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By Amanda Castro, Brendan Cole, Toby Meyjes, and John Feng

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Israel delivered two of its most consequential strikes of the war on Tuesday, killing Iran’s acting leader Ali Larijani and Basij chief Gholamreza Soleimani, even as President Trump escalated his feud with NATO and defended the widening U.S. campaign in Iran.

What To Know On Day 18:

• Israel says Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a central decision‑maker since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, was killed alongside Gholamreza Soleimani, chief of the Basij militia.
• Two Iranian officials, speaking anonymously, said they believe both men were killed, though Tehran has issued no public confirmation.
• Larijani had been both a hard‑line enforcer and a key pragmatist with the stature to negotiate with the U.S.; his death may strengthen Iran’s most uncompromising factions.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strike is part of an effort to “undermine” Iran’s leadership and give Iranians a chance to “remove” the regime.
• Trump acknowledged Monday that many Iranian officials the U.S. might have negotiated with are now dead, saying, “We don’t even know their leaders.”
• In a lengthy post, Trump said NATO allies have refused to join the U.S.‑led operation and declared that America “does not need the help of anyone.”
• Joe Kent, director of the National Counter Terrorism Center, resigned in protest, writing that Iran posed “no imminent threat” to the U.S.
• The Basij militia, led by Soleimani since 2019, is a million‑strong force tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and central to suppressing dissent.
• A tanker near the UAE was hit by a projectile early Tuesday, the first attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz region in five days; at least 17 vessels have been struck since the war began.
• In Lebanon, an Israeli strike killed one Lebanese soldier and wounded four others as Israel expands operations in the south; more than one million people have fled.
• Updated death tolls: Iran says 1,348 civilians have been killed; Lebanon reports 886 dead; Israel says 12 people have been killed; the Pentagon reports 13 U.S. service members dead.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 08:02 PM EDT

IRGC issues new warning ahead of Chaharshanbe Suri as state TV shows pro-government rallies

BBC Persian has obtained another warning message sent to Iranians overnight by the IRGC intelligence unit, part of a series of alerts that have circulated since the war began. The text accuses “soldiers of Israel” of planning to exploit Chaharshanbe Suri, the fire‑jumping festival held on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Persian year, to carry out sabotage and disturb public order. It urges residents to report any “suspicious cases” directly to the IRGC.

The message comes as Iranians prepare for the annual celebration, traditionally marked with bonfires, fireworks, and large gatherings. Authorities have long viewed the festival with suspicion, and this year’s warning reflects heightened anxiety amid the conflict.

At the same time, Iran’s state television is broadcasting pro‑establishment rallies in several provinces, describing the crowds as a “people’s presence to counter the possible movements of Zionist mercenaries.” The coordinated messaging underscores the government’s effort to project control and rally support as tensions continue to rise nationwide.

Mar 17, 2026 at 07:49 PM EDT

Markets steady after Trump remarks as oil holds above $100

Financial markets showed little reaction Tuesday after President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing war in Iran, with major indicators remaining largely stable despite continued volatility in global energy supplies.

International crude futures hovered around $102 a barrel, roughly 2 percent higher than Monday’s settlement. U.S. crude stayed steady at about $95, reflecting persistent concerns over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz but no immediate escalation following Trump’s comments.

Equities were similarly muted. The S&P 500 inched up 0.3 percent, extending Monday’s 1 percent gain but signaling a cautious mood as investors weigh the economic fallout of the conflict.

Mar 17, 2026 at 07:36 PM EDT

China pushes for US visit amid weakening Iran ties

China wants a much-anticipated visit by President Donald Trump to Beijing to go ahead and is working to keep it on track—even as the U.S. publicly challenges Communist Party leaders in Beijing to help in its war against Iran, a long-term friend of China, and appears to want to delay the visit date.

China’s Foreign Ministry did not directly react to a threat from Trump at the weekend to cancel the visit, which is still due to take place at the end of March and early April, unless China join a proposed U.S.-led naval patrol to end Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The blockade by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards is pushing oil prices high and could trigger a global energy crisis. Trump has also said he may delay the visit due to the Iran war.

Speaking to media in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian did not address the patrol request, or comment critically on the delay. Instead, Lin suggested that China had its eye on the prize—the upcoming visit.

"Head of state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in the strategic guidance of China-U.S. relations," Lin told reporters on Monday. "China and the U.S. are maintaining contact over President Trump's visit to China.” He added a day later that Beijing and Washington were in talks over "the timing and related matters of President Trump's visit to China.”

Chinese state media, which is tightly censored, has widely reported on Trump's request for naval patrol assistance from allied states such as Britain and Japan, but not on the request to Beijing.

Newsweek asked the White House whether Trump was testing China ahead of the visit, particularly over the patrols, and was referred to a press conference on Monday where Trump said: "I'm almost doing it in some cases not because we need them, but because I want to find out how they react." He did not specify which countries he was referring to, but repeatedly mentioned China, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Read more here.

Mar 17, 2026 at 07:23 PM EDT

Trump says Ireland’s president should be ‘thankful’ for U.S. actions against Iran

President Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Irish leaders on Tuesday, saying Ireland’s president, Catherine Connolly, should “be very thankful” that the United States moved to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — even though Connolly has condemned the war as a violation of international law.

Connolly, an independent politician who was not present at the Oval Office meeting, has repeatedly denounced the U.S.–Israeli campaign in Iran, warning that “the normalization of war can never be accepted.” Asked about her remarks, Trump misgendered her and replied, “He’s lucky I exist. That’s all I can say.”

Trump argued that the world should be grateful for U.S. action against what he called “sick and demented” regimes seeking nuclear capability. He folded the criticism into a broader rebuke of NATO, saying he was “very disappointed” in allies who have refused to join the war effort.

Ireland’s opposition parties have maintained that the strikes on Iran violate international law. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has avoided that label but has said the bombing lacked a UN mandate and has repeatedly urged de‑escalation. In the Oval Office, Martin did agree that “you cannot have a rogue state with a nuclear weapon, or the capacity for a nuclear weapon,” while emphasizing Ireland’s preference for a diplomatic resolution.

Mar 17, 2026 at 07:10 PM EDT

Macron says France ready for Hormuz escort mission once bombing subsides

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French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that France is prepared to join an international escort mission for commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, but only after the situation in Iran and the wider Middle East becomes “calmer.”

Speaking at a meeting of France’s defense and national security cabinet, Macron reiterated that France is not part of the conflict and will “never participate in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context.” He stressed that any French role must begin only once the bombing campaign has eased.

“Once the situation will be calmer — and we deliberately use that term broadly — we will be ready, along with other nations, to assume responsibility for an escort system,” he said, noting that such a mission would require extensive political, technical, and operational coordination with maritime stakeholders and insurers.

Macron said France has already begun discussions with India, several European partners, and regional states about a future escort framework. He emphasized that the effort must remain entirely separate from ongoing military operations, underscoring France’s focus on de‑escalation.

“France has a simple and clear responsibility in the region: to protect our citizens and our interests, to be a reliable partner for everyone, and to work towards stability,” he said.

Mar 17, 2026 at 06:56 PM EDT

Lebanese presidency condemns Israeli strike that killed soldiers

The office of President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that he has spoken with Lebanon’s top security officials to offer condolences after two Lebanese Army soldiers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Zebdine–Nabatieh road in southern Lebanon.

In a statement posted on X, the presidency said Aoun stressed that targeting the army — “which plays a unifying national role in protecting stability and preserving sovereignty” — directly contradicts both Lebanon’s calls and international demands to empower the military to extend state authority nationwide and ensure that weapons remain solely in the hands of legitimate armed forces.

The strike comes as Israel and the United States continue to pressure the Lebanese Army to confront and disarm Hezbollah, warning that failure to do so will leave Lebanon exposed to an open‑ended Israeli campaign. The latest attack on Lebanese soldiers underscores the growing danger facing the army as the conflict intensifies and Israel expands its operations deeper into Lebanese territory.

Mar 17, 2026 at 06:42 PM EDT

Expert warns Larijani’s death could push Iran toward a more hardline leadership

The killing of Ali Larijani, Iran’s top national security official, could drive the Iranian government in an even more hardline direction, a Middle East expert told CNN on Tuesday. Israel has claimed responsibility for Larijani’s death, though Iran has not confirmed the strike.

Sina Azodi, program director of Middle East Studies at George Washington University, said Larijani’s absence removes a rare figure who maintained relationships across Iran’s political and military factions.

“He had close ties with everybody — the IRGC, moderate figures — and he used that to influence not just military operations, but to signal Iran’s intentions to the outside world,” Azodi said.

Without Larijani’s balancing presence, Azodi warned, a more uncompromising figure is likely to rise in his place, narrowing diplomatic options and making it harder to find an off‑ramp from the war.

