By Amanda Castro and Ellie Cook

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New reporting from Reuters reveals that less than two days before the U.S.–Israeli strike on Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a final phone appeal to President Donald Trump, urging him to seize what intelligence suggested was a fleeting opportunity to target Iran’s top leadership. The call, described by multiple sources, came as both governments assessed a rapidly narrowing window for a “decapitation strike” on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ultimately helping shape Trump’s decision to launch Operation Epic Fury.

What To Know on Day 24:

• Newly surfaced details show Netanyahu told Trump the Saturday meeting of Iran’s leadership had been moved earlier, tightening the strike window.
• Sources say Netanyahu argued this might be the best chance to kill Khamenei and avenge alleged Iranian plots targeting Trump.
• Trump had already approved the idea of a military operation but had not finalized timing until after the call.
• The first bombs fell on Feb. 28; Trump announced Khamenei’s death that evening.
• White House officials say the operation aimed to destroy Iran’s missile production, naval capabilities, and prevent nuclear advancement.
• Netanyahu denies pushing the U.S. into war, but reporting shows he was a forceful advocate in private.
• Earlier attacks in June had already hit nuclear and missile sites; Israel wanted a second wave targeting additional facilities and Khamenei himself.
• Joint U.S.–Israeli planning intensified after mass protests in Iran and a harsh crackdown by the Revolutionary Guard.
• U.S. intelligence warned that any Israeli strike would likely trigger Iranian retaliation against American forces and allies — a prediction that proved accurate.
• The conflict has since killed more than 2,300 Iranian civilians, at least 13 U.S. service members, and disrupted global shipping and oil markets.
• Despite hopes in some corners for regime change, the CIA assessed Khamenei would likely be replaced by another hardliner — which occurred when his son Mojtaba assumed power.

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Mar 23, 2026 at 08:02 PM EDT

Trump’s strike pause offers brief reprieve as Iran reels from attacks

President Donald Trump’s decision to delay strikes on Iran’s power plants has given the country a short window of relief, but the damage from weeks of U.S. and Israeli attacks has already pushed critical infrastructure to the brink and inflamed public anger — including among Iranians who oppose their own government.

Both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have urged Iranians to rise up, yet the bombardment has instead deepened resentment toward the U.S.-Israeli campaign. International criticism is mounting as well. Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, warned that the region is nearing “a point of no return,” saying that strikes on essential services amount to attacks on civilians.

Parts of Tehran were plunged into darkness overnight, though the cause of the blackout remains unclear. In recent days, Israeli strikes have hit fuel depots around the capital, sending toxic fumes across the city, while earlier attacks damaged Andimeshk’s only hospital and sparked fears of an energy crisis after explosions at the South Pars gas field.

The war’s human toll remains staggering. On the conflict’s first day, a U.S. strike on a girls’ elementary school killed roughly 175 people, most of them children.

Trump’s threats to target power plants — a move critics say could cripple a nation of more than 90 million — have rattled even outspoken opponents of Iran’s leadership. Figures such as Reza Pahlavi and activist Masih Alinejad have urged Washington and Israel to avoid hitting infrastructure civilians depend on.

Analysts say the strategy has backfired. Omid Memarian of DAWN argued the attacks have helped Iran’s rulers portray the war as an assault on the nation itself, not just its government.

Iran has already begun retaliating, including striking a Bahraini desalination plant after its own facilities were hit. Officials warn that any attack on Iran’s power grid would trigger far more aggressive responses across the region.

Economist Esfandyar Batmanghelidj noted that Iran’s vast network of nearly 500 power plants makes it more resilient than Israel, which relies heavily on a handful of major facilities. A strike on a single large Israeli plant, he said, could have an outsized impact — a dynamic that raises the stakes for any further escalation.

Trump says his five‑day pause is meant to allow space for negotiations. Iranian officials have dismissed it as a prelude to more attacks.

Mar 23, 2026 at 07:49 PM EDT

Israel signals strikes in Iran will continue despite US pause

Israel’s military says it will keep conducting operations inside Iran until it receives explicit orders to stop, reinforcing the open‑ended authority granted by the government. Under its current mandate, the army can carry out assassinations of senior Iranian figures without seeking further political approval — a posture that leaves the door open to rapid escalation.

No Israeli official has publicly commented on President Donald Trump’s announcement of a five‑day pause in potential escalatory steps. Privately, officials in Tel Aviv are focused on ensuring any emerging US‑Iran agreement does not undermine Israel’s strategic interests.

For now, Israel appears intent on maintaining pressure inside Iran even as diplomatic negotiations continue elsewhere.

Mar 23, 2026 at 07:36 PM EDT

WATCH: Trump pressed over Iran strike threats and Russia-Ukraine comparison

Mar 23, 2026 at 07:23 PM EDT

Global energy shock deepens as Iran’s blockade of Hormuz forces record oil reserve release

Iran’s paralysis of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered one of the most severe disruptions to global oil and gas flows in decades, forcing governments to tap emergency reserves and raising fears of a prolonged economic shock.

After three weeks of Iranian strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure, major producers including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, and Kuwait have slashed output, compounding the supply crunch. With roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil normally passing through Hormuz, analysts warn that the shutdown is already reshaping global markets.

In response, the International Energy Agency’s 32 member states agreed on March 11 to release 400 million barrels from strategic reserves — the largest coordinated drawdown in the agency’s history. The emergency release far exceeds the 182 million barrels deployed in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, underscoring the scale of the current crisis.

Officials say the unprecedented move is aimed at stabilizing markets and preventing a broader economic downturn as the conflict continues to disrupt supply routes across the Gulf.

Mar 23, 2026 at 07:10 PM EDT

Regional diplomacy accelerates as countries push for last-chance de-escalation

After nearly three weeks of limited diplomatic activity, regional powers have launched a flurry of talks to reopen channels frozen since the start of the war. Meetings over the past 24 hours have brought together Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Iran’s Abbas Araghchi, and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside parallel discussions between Ankara, Riyadh, Doha, Oman, Pakistan, and Egypt.

