Iran vows 'retaliation' for Kharg Island hit, France denies Lebanon peace plan

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in an interview with MS Now on Saturday that Tehran will "certainly retaliate" for US strikes on Kharg Island Friday night.

Araghchi echoed claims made earlier by Iranian officials asserting that the strikes were launched from Emirati territory. President Donald Trump noted following the operation that the island’s oil infrastructure had been spared, but issued a stern warning: “Should Iran, or anyone else, interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”

The island accounts for approximately 90% of Iran’s crude exports and the Islamic Republic has previously designated any attack on the island as a red line.

The Gulf continues to reel from a series of Iranian attacks. Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority reported that a drone strike caused a fire at the country’s international airport. Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia also reported drone and missile attacks on Saturday.

In the United Arab Emirates, a fire broke out near Fujairah port following the interception of an Iranian drone, while the US Embassy in Baghdad was set ablaze during a separate Iranian assault.

The Israeli military stated Saturday it has launched 400 waves of strikes on Iran since the conflict began on Feb. 28. Overnight targets reportedly included a factory producing aerial defense systems in Tehran. 

Simultaneously, Israel continues to strike Lebanon. The French Foreign Ministry denied reports that the government has drafted a plan to end the fighting there. 

As the death toll reached 826 with over 800,000 people displaced, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the hostilities during a visit to Beirut. “They were dragged into it,” he said, referring Lebanese civilians.