Conflict Enters Day 29, Iranian Nuclear Facility Attacked Again, U.S. Claims War with Iran Will Continue for Several More Weeks

The military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran entered their 29th day on the 28th. Iran's nuclear facilities were attacked again. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated that the conflict with Iran will continue for several weeks. The G7 and EU foreign ministers called for a reduction in the impact of the Middle East conflict and its economic spillover. The United Nations Secretary-General established a special working group regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The G7 and EU foreign ministers called for a reduction in the impact of the Middle East conflict and its economic spillover

The foreign ministers of the G7 member countries and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a joint statement on the 27th regarding the situation in Iran, calling for efforts to reduce the regional impact of the current Middle East conflict and its economic spillover.

The statement emphasized the need to minimize the conflict's impact on regional partners, civilians, and critical infrastructure, and to coordinate humanitarian relief efforts, while also calling for an immediate cessation of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The statement also noted that establishing diversified partnerships, enhancing coordination, and supporting relevant initiatives would help mitigate the economic spillover of the conflict. The statement further called for the permanent restoration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The G7 foreign ministers' meeting was held from the 26th to the 27th in France to discuss issues such as the situation in Iran, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and global governance.

Merz: The U.S. and Israel cannot achieve "regime change" in Iran

German Chancellor Merz stated on the 27th that if "regime change is the goal of the U.S. and Israel's military actions against Iran," he does not believe this goal can be achieved.

While attending an event hosted by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Merz expressed hope for an early end to the conflict, but noted that the U.S. and Israel are "getting deeper and deeper" into it. He questioned whether the U.S. and Israel have a strategy to end the conflict; if they do, whether it can be successfully implemented.

Merz stated that the economic consequences of the conflict in the Middle East are "very direct," and Germany is one of the parties bearing the burden. Therefore, the German government will strive to ease the situation, ensure its own security, and act in coordination with European partners within the frameworks of the EU and NATO.

Merz also mentioned that if a ceasefire agreement is reached, Germany could consider organizing military escorts for humanitarian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz with other parties, but this would require international authorization as well as approval from the German Bundestag and government cabinet decisions. However, "as long as the conflict continues, this is not an option for us."

Iran's nuclear facilities attacked again; the International Atomic Energy Agency continues to call for "restraint"

After two nuclear facilities in Iran were attacked on the 27th, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) posted on social media, stating that its Director General Grossi "once again calls for military restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident."

The IAEA reported that it had received notification from Iran that a "yellowcake" production facility in Ardakan, Yazd Province, was attacked that day, with no reports of elevated radiation levels outside; the Khondab nuclear facility near the capital of Markazi Province was also attacked that day, but since the facility does not contain declared nuclear materials, no radiation risk was found. The IAEA is investigating the notification from Iran.

"Yellowcake" is a form of uranium oxide, typically extracted from crushed natural uranium ore. It is a necessary intermediate product in the nuclear fuel production process but cannot be used directly in nuclear reactors and is generally used for refining enriched uranium.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the Israeli military attacked two Iranian nuclear facilities that day.

Earlier that day, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Gharib Abadi, criticized Grossi on social media for not condemning the attacks on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities and for not issuing serious warnings about the impact of the war on Iran's safeguarded nuclear program and the potential consequences of using other destructive and illegal weapons.

Previously, the Natanz nuclear facility was attacked twice on March 1; a building within the Bushehr nuclear power plant was attacked on March 17; and on March 21, the Natanz nuclear facility was attacked again.

Tehran city area bombarded again

In the early hours of the 28th, Tehran, the capital of Iran, was bombarded again. Xinhua reporters at the scene observed multiple explosions in the northeastern part of the city, with flames shooting into the sky and the sound of warplanes overhead.

U.S. media: Iran attacks Saudi base; 10 U.S. personnel injured and several refueling aircraft damaged

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal on the 27th, informed officials from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia disclosed that Iran attacked the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. troops are stationed, resulting in 10 U.S. personnel being injured and several U.S. aerial refueling aircraft being damaged.

The report stated that at least one missile and several drones attacked the airbase. A building on the base was hit, and the injured U.S. personnel were inside that building at the time, with two sustaining serious injuries.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal citing U.S. officials, Iran launched a missile attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base, hitting five U.S. refueling aircraft parked on the ground. U.S. President Trump posted on social media the next day, acknowledging that U.S. refueling aircraft were attacked but emphasizing that no aircraft were destroyed, only one was damaged.

Additionally, U.S. media reported on the 27th that since the U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. personnel have died, and 303 have been injured. Currently, 10 remain in serious condition.

Iranian Speaker: The U.S. spreads a lot of false information to suppress oil prices

Iranian Islamic Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf stated on social media on the 27th that the U.S. is spreading a lot of false information to suppress oil prices, causing the market to become numb to it, "no one believes it anymore."

Ghalibaf stated that this approach "seems very strong, but it is not smart. (They) have played the false information card too early."

