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The White House announced on Truth Social that the United States has retrieved the second airman from the two‑person crew of an F‑15 fighter that Iran said was downed by its air defenses. The rescued officer, identified as a colonel, was described by President Donald Trump as a "brave Warrior" who endured injuries but is expected to recover fully. Trump’s post highlighted the operation as a "miraculous" rescue, adding that it followed a prior successful extraction of the first crew member the day before. He emphasized that the missions were carried out without any American fatalities or injuries, underscoring his claim of "overwhelming air dominance" over Iranian skies. Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported that a U.S. aircraft searching for the missing officer was shot down in the southern province of Isfahan. According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the downed plane was a C‑130 transport, destroyed by the Faraj Rangers, a police commando unit. The agency posted images of thick smoke rising from the crash site and accused the U.S. of attempting to conceal a defeat. Iran has not officially confirmed or denied the rescue of the second pilot, though Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran noted continued air strikes over the area where the fighter was downed. The rescue effort, which involved dozens of U.S. military aircraft, faced “fierce resistance” from Iranian forces, according to reports from Washington. U.S. officials, cited by Al Jazeera, said the downed airman evaded Iranian units for roughly two days before special‑operations troops engaged in a daylight firefight that lasted several hours. The operation, typically conducted under cover of darkness, was unusually prolonged. In a separate incident, an A‑10 Warthog crashed after being hit over Kuwait, with the pilot ejecting safely; details on injuries remain unclear. Trump concluded his statement by asserting that the dual successes—rescuing both pilots without casualties—demonstrated the United States' "air superiority" in the region.

The missing crew member of a US F‑15E jet, described by President Trump as a colonel, was located and rescued after a heavy firefight that involved hundreds of special‑forces operators, according to a US official speaking to Al Jazeera.Trump has set a 48‑hour deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which 20% of global oil and gas transits. Iran’s central military command dismissed the ultimatum as “helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid.”Iran reports that US‑Israeli strikes have killed five people and wounded 170 at the Mahshahr Petrochemical Zone, while more than 30 universities have been targeted since the war began on 28 February.The rescued airman was the second of the two‑person crew; Iran has not yet issued a comment, though officials had previously urged citizens to help locate the missing officer in hopes of gaining leverage against Washington.During the rescue operation, Iranian media said strikes killed five civilians in the southwest. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it shot down a US aircraft searching for the officer near Isfahan and destroyed an MQ‑9 Reaper drone, labeling the US effort a “desperate attempt to cover up a huge defeat.”Additional US‑Israeli attacks in Ardabil province near the Azerbaijani border killed three people, and the IRGC warned that the United States’ “target bank is inaccurate,” dismissing Trump’s threats to strike bridges as “laughable.”Russia has evacuated another 200 staff from the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant after a deadly perimeter attack, while Iran’s foreign minister warned that such raids could expose the region to radioactive contamination.Tehran’s prosecutor’s office ordered the seizure and freezing of assets belonging to more than 100 high‑profile individuals accused of supporting the enemy abroad.In the Gulf, Iranian drones damaged two Kuwaiti power and desalination plants, shutting down two electricity‑generating units but causing no injuries. Bahrain’s civil‑defence teams extinguished a fire at an unspecified facility, also without casualties. Abu Dhabi halted operations at Borouge’s petrochemical plant after debris‑induced fires, and the UAE’s air defences responded to missile and drone attacks aimed at its aluminium industry. Former IAEA director‑general Mohamed ElBaradei urged Gulf nations to act before the situation “turns the region into a ball of fire.”President Trump confirmed the rescue on Truth Social, calling it “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.” Meanwhile, former Army chief of staff General Randy George submitted a farewell letter after his removal, and satellite‑imaging firm Planet Labs announced an indefinite blackout of Iranian and regional imagery at the request of the Trump administration. Two individuals claiming to be relatives of the late Iranian general Qassem Soleimani were detained in the US, though Iranian media later disputed the familial link.Israel reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen—the fifth such attack since the war’s start—and the Houthis, together with Iranian forces and Hezbollah, claimed a joint long‑range strike on Lod airport. Explosions were heard over Jerusalem, and missile attacks on Tel Aviv and central Israel wounded five civilians.In Lebanon and Syria, Israeli forces bombed the town of Kfar Hatta in Sidon, struck the southern city of Tyre after issuing evacuation warnings, and caused casualties in Maarakeh, where at least five people were reported killed.Energy markets are under pressure: OPEC is set to meet to decide May output policy after a modest April boost of 206,000 barrels per day. The war has driven crude prices above $100 per barrel, up from $65 before hostilities. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar and is expected to travel to the UAE as oil supplies remain disrupted. Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines reported that its LPG tanker Green Sanvi resumed Gulf crossing after being stranded. Iran announced it would allow Iraqi vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz despite maintaining a broader blockade, a move aimed at easing Iraq’s severe economic distress.

The conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel has taken a severe turn with a series of coordinated attacks on Iranian universities and infrastructure. A research center at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran was recently bombed, leaving it in ruins. This attack is part of a larger pattern of civilian sites being targeted by the US and Israel. Over 30 universities have been impacted since the start of the war on February 28, according to Hossein Simaei Saraf, the Iranian minister of science, research, and technology. The attacks have not only damaged educational facilities but also research centers, including those working on domestically made satellites and infectious diseases. The Pasteur Institute in Tehran, a renowned center for vaccine development and biological products, was also attacked, sustaining significant damage and disrupting health services. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the damage and noted that no casualties were reported. In addition to educational and healthcare facilities, over 20 healthcare facilities have been targeted since March 1, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The attacks have also affected schools, houses, and businesses, resulting in over 2,000 deaths and widespread destruction. The economic sector has not been spared, with petrochemical and steel factories being destroyed in recent bombardments. The US and Israel have also targeted critical infrastructure, including power plants and water desalination plants, which are civilian targets protected under international law. The Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have vowed to retaliate and escalate attacks across the region. The situation has drawn international condemnation, with over 100 US legal experts expressing concerns about potential war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law.

President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric on Thursday, stating that the United States has yet to begin a full‑scale campaign against Iran’s remaining infrastructure and hinting that bridges and electric power plants could be next targets. The comment followed the release of video showing a U.S. strike on the newly completed B1 bridge that connects Tehran to Karaj, an attack that Iran reports killed eight people and injured 95. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strike on civilian infrastructure, describing it as evidence of the “defeat and moral collapse” of the aggressor. In a statement posted on X, he warned that such attacks would not force Iran to surrender. The conflict, now entering its fifth week, has begun to ripple through regional and global markets. Instability around the Strait of Hormuz—a vital conduit for oil and gas—has prompted nations to scramble for alternative shipping routes. Satellite images this week captured smoke over Iran’s Qeshm Island, underscoring the heightened risk to infrastructure near the strategic waterway. Amid stalled negotiations with Iran’s new leadership, Trump’s intensified language comes as the United Nations Security Council prepares to vote on a resolution that could authorize member states to use “defensive means” to keep the strait open. Araghchi warned that any provocative action in the Council would only worsen the situation. Iranian media have begun listing potential retaliation targets, naming major bridges in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan as possible future strike points. The semi‑official Fars News Agency highlighted these crossings as vulnerable following the Karaj bridge attack. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for recent strikes on U.S.-linked industrial sites in the Gulf, including steel facilities in Abu Dhabi and aluminium plants in Bahrain. The IRGC warned that if attacks on Iranian industries continue, “the next response will be much more painful” and will focus on the occupier’s core infrastructure. Health infrastructure has also suffered. Iran’s Health Ministry reported that U.S. and Israeli raids severely damaged the Pasteur Institute of Iran, a key research center for diseases such as cholera and COVID‑19. Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour called the strike “a direct assault on international health security.” WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed the condemnation, noting that the institute is now unable to deliver health services. The WHO has documented more than 20 attacks on Iranian healthcare facilities since the start of March. In a separate claim, Iranian officials said air defenses downed a second U.S. F‑35 fighter jet over central Iran, suggesting the pilot’s survival was unlikely. The United States has not responded to the allegation. Israel’s military reported a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles, which triggered air‑defence alerts and caused damage to homes, vehicles, and a train station in Tel Aviv. The widening hostilities, combined with threats to critical energy and health infrastructure, highlight the growing regional volatility and its potential to disrupt global markets.

Argentina has taken a significant step in its diplomatic relations with Iran by expelling the Iranian charge d'affaires in Buenos Aires, Mohsen Tehrani. This move comes in response to Iran's rejection of Argentina's decision to blacklist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a 'terrorist' group.The Foreign Ministry of Argentina stated that Iran's response contained 'false, offensive and unfounded accusations against the Argentinian Republic and its highest authorities.' The ministry emphasized that these statements constitute unacceptable interference in Argentina's internal affairs and a deliberate misrepresentation of decisions adopted in accordance with international law and national law.Iran's Foreign Ministry had condemned Argentina's move against the IRGC, calling it an 'action against Iran's security and national interests.' Tehran accused Argentina of making this decision 'under the influence of inducements and pressures from the genocidal and occupying Zionist regime,' referring to Israel.The designation of the IRGC as a 'terrorist' group by Argentina follows similar moves by the US in 2019 and the European Union in January. Argentina's President Javier Milei, who has taken staunchly pro-Israel positions, described himself as 'the most Zionist president in the world.'The relationship between Argentina and Iran has been strained, particularly over the 1994 bombing of a Jewish centre in Buenos Aires, which an Argentinian court ruled was carried out by Iran. Iran has denied its involvement in the attack.Milei's government cited the 1994 attack in its decision to blacklist the IRGC. The Argentinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Iran of failing to cooperate with the probe or hand over suspects in the case, stating that 'The Argentine Republic will not tolerate grievances or interference from a State that has systematically failed to comply with its international obligations and that persists in obstructing the progress of justice.'

