of the war in Iran, the Swiss government said.<\/p>\n<p>This comes while Switzerland and the US are still negotiating the final details of the deal that would see tariffs applied to\u00a0Swiss goods come down from 39 to 15%, a deal the US hoped to seal by the end of March, Reuters reported in February.<\/p>\n<p>According to Swiss public broadcaster SRF, the local government&#8217;s stance could stem from the fact that any new dispute could result in conflict with US President Donald Trump and a possible change of stance in the US.<\/p>\n<p>The Swiss policy has been dictated by the principle of neutrality, which affects countries involved in armed conflicts regardless of the circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>The country has not exported war material to Israel and Iran for several years. Countries in possession of Swiss weapons were also not permitted to send them to Ukraine due to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/russias-war-in-ukraine\/t-60931789\">Russia&#8217;s full-scale invasion<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Bern exported some 95 million Swiss Francs ($120 million, \u20ac104 million) to the US in 2025, making it Switzerland&#8217;s second-largest customer of arms and military components after Germany.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76348667\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76348667_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A archive photo of the USS Boxer on patrol in the Persian Gulf\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The USS Boxer is reportedly heading to the Middle East to join other US forces<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Cappello\/Fotogramma\/ROPI\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>US military forces are reinforcing their presence in the Middle East, with three additional warships and about 2,500 Marines ordered to the region amid speculation that operations could expand to include ground assaults.<\/p>\n<p>The move comes as US\u00a0defense officials ask Congress for an extra $200 billion (\u20ac173 billion)\u00a0to sustain the war effort.<\/p>\n<p>The USS Boxer has reportedly set off for the Middle East along with two other amphibious assault ships.<\/p>\n<p>The US military says it has around 50,000 troops already in the region.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>US military forces are reinforcing their presence in the Middle East, with three additional warships and about 2,500 Marines ordered to the region amid speculation that operations could expand to include ground assaults.<\/p>\n<p>The move comes as US\u00a0defense officials ask Congress for an extra $200 billion (\u20ac173 billion)\u00a0to sustain the war effort.<\/p>\n<p>The USS Boxer has reportedly set off for the Middle East along with two other amphibious assault ships.<\/p>\n<p>The US military says it has around 50,000 troops already in the region.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nato\/t-19016346\">NATO<\/a> military alliance said that it had withdrawn its security advisory mission from\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iraq\/t-19037666\">Iraq<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It said that it had relocated all of its personnel to its facilities in Naples in southern Italy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I would like \u200bto thank the \u200bRepublic \u200cof Iraq and all the Allies who assisted \u200cin the safe \u200crelocation \u200bof NATO personnel from Iraq,&#8221; US general Alexus Grynkewich said.<\/p>\n<p>The mission is a non-combat force that was established in 2018 to advise Iraqi authorities.<\/p>\n<p>Pro-Tehran militia groups have <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nato-making-mistake-on-hormuz-trump-says\/live-76387955\">attacked US targets in Iraq<\/a> since the start of the US and Israel&#8217;s war with Iran, including Washington&#8217;s embassy in Baghdad.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 How the Iran war compares to the US's 2003 invasion of Iraq\" class=\"headline\">How the Iran war compares to the US&#8217;s 2003 invasion of Iraq<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76225270\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76225270\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/64911565_605.webp\" data-duration=\"09:39\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/sonder\/sonder20260305_Iran_Irak_Invasion_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nato\/t-19016346\">NATO<\/a> military alliance said that it had withdrawn its security advisory mission from\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iraq\/t-19037666\">Iraq<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It said that it had relocated all of its personnel to its facilities in Naples in southern Italy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I would like \u200bto thank the \u200bRepublic \u200cof Iraq and all the Allies who assisted \u200cin the safe \u200crelocation \u200bof NATO personnel from Iraq,&#8221; US general Alexus Grynkewich said.<\/p>\n<p>The mission is a non-combat force that was established in 2018 to advise Iraqi authorities.<\/p>\n<p>Pro-Tehran militia groups have <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nato-making-mistake-on-hormuz-trump-says\/live-76387955\">attacked US targets in Iraq<\/a> since the start of the US and Israel&#8217;s war with Iran, including Washington&#8217;s embassy in Baghdad.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israel&#8217;s Foreign Ministry condemned Iran after Israeli media reported that a missile strike had hit an area near the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Iranian &#8216;gift&#8217;\u00a0for Eid al-Fitr: Missiles on Al-Aqsa,&#8221; the ministry said in a statement on X, referring to the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/jerusalem-the-ongoing-fight-over-the-holy-city\/a-71299714\">Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem<\/a>, one of the holiest sites in Islam.