Mar 24, 2026 09:54 AM IST
US Israel Iran War Live: Senior Iran parliament member urges caution amid reported talks with US
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US-Israel-Iran War News Highlights: US President Donald Trump on March 23 postponed any military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days and said that there have been “productive conversations” about a “complete and total resolution” to the conflict in the Middle East.
This comes after Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened within 48 hours. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have blown up the Qasimiyah Bridge in south Lebanon, with President Joseph Aoun calling it a “prelude to ground invasion”. The US and Israel continue to target Iran, with Israel’s military intercepting more Iranian missiles
US Iran War News Live Update: Check Here
Trump gives Iran a 48-hour deadline: POTUS gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum, stating that the US would hit Iran’s power plants, starting with the biggest one, if the strait isn’t fully opened without threats. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account.
Israel launches wave of strikes in Tehran: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that the Air Force is conducting a wave of strikes in the Iranian capital, Tehran, targeting the infrastructure of the Islamic Republic’s regime.
Key developments
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The Indian Express Global Desk remains committed to rigorous verification. Follow our live blog below for real-time tracking of Operation Epic Fury, regional airspace status, and diplomatic efforts to contain the escalation.
This blog is closing now but our live coverage of the US-Israel war on Iran continues in a new blog here, including a recap of the latest developments. Thanks for following.
The US-Iran conflict has entered its 25th day, with US President Donald Trump announcing that Washington has held talks with Tehran on a “complete and total resolution of hostilities” in the Middle East. Trump claimed that discussions have been productive, leading to a five-day delay in planned strikes on Iranian power plants.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on X that he spoke with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Monday evening and expressed his “deep concern” about the war and its impact on the global economy.
During the phone call, Cho called for de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has closed to most maritime traffic, and urged Iran to take “proactive measures to ensure safe navigation” through the waterway.
오늘 저녁, 세예드 압바스 아락치(Seyyed Abbas Araghchi) 이란 외교장관과 전화 통화를 갖고 중동 상황에 대해 의견을 교환하였습니다.
— 조현 외교부 장관 FM Cho Hyun (@FMChoHyun) March 23, 2026
저는 최근 중동 정세가 글로벌 안보와 경제에 미치는 영향에 깊은 우려를 표명하고, 호르무즈 해협의 항행 안전 보장과 긴장 완화를 위한 이란의 적극적인 조치를…
The death toll in the crash of a Colombian Air Force plane nearly doubled to 66 by Monday evening, two military sources told Reuters, as authorities continued to pull bodies from the wreckage.
The incident was one of the deadliest accidents in recent history for Colombia's Air Force, which also injured dozens.
The accident occurred as the Lockheed Martin-built Hercules C-130 transport plane was taking off from Puerto Leguizamo, on the border with Peru, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said on X.
Brent crude oil jumped back above $100 per barrel on Tuesday amid continuing uncertainty after Iranian officials urged defiance as US President Donald Trump claimed he was in talks with Iran, which officials in Tehran denied.
Brent rose 2.9 percent to $102.84, while West Texas Intermediate jumped 3.5 percent to $91.20.
On Monday, Brent plunged more than 10 percent in reaction to Trump’s statements that he had delayed strikes on Iran’s power plants for five days after what he described as “very good” talks with Tehran.
The US Embassy in the northwest African nation of Mauritania has issued an elevated threat notice for US citizens and embassy staff based in the country, citing a recent threat against the embassy.
Possible targets include the embassy building in the capital, Nouakchott, and places where American citizens are known to congregate, the notice said.
Mauritania has been under a Level 3 Travel Advisory from the State Department since July 2025, which has urged US citizens to reconsider travel to the country.
The price of Brent crude has moved back above $100 a barrel, after plunging on Monday.
On Tuesday morning in Asia, the oil benchmark was up by 3.75% at $103.69 (£77.42), while Nymex Light Sweet was 3.42% higher at $91.55.
The price of Brent fell by more than 10% on Monday after US President Donald Trump delayed fresh strikes on Iran that were seen as an escalation of the conflict and said a peace deal could be reached soon.
But now investors are weighing that against Tehran's denials that it had held talks with the US.
South Korea’s Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has cancelled a trip to China this week to tackle economic concerns at home amid the fallout from the Iran war, according to local media reports.
The country’s President Lee Jae Myung also said that public institutions will cut back on their use of cars as part of a wider energy-saving campaign and called on the government to pass a supplementary budget to offset the impact of the energy crisis.
South Korea obtains over 70 percent of its oil from the Middle East, which means it has been highly impacted by the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Seoul has taken other measures to stabilise the economy, such as imposing price caps on fuel for the first time in nearly 30 years.
The Israeli military says more missiles have been launched from Iran towards Israel’s territory.
In a statement, the military said air defence systems are operating to intercept the attack.
In the past two hours, Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed a total of 19 drones, launched in separate attacks, targeting the country’s Eastern Province, according to the kingdom’s Defence Ministry.
Asian countries are turning to coal as the Iran war disrupts oil and gas shipments.
The continent is exposed because it relies on imported fuel, much of it passing through the Strait of Hormuz - a chokepoint for about a fifth of global oil and natural gas trade.
LNG is a natural gas cooled to liquid form for easy storage and transport. It has been promoted as a bridge fuel in the shift from oil and coal to cleaner energy sources. The US has sought to expand exports of LNG across Asia. It burns cleaner than coal, but still emits climate change-causing gases, especially methane.
Iran should not negotiate with US President Donald Trump, who has proven himself to be a “liar and without honour”, the country’s deputy parliament speaker said, as conflicting reports emerged of new talks to end the war.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, with the support of its people, stands firmly on its military capabilities, and if Trump is telling the truth, he should announce who he negotiated with,” Ali Nikzad was quoted by Fars news agency as saying.
“His threats are a big lie,” the deputy speak was quoted as saying.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized the need for negotiations with Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking in Australia, she highlighted the critical situation affecting global energy supplies and the impact on businesses and societies worldwide. Von der Leyen stressed that a negotiated solution is crucial to ending hostilities in the region.
The security situation in the Middle East is continuing to worsen, and Chinese citizens living in Israel should stop risking their safety and either evacuate or return to China “as soon as possible”, the Chinese Embassy in Israel said.