Mar 17, 2026 at 06:29 PM EDT

Trump dismisses Kent’s resignation, but fallout could reach his base

President Donald Trump brushed aside the resignation of Joe Kent, the former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, during a news conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, calling him “weak on security” and rejecting Kent’s view that Iran did not pose a threat to the United States.

Kent’s departure, however, carries weight far beyond that of a typical administration official. A decorated Special Forces veteran with multiple combat tours, Kent has long been a committed supporter of Trump and a prominent figure within the MAGA movement, making his criticism unusually potent inside the president’s own political coalition.

In his resignation letter, Kent accused Israeli officials and U.S.-based lobbyists of feeding Trump misleading intelligence that pushed the United States into the war with Iran — a charge that, coming from a loyalist with deep national‑security credentials, is especially damaging. His break with the administration has already sparked debate among right‑leaning commentators and could resonate with voters who view Kent as a trusted voice on military affairs.

Mar 17, 2026 at 06:16 PM EDT

WATCH: How will Ari Larijani’s killing affect Iran? Everything we know

Mar 17, 2026 at 06:03 PM EDT

Trump says oil and gas price spike will end quickly once Iran war concludes

President Donald Trump on Tuesday downplayed the surge in oil and gas prices driven by the U.S.–Israeli war in Iran, insisting the increases are temporary and will reverse sharply once the conflict ends.

“As soon as that war’s over – which will be soon – your prices are gonna drop like a rock,” Trump told reporters. “You watch.”

Global energy markets have been rattled for weeks as fighting has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for a significant share of the world’s oil shipments. Analysts warn that prices are likely to remain volatile as long as the waterway remains effectively closed and the conflict continues to escalate.

Mar 17, 2026 at 05:50 PM EDT

Turkey condemns Israel’s ‘illegal’ assassinations after claim of killing Larijani

Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan sharply criticized Israel on Tuesday after it claimed responsibility for killing Ali Larijani, Iran’s powerful national security chief, calling the targeting of senior Iranian officials “illegal.”

“Israel’s political assassinations, especially those targeting Iranian statesmen and politicians, are truly illegal activities outside the normal laws of war,” Fidan said at a news conference, warning that such actions risk further destabilizing the region.

Israel has asserted that Larijani was killed alongside Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, though Iran has not confirmed either death. The strikes are part of Israel’s escalating campaign against Iran’s security leadership as the war continues to widen.

Mar 17, 2026 at 05:37 PM EDT

Iran war briefing day 18: Israel says it killed security chief Larijani

DEATH TOLL: Iran: 1,444. Lebanon: 850. Israel: 15. U.S.: 13 troops.

Israel has said it has killed two key Iranian military figures following strikes aimed at declawing the leadership of the Islamic Republic, whose retaliation continues to reach across the Middle East.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released an image it said showed the premier on the phone ordering the strikes on Iranian military officials. The post, which got 2.6 million views, did not name security chief Ali Larijani or the head of the Basij force, Gholamreza Soleiman, as targets, but a follow-up post did, which, if confirmed, would deal a blow to the regime as outlined by this Newsweek report.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 27, 2025. | COURTNEY BONNEAU/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Larijani and Soleiman were key to Iran’s violent crackdown on protests in January and the Islamic Republic’s fight against the U.S. and Israel, especially after the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khomeini.

However, that action at the start of the Iran War came at a time when Tehran “posed no imminent threat" to the U.S., according to the director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, who resigned Tuesday, as he blamed the Trump administration for giving in to "pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

Read the full briefing here.

Mar 17, 2026 at 05:24 PM EDT

Trump mocks Macron after France refuses to join Hormuz mission

President Donald Trump took aim at French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday after France publicly ruled out joining a U.S.-led effort to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively shut down during the war.

Macron, speaking during a meeting of France’s Defense Council, said Paris would not participate in any operation to “open or liberate” the waterway, stressing that France is not a party to the conflict. His remarks placed France alongside other European governments that have declined Washington’s request to send naval assets.

Asked about Macron’s stance in the Oval Office, Trump responded with a jab at the French leader’s political future. “Well, he’ll be out of office very soon. So, we’ll have to see. I don’t know,” he said. France’s next presidential election is scheduled for April 2027.

...

Mar 17, 2026 at 05:11 PM EDT

Trump claims Ireland supports Iran war, despite broad opposition

President Donald Trump asserted on Tuesday that the people of Ireland were “very happy” with the U.S.–Israeli war in Iran — a characterization that runs counter to public sentiment in the country and to statements from Irish leaders themselves.

Speaking during a White House meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Trump suggested Ireland backed the military campaign. In reality, the war is widely unpopular across Ireland, where lawmakers, civil society groups and Martin himself have voiced concern over the escalating conflict. Ireland has long taken a critical stance toward Israeli military actions and maintains strong public support for Palestinians.

Mar 17, 2026 at 05:10 PM EDT

Iranian officials praise Basij commander Soleimani after his killing

Iranian state media continued to release statements Tuesday honoring Gholamreza Soleimani, the Basij commander killed in an Israeli strike earlier in the day. Senior officials framed his death as both a national loss and a rallying point for the country’s security forces.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf hailed Soleimani as a “glorious general” who “achieved martyrdom in the battle against the most evil enemies of humanity,” noting that several of his deputies and soldiers were also killed.

The Basij’s media arm issued its own tribute, calling Soleimani an “inspiring pillar and field leader” whose strategic vision and “jihadi spirit” shaped the organization for years. His death, the statement said, leaves a void at the heart of the force.

Earlier, the IRGC confirmed Soleimani had been assassinated in what it described as an “American‑Zionist” attack, shortly after the Israeli military announced it had targeted him overnight. The killing marks one of the most significant blows to Iran’s internal security apparatus since the war began.

Mar 17, 2026 at 04:58 PM EDT

Trump suggests U.S. should ‘rethink’ NATO membership amid Iran war dispute

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States should reconsider its membership in NATO, escalating his criticism of allies who have refused to support U.S. military operations against Iran.

“NATO membership is certainly something that we should think about,” Trump told reporters at the White House, arguing that European partners had rebuffed his requests for assistance while benefiting from American protection. He drew a direct comparison to the alliance’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying the U.S. “was not obliged to help” then and suggesting the situations were equivalent.

“We help them, and they didn’t help us, and I think that’s a very bad thing for NATO,” he said.

Trump added that NATO governments agree with Washington’s goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon but remain unwilling to participate in the war. “Nobody wants to have Iran with nuclear because these people are crazy… Everyone agrees with this, but they don’t want to help.”

He said the U.S. has taken note of the allies’ reluctance. “We, as the United States, have to remember that, because we think it’s pretty shocking.”

Pressed on whether there would be consequences for the alliance, Trump softened slightly: “Well, no, I just think that it’s not good for a partnership when they say, ‘What you’re doing is a great thing, but we’re not going to help.’”

Mar 17, 2026 at 04:45 PM EDT

WATCH: Trump blames NATO allies for not backing up Iran war strikes

Mar 17, 2026 at 04:32 PM EDT

Israel says it hit Basij checkpoints in Tehran after killing militia chief

The Israeli military said Tuesday that it struck a series of Basij militia checkpoints across Tehran, releasing aerial footage that appeared to show explosions along a busy roadway. The attacks came just hours after Israel announced it had killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of the Basij, along with Ali Larijani, Iran’s top national security official.

The Basij, a vast paramilitary force embedded in neighborhoods and workplaces across Iran, plays a central role in enforcing state control and suppressing dissent. Israel has increasingly targeted its infrastructure as part of a broader campaign to weaken Iran’s internal security networks during the war.

Mar 17, 2026 at 04:22 PM EDT

Iraqi military condemns attack on U.S. Embassy as ‘terrorist’ violation of sovereignty

Iraq’s military leadership denounced the latest strike on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, calling it a grave breach of international norms and an assault on the authority of the Iraqi state.

Sabah al‑Nu’man, spokesperson for the commander‑in‑chief of the armed forces, said “outlaw groups” were responsible for the attack, which he described as a “heinous” and “criminal” act that undermines Iraq’s stability.

“This criminal act, which is condemned and rejected by the state, represents a blatant terrorist attack on the sovereignty and prestige of Iraq,” al‑Nu’man said in a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency.

He stressed that targeting diplomatic missions violates international agreements and damages Iraq’s foreign relations. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al‑Sudani, who also serves as commander‑in‑chief, has ordered security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible.

Mar 17, 2026 at 04:19 PM EDT

SAS cancels flights as fuel costs spike amid Iran war

Scandinavian carrier SAS says it will cancel select flights in the coming days after what it described as a “sharp and sudden increase in fuel prices,” the latest airline to feel the strain of the global energy shock triggered by the war on Iran.

