Pentagon Plans Ground Operation Against Iran: Latest Developments in the Middle East Conflict – French Media Overview

AFP, Paris, 28th — A summary of the latest developments in the Middle East war:

¬ The Washington Post: Pentagon Preparing Ground Operation

The Washington Post reported today that the Pentagon is preparing a ground operation in Iran lasting several weeks, potentially including raids on Kharg Island and coastal locations near the Strait of Hormuz. However, President Trump (Donald Trump) has not yet approved any deployment.

The report cited unnamed officials stating that any ground operation would not be a full-scale invasion but rather raid missions carried out by special forces and regular infantry units.

¬ Israeli Anti-War Protests

Hundreds of civilians gathered in cities such as Tel Aviv today to protest against the Middle East war. Since these demonstrations were not authorized, security forces attempted to disperse the crowds. Although the number of protesters attending weekly anti-war rallies appears to be increasing, it remains far below the tens of thousands who took to the streets last year to protest the Gaza war.

¬ Iran Threatens U.S. Campuses in the Middle East

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that due to U.S. and Israeli airstrikes destroying two Iranian universities, they will now target U.S. university campuses across the Middle East as retaliation. The IRGC demanded that the United States issue an official statement condemning the bombing of Iranian universities by noon on Monday, March 30, Tehran time.

¬ Pakistan Mediation Efforts

Pakistan has emerged as an important communication bridge between Iran and the United States, relaying messages between the two sides. The country’s foreign ministry said that foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey will hold talks in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, on the 29th and 30th, discussing a range of issues including easing regional tensions.

¬ Houthis Join the Conflict

The Iran-backed Houthi "Youth Movement" (Houthis) announced their entry into the ongoing Middle East war, which has lasted one month, claiming responsibility for launching two missiles toward Israel. Although the movement had previously refrained from direct involvement in this conflict, it had earlier warned that it would intervene if Iran continued to be attacked.

¬ Failed Bomb Attack in Paris May Be Linked to Middle East War

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said today that a failed bomb attack on a building belonging to Bank of America (BofA) in Paris may be linked to discontent over the current Middle East war. Speaking to BFMTV news channel, he noted that the incident reminded him of similar actions seen elsewhere in Europe, such as some incidents in the Netherlands claimed by individuals opposing the Middle East war.

¬ Attack on UAE Global Aluminum Facility

Global aluminum producer Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) stated that one of their facilities in Abu Dhabi suffered severe damage during an Iranian attack. According to authorities, the incident resulted in six people being injured.

¬ Journalists Caught in Crossfire – Lebanon Condemns

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon that killed three journalists, including reporters from Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV and pro-Hezbollah Al Mayadeen TV, calling the act a “flagrant crime.”

In response, the Israeli military stated they believed the journalist from Al Manar TV was a terrorist affiliated with Hezbollah’s Radwan Force intelligence unit.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860987168373896/

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