Iran Issues Warning to US as Regional Leaders Gather in Pakistan

Iran's parliament speaker warns that Iranian forces are prepared to confront any US ground troops while regional powers meet in Pakistan to discuss ending Middle East conflicts. The ongoing monthlong war has disrupted global oil supplies and shipping routes, with Iranian-backed Houthis now joining the conflict.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf delivered a stark warning to the United States Monday, declaring that Iranian forces “are waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever.”

Qalibaf continued with defiant remarks: “Our firing continues. Our missiles are in place. Our determination and faith have increased.”

These threatening statements emerged as regional leaders convened in Pakistan seeking solutions to end the Middle Eastern conflicts, coinciding with approximately 2,500 U.S. Marines deploying to the area and Iranian-supported Houthi rebels joining the monthlong conflict.

The ongoing warfare has created widespread economic disruption, threatening worldwide oil and natural gas supplies while causing fertilizer shortages and interrupting air transportation. Iran’s control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz has created market instability and price fluctuations.

The Houthis’ involvement raises concerns about additional damage to international shipping, particularly if they resume attacking vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near the Red Sea, a waterway that handles approximately 12% of global trade.

UN Peacekeeper Fatality in Southern Lebanon

Early Monday, UNIFIL reported that one United Nations peacekeeper died and another sustained critical injuries when an explosive projectile hit their position close to a southern Lebanese village.

Officials stated that the “origin of the projectile” remained undetermined.

The mountainous border region where UNIFIL forces conduct patrols has experienced decades of cross-border conflicts.

Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants engaged in comprehensive warfare in 2024 and are currently fighting again after Hezbollah aligned with Iran in launching attacks against Israel in the present conflict. Israel has deployed thousands of soldiers across the Lebanese border.

Israel Reports Preventing West Bank Attacks

Israeli military forces shot two individuals they determined posed threats during separate overnight incidents in the occupied West Bank, resulting in one death and “neutralizing” the other, according to early Monday military statements.

Military reports indicate one knife-wielding man charged toward soldiers near Dura in the southern West Bank and was fatally shot. Another individual accelerated his vehicle toward troops near a village north of Jerusalem, prompting soldiers to open fire.

Holy Sepulchre Receives Limited Prayer Authorization

Israeli police announced approval of a “limited prayer framework” allowing worship at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre as the sacred Holy Week period begins.

Jerusalem’s Old City religious sites important to Christians, Jews and Muslims have remained shuttered throughout the Iran conflict due to security concerns. Earlier this month, debris from intercepting an Iranian missile landed on a rooftop near the church, which Christians consider the crucifixion site of Jesus.

Police officials said they collaborated with a representative of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch who had been previously denied entry, and promised additional details about permitted activities would follow.

Israeli Forces Intercept Yemeni Drones

Israel’s military confirmed its air force successfully intercepted two unmanned aircraft launched from Yemen during early Monday morning hours.

The Iranian-supported Houthi rebels took credit for their initial attack in the current conflict — a missile launched at Israel that was also intercepted — early Saturday morning.

Northern Iran Petrochemical Plant Hit

Iranian news outlets reported early Monday that a Tabriz Petrochemical facility in the country’s northern region was struck. Officials confirmed no dangerous materials were released.

The company processes oil and natural gas into chemical products used for manufacturing everyday items including plastics and various chemicals.