<\/p>\n<p>The X post contained an image showing a plume of smoke over the city.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Iranian attack on the holy sites sacred to all three religions reveals the madness of the Iranian regime, which claims to be religious,&#8221; it said, making reference to the fact that the city carries religious significance to adherents of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Israel&#8217;s Foreign Ministry condemned Iran after Israeli media reported that a missile strike had hit an area near the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Iranian &#8216;gift&#8217;\u00a0for Eid al-Fitr: Missiles on Al-Aqsa,&#8221; the ministry said in a statement on X, referring to the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/jerusalem-the-ongoing-fight-over-the-holy-city\/a-71299714\">Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem<\/a>, one of the holiest sites in Islam.<\/p>\n<p>The X post contained an image showing a plume of smoke over the city.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Iranian attack on the holy sites sacred to all three religions reveals the madness of the Iranian regime, which claims to be religious,&#8221; it said, making reference to the fact that the city carries religious significance to adherents of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Iran&#8217;s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, gave a speech to the nation to mark the start of the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz.<\/p>\n<p>The Iranian leader said that he extended his condolences to the families of those killed in the war with the Israel and the United States as well as a briefer conflict that occurred in June of last year.<\/p>\n<p>He declared the year&#8217;s slogan to be &#8220;Resistance Economy in the Shadow of National Unity and National Security,&#8221; in an apparent reference to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/irans-economic-woes-expose-regimes-tight-grip\/a-75567127\">Iran&#8217;s economic woes<\/a> and the ongoing war.<\/p>\n<p>Khamenei is the son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli air strike on February 28.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Iran&#8217;s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, gave a speech to the nation to mark the start of the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz.<\/p>\n<p>The Iranian leader said that he extended his condolences to the families of those killed in the war with the Israel and the United States as well as a briefer conflict that occurred in June of last year.<\/p>\n<p>He declared the year&#8217;s slogan to be &#8220;Resistance Economy in the Shadow of National Unity and National Security,&#8221; in an apparent reference to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/irans-economic-woes-expose-regimes-tight-grip\/a-75567127\">Iran&#8217;s economic woes<\/a> and the ongoing war.<\/p>\n<p>Khamenei is the son of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli air strike on February 28.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>An Iranian missile hit an area near the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem, Israeli media reported.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Times of Israel<\/em> cited medics as saying that no injuries had been reported.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli media posted video footage appearing to show damage to a fence near the wall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>An Iranian missile hit an area near the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem, Israeli media reported.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Times of Israel<\/em> cited medics as saying that no injuries had been reported.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli media posted video footage appearing to show damage to a fence near the wall.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President Donald Trump criticized <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nato\/t-19016346\">NATO<\/a> member states over their lack of support for the United States&#8217; war with Iran, calling them &#8220;cowards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They didn&#8217;t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran,&#8221; he said in a post on his Truth Social platform, referring to Washington&#8217;s NATO allies.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don\u2019t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So easy for them to do, with so little risk,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>He said that the alliance would be a &#8220;PAPER TIGER&#8221; without the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Trump had previously <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nato-making-mistake-on-hormuz-trump-says\/live-76387955\">requested help from NATO allies and from China to secure the Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, a major passage for energy deliveries in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region.<\/p>\n<p>Several top European officials have <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-wants-help-to-guard-strait-of-hormuz-but-eu-isnt-keen\/a-76380348\">ruled out helping secure the strait<\/a> while hostilities are ongoing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>US President Donald Trump criticized <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nato\/t-19016346\">NATO<\/a> member states over their lack of support for the United States&#8217; war with Iran, calling them &#8220;cowards.