A chronological record of the US-Iran conflict
CENTCOM confirmed sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA-7) arrived in the area of operations alongside deploying elements of the 82nd Airborne Division. With roughly 50,000 US troops now in the region, the Pentagon is weighing an additional 10,000 reinforcements. Defense Secretary Hegseth confirmed CENTCOM requested the additional forces to "expand operational options."
New polling shows Trump's net approval rating fell to -16.7, a second-term record low, driven by disapproval of war handling and economic anxiety. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 61% of Americans actively disapprove of the war, up 18 points from the earliest days of the conflict. His net approval on the economy sits at -21.3 and on inflation at -32.7, reflecting the war's domestic toll as gas prices hit /gallon nationally.
A Washington Post investigation detailed how the war and effective Hormuz closure have stranded tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid in warehouses, including World Food Programme food for hundreds of thousands of Afghan children and a million WHO medicine shipment originally bound for Gaza. The NRC noted 4.4 million Afghans in Iran (1.4 million undocumented) are "among the most vulnerable," facing income collapse and deportation risks. Iran's humanitarian response plan needs 0 million but remains underfunded.
On the one-month anniversary of the war, the Norwegian Refugee Council and UNHCR published assessments showing 3.2 million Iranians (over 3% of the population) internally displaced, 1,500 killed and 18,551 wounded in Iran alone (2,698 total across the region), 81,000 civilian units damaged including 61,000 homes, 275 medical centers, and nearly 500 schools across 20+ provinces. The NRC warned the war "leaves millions in extreme uncertainty." Iran's near-total internet blackout is now in its 27th consecutive day.
A drone struck the private residence of Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani in Duhok. The residence was empty and no casualties were reported. Iraqi PM al-Sudani condemned the attack as "heinous" and ordered an investigation. The US State Department blamed "Iran's terrorist militia proxies in Iraq." In a notable reversal, the IRGC itself called the attack "a clear act of terrorism," apparently distancing itself from the strike and complicating attribution.
G7 foreign ministers meeting in France agreed to establish a defensive maritime security mission to protect Strait of Hormuz shipping, but conditioned participation on the war ending first. Over 30 nations signed the statement. France's Jean-Noel Barrot cited "a very broad consensus to preserve freedom of navigation." Germany's Johann Wadephul said Berlin is "willing to play a role after the end of hostilities." Rubio called it "a post-conflict necessity." The conditional framing signals allied reluctance to confront Iran during active fighting.
The IDF struck the headquarters of Iran's Marine Industries Organisation in Tehran, described as the developer of "a wide range of naval weaponry, including surface and sub-surface vessels, manned and unmanned equipment." An AFP journalist in Tehran reported intense explosions and a plume of black smoke, with additional unexplained blasts later in the evening.
Tehran deputy Malek Shariati announced an emergency bill uploaded to parliament's online portal proposing three measures: withdrawal from the NPT, revocation of all remaining 2015 nuclear deal commitments, and a new framework with SCO/BRICS nations for peaceful nuclear development. Multiple lawmakers argued NPT membership "has had no benefit" given strikes on nuclear sites. The bill requires approval from both parliament and the Guardian Council.
The IRGC announces strikes on six American tactical vessels in the Persian Gulf, claiming three landing craft utility vessels were sunk and the remainder set ablaze, with "a large number of American terrorists killed." Separately, Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari reports Iran targeted "a logistics vessel supporting the aggressive US army" near Oman's port of Salalah, stating the strike occurred "at a considerable distance from the port." The Pentagon has not confirmed casualties from either maritime engagement. Kuwaiti crude rises above $118 per barrel amid the escalating maritime hostilities.
Iran launches at least 6 ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Prince Sultan Air Base, located 96 km from Riyadh and hosting 2,000-3,000 US personnel. At least 15 American troops are wounded, with 5 in serious condition. Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari claims one refueling aircraft was "completely destroyed" and three others damaged and rendered non-operational. The attack is the second on the facility within days, following an earlier incident that wounded 14 soldiers. The cumulative US wounded toll rises to approximately 215.
An Iranian ballistic missile strikes Tel Aviv overnight, killing Vyacheslav Vidmant, 52, of Ashdod. Interceptor missile fragments wound at least 7 people in the Jerusalem area and Israel's south in a separate barrage. Rocket trails are also visible over the coastal city of Netanya in a fresh Iranian missile and drone wave. The cumulative Israeli toll rises to 26 killed (4 IDF soldiers, 22 civilians) and 5,536 wounded since the war began.
An Israeli airstrike targets a media vehicle in southern Lebanon, killing Al Manar TV correspondent Ali Shoaib, Al Mayadeen correspondent Fatima Fattouni, and cameraman Mohamad Fattouni. Separately, Israeli strikes and artillery shelling hit towns across the Nabatieh district, killing paramedics in a strike on an ambulance in Kfartabnit. At least 18 people die in the day's bombardments across southern Lebanon, bringing the total Lebanese death toll past 1,142.
Israel's defense minister announces the military will establish and hold a security zone up to the Litani River in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is "neutralized." A third IDF division (Division 162) deploys northward across the Lebanese border, joining two already operating inside the country. Over 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced since Israeli ground operations began March 16. Hezbollah's leadership rejects any talks with Israel and reports multiple clashes with advancing Israeli forces near the town of Taybeh.
Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom issues a formal warning that US-Israeli strikes near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, the third in ten days, "pose a direct threat to nuclear safety." Bushehr is a Russian-built and Russian-fueled facility. The warning comes days after Israel struck the Arak heavy water reactor and Ardakan yellowcake plant, escalating international concern over potential radiological contamination from strikes on nuclear infrastructure.
The UN Human Rights Council's Fact-Finding Mission on Iran releases a statement saying Iranian civilians are "caught between ongoing armed hostilities and repression" that "has reached unprecedented levels" and "may amount to crimes against humanity." The report documents both the devastating effects of US-Israeli strikes on civilian infrastructure and the Iranian government's escalating crackdown on anti-war dissent inside the country. Amnesty International issues a parallel urgent call to protect civilians and respect international law across all parties to the conflict.
Iran rejects Washington's 15-point ceasefire framework, delivered via Pakistani intermediaries, calling it "maximalist and unreasonable." Foreign Minister Araghchi states Iran has no intention of holding direct talks with the US, clarifying that relaying messages through mediators "does not mean negotiations." Iran issues five counter-conditions: a complete end to aggression, guarantees the war will not recur, payment of war reparations, a comprehensive ceasefire covering all resistance groups across all fronts, and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump continues to claim talks are going "very well," a characterization Iran flatly denies.
Yemen's Houthi rebels fire a barrage of ballistic missiles at "sensitive Israeli military sites" in southern Israel, their first attack since the Gaza ceasefire ended in October 2025. Houthi Brigadier General Yahya Saree announces the strikes on Al-Masirah television, calling the operation "successful." The Israeli military says it intercepted one missile; no casualties are reported. The Houthis had signaled their entry the previous day in a vague statement. The move opens a new front in the conflict after weeks of the group sitting on the sidelines.
The third wave of nationwide "No Kings" protests draws participants to over 3,200 events across every US congressional district and six continents, with organizers calling it potentially the largest single day of protest in American history. The flagship rally in St. Paul, Minnesota features Bruce Springsteen, Jane Fonda, Joan Baez, and Senator Bernie Sanders. The Iran war is a central demand alongside opposition to mass deportations and executive overreach. Nearly two-thirds of RSVPs come from outside major urban centers, a 40% increase from previous actions. Vietnam veteran Naveed Shah tells demonstrators: "This illegal war with Iran is built on the same lies as the one with Iraq."