The airline had already raised fares last week, warning that soaring jet‑fuel costs were squeezing operations. Prices have climbed rapidly as the U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran and the near‑closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a route that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil—continue to disrupt global supply.

Mar 17, 2026 at 04:17 PM EDT

Brent crude climbs above $103 as energy stocks lift the market

Brent crude continued its upward march on Tuesday, settling at $103.42 a barrel, a 3.2 percent gain for the day and now more than 42 percent higher since the war began. The sustained rise in global oil prices helped propel energy stocks, which outperformed the broader market despite the drag that higher fuel costs typically place on other sectors.

The S&P 500 edged up 0.3 percent, with its energy sector leading the index after climbing just over 1 percent. Investors appeared to be balancing concerns about prolonged disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz with the immediate boost to oil‑linked companies, keeping overall market movement relatively steady even as crude prices continue to surge.

Mar 17, 2026 at 04:06 PM EDT

Why Israel’s strike on the Basij matters

Israel’s claim that it has killed Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij militia, alongside national security chief Ali Larijani, marks one of the most direct blows yet to the Islamic Republic’s internal security apparatus. The Basij is not just another military unit—it is the backbone of Iran’s domestic control system, embedded in daily life and central to suppressing dissent.

The force, which operates under the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, includes as many as a million active and reserve members. Its plainclothes units are stationed in neighborhoods, universities and workplaces, giving the state a constant presence on the ground. Basij fighters led the violent crackdown on nationwide protests earlier this year, and their facilities have been repeatedly targeted by U.S. and Israeli strikes since the war began.

Israel says the killings of Soleimani and Larijani are part of a broader effort to weaken the regime’s ability to maintain control at home. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the operation as an attempt to “undermine” the Islamic Republic and create conditions for a popular uprising. But analysts caution that eliminating senior figures may not immediately destabilize a system built on deep ideological loyalty and decades of institutional entrenchment.

Despite sustained bombardment of military, intelligence and police sites, Iran’s security forces have not shown signs of collapse. In fact, the Basij has expanded its street presence in recent days, erecting checkpoints across major cities as authorities brace for potential unrest during Nowruz celebrations. Officials have warned citizens to stay indoors, claiming foreign agents intend to exploit the holiday gatherings.

Mar 17, 2026 at 03:51 PM EDT

Families displaced to Iran’s north by the war will celebrate Persian New Year with ‘no joy’

Iran’s northern resort towns host thousands of families each year for the holiday. But now, many who regularly vacation near the Caspian Sea are there seeking respite from heavy bombardment in Tehran.

“This year has been a terrible year for all Iranians,” a 23-year-old university student who headed north with his family told The Associated Press.

Speaking on condition of anonymity out of security fears, the student described a national “trauma,” with the war following the shootings of thousands of anti-government protesters in January. “Prices are destroying us,” the student added, calling the soaring inflation “backbreaking.” Even before the war, Iran's economy had been crippled by international sanctions.

The U.N. refugee agency says hundreds of thousands of Iranian households have been displaced during the war, with most fleeing north or into rural areas to escape intense strikes on major cities.

— By Amir-Hussein Radjy in Cairo. The Associated Press

Mar 17, 2026 at 03:38 PM EDT

UK opens inquiry into leak on U.S. use of British bases

Britain’s Government Security Group has launched an inquiry into a leak from the National Security Council, after confidential discussions about whether the United States could use British military bases for early strikes on Iran were disclosed publicly.

The probe was confirmed in an official letter from the cabinet secretary, posted on social media, which said the leak involved allegations that Energy Minister Ed Miliband had led internal objections to granting the U.S. access to UK bases during the opening days of the conflict in early March.

The government has not commented on the substance of the allegations. A Cabinet Office spokesperson said only: “We don’t have anything to add to the letter for now.”

Mar 17, 2026 at 03:25 PM EDT

RNC chair says Trump is ‘focused’ on lowering gas prices despite surge

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters defended President Donald Trump’s handling of rising gas prices during an interview on NewsNation’s Morning in America, saying the administration remains committed to easing costs even as the war with Iran drives up global energy markets.

Pressed by anchor Markie Martin on the nearly one‑dollar jump in gas prices over the past month, Gruters argued that the broader economic picture still favors Trump. “Gas prices are lower than when he started, and we had to deal with the Biden inflation,” he said.

Gruters insisted the president’s military strategy is reshaping global security in ways that justify the short‑term economic strain. “What the president’s doing in Iran is going to fundamentally change the world,” he said. “It’s making us safer. It’s making our allies safer.”

He added that Trump is “very focused” on bringing prices down and expressed confidence that the administration’s approach would ultimately succeed, citing the president’s “innovation” and willingness to “push the needle” to stabilize the market.

Mar 17, 2026 at 03:11 PM EDT

Saudi and Qatari interior ministers discuss security fallout of Iran war

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Abdulaziz bin Saud held a phone call with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, to assess the regional security fallout from the escalating US‑Israel war on Iran.

In a statement posted on social media, bin Saud said the two discussed “the security implications of the current developments amid the ongoing brutal Iranian attacks on the Gulf states and the region.” He added that he reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Qatar in safeguarding the security of its citizens and residents.

The Saudi minister also held a similar call with Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s deputy prime minister and interior minister, as Gulf states continue coordinating responses to Iranian missile and drone strikes across the region.

Mar 17, 2026 at 02:58 PM EDT

Mexico says it’s willing to host Iran’s World Cup matches if FIFA approves

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that Mexico would have “no problem” hosting Iran’s matches during the 2026 World Cup, should FIFA decide to relocate them from the United States.

Iran’s football federation has formally asked FIFA to move its games to Mexico, citing fears for player safety after the U.S. carried out joint airstrikes on Iran. The request comes amid heightened regional tensions and uncertainty over whether Iran will compete on U.S. soil.

Sheinbaum signaled that Mexico is prepared to step in if needed, but emphasized that the decision rests entirely with football’s governing body. The 2026 tournament is being co‑hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, giving FIFA flexibility to shift matches within the region if security concerns persist.

Mar 17, 2026 at 02:45 PM EDT

Trump warns NATO has ‘very bad’ future if allies don’t help secure Hormuz, but Europe says the war is outside NATO’s mandate

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President Donald Trump warned Sunday that NATO faces a “very bad” future if member states refuse to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the vital oil chokepoint now largely blocked by Iran. But European officials quickly pushed back, noting that the alliance is not designed to intervene in conflicts far outside its geographic scope.

NATO is a defensive alliance, and its core mission—collective defense under Article 5—applies only when a member is attacked and requests assistance. The treaty also includes strict geographic limits, outlined in Article 6, which confine NATO’s mutual‑defense obligations to the North Atlantic region north of the Tropic of Cancer.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Trump’s request falls “outside NATO’s area of action,” while a German government spokesperson stressed that the war “has nothing to do with NATO.”

The alliance has invoked Article 5 only once, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, leading NATO members to join the U.S. in Afghanistan. Analysts say that precedent does not apply to the current conflict, which centers on a waterway thousands of miles from NATO territory.

Macron, Scholz, and other European leaders have reiterated that while they may support maritime escort missions once fighting subsides, they will not participate in military operations to forcibly reopen the strait.

Mar 17, 2026 at 02:31 PM EDT

UAE says it has intercepted more than 1,900 Iranian missiles and drones since war began

The United Arab Emirates has engaged over 300 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and more than 1,600 drones since the Iran war erupted, the country’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday, underscoring the scale of the bombardment directed at Gulf states.

The ministry reported eight fatalities so far: two members of the UAE’s armed forces and six civilians from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Palestine. Another 157 people of various nationalities have been injured, with wounds ranging from minor to severe.

According to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, much of Tehran’s firepower has been aimed at its Arab neighbors, with the UAE absorbing a significant share of the strikes. On Tuesday alone, Emirati air defenses intercepted 10 ballistic missiles and 45 drones launched from Iran.

Mar 17, 2026 at 02:18 PM EDT

Reza Pahlavi says Larijani and other Iranian commanders ‘met the fate they deserved’

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, issued a forceful statement Tuesday praising the reported killing of Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, and several other senior commanders targeted by Israel. Iran has not confirmed the deaths, but Pahlavi framed the strikes as justice for decades of repression.

“Larijani, Gholamreza Soleimani, and a number of other notorious commanders and perpetrators of the ruthless massacre of Iran’s finest sons have met the fate they deserved,” Pahlavi wrote on social media.

He said the news should offer solace to Iranians who have suffered under the Islamic Republic, calling it “a balm for the deep wounds of the great nation of Iran and the scorched hearts of the families of the immortal heroes of the Lion and Sun Revolution.”

Mar 17, 2026 at 02:05 PM EDT

Mark Levin and Megyn Kelly drama explained as MAGA infighting errupts

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A feud between conservative commentators Mark Levin and Megyn Kelly escalated over the weekend, with President Donald Trump stepping in to defend Levin after Kelly dubbed him "Micropenis Mark."

