Articles about Enters Third

• In a Saturday phone call with NBC journalist Kristen Welker, President Trump claimed Iran sought a ceasefire, but Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arashi immediately contradicted the assertion, stating Iran has never requested negotiations or a truce. • US and Israeli forces have intensified bombardment of Iranian cities including Tehran, Hamadan, and Isfahan, with Trump warning of additional strikes; 12 US service members have been killed since the war began February 28. • Reuters reports Trump has ignored attempts by Middle Eastern allies to broker negotiations ending the conflict, while the US State Department warned American citizens to leave Iraq immediately amid ongoing military operations.

• European Union foreign ministers convened in Brussels to address the escalating Iran conflict now in its third week, coordinating response to regional instability and implications for European interests. • The high-level coordination reflects EU concerns about energy security, maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz, and the potential for wider Middle Eastern destabilization affecting European allies.

• President Trump is threatening to delay his summit with China's President Xi Jinping unless Beijing helps secure the Strait of Hormuz, with US and Chinese trade negotiators meeting in Paris to discuss the issue. • The conflict has entered its third week with Operation Epic Fury killing more than 1,300 people in Iran and 13 US service members dead, while Gulf states report new missile and drone attacks on Sunday after Iran threatened to expand its military campaign. • Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and other nations to send warships to keep the Strait open and safe, warning the US will "remember" countries that don't help. • China has shown preliminary goodwill by signaling openness to purchase additional US agricultural products including poultry, beef, and non-soybean crops beyond previously pledged soybean purchases.

• The United States has struck 90 targets on Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal, marking an escalation in the conflict now in its third week of operations. • The strikes are intensifying global economic concerns, with energy markets rattled, supply chains disrupted, and fears of a potential food crisis as oil supplies face unprecedented pressure. • Iran has threatened to blockade the Strait of Hormuz and destroy tankers in response, prompting President Trump to request U.S. allies deploy warships to the region to maintain maritime access.