Officials involved say the goal is to determine whether any path remains for de‑escalation, a ceasefire, and eventually a broader political settlement. But regional governments warn that time is running out. Many argue they have paid a steep price for a conflict they did not join, enduring strikes and economic fallout as the fighting expands.

Diplomats say frustration is rising, with several countries signaling that this may be the final opportunity to halt the war’s momentum. They point to Israel as the most unpredictable actor — a potential spoiler not only between the warring parties but across Middle Eastern capitals now scrambling to contain the crisis.

Mar 23, 2026 at 06:57 PM EDT

Israeli minister says war must end with ‘new border’ at the Litani River

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that Israel’s escalating military campaign in Lebanon should conclude with a fundamentally altered security map — including a shift in Israel’s northern border.

Speaking on an Israeli radio program, Smotrich said the conflict “needs to end with a different reality entirely,” adding that the country’s “new Israeli border must be the Litani River.” His remarks came a day after Israeli forces struck multiple bridges over the Litani, severing key routes that connect southern Lebanon to the rest of the country.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes, calling them a “prelude to ground invasion” as tensions along the border continue to rise. Smotrich’s comments underscore the increasingly expansive rhetoric from Israeli officials as fighting intensifies and fears grow of a broader regional war.

Mar 23, 2026 at 06:43 PM EDT

Small businesses face new pressures as Iran war disrupts global energy and supply chains, expert says

In exclusive comments to Newsweek, Ben Johnston, COO of Kapitus, warned that the war with Iran is poised to deliver another major shock to U.S. small businesses already strained by tariffs, inflation, and high interest rates.

Johnston said the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a corridor that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil—has forced Gulf producers to shut down output, a disruption he expects could last “weeks or months” depending on the duration of the conflict. That instability, he said, will ripple through fuel prices, transportation costs, and supply chains across the United States.

Rising oil prices, now climbing past $100 a barrel, threaten to squeeze already‑thin margins. “Small businesses are once again grappling with the impact of an unforeseen expense,” Johnston said, adding that many will delay raising prices but may ultimately have no choice if elevated costs persist. The uncertainty alone, he noted, is likely to cause businesses to pause hiring, postpone new projects, and scale back growth plans—moves that could drag on the broader economy.

Beyond energy, Johnston highlighted lesser‑known vulnerabilities, including disruptions to fertilizer, helium, aluminum, steel, and concrete—materials central to agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. While U.S. producers may gain a competitive edge due to more stable domestic energy supplies, he said global shortages could still reshape markets.

Industries most exposed include transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, all of which rely heavily on diesel, petroleum‑based inputs, or energy‑intensive production. But Johnston noted that the U.S. oil and gas sector—home to thousands of small businesses—could benefit from higher prices that make new projects economically viable.

To stay resilient, he said small businesses should maintain flexible supply chains, diversify financial relationships, invest in automation and AI tools, and secure access to working capital. Economic uncertainty, he added, tends to push lending costs higher, especially when consumer spending weakens under the weight of rising fuel prices.

“Uncertainty in the economy leads to higher lending prices,” Johnston said, warning that the combined pressures of energy volatility and reduced consumer demand could tighten credit conditions in the months ahead.

Mar 23, 2026 at 06:30 PM EDT

Pakistan’s Sharif says he spoke with Iran’s president, calls for urgent de-escalation

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he has spoken again with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, pledging Islamabad’s support for efforts to calm regional tensions as the conflict in the Gulf widens.

In a message posted on social media, Sharif said the two leaders “discussed the grave situation in the Gulf region and agreed on the urgent need for de‑escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy.” The pair have held several calls over the past month, exchanging Ramadan and Eid greetings while also reaffirming Pakistan’s desire for an end to the war.

Pakistan, which shares a long and sensitive border with Iran in its southwest, has been navigating a delicate diplomatic path since the conflict began. The country is simultaneously managing its own security challenges along the Afghanistan frontier and fears disruptions to vital oil and gas supplies from the Gulf.

Islamabad’s balancing act is further complicated by its mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, signed last year, which formalized decades of close military cooperation.

Mar 23, 2026 at 06:17 PM EDT

Lebanon says death toll surpasses 1,000 as Israeli offensive intensifies

At least 1,039 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel’s expanded offensive began on March 2, the country’s Health Ministry said Monday, marking one of the deadliest periods of the conflict to date.

The ministry reported 2,876 wounded nationwide, with 10 deaths and 90 injuries recorded in the past 24 hours alone as strikes continued across southern and eastern regions. Officials warned that the toll is expected to rise as rescue teams reach areas that have been difficult to access amid ongoing bombardment.

Mar 23, 2026 at 06:04 PM EDT

Israeli military admits errant fire killed avocado farmer near Lebanon border

The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged Monday that an Israeli civilian killed near the Lebanese border a day earlier died not from Hezbollah fire, as initially reported, but from Israel’s own misdirected artillery.

The victim, Ofer “Poshko” Moskovitz, 60, was a well‑known avocado farmer and local spokesman for Misgav Am, a small kibbutz perched directly on the frontier. He was killed Sunday while riding in a car that the military first said had been struck during a Hezbollah rocket barrage. An internal review later found that five Israeli artillery rounds were fired “at an incorrect angle,” hitting the Misgav Am ridge instead of the intended target in southern Lebanon.

Moskovitz was buried Monday in Kibbutz Amiad, near the Sea of Galilee, as tributes poured in for the charismatic farmer who had spent recent weeks describing life under constant threat. In a radio interview Friday, he warned that “a missile or a drone could fall on me at any moment,” calling life along the border “Russian roulette.”

His brother, Ron Moskovitz, said the family held no anger toward the soldiers involved. “In war, these are things that happen,” he said, adding that the family asked the army to reassure those feeling guilty that “we’re sending them a hug.”

But he was sharply critical of Israel’s political leadership, saying residents of the north had been repeatedly misled about the security situation. “People want to be told the truth,” he said. “Leaders who are incapable of communicating complexity to their people — they should not be leaders.”

