Iran war: What is happening on day 32 of US-Israel attacks?

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said US war objectives would be achieved in ‘weeks’.

As the war on Iran enters day 32, US and Israeli air strikes continue across Iran, with powerful explosions reported in Tehran and Isfahan.

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said communication between Tehran and Washington is ongoing, mostly through intermediaries, adding US war objectives would be achieved in “weeks, not months”.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s main oil export hub and energy infrastructure if no deal is reached soon.

In Iran

Hormuz plan: State media reported that a parliamentary commission approved tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas route effectively closed by the war.
Trump threatens Kharg Island: Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s oil export hub of Kharg Island, oil wells and power plants if no deal is reached soon.
Strikes on Tehran and Isfahan: Israel and the US continued with their bombardment, with powerful explosions reported in Tehran and Isfahan.
Tehran sceptical of US talks: Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Vall said Iranian leaders are focused on the war effort as they deeply distrust the US, believing Washington is not genuinely ready for negotiations on ending the war.
87th wave of attacks: Iran’s latest wave of regional attacks – the 87th in a month – was launched by the country’s navy. Vall said it serves as a “very strong message to the US”, proving Washington’s claims of obliterating Iran’s naval forces to be untrue.
IRGC confirms Tangsiri death: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the death of its naval commander, Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, who was killed in an Israeli strike recently.

War diplomacy

In the Gulf

Attack on Kuwaiti oil tanker: Iran launched a “direct and criminal” attack on the Al-Salmi, a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker stationed at Dubai port.

Missile interceptions in Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia says it intercepted at least eight ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and the energy-rich Eastern province.

Gulf leaders condemn escalation: During a summit in Jeddah, the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan jointly condemned Iran’s attacks on key civilian facilities.

Regional alerts: The conflict’s spillover has put neighbouring states on high alert, with Bahrain activating sirens and urging its residents to head to the nearest safe place.

Araghchi calls to ‘eject US forces’ from region: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it is “high time” for US troops to leave their bases in Gulf states.

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In the US

Rubio confirms indirect talks: Much of the communication between Tehran and Washington is indirect and through intermediaries, but messages and some direct contacts are continuing, Rubio told Al Jazeera.

Hormuz: Rubio said the waterway will remain open regardless of Iran’s actions.

US war aims ‘weeks, not months’: The state secretary said US war objectives could be achieved “in weeks, not months” and that it was on track after destroying Iran’s air force and much of its navy.

US troops file complaints: More than 200 US soldiers have filed complaints regarding superior officers using religious rhetoric to justify the war.

US supports Israeli law: The US State Department publicly supported Israel following the Israeli parliament’s approval of a law that allows the execution of Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks.

‘Decisive’ days: Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the next days of the Iran war will be “decisive” while refusing to rule out US ground forces playing a role in the conflict.

In Israel

Israel says war goals over halfway: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the war on Iran had achieved more than half its aims, without putting a timeline on when it would end.

Israel says it struck IRGC university: Israel’s military said it had struck the Imam Hossein University in Tehran, run by the IRGC, claiming the institution was used for advanced weapons research.

Fire at Haifa refinery: A large blaze ignited at Israel’s Haifa oil refinery after it was hit by debris from the interception of a projectile on Monday.

In Lebanon, Iraq

UN peacekeepers killed in Lebanon: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said two of its personnel were killed in a blast in the country’s south on Monday, after another peacekeeper was killed a day earlier.

Drone attack targets US embassy in Baghdad: One civilian was wounded late on Monday in Iraq’s capital after shrapnel from an intercepted drone attack targeting the embassy fell into their neighbourhood, a police source said.

Oil, food and gas crises

Surging oil prices: The conflict is directly affecting the US economy. The US benchmark for crude oil, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), breached $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022. The average price of petrol at bunkers has crossed $4 a gallon for the first time since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Norway cuts fuel taxes: Norway will temporarily cut its taxes on petrol and diesel to counter rising prices as the Middle East war disrupts global energy supplies.

Bangladesh orders energy-saving measures: Bangladesh has ordered civil servants to switch off lights and turn down air conditioning to save power as the war worsens its energy crunch.

Save fuel, EU says: The EU urged member states to try to push down domestic demand for fuel in the face of surging energy prices caused by the war.