Trump stated that the operation against Iran is far ahead of schedule and has not yet concluded. Iran indicated a shift from 'proportional retaliation' to 'serial strikes,' claiming that the U.S. Navy has 'withdrawn' from waters near Iran; it confirmed attacks on two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that the U.S. and its allies have no right to passage. The UK reported that three ships were attacked in the strait on Wednesday; Macron mentioned that coordinating escort operations in the strait will take several weeks, and the G7 will organize the release of oil reserves in the coming days; Trump does not believe Iran mined the strait, stating that U.S. forces have nearly destroyed all Iranian mine-laying vessels; the U.S. military threatened to strike Iranian civilian ports used for military purposes in the strait. A preliminary U.S. military investigation attributed the attack on an Iranian school to a 'misstrike,' while the White House stated that investigations are ongoing.
The military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran have entered their twelfth day, with ongoing intensification in the contest over battlefield dynamics, strategic intentions, and control of key maritime channels.
According to CCTV News, US President Trump stated on Wednesday, March 11, that there were “almost no more targets worth striking” within Iran, and that the US military campaign against Iran was “about to conclude.” This statement clearly diverged from recent messages conveyed by the US and Israel. CCTV pointed out that officials from both nations confirmed they had not received any internal directives to halt military operations. Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated the same day that the joint US-Israeli actions against Iran had “no time limit until all our objectives are achieved.”
Later on Wednesday, Trump reiterated that the war was about to end but did not provide a timeline for when he believed it would conclude. Instead, he stated, 'We are not finished yet,' and that the United States needed to continue with 'the same actions.'
Trump hinted at the possibility of striking more Iranian targets, stating that the U.S. could do so if it wished. He downplayed the threat of mines in the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that he did not believe Iran had laid mines there, and claimed that the U.S. had nearly destroyed all of Iran's mine-laying vessels. According to CCTV, he also mentioned that the U.S. would utilize its strategic oil reserves to alleviate soaring oil prices due to the conflict with Iran, saying, 'We will cut back slightly, which will lower oil prices.'
On the same day, Iran signaled a hardline stance: the deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guard warned that the US might become embroiled in a “prolonged attrition war.” Iran’s armed forces announced they were abandoning their “proportional retaliation” strategy in favor of implementing “serial strikes,” reaffirming that the US and its allies had lost their right to passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
In response to the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced the release of a record 400 million barrels from strategic petroleum reserves, aiming to “offset supply losses caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz” in order to stabilize global energy markets. French President Macron, following a call with G7 leaders, stated that the G7 would coordinate the release of oil reserves in the coming days, adding that organizing escorts for ships through the Strait of Hormuz would take weeks. He also emphasized that the conflict with Iran required clear military and political objectives.
According to CCTV, Macron described the Strait of Hormuz as having become a 'battlefield.' The G7 held a meeting that day to discuss mechanisms ensuring freedom of navigation and maritime security. Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have already affected approximately one-third of global fertilizer trade, necessitating close attention to the impact of this situation on agricultural production. British Prime Minister Starmer, following the G7 meeting, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing the economic impacts of the conflict and reiterated the significance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the U.S. Central Command stated on Wednesday that Iran was using civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz for military purposes and threatened to take military action against these ports. The Iranian military responded by stating that, should such action occur, all ports in the region would become 'legitimate targets' for Iran.
According to Xinhua News Agency, European Commission President von der Leyen stated in the European Parliament in Strasbourg that the US-Israel-Iran conflict had caused a spike in oil and gas prices in Europe, resulting in an additional €3 billion in energy import costs for Europeans. The European Commission is evaluating several measures to reduce energy bills, including setting a price cap on natural gas.
Trump Claims Actions Against Iran Are Ahead of Schedule; US and Israeli Officials Do Not Follow Suit
According to Xinhua News Agency citing US media reports, Trump stated on Wednesday, March 11: “Whenever I want it [the military operation] to end, it will end. We are far ahead of schedule. The damage we’ve inflicted exceeded our initial expectations.”
However, this statement did not receive support within the United States and Israel. According to CCTV News, officials from both the U.S. and Israel stated that no internal directive to halt military operations has been received thus far.
According to reports, Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated during a meeting at the Israel Defense Forces headquarters on Wednesday that Israel's military actions against Iran would continue "indefinitely." He did not set any specific military objectives but instead placed the future trajectory of Iran in the hands of its own people, saying it ultimately depends on them: "We should continue doing this so that the Iranian people can rise up, take action, and overthrow this regime."
Subsequently, Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s opposition party and the left-wing Democratic Union, criticized Katz in a social media post, stating: "A war does not need a time limit; what it requires is an exit strategy and a defense minister who doesn’t resort to tricks. However, over the past two and a half years, the only thing this government has excelled at is opening fronts—only to become hopelessly entrenched."
According to Xinhua News Agency, Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar stated that Israel does not seek an "endless war" with Iran and will coordinate with the United States at an appropriate time to decide when to conclude military operations against Iran.