Moskovitz, who arrived in Misgav Am during his military service and never left, had become an unofficial voice for the Upper Galilee’s farming communities. He celebrated the birth of his second grandchild just last week — a joy his family said was shattered overnight.

Mar 23, 2026 at 05:51 PM EDT

Who is Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker?

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Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf, a conservative heavyweight with deep roots in Iran’s security establishment, has served as speaker of the Iranian parliament since 2020. Born in 1961, he joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1980 and rose through the ranks during the Iran‑Iraq War, eventually becoming one of the IRGC’s senior commanders.

Ghalibaf has repeatedly sought the presidency, running four times over two decades. He placed fourth in 2005, second in 2013, withdrew ahead of the 2017 vote, and finished third in the early 2024 election.

His political profile resurfaced this week after a post from his X account warned that financial institutions supporting the U.S. military budget were now “legitimate targets,” a statement that drew international attention amid the widening conflict.

Ghalibaf has long faced allegations from critics who say he used his IRGC background to shield corruption scandals during his tenure as Tehran’s mayor, accusations he has consistently denied.

Mar 23, 2026 at 05:31 PM EDT

What to know about US-Iran ‘talks’

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States and Iran have held “very good and productive conversations” aimed at reaching what he described as a “complete and total resolution” to the war that began in late February. He claimed senior Iranian officials had initiated the outreach and that both sides had identified “major points of agreement,” adding that phone discussions could take place later today.

Iranian officials immediately rejected that account. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran has held no talks with Washington and that its position on the Strait of Hormuz and conditions for ending the conflict remain unchanged. He acknowledged receiving messages from “friendly countries” relaying U.S. interest in negotiations but insisted that no direct or indirect dialogue had occurred.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf echoed the denial, writing on X that “no negotiations have been held with the U.S.” and accusing Washington of spreading “fake news” to influence financial and oil markets.

Mar 23, 2026 at 05:18 PM EDT

EU’s Kallas welcomes pause on strikes against Iran’s energy sites

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States will not carry out strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, calling the decision a necessary step toward de‑escalation.

Kallas said attacks on critical infrastructure were fueling regional instability and worsening the conflict. She warned that continued strikes on energy, water, and industrial sites risked deepening the humanitarian and economic fallout already spreading across the Middle East.

Mar 23, 2026 at 05:05 PM EDT

Israel says it hit multiple IRGC bases in latest strikes on Iran

The Israeli army says it carried out a new round of strikes on Iran, targeting what it described as key military and weapons‑production sites tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In a statement posted on Telegram, the military said it struck an IRGC aerial‑defense and ground‑forces headquarters, a Quds Force base, an intelligence facility, and a Defense Ministry missile‑manufacturing site. Additional production and research centers were also hit, according to the statement.

Mar 23, 2026 at 04:52 PM EDT

Air France extends Middle East flight suspensions amid ongoing conflict

Air France has lengthened its suspension of flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh through March 31, and to Tel Aviv and Beirut through April 4, as instability across the Middle East continues to disrupt commercial aviation.

The move aligns with decisions by other major European carriers. British Airways, Lufthansa, and several additional airlines have already canceled services to the same destinations well into late March, April, and in some cases May, citing security risks and unpredictable airspace conditions.

Mar 23, 2026 at 04:39 PM EDT

Iran threatens financial targets, warns buyers of U.S. debt

Iran is widening its list of potential targets to include foreign holders of U.S. Treasury bonds, the speaker of Iran’s parliament warned in a post on X.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that financial institutions supporting the U.S. defense budget are “legitimate targets,” declaring that “U.S. treasury bonds are soaked in Iranians’ blood. Purchase them, and you purchase a strike on your HQ and assets.” He added, “We monitor your portfolios. This is your final notice.”

The threat came as President Donald Trump issued a 48‑hour ultimatum for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants. The waterway, one of the world’s most critical oil corridors, has been largely closed to Western and Arab tankers since the conflict began.

Mar 23, 2026 at 04:26 PM EDT

Red Cross warns attacks on infrastructure are direct attacks on civilians

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross warned Monday that the escalating strikes on energy, water and medical systems across the Middle East amount to direct harm against civilian populations. “War on essential infrastructure is war on civilians,” Mirjana Spoljaric said, citing mounting attacks on facilities that sustain daily life.

Her remarks come as President Donald Trump continues to threaten strikes on Iran’s power grid, while Israel has already targeted parts of the country’s energy network. Iran, in turn, has hit desalination plants and oil and gas sites in several regional states and has vowed further retaliation if its own grid is attacked.

Spoljaric said the most alarming risk involves nuclear sites, warning of potentially “irreversible consequences” should any be damaged. The United States and Israel have already struck Iranian nuclear facilities, while Iranian missiles have landed near Israel’s main nuclear complex.

Mar 23, 2026 at 04:13 PM EDT

Markets rebound after Trump delays strikes on Iran’s oil facilities

U.S. markets surged Monday after President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause on potential strikes against Iran’s oil infrastructure, easing fears of a deeper shock to global energy supplies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped nearly 2 percent at the opening bell, a sharp reversal from Friday, when both the Dow and the Nasdaq were on the brink of entering correction territory.

The relief rally was broad, though energy stocks lagged as oil prices fell sharply. Brent crude, which had climbed above $110 a barrel late last week, slipped to around $100. The U.S. benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, has traded below $90 since Sunday. Trump referenced the drop in his remarks, signaling he welcomed the easing pressure on consumers.

Investors appear to be betting that even a brief pause in military escalation could stabilize commodity markets, though analysts warn that volatility will persist as long as the conflict continues to threaten global oil flows.

Mar 23, 2026 at 04:00 PM EDT

IN PITCURES: Rescue crews search rubble after deadly strike in northern Tehran

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Mar 23, 2026 at 03:47 PM EDT

Starmer says UK prioritizing nuclear limits in any U.S.–Iran agreement

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told senior lawmakers that the British government is closely tracking the reported talks between the United States and Iran, stressing that London’s priority is securing “a negotiated agreement which puts tight conditions on Iran, particularly in relation to nuclear weapons.”