U.S. Secretary of State: The conflict with Iran will continue for several weeks; no meeting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict scheduled

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated on the 27th after attending the G7 foreign ministers' meeting in France that the military actions by the U.S. and Israel against Iran will continue for several weeks, and there are currently no meetings scheduled regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Before departing for home, Rubio told the media that he expects the military actions against Iran to conclude at an appropriate time, "we are talking about weeks, not months." According to a report from Axios, Rubio informed his G7 counterparts that the conflict will continue for "2 to 4 weeks."

Rubio stated that the U.S. can still achieve its military objectives against Iran, including destroying Iran's missile and drone capabilities, without deploying ground troops. He also mentioned that the U.S. has recently deployed thousands of additional troops to the Middle East to provide options for President Trump to respond to emergencies. He did not elaborate on this.

Rubio also stated that the weapons provided to Ukraine by the U.S. have not been redeployed to the Middle East, but the U.S. is open to this possibility.

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Rubio stated that there are currently no meetings scheduled on this issue. He also said that Ukrainian President Zelensky's recent comments about the U.S. suggesting Ukraine must cede the Donbas region in exchange for U.S. security guarantees are "lies." The U.S. informed Zelensky that security guarantees would only be available after the war ends.

The G7 foreign ministers' meeting was held from the 26th to the 27th in France, discussing issues such as the situation in Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The United Nations Secretary-General establishes a special working group regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz

UN Secretary-General Guterres' spokesperson Dujarric stated on the 27th that Guterres has established a special working group regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, with the core task of developing and proposing a specialized technical mechanism to alleviate the humanitarian needs and agricultural production affected.

Dujarric stated at a press conference that as the Middle East conflict evolves and faces further escalation risks, the interruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a chain reaction, impacting humanitarian needs and agricultural production in the coming months. Urgent action to mitigate these consequences is imperative.

Dujarric said that to address these challenges, the Secretary-General has established a special working group led by UN Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services Jorge Moreira da Silva. The core task of this working group is to develop and propose a specialized technical mechanism aimed at facilitating the trade of fertilizers, including the transportation and circulation of related raw materials.

Dujarric stated that the initiation and implementation of this mechanism will be closely consulted with relevant UN member states and will fully respect the sovereignty of each country and existing international legal frameworks. The Secretary-General's personal envoy, Jean Arnaud, will lead political engagement with relevant member states with the assistance of the working group. If successful, this mechanism will not only help member states build confidence in resolving conflicts through diplomatic means but will also be an important step towards a broader political resolution process.

Iran decides to facilitate the safe passage of humanitarian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Ali Baqeri, announced on social media on the 27th that, at the request of the UN, Iran has decided to facilitate and further expedite the safe passage of humanitarian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Baqeri stated that this measure reflects Iran's ongoing commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts and ensuring that essential aid reaches those in need without delay. The operational arrangements for implementation will be determined in due course with the UN. Iran is firmly committed to ensuring, maintaining, and safeguarding the security and stability of the Strait of Hormuz for all non-hostile nations.

Iranian Foreign Minister: Israel will pay a "heavy price" for its crimes of airstriking civilian facilities

Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian stated on social media on the 27th, in a strong statement regarding Israel's airstrikes on Iran's civilian nuclear facilities and other infrastructure that Israel will pay a "heavy price" for its crimes.

Amir-Abdollahian stated that Israel attacked Iran's two largest steel mills, a power plant, and civilian nuclear facilities, and claimed that the attacks were coordinated with the U.S.

Amir-Abdollahian pointed out that Israel's actions contradict statements made by U.S. President Trump the day before, and Iran will make Israel pay a "heavy price" for its crimes.

Trump posted on social media on the 26th, announcing a 10-day delay in the "destruction" of Iran's energy facilities.

Iranian media: U.S. and Israel airstrike Iran's Khondab heavy water reactor

According to a report by Iran's Fars News Agency on the 27th, the U.S. and Israel launched two rounds of airstrikes against Iran's Khondab nuclear facility that day, with no reports of casualties so far. This nuclear facility contains a heavy water reactor.

The report stated that due to prior safety measures taken at the Khondab nuclear facility, the consequences of this attack will not pose a danger to local residents.

The Khondab nuclear facility is located near the capital of Markazi Province, Arak. During the "12-Day War" between Israel and Iran in June 2025, the Khondab nuclear facility was attacked by the Israeli military.

The Israeli military confirms airstrikes on two Iranian nuclear facilities

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on the evening of the 27th that the Israeli military had attacked Iran's Khondab heavy water reactor and the uranium enrichment plant in Yazd Province, stating that it will continue to weaken Iran's "nuclear weapons program."

Pakistani Prime Minister: Pakistan is making diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East conflict

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz stated in a televised speech on the 27th that Pakistan is making sincere and comprehensive diplomatic efforts to help end the Middle East conflict, thereby shielding the countries in the region from its devastating consequences.

Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar stated on the 26th that the U.S. and Iran are conducting "indirect negotiations" through messages conveyed via Pakistan.

Comprehensive report by Xinhua News Agency