Thousands of Iranians assembled in Tehran for the funeral of senior IRGC naval commander Alireza Tangsiri, who was killed in an Israeli strike, vowing steadfast resistance even as the United States issued stark warnings.The ceremony took place on the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Republic, a milestone that marks the 1979 revolution that ended the centuries‑old monarchy.This year’s commemoration carries added weight as the capital endures relentless U.S.-Israeli bombardments that began on February 28."This war has lasted a month. No matter how long it takes, we will keep fighting," declared Moussa Nowruzi, a 57‑year‑old pensioner, adding, "We will resist until the end."Among the mourners, a young boy brandished a sign reading "Revenge", while massive Iranian flags fluttered as crowds filled Enghelab Square, the heart of the city named after the revolution.Chants of "God is greatest, Khamenei is the supreme leader" echoed through the square, and a man was seen sobbing in the arms of a woman dressed in black.Participants also honored relatives lost in the conflict, their faces displayed on placards, as Tangsiri’s coffin was carried slowly through the gathering.Tangsiri, one of the IRGC’s longest‑serving senior officers, was credited with orchestrating the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to vessels aligned with the United States and Israel during the ongoing war.Later that day, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the nation on television, reiterating that the war was inevitable and that America intended to "finish the job" in Iran.Trump previously claimed that Iran’s president had sought a truce—a statement Tehran denied—and warned that bombardments would continue until the Hormuz waterway was "open, free, and clear."Funeral attendees dismissed the president’s threats. "We have heard Trump say things that even the American public finds confusing," said Homa Vosoogh, 36, adding, "His statements do not affect us."Government employee Mohammad Saleh Momeni echoed the sentiment, asserting that Trump "cannot translate his words into action" and reaffirming their loyalty to Iran’s leadership.While the United States and Israel initially framed their campaign as a push for regime change, Trump’s stance has since wavered.According to the report, air strikes have claimed the life of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran for 36 years, yet the governing structure remains functional, retaining its missile and drone capabilities.Portraits of the late leader and his son Mojtaba Khamenei, who has yet to appear publicly, dominate public spaces throughout Tehran."They believe killing our commanders will weaken us, but it will not," Momeni asserted, describing the adversaries’ misconceptions.Despite a wave of anti‑government protests that peaked in January, a segment of the population continues to harbor hopes for political reform.

The conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran is now spilling onto academic grounds. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) publicly warned U.S. universities in nearby nations following weekend attacks on two Iranian campuses.According to Tehran‑based sources, at least 21 Iranian universities have sustained damage since the war erupted. The targeting of educational institutions marks a troubling escalation, raising questions about the strategic value of universities in modern warfare.In a recent podcast episode, Setareh Sadeqi, an assistant professor at the University of Tehran, discusses the motivations behind these strikes and the broader implications for Iran’s higher‑education sector. The program, produced by Al Jazeera’s AJ E Podcasts team, also explores how the “war on Iran” is extending beyond traditional battlefields into classrooms and research labs.Key takeaways include the IRGC’s threat to retaliate against U.S. institutions, the potential impact on international academic collaborations, and the symbolic message that disrupting knowledge hubs can weaken a nation’s resilience.Listeners can follow the discussion on X, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube via @AJEPodcasts.

