Netanyahu: Israel is forming a "regional alliance" to counter Iran. "Today’s Iran is no longer the Iran of 30 days ago"!

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a video address late on March 31, saying that Israel has delivered a “heavy blow” to Iran, and adding that Israel is building some “new regional alliances” to counter the “Iran threat.”

Netanyahu cited Israel’s achievements against Iran, namely weakening Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile program, infrastructure, domestic security forces, and leadership. He also mentioned Israel’s military operations against Hamas’s Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Yemeni Houthi armed forces, and the Palestinian armed groups in the West Bank, saying that Israel has established extensive “buffer zones” in the Gaza Strip, in Syria, and within Lebanon.

Netanyahu said that in addition to deepening the U.S.-Israel alliance, “we are creating some new alliances with important countries in this region to deal with the shared Iran threat.” He did not provide specific details.

According to an analysis by The Times of Israel, Netanyahu’s speech may be prepared as a public-relations strategy in case the United States decides to end its war against Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the evening of March 31 at the White House that the United States would end its war against Iran within “two to three weeks,” and an agreement with Iran may be reached before that.

Netanyahu: Israeli forces are systematically striking Iran’s infrastructure

Local time on March 31, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting that Israel is systematically striking Iran’s national infrastructure. He pointed out that “today’s Iran is no longer the Iran from 30 days ago.”

Local time on March 30, Netanyahu said that U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran “are more than halfway,” and that the current focus is on Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.

It is understood that in an interview Netanyahu said that, “from the standpoint of completing the mission, we’re more than halfway.” The U.S.-Israel forces have struck “key elements” of Iran’s war capabilities, including missile systems, weapons factories, and personnel related to the nuclear program.

Netanyahu said that the current focus “is their stockpile of enriched uranium,” and that U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered these materials to be removed from Iran. These materials may be handed over to international bodies for oversight.

However, in the interview, Netanyahu declined to provide a specific timetable for ending the actions against Iran.

According to CCTV International News, Netanyahu issued a video statement from Israel’s northern command, claiming that Israel is “making great achievements and has changed the face of the Middle East—Iran is no longer the Iran of the past; Hezbollah is no longer the Hezbollah of the past; and Hamas is no longer the Hamas of the past.”

Netanyahu said that Israel is conducting a “multi-domain operation,” striking Iran and its “proxies,” and creating “clear cracks” within Iran.

**Netanyahu said that Israel “has the initiative and launches the offensive,” establishing three so-called “security zones” in Syria, the Palestinian Gaza Strip, and Lebanon. Regarding Lebanon, Netanyahu said he has instructed Israel’s armed forces to further expand the existing so-called “security buffer zones” in southern Lebanon, calling it “a determination to fundamentally change the situation in Israel’s northern region, strengthening the security posture along the northern border.” **

Local time on March 31, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement saying that over the past day, the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on 20 weapon-production facilities and R&D sites within Iran.

The IDF said that in an airstrike round earlier that morning, Israeli Air Force aircraft dropped about 80 bombs on multiple targets, including facilities used to produce “key components” of ballistic missile engines, locations conducting ballistic missile engine testing, and an air-defense system production base.

The IDF had previously said it planned to complete strikes on all “key” assets in Iran’s military production system the next day.

In addition, the IDF said that the day’s airstrikes also included strikes on infrastructure related to the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force in Tehran, as well as strikes on targets such as ballistic missile launch and storage facilities and air-defense systems.

“Bush” carrier sets sail; the U.S. may deploy a third aircraft carrier in the Middle East

According to Xinhua News Agency, on March 31 the U.S. Navy released a report saying that the aircraft carrier strike group of the “George H. W. Bush” aircraft carrier departed that day from the U.S. East Coast at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia to carry out a deployment mission.

Although the U.S. Navy did not disclose its deployment destination, U.S. media reported that the carrier strike group would deploy to the Middle East and participate in the U.S. military’s operations against Iran.

The U.S. Navy said that besides serving as the flagship, the “Bush” aircraft carrier of the Nimitz class, the carrier strike group also includes three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

The Wall Street Journal, citing several U.S. officials with knowledge of the matter, reported that the “Bush” carrier strike group would deploy to the Middle East, and in the foreseeable future form a “three-carrier deployment posture” together with the “Lincoln” carrier strike group and the “Ford” carrier strike group. However, the “Bush” may take several weeks to reach its destination.

Also, according to the U.S. website of the Military Times, the “Bush” carrier strike group is made up of more than 5,000 service members. Because the “Ford” carrier is currently undergoing repairs at a port in Croatia, the “Bush” carrier is expected to fill the “dual-carrier” gap first.

U.S. media noted that although President Trump claims he is negotiating with Iran, he has also been considering a range of military measures that would likely escalate the war.

U.S. military says it destroyed all “Jamaran”-class frigates in Iran’s naval sequence

Local time on March 31, U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kane held a press conference on the military actions targeting Iran.