S&P 500 closes at 6,368.85, down 1.7%, marking the worst weekly performance since the Iran war began and the fifth consecutive losing week (longest streak in nearly four years). Dow falls 793 points to 45,166.64, entering correction territory (10%+ below January record). Nasdaq drops 2.1% to 20,948.36, 12.5% below October high. Jim Bianco at Bianco Research: "Any further statements by Trump about a deal are white noise to the markets. Only if the IRANIANS say talks are going well will it impact markets."
NBC News reports, citing three current US officials and one former official, that the Pentagon prepares a daily ~2-minute video montage for Trump showing the most visually impressive strikes from the previous 48 hours. One official describes it as clips of "stuff blowing up." Three officials express concern Trump is not getting the full picture. Trump was not initially briefed about five US Air Force refueling planes hit at Prince Sultan Air Base and learned of it through media reports.
House Democratic leaders choose not to force a vote on an Iran war powers resolution before Congress leaves for a two-week recess, pushing any vote to mid-April at the earliest. Progressive groups criticize the delay. The previous Senate war powers resolution failed 53-47 on March 25, and an earlier House version failed 212-219 with four Democratic defections.
Iran-linked hacking group "Handala," considered by Western researchers to be a persona used by Iranian government cyberintelligence units, publishes over 300 emails and personal photos from FBI Director Kash Patel's personal email account. The stolen correspondence dates from 2010 to 2022 and includes personal, business, and travel emails. Handala claims the breach is retaliation for the FBI's seizure of several of the group's domains the previous week, after Handala claimed a cyberattack on US medical tech company Stryker. The FBI says the information is "historical in nature" with no government data compromised, and the Trump administration offers a $10 million reward for information on the hackers. This is the second time Iranian hackers have accessed Patel's private information, following a 2024 targeting campaign.
The Pentagon considers deploying up to 10,000 more combat troops to the Middle East, joining 5,000 Marines and 82nd Airborne paratroopers already en route. Separately, the Washington Post reports the US has fired over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles since the war began, with Pentagon officials saying the stockpile is approaching "Winchester" (military term for out of ammo) in the Middle East theater. Only around 600 Tomahawks are manufactured per year. Officials say the US is only certain it has destroyed about a third of Iran's missile arsenal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio tells G7 ministers the US is "on or ahead of schedule" and expects the war to conclude in weeks, with no ground troops needed. Separately, a Capital Alpha Partners analyst gives only 25% confidence the war ends by May and a 35% probability it extends into 2027. Bloomberg reports the administration is signaling to allies it has no immediate plans for a ground invasion of Iran, though officials caveat that Trump could change his mind.
Trump delays planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure by 10 days (new deadline: April 6, 8 PM ET), the second extension of his threat to destroy Iran's power grid if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump claims talks via Pakistan are going "very well" and states: "They've been obliterated. Who wouldn't negotiate? They are begging to make a deal." Iran dismisses the US 15-point proposal as "one-sided and unfair." Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan push for in-person US-Iran talks, possibly as soon as this weekend.
Oil prices spike after Iran turns back Chinese ships at Hormuz. Brent crude settles at $112.57 (+4.22%), WTI hits $99.64 (+5.46%), the highest levels since July 2022. Wall Street suffers its worst single-day decline since the start of the pandemic, driven by combined energy supply fears and the breakdown of Chinese-Iranian safe passage assurances that markets had been counting on.
IRGC Navy turns back three container ships near Larak Island: the Chinese-flagged CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean, plus the Marshall Islands-flagged Lotus Rising. The move contradicts earlier Iranian assurances that Chinese vessels would receive safe passage. IRGC formally declares the strait "closed" to vessels traveling to or from "enemy ports," permitting only ships carrying Iranian-destined household goods, cars, clothing, and pharmaceuticals.
Air raid sirens sound across Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities overnight. A Hezbollah rocket kills one man and seriously wounds another in Nahariya, Israel's northernmost city. At least 25 wounded total across Israel from combined Iranian missile and Hezbollah rocket attacks. Iranian missiles also hit Kuwait's Shuwaikh and Mubarak Al Kabeer ports, damaging infrastructure with no casualties reported.
Israel conducts an "extensive" wave of pre-dawn strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut, killing at least 2. UNICEF reports that since the latest escalation, 121 children have been killed, 399 injured, and over 370,000 children (20% of the population) displaced in Lebanon. Total Lebanese death toll passes 1,116. Hezbollah responds with 600 rockets, missiles, and drones in a 24-hour period, up from a daily average of around 100.
Air raids hit three residential houses in Qom, killing at least 6 (rising to 18). A direct missile strike on a residential complex in Urmia destroys four buildings. Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian reports the cumulative toll: 1,937 killed (including 240 women and 212 children) and nearly 25,000 injured. Washington Post reports nearly 1,500 of those killed are civilians, described as "the most comprehensive casualty estimates yet."
Israeli Air Force strikes Mobarakeh Steel in Isfahan and Khuzestan Steel near Ahvaz, both partially IRGC-owned. At least 1 killed and 2 injured at Mobarakeh Steel; 16 slightly injured at Khuzestan Steel. IRGC Aerospace Force commander Brig. Gen. Seyyed Majid Mousavi warns workers at US and Israeli-linked industrial sites to evacuate immediately, announcing 6 steel mills in Israel and five regional countries as retaliatory targets: "This time, the equation will no longer be an eye for an eye; wait and see."
Israel bombs the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex near Arak (IR-40) and the Ardakan yellowcake production plant in Yazd Province, hours after warning attacks would "escalate and expand." The IAEA confirms no radioactive material was released and no casualties reported at either site. Israel's defense minister warns of strikes on "additional targets and areas that assist the regime in building and operating weapons against Israeli citizens."
At a Cabinet meeting, Trump claims Iran gifted the US passage for 8 to 10 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, says they were Pakistani-flagged. Argus Media verifies only two tankers transiting with active transponders. Bloomberg finds "no sign" of the fleet and identifies "zombie ships" (false AIS signals from scrapped tankers). Times of Israel confirms none were Pakistani-flagged. Iran denies characterizing any passage as a concession. Total fabrication debunked by tracking data from multiple sources.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem declares the group is at war with both the US and Israel and will defend Lebanese territory. Israeli troops cross into southern Lebanon, engaging in ground combat with Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah launches rocket volleys into Western Galilee. The ground incursion follows Israel's declaration of a 30km "security zone" to the Litani River the previous day and destruction of Litani bridges on March 23.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius calls the war "a catastrophe for the world's economies" and sharply criticizes the absence of "strategy," "clear objective," and "exit strategy," following German President Steinmeier's characterization two days earlier of the war as "a disastrous mistake." The back-to-back rebukes from Germany's president and defense minister represent the strongest sustained criticism from a major NATO ally.
Iran's parliament begins drafting a bill to impose fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which would "legally recognise Iran's oversight" of the waterway. Finalization is expected the following week. The move represents a shift from temporary military blockade to a permanent legal framework for controlling the strait, potentially giving Iran a long-term economic lever even after hostilities end.
UAE air defenses intercept 15 ballistic missiles and 11 drones in the eighth wave of Iranian attacks on Thursday. Two foreign nationals (Pakistani and Indian) are killed and three injured by falling debris on Sweihan Street in Abu Dhabi. Since the war began, the UAE has intercepted a cumulative 372 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,826 drones, with 11 total deaths (3 military personnel, 6 foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Palestine). Saudi Arabia separately intercepts 18 drones over the Eastern Province, and Kuwait shoots down 2 hostile drones.
Six nations (UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan) issue a joint statement condemning Iranian attacks as a "flagrant violation" of sovereignty and international law, referencing UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026). GCC Secretary-General al-Budaiwi says Iran's actions, including attacks on Gulf states and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have "overcome all red lines." The statement also demands Iraq stop allowing pro-Iran armed groups to launch attacks from its territory.