Starmer said he hoped diplomacy would bring a rapid end to the fighting, but warned that the government must prepare for the possibility that hostilities continue. “In terms of the potential economic impact, I have to plan on the basis there may not be” a swift resolution, he said.

Mar 23, 2026 at 03:34 PM EDT

Lebanese Health Ministry says one killed in strike near Beirut

A strike on an apartment in Hazmieh, just east of Beirut, killed one person on Monday, according to the Lebanese health ministry, which cited information carried by the state‑run National News Agency.

The Israeli military said the attack targeted a member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has been supporting Hezbollah in its fight against Israel. The IRGC has played a central role in advising and equipping the Lebanese militant group throughout the conflict.

Mar 23, 2026 at 03:21 PM EDT

Starmer says UK weighing new powers to curb energy-price profiteering

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told senior lawmakers that the government is examining new measures to stop companies from exploiting the surge in energy prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East.

Starmer said one option under review is strengthening the authority of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, giving the antitrust regulator more “teeth” to intervene if firms engage in “price gouging or profiteering.”

Mar 23, 2026 at 03:08 PM EDT

WATCH: Ttrump claims Iran has called to make a deal to end war

Mar 23, 2026 at 02:55 PM EDT

Trump signals openness to Iran deal but delivers mixed messages on strategy

President Donald Trump offered a sweeping — and at times contradictory — assessment of U.S. engagement with Iran, saying he has been in contact with a “respected” Iranian figure whose identity he would not disclose for safety reasons. Trump said the discussions are aimed at achieving “no nuclear weapons of any kind or enrichment” and broader stability in the Middle East, though he cautioned that “there are no guarantees” a deal will be reached.

The outline he described closely resembles the framework that had been under quiet negotiation in Oman before the war erupted 23 days ago. But Trump acknowledged that significant gaps remain, noting that Iran has not asked for a ceasefire and that the process is still in its early stages.

His remarks also highlighted the volatility of the moment. Just three days ago, Trump said he wanted a deal; two days later, he threatened on social media to destroy Iran’s energy infrastructure. And when asked Monday about the possible deployment of U.S. Marines to the region, he declined to discuss strategy — despite having previewed elements of it online.

Mar 23, 2026 at 02:42 PM EDT

Kremlin says it is tracking conflicting reports on Iran, hopes for quick de-escalation

The Kremlin said Monday it is closely watching what it described as a wave of contradictory statements surrounding the situation in Iran, urging a swift return to stability as the conflict continues to widen.

State news agency TASS quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying Moscow is monitoring the fast‑shifting claims coming from multiple governments and media outlets. “There have been many different statements today, including some contradictory ones,” Peskov said. “We continue to monitor the situation closely and hope that it will soon return to a peaceful course.”

Mar 23, 2026 at 02:37 PM EDT

U.S. Embassy in Oman issues shelter-in-place alert amid ‘ongoing activity’

The U.S. Embassy in Muscat has ordered Americans in Oman, including those in the capital, to shelter in place Monday due to what it described as “ongoing activity,” as regional tensions continue to spill across the Gulf.

The alert comes just weeks after the State Department authorized the departure of non‑emergency U.S. government staff and family members on March 3, citing heightened security concerns.

Mar 23, 2026 at 02:29 PM EDT

Gulf analyst warns talks could stall without Israeli buy-in

Abdullah Banndar Al Etaibi, an assistant professor at Qatar University, said regional governments are cautiously encouraged by President Donald Trump’s claims that negotiations with Iran are progressing, but remain wary of the political maneuvering on both sides. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he said Washington and Tehran are each trying to ensure they “have the upper hand,” making any breakthrough fragile.

Al Etaibi argued that Israel remains the most skeptical actor, warning that if it is excluded from any agreement, the conflict could drag on indefinitely, with repeated escalations “like a boxing fight.” He predicted that if the U.S. and Iran fail to reach a deal by Friday, the region could see a significant spike in hostilities.

Without a ceasefire, he said, GCC countries will likely increase defense spending and accelerate efforts to find alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz. If a deal materializes, however, those same states will want a seat at the table.

Al Etaibi also suggested Trump may be using the negotiations to “buy time,” pointing to the recent deployment of U.S. Marines to the region as a sign that Washington is preparing for multiple possible outcomes.

Mar 23, 2026 at 02:16 PM EDT

Trump suggests shared control of Strait of Hormuz, says regime change already underway

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States may share control of the Strait of Hormuz with Iran, while also suggesting that a form of regime change has effectively already taken place due to the number of senior Iranian officials killed during the war.

“Maybe me, maybe me and the ayatollah, whoever the ayatollah is, whoever the next ayatollah is,” Trump told reporters. “And there will also be some form of regime change, very serious regime change.”

Trump said the latest conversations with Iran occurred Sunday and involved what he described as “top” Iranian leadership, though he noted he has not heard from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and is unsure of his status. He claimed the two sides reached “major points of agreement.”

Mar 23, 2026 at 02:03 PM EDT

Videos show Iranians form human chains to protect power plants

Civilians in Ahvaz and Mashhad formed human chains around major power plants on Monday, according to footage published by the state‑run Fars news agency on Telegram. The videos show residents standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder outside the Ramin power plant in Ahvaz, many holding Iranian flags, while similar crowds gathered near a facility in Mashhad.

The demonstrations come as President Donald Trump continues to threaten strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure unless Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments.

Mar 23, 2026 at 01:50 PM EDT

Merz says he urged Trump to hold off on strikes against Iran

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters in Berlin on Monday that he spoke with President Donald Trump over the weekend to raise concerns about potential U.S. attacks on Iran’s power infrastructure.

Merz said he warned Trump about the risks of escalating the conflict and welcomed the president’s decision to delay the strikes. “I am grateful that he said today that he is postponing them for another five days and is now also opening the possibility for immediate and direct contact with the Iranian leadership,” Merz said.