Dan Kane said that over the past 30 days, the joint combat forces have struck more than 11,000 targets. They have successfully launched the first batch of B-52 bomber combat missions aimed at inland deep regions. In addition, Kane said that the focus of their strikes is gradually shifting toward “dynamic targets,” meaning immediate strikes on targets that move continuously within the combat area.

Kane also said that the joint combat forces continued carrying out strike actions against Iran’s missile, drone, and naval equipment production facilities. U.S. Central Command continued identifying and striking Iran’s naval warehouses and storage facilities. The United States destroyed more than 150 ships, including all of the “Jamaran”-class frigates in its naval lineup. The United States is continuing to conduct large-scale strikes against Iran’s defense industry base. The strike targets include factories, warehouses, nuclear-weapon R&D laboratories, and relevant infrastructure needed for Iran to rebuild its combat capabilities.

U.S. defense secretary says the current “top priority” is to seek an agreement to end the war with Iran

U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth said on March 31 that the current “top priority” for the United States is to seek an agreement to end the war with Iran.

Hegseth held a joint press conference at the Pentagon that day with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kane. Hegseth said, “We are working together, but the primary effort direction is still to reach an agreement; as long as possible, we all hope to bring about an agreement.”

Hegseth said he inspected U.S. forces in the Middle East on the 28th, but did not disclose specific locations. Asked by reporters whether the U.S. military would deploy ground forces in Iran, Hegseth did not respond directly, saying only that “the key is to maintain unpredictability.”

He again urged Iran to “open” the Strait of Hormuz, and said “countries around the world should be prepared to take action” to ensure the strait remains open. He also said that, given that some allies refuse to provide help, U.S. President Trump will make a decision regarding NATO’s future after the end of military actions against Iran.

At the press conference, Kane said that the “military options” available to the U.S. military are very “broad,” and that increasing troop deployments to the Middle East is “not limited to ground operations.” “What is crucial is that these forces are deployed and in place, creating real and tangible pressure. Iran should carefully consider this diplomatically.”

Iranian president: Iran is willing to end the war on the condition that its demands are met

Local time on March 31, Iranian President Pezeshkian said that Iran is willing to end the war, but the condition is that its demands are met, especially receiving guarantees that it will no longer suffer aggression.

Local time on March 31, Iran’s Foreign Minister Aragchi said that the current situation is “not negotiations,” but rather an exchange of information through direct channels or “regional friends.” Iran is still receiving messages from Witkov, the representative of the U.S., but that does not mean negotiations have been initiated; the relevant exchanges are mainly “warnings or exchanging viewpoints.”

He said that at present, Iran has not entered negotiations with any specific party. The information exchange is carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with security institutions, and is strictly advanced within official frameworks under the supervision of the government and the Supreme National Security Council.

Aragchi emphasized that Iran has made no response to the 15 proposals put forward by the United States, nor has it put forward any proposal or conditions. Iran has not yet made a final decision on the principles of negotiations, but the conditions for Iran to end the war are “very clear”: Iran “will not agree to a ceasefire,” but instead demands “the complete end of the war throughout the entire region.”

When discussing the regional situation, Aragchi said, “The Iranian people must not face threats,” and that the U.S. president must respect the Iranian people. The Strait of Hormuz is “fully open,” and only those parties participating in the war against Iran are closed off. Iran has taken all necessary measures to ensure the safe passage of ships belonging to friendly countries through the strait. He added that the Strait of Hormuz can become a “peace passage,” and its ultimate direction depends on decisions by coastal countries.

Aragchi concluded by emphasizing that Iran is “ready to respond to any ground conflict” and warned the enemy not to make mistakes in strategic calculations.

U.S. mission in Saudi Arabia warns U.S. citizens to leave as soon as possible or shelter in place

Local time on March 31, according to a security alert released by the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia, the U.S. government advises that American citizens in Saudi Arabia should prioritize commercial flights to depart; if they cannot leave, they should shelter in place within their residence or a secure building, and stock up on necessities such as food, water, and medicines.

The alert said that Saudi airspace remains open but flights may be delayed or canceled due to threats from missiles and drones. Meanwhile, the U.S. side said it is tracking potential threats against places where American citizens congregate, including hotels, U.S. companies, and educational institutions; it advises avoiding such locations and staying vigilant.

In addition, the United States has suspended routine consular services in Saudi Arabia, keeping only emergency assistance mechanisms. Earlier, due to ongoing security threats, the United States had required non-essential government personnel to evacuate.

Local time on March 31, Majid Mousavi, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, issued a statement saying that the IRGC used drones and missiles to strike the residences of U.S. pilots in the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

The statement said that at the time of the strike, 200 U.S. officers and soldiers were gathered at the base.

Local time on March 31, a U.S. official said that since the start of military action against Iran, 348 U.S. service members have been injured. Of those, 315 have returned to duty, and 6 service members currently have serious injuries.

（Source: Economic Daily News）