Israel Iran War News Day 22: Tehran seeks PM Modi's attention, Trump rules out ceasefire as strikes on Iranian nuclear facility follow

New Delhi: As the US-Israel war with Iran enters its fourth week, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the “prerequisite” for ending the conflict is the “immediate cessation of aggressions” by the United States and Israel, according to a statement issued by the Iranian Embassy in India.

The remarks came during a phone conversation between the two leaders on Saturday, where they discussed both bilateral ties and the rapidly deteriorating situation in West Asia amid continued military exchanges involving Iran, the US and Israel.

According to the Iranian side, Pezeshkian said Tehran “did not initiate the war” and accused Washington and Tel Aviv of launching attacks “without any justification, logic, or legal basis,” including during ongoing nuclear negotiations. He alleged that the strikes have killed senior military officials, civilians and damaged public infrastructure.


The Iranian President also claimed that a school in Minab was targeted from bases in neighbouring countries hosting US forces, resulting in the deaths of 168 children. Rejecting US claims that the strikes were aimed at preventing nuclear weapons development, Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran’s leadership has consistently opposed such weapons.

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Tehran escalates accusations, seeks global role

Pezeshkian further accused Israel of carrying out attacks across multiple countries in the region, saying such actions were fuelling instability rather than enhancing security.

Reiterating Iran’s position, he said Tehran remains open to dialogue under international oversight to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. He also proposed a regional security framework led by West Asian countries without external interference.

In a notable diplomatic pitch, the Iranian President urged BRICS, under India’s rotating presidency, to play an “independent role” in stopping what he described as aggression against Iran and ensuring regional stability.

Modi flags infrastructure, shipping concerns

Responding to the developments, Modi expressed “deep concern” over the escalating conflict and stressed that “choosing the path of war is in no one’s interest,” calling for de-escalation and dialogue.

“Spoke with President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also condemned attacks on critical infrastructure, warning that such actions threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains. He underlined the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation, stressing that key shipping lanes must remain open amid rising tensions, and appreciated Iran’s support in ensuring the safety of Indian nationals.

Air India warns of financial hit

Separately, Campbell Wilson warned employees that the Middle East conflict would have a significant financial impact on the carrier, with the worst yet to come.

In a note to staff, Wilson said the airline has cancelled around 2,500 flights to the region over three weeks and is currently operating just 30% of its normal Middle East schedule due to closed airports and restricted airspace.

Fuel costs have more than doubled, while flights to Britain, Europe and North America are being rerouted around the conflict zone, increasing operational expenses. Air India has imposed fuel surcharges on tickets, though Wilson cautioned that fares could only rise so much before demand weakens.

He added that economic uncertainty could reduce travel appetite among both corporate and leisure passengers, while airlines globally are beginning to cut capacity.

Iran’s long-range strike raises alarm

In a significant escalation, Iran reportedly launched ballistic missiles at a joint US-UK military base in Diego Garcia, marking the first known use of weapons with such extended range in the ongoing conflict.

The base, located nearly 4,000 km from Iran, suffered no damage, but analysts said the strike demonstrates a previously undisclosed capability. Experts suggested Tehran may have used a modified space launch vehicle to achieve the range.

The development has raised concerns about the vulnerability of distant military and civilian targets, with some analysts warning that major European cities could fall within reach if such capabilities are expanded.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had struck an Israeli F-16 fighter jet over central Iran, though Israel maintained that a missile was fired at one of its aircraft but caused no damage.

The conflicting accounts could not be independently verified. The reports came days after Iran claimed it had damaged a US F-35 fighter jet, with media reports suggesting the aircraft made an emergency landing.

Strait of Hormuz tensions deepen

More than 20 countries issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz and pledged support for ensuring safe passage through the vital shipping route.

The waterway, through which about 20% of global oil and gas flows, has seen a sharp decline in traffic, with crossings dropping by 95% compared to peacetime levels. Countries also called for a moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities.

US strikes Iranian coastal targets

The United States said it carried out strikes on Iranian coastal and underground military facilities linked to threats against maritime navigation.

US Central Command commander Brad Cooper said American forces targeted anti-ship missile systems, radars and underground infrastructure to neutralise risks to commercial shipping lanes.

The strikes follow Iran’s attempted long-range attack on Diego Garcia, underlining a widening conflict footprint and increasing risks to critical global trade routes.

Trump's latest remarks

The US President hinted at ending the war, saying "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."

As per his Truth Social, America has met the following objectives:

• Completely degrading Iranian Missile Capability, Launchers, and everything else pertaining to them.
• Destroying Iran’s Defense Industrial Base.
• Eliminating their Navy and Air Force, including Anti Aircraft Weaponry.
• Never allowing Iran to get even close to Nuclear Capability, and always being in a position where the U.S.A. can quickly and powerfully react to such a situation, should it take place.
• Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others.

Speaking about the key artery for global oil supplies, Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other nations who use it, as US does now.

However, he offered that if countries ask for aid, the US will assist them, but "it shouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat is eradicated."

Strikes on Iranian nuclear facility

Iran’s Natanz enrichment facility was attacked on Saturday, with residents living around the site reportedly safe. There were no reports on casualties after the incident.

• Attack on Iran's nuclear unit Natanz
• No radioactive leakage reported at Natanz complex after attack
• Residents living around the area are safe

Drone attacks Iraqi intelligence services in Baghdad

A drone attack targeted Iraqi intelligence services in a residential neighbourhood in Baghdad. "A drone targeted the headquarters of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in the Mansour district" at around 10:00 am local time (0700 GMT), General Saad Maan, head of the Iraqi government's security media unit, said in a brief statement.

• Drone targeted a "telecommunications building" with the National Intelligence Service
• Attacked facility cooperates with US advisors in Iraq as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition

Israel attacks Hezbollah

Israel said that it was attacking Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital, stepping up the airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed militia in the deadliest spillover from the war on Iran since Hezbollah fired on Israel in support of Tehran on March 2. Israel also launched new ‌attacks on Iran, ⁠including on ⁠the capital Tehran.

• Israel struck ahealth center in southern Lebanon which instantly killed 12 medical workers, seriously wounded one and left four missing under the rubble for hours.
• Earlier, they targeted a center run by Hezbollah's health arm, the Islamic Health Society, which has so far lost 24 members over the past two weeks.
• Since the onset of war, Israel has destroyed more than a dozen branches of Hezbollah's financial arm, al-Qard al-Hasan.

US deploys Marines to the Middle East

As a strategic move, the US military has deployed thousands of marines to the Middle East region, officials told Reuters.

The news agency reported that Washington, desperate to reopen the Gulf oil bottleneck of the Strait of Hormuz, shut by Iran since the US and Israel attacked almost three weeks ago, was considering deployments up to and including landings.

• US is deploying 2,500 Marines, along with the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, and accompanying warships would deploy to the Mideast region.
• On sending troops to Iran, sources said that no decision has been taken yet.

Trump waives sanctions on Iran

In an effort ‌to cushion oil prices and increase supply, the Trump administration ⁠said it would waive sanctions on Iran to allow the sale of 140 million barrels of oil that has been stranded on tankers since the onset of the war. The US administration had previously eased sanctions on a similar amount of Russian oil as well.

• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made the announcement on X.
• The waiver is expected to bring some 140 million barrels of oil to global markets and help relieve pressure on energy supply.
• The waiver on oil sanctions is only applicable for