Israel launches a wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure in Isfahan, with an IDF source telling NPR the military is "speeding up its targeting in Iran over the next 48 hours, focusing on trying to hit Iran's arms factories as much as possible, in case a ceasefire is declared." The acceleration signals Israel is racing to maximize destruction before any diplomatic off-ramp materializes, echoing the pattern of intensified bombing preceding earlier ceasefire discussions.
Israel announces it has killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC Navy and the figure directly responsible for the Strait of Hormuz blockade, in an airstrike at 3 a.m. local time in Bandar Abbas. Several senior naval aides are also killed. Defense Minister Israel Katz states: "The man who was directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz to shipping was blown up and eliminated." Katz vows to "hunt down" IRGC commanders "one by one." Tehran has not confirmed the death. This is the fifth high-ranking Iranian official assassinated since the war began, following Khamenei, Larijani, Gholamreza Soleimani, and Khatib.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar publicly acknowledges "indirect talks" between the US and Iran, stating: "US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan." Turkey and Egypt are also supporting the mediation effort. An anonymous Islamabad official confirms the Pakistani interior minister held a secret meeting with Iran's ambassador the same day. The acknowledgment marks the first formal confirmation of a diplomatic channel since Iran rejected the 15-point proposal.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlines five conditions for ending the war: an end to aggression, concrete guarantees preventing recurrence, guaranteed payment of war damages and compensation, a comprehensive ceasefire across all fronts including resistance groups, and recognition of Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. An Iranian diplomatic source tells Al Jazeera that Tehran views the American 15-point proposal as "maximalist" and unworkable. Araghchi states Iran wants to end the war only on "our own terms."
A Pew Research Center survey of 3,524 adults (conducted March 16-22) finds 59% of Americans say the decision to use military force in Iran was wrong, while 38% say it was right. 45% say the war is not going well, compared to just 25% who say it is going extremely or very well. 88% of Democrats say the decision was wrong; 71% of Republicans say it was right. 61% overall disapprove of Trump's handling of the conflict.
AP-NORC polling shows 59% of Americans say US military action has been excessive. 45% are "extremely" or "very" concerned about affording gas, up from 30% before the election. Two-thirds of respondents support keeping oil and gas prices from rising as a top foreign policy goal. China's top diplomat Wang Yi tells Iran that "talking is always better than fighting," while French President Macron urges Tehran to engage in "good-faith negotiations."
Ambassador Danny Danon states Israel is not participating in US-Iran negotiations and that Israeli military operations will continue until Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities are "fully eliminated." The statement signals a disconnect between Israeli and American diplomatic timelines, with Israel pursuing maximalist military objectives even as Washington attempts to broker a ceasefire through Pakistan.
A raid in southern Tehran kills at least 12 people and wounds 28. Separate explosions in eastern Tehran destroy a school and several residential buildings. Strikes in Khorramabad kill one child and wound several others; at least six people are killed in strikes on homes in Tabriz. Iran's UN ambassador reports cumulative toll: 21 health workers killed, 7 hospitals inoperable, 49 medical facilities damaged, and 81,000 civilian housing units destroyed since the war began.
The Iraqi government reportedly grants Iran-backed groups the right to respond to US attacks on Iraqi soil. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims 23 operations against "enemy bases" in a 24-hour period. Badr Organization head Haid al-Amiri reports over 60 PMF fighters killed and more than 100 wounded in US airstrikes since February 28, following the US strike on militia headquarters in Anbar Province the previous day.
The Philippines becomes the first country to declare a national energy emergency due to the Iran war, with President Marcos warning fuel supply is in "imminent danger." The country has approximately 45 days of reserves and gets 95-98% of oil imports from the Middle East. The government targets procurement of 1 million barrels from alternative sources and authorizes measures against hoarding and profiteering. Sri Lanka orders all streetlights, neon signs, and billboard lighting switched off, targeting a 25% cut in energy consumption. IEA head Fatih Birol warns the situation is "worse than the two energy crises of the 1970s and the fallout of the Ukraine war put together."
An Iranian drone strikes a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a large fire; Kuwait's Civil Aviation Authority initiates emergency procedures with no casualties reported. Separately, Saudi forces intercept at least 32 drones and a ballistic missile over 11 hours, targeting Eastern Province oil facilities including Ras Tanura, Ghawar, and Abqaiq. One Moroccan civilian is killed in an Iranian attack on Bahrain.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announces Israel's military will seize and control a "security zone" in southern Lebanon stretching 30km to the Litani River. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese will not be allowed to return south of the river "until security is guaranteed." Finance Minister Smotrich urges Israel to annex southern Lebanon outright. Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reports 1,072 killed and 2,966 wounded since the escalation began on March 2, with 33 deaths in the preceding 24 hours alone.
The Pentagon orders 2,000 to 3,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division's Immediate Response Force at Fort Bragg to deploy to the Middle East, capable of mobilizing within 18 hours. Combined with two Marine Expeditionary Units already heading to the Persian Gulf, this could bring 6,000 to 8,000 US ground troops into proximity with Iran. The deployment orders came through unofficial channels; Trump has publicly stated he does not plan ground troop deployment while simultaneously refusing to rule it out.
The Senate defeats a third War Powers Resolution to force withdrawal from the Iran war, voting 53-47. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) forced the vote. Only Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) breaks with Republicans to support it; Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is the lone Democrat to vote against. Murphy states: "If our Republican colleagues will not do their duty, then we will force a debate and a vote on this floor." Democrats are forcing repeated votes to pressure the administration into public congressional testimony from Hegseth and Rubio on war objectives.
Trump declares from the Oval Office: "We've won this, because this war has been won. The only one that likes to keep it going is the fake news." He claims Iran offered the US a "very significant prize" related to Strait of Hormuz access but provides no details. Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismisses the claims as "fake news intended to manipulate financial and oil markets and to escape the quagmire in which America and Israel are trapped." Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei denies formal talks while acknowledging Iran is "responding to inquiries through intermediaries from friendly nations," suggesting backchannel communications exist even as direct negotiations are publicly denied.
The Trump administration transmits a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran through Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The plan demands Iran dismantle nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow, halt all uranium enrichment, transfer enriched uranium to the IAEA, curb missile programs, end support for proxy forces, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In exchange, the US offers sanctions removal, an end to the UN snapback mechanism, and support for Bushehr civilian nuclear power. Iran publicly rejects the proposal through state media. Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari responds: "Don't dress up your defeat as an agreement." Iran counters with demands for closure of all US bases in the Gulf, war reparations, and continued enrichment "at levels required for national needs, either independently or in cooperation with China and Russia."
A projectile strikes Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant at 21:08 local time, the second attack on the facility since March 5. Iran's Atomic Energy Organization confirms the strike; preliminary assessments claim no casualties or technical damage. Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev states the situation is "developing along a worst-case scenario" and initiates a third phase of personnel evacuation, with staff departing by road toward the Iranian-Armenian border. Kuwait warns its population about potential radioactive leak risk, advising residents to stay indoors and seal windows. The IAEA confirms it was informed of the strike.
QatarEnergy declares force majeure on long-term LNG contracts with Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China following the Ras Laffan strike damage. The last pre-war LNG shipments from Qatar are reaching final destinations worldwide with nothing behind them. Pakistan (99% of LNG from Qatar) expects terminals to halt by month's end. Asian LNG benchmark prices have doubled since the war began to ~$23/MMBtu.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi states that "the Strait of Hormuz is only closed to vessels belonging to aggressor parties and their supporters." Ships from other countries can transit after coordinating with Iranian authorities. South Korea and Egypt engage in diplomatic discussions with Araghchi on transit arrangements, signaling a more nuanced Hormuz policy than the blanket closure threatened days earlier.
US military launches strikes on the headquarters of an Iran-backed armed group in Iraq's Anbar Province, targeting senior commander Saad Dawai. The strike expands the theater of direct US military action beyond Iran into Iraqi territory against Iranian proxy forces.
