Israel and Iran launch new wave of attacks as crisis deepens

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Friday announced the 66th wave of retaliatory operation True Promise 4, targeting central and south parts of Israel as well as US military bases across the Middle East, according to Iranian news network Press TV.

In a statement cited by the network, the IRGC detailed the use of a combination of solid- and liquid-fuel missile systems, including super-heavy, precision-guided, multi-warhead Qadr missiles as well as Khorramshahr and Kheibar Shekan missiles and medium-range Qiam projectiles. 

Meanwhile, powerful explosions were heard across Tehran as air defense systems engaged incoming US and Israeli drones, Al Jazeera reported.

The tit-for-tat strikes marked the 21st day of the conflict, which has killed thousands of people, spread to neighboring nations and hit the global economy.

US President Donald Trump urged Israel to refrain from further attacks on Iran's natural gas infrastructure, following a surge in global energy prices. The spike came after Iran responded to an Israeli air strike on a major gas field by targeting Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, a key facility responsible for processing about a fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas.

QatarEnergy's CEO revealed that the Iranian attacks had crippled a sixth of Qatar's LNG export capacity – worth $20 billion annually – and repairs would take an estimated three to five years.

Netanyahu hints at 'ground options'

During a press conference on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel acted independently in bombing Iran's South Pars gas field and said that Israel would halt attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, following Trump's request.

Netanyahu also declared that Iran had lost its capabilities in uranium enrichment and missile production – two of the three primary objectives of the US-Israeli assault on Iran.

As for the third goal – toppling the regime, the Israeli prime minister said it now depends on the Iranian people. "Revolutions do not happen from the air, and there are many ground options that I will not disclose."

As for the duration of the ongoing war, Netanyahu said it would last "as long as necessary," adding that it would end "much faster than people think."

Unlike Netanyahu, Trump said on Thursday that he had no plans to deploy ground forces, though Reuters, citing US official and three other people familiar with the planning, reported that Trump was considering sending thousands more US troops to the Middle East.

On Thursday, a US F-35 fighter was forced to make an emergency landing at a US military base in the Middle East after it was struck by what was believed to be Iranian fire, CNN reported citing two sources familiar with the matter. This marks the first time since February 28 that Iran has hit a US warplane. 

"The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition," Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for US Central Command, was quoted as saying. "This incident is under investigation."

Separately, Israel continued its attacks in Lebanon. At least five people were killed and 10 wounded in Israeli air strikes across southern Lebanon, bringing the death toll since March 2 to 1,001 people and the injured 2,584, according to the Lebanese Public Health Ministry.

Calls for ceasefire

As the conflict rages on, the international community has called for an end to the cycle of retaliation.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday in a statement that Moscow calls for an immediate end to the hostilities resulting from the "unprovoked aggression" by the US and Israel against Iran.

The ministry said that Moscow consistently advocates "the need to create conditions for peaceful, secure, and neighborly coexistence between friendly Arab countries and Iran."

European Union leaders on Thursday urged de-escalation and maximum restraint in the Middle East conflict, calling on all parties to fully respect international law and backing a moratorium on strikes against energy and water facilities.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed similar sentiments, urging the United States and Israel to halt their military actions against Iran and prioritize diplomatic solutions over further escalation.

Also on Thursday, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan issued a joint statement expressing their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

They also promised other steps to stabilize energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output.

(With input from agencies)