20.03.2026 07:40
The attacks initiated by Israel in conjunction with the United States against Iran have entered their 21st day. In response to Trump's announcement that he would not send troops to the region where mutual attacks are ongoing, Netanyahu signaled that there could be a "ground operation." Iran, on the other hand, claimed to have struck a U.S. F-35 fighter jet. Additionally, Iran asserted that it shot down a U.S. B-2 stealth bomber and captured its crew. Accounts close to Russia confirmed the information.
The long-standing tension between the US and Iran turned into open conflict on February 28 following diplomatic efforts. The war, which began with Israel striking Iran alongside the US, has now entered its 21st day.
TRUMP: "WE ARE NOT SENDING TROOPS ANYWHERE"
Trump denied these claims, stating, "We are not sending troops anywhere. If I were going to send them, I would definitely not tell you."
According to a report by Reuters, it was claimed that the USS Tripoli amphibious ship currently dispatched from Japan, along with nearly 5,000 soldiers, was en route to the hot zone.
Trump mentioned that Iran is in search of new leadership, saying, "Their navies are gone. Their Air Force is gone. Their air defense systems are gone. We strike wherever we want. No one even fires at us."
"IF WE WANT, THE WAR CAN END IN TWO SECONDS"
Regarding the strategically important Hark Island, Trump stated, "We can obliterate that island whenever we want. It is completely defenseless. We destroyed everything except the pipes. We left the pipes because rebuilding them would take years. If we want, the war can end in two seconds."
Trump noted that he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iran's oil and natural gas facilities, adding, "He will not do that anymore."
US F-35 AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN
In the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, a US F-35 fighter jet was damaged over Iranian airspace and made an emergency landing at one of the American bases. The Revolutionary Guards released a video they claimed was from the moment the aircraft was shot down.
According to a report by CNN, based on two sources familiar with the matter, a F-35 aircraft used in the attacks initiated by the US and Israel against Iran was discussed.
Unnamed sources stated that the aircraft was damaged by fire believed to have originated from Iran and made an emergency landing at one of the US bases in the Middle East.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Tim Hawkins also stated that the fifth-generation aircraft was flying over Iran "as part of a combat mission" when it had to make an emergency landing.
Hawkins said, "The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot's condition is stable. An investigation has been launched regarding the incident."
REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS RELEASED A VIDEO
The Revolutionary Guards released a video they claimed was from the moment the aircraft was shot down.
B-2 BOMBER AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN
Meanwhile, Iran claimed to have shot down a US B-2 stealth bomber and captured its crew. Accounts close to Russia confirmed the information.
IRAN'S MISSILE RAIN ON ISRAEL
Iran continues its retaliations against Israeli attacks. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Iran launched numerous new missile attacks on Israel throughout the night. The Magen David Adom ambulance service stated that search and rescue operations were underway in Kiryat Ata due to damage caused by a missile attack. An amateur video showed a missile, believed to have been shot down by Israel's air defense systems, burning and falling onto a street in Haifa. Israeli media reported that no one was injured in the recent attacks.
IRAN FIRED MISSILES AT ISRAEL DURING NETANYAHU'S PRESS CONFERENCE
The Israeli army stated that missiles were detected being fired from Iran and that air defense systems were attempting to intercept the Iranian missiles.
The statement emphasized the need to enter shelters and follow instructions.
Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that Iranian missiles targeted northern Israel and that sirens were sounded throughout the entire region.
It was noted that the Iranian retaliation coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's press conference.
Israel's emergency service, Magen David Adom, announced that teams were dispatched to areas where fall alerts were received following the retaliation, and updates would be provided later regarding developments.
NETANYAHU: "THERE ARE MANY POSSIBILITIES FOR GROUND OPERATIONS"
Netanyahu held a press conference in West Jerusalem regarding the ongoing attacks on Iran, attended by international media.
"THE WAR WILL END FASTER THAN PEOPLE THINK"
Starting his speech in Hebrew, Netanyahu's remarks to the domestic audience included, "It will last as long as necessary." However, in his address to the international audience in English, he notably stated, "The war will end faster than people think."
"IRAN HAS NO CAPACITY TO ENRICH URANIUM AND PRODUCE BALLISTIC MISSILES TODAY"
Netanyahu stated that they are focused on three goals: to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, to dismantle its ballistic missile program, and to "bring about regime change."
Claiming that they are targeting Iran's industries that provide production for nuclear and ballistic missiles, Netanyahu asserted, "Iran has no capacity to enrich uranium and produce ballistic missiles today."
Netanyahu noted that they have mobilized the Israeli army and the foreign intelligence agency Mossad against the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE CLAIM
Speaking about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Netanyahu argued that "instead of passing through regions like the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait to ensure the flow of oil, an alternative route should be established extending from the Arabian Peninsula to Israel and the Mediterranean."
Netanyahu claimed that this would eliminate the logistical problem and that it could be realized soon.
PARS NATURAL GAS FIELD ADMISSION
Regarding the attack on the Pars natural gas field in southern Iran, Netanyahu admitted, "Israel acted alone against the Pars natural gas refinery."
Netanyahu stated that US President Donald Trump asked to postpone future attacks and that they would refrain from attacking Iran's energy facilities.
The Israeli Prime Minister asserted that they are acting in full coordination with the US, responding to reports that Trump was convinced by him to attack Iran, stating that during a meeting at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, without him saying anything, Trump said, "Bibi, we must prevent Iran from having nuclear weapons."" he claimed in response.
"YOU CANNOT MAKE REVOLUTIONS FROM THE AIR"
When asked about the American public's assessment of the belief that Israel dragged the US into war, Netanyahu stated, "I did not deceive anyone. I did not have to convince President Trump; he understood me."
Netanyahu once again sent a message for a popular uprising against the Tehran regime in Iran, saying, "You cannot make revolutions from the air. You can do many things from the air; we are doing that too, but there must be a component on the ground. There must be an element on the ground as well. There are many possibilities for the ground, and I am exercising my freedom to not share them."
US-ISRAEL ATTACKS ON IRAN
Israel and the US launched a military attack on Iran on February 28 while negotiations continued between the Tehran and Washington administrations.
In response, Iran attacked targets it identified in several regional countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain, where US bases are located, in addition to Israel.
In the US-Israel attacks, Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, along with many high-ranking officials, was killed.
According to Iranian officials, the death toll from the US-Israel attacks exceeded 1,348, and the number of injured surpassed 17,000.