"U.S. to Blame for Urban Strikes": Iranian FM Claims Troops Using Hotels as Bases

In an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday (March 18), Araghchi claimed that U.S. forces have abandoned their formal military bases to take cover in city hotels, effectively turning civilian areas into targets. He asserted that Iran will strike U.S. assets wherever they are located and emphasized that Tehran seeks a total end to the war on all fronts, not just a temporary ceasefire.

As the conflict enters its 19th day, Israel claims to have killed Iranian Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib in a strike on Tehran, a report yet to be confirmed by Iran. Meanwhile, joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran’s Lorestan province have left 7 civilians dead. In retaliation, Iran struck the Ramat Gan area near Tel Aviv, resulting in 2 fatalities. The violence continues to spread, with Israeli operations in Lebanon and Gaza claiming over 20 more lives.