Lebanon's Foreign Ministry declares Iranian ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani persona non grata and orders him to leave by March 29, citing "breaches of diplomatic protocol by Tehran." Lebanon simultaneously recalls its own ambassador to Iran for consultations. The move follows Saudi Arabia's expulsion of Iranian diplomats two days earlier, and comes as Hezbollah's cross-border attacks since March 2 have drawn Lebanon into the war against the government's wishes.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier publicly condemns the war as "a disastrous mistake" and a breach of international law, one of the sharpest rebukes from a major European head of state directed at the US-Israeli military campaign.
South Korea's Prime Minister cancels a planned trip to China to address the economic fallout from the war, as the country depends on Middle Eastern oil for over 70% of its supply. Japan, which receives nearly 95% of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, faces a severe energy supply crisis. ADNOC's chief characterizes Iran's Strait closure as "economic terrorism against every nation."
The UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran warns that Iranian civilians are "caught between ongoing armed hostilities and repression that has reached unprecedented levels, which may amount to crimes against humanity." The statement highlights the dual crisis of external bombardment and internal crackdown, as the Iranian judiciary simultaneously declares "no leniencies" for anti-war protesters.
$580 million in oil futures purchased in a single minute (6:49-6:50 AM ET), 15 minutes before Trump posts on Truth Social about "productive conversations" with Iran. $1.5 billion in S&P 500 futures purchased 5 minutes before the post. The post adds $1.7 trillion to US stocks and pushes oil down $17 (15%) in minutes. Iran immediately denies any talks. Nobel laureate Paul Krugman calls it "treason." Ben Shapiro, Nick Fuentes, Steve Bannon, and Joe Rogan all independently accuse Trump of market manipulation. Senator Chris Murphy: "Who was it? This is corruption. Mind-blowing corruption."
Israel launches two waves of strikes described by Al Jazeera's Tehran correspondent as "unprecedented" in scale and volume, targeting Tehran's eastern neighborhoods along with infrastructure across Isfahan, Tabriz, Khorramabad, Karaj, Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, and Qom province. The US strikes a turbine engine production site in Qom linked to IRGC drone manufacturing. At least 36 civilians are killed on this day alone, including 3 children, with 138 injured. Over 80,000 civilian building units have been impacted since the war began, some fully demolished.
Trump reverses his 48-hour ultimatum, posting on Truth Social that he has "instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants" for five days, claiming "very good and productive conversations" with "a top person" in Iran. He demands Iran surrender its enriched uranium stockpile and threatens "a very serious form of regime change" if negotiations fail. Quote: "if it goes well, we're gonna end up settling this. Otherwise, we'll just keep bombing our little hearts out."
Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf calls Trump's negotiation claims "Fakenews" used to "escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped." Iran's Foreign Ministry confirms "messages have been received from some friendly countries regarding the US's request for negotiations" but says no direct talks occurred. A senior Iranian official separately tells CBS News that "points from the U.S. through mediators" are "being reviewed," suggesting indirect communication through Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey even as Iran denies direct contact.
Iran's Defense Council warns that any strike on power plants or land invasion would result in "mining of all access routes in the Persian Gulf." US officials confirm at least a dozen Iranian mines (Maham 3/7 Limpet types) have already been detected in or near the Strait of Hormuz.
The International Energy Agency authorizes the largest strategic petroleum reserve release in history at 400 million barrels to stabilize global oil markets. Combined with Trump's pause on power plant strikes, Brent crude falls nearly 11% from $112 to $99.94/barrel. Asian markets still suffer heavily, with China and Hong Kong stocks on track for their worst day in nearly a year on stagflation fears.
The Trump administration moves forward with $23 billion in weapons sales to the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan, bypassing congressional notification requirements. The sales come as all three countries face Iranian missile and drone attacks on their territory.
Israeli forces destroy multiple bridges over the Litani River in southern Lebanon, including the Qasimyeh Bridge, trapping civilians south of the river. Israeli forces have struck 128+ medical facilities in Lebanon since March 2, killing 40 healthcare workers. Lebanese President Aoun warns the bridge strikes constitute preparation for an expanded ground invasion. Over 1 million Lebanese have been displaced.
Trump posts on Truth Social at 23:44 GMT: "If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS...the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST." The threat targets civilian infrastructure that provides electricity to 90 million Iranians. Trump claims the US is "weeks ahead of schedule" and denies seeking negotiations. Brent crude climbs to approximately $114/barrel; US crude hits $100.29.
Iran's military responds to Trump's ultimatum by threatening to completely close the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely and strike "all energy and information technology infrastructure and desalination plants" linked to the US and Israel in the region. Parliament Speaker Qalibaf says Iran will "irreversibly destroy" vital energy infrastructure across the Gulf. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaqari specifically mentions desalination plants critical for drinking water.
Saudi Arabia declares Iranian diplomatic staff, including the military attache, persona non grata and orders them to leave within 24 hours, following "continued attacks carried out by Iran on its territory." Saudi forces intercept nearly 60 drones targeting the oil-rich Eastern Province and three ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh the same day. Bahrain reports a cumulative total of 143 missiles and 242 drones intercepted since February 28.
Speaking from Arad after Iranian missiles struck the city, Netanyahu urges European and global leaders to join the US-Israeli war effort, arguing Iran "has the whole world in its sights" and citing the Diego Garcia ICBM strike as proof of Iran's global reach. He claims "some countries are beginning to move" toward joining the coalition.
Iran's Health Ministry reports cumulative casualties of 1,500 killed and 20,984 injured since February 28. Seven hospitals have been evacuated and 36 ambulances damaged. Iraqi resistance groups conduct 21 attacks against US bases regionally. Hezbollah fires rockets at Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.
The Climate and Community Institute calculates that the first 14 days of the war released 5,055,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, exceeding Iceland's total annual emissions and equaling the combined annual output of the 84 lowest-emitting countries. Building destruction was the largest source at 2.5 million tonnes, followed by destroyed fuel at 1.9 million tonnes and military fuel consumption at 529,000 tonnes.
US and Israel attack Natanz nuclear enrichment facility for the second time since the war began. The site, already heavily damaged in the opening wave of Operation Epic Fury, is struck again as the war enters its fourth week.
Iran fires ballistic missiles at the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, demonstrating continued long-range strike capability nearly four weeks into the war. The attack targets a base more than 3,000 km from Iranian territory.
IRGC ballistic missiles penetrate Israeli air defenses near the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, directly hitting the cities of Dimona and Arad. At least 180 people are wounded (116 in Arad, 64 in Dimona), including 7 in serious condition and a 10-year-old boy. Three separate impact sites identified in Dimona, with one three-story building collapsing. Israeli firefighters confirm "interceptors were launched that failed to hit the threats, resulting in two direct hits by ballistic missiles with warheads weighing hundreds of kilograms." The IAEA reports no damage to the nuclear facility itself and no abnormal radiation levels. IAEA Director General Grossi urges "maximum military restraint" near nuclear facilities. Iran frames the strikes as retaliation for the second Natanz attack.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir states the military campaign against Iran is approximately halfway done and approves upcoming strikes "across all fronts." He says Iran's regime is "battered and confused" with "no significant defense capabilities." Israeli Defense Minister Katz contradicts Trump's "winding down" comments from the same day, declaring forces will "significantly increase the intensity of the strikes."
QatarEnergy chief Saad al-Kaabi reveals that the March 18 Iranian strike on Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG facility wiped out approximately 17% of global LNG supply, costing an estimated $20 billion per year, with repairs expected to take 3-5 years. Al-Kaabi describes the destruction as setting the region back "10 to 20 years."
