U.S. Airstrikes Target Iranian Military Positions Near Chabahar Free Trade Zone
WASHINGTON — U.S. fighter jets have reportedly carried out airstrikes on Iranian military positions near the Chabahar Free Trade Zone in southeastern Iran, according to media reports.
Explosions were heard in areas behind the Chabahar Free Trade Zone, Al Jazeera reported, citing Voice of America’s Persian-language service. The zone is located in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province near the border with Pakistan.
The reported strike comes amid an escalating conflict across West Asia that began following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. The strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior military officials.
Iran has since launched drone and missile attacks targeting U.S. assets and civilian infrastructure, including airports, ports and oil facilities across the Gulf region.
As the conflict entered its third week, global energy markets have remained under pressure due to a sharp reduction in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
Senior officials in the Trump administration said the conflict could end within weeks.
Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the administration believes the military campaign is advancing rapidly.
“Hey, there’s no guarantees in wars at all,” Wright said during an interview with ABC News anchor Martha Raddatz.
But he added that officials expect the conflict to conclude soon.
“I think that this conflict will certainly come to an end in the next few weeks, could — could be sooner than that,” Wright said.
Iranian officials, however, rejected suggestions that Tehran is seeking a ceasefire.
In an interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi denied that Iran had requested either a ceasefire or negotiations with Washington.
“No, we never asked for a cease-fire, and we have never asked even for negotiation,” Araghchi told CBS moderator Margaret Brennan.
He said Iran would continue responding militarily to what it described as U.S. aggression.
“We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,” Araghchi said.
The Iranian foreign minister also accused the United States of initiating the conflict and blamed President Donald Trump for escalating the situation.
“This is a war of choice by President Trump and the United States, and we are going to continue our self-defense,” he said.
Araghchi dismissed claims that Iran needed negotiations to survive the conflict.
“No, it’s not a war of survival. We are stable and strong enough,” he said. (Source: IANS)