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They didn&#8217;t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran,&#8221; he said in a post on his Truth Social platform, referring to Washington&#8217;s NATO allies.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don\u2019t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So easy for them to do, with so little risk,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>He said that the alliance would be a &#8220;PAPER TIGER&#8221; without the United States.<\/p>\n<p>Trump had previously <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nato-making-mistake-on-hormuz-trump-says\/live-76387955\">requested help from NATO allies and from China to secure the Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, a major passage for energy deliveries in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region.<\/p>\n<p>Several top European officials have <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-wants-help-to-guard-strait-of-hormuz-but-eu-isnt-keen\/a-76380348\">ruled out helping secure the strait<\/a> while hostilities are ongoing.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israel&#8217;s military, known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said on Friday it killed the head of intelligence for Iran&#8217;s Basij paramilitary, Esmail Ahmadi, in a strike earlier in the week.<\/p>\n<p>The IDF said in a statement on X that Ahmadi died in a Tuesday strike on Tehran that also <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nato-making-mistake-on-hormuz-trump-says\/live-76387955\">killed commander Gholam Reza Soleimani<\/a> and other senior Basij members.<\/p>\n<p>It said that Ahmadi had a &#8220;central role&#8221; in the application of repressive mechanisms in Iran.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Israel&#8217;s military, known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said on Friday it killed the head of intelligence for Iran&#8217;s Basij paramilitary, Esmail Ahmadi, in a strike earlier in the week.<\/p>\n<p>The IDF said in a statement on X that Ahmadi died in a Tuesday strike on Tehran that also <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-nato-making-mistake-on-hormuz-trump-says\/live-76387955\">killed commander Gholam Reza Soleimani<\/a> and other senior Basij members.<\/p>\n<p>It said that Ahmadi had a &#8220;central role&#8221; in the application of repressive mechanisms in Iran.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The spokesperson of Iran&#8217;s armed forces said Tehran\u00a0could target US and Israeli officials and military personnel\u00a0in recreational and tourist areas.<\/p>\n<p>Armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi was cited by semi-official news agency Mehr as saying that Iran was monitoring &#8220;enemy officials, commanders, pilots and soldiers,&#8221; adding that\u00a0&#8220;recreational areas, tourist destinations and leisure centers&#8221; would &#8220;no longer be safe\u00a0for them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The United States and Israel have killed multiple high-ranking Iranian officials in their aerial campaign, including <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/khameneis-death-never-thought-i-would-see-this-day\/a-76175776\">Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei<\/a> and more recently <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-new-head-khamenei-vows-to-avenge-larijani-killing\/live-76402968\">security chief\u00a0Ali Larijani<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, Iran&#8217;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said their spokesman, Ali Mohammad Naini, was killed in US and Israeli strikes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The spokesperson of Iran&#8217;s armed forces said Tehran\u00a0could target US and Israeli officials and military personnel\u00a0in recreational and tourist areas.<\/p>\n<p>Armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi was cited by semi-official news agency Mehr as saying that Iran was monitoring &#8220;enemy officials, commanders, pilots and soldiers,&#8221; adding that\u00a0&#8220;recreational areas, tourist destinations and leisure centers&#8221; would &#8220;no longer be safe\u00a0for them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The United States and Israel have killed multiple high-ranking Iranian officials in their aerial campaign, including <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/khameneis-death-never-thought-i-would-see-this-day\/a-76175776\">Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei<\/a> and more recently <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-new-head-khamenei-vows-to-avenge-larijani-killing\/live-76402968\">security chief\u00a0Ali Larijani<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, Iran&#8217;s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said their spokesman, Ali Mohammad Naini, was killed in US and Israeli strikes.<\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-trump-mulls-winding-down-middle-east-operation\/live-76442983&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76462259_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AkJL Trump has decried what he sees as insufficient support from US allies in its war with IranImage: Kyle Mazza\/TheNews2\/IMAGO Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know US President Donald Trump says he is considering &#8216;winding down&#8217; the campaign against Iran US says it will temporarily [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-1838231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1838231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1838231"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1838231\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1838231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1838231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1838231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}