China’s Xinhua state news agency quoted the embassy as saying that the Chinese government is organising another evacuation mission for its citizens through the Taba border crossing with Egypt.
The US has struck another Iran-backed militia in Iraq's Anbar region, targeting the group's leader Saad Dawai during a meeting.
This escalation follows recent attacks by militias on US targets, including the Erbil consulate and a base in northeast Syria.
The conflict pits the US against Iran-backed groups, with Iraqi civilians caught in the crossfire.
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that President Donald Trump is to blame for the almost 75 percent increase in the petrol price in less than a month.
“A month ago, the national price of gasoline was $2.93 a gallon. Today it’s $3.94. One man is to blame: Donald Trump,” Schumer said in a post on X.
Schumer, the most senior opposition Democratic leader, was against Trump’s decision to attack Iran and has called for an end to the war.
In an earlier post on X, Schumer also noted that tens of billions of dollars “are being wasted” in the conduct of the war.
A month ago, the national price of gasoline as $2.93 a gallon.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 23, 2026
Today it's $3.94.
One man is to blame: Donald Trump.
Oil prices rose in early trade on Tuesday on supply fears, as Iran denied it had held talks with the United States to end the war in the Gulf, contradicting President Donald Trump, who said a deal could be reached soon.
Brent futures rose $1.06, or 1.1%, to $101 a barrel at 0001 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed $1.58, or 1.8%, to $89.71.
Crude futures dropped more than 10% on Monday, after Trump said he had ordered a five-day delay to attacks he had threatened on Iran's power plants, adding the US had held productive talks with unnamed Iranian officials that had produced "major points of agreement".
Japan's Nikkei share average rose on Tuesday as investors grew hopeful of a potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would hold off on targeting Iran's energy infrastructure.
The Nikkei was up 2.1% at 52,613.37, as of 0009 GMT, rebounding from a 3.5% slump on Monday. The broader Topix climbed 2.4% to 3,570.87.
A gas administration building and a gas reduction structure have been targeted in the central Iranian province of Isfahan, causing some damage to parts of the facilities and surrounding homes, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.
Separately, a projectile hit outside a gas pipeline for a power plant in the southwestern city of Khorramshahr, near the border with Iraq and Kuwait, the report said.
Israel's war in Lebanon is a pressing concern, driven by a desire to annihilate Hezbollah. Prime Minister Netanyahu faces elections in October and needs a significant win to boost his popularity.
A decisive victory in Lebanon could strengthen his position, but a prolonged conflict risks demoralizing the public and straining relations with the US. Israel's long-term goal is to eliminate Hezbollah's threat, but Iran's support for the group and potential US pressure may complicate negotiations.
The Israeli military says it has sent “search and rescue forces to operate at a scene in northern Israel where reports of an impact have been received” after an Iranian missile launch.
Footage released by the Magen David Adom emergency service showed a damaged building with a smashed area on an upper floor and rubble spread across the ground.
The medics said a man in his 30s was in mild condition after suffering a shrapnel injury, but there were no other immediate reports of casualties.
Update from several reported scenes in northern Israel - one person in mild condition with a shrapnel injury, and a number of others being treated for anxiety symptoms.
— Magen David Adom (@Mdais) March 23, 2026
A loud explosion rang out over Jerusalem early on Tuesday after the Israeli military said it had detected another Iranian missile launch – the second of the day.
AFP reporters in the city heard the blast minutes after the military said it had detected missile launches from Iran and was working to intercept the threat.
The Israeli military has captured two Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon and struck Beirut's southern suburbs, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
Earlier, an Israeli strike hit the Christian area of Hazmieh near Beirut, reportedly targeting an Iranian Revolutionary Guards member.
Lebanon's National News Agency reported at least five strikes on the area, with smoke seen over the southern suburbs. Israel had warned residents to leave before the strikes.
A cautious relief swept through financial markets Monday after President Donald Trump said the United States has talked with Iran about a possible end to their war. Oil prices eased, and stock prices rose on Wall Street following severe losses taken elsewhere in the world before Trump's announcement.
The price for a barrel of Brent crude fell 10.9 per cent to settle at USD 99.94, down from nearly USD 120 at one point last week, after Trump said the United States and Iran held productive talks the last two days "regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East." The S&P 500 climbed 1.1 per cent for its best day since the war began.
US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum says he has “tremendous confidence” over the engagement Trump claims to have had with Iran.
“President Trump is going to resolve it, and I’m very confident that as dealmaker-in-chief, he’s going to come out of this with a winning deal for Americans,” he told CNBC.
When asked to explain how the Strait of Hormuz’s effective closure has affected the administration’s thinking in relation to oil supply chains, Burgum claimed Trump “knew this on day one”.
“We’ve been completely aware of this thing,” he said.
he US Embassy in Muscat has lifted a stay in place order for citizens in Oman's capital.
The advice to take shelter had been issued at 20:42 local time (16:42 GMT).
The ministry says that while this advice has been lifted for the capital, "shelter in place guidance remains for the rest of Oman due to ongoing activity".
The embassy tells citizens: "To the extent possible, remain in your residence, hotel, or another structure, and stay away from windows."
Iraqi police say an air attack has targeted a military base used by the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in the eastern part of Ramadi city in the western province of Anbar. Aljazeera
One strike targeted the town of Selaa, in the Tyre district, while another hit Zawtar al-Sharqiyah in the Nabatieh district.
Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an Israeli-US attack.
Israel has since launched strikes across Lebanon, killing at least 1,039 people, and sent ground troops into the country’s south.
An air strike has targeted a military base used by Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in the town of Jurf al-Sakhar, Babil province, south of Baghdad.
Four people were wounded in the attack, police and medical sources told Al Jazeera.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he spoke with US President Donald Trump, who saw a chance of reaching a deal with Iran.
Trump believed there was a possibility of "leveraging the mighty achievements obtained by the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) and the US military, in order to realize the goals of the war in a deal - a deal that will preserve our vital interests," Netanyahu said in a video statement released by his office. (Reuters)
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have said that they struck the security headquarters of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as part of a “wave of strikes that was completed a short while ago in the heart of Tehran,” The Guardian reported.
