US-Israeli aggression on Iran: What happened on 32nd day of the imposed war

By Press TV Website Staff

Thirty-two days into the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began with the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on February 28, the military aggression continues to target civilian and industrial infrastructure.

On Tuesday, US and Israeli airstrikes hit multiple locations in Tehran, including districts 2, 4, 13, and 21, while attacks in Mahallat county killed 11 civilians and injured 15 others.

In Zanjan, three civilians were killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on the Grand Hussainiya.

In response, Iran issued a warning against 18 American technology companies, including Cisco, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, Tesla, and Boeing, stating that they would be considered legitimate targets for retaliation due to their role in designing and tracking assassination operations in Iran.

Iran also reiterated that it is prepared for any ground confrontation with the US while emphasizing that it is not targeting its Persian Gulf neighbors, only US bases and assets.

On the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that no formal negotiations with the US are underway, only an exchange of messages through regional intermediaries and directly via US envoy Steve Witkoff.

He reiterated Iran's conditions for ending the imposed war: a complete halt to hostilities across the region, guarantees against future attacks, and compensation for damages.

China and Pakistan jointly released a five-point peace plan calling for an immediate cessation of US-Israeli aggression, the start of peace talks, an end to attacks on civilians, the securing of shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, and a comprehensive peace framework under the UN Charter.

On the economic front, US gasoline prices reached $4 per gallon, the highest since August 2022, marking the largest monthly jump on record.

The UNDP warned that the war could cost the region up to $194 billion in GDP losses, as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has declined by more than 70 percent and oil prices have approached $120 per barrel.

Meanwhile, The Economist reported that Iran's oil exports remain steady at 2.4 to 2.8 million barrels per day.

The following are the key developments from Day 32 of the imposed war:

America on US-Israeli aggression on Iran

• Axios reporter after conversation with US President Donald Trump: Barak Ravid reported that in a brief phone call, Trump told him: "Negotiations with Iran are going well." When specifically asked about the Pakistan-China initiative, Trump did not criticize it, merely repeating that diplomacy is progressing well.
• According to reports, Trump said that he doesn't "think about Iran's uranium stockpile. I know it's buried deep underground and is very difficult to extract."
• Trump on the Strait of Hormuz: "Countries should come in and take care of it. They should come in and do their own work. If they want oil, come and get it."
• Trump on France: In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the French government's stance: "The country of France would not allow planes loaded with military equipment destined for Israel to fly over French territory." He reacted to the decision, warning that Washington “will remember.”
• Trump taunts UK's Starmer (Truth Social): In a sharply worded post, Trump addressed the UK's fuel supply issues caused by the Strait of Hormuz disruption. Referring to Britain's decision not to participate in strikes against Iran, he wrote: "For all those countries unable to receive jet fuel due to the Strait of Hormuz, like Britain which refrained from involvement in bringing down Iran, I have a suggestion: Number 1, buy from the United States, we have plenty; and Number 2, show some courage, go to the Strait and take it. You need to learn how to fight for yourselves. The United States will no longer be there to help you, just as you were not there for us. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!" 
• Trump willing to end war without reopening Strait (WSJ): US officials told the Wall Street Journal that Trump has told aides he is willing to end the US military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked. Trump and aides assessed that a forced opening would prolong the war beyond his desired timeframe of four to six weeks.
• More than 200 US soldiers have filed complaints regarding superior officers using religious rhetoric to justify the war.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said US war objectives could be achieved “in weeks, not months” and that it was on track after "destroying Iran’s air force and much of its navy."