Iranians celebrate Nowruz (Persian New Year) under active bombardment, the first wartime Nowruz since the Iran-Iraq War. Markets in Tehran remain open as people buy flowers while overnight airstrikes continue. Iran's internet remains below 1% of normal levels, cutting the diaspora off from loved ones. Israel launches a new wave of strikes on Tehran during the holiday, dashing hopes of even a temporary truce. The Iranian Red Crescent reports 18,000+ civilians injured and 204 children killed since February 28.
IRGC fires "super-heavy multi-warhead" missiles in the 66th wave of "Operation True Promise 4." CNN analysis finds Hegseth's claims about declining Iranian strike frequency contradicted by the data.
IRGC spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini is killed in a US-Israeli strike, adding to the growing list of senior Iranian military officials eliminated since the war began.
Iranian missile fragments land less than a kilometer from the Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, causing damage to the area. The incident occurs while the compound remains closed to worshippers since March 5, when Israel cancelled Friday prayers citing Iranian strikes.
Two waves of Iranian drones hit Kuwait's Mina al-Ahmadi refinery, which processes approximately 730,000 barrels per day, causing fires across multiple units. This is the second strike on the refinery that week, part of Iran's escalating campaign against Gulf energy infrastructure.
The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Boxer Amphibious Ready Group are rerouted to the Middle East, adding approximately 2,500 Marines and three amphibious assault ships, joining over 50,000 US troops already in the region. The same day, Trump posts on Truth Social that the US is "getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts." The administration simultaneously requests $200 billion from Congress to fund the war. White House Press Secretary Leavitt clarifies the mission will take "approximately 4-6 weeks."
Trump attacks US allies for refusing to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, calling them "cowards." During a meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi, he invokes the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack to defend the surprise element of the US strikes on Iran. Defense Secretary Hegseth confirms unchanged war objectives with no set end date.
Iran's top military spokesman Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi warns that "parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations" worldwide would not be safe for Iran's enemies, and that Iran is still manufacturing missiles at full capacity. The statement raises concerns about potential attacks beyond the Middle East theater.
Oman's Foreign Minister reiterates that Israel pushed the US into a "grave miscalculation," maintaining that a diplomatic breakthrough was within reach before the strikes began. Oman had brokered the February nuclear talks in which Iran offered unprecedented concessions.
All 27 EU heads of state issue a joint statement calling for de-escalation and a moratorium on attacks targeting energy and water facilities. European natural gas prices have jumped 60% since the war began, with Brent crude topping $112/barrel. The EU demands the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Treasury Department waives sanctions on approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian oil currently loaded on ships, allowing their sale for 30 days through April 19 in an attempt to tame surging energy prices. Treasury Secretary Bessent indicates Washington might release additional strategic reserves. The administration is simultaneously bombing Iran while lifting sanctions on its oil to manage domestic gas prices.
Hegseth requests $200 billion in supplemental war spending, six days after claiming Iran's military was "destroyed." He insists the war is "not becoming a quagmire or forever war."
Trump posts on Truth Social about "winding down our great Military efforts" on the same day he refuses a ceasefire, claims "we're flying wherever we want" and "have nobody even shooting at us" (one day after an F-35 was hit by Iranian fire), and deploys 4,000 additional troops to the region.
Qatar declares Iranian military and security attaches persona non grata, giving them 24 hours to leave, after the Ras Laffan strikes. Qatar's Foreign Ministry states it had tried to distance itself from the war since its outset. Foreign ministers from 12 nations meeting in Riyadh (including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and Pakistan) issue a unified condemnation of Iran's strikes on civilian infrastructure, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Netanyahu tells a Jerusalem press conference: "Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Khan. Because if you are strong enough, ruthless enough, powerful enough, evil will overcome good." Joshua Haymes, a Hegseth associate, responds: "Any Nation that blasphemes the Name of Jesus Christ is not an ally, much less our 'greatest ally.'" Netanyahu walks it back within 24 hours, calling it "fake news." The incident briefly exposes the fault line in the dispensationalist alliance: Huckabee believes the red heifers will bring Jesus back; Netanyahu believes God promised him Greater Israel. They are not reading the same book.
A US Air Force F-35 fighter jet makes an emergency landing after being hit by suspected Iranian fire during a combat mission over Iran. The pilot is stable. IRGC claims credit. It is the first confirmed hit on a US aircraft in the war.
Israel strikes the South Pars gas field in Bushehr Province, the largest natural gas field in the world. Hours later, Iran retaliates by striking oil/gas facilities across Qatar (Ras Laffan), Saudi Arabia, and UAE. Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery also hit.
Israel confirms it killed Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib in overnight airstrikes, the third senior Iranian official assassinated in two days after Larijani and Soleimani on March 17. President Pezeshkian condemns the "cowardly assassination," saying the officials "left us heartbroken." FM Araghchi insists "Iran's government does not rely on a single individual." Defense Minister Israel Katz announces that he and Netanyahu have granted the military standing authority to eliminate additional senior Iranian officials without case-by-case approval.
Iran launches a revenge barrage after the Larijani and Soleimani assassinations. Four waves of missiles hit between midnight and 8 a.m. Yaron and Ilana Moshe, a couple in their 70s, are killed in Ramat Gan when they fail to reach their safe room in time. A walker is found alongside them. 192 people are injured across central Israel in the preceding 24 hours. Reports indicate the IAF chose not to intercept some Iranian cluster bomblets to conserve interceptor stocks.
Iran strikes Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world's largest LNG production facility, causing "sizeable fires and extensive damage" according to QatarEnergy. Qatar had already suspended LNG production on March 2 after earlier Iranian attacks. The continued damage affects approximately 20% of global LNG supply. Saudi Arabia intercepts four ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and two at its eastern region. UAE deals with 13 ballistic missiles and 27 drones. Analysts warn of sustained high LNG prices affecting European, Japanese, Turkish, and Indian markets.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi states that Iran's nuclear program is too vast and dispersed to be eliminated by military strikes alone. "The material will still be there and the enrichment capacities will be there." He confirms Iran still has 60% enriched uranium but no structured weapons program, and calls for a return to diplomacy.
Win Without War displays 168 colorful backpacks and children's shoes on Capitol Hill, memorializing the children killed in the Feb 28 US strike on the Minab elementary school. Sen. Chris Van Hollen says "the administration refuses to send their decisionmakers up to Capitol Hill to explain why they dragged America into this war." Rep. Pramila Jayapal notes "there was no imminent threat from Iran. There is certainly no plan for this war, and most importantly, there is no authorization from Congress." War Powers Resolutions had narrowly failed in both chambers.
Semafor reports preliminary Minab findings suggest humans, not AI, approved the strike on the girls' school. Separately, Democracy Now reports the Pentagon uses Palantir's Maven Smart System with Anthropic's Claude AI for target selection.
Iran's Ministry of Intelligence announces it has broken up 111 "pro-monarchy cells" across 26 of 31 provinces. Twenty-one people are arrested for "sending videos to 'terrorist' media outlets outside the country." Authorities confiscate two shipments containing 350 Starlink satellite terminals during smuggling attempts, along with weapons. The crackdowns coincide with the Chaharshanbe Suri fire festival celebrating the Persian New Year.
Brent crude surges more than 5% to nearly $110/barrel after the South Pars gas field strike. Dubai crude hits an all-time high above $150/barrel, with Oman crude settling above $152, creating an unprecedented $50+ gap with WTI (around $96). Analysts warn $200/barrel is "not outside the realms of possibility" if Strait of Hormuz closure continues. The IEA's largest-ever emergency reserve release of 400 million barrels fails to stem the rise. IMF data suggests every sustained 10% oil price increase correlates with 0.4% global inflation rise and 0.15% economic growth reduction.
