LIVE: Message Urges Iranians to Defend Country Amid Trump's Fresh Threat
Spain closes airspace for US planes involved in Iran war
Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in the Iran war, Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Monday.
Spain had already said the US could not use jointly operated military bases in the country for operations related to the Middle East conflict.
Israeli military says a sixth soldier was killed in Lebanon
The soldier was killed in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
Israeli troops have invaded Lebanon after Hezbollah launched hundreds of projectiles in the past month toward Israel.
Israel says it needs to establish a security zone in the depopulated south to shield its own northern communities. Lebanese officials say more than 1,200 people have been killed and more than 1 million have been displaced in the country.
Israel military says soldier killed in south Lebanon
The Israeli military on Monday said a soldier was killed a day earlier in combat in southern Lebanon, bringing to six the number of troops killed since fighting with Hezbollah started earlier in March.
"Sergeant Liran Ben Zion, aged 19, from Holon... fell during combat in southern Lebanon," the military said.
Israel media reports impact on oil refinery in Haifa
Israeli television channels reported an impact at an oil refinery in the northern city of Haifa on Monday, shortly after the military said it had detected new incoming missiles from Iran.
Television network Channel 12 showed thick black smoke billowing into the sky from the site.
Iran confirms killing of Guards navy commander Alireza Tangsiri
Iran confirmed on Monday that Revolutionary Guards commander Alireza Tangsiri had been killed, days after Israel said it targeted him in an air strike.
A statement carried by the Guards' Sepah News website said Tangsiri "succumbed to severe injuries" from the attack.
Bahrain contains fire in a commercial building after attack
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said the fire broke out in a commercial building in Al Dair, a coastal village near Bahrain International Airport. There were no injuries. It added that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.
China backs Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the US
“We appreciate Pakistan’s efforts to help de-escalate the situation, support Pakistan in continuing to play a mediating role,” said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
She told a daily briefing in Beijing that China is ready to coordinate with Pakistan and any other relevant party “to jointly promote peace and cease hostilities to safeguard regional peace and stability.”
Pakistan Says Ready to Facilitate US-Iran Talks Within Days
Pakistan’s foreign minister said Islamabad was ready to facilitate peace talks between the US and Iran in the coming days as the war in the Middle East intensified into its fifth week. “Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate their talks,” Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also the deputy prime minister, said in a televised briefing on Sunday. “Pakistan will be honored to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict.”