Additionally, according to CCTV, Trump again threatened to sever trade ties with Spain. He criticized the Spanish government for 'not cooperating at all' and accused it of 'not fulfilling its responsibilities' within NATO. Trump described the Spanish government's performance as 'terrible' and did not rule out the possibility of cutting off trade relations with Spain.
Iran Announces Shift in Strike Strategy, Claims U.S. Navy Has 'Fled' Waters Surrounding Iran
According to Xinhua News Agency citing Iranian media reports, a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces stated on Wednesday, the 11th, that Iran's previous "proportional retaliation" had ended, and from now on, a strategy of "chain strikes" would be implemented, continuing "until you are fully punished and regret your actions." The spokesperson declared that any vessels and oil shipments affiliated with the United States, Israel, and their allies would be considered legitimate targets for strikes.
According to CCTV News, Deputy Commander Fadavi of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that there are currently no U.S. naval ships within a 700-kilometer radius of Iran's waters and that the U.S. Navy has "fled" the area because the U.S. is "well aware that Iran has developed a special combat plan specifically designed to target and sink its aircraft carriers."
Fadavi also claimed that Iran’s armed forces shot down a U.S. F-15 fighter jet in southern Tehran and warned the United States to consider the possibility of becoming embroiled in a prolonged war of attrition, which he said could lead to "the complete collapse of the U.S. and even the global economy."
According to CCTV, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued Announcement No. 32 on the 11th, reporting on the 39th round of strike operations under "True Commitment 4," claiming that "devastating strikes" were carried out using "Qader," "Khorramshahr-4," and "Imam" missiles against U.S. military bases in the Gulf region. This was done to commemorate senior commanders such as General Musavi, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, who were killed in the attacks.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Iranian President Pezeshkian stated, "Anyone who attempts to destroy Iran knows nothing about history; invaders have come and gone, yet Iran has always stood firm." Iranian Vice President Hosseinzadeh stated that Iran will continue to defend its national territory while always seeking to resolve crises through dialogue.
According to CCTV News, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi posted on social media in response to an attack on a banking institution within Iran early Wednesday, stating, 'Our strong armed forces will retaliate for this crime.'
Iran confirms attacks on two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that the US and its allies have no right to pass through.
According to CCTV News, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran issued a statement on Wednesday, reiterating its 'absolute jurisdiction' over the Strait of Hormuz and confirming the use of force against two vessels. The statement said that the United States and its partners have lost the right to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the statement, the vessel 'Expres Room,' which is Israeli-owned and flies the Liberian flag, was hit by Iranian artillery and forced to halt operations after ignoring warnings from the IRGC Navy earlier that morning. The container ship 'Mayuree Naree' was struck by Iranian forces several hours earlier for attempting an illegal crossing of the strait and disregarding warnings.
The statement emphasized that every inch of the Strait of Hormuz is under the strict surveillance of the IRGC Navy, with no blind spots in control.
The IRGC stated that the United States and its allies have no right to pass through the strait. On the same day, Ali Reza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, also stated on social media that any vessel wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain permission from Iran.
According to reports, data from the maritime tracking provider MarineTraffic showed that both vessels were previously located in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to CCTV, Ali Reza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, also stated on social media that any vessel wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain permission from Iran.
According to reports, data from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) indicates that since the military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran on February 28, at least 13 vessels have been attacked near the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. On Wednesday alone, three ships were attacked near the Iranian coast, with one vessel struck in the Strait of Hormuz, another approximately 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, UAE, and a third near the UAE coast.
Reports on Wednesday indicated that the Iranian government had deployed around a dozen mines in the Strait of Hormuz. When asked whether Iran had mined the strait, Trump responded, 'We don't think so.' He also stated that the U.S. had almost destroyed all of Iran's mine-laying vessels.
Maersk announced on Wednesday the suspension of operations at the Port of Salalah in Oman, citing an emergency incident near the port that it was addressing.
According to reports, the activities of Western mainstream shipping companies crossing the Strait of Hormuz have largely come to a halt. However, vessel tracking data shows a slight increase in traffic related to Iran: eight merchant ships passed through on Tuesday, and another four early Wednesday, most of which are linked to Iran or have Chinese commercial backgrounds.
The report cited MarineTraffic data, stating that since March 6, at least six vessels have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, with most either disabling their Automatic Identification System (AIS) or attempting to conceal their true locations.
According to reports, German Foreign Minister Waldful stated at a press conference in Qatar that the Strait of Hormuz is "absolutely impassable at present" and "no party in the region believes it has the capability to provide adequate protection." He emphasized that resolving the issue of safe passage can only be achieved through diplomatic means, not military ones.
US military threatens to attack Iranian civilian ports in the Strait of Hormuz; Iran responds
According to Xinhua News Agency, the U.S. Central Command announced on social media that the Iranian navy has deployed warships and equipment within civilian ports and is utilizing these ports "to conduct military operations threatening international shipping." If civilian ports are used for military purposes, they will "lose protection" and "become legitimate military targets," and Iranian civilians should avoid entering these ports.
Later, Iranian Armed Forces Spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi told Iran's state television that if Iran's ports and terminals are threatened, all ports and terminals in the region will become "legitimate targets" for Iran.