"The headquarter was used by the IRGC to synchronize unit activities and to conduct situational assessments. It was also responsible for directing the Basij Battalions," the IDF said in a statement.
The United States on Monday advised its citizens in Oman to shelter in place "due to ongoing activity," according to a security alert from the US embassy in Muscat.
Less than 48 hours before the US-Israeli strike on Iran began, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone to President Donald Trump about the reasons for launching the kind of complex, far-off war the American leader once had campaigned against.
Both Trump and Netanyahu knew from intelligence briefings earlier in the week that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his key lieutenants would soon meet at his compound in Tehran, making them vulnerable to a “decapitation strike,” an attack against a country's top leaders often used by Israelis but traditionally less so by the United States.
- Reuters
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday and discussed the prevailing situation in the West Asia.
In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Our discussions focused on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the international economy. We particularly spoke about energy security concerns. Agreed to remain in touch."
Had a detailed telecon this evening with US @SecRubio. Our discussions focused on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the international economy. We particularly spoke about energy security concerns. Agreed to remain in touch.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 23, 2026
US President Donald Trump, while speaking in Memphis, Tennessee on Monday said, Washington is now working to determine whether a "broader agreement can be reached".
"My whole life has been a negotiation but with Iran, we've been negotiating a long time. This time, they mean business," Trump said. He also added Tehran has "one more chance" at peace.
Ukraine's military intelligence has "irrefutable" evidence that Russia continues to provide intelligence to Iran, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday.
"Russia is using its own signals intelligence and electronic intelligence capabilities, as well as part of the data obtained through cooperation with partners in the Middle East," he said on X.
Bahrain's interior ministry on Monday urged the citizens of the country to be alert and take shelter at safe locations after sirens were sounding in the country.
"Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," Bahrain's interior ministry said in a post on X.
US President Donald Trump on Monday responded to questions about how would the United States procure enriched uranium from Iran.
President Trump said, "It's very easy. If we have a deal with them, we're going down and we'll take it ourselves."
"How are you going to get the enriched uranium?" @POTUS: "It's very easy. If we have a deal with them, we're going down and we'll take it ourselves." pic.twitter.com/iZiDZ2Uiae
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 23, 2026
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf on Monday said that no talks have taken place with the United States as earlier claimed by President Donald Trump.
Several news outlets have reported that Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been negotiating with Iran's parliament speaker.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey on Monday confirmed that Iran fired two missiles at the joint UK-US Diego Garcia military base, in the Indian Ocean, on Friday.
"In the early hours of Friday morning, two Iranian missiles were launched in the direction of Diego Garcia. One fell short of its target, the other was brought down short of its target," Healey added.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said that Britain was aware of the talks between United States and Iran.
"To that end, I welcome the talks reported between the US and Iran," Starmer added.
While interacting with reporters at Florida's Palm Beach on Monday, US President Donald Trump said that Washington and Tehran "have major points of agreement".
"We have major point of agreement; I would say almost all points of agreement," Trump told reporters on Iran.
President Donald Trump on Monday said that United States and Iran will jointly control the Strait of Hormuz as and when it open.
"Strait of Hormuz will be open very soon. It’ll be jointly controlled. Me and the Ayatollah, whoever the Ayatollah is, whoever the next Ayatollah is," CNN reported.
US President Donald Trump said that Washington is talking to "top person" within the Iranian regime, however, not with the Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
"A top person. Don’t forget: We’ve wiped out the leadership phase one, phase two and largely phase three. But we’re dealing with a man who I believe is the most respected and the leader, you know it’s a little tough, they’ve wiped out – we’ve wiped out everybody," Trump was quoted as saying.
US President Donald Trump on Monday talked about Iran's regime change and said that "Maybe we find a leader like we did in Venezuela."
US President Donald Trump, before boarding his plane at Florida’s Palm Beach on Monday, said "We have had very strong talks with Iran. If they carry through with them, it will end the conflict. They want to make a deal, we want to make a deal."
PRESIDENT TRUMP: We have had very strong talks with Iran. If they carry through with them, it will end the conflict. They want to make a deal, we want to make a deal. pic.twitter.com/xRkJtDAyPa
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 23, 2026
US President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters that the choking point in Persian Gulf, which is "Strait of Hormuz will be open very soon if there's a deal" between Washington and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said that price of oil "will drop like a rock as soon as there's a deal," which could halt the war with Iran in West Asia.
US President Donald Trump, before boarding his plane at Florida's Palm Beach on Monday, said that "Iran has agreed to no nuclear weapons."
US President Donald Trump on Monday said that if the negotiations with Iranian administration "goes well, we're settling this otherwise, we'll keep bombing our little hearts out."
US President Donald Trump on Monday said that Iran wants to make a deal "badly" and that things are going well with Tehran.
The US president added, "I consider this regime change, because these are new people that I'm talking to."
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched barrage of ballistic missiles on US and Israeli targets in the region on Monday in a fresh wave of counterattacks, Tehran's Tasnim news agency reported.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday welcomed US President Donald Trump's remarks to postpone any military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.
"Any reports of productive talks are welcome," Starmer's spokesperson said. No 10 "has always said that a swift resolution to the war is in global interests," the spokesperson added, BBC reported.
The International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi held a conversation with Alexey Likhachev, the head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, discussing “recent concerning reports about military activity near the operating Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran,” Al Jazeera reported.
The IAEA, in a statement said, "In accordance with the seven indispensable pillars on nuclear safety and security, DG Grossi recalled that no military action should put at risk the physical integrity and safety of NPPs and their operating staff, who must be able to carry out their vital work in safe conditions."
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday said that they have struck 'heart of Tehran' moments after US President Donald Trump postponed any military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.
The IDF said it is "currently conducting" strikes in the "heart of Tehran".
Iran's foreign ministry has said that there have been "no dialogue" between Washington and Tehran and claimed that President Donald Trump is "attempting to lower energy prices and buy time for military plans" after the Republican leader postponed any military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, CNN reported citing Iranian media outlets.
After US President Donald Trump announced a five day postponement of military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure, Iran's Tasnim news agency stated that Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war condition as long as 'psychological warfare continues.'
After US President Donald Trump announced a five day postponement of military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure, Iran's state media reported saying, "US president backed down following Iran's firm warning."
