The U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran is about to enter its third week, with Iran and Israel trading strikes on key energy infrastructure in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was not told in advance of Israel’s targeting of an Iranian oil field this week, with Iran striking a Qatari energy infrastructure base in retaliation.
On the ground in Iran, the regime has blacked out the internet for 20 days, and executed three people for their involvement in recent civilian protests.
Here‘s the latest.
Background
A key driver for the start of the war was a breakdown in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over limiting Iran’s nuclear capacity.
Following a round of indirect talks, Trump said the U.S. would “have to make a meaningful deal” with Iran, “otherwise bad things happen.”
On 20 February, he suggested a 10-day window for the regime to respond. The U.S. and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on 28 February.
Energy strikes
On Wednesday (local time), Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, located in the Persian Gulf. South Pars is part of the world’s largest gas field.
Iran then struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan refinery, where around 20% of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) is processed.
Trump said Israel had “violently lashed out” and that the U.S. “knew nothing about this particular attack”.
He added that Iran “unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of [Ras Laffan]”.
Addressing the strikes on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the response had used a “fraction" of Iran’s power.
Araghchi warned that the regime would use “zero restraint if our infrastructures are struck again.”
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Three Israeli officials told The New York Times that the U.S. was briefed before the strikes on South Pars.
In a press conference, Netanyahu said it was “fake news... that Israel somehow dragged the U.S. into a conflict with Iran,” asking: “Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?”
U.S. costs
On Thursday (local time), U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was asked about his department requesting $US200 billion “for Iran war supplemental”.
Hegseth said he thinks “that number could move, obviously,” adding that “it takes money to kill bad guys.”
On 11 March, The New York Times reported the U.S. Government had spent $US11.3 billion in the first week of the war.
Saturday 21 March will mark three weeks since it began.
Inside Iran
On Thursday (local time), Iranian state news site Tasnim reported the regime had executed three young men allegedly involved in recent civilian protests against the regime.
Health officials estimated 30,000 people were killed in the demonstrations, both civilians and security forces. The regime allegedthe men killed security officers during protests on behalf of the U.S. and Israel.
According to the Center for Human Rights in Iran, one of the men, 19-year-old Saleh Mohammadi, was an Iranian national wrestler.
State media reports the regime has arrested 178 “traitors” since 28 February.
According to NetBlocks, the regime has shut down internetfor Iranians for around three weeks, the longest shutdown it has ever imposed.
The previous record was set during the recent civilian protests, with internet access blocked for almost 20 days.
The regime has also confirmed the U.S. and Israel have killed two of its key security leaders in recent days.
