Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will suspend further attacks on Iranian gas facilities following a request from US President Donald Trump, as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Netanyahu confirmed that Israel would “hold off” on targeting gas infrastructure after discussions with Washington. He also rejected claims that he had drawn the United States into the conflict, insisting Israel was acting independently.

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The announcement came as explosions were reported in both Jerusalem and Tehran, underlining the ongoing hostilities despite the apparent shift in Israeli strategy.

Earlier, Iran’s foreign minister had warned that Tehran would respond with “zero restraint” if further attacks were carried out against its infrastructure, signalling the risk of further escalation.

In recent hours, several Gulf countries have reported missile and drone strikes. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain attributed the attacks to Iran, while Kuwait and Saudi Arabia also confirmed incidents affecting their territories.

Rising casualties and humanitarian concerns

The conflict, which began in late February, has led to a mounting death toll. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said the number of people killed in Iran had risen to 3,186 since the start of the war on 28 February.

The figures highlight the growing humanitarian impact of the conflict, as fighting continues across multiple fronts in the region.

Energy infrastructure under pressure

The war has also had significant consequences for global energy markets. Prices have risen sharply in Europe and the United Kingdom following an attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan energy complex.

Qatar’s prime minister described the strike as a “very dangerous escalation,” reflecting concerns about the targeting of critical infrastructure linked to global energy supplies.

The decision by Israel to pause further attacks on Iranian gas fields may ease some immediate fears of disruption, though uncertainty remains high as both sides continue military operations.

Regional tensions remain high

Despite the temporary restraint announced by Israel, the broader conflict shows little sign of de-escalation. Ongoing strikes, retaliatory threats and widening regional involvement have raised fears of a prolonged crisis.

Diplomatic efforts to contain the situation have so far struggled to gain traction, with both sides maintaining firm positions.

Observers say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the pause in attacks on energy facilities leads to a wider reduction in hostilities or proves to be a limited measure amid an intensifying conflict.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 20 March 2026

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He started off by saying he wasn't dead ☹️

Time for a TACO. Dear leader is getting slammed at home and Bibi is late for his appointment in Belgium. Time to send the brats to bed.

He’s like a wet snot stuck on the tip of your finger. One moment you think you’ve flicked it off only to find it’s now on the other finger.

23 hours ago, johng said:

He started off by saying he wasn't dead ☹️

...and disappointed millions worldwide.

Donnie really thought he could control Bibi?!? Tell me another one!

34 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Donnie really thought he could control Bibi?!? Tell me another one!

At least as well as he controls Vlad. They must have great compromat.

Well that and the Iranian counter attack on the Israeli oil refinery at Haifa.

Bibi is your boss, Trump is winning, Iran is a smoking hole, America is going fine and your dreams of the final solution and the caliphate are gone......carry on with the hysteria LOL

16 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Bibi is your boss, Trump is winning, Iran is a smoking hole, America is going fine and your dreams of the final solution and the caliphate are gone......carry on with the hysteria LOL

You did get the bit about the U.S. military being told they are engaging in the war that will result in the biblical ‘ rapture’?

It’s worth reading how that particular nut job set of beliefs works out for the Jews.

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You did get the bit about the U.S. military being told they are engaging in the war that will result in the biblical ‘ rapture’?

No, did you? US Government policy? Or some carpet chewers deranged diatribe that you take the time to read and collect?

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s worth reading how that particular nut job set of beliefs works out for the Jews.

LOL. They are the boss, all the loon anti-semites are apparently getting more and more frantic

8 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

No, did you? US Government policy? Or some carpet chewers deranged diatribe that you take the time to read and collect?

LOL. They are the boss, all the loon anti-semites are apparently getting more and more frantic

The whole of the Trump administration are carpet chewers.

Nobody is disputing that the tail is wagging the dog.

https://theconversation.com/evangelical-holy-war-why-some-christians-think-trump-will-end-the-world-277617#:~:text=Soldiers%20in%20the%20United%20States,much%20of%20the%20Middle%20East.

11 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The whole of the Trump administration are carpet chewers.

Nobody is disputing that the tail is wagging the dog.

https://theconversation.com/evangelical-holy-war-why-some-christians-think-trump-will-end-the-world-277617#:~:text=Soldiers%20in%20the%20United%20States,much%20of%20the%20Middle%20East.

So not US government policy, just the rantings of some loon.