Israeli airstrikes kill Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, along with Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani and his deputy. Larijani's son and office head are also killed. He is the highest-ranking official killed since Ayatollah Khamenei on Feb 28.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs publishes its first Humanitarian Update covering Feb 28 to Mar 17. It documents approximately 3.2 million displaced persons (600,000 to one million households), over 1,200 killed, and more than 17,000 injured. Infrastructure damage includes 54,000+ civilian units, at least 56 cultural heritage sites (including Golestan Palace), and four Tehran refineries. Power outages reported in major cities. A desalination plant on Qeshm Island is damaged, cutting water supply to 25+ villages. An additional 1.65 million refugees already in Iran face heightened vulnerability.
IRGC-backed groups including CyberAv3ngers, APT33, and APT55 launch attacks on American industrial control systems including water treatment plants, power grids, and manufacturing lines. Analysts track 60+ active threat groups, 53 of them pro-Iranian. Cybercrime activity up 245% since the war began. The earlier "Stryker" attack on March 11 is described as the most significant wartime cyberattack against the US in history.
Despite vocal solidarity with Iran, the Houthis have not resumed Red Sea attacks three weeks into the war. Analysts cite depleted weapons stockpiles after previous campaigns and US Operation Rough Rider strikes, explicit US warnings mediated through Oman, and fears of decapitation strikes after Israel killed senior Houthi officials in August 2025. The Soufan Center assesses Houthis will likely intervene as the conflict lengthens, particularly if Saudi Arabia actively retaliates against Iran. Their potential entry would serve as a "force multiplier" by depleting US and Israeli air defenses and forcing resource diversion from Iran strikes.
Trump posts on Truth Social criticizing NATO allies for not supporting US military operations in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the United States "does not need the help of anyone."
The Israeli military announces ground operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, deploying two divisions. While described as "limited and targeted," reports indicate plans to seize the entire area south of the Litani River. Fighting reported at the Hezbollah stronghold of Al-Khiyam. Over one million people displaced in Lebanon since March 2.
The Israeli Air Force destroys the late Supreme Leader Khamenei's official aircraft at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport, along with the IRGC Guards transport fleet. The IDF states the strike "disrupted the Iranian leadership's coordination with allied countries, military buildup, and ability to rehabilitate capabilities." Framed as a symbolic and psychological operation, since Khamenei was killed on Feb 28.
National average gas price reaches $3.72 per gallon, up nearly 80 cents from one month earlier. Diesel nears $5 per gallon, up $1.34. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan warns: "Until we see a meaningful resumption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, upward pressure on fuel prices is likely to persist." Higher diesel prices create inflationary pressure across the economy through farm equipment, construction, and goods transportation.
UAE's Fujairah Oil Industry Zone hit by Iranian drone, causing a large fire. Shah gas field operations suspended. Al Jazeera asks: "US says it has destroyed Iran missile capacity: How is Iran still shooting?" Trump calls Iran "a paper tiger" and claims the US has "decimated" its military, but refuses to declare the war over.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tells CBS News "No, we never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation," directly contradicting Trump's claim that Iran "reached out" for talks. Araghchi says Iran is "ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes."
Heavy airstrikes hit the Isfahan area, with 20 explosions near Shiraz and heavy explosions in southern Tehran, Dezful Air Base, Khomein, and Hamadan. The IDF announces it still has "thousands of targets" to hit across Iran, with new ones identified every day, as the war enters its third week.
Kata'ib Hezbollah security commander Abu Ali al-Askari is killed in an airstrike on Baghdad. Separately, a drone strikes the Royal Tulip Al Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad's Green Zone while it hosts an EU and Saudi delegation. Seven Hezbollah commanders and multiple Quds Force officials also eliminated.
Tehran calls on Middle Eastern countries to "expel" US military forces from the region, an escalation in political messaging to its neighbors. The call comes as the war enters its 15th day with approximately 1,450 deaths in Iran.
Trump's AI/crypto czar David Sacks warns on the "All-In" podcast that the administration must "worry about Israel escalating the war by contemplating using a nuclear weapon," calling the scenario "truly catastrophic." He urges the US to "declare victory and get out" and describes Iran's ability to target desalination plants serving 100 million Gulf residents. Trump dismisses the concern: "Israel wouldn't do that. Israel would never do that." Covered by Newsweek, Haaretz, Fortune, and the Times of Israel, but not by NYT, WaPo, CNN (beyond a brief live-blog mention), or Fox.
US forces strike more than 90 military sites on Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export hub. Trump claims he "totally obliterated" military targets but spared oil infrastructure "for reasons of decency." Hegseth simultaneously claims 15,000+ targets struck and Iran's military "destroyed" while announcing "today will be yet again, the highest volume of strikes."
Asked when the war will be over, Trump tells reporters: "When I feel it in my bones." The same day, Iran fires 10 ballistic missiles with multiple warheads at Tel Aviv, injuring 124 people, targeting Palmachim and Ovda airbases.
Thousands march in Tehran for al-Quds Day (last Friday of Ramadan) despite ongoing US-Israeli bombing. President Pezeshkian, Ali Larijani, and FM Araghchi appear publicly at the rally. Explosions from airstrikes are heard near Ferdowsi Square during the demonstration, killing at least one person from shrapnel. "They think that by killing us, we will be afraid... No, we stand by our country," one protester tells Al Jazeera. Global solidarity marches take place worldwide.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly outlines three conditions for ending the war for the first time: recognition of Iran's legitimate rights including its nuclear program, reparations for damage caused by US-Israeli strikes, and binding international guarantees against future aggression. This marks Tehran's first shift from outright rejection of ceasefire talks to conditional engagement.
Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issues his first public statement, vowing to continue the fight. The written statement comes four days after his appointment.
A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashes in western Iraq in an apparent midair accident involving another KC-135 during operations supporting the Iran war. All six crew members are confirmed dead: Maj. John Klinner (33), Capt. Ariana Savino (31), Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pruitt (34), Capt. Seth Koval (38), Capt. Curtis Angst (30), and Tech. Sgt. Tyler Simmons (28). CENTCOM confirms the loss was not due to hostile or friendly fire, though the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims responsibility. The crash brings the total US death toll to 13, seven of whom were killed by enemy fire.
NYT reports a preliminary Pentagon investigation confirms a US Tomahawk cruise missile struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' school in Minab, ending 11 days of Trump administration denials and attempts to blame Iran.
Six vessels attacked in the Strait of Hormuz with drone boats and sea mines. Iranian drones also hit Bahrain International Airport. Meanwhile, CNBC reports Iran continues shipping oil to China through the supposedly "closed" strait, revealing the blockade is selective rather than total.
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 2817 by a vote of 13-0-2, with China and Russia abstaining, condemning Iran's "egregious attacks" against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan. The resolution demands Iran cease strikes on residential areas and civilian objects and halt support for proxy groups. Critically, it does not address the US-Israeli strikes that triggered the conflict on February 28. China's representative explicitly calls for those strikes to "cease immediately." Iran's representative denounces the resolution as "manifest injustice," calling Iran "the main victim of a clear act of aggression." Russia's counter-draft, which avoided naming specific parties, fails 4-2-9. Bahrain drafts the resolution on behalf of the GCC, attracting nearly 140 co-sponsors.
The IRGC shifts to missiles with 1,000kg+ payloads. AFP reports the attacks are the "most intense and heaviest" since the war began. The heavy multi-warhead missiles target Iraq, Bahrain, and Israel.
Trump tells Republicans the war "may end pretty quickly," one day after calling it "a little excursion." The White House details its "unconditional surrender" demands as Hegseth says he is giving Trump "maximum options."
Retired US Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, tells Democracy Now that Netanyahu is "ready to use a nuclear weapon." He claims Netanyahu spoke in Hebrew to allies (including Ben Gvir and Smotrich) about being "prepared to show the Iranians something they had never seen before." Wilkerson draws a direct parallel to Golda Meir's 1973 willingness to use nuclear weapons during the Yom Kippur War: "We're back at that point again, and for probably a far more dangerous situation." Zero corporate media pickup.
