Iran Urges De-escalation as War with Israel, US Intensifies; Strait of Hormuz Closed

• Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged countries to avoid actions that could widen the escalating war involving Iran, Israel, and the US.
• Araghchi appealed for international restraint during a call with French FM Jean-Noel Barrot, contrasting with US President Donald Trump's call for naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The conflict, which began February 28 with Israel/US strikes killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has seen Iranian retaliatory attacks and heightened regional tensions.
• Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed to pursue Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu; Tehran accused Washington of launching attacks from the United Arab Emirates.
• The Strait of Hormuz is now effectively closed and controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, disrupting global energy markets and raising fears of prolonged conflict.