US-Israel-Iran War Live News Updates: The Israel-Iran war entered a critical new phase on March 18, 2026, as Israel eliminated a third senior Iranian official in 48 hours, Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, while Iran fired Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv, killing two people. The US also struck underground Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz using 5,000-pound bunker-busting bombs.
Khatib follows Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, both killed March 17. Iran has not confirmed his death.
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What Happened
The US and Israel launched a surprise joint assault on Iran on February 28, 2026
Codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the US and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel, the campaign began with nearly 900 strikes in 12 hours. The strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, air defences, military infrastructure, and leadership. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening wave. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones against Israel and US military bases across the Gulf region.
~900
Strikes in first 12 hours
5,300+
Reported killed across Iran, Israel and the region (Hengaw, Day 18)
18+
Days of active conflict
Why Now
Failed nuclear talks preceded the attack
Just days before the strikes, Oman’s foreign minister said a nuclear deal was “within reach” and Iran had agreed to key concessions. Despite this, the US and Israel launched the assault on February 28. The US cited Iran’s continued advancement of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Saudi lobbying and the advice of US Senator Lindsey Graham were also reported as factors in Trump’s decision.
Attacking Side
United States + Israel
Defending Side
Iran + Axis of Resistance
Supporting the US-Israel Side
+
United States
Direct military partner. Deployed B-2 stealth bombers, B-1 Lancers, B-52s, Tomahawk missiles, HIMARS. Leading the campaign operationally.
+
Israel (IDF)
Co-initiator of the campaign. Conducted the leadership decapitation strikes, air assaults, and naval operations targeting IRGC and Basij infrastructure.
+
Saudi Arabia (Passive)
Reportedly lobbied Trump to launch the attack. Hosts US forces but is itself a target of Iranian retaliatory strikes. Has not joined militarily.
Supporting Iran’s Side
–
Hezbollah (Lebanon)
Began missile and drone attacks on northern Israel from March 2. Israel has responded with 250+ strikes on Lebanon, killing over 50 people.
–
Houthis (Yemen)
Signalled readiness to join. New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated: “Armed groups in Yemen will also do the job.”
–
Pro-Iran Militias (Iraq)
Iran’s new supreme leader acknowledged Iraqi armed groups “want to help.” Multiple attacks on US bases in Iraq have been attributed to the groups.
~
Russia (Intelligence Support)
US officials say Iran is receiving intelligence support from Russia, though Moscow has not confirmed direct military involvement.
Feb 25, 2026 — Before the War
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, acting as mediator, tells CBS News that active nuclear talks were underway and Iran had agreed to halt uranium enrichment. A deal was described as being close.
Feb 28, 2026 — Day 1
US and Israel launch Operation Epic Fury. Nearly 900 strikes in 12 hours. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed. A missile strikes a girls’ school in Minab, killing approximately 170. Iran immediately begins retaliatory drone and missile launches.
Mar 1–2, 2026 — Days 2–3
Iran strikes Gulf states and Israel. Dubai International Airport hit by drones. Bahrain’s US Navy Fifth Fleet HQ struck. Iran fires on Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Oman. A drone hits Britain’s Akrotiri base on Cyprus.
Mar 3–5, 2026 — Days 4–6
Hezbollah fires on northern Israel. Iran launches a fresh round of missiles at Israel on Mar 5. Qatar shoots down two Iranian Su-24 bombers. The US sinks IRIS Fateh, Iran’s only operational submarine. ACLED records 90+ Iranian strike attempts against Israel in the first five days.
Mar 7, 2026 — Day 8
India raises domestic LPG prices by Rs 60/cylinder (from Rs 853 to Rs 913) amid Hormuz disruption. Iran’s President Pezeshkian personally apologises to Gulf neighbours for strikes, saying Iran is “not looking for confrontation” — while warning that attacks on US bases will continue.
Mar 8, 2026 — Day 9
Iran’s 88-member Assembly of Experts announces Mojtaba Khamenei elected Supreme Leader in a “unanimous vote,” announced on March 8. He has not been seen in public since the appointment; Iranian officials say he was lightly injured in the Feb 28 strikes that killed his father.
Mar 12, 2026 — Day 13
Mojtaba Khamenei issues first statement via Iranian state TV — read by an anchor, not delivered in person. He vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and continue attacking US bases. Pezeshkian sets conditions for ending the war: reparations and firm non-aggression guarantees. Netanyahu holds his first press conference since the war began.
Mar 14–16, 2026 — Days 15–17
US jets strike Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub. Trump says Iran is “decimated” but does not declare victory. He calls on allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz; most decline. IEA releases 400 million barrels from strategic reserves — the largest such intervention in its history. Trump says Mojtaba Khamenei may be dead or badly injured.
Mar 17–18, 2026 — Day 18 (Latest)
Iran launches fresh strikes on Israel. On Mar 17, Israel assassinated Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council — confirmed by Iran. Iran retaliates on Mar 18, killing at least two in Israel. Iran’s Health Ministry confirms 1,444 killed and 18,551 injured in Iran; Hengaw reports 5,300+ killed across the region including military. One million Lebanese displaced. Israel has begun limited ground operations in Lebanon.