In recent days Levin, a Fox News commentator and staunch supporter of Israel and the war in Iran, has traded insults with Kelly, a former Fox News anchor who has her own show on SiriusXM, after she decried Trump’s decision to attack Iran, arguing that it was pushed for by "Israel firsters like Mark Levin."

Levin and Kelly have been at odds for months over issues including the war with Iran, the United States’ close relationship with Israel and the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Their opposing stances on the war in Iran reflects a wider rift in the MAGA movement. Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan and former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene are among those that oppose the war. But lawmakers including Senators Lindsay Graham and Ted Cruz, as well as conservative media figures including Ben Shapiro and Sean Hannity support the war.

Read more here.

Mar 17, 2026 at 01:52 PM EDT

Israel says it struck Hezbollah command centers in Beirut as border communities brace for rocket fire

The Israeli military said Tuesday it carried out fresh strikes on Hezbollah command centers in Beirut, targeting what it described as operational hubs and nearby launch sites used by the Iran‑backed group. The attacks mark another escalation in Israel’s expanding campaign across Lebanon.

Inside Israel, local officials along the northern border urged residents to remain alert after the military warned that Hezbollah could widen its rocket fire “in the coming hours.” The Israel Defense Forces said troops were on heightened readiness and preparing defensive measures in anticipation of potential barrages.

The warning came shortly after Israel announced it had killed Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, a development that has raised fears of further retaliation by Tehran‑aligned groups across the region.

Mar 17, 2026 at 01:39 PM EDT

Oil prices surge as Strait of Hormuz shutdown ripples through global economy

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Oil prices continue to climb sharply after U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil. The spike has already pushed U.S. gasoline prices to their highest level since October 2023, according to AAA, and analysts warn the economic fallout is only beginning.

A senior Iranian official suggested Tuesday that the strait will not be safe for commercial shipping “anytime soon,” even as attacks on energy infrastructure across the Middle East persist and Israel claims to have killed Iran’s top security chief, Ali Larijani. With hundreds of tankers stalled and key facilities damaged, the path back to normal operations will be slow.

Even if the war ended immediately, it would take one to three months to clear the backlog of ships and restore production, said Homayoun Falakshahi, a senior oil analyst at Kpler. The longer the conflict drags on, the higher prices are expected to rise.

The shock is already spreading across the global economy:

Air travel: Jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the war, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said Tuesday. Airlines have raised fares repeatedly in recent weeks and expect further increases as fuel costs soar. Travel experts warn that passengers should book early and avoid restrictive basic‑economy tickets in the current volatile environment.

Groceries: Higher fuel prices are pushing up transportation costs, which will hit produce, meat and dairy first. Because these items can’t be stockpiled, consumers are likely to see price increases quickly if the conflict continues.

Housing: After months of easing, U.S. mortgage rates are climbing again. Investors are demanding higher returns on Treasury bonds amid fears that war‑driven inflation will accelerate. As a result, mortgage rates tied to the 10‑year Treasury yield have risen back above 6%, reversing recent gains for homebuyers.

With no sign of de‑escalation, economists warn that the conflict’s impact on energy markets—and everyday costs—could deepen in the weeks ahead.

Mar 17, 2026 at 01:35 PM EDT

White House says Iran war could reach ‘military resolution’ within six weeks

A senior White House official said Tuesday that the United States expects a “military resolution” to the war in Iran within four to six weeks, arguing that U.S. forces have made “astonishing” progress on the ground.

Kush Desai, special assistant to President Donald Trump and senior deputy press secretary, made the comments in an interview with Al Jazeera, offering one of the administration’s most optimistic timelines to date.

Desai said Trump is “working on a plan” to blunt the economic fallout of the conflict, including measures to help cargo ships resume transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed. That plan, he said, includes providing political risk insurance to shipping companies.

“We’re very confident we’ll very quickly get past these short‑term disruptions and get back to business,” Desai said, as fuel prices and global shipping costs continue to spike amid the ongoing war.

Mar 17, 2026 at 01:26 PM EDT

Pregnant women in Lebanon facing extreme hardship amid intensifying Israeli strikes, aid group warns

More than 69,900 pregnant women in Lebanon are enduring severe physical and psychological risks as Israeli bombardment forces families into displacement and unsafe living conditions, CARE International said Tuesday. The aid group reports that some women are giving birth in cars, schools, and on roadsides, with no medical support, clean water or privacy.

The collapse of basic services has made it nearly impossible for many to reach hospitals. Israel’s campaign has damaged major roads, disrupted transportation and deepened shortages of fuel and medical supplies, leaving expectant mothers stranded without care.

Nour Beydoun, CARE’s regional advisor on women and girls, described seeing a woman who had undergone a cesarean section lying on a sidewalk with her four‑day‑old baby. “She should be resting and recovering in a safe place,” Beydoun said. “Seeing a mother trying to protect her newborn while living on the street is heartbreaking.”

The United Nations says more than 1.3 million people have been displaced in Lebanon, over half of them women and girls. CARE warns that the escalating strikes have heightened the risks of gender‑based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, compounding the trauma faced by displaced families.

“These conditions not only risk lives, they also strip women of their dignity,” Beydoun said.

Mar 17, 2026 at 01:13 PM EDT

Netanyahu says strikes on Iranian leaders aim to weaken regime from within

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israel is deliberately targeting senior Iranian officials in an effort to destabilize the Islamic Republic and give its citizens “the opportunity to remove it.” His remarks came after Israel announced it had killed Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, along with Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij paramilitary force.

In a video address, Netanyahu said the campaign would be long and difficult but insisted Israel was “determined” to prevail. “This will not happen all at once, and it will not be easy. But if we persist, we will give them the opportunity to take their destiny into their own hands,” he said.

Netanyahu urged Israelis to “ignore voices of discouragement,” calling the killings of Larijani and Soleimani “historic accomplishments.” Iran has not yet confirmed either death, even as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.

Mar 17, 2026 at 12:59 PM EDT

Candace Owens escalates criticism of Trump’s Iran war, says U.S. ‘picked this fight’

Candace Owens is intensifying her attacks on President Donald Trump over the war with Iran, using her podcast to argue that the conflict is unwinnable and fundamentally at odds with the “America First” message she says Trump abandoned. Her comments come as she continues to publicly challenge conservative figures following the death of Charlie Kirk, whose private messages she has begun releasing.

Owens said the United States “picked this fight” with Iran and accused Trump of betraying his base by launching a war she believes most Americans—and most countries—do not support. “We are engaged in a war we cannot win,” she said, adding that Trump has become “a traitor” to the movement that elected him.

She also argued that the lack of international backing for U.S. efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz reflects global resistance to the conflict. According to Owens, Trump is now “reduced to going around asking” other nations to join a mission they see as economically risky and strategically unnecessary.

Owens framed the Iran war as a turning point for the conservative movement, claiming that Trump ignored warnings from Charlie Kirk and alienated the very voters who propelled him into office. “Trump became a Never‑Trumper,” she said, insisting that only Israel supports his approach.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 12:46 PM EDT

European airlines extend middle East flight suspensions as regional airspace remains volatile

Several major European carriers have lengthened their suspensions of flights to parts of the Middle East, citing unstable airspace and ongoing security risks tied to the widening conflict.

British Airways said it is extending cancellations to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv through May 31, pointing to continued uncertainty and “airspace instability.” Flights to Doha will remain suspended until April 30, then resume on a limited schedule. BA’s route to Abu Dhabi is still expected to restart on October 25, while services to Riyadh and Jeddah continue to operate.

Air France announced it is prolonging suspensions “due to the security context” and the closure of key regional air corridors. Flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh are halted through March 20, while routes to Tel Aviv and Beirut are canceled through March 21.

Lufthansa has also extended its pause on flights to Tel Aviv until April 9 and suspended service to Riyadh through April 5, reflecting the same operational pressures facing other carriers.

Mar 17, 2026 at 12:41 PM EDT

Trump predicts Hormuz will be secure ‘not too long’ after allies decline to help

President Donald Trump expressed confidence Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened soon, even as he acknowledged that NATO allies have refused to join the U.S. effort to secure the vital waterway.

“It won’t be, I don’t believe, too long,” Trump told reporters. “We’re knocking the hell out of the coast. It’s basically the coast and the water. And it won’t be too long.”

Trump did not offer a timeline or details on how the U.S. plans to restore safe passage through the strait, which Iran has effectively closed during the war. Administration officials have also not outlined the operational steps required to reopen the channel, through which a significant share of the world’s oil flows.

The president praised regional partners for their support, singling out Israel and unnamed Middle Eastern states for assisting the U.S. campaign. “They’ve been helping us a lot,” he said.