U.S. Military Investigation Preliminarily Concludes 'Misidentification' of Iranian School; White House Says Investigation Ongoing
According to CCTV News, an ongoing internal U.S. military investigation has preliminarily concluded that during the February 28 airstrikes on Iranian military targets, a Tomahawk cruise missile "misidentified" and struck an elementary school located in Minab City in southern Iran.
The investigation indicated that the U.S. military "used outdated data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency" when selecting target coordinates, leading to the school being "incorrectly marked" as a military target. The building had "previously been part of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base but was converted into a school between 2013 and 2016."
Subsequently, White House Press Secretary Leavitt responded to reporters on Wednesday, stating that no final determination has been made regarding responsibility for the attack on the Iranian school and that "the investigation is still ongoing." When Trump was leaving the White House and was asked about the preliminary conclusion of the internal U.S. military investigation regarding the "misidentification," he responded, "I don’t know anything about it," without further comment.
CCTV mentioned that earlier reports claimed the airstrike on the school resulted in over 165 deaths, most of whom were children. Additionally, according to CCTV, Iran's Education Minister stated on Wednesday that, to date, the attacks by the United States and Israel have caused 206 students and teachers to lose their lives, with 161 injured.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Italian Prime Minister Meloni condemned the attack on the elementary school as a "massacre" on the same day, calling for a swift investigation to determine the responsible parties. She emphasized that while the US and Israel continue military operations against Iran, the safety of civilians, including children, must be ensured. She noted that Italy is providing air defense assistance to Gulf countries but will not participate in military actions targeting Iran.
According to CCTV News, the Iranian government released high-definition videos of missile debris from the attack on the elementary school. The debris clearly displayed serial numbers, origins, and manufacturer information of certain parts. Iranian authorities have repeatedly stressed that the US and Israel should be held accountable for the incident. Additionally, according to CCTV, the governor of Isfahan Province stated that Israel’s attacks on historical sites in the region constitute “cultural genocide.”
The US military claims to have struck over 5,500 targets in Iran. Reports indicate that at least 17 US facilities have been damaged due to Iranian attacks.
According to CCTV News, Commander Cooper of the US Central Command stated in a video message that the US military has conducted strikes against more than 5,500 targets within Iran, including over 60 vessels and various facilities related to ballistic missiles and drones. The objective is to weaken Iran's ability to carry out military operations against the United States and its allies.
According to reports by Xinhua citing US media, since the outbreak of the conflict, at least 17 US military bases and other facilities have been damaged in Iranian attacks, with some locations hit multiple times.
The report states that Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones at US military bases in the Middle East. While most were intercepted by the US, at least 11 US military bases were hit, including Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Belling Camp in Kuwait, and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The US embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as well as the consulate in Dubai, UAE, were attacked and temporarily closed.
US congressional officials revealed that an assessment report by the Pentagon estimated that damage from a single attack on the US Fifth Fleet Service Center in Bahrain amounted to approximately $200 million.
According to Xinhua, US Department of Defense Spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that since the US launched large-scale military operations against Iran on February 28, about 140 US service members have been injured, eight of whom sustained serious injuries.
Reactions from Iraq and Other Parties
According to reports, Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani, during a phone call with Iranian President Pezeshkian, stated that attacks on Iraqi territory are "unacceptable" and have undermined Iraq's efforts to end the conflict and restore dialogue. He reiterated that Iraq will not allow any party to use its territory as a base for attacks against Iran.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Sudani stated during the call that Iraq opposes and condemns the 'unjust war' against Iran, reiterating Iraq's commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability as well as the safety of all brotherly nations.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Russian President Putin held a phone conversation with Iranian President Pezeshkian to exchange views on the situation in the Middle East. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova stated that the airstrike targeting the Isfahan provincial government building in Iran affected the nearby Russian Consulate General in Isfahan, knocking down several staff members due to the blast wave. No fatalities or serious injuries were reported. Russia has demanded that all parties strictly respect the inviolability of diplomatic missions.
According to U.S. media, sources revealed that Russia is currently providing Iran with specific tactical advice on drone operations.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Canadian Prime Minister Carney stated that Canada did not participate in the military actions against Iran by the U.S. and Israel, and 'will never participate.' A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the 'illegal military attack' by the U.S. and Israel. UNESCO issued a statement calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and ensure the safety of people and cultural heritage.
According to CCTV citing a statement from the British Prime Minister’s Office, G7 leaders held a phone call on Wednesday to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and how to address the economic impacts of the situation. British Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the need for countries to cooperate in mitigating the economic effects of the conflict, welcomed the decision by IEA member states to release strategic oil reserves, and reaffirmed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
On another marginal issue, according to CCTV News, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali stated this Wednesday that given the current situation, the Iranian team 'has no conditions to participate in the World Cup' and 'absolutely cannot compete.' However, multiple sources indicate that it remains unclear whether this represents Iran’s final decision. Previously, FIFA President Infantino stated that Trump reiterated his welcome for the Iranian team to compete in the U.S. during their meeting.
Editor/Stephen
