By Amanda Castro, Ellie Cook, and John Feng

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Oil prices spiked on Wednesday after Iran said airstrikes hit infrastructure at the South Pars gas field, the most significant blow to its energy production since the war began, and a strike that threatens to deepen both domestic shortages and regional instability.

What To Know On Day 19

• Iran says the South Pars field and facilities in Asaluyeh were struck, and fires were later contained.
• Global crude traded above $108 as fears grew that Iran might retaliate against regional energy sites.
• An Israeli strike killed Iran’s intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib, one day after the killing of Ali Larijani.
• Tulsi Gabbard told senators Iran’s leadership is weakened but its government remains intact.
• Qatar condemned the strike on the shared field and warned it threatens global energy security.
• Israeli strikes expanded across Beirut, killing at least 10 after Hezbollah launched rockets overnight.
• The IRGC said it struck Israel in response to the assassinations, killing two people in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv.
• The death toll continues to rise. Iran reports 1,348 killed. Lebanon reports 968 killed. Israel reports 14 killed. The Pentagon says 13 U.S. service members have died.

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Mar 18, 2026 at 08:00 PM EDT

Senate Intelligence hearing Endd with focus on Iran war and intelligence rift

The Senate Intelligence Committee wrapped up its annual Worldwide Threats hearing on Wednesday, with the conflict in Iran dominating nearly every exchange. Lawmakers from both parties pressed for clearer information about a U.S.–Israeli air campaign that has killed thousands, displaced millions and rattled global markets.

It was Tulsi Gabbard’s most prominent public appearance in months. She told senators that Iran’s government has been weakened since the war began on February 28 but remains functional, and that Tehran and its proxies still have the ability to strike U.S. and allied interests. She described the regime as “intact but largely degraded” under Operation Epic Fury.

Democrats voiced frustration that Congress has not been fully briefed on a conflict costing U.S. taxpayers billions. Senator Michael Bennet criticized what he called a lack of clarity after a tense exchange with CIA Director John Ratcliffe over the administration’s strategy for countering Iran.

The hearing also unfolded under the shadow of a major resignation. Joe Kent, head of the National Counterterrorism Center, stepped down Tuesday, saying Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. Ratcliffe rejected that view, arguing Iran has long been a danger and remains one now.

Alongside Gabbard and Ratcliffe, FBI Director Kash Patel and other senior intelligence officials fielded questions on the war’s trajectory and the administration’s threat assessments.

Mar 18, 2026 at 07:47 PM EDT

Iran threats prompt evacuations at key Gulf energy sites

Warnings issued by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are triggering urgent responses across the Gulf, with reports that Qatar’s Ras Laffan — the world’s largest LNG production hub — is being evacuated. The site was last struck on March 2, when QatarEnergy temporarily halted production after an earlier wave of attacks.

The latest moves come after Iran said it would target energy infrastructure in Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, urging workers and residents near specific facilities to leave immediately for their safety. The warning named multiple refineries and gas fields across the region.

At the same time, residents in Riyadh reported hearing two loud explosions. For the first time in this conflict, people in the Saudi capital received alerts about a potential aerial threat, underscoring how quickly the situation is escalating across multiple fronts.

Mar 18, 2026 at 07:34 PM EDT

Iranian player denies she returned home over fears for family

An Iranian women’s national team player is pushing back against reports that she abandoned her asylum bid in Australia because of threats to her family, saying she chose to return to Iran for personal reasons.

Six players and a staff member had accepted humanitarian visas in recent weeks, but five later reversed course and went back to Iran. In a statement shared with the semi‑official Tasnim news agency via Telegram, Mohaddeseh Zolfi said claims that families were pressured were “completely incorrect.”

She said she returned because she missed her home and relatives, adding that “nowhere becomes a person’s homeland.” Zolfi insisted there had been “absolutely no threat or pressure” on the families of the players who left the team.

She also thanked football officials in Tabriz and Tehran for supporting the squad, saying the players “are not traitors” but “assets of this country.”

Mar 18, 2026 at 07:21 PM EDT

CENTCOM says it has hit 7,800 targets and damaged more than 120 Iranian vessels

The U.S. military’s Central Command released a new update on its campaign against Iran, saying American forces have now struck more than 7,800 targets since the war began and have damaged or destroyed over 120 Iranian vessels.

In its statement, CENTCOM said its operations are focused on dismantling what it called the Iranian regime’s “security apparatus,” with priority given to sites it assesses as posing an imminent threat. The command did not provide details on the locations or types of targets struck but emphasized that the campaign is ongoing.