Trump has spent days publicly urging allies to contribute naval assets to escort tankers, arguing that Europe benefits most from the flow of oil through Hormuz. Their refusal has widened tensions between Washington and its traditional partners as the conflict continues to disrupt global energy markets.

Mar 17, 2026 at 12:33 PM EDT

Poland rules out sending forces to join U.S.-led coalition in Iran war

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that Poland will not deploy troops to take part in the U.S.‑led coalition President Donald Trump is trying to assemble to secure the Strait of Hormuz, making clear that Warsaw intends to stay out of the widening conflict.

Speaking ahead of a government meeting, Tusk said Poland “does not plan any expedition to Iran,” adding that the stance is fully understood by its allies. He emphasized that the decision applies to land, air and naval forces, all of which remain focused on strengthening Poland’s defenses amid the ongoing tensions along the Ukrainian border.

Mar 17, 2026 at 12:31 PM EDT

Trump says NATO should be thanking him, voices ‘disappointment’ with alliance

President Donald Trump sharpened his criticism of NATO on Tuesday, saying he is increasingly frustrated with allies who have declined to support U.S. efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was “disappointed in NATO” and argued that other world leaders should be expressing gratitude for the U.S.‑led strikes on Iran.

Mar 17, 2026 at 12:30 PM EDT

Trump says he’s not worried about ground war risks in Iran

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is unafraid that deploying American troops to Iran could lead to a prolonged conflict reminiscent of Vietnam, even as he weighs operations that would almost certainly require ground forces.

“I’m really not afraid of that,” Trump told reporters. “I’m really not afraid of anything.”

His comments come as the administration considers two high‑risk military options: seizing Kharg Island, the hub where Iran loads most of its oil exports, and targeting the fortified Isfahan facility that stores the bulk of Iran’s near–bomb‑grade nuclear material. Both sites are central to Iran’s economic and strategic power, and any attempt to take or neutralize them would likely demand a significant on‑the‑ground presence by U.S. or Israeli troops.

Mar 17, 2026 at 12:20 PM EDT

Lufthansa extends suspension of Tel Aviv flights as Middle East airspace restrictions deepen

Germany’s Lufthansa Group has extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv through April 9, citing the severe airspace restrictions and operational uncertainty caused by the widening conflict in the Middle East. The carrier said the decision reflects ongoing safety concerns as missile and drone activity continues across the region.

Lufthansa also announced it has halted flights to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, through April 5 for operational reasons. Its subsidiary ITA Airways, however, will continue operating scheduled services, the group said.

The move adds to a growing list of global airlines pulling back from Israel. British Airways, Air Canada, and major U.S. carriers — Delta, United, and American Airlines — have all suspended Tel Aviv routes into March, April, and in some cases May, repeatedly extending the pauses as the conflict shows no sign of easing.

Mar 17, 2026 at 12:06 PM EDT

Trump calls Kent ‘weak on security’ after resignation over Iran war

President Donald Trump dismissed former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent as “weak on security” after Kent resigned in protest over the war with Iran, arguing the country had not posed an imminent threat to the United States.

Kent’s use of the word imminent was central to his criticism of the administration’s justification for military action. Trump, however, sidestepped that framing while defending the campaign.

“They have been a threat for a long time,” he told reporters, pointedly avoiding the term that Kent said was at the heart of his decision to step down.

Kent is the first senior administration official to resign over the conflict, and his departure has intensified scrutiny of the administration’s rationale for the war.

Mar 17, 2026 at 12:05 PM EDT

Trump claims U.S. has ‘wiped out’ Iran’s military capabilities

President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric on Tuesday, asserting that the United States has destroyed virtually all of Iran’s military power as the conflict enters its third week. Speaking to reporters, Trump said American forces had eliminated Iran’s navy and dismantled its broader military infrastructure.

“We’ve wiped out their navy, wiped out their military in every aspect,” he said, adding that “everything is gone.”

Mar 17, 2026 at 12:04 PM EDT

Trump says U.S. can reopen Hormuz alone as he rebukes NATO

President Donald Trump signaled Tuesday that the United States is prepared to act without allied support to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, even as he sharpened his criticism of NATO members for refusing to join the effort.

Speaking alongside the Irish prime minister, Trump said the U.S. does not “need too much help — we don’t need any help actually,” framing the mission as a test of NATO’s reliability during a major international crisis. He warned that Washington would remember which allies declined to participate.

Mar 17, 2026 at 11:53 AM EDT

Megathread tracks missile strikes across the UAE as residents report local impacts

A major UAE megathread is gathering real‑time updates on the ongoing missile attacks across the United Arab Emirates, with moderators urging users to post only UAE‑specific information and to include precise locations and timestamps when reporting explosions, debris or interceptions.

The thread, created 16 days ago and now hosting more than 4,000 comments, directs residents to official resources including the National Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, Dubai Airports, and local outlets such as Khaleej Times and The National for verified updates.

As new strikes and interceptions continue across the Gulf, users are sharing what they see from their neighborhoods. One commenter wrote that they could “see smoke from Wahda side” while posting from Al Khan, asking others for confirmation.

Mar 17, 2026 at 11:50 AM EDT

Israeli officials warn protesters ‘will get slaughtered,’ cable says

Senior Israeli officials have privately warned U.S. diplomats that Iranian protesters “will get slaughtered” if they take to the streets, according to a State Department cable described by journalist John Hudson.

Despite that grim assessment, the officials said Israel still hopes a popular uprising could emerge as the war continues.

Mar 17, 2026 at 11:45 AM EDT

Graham says Trump ‘angrier than I’ve ever heard him’ over Europe’s refusal to aid Hormuz mission

Sen. Lindsey Graham said Tuesday that President Donald Trump is furious with European allies for refusing to provide military assets to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open, calling their stance “arrogant” and a threat to trans‑Atlantic alliances.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 11:40 AM EDT

Iran calls for public mourning in Tehran after sinking of warship Dena

Iran’s government is urging residents of Tehran to gather today in major squares for a ceremony honoring the sailors killed when the naval warship Dena was sunk by the United States earlier this month. The event, organized by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and national authorities, will include the crew's families as well as senior civilian and military officials, according to state media.

The Dena was struck and sunk by a U.S. submarine in international waters, killing more than 80 sailors, Sri Lankan officials said after launching a rescue mission. Iran has condemned the attack as an “atrocity,” and President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country is mourning both the 84 confirmed dead and the 20 still missing.

“Today the hearts of the Iranian people mourn the memory of the 20 missing and the 84 brave sailors of the naval vessel Dena,” Pezeshkian said in a statement Tuesday. “I once again condemn this anti-human crime and offer my condolences to their patient families and their comrades.”

Mar 17, 2026 at 11:26 AM EDT

Trump says NATO allies refusing to join Iran campaign, declares U.S. needs ‘no one’

President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that most NATO members have told Washington they will not participate in the U.S.‑led military campaign against Iran, criticizing the alliance as a “one‑way street” that benefits from American protection while offering little in return.

Mar 17, 2026 at 11:26 AM EDT

Tanker hit by falling debris off UAE as maritime threat level remains ‘critical’

A tanker anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates was struck by falling debris on Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency, which said the vessel sustained minor structural damage. All crew members were reported safe.

The incident comes a day after UKMTO noted that no confirmed attacks on commercial vessels had occurred since last Thursday, though it warned that the overall threat level in the region remains critical following a series of strikes on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic waterway—one of the world’s busiest corridors for oil shipments—has been effectively shut down by Iran amid its confrontation with the United States and Israel. The closure has disrupted global energy flows and heightened concerns about further escalation in the Gulf.

Mar 17, 2026 at 11:15 AM EDT

Lebanon’s death toll rises to 912 as Israeli strikes intensify, health ministry says

Israeli attacks have killed 912 people in Lebanon since March 2, according to the country’s Ministry of Public Health, which released its latest casualty update on Tuesday. Another 2,221 people have been wounded as strikes continue across the south and the Bekaa Valley.

The new figures mark a sharp increase from the 886 deaths reported on Monday, reflecting the pace of bombardment as fighting along the Lebanon–Israel border escalates.

Mar 17, 2026 at 11:12 AM EDT

Former U.S. ambassador says Gulf states expect multinational push to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Former U.S. ambassador to Oman Marc Sievers said Tuesday that Gulf governments are likely to join a multinational effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, even if the coalition ends up smaller than what President Donald Trump has sought. Speaking on CNN This Morning, Sievers described steady communication between Gulf capitals and Washington, saying military coordination remains active despite frustration among diplomats about the pace of U.S. outreach.

Sievers said regional governments anticipated some level of Iranian retaliation, but the scale of recent strikes—hitting energy facilities, economic infrastructure and even civilian sites—has surprised officials across the Gulf. He added that while back‑channel contacts may still exist, the prospects for a diplomatic off‑ramp have narrowed sharply.