After Trump announced a five day postponement of military strikes on Iran's power plants and energy infrastructure, Tehran has said, "There are no direct communication with US nor through intermediaries," Iran's Fars news agency reported citing sources.
Oil prices plunged by over 13% on Monday after US President Donald Trump said he would order the military to postpone any strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.
Brent crude futures had fallen around $17, or 15% to a session low of $96 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate had fallen $13, or about 13.5%, to a session low of $85.28, Reuters reported.
US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that Washington had good and productive conversations with Iran and that he will order the military to postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.
"I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS," Trump wrote in the Truth Social post.
US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a five day pause in military strikes against Iran in a post on Truth Social.
Amid the US-Israel Iran war, the European Union's gas coordination group will convene to discuss the impact of the conflict on Europe's gas supplies. The group monitors
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday there had been no assessment that mainland Britain was being targeted by Iran. "We carry out assessments all the time in order to keep us safe, and there's no assessment that we're being targeted in that way," Starmer told reporters.
Reuters
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to convene an emergency Cobra meeting later today to address the economic impact of the Iran conflict on the UK, particularly concerns over rising inflation. Rachel Reeves and Andrew Bailey are expected to attend, the Guardian reported.
The meeting follows a 20-minute overnight conversation between Starmer and Trump, which was described as “constructive.” They discussed the urgent importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to help stabilise global oil supplies.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to convene an emergency Cobra meeting later today to address the economic impact of the Iran conflict on the UK, particularly concerns over rising inflation. Rachel Reeves and Andrew Bailey are expected to attend, the Guardian reported.
The meeting follows a 20-minute overnight conversation between Starmer and Trump, which was described as “constructive.” They discussed the urgent importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to help stabilise global oil supplies.
Iran’s defence council has threatened to lay sea mines to block the entire Persian Gulf if Iran’s coasts or islands are attacked, according to the Fahrs news agency.
“Any attempt by the enemy to attack Iranian coasts or islands will naturally, and in accordance with common military practice, cause all access routes and communication lines in the Persian Gulf and the coasts to be mined with various types of naval mines, including floating mines that can be released from the coasts,” the statement read.
“In that case, the entire Persian Gulf will practically find a situation similar to the strait of Hormuz for a long time. This time, along with the strait of Hormuz, the entire Persian Gulf will be practically blocked, and the responsibility for it will lie with the threatening party.”
US President Donald Trump Monday on Truth Social wrote, "PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, TO PUT IT MILDLY!!!"
He did not offer any explanation as to what he means by the post.
Power is out in large parts of Tehran after heavy airstrikes struck multiple areas of the capital early Monday, according to multiple residents in different neighborhoods. Iranian media reported explosions across Tehran, and residents described sustained strikes across eastern, western and northern regions of the city.
Israel’s military had said it would target Tehran’s infrastructure shortly before the strikes, but did not provide further details about what exactly it would target.
-The New York Times
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have attacked Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia and the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain using missiles and drones.
The IRGC stated that US reconnaissance aircraft are stationed at Prince Sultan air base, which was targeted with ballistic missiles, describing it as a key site for US military deployment and operations.
Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi-linked news agency Al Masirah reported that the Iran-backed group targeted the "Zionist Aerospace Industries Center" near Ben Gurion air base using Arash-2 attack drones. _Aljazeera
Tensions escalate in northern Israel as sirens blast, with authorities suspecting a joint Hezbollah-Iran attack. Israeli officials vow to keep fighting for weeks, concerned the US might halt the war "prematurely", while messaging a tougher crackdown on Iran.
However, they're facing pushback from the community, with concerns over government performance on missile interceptions and easing restrictions. Israel's advanced aerial defense systems failed to intercept some missiles, sparking public questions.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) says emergency personnel are at the site of a residential area that was destroyed in an air attack in northwestern Urmia, near the borders of Turkiye and Iraq.
Footage posted by the group shows a building with its walls and windows blown out and rescue workers combing through the debris.
IRCS said relief workers were providing aid to “injured compatriots”.
It was not immediately clear how many people were wounded.
🚨فوری؛ هماکنون
— جمعیت هلالاحمر ایران (@Iranian_RCS) March 23, 2026
حمله هوایی به یک منطقه مسکونی در ارومیه و تلاش امدادگران هلال احمر برای امدادرسانی به هموطنان آسیبدیده pic.twitter.com/7VsBvaQ7zk
Israeli forces have intercepted a “limited number of missiles” launched from Iran, with shrapnel falling in the northern city of Safed, according to the Channel 12 broadcaster.
The attack set off alarms in northern Israel, including the city of Haifa, and caused no injuries or property damage, Channel 12 reported.
The attack follows hours of relative calm in Israel.
On the morning of Nowruz, Iran’s Persian New Year, the air raid sirens went off again. Natanz uranium enrichment facility got bombed, missiles hit a kindergarten in central Israel and Kuwait’s biggest refinery burned for the second day running. This comes even as US President Donald Trump said the war was almost over.
Twenty-two days in, the exit Trump keeps announcing keeps moving further away. And on Day 23, it stopped being an exit entirely.
China’s state refiners are exploring a deal with Iran to purchase its oil after the US issued a 30-day waiver lifting sanctions in a bid to ease a global supply crunch, according to Bloomberg.
The US media outlet reported that representatives of the National Iranian Oil Co and traders who act as intermediaries have also been exploring other potential buyers among other Asian refiners.
Even before the war began and despite the US sanctions, China has been the main buyer of Iran’s oil, buying more than 80 percent of the total supply shipped.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended American military action in Iran, saying “sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate” in an interview with NBC News.
His comments came just hours after US President wrote on the Truth Social that he was giving Iranian leadership 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz or risk US military strikes that “will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Read More
👁 ImageThe Lebanese group says it carried out 63 military operations on Sunday, deploying rockets, drones and artillery fire against Israeli forces in Israel and southern Lebanon.
The statement was issued on Hezbollah’s Telegram channel in the early hours of Monday.
Unlike other days, the group has yet to announce any attacks on Israeli positions today.
Israel has launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, citing threats from Hezbollah. Since March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed 1,029 people and wounded 2,786. More than a million people are also displaced.
