March 16, New Delhi — As the conflict in West Asia enters its seventeenth day, Iran has launched multiple attacks on countries in the region that host U.S. forces.
A large explosion struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday night. Meanwhile, U.S. and Israeli forces carried out airstrikes targeting Iranian cities including Tehran, Hamadan, and Isfahan, while Iranian counterattacks continued, causing damage in several Israeli cities.
Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold talks in the coming days aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire that would include the disarmament of Hezbollah, according to two Israeli officials, though the timing and terms are yet to be finalized. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed the country’s willingness for direct talks with Israel to end the war.
In Iraq, rockets struck Baghdad’s airport, which houses a U.S. diplomatic facility, wounding five people. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that about 700 missiles and 3,600 drones have been fired at U.S. and Israeli targets so far.
In Kuwait, Italy’s military reported that a drone attack at Ali Al Salem airbase destroyed an Italian unmanned aircraft but caused no casualties. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani downplayed the incident, the second attack on an Italian base in the region this week, insisting, “We are not at war with anyone.”
(File Photo)