Senate Democrats emerge from a classified briefing on the war uniformly aghast. Elizabeth Warren: "The Trump administration has no plan in Iran. This illegal war is based on lies and it was launched without any imminent threat to our nation." Richard Blumenthal: "I emerge from this briefing as dissatisfied and angry, frankly, as I have from any past briefing in my 15 years," warning that ground troops deployment in Iran looms without congressional intervention. Chris Murphy calls the war plans "incoherent and incomplete," noting neither regime change nor nuclear disarmament are stated objectives, contradicting Trump's public statements. Chuck Schumer: "The story from the administration changes by the hour." Cory Booker threatens to jam all Senate business: "We are not going to let business as usual go on in the Senate." Republicans resist calls for public hearings.
One day after Hegseth declares "This is only just the beginning," Trump tells reporters "I think the war is very complete, pretty much." Asked if the war is both "very complete" and "just beginning," he answers: "Well, I think you could say both." He reframes the largest US military operation since 2003 as "a little excursion."
Iran announces that 1,255 people have been killed in US-Israeli attacks since the war began, with the majority being civilians. The figure represents a significant increase from the 600+ confirmed four days earlier.
Oil prices spike near $120/barrel, triggering the worst global market sell-off since the war began. Japan's Nikkei 225 plunges 7% intraday before closing down 5.2%. South Korea's Kospi sinks 6%. Taiwan's benchmark drops 4.4%. India's Sensex loses 2.3%. In Europe, Germany's DAX falls 2.6%, the Paris CAC 40 drops 2.7%, and Britain's FTSE 100 loses 1.9%. In the US, the Dow drops as many as 945 points before closing down 453 (0.9%), while the Nasdaq sinks 1.6% and the S&P 500 falls 1.3%. Brent crude trades at $106.61, US benchmark at $103.20, both roughly 15% above Friday's close. Analysts describe the Hormuz disruption as the most severe global supply shock since at least the 1970s.
The Assembly of Experts names Mojtaba Khamenei, 56-year-old son of the assassinated Ali Khamenei, as Iran's new Supreme Leader following an election held March 3-8. The IRGC and armed forces pledge immediate backing. President Pezeshkian calls it a "new era of dignity and strength."
The Israeli Air Force strikes the late Supreme Leader Khamenei's underground military bunker beneath Tehran's leadership compound, deploying approximately 50 fighter jets and dropping roughly 100 bombs. Mehrabad airport is also targeted. Israel claims "near-complete air superiority" with 2,500+ strikes.
President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, VP Vance, and Defense Secretary Hegseth attend a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for the six soldiers killed in the Iranian drone strike on Kuwait's Port Shuaiba on March 1. The fallen are identified as Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien, CW3 Robert Marzan, Capt. Cody Khork, SFC Nicole Amor, SFC Noah Tietjens, and Sgt. Declan Coady. Hegseth later claims the father of one fallen soldier told him to "finish the job," which the father publicly disputes.
More than 50,000 people march in London demanding an end to the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, organized by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Stop the War Coalition, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and others. Anti-war demonstrations also take place across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, marking the largest global anti-war mobilization since the 2003 Iraq War protests.
The US sends a third aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, to the Middle East, joining the two carrier strike groups already operating near Iran. The deployment signals the largest US naval concentration in the region since the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Trump posts on Truth Social: "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" He states intent to directly select Iran's next leader, calling Mojtaba Khamenei "unacceptable" as successor. Press secretary Leavitt says "unconditional surrender" means Trump determining Iran can no longer pose a threat. Trump adds: "MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!)"
US Central Command reports striking more than 3,000 targets in Iran in the first week. Airwars notes the Iran campaign vastly outpaces any other recent US air war. CSIS estimates the cost of the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury at $3.7 billion, approximately $891 million per day. At least 1,332 people killed in Iran since Feb 28.
IRGC announces the Strait of Hormuz closed to US, Israel, and Western allied ships. By this point, Iran has fired 500+ ballistic/naval missiles and approximately 2,000 drones (40% at Israel, 60% at US regional targets).
Missiles fired by the US and Israel hit two schools in the town of Parand, southwest of Tehran, according to Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency. Photos show damage and debris in classrooms and destruction to nearby residential buildings. Around the same time, the Shahid Hamedani School, an elementary school at Niloufar Square in Tehran, is struck. Iranian FM spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei releases video showing the school filled with students before the attack and the building in ruins afterward. Common Dreams runs the headline: "US-Israeli Bombs Strike 'The Fourth School in 6 Days' in Iran." No American corporate outlet covers either incident.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirms the organization has verified 13 attacks on healthcare in Iran (later updated to 18), with healthcare worker deaths and injuries. Named facilities damaged include Gandhi Hospital (Tehran, IVF department destroyed, newborns evacuated), Khatam al-Anbiya Hospital (Tehran), Motahari burn hospital (Tehran), Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital (Bushehr, forced out of service, neonatal ward destroyed), and Aboozar Children's Hospital (Ahvaz). Six hospitals fully evacuated. Even Saudi-funded Iran International reports the WHO figures. No American corporate outlet publishes standalone hospital damage reporting.
The Republican-led House votes 219-212 against an effort to halt the war and require congressional authorization for hostilities in Iran. The resolution fails by just 7 votes.
Israel cancels Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque and closes all Old City holy sites, citing Iranian retaliatory strikes. Access to the Old City is barred to anyone except residents and shop owners. Senior imam Sheikh Ikrima Sabri: "The occupation authorities are exploiting any occasion to close Al-Aqsa, and this is completely unjustified." Eight Arab and Islamic countries formally condemn the closures.
Hundreds of Iranian drones target Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and UAE in a massive coordinated retaliation wave. Kuwait suspends US embassy operations after strikes.
The Senate rejects a War Powers Resolution 53-47, with only Rand Paul breaking with Republicans to vote in favor. Democrat John Fetterman votes against the resolution, siding with the Republican majority.
An Israeli Air Force F-35I shoots down a Russian-made Iranian Yak-130 fighter jet over Tehran, marking the first time an F-35 has shot down a manned aircraft and the first Israeli air-to-air combat in roughly 40 years. The IDF releases video from the F-35's targeting system.
The Iranian Red Crescent reports 600+ civilian deaths since the war began. The Hengaw human rights organization estimates the toll at 742 civilians killed in the first four days.
Israeli air operations strike the headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in Tehran, targeting state media infrastructure as part of the broader campaign against Iranian command and communications systems.
Iranian drones strike the US Embassy in Riyadh, knocking out communications and causing significant damage, and the US Embassy in Kuwait. The attacks target American diplomatic facilities across the Gulf.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio admits on Al Jazeera that US strike timing was "influenced by Israeli plans," saying "We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action." The admission contradicts the administration's framing of the operation as a sovereign American decision.
On the first trading day after Operation Epic Fury, Brent crude spikes 6.2% to around $77/barrel, briefly surpassing $82 before pulling back. US crude jumps 7.5%. Stock futures initially sink more than 1% across the board, with the Dow falling as much as 600 points before recovering to close down just 73 points. European natural gas markets surge more than 20%. Defense stocks (Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin) and oil companies (Exxon, Chevron) rise sharply. GasBuddy projects US gasoline prices to increase 10-30 cents within days.
An Iranian ballistic missile with an estimated 500kg warhead strikes a residential area in Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem, destroying a synagogue and smashing through a public bomb shelter beneath it. Nine people are killed, including teenagers Yaakov (16), Avigail (15), and Sarah (13) Bitton. Twenty-eight others are injured, two seriously. It is the deadliest single strike on Israel since the war began. Authorities investigate why warning sirens did not activate before impact.