The top commander of the US military's Central Command said the campaign against Iran is "ahead or on plan," as the Israeli military began what it called "a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting Iranian terror regime infrastructure" early Monday.
US Navy Adm. Brad Cooper gave his first one-on-one interview of the war to the Farsi-language satellite network Iran International, which aired it early Monday. Iranian media reported new airstrikes targeting Tehran without identifying the sites being hit.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has pushed back against US claims that Tehran plans to destroy water desalination plants in the Gulf, stating that their intention is to retaliate against power plants of the "occupying regime" (Israel) and countries supplying power to US bases if attacked. The IRGC emphasized a tit-for-tat response, saying "if you hit electricity, we will hit electricity.
Footage, verified by Al Jazeera, shows columns of fire and smoke rising over the city of Karaj, west of the capital, Iran, following an air attack.
ساعت ۵:۱۵ 'سمت پایگاه میثمی [] و رو چهار پنج بار زد'
— Vahid Online (@Vahid) March 23, 2026
ساعت ۵:۳۵ 'هنوز داره میسوزه.'
ویدیوهای دریافتی بامداد دوشنبه ۳ فروردین #iran pic.twitter.com/ldsE3m3lRq
A strike on a broadcast station in southern Iran's Bandar Abbas has killed at least one person and injured another, according to state television.
The 100-kilowatt AM transmitter of the Persian Gulf Radio and Television Centre was reportedly attacked by the "American-Zionist terrorist army", the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting said.
The attack, which targeted a residential building, has been condemned as a violation of international laws. _The Guardian
The International Energy Agency (IEA) chief, Fatih Birol, has warned that the global economy is facing a severe energy crisis due to the war on Iran, describing it as "very serious" and worse than the oil crises of 1973 and 1979, and the gas crisis sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The conflict has resulted in a loss of 11 million barrels of oil per day, surpassing the combined impact of the two previous oil shocks.
Additionally, the gas market has lost around 140 billion consumer meters (BCM), almost twice the loss seen during the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Birol emphasized that the crisis is having a severe impact on vital sectors like petrochemicals and fertilizers, with lasting implications for the global economy.
China's yuan softened to the weakest level in two weeks on Monday, as the escalating Middle East war boosted the dollar's appeal and brought uncertainty to the Chinese economy. But some analysts believe the yuan remains in an upward trend underpinned by improving economic health, with the global oil shock potentially benefiting China's green energy exports.
The onshore yuan changed hands at 6.9098 per dollar around midday, 0.1% weaker than Friday's close.
Senator Tim Kaine is slamming Trump for allegedly escalating tensions with Iran, saying he's putting American troops at risk due to his inability to accept the 2020 election loss. Kaine referenced a Just The News article claiming Iran tried to interfere in the 2020 and 2024 elections to stop Trump's re-election, questioning if congressional Republicans support this.
He's also warned against deploying ground troops to Iran, saying it could worsen the situation.
Trump sending our sons and daughters to war because he still can’t accept that he lost the 2020 election! Are congressional Rs just fine with this?https://t.co/Pex1bR1vfk
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) March 23, 2026
Israel's military has launched an early morning "wide scale" airstrike on sites across Iran's capital Tehran.
Blasts were reported across the city by Iranian state media, including IRGC-aligned Fars news agency.
"Terrible sounds of explosions have been reported," Fars wrote.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it is targeting "terrorist infrastructure" in Tehran.
An airstrike on Khorramabad, west of Tehran, has killed at least one child and wounded several others, according to Fars news agency.
Rescue workers and residents are digging through the rubble of a destroyed residential building, with reports of an elderly woman trapped. The attack has left multiple buildings damaged, with the exact number of casualties unclear.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) says emergency personnel are at the site of a residential area that was destroyed in an air attack in northwestern Urmia, near the borders of Turkiye and Iraq.
Footage posted by the group shows a building with its walls and windows blown out and rescue workers combing through the debris.
IRCS said relief workers were providing aid to “injured compatriots”.
It was not immediately clear how many people were wounded.
🚨فوری؛ هماکنون
— جمعیت هلالاحمر ایران (@Iranian_RCS) March 23, 2026
حمله هوایی به یک منطقه مسکونی در ارومیه و تلاش امدادگران هلال احمر برای امدادرسانی به هموطنان آسیبدیده pic.twitter.com/7VsBvaQ7zk
The US is responding to attacks on its sites by activating its C-RAM air defense system, intercepting drone attacks on Victory Base, and conducting air strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq.
They're also temporarily evacuating American-NATO forces from Victory Base, 20km west of Baghdad, while maintaining positions in Iraq's north, particularly in Kurdish regions.
Meanwhile, Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, has given the US a 5-day ultimatum to evacuate the US embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone or face attacks, escalating tensions in the region.
The Israeli military has issued a statement moments ago announcing a “wave of extensive strikes targeting” Iran government infrastructure in Tehran.
This came shortly after reports of powerful explosions across the Iranian capital.
צה״ל פתח בגל תקיפות נרחב לעבר תשתיות של משטר הטרור האיראני בטהרן
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 23, 2026
South Korean shares tumbled on Monday on heightening geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, with the won hitting 17-year lows.
US President Donald Trump and Iran threatened to escalate their war by attacking energy facilities in the Gulf, a potential widening of hostilities which could deepen a regional crisis and add to concerns in global markets.
The benchmark KOSPI fell 289.24 points, or 5%, to 5,491.96 as of 0131 GMT, extending losses even after a trading curb was activated on the index earlier in the session.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is calling Israel’s latest attacks on his country as a “collective punishment” on Lebanese civilians.
These attacks on critical infrastructure by Israeli forces are making the situation very difficult for both Lebanese government and the people, who are trying to escape the areas being bombarded.
Chuck Schumer, the US Senate’s minority leader, has called for an end to the US military operation against Iran.
“Enough is enough. End this war,” Schumer wrote in a statement posted on X.
“Even some Republican Senators are openly admitting they have no clue what the Administration is trying to accomplish in the Middle East,” the lawmaker from New York added.
In an earlier post on X, Schumer also noted that tens of billions of dollars “are being wasted” in the conduct of the war against Iran, resulting in a gallon of gas now costs “an average of $3.94”.
Lives are on the line.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 22, 2026
Tens of billions of dollars are being wasted.