“The goal of the operation is to put an end to the threat from the Ayatollah regime in Iran. This operation will continue as long as necessary.”
— Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, Feb 28, 2026 (via PBS NewsHour)
“I think I’d just say they’re decimated. If we left right now, it would take them ten years and more to rebuild. But I’m still not declaring it over.”
— Donald Trump, US President, Mar 15, 2026 (via Fox News)
“The only way to end this war — ignited by the Zionist regime and US — is recognizing Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm int’l guarantees against future aggression.”
— Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, post on X, Mar 11, 2026
“The lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz must definitely continue to be used.”
— Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, written statement read on Press TV, Mar 12, 2026 (via CBS News / The Hill)
Other Major Reactions
International community divided
UK PM Keir Starmer condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes and called for resumed diplomacy, but said he did “not believe in regime change from the skies.” France’s Macron urged Pezeshkian to end “unacceptable attacks” and warned of regional chaos. The UN Security Council adopted a GCC-backed resolution condemning Iran’s attacks on Gulf states. Most NATO allies refused Trump’s request to join operations or help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
US-Israel: Attack Capabilities
A
Strategic Bombers
B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, B-1 Lancer, and B-52 Stratofortress used to strike fortified underground ballistic missile facilities inside Iran.
M
Cruise Missiles
US warships launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at command-and-control infrastructure, radar systems, and missile sites.
R
Ground-Based Rockets
US Army deployed HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) launchers. Undisclosed long-range standoff weapons also used.
N
Naval Power
US submarine sank IRIS Fateh, Iran’s only operational Fateh-class submarine — the first submarine sunk in conflict since the Falklands War (1982).
Iran: Retaliatory Capabilities
B
Ballistic Missiles
Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel and US bases. Rate of launches declined after March 4, attributed to depletion of missile stores and rationing strategy.
D
Drones (UAVs)
Iran deployed large numbers of suicide/kamikaze drones targeting airports, hotels, oil infrastructure, and Gulf civilian landmarks including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
C
Cruise Missiles
Iran also used cruise missiles against Gulf targets. Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple cruise missiles near Al-Kharj. A cruise missile hit a French naval base in Abu Dhabi.
S
Strait of Hormuz Blockade
Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic. 150+ freight ships are stalled. At least 17 vessels have been struck since the war began (as of Mar 16).
29
Iran provinces with confirmed conflict events (ACLED)
17+
Ships struck in Strait of Hormuz region
India Fuel Prices — March 18, 2026
Retail prices stable; LPG hiked as global crude surges
Despite Brent crude surging past $100/barrel due to the Hormuz blockade, the Indian government has held petrol and diesel prices steady by having oil marketing companies absorb costs. LPG was raised by Rs 60/cylinder on March 7 to reflect higher import costs. Prices below are Delhi retail rates as of March 18, 2026.
Petrol
Rs 94.77
per litre — Delhi
No change
Diesel
Rs 87.67
per litre — Delhi
No change
LPG (14.2 kg)
Rs 913
domestic cylinder — Delhi
Up Rs 60 (Mar 7)
CNG
Rs 77.09
per kg — Delhi
Stable
Global Context
Brent crude above $100 as Hormuz stays blocked
Gulf oil exports have fallen by at least 60% since the war began. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 50% of India’s crude imports. The International Energy Agency released 400 million barrels from strategic reserves — its largest-ever intervention — to stabilise markets. India’s government has assured adequate fuel stock and says there is no need for panic buying.
Sources: Al Jazeera · Reuters · BBC · CNN · PBS NewsHour · NPR · Fox News · ACLED · Britannica · Wikipedia (2026 Iran War) · House of Commons Library · Times of Israel · Goodreturns · News24 · Sunday Guardian Live
Iran strikes Tel Aviv: The IRGC fired Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr ballistic missiles, both designed to defeat air defence systems, at Tel Aviv. Two people were killed in central Israel. Iran called it direct revenge for Larijani’s killing and confirmed it used cluster munitions for the first time in this conflict.
US hits Strait of Hormuz: American forces dropped multiple 5,000-pound deep-penetrator bombs on hardened underground Iranian missile sites along the Iranian coastline. CENTCOM said the stored anti-ship missiles threatened global oil shipping through the strait.
War spreading fast: Iranian rockets struck near the US Embassy in Baghdad. A missile hit close to Australia’s military headquarters in the UAE. Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts US forces. Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people in central Beirut.
Iran’s warning: IRGC General Ali Abdollahi told Trump to “wait for our surprises.” Army chief Hatami vowed Larijani’s death would be “avenged decisively.”
Also Read:
Since February 28, Operation Epic Fury has killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, intelligence chief, IRGC commanders, and defence minister, eliminating the Islamic Republic’s entire command structure in under three weeks.
Where is happening in Israel | Iran | Iraq | UAE | Saudi Arabia | Lebanon | Strait of Hormuz?
TheIndian ExpressGlobal Deskremains committed to rigorous verification.Follow our live blog below for real-time tracking of Operation Epic Fury, regional airspace status, and diplomatic efforts to contain the escalation.
