Day 17: Trump Wants to Bomb Kharg for Fun, Iran Rejects Ceasefire, and Israel Plans Three More Weeks of Campaign

US President Donald Trump, in a Sunday interview for NBC's Meet the Press, declared that the island of Kharg had been "totally demolished" and that it could be bombed again "just for fun." When asked about a deal with Iran, Trump stated that Iran wants to negotiate, but "the conditions aren't good enough." He declined to specify what conditions he would accept, but indicated that ending Iran's nuclear program must be part of any agreement. NBC News ↗

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by appearing on CBS's Face the Nation, where he categorically rejected Trump's claims. "No, we have never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked for negotiations either. We are prepared to defend ourselves for as long as necessary," Araghchi said. According to him, Iran will continue to defend itself "until President Trump understands that this is an illegal war that cannot be won." NPR ↗

The Israeli military announced the start of a large-scale wave of strikes on the infrastructure of the Iranian regime in western Iran. An IDF spokesperson told CNN that the military is planning at least three more weeks of the campaign. Since the operation began on February 28, the Israeli air force has carried out approximately 400 waves of strikes in western and central Iran. A US strike on an industrial zone in Isfahan hit a factory producing heating and cooling equipment, killing fifteen civilians. CNN ↗

On Saturday, the Pentagon identified six crew members of a KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq on March 12. Killed were Major John A. Klinner of Alabama, Captain Ariana G. Savino of Washington, Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt of Kentucky, Captain Seth R. Koval of Indiana, Captain Curtis J. Angst of Ohio, and Technical Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons of Ohio. Three served at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida and three at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio. The total number of American casualties in the conflict now stands at thirteen. Washington Post ↗

After the Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV delivered his sharpest call yet to end the conflict. "In the name of the Christians of the Middle East and all people of good will — stop the fighting! Let the paths of dialogue be reopened," the Pope declared. This is a remarkable moment, as an American pope publicly criticizes a war being waged by his own country. Washington Post ↗

The International Energy Agency has approved the release of a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves, equivalent to just four days of global consumption. Analysts warn that the measure may temporarily calm markets but will not solve the problem of halted transport through the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the Trump administration temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil for shipments loaded by March 12, drawing criticism from Kyiv and European allies alike. Trump defended the move, saying: "I want to have oil for the world." Al Jazeera ↗

No country has yet publicly responded to Trump's call for nations to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright expressed hope that China would be a "constructive partner" in reopening the strait, but Beijing has not officially commented. Fifteen million barrels of oil and 5 million barrels of other oil products are stranded daily in the Gulf. NBC News ↗

The conflict is also affecting the world of sports. Formula 1 announced that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix planned for April will not take place for security reasons. A five-week break follows until the Miami Grand Prix. MotoGP has moved the Qatar Grand Prix from April to November. Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon hit the headquarters of Hezbollah's elite Radwan unit in Beirut. The death toll in Lebanon since the start of the war has risen to 850 dead and more than 2,000 wounded. CNN ↗