"The war against Iran, led by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is escalating and entering a decisive phase, which will continue as long as necessary," Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said today.

The Israeli official welcomed the US airstrike on "military targets" on Iran's Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. The island, spanning 20 square kilometers, is Iran's largest oil export hub and is considered vital to the country's economy.

Katz stated that only the Iranian people could end the current situation "through a resolute struggle, leading to the collapse of the current government."

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz at a press conference in Athens, Greece on 20/1. _AFP_

On 14/3, Iran warned it would use upgraded weapons, especially more powerful missiles, in retaliation against the US and Israel.

On the same day, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that Tehran has the legitimate right to defend its sovereignty and territory by targeting locations believed to be launching points for US attacks at seaports and military facilities in several cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The IRGC called on UAE residents to evacuate these areas.

The UAE Defense Ministry reported that Iran today launched 9 ballistic missiles and 33 drones targeting its territory. In total, the UAE has been hit by 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and around 1,600 drones from Iran since the conflict erupted.

Locations targeted in the Middle East conflict. Click on the image for details.

The offensive against Iran, launched by the US and Israel, is entering its third week with no signs of an early end. The operation has killed numerous senior Iranian military and political commanders, sparking fierce retaliation from Tehran against Israeli territory and US bases in the Middle East.

The conflict is estimated to have resulted in approximately 2,000 deaths, including over 1,200 in Iran and more than 700 in Lebanon. The United Nations refugee agency reported that over 3 million Iranians have been displaced. In just the first six days of the conflict, the US spent USD 11,3 billion and has recorded 13 military personnel killed.

By Nhu Tam (Sources: Times of Israel, AFP, Reuters)