A gallon of gas now costs an average of $3.94.
And THIS is all he has to say? https://t.co/rHvDOjMirM
Iran's message is loud and clear: they're gearing up for retaliation against US interests and Israel if their power plants are targeted.
The military, politicians, and diplomats are all on the same page, with statements from the Iranian military spokesperson, Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi indicating a unified stance.
They're leveraging their control over the Strait of Hormuz to disrupt energy markets and pressure the US to back down. And with Yemen's Houthis potentially joining the fray, things could get even more complicated.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is holding an emergency COBRA meeting today to address the economic fallout from the US-Israeli war on Iran. The meeting will be attended by key officials, including Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. They're set to discuss the impact on families, businesses, energy security, and supply chains, as well as the international response.
The UK's reliance on imported natural gas makes it vulnerable to price hikes, and energy prices are expected to rise again this week, with no signs of the conflict easing. This has pushed inflation concerns to the forefront, with some economists predicting a jump to 5% .
Japan's Nikkei share average fell 4% on Monday as concerns about escalation of the Middle East war stoked inflation fears and the potential for higher interest rates globally.
The Nikkei was down 3.8% to 51,340.02 as of 0018 GMT and the broader Topix fell 3.36% to 3,488.08.
"If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for a long time, the oil prices would rise further and speed up inflation," said Shuutarou Yasuda, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory.
"If the prices rise, global interest rates may be raised," he said. -Reuters
Explosions have been reported in eastern Tehran, with no immediate information on casualties or damage. The Iranian capital has been experiencing a series of attacks amidst escalating tensions with Israel and the US.
The United States and Iran threatened to target critical infrastructure Sunday as the war in the Middle East, now in its fourth week, puts lives and livelihoods at risk throughout the region.Iran said the Strait of Hormuz, crucial to oil and other exports, would be "completely closed” immediately if the US follows up on President Donald Trump's threat to attack its power plants.
At least one person was killed in an airstrike on a radio station in Iran's Gulf port of Bandar Abbas, according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency.
The US state department has issued a warning for American citizens around the globe to be more cautious amid the Iran war.
The department POsted on X: "Worldwide Caution: The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution.
It also said: "US diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted.
Groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world.
The state department added that periodic airspace closures might cause travel disruptions and that Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest US embassy or consulate.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to chair an emergency meeting on the economic fallout from the war in Iran on Monday, with finance minister Rachel Reeves and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey in attendance, the government said.
Investors are bracing for another stormy week in financial markets after Iran said it would strike the energy and water systems of Gulf neighbours if US President Donald Trump follows through with a threat to hit Iran's electricity grid.
Oil prices were little moved on Monday as investors weighed U.S. and Iranian threats to target energy facilities that could escalate the war against the release of millions of barrels of Iranian oil at sea to global markets after Washington lifted sanctions.
Brent crude futures dropped 8 cents to $112.11 a barrel by 2324 GMT after settling at the highest since July 2022 on Friday.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Iran said on Sunday it would strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbours in retaliation if US President Donald Trump follows through with a threat delivered a day earlier to hit Iran's electricity grid in 48 hours, escalating the three-week-old war.
The prospect of tit-for-tat strikes on civilian infrastructure could further rattle global markets when they reopen on Monday morning, and threaten the livelihoods of millions of civilians in the region who rely almost exclusively in some cases on desalination plants for water.
After more than three weeks of heavy US and Israeli bombardment that officials say has sharply reduced Iran's missile capabilities, Tehran continues to demonstrate the ability to carry out attacks. Air raid sirens sounded across parts of northern and central Israel, including in Tel Aviv, and the occupied West Bank overnight on Sunday, warning of incoming missiles from Iran.
Earlier today, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told CBS's Face the Nation that no option is "off the table" when it comes to Iran - including bombing a nuclear power plant.
Asked about Trump's threat to "obliterate" Iran's energy infrastructure, Waltz says: "Well, I would never take anything off the table for the president, certainly not on national television.
"I think the important point here is to understand the IRGC, a declared terrorist organisation, not only by us but in a number of European countries, controls a huge swath of Iran's critical infrastructure, their economy and certainly many of their governing institutions.
"And so to the extent we are degrading their military capability and their defence industrial base, all options should be on the table, and the president has made that very clear."
The US State Department has issued an updated caution to Americans across the world due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Writing on X, the department calls on Americans "worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution".
"Periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions. US diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted," it says.
"Groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world."
Oil prices have risen in early trading.
The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US benchmark crude, for May delivery rose 1.78 percent to $100.10 per barrel.
Meanwhile, North Sea Brent crude climbed 1.73 percent to $113.44 per barrel, minutes after the market opened on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Falling shrapnel has been reported in several locations across southern and central Israel after another round of Iranian missile attacks.
There are also reports of damage caused by cluster munitions.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Oil prices spiked on Sunday as Iran threatened to indefinitely shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, in response to President Donald Trump's ultimatum to restore oil traffic. Brent crude rose 1.69% to around $114.09 a barrel, while US crude jumped 2% to $100.29.
Goldman Sachs predicts elevated prices could last through 2027. The conflict has already disrupted global oil markets, with the strait effectively closed, impacting 20% of the world's oil supply.
Pope Leo on Sunday said death and suffering caused by the war in the Middle East are a “scandal to the whole human family”, as he once again pleaded for an immediate ceasefire.
As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, the first U.S. pope said that he continues to follow with “dismay” the situation in the Middle East and in other regions torn apart by war and violence.
“We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, the defenceless victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts the whole of humanity,” Leo said at his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
“I strongly renew my appeal for us to persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and the way may finally be paved for peace,” he added.
The Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah has stated it will extend the suspension of its attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad for an additional five days.
The group’s original announcement on March 18 was issued under specific conditions that included Israel’s halt of displacing and striking residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, and a commitment not to shell residential areas in Baghdad and other areas.
UK PM Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump have spoken by phone this evening.
A Downing Street spokesperson says: “The leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East, and in particular, the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to resume global shipping.
“They agreed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was essential to ensure stability in the global energy market.
“They agreed to speak again soon.”