Mar 23, 2026 at 01:37 PM EDT

Trump claims Iran initiated contact to avoid U.S. strike on energy sites

President Donald Trump expanded on his account of U.S.–Iran discussions on Monday, insisting that Tehran reached out first in an effort to prevent American strikes on its energy infrastructure. Speaking to reporters, Trump said Iran had agreed it would “never have a nuclear weapon,” and that both sides were now pursuing what he described as a realistic path toward a deal.

Trump claimed the United States had been prepared to destroy what he called Iran’s largest electric‑generation facility, a project he said cost more than $10 billion to build. “Why would they want that?” he said. “So they called — I didn’t call.”

He argued that Iran’s desire to avoid the strike created momentum for negotiations, adding that the two governments had a “very serious chance” of reaching an agreement. If talks succeed, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz could reopen “very soon,” predicting that global oil prices would “drop like a rock” once a deal is finalized.

Iranian officials have publicly denied that any such talks are taking place.

Mar 23, 2026 at 01:24 PM EDT

Russia and Iran condemn U.S.-Israeli strikes in call between top diplomats

Iranian state media reported Monday that the foreign ministers of Moscow and Tehran held a phone call in which both sides denounced what they described as the unlawful U.S.-Israeli military assault on Iran.

According to IRNA, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran intends to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning that any American strike on the country’s energy infrastructure would trigger a swift response.

Mar 23, 2026 at 01:11 PM EDT

Iran’s Lorestan Province reports rising death toll as war enters fourth week

A senior official in Lorestan province says the region has suffered heavy casualties since the war began on February 28, with at least 157 people killed and 2,667 wounded.

The deputy governor announced the figures on Monday, describing the toll as one of the clearest snapshots yet of how deeply the conflict has hit western Iran.

Mar 23, 2026 at 12:58 PM EDT

WATCH: Chuck Schumer calls on Hegseth, Rubio and other officials to testify about Iran war

Mar 23, 2026 at 12:55 PM EDT

Trump warns Iran has ‘one more opportunity’ to end threats

Speaking at an event in Memphis, Tennessee, President Donald Trump said Iran has “one more opportunity” to halt its threats against the United States and its allies, framing the moment as a final chance to avoid further escalation.

“Iran has one more opportunity to end its threats to America and its allies – and we hope they take it,” Trump said. “Either way, America and the entire world will be soon much safer.”

Mar 23, 2026 at 12:45 PM EDT

Trump outlines key claims from his latest remarks on Iran talks: What to know

President Donald Trump laid out a sweeping list of assertions on Monday about what he described as progress in U.S. discussions with Iran, portraying the moment as a potential turning point in the conflict even as Tehran publicly denies any negotiations are underway.

Trump said the United States and Iran had engaged in “strong talks” and identified numerous areas of alignment, claiming there are now 15 points of agreement. He said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been leading the U.S. outreach and have spoken with what he called respected senior Iranian figures, though he declined to name them. According to Trump, both sides want a deal and may hold another round of phone discussions later today.

He reiterated that Washington’s central demand remains unchanged: Iran must not possess nuclear weapons. Trump also asserted that if the U.S. had not carried out earlier B‑2 strikes, Iran would have produced a nuclear device within weeks for use against Israel.

Trump added several provocative claims, including that Iran initiated the contact — “they called, I didn’t call” — and that the U.S. could easily secure enriched uranium if an agreement is reached. He also floated the possibility of a “very serious form of regime change” inside Iran, suggesting a future leader could resemble the interim president installed in Venezuela.

He said he

Mar 23, 2026 at 12:34 PM EDT

Bahrain sounds nationwide sirens, urges public to seek safety

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said Monday that warning sirens were activated across the country, signaling a new security alert amid ongoing regional tensions.

In a brief statement posted on X, the ministry urged citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe location. “Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the post said.

Mar 23, 2026 at 12:31 PM EDT

Trump says Strait of Hormuz could reopen soon if talks advance

President Donald Trump said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen “very soon” if ongoing diplomatic discussions with Iran move forward, signaling one of his most optimistic assessments since the conflict began.

Pressed on who would control the vital waterway — a chokepoint for global oil shipments — Trump said it would be placed under “joint” control, suggesting a shared arrangement between the United States and Iran. “Maybe me — me and the ayatollah, whoever the ayatollah is, whoever the next Ayatollah,” he told reporters.

Trump also hinted at major political changes inside Iran, saying the country was headed toward “a very serious form of a regime change.” He described unnamed Iranian figures he has been in contact with as “reasonable” and “respected,” adding that one of them could emerge as the kind of leader Washington hopes to see.

Mar 23, 2026 at 12:21 PM EDT

Iran claims ‘new surprises’ ahead as conflict with U.S. and Israel intensifies

An Iranian military source told the semi‑official Tasnim news agency that Iran is preparing “new surprises” in the coming days of its war with what it calls U.S.–Israeli “aggressors,” suggesting the next phase of the conflict could bring “very big results.”

The source claimed President Donald Trump is watching his military options “fail” and is now searching for a way out of what he described as a stalemate. He mocked Trump’s recent online statements, saying the U.S. president had shifted the war “from his runaway ships into social networks.”

According to the source, U.S. offensive and defensive capabilities are in “very bad condition,” leaving Trump with “no hope” of reopening the Strait of Hormuz by force. He argued that Washington has turned to rhetoric as its ammunition stockpiles dwindle.

“Contrary to Trump’s empty promises, Iran has prepared surprises for the coming days that will make the outcome of the war more obvious than ever,” the source said, adding that Trump should focus less on his phone and more on “the sky, the stock market, and the price of oil.”

Mar 23, 2026 at 12:18 PM EDT

Wright defends Iran conflict at major energy conference

Energy Secretary Chris Wright used his appearance at CERAWeek on Monday to argue that the war with Iran was unavoidable, telling a room of oil and gas executives that the administration views the conflict as necessary despite the turmoil it has caused across the industry.

Wright acknowledged that the fighting has disrupted global operations and supply chains but said the administration believes the long‑term stakes justify the immediate strain. “This is a conflict that we simply couldn’t kick down the road,” he said, describing the current instability as the price of confronting what he called a decades‑long threat.

He insisted the goal is a more stable future, saying the short‑term shocks would ultimately give way to “a world that’s much more peaceful.”

