By Phil Stewart and Steven Scheer WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM, March 31 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday the next few days in the war against Iran would be decisive and warned Tehran that the conflict would intensify if it did not make a deal.

Iran is focused on defending its territory and believes the U.S. “isn’t serious about diplomacy,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, according to state news agency IRNA. Iran is focused “100% on defending Iran’s territory and sovereignty,

Iranian state media reported that the Aghdasieh oil warehouse in northeast Tehran, the Shahran oil depot north of the city, an oil refinery in the south, and an oil depot in Karaj, west of Tehran, were among those targeted.

On Tuesday, Israel struck a major pharmaceutical factory in Tehran that is one of the country’s top producers of cancer drugs and anaesthetics, the Iranian government said. The facility belongs to Tofigh Daru Research and Engineering Company. It made drugs that are crucial for use in hospitals and operating rooms, officials said.

US President Donald Trump, who has been insisting there is progress in diplomatic talks toward a ceasefire, shared video of the attack on Isfahan.

For the latest updates from on the ground in Tehran, William Brangham spoke with special correspondent Reza Sayah in Iran.

Other footage carried by Mehr news agency showed the aftermath of the strikes in central Tehran, with shops damaged, windows blown out and debris scattered across the area near the building.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is currently in Iran and has deliberately avoided public appearances, according to Russia’s ambassador to Tehran. Ambassador Alexey Dedov said Iranian auth

The unrelenting tempo continued hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was nearly ready to wind down the war.

Residents say a heavy, lifeless atmosphere hangs over the streets of Iran’s capital, which has endured relentless attacks throughout the war.

The crackdown comes after Iran launched thousands of drones and missiles targeting sites in the UAE, including Dubai’s Palm island, the Burj al-Arab hotel and the airport.