Iran declares 40 days of mourning and seven days of public holiday after confirming Khamenei's death. Thousands of mourners gather at Enghelab Square in Tehran and the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad. State media declares Khamenei a "martyr." But the reaction is divided: crowds in Isfahan, Karaj, Shahsavar, Kermanshah, and other cities celebrate in the streets, honking horns and cheering. In southern Iran, a crowd topples a monument to Ayatollah Khomeini. Even in Tehran's Pardis neighborhood, residents shout from rooftops. Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urges opponents to "stay alert and ready to return to the streets for the final action at the appropriate time." A three-person interim council assumes leadership duties pending the election of a new Supreme Leader. Iraq declares three days of mourning; in Baghdad, protesters attempt to mobilize toward the US Embassy.
Hezbollah launches rockets at northern Israel for the first time since the November 2024 ceasefire, explicitly linking the attack to retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Israel retaliates with airstrikes across Lebanon, killing at least 31 people and wounding 149 according to Lebanon's Health Ministry, with about two-thirds of the deaths in southern Lebanon. The move opens a second front in the broader conflict.
Trump confirms three US service member deaths (later revised to six) and states: "And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends." He vows to continue attacks until "all objectives are achieved," offers amnesty to Iranian forces who lay down weapons, and threatens "certain death" otherwise. In a separate interview with the Daily Mail, he predicts the war will last "four weeks or so," though he also suggests he could "go long and take over the whole thing, or end it in two or three days."
Iranian drone attack on Camp Arifjan/Port Shuaiba, Kuwait kills 6 US service members from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command. The troops had been relocated from Camp Arifjan as part of a dispersal strategy, but a subsequent Army memo reveals Iranian intelligence tracked the transfer. WaPo investigation finds the operations center offered "little protection."
Israeli airstrike kills Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law at his Tehran compound. First assassination of a sitting head of state by the US/Israel. Nearly 900 strikes in first 12 hours. Red Crescent reports at least 201 killed on day one.
A US Tomahawk cruise missile strikes the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in Minab, killing at least 165 people, mostly girls ages 7-12. The single deadliest civilian casualty event of the war. The Trump administration initially denies US responsibility and blames Iran.
A missile strikes near Imam Reza Elementary School in Abyek, Qazvin province. CCTV footage verified by Al Jazeera's digital investigations unit shows the moment of impact: a schoolboy in the playground, a flash, windows shattering, and children fleeing. At least one child killed by debris. The footage has been publicly available since early March. No American corporate outlet has covered it.
A missile strikes a sports hall in Lamerd, Fars province, at 5 PM while dozens of teenage girls are playing volleyball, basketball, and gymnastics. At least 18 civilians killed, scores more wounded. Drop Site News is the only outlet to travel to the site, naming victims: Zahra Gholami (16), Rabab Dehdasht (15), Elahe Za'eri (16). Neither CENTCOM nor the Israeli military responded to requests for comment. Zero American corporate media coverage.
A strike targeting the area around 72 Square in Tehran's eastern Narmak neighborhood damages a high school and kills at least two children, according to Iranian authorities cited by Al Jazeera. No standalone corporate media coverage.
Cloudflare Radar reports internet traffic in Iran drops by 98%, signaling a near-complete blackout. NetBlocks confirms national connectivity at 4% of ordinary levels. The shutdown cuts civilians off from warnings about incoming strikes, medical information, and contact with relatives. Human Rights Watch calls the shutdown a violation of human rights law, noting it "restricts access to lifesaving information, such as where strikes are taking place and how to safely access medical care." Only high-ranking officials and state media retain access. The blackout persists for weeks, with Iran spending roughly a third of 2026 offline.
Hours after Operation Epic Fury begins, the IRGC launches Operation True Promise IV, firing ballistic missiles and drones at targets across the Middle East. Strikes hit the US Navy 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Ali al-Salem Air Base and Kuwait International Airport, and Erbil Airport in Iraq. Missiles also target Tel Aviv and Haifa. At least one person is killed in Abu Dhabi and multiple employees injured at Kuwait International Airport. Regional governments report intercepting many incoming missiles, while a senior US official characterizes the Iranian response as "ineffective." By March 5, Iran will have fired over 500 ballistic and naval missiles and approximately 2,000 drones, with roughly 40% aimed at Israel and 60% at US regional targets.
France, Germany, and the UK issue a joint E3 statement clarifying none participated in the strikes, condemning "Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms" while not explicitly endorsing the US-Israeli operation. Russia calls the strikes "a pre-planned and unprovoked act" of aggression and warns of "uncontrolled escalation." China demands an "immediate stop of the military actions." Oman's FM Al-Busaidi, who had been mediating nuclear talks, expresses dismay and urges the US not to "get sucked in further," adding: "this is not your war." Ukraine's Zelenskyy endorses the strikes, citing Iran's supply of Shahed drones used against Ukrainian cities. UN Secretary General Guterres condemns the use of force by all sides.
Oman's FM Al-Busaidi announces Iran agreed to never stockpile enriched nuclear material, degrade stockpiles, accept full IAEA verification, and discuss its ballistic missile program. Calls it "a very important breakthrough that has never been achieved any time before." Peace is "within reach."
Less than 24 hours after the Omani diplomatic breakthrough, Trump gives the order for Operation Epic Fury at 3:38 PM EST aboard Air Force One. The US and Israel launch a massive coordinated bombing campaign against Iran, striking more than 1,000 targets in the first wave.
The "longest, most serious" round. Araghchi hands over Iran's written proposals. Technical teams set to meet in Vienna at IAEA headquarters the following week.
Trump claims Iran is "working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America." Directly contradicted by a 2025 DIA assessment placing that capability at 2035 at the earliest.
Araghchi reports "good progress" and says sides reached "broad agreement on a set of guiding principles." Iran's President Pezeshkian reiterates Iran is "absolutely not seeking nuclear weapons." Leavitt calls it "a little progress" but says "we're still very far apart." Two US aircraft carriers positioned near Iranian waters during talks.
Netanyahu makes his sixth White House visit since Trump's second inauguration. Comes days after the first round of Muscat talks. "Nothing definitive" reached about Iran during this visit.
Indirect talks mediated by Omani FM Al-Busaidi. Iran's FM Araghchi leads Iran's team; Kushner, Witkoff, and CENTCOM's Admiral Cooper represent the US. Neither side shifts publicly. Araghchi calls it "a good start." Iran wants nuclear-only focus; US demands comprehensive framework.
Amid nationwide anti-government protests in Iran and a violent crackdown by authorities, the White House states "all options are on the table." Trump encourages protesters on social media, telling them "help is on the way." Trump orders the largest military buildup in the Middle East in 22 years, calling it a "Massive Armada."
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir leads prayers on the Temple Mount on Tisha B'Av, the first time a government minister overtly worships at the site in breach of the agreement barring non-Muslim prayer. A record 3,500+ Jewish pilgrims visit that day. He declares: "We are the owners of the Temple Mount." Jordan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK condemn the action; five of those nations sanction Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Smotrich.
Organizers hold a practice run of the red heifer burning ceremony on a hilltop in northern Israel, a rehearsal for the ritual dispensationalists believe will set preconditions for building the Third Temple on the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The animal burned was disqualified by two black hairs, making it a rehearsal only.
Iran's final action is a largely symbolic missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Omani mediation brokers a ceasefire. This becomes the template the administration expects to replicate in 2026.
US and Israel launch strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Kills top military leaders and hundreds of civilians in Iran; 28 people die in Israel.
Mike Huckabee makes a historic official visit to the Israeli settlement of Shiloh in the occupied West Bank, the first sitting US ambassador to hold an official meeting with the Yesha Council. He begins the tour by viewing five red heifers being raised for the Third Temple ritual, a purification prerequisite that dispensationalist Christians believe will trigger the Second Coming. The heifers were imported from a Texas ranch in 2022 classified as "pets." Zero US corporate media coverage of the red heifer dimension of the visit.