HARARE – At least 13 United States military bases across the Middle East have been rendered uninhabitable following Iranian strikes, forcing American troops to relocate to temporary sites, including hotels and office spaces, according to a report by The New York Times.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it has carried out a retaliatory strike targeting oil facilities it claims are linked to the United States, marking a further escalation in tensions across the Middle East.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, has said there is no justification for the recent military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, arguing that the Islamic Republic posed no direct threat to either country.

Tehran — Iran says it is fully prepared to confront a potential ground invasion by the United States as tensions continue to escalate between Tehran, Washington, and Israel. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would be ready to face American troops if the United States deployed forces on Iranian soil.

Iran has continued launching strikes on Israeli and US-linked targets in the Gulf, even as casualties rise across the region amid intensifying joint attacks by Israel and the United States on Iranian territory.

Zambia has declined to sign part of a proposed US$1 billion-plus global health funding agreement with the United States, saying aspects of the deal do not align with the country’s national interests.