Bahrain activates alarm sirens, urges public to seek shelter

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Wednesday he discussed the regional situation and the threat posed by Iran and its proxies during a meeting with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast.

“It was a pleasure to meet again with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Brian Mast, a steadfast friend of Israel and a true champion of the US-Israel alliance,” he posted on X.

“We discussed the rapidly evolving regional picture, and the ongoing threat Iran and its terror proxies pose to the region. I stressed that Israel cannot allow radical forces on our borders threatening our citizens,” Sa’ar added.

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Wednesday that Iran allowed an American citizen who was “wrongfully detained” in December 2024 to leave the country. He said the woman is now safely outside Iran and in good condition, thanking Tehran for what he called a “gesture of goodwill.”

“Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the “presidency” of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country. She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition. The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!” Trump said.

IRGC spokesman Hussein Mohebbi said on Wednesday Iran’s operations are currently focused on destroying US offensive infrastructure in the region, warning that further steps will follow.

“The enemy should not imagine that it can continue the current equation of the battle and turn the war into one of attrition. Iran's operations are currently focused on destroying America's offensive infrastructure in the region. The next steps will then begin,” he posted on X.

Vice President JD Vance criticized what he called Iran “hawks” in the US and other countries, accusing them of undermining the Trump administration’s negotiations with Tehran.

In an interview with Joe Rogan, Vance added that diplomacy was necessary to address attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while defending the administration’s approach to talks.

“There's been this interesting dynamic here, where as we've been trying to negotiate, there have been these extraordinarily well-funded efforts to tank the negotiation, to prevent us from reaching a deal, to change American public opinion,” Vance said.

US Senator Tom Cotton said on Wednesday Iran and its regional allies cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith, adding that President Donald Trump is using force because it is the only language Tehran understands.

“Iran’s proxies—Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis—don’t negotiate in good faith. They will lie, cheat, and break deals. When the regime chants “Death to America,” we should all believe they mean it. President Trump is speaking the only language Tehran understands: force,” he posted on X.