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday said that he is “absolutely convinced” that the western military alliance will be able to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In an interview with Fox News, Rutte said, "European allies and partners all over the world have used the last couple of weeks to make sure that we come together. They start planning to see what we can do collectively as allies, as partners of the United States."
Southern Israeli towns woke to widespread damage on Sunday after air defences failed to intercept two Iranian missiles overnight that injured scores of civilians in one of the worst attacks of the war so far on Israeli soil.
As daylight broke, the scale of the damage in the desert town of Arad, where one of the strikes hit a multi-story apartment bloc, came into clearer view, with entire floors blown open by the blast. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia's defence ministry on Sunday stated that the country intercepted and destroyed several Iranian drones. The ministry added that the total number of drones reported since 05:45 am local time is nine, BBC reported.
Iran said on Sunday it would strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbours in retaliation if US President Donald Trump follows through with a threat to hit Iran's electricity grid in 48 hours, escalating the three-week-old war.
The prospect of tit-for-tat strikes on civilian infrastructure could deepen the regional crisis and further rattle global markets when they reopen on Monday morning.
- Reuters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the “global situation” and various “mitigating measures taken so far and being planned” across sectors amid the conflict in West Asia and directed that a team of Ministers and Secretaries be created in this regard for a “whole of Government approach”.
Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday said that threats and terror "only strengthen our unity." In a post on X, Tehran's president wrote, "The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history-making nation."
The illusion of erasing Iran from the map shows desperation against the will of a history-making nation. Threats and terror only strengthen our unity. The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our soil. We firmly confront delirious threats on the battlefield.
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 22, 2026
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Sunday responded to questions surrounding US President Donald Trump's resolve to secure the Strait of Hormuz and his call to NATO allies for the same.
In a post on X, Leavitt wrote, "As I said earlier this week, it’s common sense for President Trump to call on our NATO allies to step up and do more to help secure the Strait or Hormuz. Now we’re already starting to see them answer the President’s call."
As I said earlier this week, it’s common sense for President Trump to call on our NATO allies to step up and do more to help secure the Strait or Hormuz.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 22, 2026
Now we’re already starting to see them answer the President’s call.
⬇️pic.twitter.com/Zo1PpC2xdQ https://t.co/kGGmUgfQZR
Iran said on Sunday it would strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbours in retaliation if US President Donald Trump follows through with a threat to hit Iran's electricity grid in 48 hours, escalating the three-week-old war.
The prospect of tit-for-tat strikes on civilian infrastructure could deepen the regional crisis and rattle global markets when they reopen on Monday morning.
- Reuters
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, during an interview with NBC News on Sunday, said that President Donald Trump is leaving "all options on the table" in the war in the Middle East.
When asked whether the Washington is escalating the conflict, Bessent responded saying, "Sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate."
Iran and the allied Lebanese militant group Hezbollah stepped up attacks on Israel on Sunday after the United States and Iran threatened to target critical infrastructure in the war in the Middle East, now in its fourth week.
The US government has "plenty of money" to fund the war against Iran, but is requesting supplemental funding from Congress to ensure the military is well supplied in the future, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday.
"We have plenty of money to fund this war," Bessent said. "This is supplemental. President Trump has built up the military, as he did in his first term, as he is now doing in his second term, and he wants to make sure that the military is well supplied going forward."
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday warned that Strait of Hormuz will be "completely" closed if the United States bombs Tehran's power plants.
Iran is moving forward with monetising control over the Strait of Hormuz, CNN reported quoting Iranian source.
"We will continue suppressing Israel and establishing a new legal regime in the Strait of Hormuz," the source was reported as saying.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday called the Left "greatest enemy" of America and declared that Iran is "dead".
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Now with the death of Iran, the greatest enemy America has is the Radical Left, Highly Incompetent, Democrat Party!"
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday said that Iran has launched a fresh barrage of missiles towards Tel Aviv and that the military's defence forces are working to intercept the threat.
Confirming the development, Iran's state broadcaster IRIB reported that a new wave of missile attacks has begun.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday urged the Israeli citizens not be "complacent" and immediately take shelter as and when alerts are issued.
"The missile fell here, between the buildings. And if everyone had gone during those minutes into the protected spaces, into the shelters beneath every building here, no one would have been harmed. Do not be complacent, do not be indifferent," Netanyahu urged.
A cabinet minister of UK, Steve Reed, on Sunday said there's "no assessment to substantiate" Israel's claim that Iran has long-range missiles capable of reaching London, BBC reported.
Pope Leo on Sunday said death and suffering caused by the war in the Middle East are a "scandal to the whole human family."
"We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, the defenceless victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts the whole of humanity," Pope Leo said, Reuters reported.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday visited the site in Arad where Iranian missile struck on Sunday and said, "If you want proof that Iran endangers the entire world, the last 48 hours have given it. In the last 48 hours, Iran targeted a civilian area."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the site of the missile hit in Arad:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 22, 2026
“If you want proof that Iran endangers the entire world, the last 48 hours have given it. In the last 48 hours, Iran targeted a civilian area. https://t.co/jRwxe6HVwq pic.twitter.com/Q98TR1SnUA
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The US Central Command reported that it destroyed an Iranian military site earlier this month used for assembling ballistic missiles of various ranges. The facility, identified as the Kuh-e Barjamali complex in the Barjamali Hills southeast of Tehran, was shown in before-and-after satellite images shared on X.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThe Iranian regime built close, short, and medium-range ballistic missiles at the Kuh-E Barjamali Ballistic Missile Assembly Facility. The first photo shows what the location looked like on March 1, 2026. The photo dated March 7, 2026 is what the buildings look like now. Out of… pic.twitter.com/uS5IKMNbWq
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 22, 2026
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that any attack on Iranian power plants would trigger retaliatory strikes on critical infrastructure across the Middle East, potentially causing irreversible damage, according to comments posted on X today.
His statement follows a warning from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to target Iranian facilities if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened within 48 hours.
Qalibaf added that such escalation would likely push global oil prices higher, at least temporarily.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: A British nuclear-powered submarine, HMS Anson, equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Spearfish torpedoes has reportedly moved into the Arabian Sea, according to the Daily Mail. The deployment could enable long-range strikes if regional conflict escalates, though Reuters has not independently verified the report and the UK Ministry of Defence has not commented.
