Drone, rockets hit American embassy in Baghdad; Trump slams ‘foolish’ NATO, says US capable of handling crisis alone
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, visits Hezbollah’s office in Tehran, Iran, October 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters/ File
DUBAI/JERUSALEM:
Iran on Tuesday rejected proposals aimed at de-escalating the conflict, as Israel claimed it had killed Iran’s powerful national security chief in an airstrike, while drone and rocket attacks struck the heavily fortified US embassy in Baghdad, igniting fires on the compound.
With the war now in its third week showing no sign of abating, President Donald Trump lashed out at “foolish” NATO, saying the United States needs no help after its allies rebuffed his calls to join efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior Iranian official, speaking anonymously, said the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, held his first foreign policy session and dismissed foreign offers to reduce tensions or negotiate a ceasefire.
The official cited a determination to continue resistance “until the United States and Israel are brought to their knees, accept defeat, and pay compensation.” He did not say whether Khamenei attended the session in person or remotely.
Iran has not confirmed claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, who claimed National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani was martyred in an airstrike on Tehran.
Israel’s strikes targeted the Basij paramilitary force. The Basij, heavily involved in quelling recent protests, face additional pressure as Israeli forces systematically target their positions across the Iranian capital. Israel claimed Basij force head Gholamreza Soleimani also died.
The IRGC has confirmed death Soleimani. Larijani, 68, had long been central to Iran’s strategic diplomacy and military planning. Close to the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he rose to prominence as the regime’s principal figure for survival strategy, regional policy, and defence coordination.
Despite war, Iran mobilised domestic support, calling for nationwide rallies to counter “enemy plots” during Nowruz – the Persian New Year – celebrations. In response, Iranians took to the streets to show solidarity, highlighting the leadership’s control over domestic affairs.
Meanwhile, air raid sirens rang across Israel, with blasts heard as far away as Jerusalem. Iranian missiles have killed at least 12 people in Israel so far. The barrage underscores Tehran’s ability to conduct long-range strikes even after weeks of sustained US and Israeli attacks.
In Iraq, drone and rocket attacks struck the heavily fortified US embassy in Baghdad, igniting explosions and flames on the edge of embassy grounds. Iraqi officials said Iran-backed groups have carried out several attacks against American interests in Baghdad and across the region. Abu Dhabi and Qatar also experienced missile and drone strikes, causing fires and casualties.
The conflict has devastated Gulf energy infrastructure. The UAE port of Fujairah faced a third attack in four days, halting oil loading at the strategic export terminal. UAE authorities said debris from an intercepted missile also killed a Pakistani national in Abu Dhabi.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane through which roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, remains effectively closed. Trump described European, British, and Asian refusal to assist in reopening the strait as a “very foolish mistake.”
Trump said in a post on Truth Social, “Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need,’ or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID!” He emphasised that the US was capable of handling the crisis alone.
President Trump downplayed the resignation of Joseph Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, calling him “very weak on security” and asserting the war was necessary to prevent an imminent Iranian threat to the United States.
Kent resigned in protest against the US-Israeli war. “I cannot in good conscience support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people,” he wrote. Kent cited pressure from Israel and its American allies as driving the conflict.
Global energy markets have surged amid the ongoing crisis. Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel, with airlines including SAS, Air France-KLM, and Qantas cancelling Middle East flights or raising fares.
As the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the International Chamber of Shipping warned that thousands of seafarers are trapped on vessels in the region, facing shortages of fuel, water, and supplies.
The human toll of the war continues to climb. Iran has reported over 1,300 deaths and 7,000 injuries since the conflict began. In addition, regional economic infrastructure also continues to suffer.
The ongoing conflict demonstrates the multi-front nature of the war, with military, economic, and humanitarian dimensions spanning Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and the Gulf. Each day brings new attacks, reprisals, and diplomatic tensions, while global leaders struggle to contain the crisis.
European Union officials have urged diplomatic solutions to the crisis. Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy chief, said it was essential to prevent food, fertiliser, and energy crises by keeping shipping channels open.