Iranian officials' statements

• Araghchi on diplomacy: Iran, he said, is engaged in message exchange with the US, both directly through envoy Witkoff and via regional friends, but no formal negotiations are underway. Tehran has not responded to America's 15-point proposal nor put forward its own, and no decision on negotiations has been made, he added.
• Araghchi on ending the war: Iran's conditions are clear: a complete halt to the war across the entire region, not a ceasefire; guarantees against future attacks; and compensation for damages.
• Araghchi on the Strait of Hormuz and regional tensions: The Strait of Hormuz is open to friendly nations, with all measures taken for safe passage. Iran is prepared for ground confrontation but will only target American bases and assets, not Persian Gulf neighbours. While rebuilding trust with regional countries will take time, he expressed confidence that it will be restored.
• Araghchi on Turkey missile claims: Iran’s FM dismissed "completely baseless" reports of a missile fired from Iran towards Turkey and proposed a joint investigation, warning of a "false flag operation by enemies.”
• Araghchi on US forces in region: The time has come for US forces to be expelled from the region. Iran respects Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation. Our attacks are aimed at the aggressor enemy that values neither Arabs nor Iranians.
• Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf on X: "I was just reading about Americans who, due to rising fuel prices, are skipping meals. It is distressing, but when your leaders prioritize the demands of others over ordinary, hardworking Americans, these outcomes are inevitable. This is no longer 'America First'; it is 'Israel First.'"

Iran's warning to the US and affiliated spy companies

• The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)  issued a statement warning that American ICT and AI companies—including Cisco, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, Tesla, Boeing, and others would be considered legitimate targets for retaliation, citing their involvement in designing and tracking assassination operations against Iranian citizens.
• The statement advised employees of these companies to leave their workplaces and advised residents within one kilometre of company facilities across the region to vacate the area.
• IRGC set a deadline of 20:00 on Wednesday, April 1st, Tehran time, stating that the named companies should expect the destruction of their respective units in retaliation for each act of terror carried out in Iran.

 Diplomatic efforts: China, Pakistan, and Russia

• China and Pakistan five-point peace plan: Following talks in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar released a plan for "restoring peace and stability" in the Persian Gulf region. The points include: immediate cessation of hostilities; initiation of peace talks ensuring sovereignty and security; end to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure; securing shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz; and establishing a comprehensive peace framework under the UN Charter.
• China and Pakistan called for immediate peace talks: Beijing and Islamabad called on all parties to immediately halt military operations and attacks on civilians, and to begin peace talks as soon as possible. A joint statement emphasized the protection of shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
• China's stance on nuclear facilities: A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson opposed attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, supported Pakistan's mediation efforts, and called on all parties involved in the imposed war to immediately halt military operations and start peace talks.
• Russia's ambassador to Tehran reported that Iran has confirmed Russian ships face no issues transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while noting that airstrikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant continue despite statements from US and Israeli regime officials denying it. Russia stated it is ready to facilitate a political and diplomatic resolution to the war, taking into account Iran's legitimate interests.
• Pakistan's aid to Iran: Pakistan sent five trucks carrying medicine and essential goods for citizens affected by the ongoing war as a gesture of solidarity.
• FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said that Iran will be at the World Cup and will play their group matches in the US as scheduled, while still refusing to condemn the US-Israeli aggression, including an attack on Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran. 

US-Israeli attacks on Iran

• Tehran attacks: US and Israeli forces conducted airstrikes targeting areas of Tehran, including district 2, district 4, district 13 and district 21.
• Attack on Mahallat county: In a US-Israeli attack on three residential units in Mahallat county of the central province of Iran, 11 people were killed, and 15 were injured. Housing quarters were directly hit, destroying four units.
• Attack on Hussainiya: Three people were martyred and 12 others injured in a US-Israeli airstrike on the Grand Hussainiya in Zanjan.
• Attack on Kermanshah (Qasr-e Shirin): In another American-Israeli attack on workers of a civilian contract company, one worker was killed, and eight others were injured.
• Attacks on Kurdistan: US-Israeli attacks on Kurdistan province killed 2 people, wounding 17 others.
• Attack on Isfahan: US and Israeli forces hit various areas in Isfahan.

Damage to civilian infrastructure

• Qeshm desalination plant: One of Qeshm Island's desalination plants was targeted and taken offline, with no possibility for short-term repairs.
• Gilan province: At least 100 residential and commercial units have been damaged in recent attacks, according to local officials. 