The submarine travelled about 5500 miles from Perth and maintains communication with UK military command in Northwood, where any strike would require prime ministerial authorisation. The move follows Britain’s approval for the US to use its bases for potential strikes on Iranian targets linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian Deputy Defence Minister Reza Talaei-Nik rejected US claims that Tehran’s military has been weakened, asserting that continued regional attacks demonstrate sustained operational strength. He said long-term investments in domestic weapons production, particularly missiles and drones, have enabled the IRGC to carry out increasingly precise strikes. Talaei-Nik also claimed Iran effectively controls security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route, according to Al Jazeera.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Japan has indicated it could consider deploying its Self-Defense Forces for minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz, but only if a full ceasefire is reached in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran situation. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that the idea is hypothetical and dependent on safe conditions.
Under its pacifist constitution, Japan’s military role is restricted, though 2015 security laws allow overseas deployment in situations threatening national survival. With nearly 90% of its oil passing through the strait, Tokyo has emphasised the need to ensure safe navigation, even as Iran has largely restricted access during the conflict, Reuters reported.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iran's representative to the UN maritime agency said that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to "Iran's enemies".
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: A helicopter crash in Qatar’s territorial waters killed six people, while the operations are still ongoing to find the last missing person, said the country’s interior ministry.
تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض طائرة مروحية قطرية إلى عطل فني أثناء تأدية واجب روتيني، مما أدى إلى سقوطها في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، وجاري البحث عن طاقمها والركاب.
— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 22, 2026
The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that a Qatari helicopter had technical malfunction during a… pic.twitter.com/5yaYHa6KoW
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Eight overnight attacks targeted a US diplomatic and logistics centre at Baghdad International Airport, an Iraqi security official told AFP.
“Eight separate attacks, carried out until dawn with rockets and drones, targeted the US center,” a senior security official told news agency AFP, adding that “some rockets landed near the base.”
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iran has issued a new 10 million rial banknote—the highest denomination in its history—as war-related pressures and surging inflation continue to drive up the cost of essential goods. The note is worth around £5.70, according to the Telegraph.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack on Israel's northern border community of Misgav Am. The militant group released a statement saying it targeted a “gathering of Israeli enemy army soldiers in the settlement of Misgav Am with a rocket barrage” at 8 am, according to The Times of Israel.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: A suspected anti-tank missile attack killed one in the northern border community of Misgav Am, said first responders, according to The Times of Israel.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iran has expressed willingness to work with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf, the Iranian representative to the UN maritime agency said, reported the semi-official Mehr news agency.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The Japanese government confirmed the release one of the two Japanese nationals detained in Iran, reported Kyodo News.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Air India and Air India Express will operate a combined total of 50 scheduled and non-scheduled flights, to and from the West Asia region on 22 March 2026.
👁 ImageUS-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: No injuries were reported in Iran's latest missile barrage, the second within an hour against Israel, according to The Times of Israel.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian drone strike targeted a military base near the Baghdad International Airport, said IRNA news agency.
The “military base, located near Baghdad International Airport, has again been the target of drone strikes,” stated IRNA.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The damaged facade of an apartment building is seen at the site struck by an Iranian missile in Arad, southern Israel (Photo/AP)
👁 ImageUS-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: More than 100 people were injured by Iranian strikes in the Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad on Saturday.
The Iranian regime devastated Arad and Dimona by deliberately striking civilians with missiles. Over 100 people were injured, including children. A blatant war crime. Pure terrorism. pic.twitter.com/e0kpFpdZ6n
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) March 21, 2026
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The United Arab Emirates (UAE), said that it is responding to incoming drone, missile attacks from Iran. “UAE air defenses are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement explaining that “the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defense Systems intercepting missiles and drones.”
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense said that three ballistic missiles were detected around Riyadh. "Detection of the launch of 3 ballistic missiles toward the Riyadh area, one of which was intercepted, while the other two missiles fell in an uninhabited area," the ministry said in a post on X.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsالمتحدث الرسمي لـ #_: رصد إطلاق 3 صواريخ باليستية باتجاه منطقة الرياض، وقد تم اعتراض أحد الصواريخ، فيما سقط الصاروخان الآخران في منطقة غير مأهولة. pic.twitter.com/ZRqeZmVO1p
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 22, 2026
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Qatar’s Defense Ministry said that a Qatari helicopter crashed in its regional waters during “routine duty” after it suffered a technical malfunction.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsتعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض طائرة مروحية قطرية إلى عطل فني أثناء تأدية واجب روتيني، مما أدى إلى سقوطها في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، وجاري البحث عن طاقمها والركاب.
— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 22, 2026
The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that a Qatari helicopter had technical malfunction during a… pic.twitter.com/5yaYHa6KoW
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that the Air Force is conducting a wave of strikes in the Iranian capital, Tehran, targeting infrastructure of the Islamic Republic’s regime.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a post on X, said “This is a very difficult evening in the battle for our future. A short time ago, I spoke with the mayor of Arad, Yair Maayan, and asked him to convey, on behalf of all the citizens of Israel, our prayers for the peace of the wounded. I instructed the Director General of my ministry to provide all necessary assistance, along with all government ministries. I am strengthening the emergency and rescue forces currently operating in the field and I call on everyone to obey the Home Front Command’s instructions. We are determined to continue to strike our enemies on all fronts.”
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsזהו ערב קשה מאוד במערכה על עתידנו. לפני זמן קצר שוחחתי עם ראש עיריית ערד, יאיר מעיין, וביקשתי למסור בשם כל אזרחי ישראל את תפילותינו לשלום הפצועים.
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 21, 2026
הנחתי את מנכ"לית משרדי להגיש את מלוא הסיוע הנדרש יחד עם כל משרדי הממשלה.
אני מחזק את כוחות החירום וההצלה שפועלים כעת בשטח ואני קורא…
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: US President Donald Trump vowed to “obliterate” power plants in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. POTUS gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum, stating that the US would hit Iran's power plants, starting with the biggest one, if the strait isn't fully opened without threats. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account.
US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: An unknown projectile caused an explosion “in close proximity” to a bulk carrier off the central northern coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) early on Sunday. “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 15NM(nautical miles) north of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates,” said the body. “All crew are reported safe,” it added.
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