Israel says it has thousands of targets left in Iran as Tehran warns neighbours against involvement, with attacks spreading across the Middle East.

TEHRAN: Israel’s military says it still has thousands of targets to strike inside Iran, as the Islamic Republic warned other countries against involvement in a widening Middle East conflict.

Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said more than two weeks into the US-Israeli air campaign. “We still have thousands of targets in Iran, and we are identifying new targets every day,” he stated.

Tehran’s warning came as a base in Kuwait hosting US and Italian troops was hit by a drone attack. Iran told its neighbours it had “ample evidence” that US bases on their territory were being used to launch attacks.

The drone strike at the Ali Al Salem airbase destroyed an unmanned Italian aircraft but caused no casualties. Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, sought to play down the attack, insisting “we are not at war with anyone.”

Iraqi authorities said rockets wounded five people at Baghdad’s airport, which houses a US diplomatic facility. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said about 700 missiles and 3,600 drones had been fired at US and Israeli targets so far.

Tehran has responded by threatening shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz. The strait usually sees the passage of 20% of global oil and gas exports.

US President Donald Trump discussed the issue with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump had called on other countries to work with Washington to secure the strait, the closure of which has thrown energy markets into turmoil.

In a phone call with French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi called on other countries to “refrain from any action that could lead to escalation and expansion of the conflict.”

Arguing the US security umbrella was “inviting rather than deterring trouble,” Araghchi on X urged neighbouring countries “to expel foreign aggressors.”

Trump responded to Iran’s threats by calling on “China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK and others” to send ships to escort tankers. The US military continues to pound launch sites in Iran.

The countries listed have given only guarded responses. The UK defence ministry said it was “discussing with our allies and partners a range of options.”

South Korea said it was monitoring Trump’s remarks. A Japanese ruling party official said the bar for sending navy ships under existing laws was “extremely high.”

Global oil prices have surged by 40% as Iran has choked off the vital sea passage. The International Energy Agency said stocks would be made available by member countries in Asia Oceania immediately.

The Americas and Europe would follow suit in the weeks to come. IEA members recently decided to release 400 million barrels from strategic reserves.

Trump told NBC News he thought Tehran was keen to come to the table. “Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” he said.

Araghchi denied Tehran was asking for an agreement in a CBS interview. “We are stable and strong enough,” he said. “We don’t see any reason why we should talk with Americans.”

Despite the sharp rhetoric, the atmosphere in Tehran was the most normal since the war began on February 28. Traffic was busier and some cafes and restaurants had reopened.

More than a third of stalls in the popular Tajrish bazaar were open, with the Persian New Year just days away. Some shoppers queued at ATMs as online operations at a major bank had been paralysed.

In Tonekabon, a city on the Caspian Sea, a resident said shops were open and crowded despite steep price rises. “Only the main square is closed every night,” he told AFP.

More than 1,200 people have been killed by US and Israeli strikes, according to Iranian health ministry figures. The UN refugee agency says up to 3.2 million people have been displaced in Iran.

The Pentagon says more than 15,000 targets in Iran have been hit.

 The Sun Malaysia