Strait of Hormuz: shipping and security

• Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped by over 70% since the US and Israel launched an illegal war on Iran, pushing oil prices from around $72 to near $120 per barrel.
• According to Bloomberg, after a month of US-Israeli war, Iran has significantly strengthened its control over the Strait of Hormuz, the world's main artery for energy transport.

US and its European allies

• France, Spain, and Italy are still refusing to allow the US to use their military bases or airspace for operations against Iran.
• Italy prevented US military aircraft from using a base in Sicily, denying landing after flights were deemed unofficial and outside of agreements.
• France has also refused to allow Israeli aircraft carrying US weapons to cross its airspace. France reportedly refused the request over the weekend.
• Spain also said on Monday that it had closed its airspace to US planes involved in airstrikes on Iran.

Economic impact: US, region, and global markets

• According to GasBuddy,  the national average gasoline price in the US reached $4 per gallon, the highest since August 8, 2022. This is the largest monthly jump on record, with gasoline up $1.059 and diesel up $1.701 per gallon.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stated that regional GDP could decline by 3.7% to 6%, a loss of up to $194 billion due to disruptions in trade, energy markets, and shipping routes. Up to 4 million more people could be pushed into poverty, with Iraq, Lebanon and Syria hardest hit. Between 1.6 and 3.6 million jobs are at risk.
• Middle East Eye reported that the US-Israeli war has severely impacted the UAE's economy, wiping $120 billion off the Abu Dhabi and Dubai markets, targeting aviation, real estate, and exposing vulnerabilities.
• Following reports of a tanker being targeted near Kuwaiti waters, US crude oil futures rose over $3, surpassing $106 per barrel, with Brent reaching around $115 per barrel.
• The Economist stated that Tehran currently exports between 2.4 and 2.8 million barrels per day, at least equal to last year's average, if not higher.
• The Wall Street Journal reported that the war has disrupted the supply of helium gas, crucial for AI chip manufacturing, due to the halt of natural gas exports from Qatar, which supplies about a third of the world's helium.
• Norway announced a temporary tax cut on petrol and diesel in response to rising fuel prices, as war continues to disrupt global energy supplies.
• Bangladesh ordered the government employees to switch off lights and reduce air conditioning usage, implementing energy-saving measures as the war exacerbates the country's existing power crunch.
• The European Union called on member states to take steps to reduce domestic fuel demand, addressing the surge in energy prices driven by the ongoing conflict.
• G7 economy and finance ministers said they were ready to take “all necessary measures” to stabilise the energy market.

Israeli statements

• Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the war against Iran had "achieved more than half its aims," without putting a timeline on when it would end and without admitting losses inflicted on the regime. 
• Over 5,500 Israeli settlers have been rendered homeless after their homes were destroyed by Iran’s retaliatory strikes, Israeli army radio reported.

Regional dynamics

• AP report on US allies:
  • US allies, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have urged Trump to continue the war. The UAE appears more belligerent, pressing for a US ground invasion; Kuwait and Bahrain also prefer this option.
  • Oman and Qatar favour a diplomatic solution.
  • Saudi Arabia has told the US that ending the war now won’t produce a “good deal,” one guaranteeing security for Iran’s Arab neighbours.
• Al Jazeera reported that the White House announced Trump is interested in asking Arab countries to contribute to covering the costs of the war.

Analysis and Commentary

• Foreign Policy wrote, “Trump is losing the war in Iran.” As per the news publication, despite the president’s claims of victory, key US objectives remain unmet, and Iran retains significant leverage, including control over the Strait. The war has lasted longer and cost more, and Trump's options are narrowing.
• In a Pew Research survey published last week, 61 percent of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the war, while 37 percent expressed approval.
• Financial Times assessed that Iran may not only avoid weakening but could emerge from the conflict in a more powerful position than before.

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