Mar 23, 2026 at 12:12 PM EDT

Ghalibaf denies reports of U.S. talks, accuses media of market manipulation

Multiple news outlets reported in the past hour that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been engaged in negotiations with Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament. But an X account attributed to Ghalibaf swiftly rejected those claims, saying no discussions with the United States had taken place.

The post accused unnamed actors of spreading “fake news” to manipulate global oil markets and insisted that the Iranian public “demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors.”

The denial adds another layer of confusion to a conflict marked by competing narratives from Washington, Jerusalem, and Tehran, each seeking to shape perceptions of diplomatic momentum — or the lack of it — as the war enters its fourth week.

Mar 23, 2026 at 12:05 PM EDT

Stocks jump as Trump cites pause in planned strikes on Iran

U.S. markets opened sharply higher on Monday, with the S&P 500 gaining more than 1 percent and heading toward its strongest session since the Iran war began in late February. The early rally followed President Donald Trump’s claim that he ordered a five‑day delay in planned strikes on Iranian energy facilities after what he described as constructive discussions with Tehran.

The suggestion of a diplomatic opening briefly eased investor anxiety, lifting equities and cooling energy prices. But the optimism was tempered by Iranian officials, who publicly rejected the idea that any talks had taken place.

Mar 23, 2026 at 11:52 AM EDT

U.S. begins releasing emergency oil reserves, Wright says

The United States has begun drawing down barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Energy Secretary Chris Wright told oil and gas executives during a meeting in Houston on Monday. The release, first announced earlier this month as part of an effort to ease tightening global supplies, formally started on Friday.

Wright said the administration expects the emergency drawdown to scale up quickly, projecting that releases could reach as much as 1.5 million barrels per day.

Mar 23, 2026 at 11:39 AM EDT

Israel hits key bridge in southern Lebanon as strikes intensify

The Israeli military carried out an airstrike on the Dallafa Bridge in southern Lebanon on Monday, expanding a campaign that has repeatedly targeted major roadways in recent days. Israeli officials say the bridge network has been used by Hezbollah to move personnel and weapons toward the southern front as fighting escalates.

The strike also cut off one of the few remaining routes used by civilians fleeing bombardment in the region. Local residents and aid groups say the destruction of crossings has made it increasingly difficult for families to leave frontline towns, raising fears that more people will become trapped as Israel’s operations continue to widen.

Mar 23, 2026 at 11:26 AM EDT

Markets slide after Trump claims ‘productive’ talks with Iran

Stocks, bonds and oil prices swung sharply lower Monday after President Donald Trump said the United States had held “productive” discussions aimed at ending the war with Iran. His remarks initially sent Brent crude tumbling to about $96 a barrel, a steep drop from its peak of $114 on Monday.

But the decline partially reversed after Iranian state media denied that any talks had taken place, pushing Brent back up to roughly $100 — still well below recent highs.

Mar 23, 2026 at 11:13 AM EDT

Pakistan Super League to be played without fans amid worsening energy crisis

Pakistan’s top cricket tournament will unfold in empty stadiums this year as the country confronts a deepening energy emergency triggered by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Pakistan Cricket Board said the decision was made “to support efficient use of energy and public resources,” noting that crowds averaging 30,000 per match would have placed a heavy strain on already limited fuel and power supplies.

The league is also scaling back its footprint, reducing its slate of host cities from six to just two. The opening ceremony, scheduled for Thursday in Lahore, has been canceled as part of the broader conservation effort.

Pakistan’s move mirrors steps taken across Asia, where nations heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy imports are scrambling to curb consumption. Vietnam has urged citizens to work from home and cut back on driving, while the Philippines and Sri Lanka have introduced four‑day workweeks for government employees to reduce fuel use.

Mar 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT

IAEA chief raises alarm over reports of military activity near Bushehr nuclear plant

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi spoke by phone with Alexey Likhachev, head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, after receiving “concerning reports” of military activity near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the agency said Monday.

Rosatom built the first 1‑gigawatt reactor at Bushehr and is currently constructing additional units, making the company a key stakeholder in the site’s safety.

In a statement on X, the IAEA said Grossi emphasized that, under the agency’s “seven indispensable pillars” of nuclear safety and security, no military action should endanger the physical integrity of nuclear facilities or the personnel who operate them. He stressed that staff must be able to perform their duties without risk as tensions in the region continue to rise.

Mar 23, 2026 at 10:47 AM EDT

Trump eyes lower borrowing costs as Iran war pushes yields higher

The Trump administration has repeatedly highlighted the importance of the 10‑year Treasury yield, a benchmark that influences borrowing costs across the global economy — from corporate loans to home mortgages. A lower yield would ease pressure on consumers by reducing mortgage rates and other lending costs, something President Donald Trump has openly pushed for.

But the ongoing war in Iran has fueled inflation, driving yields higher instead of lower. In typical economic conditions, central banks respond to inflation by raising interest rates, not cutting them — the opposite of what Trump wants heading into the midterms.

With markets rattled by the conflict and borrowing costs climbing, some investors now expect Trump to pivot back toward his domestic economic agenda, hoping to stabilize financial conditions and reassure voters as the political calendar tightens.

Mar 23, 2026 at 10:34 AM EDT

Two Indian LPG tankers transit Hormuz as most traffic remains frozen

Two Indian‑flagged liquefied petroleum gas tankers have managed to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, even as the vital waterway remains largely shut down due to the Iran conflict, according to shipping data and industry sources.

Ship‑tracking information from MarineTraffic showed the Pine Gas transiting the strait on Monday, with the Jag Vasant following shortly behind. Separate data from the London Stock Exchange Group indicated the Pine Gas broadcast a message identifying itself as an “India ship and crew.”

Despite their passage, the broader picture remains bleak. Hundreds of vessels are still stuck inside the Gulf, leaving thousands of seafarers stranded as the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran continues to block most commercial movement through one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

Mar 23, 2026 at 10:21 AM EDT

Gulf states confront dire stakes as U.S.–Iran tensions escalate

The Gulf states have found themselves in an increasingly perilous position as the confrontation between Israel, the United States, and Iran intensifies, exposing just how vulnerable the region is to any strike on critical infrastructure.

At the height of the standoff, President Donald Trump threatened to target Iran’s power grid and energy facilities, a move that analysts warned would plunge cities into chaos and trigger widespread civilian suffering. Tehran responded with its own stark warning: if attacked, it would strike every power plant in West Asia, including those in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

For Gulf leaders, that threat represented an existential danger. The region relies almost entirely on electricity to sustain daily life. Roughly 90 percent of drinking water in the GCC comes from desalination plants, which cannot operate without power. Cutting electricity would also eliminate central cooling systems in a region where extreme heat makes outdoor conditions nearly unlivable.

Such a scenario, officials feared, could destabilize societies overnight.

According to regional sources, Gulf leaders urgently conveyed these concerns to Trump, warning that escalation targeting power infrastructure would cross a line from which the region might not recover. Their message underscored the delicate balance they must maintain—caught between a powerful security partner and a volatile neighbor capable of inflicting catastrophic damage.

Mar 23, 2026 at 10:11 AM EDT

Trump says strong talks with Iran could end the conflict

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States has held “very strong talks” with Iran, asserting that the discussions could bring the war to an end if Tehran follows through. “They want to make a deal, we want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters, framing the exchanges as a potential turning point in the conflict.

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Mar 23, 2026 at 10:08 AM EDT

Trump says Israel would support ceasefire deal if U.S. reaches agreement with Iran

President Donald Trump said Monday that he believes Israel would back a ceasefire arrangement with Iran if Washington succeeds in negotiating a diplomatic deal. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac in West Palm Beach, Trump said, “I think Israel will be very happy with what we have… This will be peace for Israel.”

Trump also claimed that Iran initiated contact, saying the country “called” to discuss ending the war through diplomacy. “They called, I didn’t call,” he said. “They want to make a deal, and we are very willing to make it. There’s got to be a good deal, and it’s got to be no more wars, no more nuclear weapons. They’re not going to have nuclear weapons anymore.”

Mar 23, 2026 at 10:06 AM EDT

Trump says he wants ‘as much oil in the system as possible’

Trump said Monday that he wants “as much oil in the system as possible” when asked about the U.S. Treasury’s move last week to ease sanctions on Iranian oil stranded at sea.

The decision allowed certain cargoes already en route to be sold on global markets to ease pressure from the ongoing energy shock triggered by the war in Iran.

Mar 23, 2026 at 10:01 AM EDT

Trump says he has not heard from Iran’s new supreme leader

President Donald Trump said Monday that he has not received any communication from Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, and added that he does not want any harm to come to him.

Trump also suggested he was uncertain about Khamenei’s current condition, saying he was not sure whether the leader was still alive.

Mar 23, 2026 at 09:57 AM EDT

Trump says U.S. and Iran have found ‘major points of agreement’

President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that the United States has held “strong talks” with Iran, saying the two sides have identified “major points of agreement” despite weeks of escalating tensions and conflicting public statements.

Mar 23, 2026 at 09:55 AM EDT

IEA chief warns Iran war has triggered worst energy crisis in modern history

The global energy shock unleashed by the war in Iran has surpassed even the oil crises of the 1970s, according to Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency. Speaking at the National Press Club of Australia, Birol said the world has already lost 11 million barrels of oil per day—more than the combined impact of the 1973 and 1979 disruptions, each of which removed about 5 million barrels from global supply.

Birol also warned that the natural‑gas crisis unfolding alongside the oil shock is deeper than the turmoil triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He said the world is currently losing 140 billion cubic meters of gas per day, nearly double the volume lost during the early months of the Ukraine conflict.

He described the moment as “two oil crises and one gas crisis put all together,” noting that the fallout extends beyond fuel to “vital arteries of the global economy,” including petrochemicals, fertilizer, sulfur and helium. Interruptions in fertilizer shipments, he cautioned, could soon push food prices higher.

At least 40 energy facilities across nine countries have been “severely or very severely damaged,” Birol said, and restoring them to full capacity will take time. No nation, he added, will be shielded from the economic consequences if the crisis continues to escalate.

Mar 23, 2026 at 09:42 AM EDT

Trump says U.S. seeking deal with Iran as Tehran denies any talks

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is “very intent on making a deal with Iran,” describing recent discussions with Iranian officials as “very intense” in an interview with CNBC. He suggested he remained hopeful that the two sides could reach a meaningful breakthrough.

Iranian state media quickly rejected that characterization, insisting no dialogue — direct or indirect — has taken place. An unnamed senior security official, quoted by Iranian outlets, said Washington’s claims amounted to “psychological warfare,” adding that there have been “no negotiations and there is no negotiation.”

The official argued that such statements would not alter conditions in the Strait of Hormuz or stabilize global energy markets, underscoring Tehran’s position that talks cannot resume while the war continues.

Mar 23, 2026 at 09:19 AM EDT

Iran rejects Trump’s claim of ongoing negotiations

Iran’s foreign ministry is pushing back against comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, issuing a statement denying that any talks are underway between Washington and Tehran.

“We deny what US President Donald Trump said regarding negotiations taking place between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the ministry said, according to remarks carried by CBS News.

Mar 23, 2026 at 08:15 AM EDT

Little clarity on ‘productive’ talks between US and Iran

Trump this morning claimed the U.S. spent the weekend negotiating with Iran on a "complete and total resolution" to the war that has for weeks engulfed the Middle East, with the reverberations felt far beyond the region.

These were "very good and productive conversations," Trump said. He did not offer further information about who was driving talks.

Iran has not yet publicly reacted, but Tehran's semi-official Fars news agency is carrying comments from an unnamed source denying negotiations with Trump. This unspecified source claimed Tehran had received messages via mediators but that there "is not any negotiation underway."

State media is often used as a tool by governments in countries with restricted media landscapes to communicate the regime's point of view.

Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, denied any talks with the U.S. in an interview with CBS News just over a week ago.

