Tensions Escalate as Trump Delays Iran Decision, Iran-Backed Militias Threaten U.S. Bases

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a two-week window for diplomacy before deciding whether to authorise a military strike against Iran, amid growing fears that the ongoing war between Israel and Iran could spiral into a broader regional war.

In response, a powerful Iran-backed Shiite militia in Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah, issued a stark warning Thursday, threatening to target U.S. military installations across the Middle East should the United States enter the conflict.

Meanwhile, Iran’s state-run media announced plans to target the offices of Israel’s Channel 14 news station, labelling it a propaganda outlet for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) urged staff at the station to evacuate, warning of an impending attack.

The threat comes days after the Israeli military struck Iran’s state news broadcaster IRINN, claiming it was being used by the Iranian armed forces for military communications. One IRINN staff member was reportedly killed in the strike, which occurred live on air and was followed by a powerful explosion during a broadcast.