Beirut, Lebanon – On 24 March, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi announced that Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, was declared persona non grata and ordered to depart by 29 March. Two days after the deadline, the envoy remained in Beirut, refusing to leave. The episode unfolds against a broader conflict that has already claimed more than 1,000 lives and displaced over 1.2 million people within a single month of Israeli military action in Lebanon. It also highlights a deepening schism in Lebanese politics between supporters of the pro‑Iranian Shia militia Hezbollah and those demanding its disarmament. Imad Salamey, a political scientist at the Lebanese American University, told Al Jazeera that the ambassador’s defiance is a symptom of a larger contest over legitimacy and authority. IRGC’s Strategic Role Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) helped forge Hezbollah in 1982 as a response to Israel’s invasion. Over the decades, Tehran’s billions of dollars in funding elevated Hezbollah to Lebanon’s most powerful political and military force. Hezbollah’s popularity peaked in 2000 after driving Israeli forces from south Lebanon, but subsequent engagements—including the 2006 war, the 2008 Beirut street battles, the Syrian civil war, and the 2019 domestic protests—have eroded its broader support. When Hezbollah entered open conflict with Israel on 8 October 2023, it enjoyed limited backing beyond the Shia community. By the November 2024 cease‑fire, the group was at a low point, with Israel having killed more than 4,000 Lebanese, including leader Hassan Nasrallah and much of Hezbollah’s command. International pressure then mounted for Hezbollah’s disarmament, prompting Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun to prioritize the issue. According to several analysts, the IRGC exploited the cease‑fire lull to dispatch officials to Lebanon, restructuring Hezbollah’s command and possibly ordering its re‑entry into the war on 2 March—just days after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was assassinated. Prime Minister Salam has publicly claimed the IRGC is “managing the military operation in Lebanon” and even accused Tehran of launching an attack on Cyprus. Ambassador Refuses to Exit In response to the perceived IRGC influence, Raggi’s declaration stripped Sheibani of diplomatic immunity. Dania Arayssi, senior analyst at the New Lines Institute, described the move as a “landmark decision” given Iran’s entrenched role in Lebanese politics. Iran’s Foreign Ministry, however, maintains that Sheibani will not depart, and Hezbollah has openly pledged to protect him, warning that any government attempt to disarm the militia will be met with “punishment.” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri—longtime Hezbollah ally—initially backed the government’s ban on Hezbollah’s military activity after the March re‑entry, illustrating the fluidity of alliances within Lebanon’s power‑sharing system. State Authority Tested Hezbollah’s renewed campaign, which includes dozens of cross‑border attacks and direct engagements with Israeli forces on Lebanese soil, is reshaping the political calculus. The militia’s revived confidence challenges the Lebanese government’s ability to enforce disarmament. While the ambassador remains protected inside the Iranian diplomatic compound—effectively beyond the reach of Lebanese law—critics argue that Tehran’s refusal to honor the expulsion order undermines the state’s authority, already weakened by months of war. Salamey summed up the dilemma: “The state is asserting its authority on paper, but internal divisions and competing claims of legitimacy constrain its practical power, testing the limits of Lebanon’s fragile power‑sharing arrangement.”

Coordinated strikes by United States and Israeli forces hit Tehran, Isfahan and several other Iranian cities on Tuesday, prompting widespread power outages and extensive damage to civilian sites. The Ministry of Energy confirmed that shrapnel from the raids ruptured a primary power‑transfer line, but the outage was restored within a few hours. Among the most critical targets was the Tofigh Darou pharmaceutical complex in the Karaj industrial zone. The facility, which supplies over 90% of Iran’s domestically produced medicines—including cancer and multiple‑sclerosis treatments—sustained heavy damage from multiple projectiles. In central Iran, Isfahan endured a barrage of heavy bunker‑buster bombs over a nearby mountainous area, likely aimed at military installations. The explosions triggered secondary blasts that illuminated the night sky and produced reverberating shockwaves across the city. North‑west of Tehran, in Zanjan, a building identified as the administrative department of the Hosseinieh Azam religious centre was struck, resulting in at least four fatalities and several injuries. Iranian authorities now claim that more than 2,000 people have been killed by US‑Israeli attacks since the conflict erupted on 28 February, with residential blocks, schools, hospitals and historic sites also affected. Additional targets this week included civilian nuclear facilities, major steel producers, petrochemical plants, and the Iran University of Science and Technology, where an imaging satellite was developed. A professor linked to Iran’s missile programme and his two children were assassinated at their home in northern Tehran. U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated threats to strike Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure, power plants and water‑desalination facilities. Despite the onslaught, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues to project defiance. A spokesperson for the Khatam al‑Anbiya Central Headquarters declared that Tehran’s adversaries are “humiliated and on the path of destruction,” while senior commander Ali Fadavi warned that American warships are vulnerable and allegedly transmit false transponder signals. The IRGC also released footage of ballistic missiles aimed at Israel and surrounding nations, and claimed to have downed two U.S. MQ‑9 Reaper drones, promising retaliatory strikes against technology firms linked to the United States and Israel. Domestically, the judiciary announced the execution of two members of the foreign‑based Mojahedin‑e‑Khalq (MEK) group, labeling them terrorists. This follows a series of recent executions tied to the January protests and broader dissent. Authorities also issued new indictments against roughly 200 individuals accused of assisting the U.S. and Israel, including alleged “mercenaries” who disseminated strike footage abroad. Penalties for national‑security offenses now encompass asset confiscation and capital punishment. President Masoud Pezeshkian convened his first cabinet meeting since the war’s onset in a makeshift, blue‑covered space, emphasizing that any peace negotiations will safeguard Iran’s “dignity, security and national interests.” Israel’s Channel 14 reported that Pezeshkian sought greater negotiating leverage with the United States, a request allegedly rebuffed by IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi.