Tehran warns US against ground assault

Iran says its forces are "waiting" for the arrival of US ground troops to "set them on fire." Meanwhile, Israel says it will further expand its "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon.

DW has more.

US plotting ground attack despite diplomatic efforts, says Iran parliament speaker
Pentagon preparing possible deployment of ground forces, The Washington Post reports, as first contingent of US Marines arrives in region
Israel plans to further expand its 'buffer zone' in southern Lebanon
Pakistan says it will be 'honored' to host talks between US and Iran soon
Israeli police prevent Catholic leaders from entering Jerusalem church for Palm Sunday Mass
Here are the developments in the US-Israel war with Iran on Sunday, March 29, 2026:
Israel carrying out strikes on Tehran, IDF says
The Israeli military said it was currently "striking" government targets in Tehran on Sunday night.

Pakistan 'honored' to host talks between US and Iran, foreign minister says
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad will be "honored" to host talks between the US and Iran, amid efforts to deescalate the conflict.

Dar said he and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held several calls with Iranian senior officials including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The Pakistani officials were also "actively engaged" with Washington, he added.

"In this context, Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks," he said.

"Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict."
Speaking in a televised speech after top diplomats from regional countries met in Islamabad (see entries below), Dar did not specify whether the talks would be direct or indirect.

There was no immediate word from the US or Iran.

He said the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia endorsed Pakistan's peace efforts.

The ministers are expected to meet again Monday.

Pakistan's mediation efforts were also supported by China and the United Nations, Dar said.

Pakistan has emerged as a mediator between the US and Iran .

The South Asian country's leaders have close ties to both President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Regional powers push for peace as Iran war continues
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American University of Beirut moves classes online
The president of the American University of Beirut said in a letter that the university in the heart of the Lebanese capital will be operating fully remotely on Monday and Tuesday "out of an abundance of caution."
President Fadlo Khuri said there was "no evidence of direct threats" to the prestigious university and its renowned hospital.

"The American University of Beirut has stood for the peaceful emancipation and progress of the people we educate and serve for more than a century and a half," Khuri said.

Earlier on Sunday, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said it will target American and Israeli-affiliated universities in the Middle East in retaliation for recent attacks on two campuses in the Islamic Republic.

Many universities in the region moved classes online since the Iran war began on February 28.

Who are Iran's Revolutionary Guards?

Israel will expand 'buffer zone' in southern Lebanon, Netanyahu says
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will widen the existing security "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon, as Israel continues its military activities in the country.

"I have ​just ‌instructed to further expand the existing security buffer zone.

‌We are determined to ‌fundamentally ​change the situation in the north," Netanyahu said on a visit to northern Israel.

He added, "Hezbollah still has residual capability to fire rockets at us."
The Israeli military chief of staff said Friday that troops would continue to operate in southern Lebanon "as long as necessary" to remove the threat of Hezbollah , the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon.

Lebanon was drawn into the broader Middle East conflict on March 2, when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel after the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an Israeli-US attack.

Israel has since carried out strikes across Lebanon, and last week launched a ground operation into the country as it aims to establish what it calls a buffer zone in the south.

At least 12 killed after Israel strikes central Beirut
The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Over a million local residents have also been displaced.

Regional talks 'candid' and 'constructive,' says Pakistani FM
Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt joined Dar for talks in the Pakistani capital to discuss ways to end the ongoing Iran war.

"Our candid and constructive discussions focus on the evolving regional situation and advancing peace and stability, while strengthening our partnership and deepening cooperation across diverse domains," Dar said.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry said the talks addressed efforts to stop the conflict from escalating, as well as encouraging "a negotiations track" between Tehran and Washington to prevent the region "slipping into a state of complete chaos."
Pakistan has been facilitating backchannel communication between the US and Iran in an effort to end the war.

The South Asian nation signed a defense treaty with Saudi Arabia last year .

Pakistan's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, on Sunday hailed Saudi Arabia's "remarkable restraint" amid the ongoing conflict.

The Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders from marking Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre "for the first time in centuries," the Latin Patriarchate said.

Police prevented religious leaders, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the head of the Custos in the Holy Land, from celebrating Palm Sunday at the place where Christians believe Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead.

"This incident is a grave precedent, and disregard (sic) the sensibilities of billions of people around the world who, during this week, look to Jerusalem," the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land said in a joint statement.

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and launches the Week of Holy commemorations for Christians who follow the Latin calendar, which culminates in Easter next Sunday.

Israeli police said all holy sites ‌in Jerusalem's Old City had been closed to worshippers since the beginning of the war on Iran.

But the Latin Patriarchate said the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been hosting masses that aren't open to the public since the Iran war began on Feb.

28, and it was unclear why access to Sunday's Mass was any different.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office denied any "malicious intent" behind the decision to deny the Catholic leaders entry.

"Today, out of special concern for his safety, Jerusalem police prevented the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pizzaballa from holding mass this morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," the office said on X, adding that Israeli authorities were "putting together a plan to enable church leaders to worship at the holy site in the coming days."
What to know if you're joining us now
Iranian forces are "waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional allies once and for all," the country's parliament said, warning of a US ground attack.

The comments come as 2,500 US Marines arrived in the region and as regional powers met in Pakistan to discuss an end to the war in the Middle East, which entered its fifth week on Sunday.

The Washington Post reported the US defense department was preparing for potentially weeks of ground operations in Iran, citing officials.

Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen entered the war on Saturday morning, launching ballistic missiles at Israel and vowing to launch more strikes following US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Pope Leo condemns using God to justify war
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday rejected claims that God justifies war during a Palm Sunday Mass, as the Iran war entered its second month.

Addressing tens of thousands gathered in St.

Peter's Square, the pontiff emphasized that Jesus must not be used to legitimize any form of warfare.

"Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war," Leo said.

"He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: 'Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood'," he added, citing a Bible passage.

Ukraine's Zelenskyy in Jordan as Middle East tour continues
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Jordan on Sunday as he continued a tour of the region during which he has signed defense cooperation agreements with several Gulf states.

"Security is the top priority and it is important that all partners make the necessary efforts toward it," Zelenskyy wrote on social media alongside a video of him arriving in Aman.

" Ukraine is doing its part.

Important meetings ahead."
Zelenskyy's visit to Jordan comes on the back of visits to Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar , all of whom are keen to benefit from Ukraine's experience in drone warfare.

Ukrainian anti-drone experts have been deployed to all three countries since Iran began responding to US-Israeli aerial bombardments with retaliatory strikes on Gulf states allied with Washington.

According to the French AFP news agency, a Ukrainian team has also been in Jordan for several weeks.

Kyiv has developed a mix of cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools and anti-aircraft guns to down Russian drones - many of which are based on the Iranian "Shahed" design - which have been targeting Ukrainian cities on an almost daily basis for over four years as part of the ongoing invasion .

It has proposed swapping its interceptor technology for the expensive air-defense missiles that US allies in the region are currently using to down Iranian drones, but which Ukraine would like to use against Russian cruise missiles.

How the Iran war is hurting Ukraine's chances at peace
Two Indian-flagged ships pass through Strait of Hormuz
Two more Indian-flagged tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz this weekend carrying a combined cargo of about 94,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), India 's Shipping Ministry said on Sunday.

The two LPG carriers, BW TYR and BW ELM, are now proceeding toward India's western coast, the former headed for Mumbai and the latter for Mangaluru.

In retaliation for US-Israeli air strikes , Iran has all but halted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global crude oil and LPG.

The closure of the strait has put pressure on the global economy – including in India, the world's fourth-largest buyer of liquified natural gas (LNG) and second-largest buyer of LPG, which is used for cooking and predominantly sourced from the Middle East.

India maintains strong relations with Iran , which is currently only allowing certain ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Four other Indian LPG tankers had earlier transited the strait, but 18 Indian-flagged vessels – with 485 Indian sailors onboard – remain in the Gulf region.

Meanwhile, New Delhi has also steadily expanded cooperation with Israel in defense, agriculture, technology and cybersecurity, creating a diplomatic balancing act in the context of the current conflict.

India faces mounting LPG shortages as Iran war drags on
Iran 'waiting' for US ground assault, says parliament speaker
Iran 's parliamentary speaker claimed on Sunday that the United States was planning a ground attack on the country despite publicly appearing to engage in diplomatic efforts to end the war in the Middle East .

"The enemy publicly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue while secretly planning a ground attack," said Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency.

"Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional allies once and for all," he added, calling for unity among Iranians and saying the country was in "a major global war" that has reached its "most critical" stage.

"We are certain that we can punish the United States, make it regret attacking Iran, and firmly secure our legitimate rights," he said.

Meanwhile, in the US, the Washington Post also reports that the Pentagon has been drawing up plans for a possible ground offensive "for weeks." However, it remains unclear whether US President Donald Trump would approve such plans given his previous promises to keep US troops out of foreign wars.

Senior US figures have repeatedly ruled out ground operations against Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisting on Friday that Washington can achieve its goals via aerial bombing and without "boots on the ground."
How Iran war is impacting support for Trump, US Republicans
Iran: What would a US ground offensive look like?

Nevertheless, he refused to categorically rule out deploying ground troops and thousands of US soldiers have been redeployed from Asia to the Middle East in recent weeks, including marines from the 31st and 11th expeditionary units and paratroopers from the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division.

The Wall Street Journal has also reported on up to 10,000 additional US Army infantry who may be deployed to the Gulf.

The numbers are vastly fewer than the hundreds of thousands of American and allied troops involved in the 1991 and 2003 Gulf Wars , and they lack comparable armored and logistical support, but they could feasibly conduct limited raids on key Iranian installations in and around the Strait of Hormuz .

One potential target for a US ground attack could be the strategically important island of Kharg towards the northern end of the Persian Gulf, via which 90% of Iran's crude oil exports pass.

President Trump has had Kharg island in his personal sights for decades, telling The Guardian back in 1988: "One bullet shot at one of our men or ships and I'd do a number on Kharg Island.

I'd go in and take it."
Iran condemns Israeli killing of 3 journalists in Lebanon
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned Israel's deadly attack on a media vehicle in southern Lebanon, calling it a "targeted assassination" and a "violation of international law."
Three journalists were killed in the Israeli strike in Jezzine on Saturday, their TV stations reported.

Hezbollah's al-Manar channel said its correspondent Ali Shoeib was killed, while Beirut-based Al Mayadeen TV said reporter Fatima Ftouni and her brother, video journalist Mohammed Ftouni, also died in the strike.

Rescuers on the scene were then stuck by a follow-up attack by the Israeli military that caused more deaths, according Reuters.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement saying it had targeted one of the journalists, alleging he was part of a Hezbollah intelligence unit operating under the guise of media work.

It did not mention the other two reporters.

The statement added that Shoeib "reported on the locations of IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon."
Al-Manar TV did not respond to the allegations but said its longtime war correspondent was "distinguished by his professional and credible reporting of events."
Pakistan hosting Saudi, Turkey, Egypt ministers for Iran war talks
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia , Turkey and Egypt were expected in Pakistan on Sunday for two days of talks on the conflict in the Middle East .

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is hosting the talks in Islamabad which don't involve any of the directly warring parties.

Nevertheless, in preparation for the talks, Dar held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Saturday, during which he emphasized the need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable paths to peace.

"Dialogue, diplomacy, and such confidence-building measures are the only way forward," Dar wrote on social media, tagging US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff and Araghchi in his post.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he also had a "detailed" call on Saturday with Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, who he called his "brother."
Sharif said he had encouraged Pezeshkian to take advantage of "Pakistan's ongoing diplomatic outreach — engaging the United States and brotherly Gulf and Islamic countries — to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation."
Pezeshkian praised Islamabad's efforts and "thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts to stop the aggression against the Islamic republic," according to his office.

Pakistan has emerged as a key diplomatic link between Iran and the United States as the conflict drags on, serving as an intermediary for messages between the two sides.

Islamabad has longstanding links with Tehran and close contacts in the Gulf, while Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, the head of the armed forces, reportedly enjoy a good personal rapport with US President Donald Trump .

"Pakistan remains committed to supporting all efforts aimed at restoring regional peace and stability," said Foreign Minister Dar.

US-Israel war with Iran leaves Pakistan stuck between allies
Israeli military says soldier killed in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military said on Sunday that a soldier was killed in combat in southern Lebanon .

"Sergeant Moshe Yitzchak Hacohen Katz, aged 22, from New Haven, Connecticut, a soldier of the 890th battalion, Paratroopers Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon," a military statement said.

Five Israeli troops have now been killed in Lebanon's south since the conflict with Hezbollah reignited in early March.

Attacks across the Middle East early Sunday
Strikes were reported in several locations across the region in the early hours of Sunday morning: