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Recap of the war between US-Israel and Iran, including the latest political news, and updates on attacks across the regions.
New York Times reported that the arrival of 2,500 Marines and 2,500 sailors in the early hours of Monday morning pushed the total number of US troops in the Middle East to over 50,000, which is around 10,000 more than usual, as President Donald Trump weighs his next move against Iran.
Israeli/US strikes hit a petrochemical plant in Tabriz overnight, according to the Director-General of Crisis Management for East Azerbaijan province, who attributed the attack to US-Israeli forces, stating that the situation was under control, with emergency and operational teams on site at the time, and that no hazardous, toxic or polluting materials had been released.
More than eight explosions were reported across Baghdad on the morning of March 30, with some around the Green Zone area and near Baghdad Belt Operations Command headquarters.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy confirmed that a service building at one of the country’s power generation and water distillation plants was struck on Sunday evening in an attack attributed to Iran, killing one Indian national worker and causing significant material damage.
Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya headquarters denied responsibility for the attack on the Kuwaiti desalination plant which had been blamed on Tehran, saying: “The brutal aggression by the Zionist regime against a desalination plant, under the pretext of blaming the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a sign of the depravity of the Zionist occupiers,” adding that US bases and personnel, their interests in the region, and Israeli military, security and economic infrastructure would continue to be targeted.
Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks that targeted a Kuwaiti forces camp, along with a power and desalination station: “We condemn the Iranian attacks,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Oman also condemned the attack, as the Omani Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with Kuwait and its measures to protect its security and sovereignty, calling on all parties in the conflict to an immediate and complete halt to the war and to refrain from targeting civilian infrastructure, describing such acts as clear violations of international and humanitarian law.
Alerts were issued in Dubai alongside explosions being heard and interceptors being launched, with a possible impact later reported near Damac hills, and a fire reported near Dubai hills, while possible impacts were also reported at the Al-Minhad air base, near Port Rashid, and debris was reported near midriff and Al Nahda, then soon after there were around 4 distant explosions heard around Dubai despite no alerts which was likely due to drone interceptions.
President Trump told the Financial Times he was considering seizing Iran’s oil infrastructure, describing it as his favourite thing, suggesting the US could control Iranian oil resources in a manner similar to its plans in Venezuela, stating that seizing Kharg Island would be feasible: “We could take it very easily,” though he acknowledged that holding territory would require a prolonged presence. Despite the escalation, Trump said indirect talks with Iran via Pakistani mediators are progressing, adding that a ‘deal could be made fairly quickly,’ while maintaining a deadline for Tehran to accept terms or face further strikes.
During the regular morning strikes that Israel and the US carry out on Iran, explosions were reported in the Shiyan district of northeast Tehran, two airstrikes on Ahvaz, southwest Iran, and attacks on Abadan, southwest Iran.
Satellite images reportedly showed extensive damage to a desalination plant in Kuwait, likely the Doha West complex, following an Iranian attack – the plant supplies approximately 40% of Kuwait’s desalinated water needs.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman was disgusted with the actions taken by the US and the regime against nuclear facilities, noting these were crimes, adding that according to the IAEA’s statute, these actions were criminal, but the indifferent of the Agency and Rafael Grossi was even more regrettable.
An Iranian missile equipped with a cluster warhead struck Haifa, northern Israel on Monday morning, with at least 6-7 cluster munition impacts recorded to the Haifa Port, the Haifa Oil Refinery, the city of Kiryat Ata, and the port of Shefa-Amr, but Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated no damage had been caused to the production facilities at the oil refineries in Haifa, meaning fuel supplies wouldn’t be affected. Bazan oil refining company in Haifa said a missile attack caused localised damage to the roof of a distillates tank, but stated the damage is not material and that all production facilities remained operational.
Arabian sources reported hearing explosions in northeastern Bahrain in the morning, later capturing an image of a smoke column as they reported a fire around the American facilities at the port of Al-Dair, noting that Bahrain Civil Defence Department had announced its forces were trying to extinguish a fire in a ‘commercial building’ in the Al-Dair area.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said that Iran hadn’t conducted any direct negotiations with the US so far, but had received messages through intermediaries about Washington’s desire to negotiate, adding that the Pakistan meetings are a framework set by themselves with no participation from Iran.
Israel’s Haaretz newspaper said Iran had proven its ability to deter the entire world from attacking it, noting that Trump was facing a crucial choice of whether to escalate the war or end it, but a third option in the form of a deal with Iran seems unlikely, although it was possible to create the appearance of an agreement through formal statements that would allow President Trump to end the confrontation.
Following threats by Iran to attack universities if the US didn’t condemn attacks by Israel on Iranian educational institutions, multiple American universities around the Arab Gulf nations switched to online classes as a precaution, including the American University of Armenia.
Maariv reported that after a full month and thousands of sorties resulting in more than 14,000 munitions dropped around Iran, the conclusion is that the Iranians were operating within a framework of calculations which should be a cause for concern among decision-makers along with the public in Israel and the Middle East, as well as within the US Government.
Despite the war and sanctions, Clash Report stated that Iran had nearly doubled its oil revenues, exporting almost 2 and a half million barrels per day at much higher prices, with China buying over 90% of the exports.
President Trump is considering a risky military mission to seize around 1,000 pounds of enriched uranium from Iran to prevent the country from building nuclear weapons, reported the WSJ, noting that the operation would be complex, dangerous, could take a long time and potentially mean putting American forces inside Iran for days increasing the risk of retaliation and a prolonged war.
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles announced on Monday morning that Spain had closed its airsapce and airbases to US aircraft that are involved in the conflict with Iran: “We don’t authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran.”
Jordan’s army claimed to have intercepted five missiles and a drone within a 24-hour period, noting that one woman had been injured due to falling debris.
President Trump took to Truth Social with a dire warning for Iran: “The United States of America is engaged in serious discussions with a new and more logical system to end our military operations in Iran. Significant progress has been made, but if an agreement is not reached soon for any reason, which is likely to happen, and if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened immediately, we will conclude our presence in Iran by blowing up all power generation stations, oil wells, and Kharg Island (and possibly all water desalination plants), which we have not deliberately destroyed so far. This will be a revenge for our many soldiers and others, who were slaughtered and killed by Iran during 47 years of the “terrorist rule” imposed by the old regime. Thank you for your interest in this matter.”
Iran’s near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz has left around 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf, with at least 22 civilian vessels having been hit and eight crew members killed since the conflict began, reported the FT, stating that one sailor described being stuck amid constant missile fire and explosions ‘everywhere.’ Although shipping groups agreed to measures like bonus pay, the right to refuse sailing, and employer-funded repatriation, unions say only 30-40% of ships are complying, with some sailors also claiming they were being forced to continue operations despite safety risks.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called on President Trump to end the war on Iran: “I tell President Trump: Nobody can stop the war in our region in the Gulf but you. Please, Mr President, please, please help us stop the war – you are capable of doing so.”
Israel has ramped up interceptor and munitions production to three times its normal rate, with plans to reach four times capacity in the near future, reported Haaretz, adding that despite more than 200 US cargo planes delivering supplies, both countries were still facing interceptor shortages. Defence officials have reportedly expanded manufacturing efforts, including during holiday periods, to sustain military operations and replenish depleted stockpiles under continued missile and drone attacks.
European Council President António Costa had a: “Good call today with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif to hear his assessment on the Iran war, as well as the outcome of the recent consultations between the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey held in Islamabad. I wish Pakistan all the best for its peace endeavours. The EU supports all mediation efforts.”
Belgium signalled intent to deploying minehunters to the Strait of Hormuz as part of an international coalition once conditions had stabilised, according to Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, further stating the country could contribute a proportional role securing maritime traffic, while stressing that participation would not imply support for the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which he described as ‘outside international law.’
Israeli Defence Forces claimed that the targeted Imam Hossein University in Tehran was used as a weapons research and development facility for Iran’s IRGC, stating the attack hit key infrastructure involved in ballistic missile and chemical weapons programs, including underground wind tunnels and research centres.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the if the Iran war developed into a major regional conflict, it could place an even greater burden on Germany and Europe, as heavy as recently experienced during the Covid pandemic or at the start of the Ukraine War.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that British troops would not be deployed on the ground in Iran: “This is not our war and we’re not going to get drawn into it,” he stated, adding that the UK’s main task is taking ‘defensive action’ to defend British lives and interests as well as its allies in the region, and would also continue to work on methods to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Starmer later took to X, saying: “I will always make decisions that are in the national interest. It’s why we aren’t getting dragged into the Middle East conflict, and why we are fighting to protect your living standards. And while opposition parties have responded by dividing communities, we respond with hope and pride. Pride in our communities, and the hope of a country that’s better for our children. That’s what we’re fighting for.”
Iranian MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi stated that Iran was looking to approve a parliamentary plan for a ‘new system’ to govern the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible, under which no passage would be allowed without Iran’s permission, while also saying that a framework must be established to levy transit tolls, as maintaining security and providing services involves costs, and adding that the ‘time has come’ for Iran to withdraw from the NPT arguing it had lost its relevance following US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
UAE’s Defence Ministry stated their air defence systems intercepted 11 ballistic missiles and 27 drones launched from Iran, stating its forces had engaged the projectiles, which included cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Two Chinese-owned ultra-large container vessels were allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz on Monday according to NYT, citing the ship-tracking platform, calling the passage ‘the first confirmed crossing by a major container carrier since the start of the conflict,’ noting the ships had abandoned initial attempts on Friday but crossed around 9am GMT and are now bound for Malaysia.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the global energy market is facing a deficit of between 10 and 12 million barrels of oil per day, adding that Washington was taking action to compensate the shortfall and ensure supply stability, while stating the US has lifted sanctions on shipments of Russian and Iranian crude oil that are already at sea to ease pressure on the global market. Bessent said: “The market is well supplied, and we are seeing more and more ships go through on a daily basis with the Iranian regime for the time being, but over time, the US is going to retake control of the straits, and there will be freedom of navigation, whether it is through US escorts or a multinational escort.”
Saudi Arabia’s crude exports from its Red Sea ports are approaching the Kingdoms target rate of 5 million barrels per day, according to the latest tracking of ship movements, as the Kingdom doubled crude exports from Yanbu in just over two weeks, and with flows rising, the diversions are expected to offset almost 45% of lost Persian Gulf shipments for March.
Iraq’s Ministerial Council for Economy hosted the Director General of the State Organisation for Marketing of Oil (SOMO), who announced the resumption of exports from Kirkuk oil fields via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline to Ceyhan port, as well as through land routes, as SOMO studied offers from local and international maritime transport companies to export oil through southern border outlets in order to take advantage of global prices, and the council directed the oil ministry to intensify efforts for oil and product exports.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to identify who the US was in contact with in Iran following President Trump’s post that discussions were under way with a new and more reasonable regime: “I’m not going to disclose to you who those people are because that would probably get them in trouble with some of the groups of people inside Iran,” Rubio told ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday. Rubio added that there were internal fractures and that if people in Iran are now willing to move in a different direction, that would be great.
Israel’s military announced they had struck an alleged air defence site near the Caspian Sea in northern Iran, more than 1,600km from Israeli territory, at a site that was camouflaged within a forested area, which the IDF said posed a threat to its aircraft, and the strike expands the Israeli Air Force’s air superiority over Iranian skies, noting that the attack was carried out during waves of strikes completed on Sunday, the military added.
Hackers linked to Iran have allegedly breached at least 50 Israeli security cameras and erased data from around 60 companies since the war began, according to WSJ, citing Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, noting the breaches were likely used to assess missile strike damage and monitor troop movements, while many targeted firms, mostly small to mid-sized, lost data permanently, adding that Iranian cyber activity was intensifying across Israel, the US and Gulf Countries as cyber warfare escalated on both sides.
Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto spoke about the war with la Republica: “I am forced to know things that no longer let me sleep – for what could happen in the coming weeks, for the effects it will have on the economy and our daily lives – we did not support this war, and no one asked for our opinion. The length of the war does not depend on the power of the strongest, but on the resistance of the weakest – Iran is larger than Ukraine, has more people, and thousands of years of history.”
154 sections of 21 universities in Iran have been destroyed in combined Israeli-US attacks, according to the Ministry of Science, estimating the damages to scientific centres reached more than 4 trillion tomans, reported Fars News.
Israeli Ministry of Health officials report that since the start of Operation Roaring Lion, 6,008 people have been admitted to hospitals, where 121 remained, one in critical condition, 30 in moderate condition, 73 in mild condition and one suffering from anxiety. Within a 24 hour period, 232 casualties were admitted to hospital, including two in a serious condition, eight in a moderate condition, 250 in a mild condition, and seven suffering from anxiety. The ministry’s previous update on 27 March reported 5,492 total admissions with 116 still hospitalised.
Aluminium prices have risen as the largest aluminium smelter in the UAE, Emirates Aluminium Company, confirmed significant damage following Iranian missile attacks on the Taweelah Industrial Complex in Abu Dhabi – this is the fifth-largest aluminium smelter in the world.
Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence announced that a ballistic munition launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace and was neutralised by NATO air and missile defence assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.
President Trump stated that his response to Iran is coming ‘shortly’ on Monday afternoon, according to NYP, following Iran’s strike on Israel’s oil refinery in Haifa and the alleged hit of a water and electrical plant in Kuwait: “You will see shortly,” Trump said, describing a dramatic shake-up inside Iran, saying the old guard has been ‘wiped out,’ and the US is now dealing with a ‘whole new set of people’ who have so far ‘been much more reasonable,’ adding that the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since the war began, is likely alive but in ‘extraordinarily bad shape.’
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hosted Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad and Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Jeddah for a trilateral meeting to discuss the war in the Middle East.
Israel’s Air Force announced they’d struck 170 targets in Iran in a day using approximately 400 bombs, hitting alleged weapons production sites and headquarters of Iran’s security forces, with a wave of strikes on Tehran on Monday morning as jets hit an alleged central site for the production of significant weapon components, sites for alleged drone engine production, and a development complex, while in western Iran, strikes targeted several central Headquarters of Iran’s armed forces, including a Basij complex in Daglan and a police station in Sanandaj.
Qatar claimed the country was attacked by a number of drones launched from Iran on Monday, but the country’s armed forces successfully intercepted and neutralised all the unmanned aircraft, the Qatari Ministry of Defence announced.
Iranian FM Araghchi held a call with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot to discuss regional developments as well as the security and economic consequences of the US and Israeli military aggression against Iran, in which Araghchi criticised the European silence on attacks against Iran and said the Strait of Hormuz is closed to vessels of aggressor states but open to others with Iranian coordination, while Barrot reiterated France’s opposition to the war and attacks on civilian targets, as both ministers agreed to continue diplomatic engagement.
Times of Israel reported that a month into the war with Iran, the Israeli military had nearly completed bombing targets it set at the start of the conflict and has been ordered by political leaders to shift to targeting economic assets of the Iranian regime, noting that strikes recently had included attacks on major gas infrastructure in southern Iran nearly two weeks ago and on two of the country’s largest steel factories Friday.
Jordanian King Abdullah II of Jordan recently refused to meet PM Netanyahu, reported KAN News, stating that Netanyahu’s office had previously requested a meeting before the war with Iran, but the Jordanian royal court had set a series of conditions in order for it to take place, while a source said the King declined in part due to the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound since the start of the war. Jordan sought Israeli assurances on issues including Palestinian statehood, preventing displacement in Gaza, settler violence in the West Bank, and access for Muslim worshippers to Al-Aqsa. Israel’s responses didn’t satisfy Amman, so it was decided to limit ties to security channels rather than grant Netanyahu a political achievement, because the meeting was intended to signal to the US that regional relations were strong, particularly after the Gaza ceasefire.
Director General of Israel’s Defence Ministry, Major General (res.) Amir Baram, has decided to cut defence procurement from France to zero in order to replace it with domestic purchases or acquisitions from friendly countries, according to Israeli Channel 12, stating that the move follows French actions since the start of the war, including banning Israeli representatives from defence exhibitions and conferences, as well as supporting a UN General Assembly resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel, noting that the decision is part of a broader effort led by the Defence Minister to expand Israel’s domestic defence production and achieve greater self-sufficiency.
USAF cargo flight patterns suggested that the US Army 82nd Airborne is deploying to the Middle East in addition to the SOF operators, reported CBS News, noting that in an hypothetical operation to seize Kharg Island, the airborne and assault component almost certainly falls into the responsibility of the 82nd or 101st Airborne divisions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took to X to praise the Armed Forces and the Iranian public, saying the government remained committed to maintaining services and stability, adding that the national solidarity would ensure Iran stood firm against what he described as unjust aggression.
Residents of Tehran’s Shahrak-e Gharb area recorded the sounds of explosions and smoke rising from the site of what appeared to be an Israeli strike, while smoke was also rising over Tehran’s Ekbatan area near the Mehrabad Airport, and additional footage showed what appeared to have been further strikes in western Tehran.
President Zelensky said Russia is assisting Iran in the war against Israel and the US, claimed Israeli Channel 12, stating that while also sharing satellite imagery of American and British bases, critical infrastructure in the Gulf countries and Jordan had also been distributed, Zelensky allegedly said Russia wanted a prolonged conflict in the region to divert attention from Ukraine, while criticising Netanyahu for maintaining a balanced approach toward Russia despite its military cooperation with Iran, and noting that Israel had not sought Ukrainian assistance, adding: “We have things Israel needs, and Israel have things we need – we are ready for dialogue.”
Explosions were reported in Dubai as the UAE’s air defences engaged missile and drone attacks from Iran, the Defence Ministry said, but soon after a loud explosion was recorded as a possible impact. Dubai Media Office later stated: “Authorities in Dubai confirm their response to an incident involving a drone affecting a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters (Anchorage ‘E’), with no injuries reported. Maritime firefighter teams are currently working to bring the fire under control and manage the incident in line with established procedures. Further updates will be provided as they become available.” Another update revealed that an abandoned house in Dubai had caught fire after debris from an interception fell on a building, noting that four people had suffered minor injuries in the vicinity of the debris fall. UAE officials also confirmed that a drone struck the Thuraya Telecommunications building in Sharjah.
Iranian FM Araghchi took to X to say that the time had come for the US forces to be expelled from the region, adding that Iran respects Saudi Arabia as a ‘brotherly country,’ stating that its attacks are directed at what he described as an aggressive enemy that cannot secure regional security or stability.
Houthis are being prepared for a renewed campaign against Red Sea shipping by Iran, contingent on any further escalation by the US in the war, reported Bloomberg, noting that leaders of the Yemen-based group are weighing options for more aggressive action after launching ballistic missiles at Israel, as divisions within the leadership were formed about how far to go, but the Houthis haven’t explicitly said they’d target tankers when announcing their entry into the conflict, however, the longer the war goes on, the more likely an attack on the Red Sea becomes, according to US officials.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the ‘enemy’ is promoting narratives as facts while simultaneously threatening Iran, warning it would be a ‘big mistake,’ as well as warning that any strike against Iran would be met with a stronger response, saying the country would retaliate multiple times over, adding that Iran, under the leadership of the Supreme Leader, will make ‘its enemy regret aggression and reclaim their rights.’
Massive explosions were heard by residents of Sulaymaniyah in Iraq, as they recorded and published smoke that was seen rising following the reported attack.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly sought a multimillion dollar investment in major defence companies weeks before the US Israeli strikes on Iran through a broker, reported the Financial Times, stating that the broker contacted firms about a defence focused fund shortly before the attacks. Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell claimed the allegations were false and fabricated: “Neither Secretary Hegseth nor any of his representatives approached Blackrock about any such investment. This is yet another baseless, dishonest smear designed to mislead the public. We demand an immediate retraction. Secretary Hegseth and the Department of War remain unwavering in their commitment to the highest standards of ethics and strict adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.”