Mar 23, 2026 at 07:53 AM EDT

Oil prices drop after Trump announcement

Oil prices dropped sharply on Monday after Trump said the U.S. would hold off on strikes on Iran's power plants for five days.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, started off on Monday at roughly $113 a barrel. Shortly after Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials had held "very good and productive" talks, prices sunk to back below $100 a barrel.

Oil and gas prices have been in turmoil for the past three weeks as strikes across the Middle East targeted energy infrastructure and Iran instituted an effective chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Under normal circumstances, around a fifth of the world's oil and gas pass through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which has Iran to the north and Oman to the south.

But just a handful of cargo ships and oil tankers have made it through the Strait since Iran threatened to attack vessels linked to the U.S., Israel or its allies in early March, forcing up prices and stirring fears about global supplies.

Mar 23, 2026 at 07:29 AM EDT

US postpones strikes on Iranian power plants after talks: Trump

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. will not strike Iran's power plants and energy sites for five days after "very good and productive conversations" with Tehran.

In a post to his Truth Social platform, Trump said officials from the two countries had spoken over the weekend about an end to the current war in the Middle East, now in its fourth week.

Trump had threatened Iran with devastating strikes on its power plants if it did not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for oil and gas exports, by just before 8 p.m. ET on Monday. Tehran in turn warned it would then attack electricity and desalination plants, vital for providing drinking water to Gulf states, as global markets and fuel prices were further shaken.

Future U.S. attacks will depend on the "success of ongoing meetings and discussions" throughout the coming week, Trump added.

Iran has not yet commented publicly.

Mar 23, 2026 at 07:11 AM EDT

Israel to expand operations in Lebanon: Military chief

The Israeli military has approved plans to broaden out its ground operations and strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, prompting new fears north of Israel's border that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) could be gearing up for an invasion push through the country.

Israel has for weeks been carrying out airstrikes in Lebanon, including on the southern suburbs of the capital, Beirut, where Hezbollah has a long-standing presence. Israeli troops were deployed on the ground in response to Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel, shortly after the start of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

But the chief of Israel's General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said this weekend Israel would "advance the targeted ground operations and strikes" against Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have targeted bridges Israel says Hezbollah uses to move fighters and weapons further south over the Litani River, which cuts through southern Lebanon. After Israel struck the Qasmiyeh bridge, a key route over the Litani, on Sunday, Lebanese president Joseph Aoun called the attack a "prelude to a ground invasion."

Lebanese health officials say more than 1,000 people have already been killed in Lebanon.

Mar 23, 2026 at 06:42 AM EDT

Israel ‘halfway through’ operations against Iran

The chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said over the weekend Israel was roughly "halfway through" its operations against Tehran and had inflicted "extensive damage" on Iran's military capabilities.

Tehran is "weaker, and Iran is more exposed and without significant defense capabilities," Zamir said.

The top Israeli military official also said he had greenlit new plans to expand Israeli attacks on political and militant group Hezbollah, based in Lebanon and backed by Iran.

Mar 23, 2026 at 06:25 AM EDT

Iran threatens to mine Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf

Iran's Defense Council has said in a statement this morning that it would mine the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf if U.S. or Israeli forces attack Iran's coastline or islands.

"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," the council said in comments carried by Iranian media.

Mines would pose a major threat to shipping in the gulf and strait even if vessels aren't threatened anymore by direct Iranian strikes, further drawing out the economic chaos and fuel supply concerns of the past few weeks. Iran insists it only targets U.S. and Israel-linked ships, and vessels belonging to the two countries' allies.

On top of this, sniffing out and removing floating mines is often a labor-intensive, slow task.

Mar 23, 2026 at 06:02 AM EDT

What did Donald Trump say in his threat to Iran?

Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform on Saturday evening, threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran does not allow commercial vessels to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.

He gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to fully reopen the vital waterway, which typically sees about a fifth of the world's oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) supplies.

As a reminder, Iran threatened to attack ships in the strait, which sits between Iran to the north and Oman to the south, shortly after the U.S. and Israel launched their attacks at the end of February.

Traffic in the waterway plummeted, wreaking havoc with global markets and sending oil and gas prices soaring while insurers pulled coverage for vessels in the area. Only a handful of ships belonging to countries Tehran sees as friendly nations have passed through unscathed in the past few weeks.

Trump's full post, published at 7:44 p.m. ET on Saturday, reads: "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! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Mar 23, 2026 at 05:45 AM EDT

Iran’s ‘air defenses are no longer firing’: Top US admiral

Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, has said Iranian air defenses are "no longer firing" after more than three weeks of American and Israeli attacks.

Speaking to the Farsi-language Iran International outlet, Cooper said in an interview published on Monday: "The Iranian navy is no longer at sea. The Iranian air force is no longer flying. The air defenses are no longer firing."

Iran's air defenses have been specifically targeted throughout American and Israeli military operations, including in the opening days of the current war and ahead of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in June 2025.

Mar 23, 2026 at 05:30 AM EDT

Iran says it targets Israel, US base in Saudi Arabia

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said this morning it struck Israeli personnel in unspecified locations and targeted the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles.

The Prince Sultan Air Base houses U.S. personnel and aircraft, and has come under Iranian attack several times since the start of the war on February 28.

The Prince Sultan Air Base in located in Al-Kharj, southeast of Riyadh. As we've reported this morning, Saudi authorities said an Iranian ballistic missile was intercepted around Riyadh, while another landed in a deserted area.

Mar 23, 2026 at 05:25 AM EDT

Saudi Arabia says it intercepts drones, Iran fires two ballistic missiles

Saudi Arabia's defense ministry said it intercepted at least 15 drones over the country's east and north overnight, as well as one Iranian ballistic missile over the capital, Riyadh.

Another ballistic missile fell in "an uninhabited area" around the city, the government said.

Mar 23, 2026 at 04:52 AM EDT

Israel carries out ‘wide-scale’ strikes on Tehran

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in an overnight statement the Israeli military had carried out a "wide-scale wave of strikes" on the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported explosions in the north, east, and south of the city, as well as on the western outskirts.

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