Israel preparing for ‘significant expansion’ of Iran, Hezbollah attacks - CNN

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi condemned Iran over the drone strike on fuel storage tanks at Oman’s Salalah port, saying the council states stand united behind Oman in defending its security, stability and territorial integrity.

Earlier Wednesday, Omani authorities confirmed drones struck fuel tanks at the port while others were shot down. Oman said the tanks were damaged but no casualties were reported.

Iranian media reported that President Pezeshkian told Oman’s sultan that the incident will be investigated.

The FBI warned police departments in California that Iran could retaliate for US strikes by launching drones at the US West Coast, ABC News reported, citing an alert sent to law enforcement agencies.

The alert said Iran had allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the US coastline targeting unspecified locations in California if the United States carried out strikes against Iran, according to the report.

“We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack,” the alert said, according to ABC News.

The warning was distributed to law enforcement agencies at the end of February, the report said.

IRGC-affiliated Fars News reported that Israeli drones targeted multiple checkpoints across Tehran on Wednesday evening, killing several security personnel and Basij members stationed there. The report described the attacks as “terrorist” strikes.

According to Fars, explosions and clashes were reported at several locations in the capital.

An unnamed official cited by the outlet said the attacks were a joint operation by Israel’s Mossad and monarchist groups aimed at infiltrating operatives and carrying out sabotage inside the country.

Israel told the UN Security Council it is conducting strikes in Lebanon to stop attacks by Hezbollah, which it said has fired hundreds of rockets, missiles and drones at Israeli communities since early March.

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon accused Iran of funding and directing Hezbollah, describing the group as a proxy operating in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

He warned Israel would continue military operations if Lebanese authorities do not curb Hezbollah’s activities.

The United States told the UN Security Council it strongly condemns attacks by Hezbollah against Israel and supports Israel’s right to defend itself.

US Ambassador Michael Waltz described Hezbollah as a proxy of Iran that does not represent the interests of the Lebanese people and referred to Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.

He welcomed the Lebanese government’s March 2 decision to ban Hezbollah’s military activities and urged Lebanese authorities to fully implement the decision and reassert state authority across the country.