TEHRAN: Iran has warned that it may target recreational and tourist sites worldwide as the conflict in West Asia enters its third week, while the United States announced additional military deployments to the region.
The warning came as the administration of Donald Trump said it was sending more warships and Marines to West Asia. However, Trump later suggested on social media that the U.S. could soon begin “winding down” military operations, sending mixed signals about Washington’s strategy.
The U.S. plans to deploy three additional amphibious assault ships and about 2,500 Marines to the region, joining more than 50,000 American troops already stationed there. Another group of ships carrying roughly 2,500 Marines had earlier been redirected from the Pacific to West Asia.
Despite the deployments, Trump said the U.S. is close to achieving its objectives in the conflict, which began after large-scale strikes on Iran on February 28. The U.S. and Israel have cited goals ranging from weakening Iran’s leadership to dismantling its nuclear and missile programmes.
Meanwhile, Iran has escalated retaliatory attacks across the region. The country has also tightened its control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Iranian authorities warned that “parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations” worldwide could become targets for the country’s enemies. The statement, issued by military spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi, raised concerns that Tehran may expand the conflict beyond West Asia through militant attacks.
The remarks came as Iran marked the Persian New Year, Nowruz, a major cultural celebration. However, festivities were overshadowed by Israeli airstrikes that reportedly hit targets in Tehran.
Iran has increased attacks on Gulf countries after Israeli strikes targeted the country’s major offshore gas facility, the South Pars gas field. The conflict has also driven global oil prices sharply higher.
Benchmark Brent crude rose to around $108 per barrel, up from roughly $70 before the war began, fuelling concerns about rising fuel and food prices worldwide.
In response to surging energy costs, the U.S. administration announced a temporary pause on sanctions affecting Iranian oil shipments loaded onto vessels starting Friday. The waiver will remain in place until April 19 and includes restrictions preventing transactions involving North Korea or Cuba.
The conflict has also intensified in Lebanon, where Israeli forces launched fresh strikes targeting militants from Hezbollah in southern Beirut.
According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli strikes have displaced more than one million people and killed over 1,000. In Iran, more than 1,300 people have reportedly died since the start of the war. Iranian missile attacks have killed 15 people in Israel, while at least 13 U.S. service members have also been killed in the conflict.
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