US deploys over 30 aerial refueling tankers to Middle East - CNN
The United States has deployed more than 30 aerial refueling tankers to the Middle East in recent days as part of contingency planning in the event of direct American involvement in the escalating conflict, CNN reported citing two US officials.
The tankers would enable Israeli fighter jets to extend their operations over Iranian airspace by providing in-flight refueling, the officials said.
They could also support US strategic bombers, including B-2 and B-52 aircraft, if President Donald Trump authorizes military action.
Iranian envoys reject negotiations under fire
Iranian ambassadors to Italy and Spain have warned that Israel is pushing for a wider regional war and ruled out any negotiations while airstrikes continue, calling instead for an immediate halt to hostilities.
Iran’s envoy to Rome, Mohammad Reza Sabouri, told Italian news agency Adnkronos that Israel is seeking escalation, not diplomacy, and described the country’s military actions as a violation of international law.
“We are not ready to negotiate under bombardment,” Sabouri said, but added that Iran remains open to talks with the United States once the violence stops, as long as peaceful nuclear development is not compromised.
He also cited Italy’s potential to play a constructive role and welcomed the idea of Russian mediation.
Separately, Iran’s ambassador to Spain, Reza Zabib, echoed the message, saying the war could end swiftly “if the aggressor is stopped,” referring to Israel.
Speaking to Spain’s COPE Radio, Zabib said Iran is acting in self-defense and called for accountability and reparations if the conflict ends.
Both diplomats emphasized Iran’s right to respond under Article 51 of the UN Charter, while asserting that any sustainable peace must involve guarantees to prevent future attacks.
Iran warns it will target US if found involved in attacks
Iran will retaliate against the United States if it determines that Washington is directly involved in attacks on its territory, Tehran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said on Wednesday.
“If we come to the conclusion that the United States is directly involved in attacks on Iran, we will start responding to the US,” Ambassador Ali Bahreini said.
Bahreini warned that Iran’s response to ongoing Israeli strikes would be without restraint, though he emphasized that it would remain “proportionate and in accordance with international law.”
“We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land. We will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint,” he said.
IAEA confirms strikes on two Iranian centrifuge facilities
Two Iranian centrifuge production sites were hit in recent strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Wednesday.
According to a statement shared on X, the IAEA reported that the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center were both struck.
“At Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where different centrifuge components were manufactured,” the agency said. At the Tehran site, “one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested.”
In response, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, sought to downplay the impact, saying: “The condition of nuclear facilities is good... the morale of our colleagues at the nuclear sites is excellent, and they are firmly continuing their work.”