23 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

So not US government policy, just the rantings of some loon.

No, it goes much deeper than that.

Huckabee is probably the most vocal and highly placed gov't official to promote that lunacy.

He's not alone, he has the backing of Christian fundamentalists all over the country - not just in the deep south.

Just now, AnnaBanana said:

Huckabee is probably the most vocal and highly placed gov't official to promote that lunacy.

He is entitled to his religion and opinion, Republicans are a big tent without an ideological test. Of course your lot hates Christianity too. All relgionss have their loons, some are just loonier than others.

When was the last time a mainstream Christian fundamentalist strapped on a suicide vest LOL

3 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

He is entitled to his religion and opinion, Republicans are a big tent without an ideological test. Of course your lot hates Christianity too. All relgionss have their loons, some are just loonier than others.

When was the last time a mainstream Christian fundamentalist strapped on a suicide vest LOL

Why would they do the dirty work themselves when the Zionists will do it for them with alacrity?

8 minutes ago, AnnaBanana said:

Why would they do the dirty work themselves when the Zionists will do it for them with alacrity?

What will the "Zionists" do with alacrity? Havent seen many fundamentalist Hasids with bombs in their silly hats. Oh wait, they arent Zionists, they hate Israel. How does your lot handle the Jews in your ranks? Goering style?

Funny, that Rapture idea was really woken up for me in the show, Left Behind. 1/3 of the world's population disappearing would give us a lot more breathing room and maybe even save the planet.

2 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Funny, that Rapture idea was really woken up for me in the show, Left Behind. 1/3 of the world's population disappearing would give us a lot more breathing room and maybe even save the planet.

Which 1/3? Random?

9 hours ago, Yagoda said:

So not US government policy, just the rantings of some loon.

Who claimed it was ‘US Government policy’?

A bunch of rightwing Christian zealots think they are engaged in triggering the end of times.

Dangerous lunatics supported and defended by idiots.

4 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Which 1/3? Random?

I suggest you read the whacked out ‘theology’ of ‘the rapture’ to learn who gets ‘left behind’ and precisely what being ‘left behind entails’.

9 hours ago, Yagoda said:

He is entitled to his religion and opinion, Republicans are a big tent without an ideological test. Of course your lot hates Christianity too. All relgionss have their loons, some are just loonier than others.

When was the last time a mainstream Christian fundamentalist strapped on a suicide vest LOL

When was the last time a mainstream fundamentalist (any faith) strapped on a suicide vest?

If you are going to smear the whole of a religious group with the actions of the fringe violent lunatics you’ll need to take on board the KKK, Baruch Kopel Goldstein, Anders Breivik and many others.

17 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I suggest you read the whacked out ‘theology’ of ‘the rapture’ to learn who gets ‘left behind’ and precisely what being ‘left behind entails’.

Ill worry about the rapture when it happens.

21 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Who claimed it was ‘US Government policy’?

A bunch of rightwing Christian zealots think they are engaged in triggering the end of times.

Dangerous lunatics supported and defended by idiots.

Got it. I wonder how many civilians they have murdered

PS, I thought the Jews were the bad guys.

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

I’ll worry about the rapture when it happens.

In the meantime we all get to suffer the attempt by rightwing Christian lunatics to kick it off.

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

In the meantime we all get to suffer the attempt by rightwing Christian lunatics to kick it off.

Yeah thats going to happen LOL. Hows your peace loving Iranian heroes doing/?

33 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Yeah thats going to happen LOL. Hows your peace loving Iranian heroes doing/?

Give it up, man.

Your canned pro-Israel narrative and talking points have lost all credibility in the face of the well-documented atrocities committed by this genocidal, apartheid regime.

59 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Got it. I wonder how many civilians they have murdered

PS, I thought the Jews were the bad guys.

I can’t answer for your hate on Jews.

57 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Yeah thats going to happen LOL. Hows your peace loving Iranian heroes doing/?

I don’t have any ‘Iranian heroes’.

Not supporting this illegal Israeli/US war of aggression against Iran is not a statement of having any ‘Iranian heroes’.

Bombing these oil and gas facilities is about as reckless, malicious and thoughtless as it comes, and it's going to take Iran years to rebuild these facilities, it's contributing to the destruction of oil facilities in the region that Iran is attacking in retaliation, and this is going to decimate the world economy. Netanyahu is a war criminal as is Trump, and they are both committing acts that will set America back a decade economically.