Oman, long a key mediator between the United States and Iran, is now constrained after Iranian drones struck civilian ports in Duqm and Salalah, he said. Those attacks, Sievers noted, have made it far more difficult for Muscat to play its traditional role.

Despite the diplomatic strain, Sievers said Gulf states want the strait reopened and are in regular contact with the U.S. about next steps. Some countries have turned to alternative pipelines to bypass the chokepoint, but he expects an international mission—however limited—to eventually take shape.

Mar 17, 2026 at 11:03 AM EDT

Macron reaffirms France won’t join effort to force open Strait of Hormuz

French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that France will not participate in any military operation to forcibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz, distancing Paris from President Donald Trump’s push for an allied coalition to secure the waterway amid the war with Iran.

Macron stressed that France would only take part in escort missions once hostilities have eased, aligning his government with Germany and other European partners who have rejected joining U.S. offensive efforts. “We are not a party to the conflict, and, therefore, France will never take part in operations to open or liberate the Strait of Hormuz in the current context,” he said. “France did not choose this war.”

The French leader reiterated that any future involvement would be limited to protecting commercial shipping after conditions stabilize.

Mar 17, 2026 at 10:59 AM EDT

Poland says it will not send forces to join Iran War Coalition

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that Poland will not deploy troops to take part in the U.S.–led effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz, distancing Warsaw from President Trump’s push for an allied naval coalition.

Speaking ahead of a government meeting, Tusk said Poland “does not plan any expedition to Iran,” adding that the decision is fully understood by its partners. He stressed that the position applies to land, air and naval forces, all of which remain focused on strengthening defenses amid the ongoing conflict on Ukraine’s border.

Mar 17, 2026 at 10:57 AM EDT

Iranian state media air pro-government rallies after reports of Larijani’s killing

Iranian state media broadcast images on Tuesday of large pro‑government rallies in Tehran, hours after Israel announced it had killed Ali Larijani, the Islamic Republic’s top security chief. Iran has not confirmed his death, but the demonstrations appeared aimed at projecting unity and strength amid growing uncertainty inside the country.

Such rallies are frequently organized or encouraged by authorities, with officials and state‑linked institutions mobilizing supporters through public calls, coordinated messaging campaigns and transportation provided by government bodies. Tuesday’s gatherings followed that familiar pattern, with crowds shown waving flags and chanting slogans in central squares across the capital.

Mar 17, 2026 at 10:55 AM EDT

Israel warns of imminent Hezbollah rocket fire after killing senior Iranian official

The Israeli military said Tuesday it has identified heightened preparations by Hezbollah to launch rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel, warning that attacks could come within hours. The announcement comes as Israeli forces remain on high alert amid escalating regional tensions.

The military’s statement was issued shortly after Israel said it had killed Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, in a targeted strike. Israel has framed the killing as part of a broader campaign to weaken Iran’s regional influence, a move that has prompted fears of retaliation by Tehran‑backed groups.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, troops are “working to counter any barrages” and reinforcing defensive positions along the northern border. Hezbollah has not publicly commented on the Israeli assessment, but the group has increased cross‑border fire in recent weeks as the conflict widens.

Mar 17, 2026 at 10:46 AM EDT

More Gulf states report drone and missile interceptions as regional strikes intensify

Fresh waves of drones and ballistic missiles were reported across the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, as multiple countries said they intercepted projectiles amid the ongoing U.S.–Israel war with Iran.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said they shot down 10 ballistic missiles and 45 drones launched from Iran. Debris from one intercepted missile killed a Pakistani national, officials said.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting incoming missiles and drones, though neither government specified the origin of the launches. In Kuwait, the health ministry said two emergency medical workers were injured when debris fell on an ambulance center; the ministry did not identify the source of the strike.

Mar 17, 2026 at 10:36 AM EDT

Former counterterrorism chief says pro-war pressure campaign misled Trump on Iran

Joe Kent, who resigned as director of the National Counterterrorism Center, accused senior Israeli officials and influential U.S. media figures of pushing a “misinformation campaign” that he says steered President Donald Trump toward war with Iran. In his resignation letter, Kent wrote that he supported the foreign‑policy vision Trump campaigned on in 2016, 2020 and 2024, and praised the president’s first‑term approach to using military force without entering prolonged conflicts.

Kent argued that early in Trump’s second term, outside pressure distorted that strategy. He claimed Israeli officials and sympathetic media voices created an “echo chamber” that portrayed Iran as posing an imminent threat to the United States and urged immediate military action. According to Kent, this narrative convinced Trump there was a clear path to a quick victory—an assessment he called false.

He also drew a parallel to the lead‑up to the Iraq War, saying the same tactics were used to push the U.S. into a conflict that proved disastrous. Iran has not responded to Kent’s assertions, and the White House has not commented on the letter.

Mar 17, 2026 at 10:34 AM EDT

Albania Parliament declares Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization

Albania’s Parliament adopted a resolution Tuesday declaring Iran’s Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization, with 79 lawmakers from Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party voting in favor of the measure.

The resolution also labels Iran a state sponsor of terrorism.

Taulant Balla, head of the Socialist parliamentary group, said the resolution aims to denounce state support for terrorism, the use of proxy groups for destabilization and hybrid tactics including cyberattacks on sovereign institutions.

“For Albania, this is not just a distant geopolitical issue,” Balla said, noting it has been a target of cyberattacks.

Albania blamed Iran’s Foreign Ministry for a July 2022 cyberattack that disrupted government information technology systems and shut down online public services for several days.

Officials said the attack was likely retaliation for Albania hosting members of an Iranian opposition group. Albania’s government then severed diplomatic ties with Iran.

By the Associated Press

Mar 17, 2026 at 10:21 AM EDT

Tehran warns of widespread damage to cultural heritage amid U.S.–Israeli strikes

Tehran is raising urgent concerns over the scale of destruction to its cultural and historical sites as the U.S.–Israel war on Iran enters its fourth week. Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts says at least 56 museums, monuments and heritage locations have been damaged since the conflict began, according to state media.

The ministry reported that Tehran has suffered the heaviest losses, with 19 sites affected—including Golestan Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and the former Senate building. Golestan Palace, a UNESCO‑listed complex dating to the Qajar era, is one of Iran’s most treasured landmarks, known for its fusion of Persian craftsmanship and European‑influenced design.

Officials cited international law in their warning, pointing to the 1954 Hague Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 2347, which classify attacks on cultural heritage as violations of global norms. The United States, Israel and Iran are all parties to the Hague Convention, which obligates signatories to safeguard cultural property during armed conflict.

Iranian authorities say the damage underscores the growing humanitarian and cultural toll of the war, even as fighting continues across multiple fronts.

Mar 17, 2026 at 10:08 AM EDT

Israel says it has killed senior Iranian power broker Ali Larijani

Israel announced Tuesday that it killed Ali Larijani, one of Iran’s most influential security figures, in an overnight strike—an escalation that targets a man widely believed to have been steering the country after the death of its supreme leader and the collapse of its top command structure.

The Israeli military also said it killed Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, the powerful internal‑security chief long tasked with crushing nationwide protests against Iran’s ruling system. Iran has not confirmed either death.

The strikes come as Tehran’s leadership remains fractured following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials in the opening U.S.–Israeli attacks that triggered the war. Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba, has not appeared publicly since his appointment, and Israeli officials believe he may have been wounded.

Despite the decapitation of much of its leadership, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard continues to fire missiles at Israel and Gulf states. Tehran has also effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, choking off a key artery for global oil shipments and rattling world markets.

Larijani came from one of Iran’s most prominent political dynasties, often likened to the Kennedy family in U.S. politics. His brothers have held top posts in the judiciary and foreign policy, and Larijani himself spent decades shaping the Islamic Republic’s direction.

A hard‑line conservative, he served as culture minister in the 1990s, parliament speaker for 12 years, and most recently as head of the Supreme National Security Council. He also authored several books on philosophy, including works on Immanuel Kant.

Larijani was a key adviser to Khamenei on nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration and reportedly met with mediators in Oman just two weeks before the war began. Though barred from becoming supreme leader because he was not a cleric, he was widely viewed as the most powerful civilian figure left above ground as Iran’s leadership went into hiding.

Just last week, after President Donald Trump threatened to retaliate “TWENTY TIMES HARDER” if Iran blocked oil flows through Hormuz, Larijani fired back on X: “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats… Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.”

His killing, if confirmed, would mark one of the most consequential blows yet to Iran’s wartime leadership—but so far, it has done little to slow the conflict’s momentum.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 09:55 AM EDT

WATCH: JD Vance defends Trump and his stance on the Iran war

Mar 17, 2026 at 09:42 AM EDT

Israel probes strike that Lebanon says killed soldier

Israel is investigating a military strike in southern Lebanon after the Lebanese army reported that one of its soldiers was killed and at least four others wounded, according to the Israeli military’s Arabic‑language spokesperson Ella Waweya.

In a statement posted on social media, Waweya said the Israel Defense Forces target Hezbollah operatives exclusively and do not seek to engage Lebanese military personnel. She added that the incident would be formally reviewed.

Mar 17, 2026 at 09:29 AM EDT

Israel intensifies strikes on Tehran as explosions echo across the capital

Israel said Tuesday that its forces were carrying out heavy bombardments in Tehran, expanding a campaign that has increasingly targeted senior figures within Iran’s leadership. According to the Israeli military, the latest wave of strikes followed overnight operations aimed at additional top officials inside the country.

Residents in central Tehran reported hearing explosions and the activation of air‑defense systems, accounts echoed by Fars, a news agency aligned with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The blasts marked one of the most forceful escalations inside the capital since the conflict widened.

Mar 17, 2026 at 09:27 AM EDT

Netanyahu says killing of Larijani aims to weaken Iran’s grip on power

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Ali Larijani was the head of a network that “effectively runs Iran,” framing the senior official’s reported killing as part of a broader effort to erode the Islamic Republic’s authority. Announcing the strike, Netanyahu said Israel’s campaign against Iran’s top leadership is intended to weaken the regime from within.

“We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it,” he said, while acknowledging the process “will not happen all at once, and it will not happen easily.”

Mar 17, 2026 at 09:21 AM EDT

Hezbollah claims new rocket attacks on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon

Hezbollah says it launched a fresh salvo of rockets at a group of Israeli soldiers in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon, marking the group’s second claimed attack of the day.

In a statement posted on X, the group said the soldiers were gathered near a municipal building in Khiam when they were targeted.

Earlier Tuesday, Hezbollah said it struck a separate group of Israeli troops positioned inside a tent in Maroun al‑Ras, a border town in the Bint Jbeil district. The Israeli military has not yet commented on either claim.

The attacks come amid intensifying cross‑border fire as fighting continues to escalate along the Lebanon–Israel frontier.

Mar 17, 2026 at 09:16 AM EDT

U.S. mission warns Americans in the Netherlands after wave of attacks on Jewish sites

The U.S. Mission to the Netherlands has issued a renewed security reminder to American citizens following a string of explosive and arson attacks targeting Jewish institutions across Europe, as well as several recent incidents inside the Netherlands. The alert reinforces the State Department’s Worldwide Caution, urging travelers to heighten their situational awareness and take steps to strengthen personal security.

The advisory comes amid growing concern across European capitals after a terrorist organization with suspected ties to the Iranian regime claimed responsibility for four attacks on Jewish targets between March 9 and March 14. The group, Harakat Ashab al‑Yamin al‑Islamiyya, has said it carried out an explosive attack on a synagogue in Liège, an arson attack on a Rotterdam synagogue, and an explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam. It has also been linked to an attack on a Jewish site in Greece.

In its alert, the U.S. Mission warned that terrorist groups continue to plot potential attacks in the Netherlands, noting that strikes could occur with little or no warning at locations such as tourist sites, transportation hubs, shopping centers, restaurants, places of worship, parks, airports, and major events. Officials also cautioned that protests may erupt in major Dutch cities without advance notice, including near the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam.

Americans in the country are urged to stay aware of their surroundings, avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile, and remain vigilant in crowded areas. Travelers are also encouraged to monitor local media for updates and adjust plans if conditions change. Dutch emergency services can be reached by calling 112.

The alert follows heightened security around Jewish institutions, including a visible military police presence at an Amsterdam Jewish school days after it was attacked.

Regional and international officials have condemned the incidents. Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli said the attacks reflect a broader effort by Iranian‑aligned networks to expand operations into European cities. Analysts told U.S. media outlets that the ongoing Iran conflict may be motivating or directing the group’s actions.

The World Jewish Congress warned that the pattern of nighttime attacks and rapid online amplification is designed to intimidate Jewish communities and test Europe’s response, urging governments to dismantle the networks behind the violence.

The U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam remains available to assist American citizens, who are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real‑time updates as security conditions evolve.

Read more here.

Mar 17, 2026 at 09:03 AM EDT

Spain approves release of 11.5 million barrels as Hormuz tensions push prices higher

Spain has authorized the release of up to 11.5 million barrels from its strategic oil reserves over the next three months, a move aimed at easing mounting pressure on global energy markets as Iran’s threats in the Strait of Hormuz intensify fears of supply disruptions.

Energy Minister Sara Aagesen said the drawdown will unfold in phases, with the first tranche scheduled to begin in 15 days. The plan aligns with the International Energy Agency’s unprecedented effort to mobilize up to 400 million barrels from member countries to counter soaring crude prices and stabilize supply.

Mar 17, 2026 at 08:50 AM EDT

Video shows U.S. embassy targeted by drone

Footage posted to social media purports to show the U.S. embassy in Iraq facing a drone attack overnight.

The clip posted by Iran International, an independent news outlet, shows an air defense system downing drones early on Tuesday and smoke and fire rising.

One witness saw at least three drones heading toward the embassy, two of which were intercepted, while a third struck inside the compound, according to the outlet.

Earlier, open-source X account OSINT Technical posted a clip it said showed a likely fiber optic FPV drone carrying out a reconnaissance mission through the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in which “the drone flies unchallenged through the embassy complex for nearly two minutes.”

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Mar 17, 2026 at 08:25 AM EDT

Iraq in talks with Iran to allow oil tankers through Strait

Iraq’s oil minister said that Baghdad was in contact with Iran to allow some oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the state news agency reported.

Baghdad was also working to resume exports through the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline to Turkey to make up for shipping disruptions caused by Iran War, following attacks on some vessels off the Iraqi coast during transfer operations.#

It comes as the price of oil is hovering around $103.15 a barrel, dipping after a spike of nearly $105 in early trading on Tuesday.

Mar 17, 2026 at 08:10 AM EDT

Israeli airstrikes hit three areas of Iran

Israel’s military said that airstrikes on Monday targeted Iranian military sites and infrastructure.

Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets dropped dozens of bombs during the strikes in Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz.

In Tehran, the IDF said it bombed security headquarters, including those belonging to Iran’s Intelligence Ministry and Basij paramilitary force and sites to store and launch drones, ballistic missiles, and air defense systems.

In Shiraz, Israel said it struck Iran’s internal security forces and a ballistic missile storage site

Meanwhile in Tabriz, Israeli fighter jets destroyed additional air defense systems according to the IDF as part of a “phase of deepening the blows to the core systems and capabilities of the Iranian terror regime.”

Mar 17, 2026 at 07:55 AM EDT

U.S. military must leave Middle East: Iran’s parliament speaker

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that the U.S. must leave the Middle East and that its presence in the region did not bring security.

Ghalibaf said in a recorded video that security in the region should be established by regional countries and that “face and order of the Middle East will change, but not according to U.S. plans,” independent news outlet Iran International reported.

“The Islamic countries of the region, will establish regional order and security in the economic and security dimensions.” He also said Tehran had changed its missile launchers after the 12-day war against Israel and that “the enemy cannot hit them.”

Ghalibaf also said the only goal the adversaries had achieved was the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, adding that a “young Khamenei” has replaced him.

Mar 17, 2026 at 07:40 AM EDT

China Offers Aid to Middle East

China has offered humanitarian aid to Middle Eastern countries affected by the regional war, which is now in its third week.

Iran will receive “emergency humanitarian assistance,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, as will Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq.

"The ongoing conflict has inflicted excruciating humanitarian disasters on people of Iran and other regional countries. China deeply sympathizes with people in relevant countries and our hearts go out to them," Lin told a regular press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

Beijing has called for an end to hostilities in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28 intended to end the regime in Tehran.

Retaliation by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards—via one-way attack drones and ballistic missiles—have struck Israel but also hit population centers in neighboring countries hosting U.S. military forces.

The IRGC’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz also threatens crude oil and natural gas prices globally.

The conflict could put China, one of Iran’s strongest allies, in an uneasy position among other friendly governments in the region if it were seen as failing to use its political and economic leverage to rein in Tehran’s leaders.

Since the Iran war began, Zhai Jun, the Chinese special envoy to the Middle East, has met with representatives from United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Zhai told Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on Thursday that “China always advocates for resolving regional issues through dialogue and consultation and opposes the use of force at every turn.”

“China believes that in military conflicts, the red line of protecting civilians must not be crossed, non-military targets such as energy, economy and people’s livelihoods should not be attacked, the safety of waterways should not be disrupted, and the indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable,” he said.

Mar 17, 2026 at 07:27 AM EDT

Death of Larijani would shake Iran’s regime

The death of Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, if confirmed, would deal a blow to the heart of the regime in Tehran.

Iran has not confirmed Israel's claims that Larijani, the influential secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), was killed in strikes overnight Monday.

As Newsweek reports, his death as claimed by Israel would mark an important tactical victory for President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they seek to dislodge the country's clerical rulers, or at least bring them to heel.

Larijani has an IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) background and is not viewed as a soft-handed reformist, likely being an architect of the January crackdowns on anti-government protests which killed thousands.

He has also been widely seen as a more pragmatic and technocratic influencer, potentially opposing the candidacy of the new supreme leader and a good negotiator, both with China and Russia, as well as the US. Also, he was an important internal powerbroker.

He served as speaker of Iran's parliament for 12 years, from May 2008 to May 2020 and was appointed in August 2025 by President Masoud Pezeshkian as secretary of the SNSC. He also been described in Iranian outlets as an adviser to the late supreme leader.

Read more: “Why Ali Larijani’s Killing Will Shake Iran - Newsweek

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Mar 17, 2026 at 07:25 AM EDT

UAE temporarily shuts its airspace

The United Arab Emirates reopened its airspace early Tuesday morning it had been closed earlier as drones and missiles fire from Iran were intercepted.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority closed the airspace for around two hours as an “exceptional precautionary measure” the WAM news service reported.

It came a day after Dubai’s main international airport halted flights for several hours after a drone strike caused a fuel-tank fire. Middle East has been hit hard by the threat posed by the Iran War in which there have been 2,000 missile and drone attacks.

Streeter said that the airline industry is still reeling from the repercussions of intense strikes across the Middle East.

The tense situation, with travel warnings staying in place and demand for holidays plummeting, has prompted British Airways to cancel all flights to Dubai until at least June.

Abu Dhabi flights remain cancelled until October, while routes have also been cancelled to Bahrain, Tel Aviv and Amman. Airlines are counting the high cost of cancellations, rerouting flights, and dented consumer confidence, while aviation fuel has shot up in price and is set to stay highly volatile, Streeter added.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 07:15 AM EDT

Trump suggests delay to meeting with China’s Xi

President Donald Trump has said that a scheduled visit to China to meet President Xi Jinping could be delayed by a month or so due to the Iran War.

Trump was expected to go to China at the end of March for a meeting but he said that while Washington was speaking to China but “I want to be here.”

“We have requested that we delay it a month or so, and I’m looking forward to meeting with him,” said Trump. “We’ve got a war going on. I think it’s important that I be here.”

Trump’s treasury secretary, Scott Bessent had said that the possible delay was not a tactic to pressure Beijing to help unblock the strait of Hormuz, which Trump had earlier called on China to do, along with other countries reliant on oil that transits the region.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 06:55 AM EDT

Iran’s new supreme leader rejects peace with US: report

Comments attributed to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei have said that he thought now was “not the right time for peace,” according to Reuters.

Khamenei's wish to avenge the U.S. and Israel was “very tough and serious” an unnamed senior Iranian official said, according to the news agency.

A proposal was conveyed to Tehran through two intermediary countries, Reuters reported.

However, the supreme leader said that the United States and Israel must be “ brought to their knees, ⁠accept defeat, and pay compensation” according to the outlet. Three sources told Reuters that the Trump administration had rejected ⁠efforts by Middle Eastern allies to start diplomatic negotiations to end the war.

Mar 17, 2026 at 06:45 AM EDT

Israel warns of attack on Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military has warned residents in a southern Lebanese village of Arab al-Jal village to evacuate ahead of an attack what it calls military infrastructure linked to Hezbollah.

The Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces, Avichay Adraee, posted on X for the village’s residents to move at least 300 meters from a building it marked on a map he said was used the Iranian-backed group.

Latest reports indicate that Israeli strikes have killed at least 850 people in Lebanon, including at least 107 children and left more than one million displaced.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 06:30 AM EDT

Iran wants to move World Cup games out of U.S

Iran is looking to move its soccer World Cup matches out of the United States and into Mexico. Those countries along with Canada, are hosting this summer's tournament.

President Donald Trump has said that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team in the U.S. as the Iran War continues.

But Iran’s football chief Mehdi Taj said on X that his country’s federation was in discussions with world governing body FIFA about relocating the fixtures scheduled for June in which they would play New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.

Last week, Iran’s sports minister said it would not be possible for the team to participate in the United States due to the Iran War.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 06:15 AM EDT

Israel warns of attack on Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military has warned residents in a southern Lebanese village of Arab al-Jal village to evacuate ahead of an attack what it calls military infrastructure linked to Hezbollah.

The Arabic-language spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces, Avichay Adraee, posted on X for the village’s residents to move at least 300 meters from a building it marked on a map he said was used the Iranian-backed group.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 06:00 AM EDT

Israel says it intercepted missiles launched from Iran

Israel’s military said it intercepted missiles launched from Iran across Israel early Tuesday morning, showing that Tehran can still carry out long-range strikes despite two weeks into a war of being hit hard by U.S. and Israeli weapons.

Sirens sounded across central Israel in the early morning hours on Tuesday although there were no immediate reports of injuries. Israel’s Health Ministry said Tuesday that over the past 24 hours, 70 people have been hospitalized with injuries.

Mar 17, 2026 at 05:43 AM EDT

Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani killed says Israel

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani had been killed following strikes by Israel's military.

Larijani served as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Tehran has not commented on Israel's claims.

Israeli officials had said earlier that overnight strikes had targeted Larijani and killed Iran's Basij paramilitary force commander Gholamreza Soleimani, as well as other top Iranian military figures.

Katz said that he and the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the IDF "to continue hunting down the leadership of the regime of terror and oppression in Iran."

"US President Trump spoke about the high rate of turnover of Iran's leadership," Katz added, "we will update him that the high rate of turnover continues and is even increasing."

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Mar 17, 2026 at 05:40 AM EDT

Naval escorts cannot assure safety of Strait of Hormuz: IMO chief

Naval escorts through the Strait of Hormuz will not guarantee the safety of ships passing through the waterway, the head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has said.

As concerns mount about the choke on oil supplies and the rising prices of Brent crude, Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the IMO, told the FT that military assistance to open the strait was “not a long-term or sustainable solution.”

Iran has struck at least 18 vessels since the start of the Iran War and Tehran has declared the strait “closed” to shipping, raising fears about global oil supplies, which have prompted countries to look at navy escorts for vessels.

But Dominguez said this would reduce the danger, “but the risk is still there.”

The strait is 20 miles wide at its narrowest point, but the combined width of the deep-water shipping lanes for traffic in each direction is just two nautical miles. It is bounded on the Iranian side by mountains, which allow strikes on ships from on high with little notice.

“We are collateral damage of a conflict when the root causes have nothing to do with shipping,” Dominguez told the FT.

Mar 17, 2026 at 05:30 AM EDT

UAE suspend oil loading after strikes: report

Oil loadings at the UAE’s key Fujairah port have been suspended, adding to the concerns about global crude supply, Bloomberg News has reported.

Fujairah is a major hub for crude and fuel exports located outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Loading berths at the Fujairah Oil Tanker Terminals were paused as of Tuesday, the outlet said, citing a shipping agent and a person familiar with the matter.

Crude loadings by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. at the port remained suspended, Bloomberg said, adding that separately, a Kuwait-flagged LPG tanker suffered minor damage after being hit by drone debris off the port.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 05:20 AM EDT

U.S. embassy targeted by drones

The US embassy in Baghdad came under attack with an explosion heard near the compound of the mission, according to reports.

Security officials there said that the facility’s C-RAM (counter rocket, artillery, and mortar) air defense downed the projectiles, although it was struck by shrapnel, according to the Associated Press. The C-RAM can spray 20 mm rounds on incoming fire.

Separately, an airstrike targeted a house in the heavily fortified presidential compound in Baghdad’s al-Jadriya area, according to officials.

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Mar 17, 2026 at 05:03 AM EDT

Iranian Basij paramilitary force commander killed says Israel

Israel’s military has said it has killed Iranian Basij paramilitary force commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

The Basij was believed to be behind the violent crackdown of anti-regime protests in which thousands were killed in recent weeks.

Soleimani had been at a tent camp that was recently established by the Basij after its headquarters had been struck earlier. He was killed in strikes which also had targeted Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani, the Times of Israel reported. Other top officials in the paramilitary force were also killed, according to the IDF.

The Times of Israel said that the Israeli military was checking whether Larijani, who is secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, had been killed. Tehran has not commented on the reported strikes.

Israeli’s Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said “significant elimination achievements” had been recorded overnight in what the Times said may have indicated the strike on a senior figure.

Another Israeli airstrike in Iran targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Akram al-Ajouri and other top officials in the terror group, defense sources told the newspaper.

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