What Trump said: US President Donald Trump said Washington would target Iran’s critical infrastructure if talks fail. “If they don’t make a deal… we will destroy their energy sites,” he said, adding that the US could hit power plants, oil wells and “possibly” water desalination facilities.

Trump also claimed “serious” talks were underway and confirmed communication with Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, even as Iran denied direct negotiations. He has set a 6 April deadline for a deal and warned of further strikes on sites the US has so far avoided.

5 key developments | Day 32

• Netanyahu on war progress: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the conflict is “beyond the halfway point” in terms of military objectives, clarifying it does not refer to timeline.
• Tanker attack near Dubai: A Kuwait-owned oil tanker carrying around 2 million barrels caught fire after what officials described as an Iranian drone strike. Authorities said the blaze was contained and all 24 crew were safe, though risks of an oil spill remain.
• Strikes, outages in Iran and Israel: Blasts were reported in Tehran with temporary power cuts in parts of the capital, while Iranian missiles targeted central Israel without immediate reports of casualties.
• Global economic impact: Oil prices surged amid supply fears, with US fuel prices crossing $4 per gallon for the first time in over three years, while global markets showed volatility.
• Rising regional tensions: Three UN peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon, and thousands of US troops from the 82nd Airborne Division have begun arriving in the Middle East, expanding Washington’s military options.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that Washington “prefers diplomacy” but warned of “real consequences” if Iran continues actions such as restricting access through the Strait of Hormuz.

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The Indian Express Global Desk remains committed to rigorous verification. Follow our live blog below for real-time tracking of Operation Epic Fury, regional airspace status, and diplomatic efforts to contain the escalation.