Conflict Enters Day 17: U.S. Plans to Announce Formation of Hormuz "Escort Alliance," Iran Warns of Striking "Ford" Carrier Logistics

The military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran entered their 17th day on the 16th. The U.S. plans to announce the formation of a "maritime escort alliance" in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran released a battle report, warning of strikes on the logistics of the USS Ford aircraft carrier. The Iranian Foreign Minister stated that Iran has never requested a ceasefire from the U.S., nor has it even requested negotiations.

U.S. Media: The U.S. plans to announce the formation of a "maritime escort alliance" in the Strait of Hormuz

According to an exclusive report by the U.S. Wall Street Journal on the 15th, the U.S. government intends to announce the formation of the so-called "maritime escort alliance" in the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days. U.S. officials familiar with the matter stated that some countries have agreed to provide escort for vessels passing through this critical international oil shipping route.

These officials indicated that whether the escort operations would begin before the U.S. and Israel halt their large-scale military actions against Iran is still under discussion.

Iran releases battle report, warns of strikes on the logistics of the USS Ford aircraft carrier

The spokesperson for the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released a battle report on the 15th, stating that Iran has destroyed four U.S. terminal high-altitude area defense systems (THAAD) and has not yet utilized many of its missile stockpiles.

The Iranian Tasnim News Agency reported, citing this battle report, that Iran has so far hit 18 U.S. and Israeli-related vessels and tankers, and has included 200 key strategic targets in its strike plans, resulting in daily war expenditures for the U.S. and Israel reaching $1.5 billion.

The spokesperson for the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that Iran has launched approximately 700 missiles and 3,600 drones targeting U.S. and Israeli objectives, and that most of the missiles currently launched were produced about ten years ago, with many newer missiles developed after last June's "War of the 12th" instigated by Israel against Iran yet to be used.

The Tasnim News Agency reported that a spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces' Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that facilities providing logistics and services for the U.S. Navy's USS Ford aircraft carrier will be designated as strike targets.

The USS Ford carrier strike group is currently participating in the large-scale military operations by the U.S. and Israel against Iran in the Red Sea.

Iranian Foreign Minister: Never requested a ceasefire from the U.S., returning to the negotiating table has limited significance

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif stated in an interview with a program on CBS on the 15th that Iran has never requested a ceasefire from the U.S., nor has it even requested negotiations. Iran will continue to defend itself, "no matter how long it takes," until U.S. President Trump realizes that this is an "illegal war that cannot be won."

Zarif pointed out that it is the U.S. and Israel that instigated this war, and Iran is merely defending itself. He emphasized that previous negotiations with the U.S. were not fruitful, and returning to the negotiating table has limited significance. "We see no reason to talk to the Americans because when they decided to attack us, we were negotiating with them, and this has happened twice already."

Zarif's remarks were a response to Trump's statements. Trump stated in a phone interview with NBC on the 14th that Iran is ready to negotiate a ceasefire, but he is not yet ready to reach an agreement, "because the terms are not good enough."

According to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Zarif also mentioned in the interview that Iran only targets U.S. objectives, while the U.S. uses the territory of neighboring countries to attack Iran, and Iran cannot sit idly by.

Regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Zarif disclosed that some countries have contacted Iran, hoping that their vessels can safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He stated that Iran is willing to negotiate with these countries, with the final decision to be made by the Iranian military.

On Iran's nuclear program, Zarif pointed out that before the U.S. and Israel launched the war, Iran had already made significant concessions in indirect nuclear negotiations with the U.S., offering to dilute the enrichment of uranium to 60% to demonstrate that Iran has no intention of seeking nuclear weapons.

He stated that Iran's nuclear materials are currently buried under the ruins of nuclear facilities, and Iran does not plan to extract them for the time being. If extraction is needed in the future, it will be conducted under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have resulted in 850 deaths

According to a statement released by the Lebanese Ministry of Health on the 15th, the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 have resulted in 850 deaths and 2,105 injuries.

The statement noted that among the deceased are 107 children.

Comprehensive report from Xinhua News Agency