Mar 18, 2026 at 07:08 PM EDT

Saudi Civil Defense says threat in Riyadh has passed after overnight alerts

Saudi Civil Defense announced Wednesday that the danger in Riyadh has passed following earlier warnings of a potential threat over the capital. In a brief statement, the agency urged residents to continue following official instructions, avoid gathering or filming at impact sites, and steer clear of hazardous areas.

View this post on X

Mar 18, 2026 at 06:55 PM EDT

Bodies of six U.S. airmen killed in Iraq crash to return home in dignified transfer

The six U.S. Air Force airmen killed in last week’s KC‑135 refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq will be brought home Wednesday in a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, a White House official said.

The Pentagon identified the fallen as Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama; Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington; Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky; Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana; Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio; and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio.

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are attending the ceremony. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has also said he will be present.

The KC‑135 Stratotanker went down Thursday during U.S. military operations linked to the war with Iran. U.S. officials have said the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, and the investigation remains underway.

Mar 18, 2026 at 06:42 PM EDT

IRGC warns of retaliation after strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a sharp new warning Wednesday, vowing that Iran’s enemies should “await the powerful action” of its armed forces after what Tehran says was a coordinated attack on the country’s fuel and energy network.

Iran has accused the United States and Israel of striking parts of its oil and natural gas infrastructure, including the South Pars gas field — the world’s largest — and the Asaluyeh energy complex. If confirmed, these would be the first direct attacks on Iran’s production facilities since the war began. Israel previously targeted several Iranian fuel depots last week.

An Israeli source told CNN that Israel carried out the strike on Asaluyeh, while another official said the South Pars attack was conducted in coordination with Washington.

In its statement, the IRGC said a “criminal enemy” had violated Iran’s energy infrastructure and repeated earlier threats that any assault on its fuel, gas or economic facilities would be met with retaliation. Iran considers it “legitimate,” the statement said, to target the energy infrastructure of the “country of origin” and promised a response “at the first opportunity.”

The IRGC also urged residents and workers at certain oil sites in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE to evacuate, escalating fears of a wider regional confrontation.

Shortly after the warning, Saudi Civil Defense issued an all‑clear in Riyadh, saying air defenses had intercepted a ballistic threat over the capital, according to state-run al‑Ekhbariya television.

Mar 18, 2026 at 06:29 PM EDT

Debris from intercepted Iranian missiles severely damages three private planes at Ben Gurion Airport

Three private aircraft parked at Ben Gurion Airport suffered “severe” damage in recent days after being struck by debris from Iranian missiles intercepted by Israeli air defenses, the Israel Airports Authority said Wednesday.

Officials confirmed the hits occurred amid repeated missile barrages since the war with Iran began. While commercial flights have been halted at Israel’s main international hub, Israeli airlines have continued limited operations to bring home citizens stranded abroad. The airport has also supported restricted outbound flights and remains a key transit point for both Israeli and U.S. military activity.

Mar 18, 2026 at 06:16 PM EDT

Aid for 400,000 children in Sudan stuck in Dubai as Strait of Hormuz closure disrupts relief efforts

Medical supplies intended for 400,000 children in Sudan are stranded in Dubai, blocked by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Save the Children warned Wednesday. The shipment includes antibiotics, antimalarial drugs, deworming treatments and injectable medicines — all essential for more than 90 primary health facilities now at risk of running out of stock.

The disruption is also delaying critical nutrition and medical supplies bound for Yemen and Afghanistan, forcing the charity to reroute shipments at enormous cost. Aid for Afghanistan is now being flown in for $240,000, a price tag higher than the value of the supplies themselves.

Willem Zuidema, the organization’s global supply chain director, said the blockade, combined with soaring insurance and fuel costs, is “directly impacting patients in our health facilities, in the worst time possible.”

He urged all parties to ensure humanitarian corridors remain open. “Safe passage of assistance to children must be facilitated,” he said.

Mar 18, 2026 at 06:03 PM EDT

Gabbard declines to say whether she briefed Trump on possible Hormuz closure

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard refused Wednesday to say whether President Donald Trump asked her for an assessment on Iran potentially closing the Strait of Hormuz before the United States launched military action.

“I’m not going to comment on what the president did or didn’t ask me on any topic,” Gabbard told Sen. Mark Kelly during the Senate’s Worldwide Threats hearing.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, asked the same question, said such briefings typically originate from intelligence agencies rather than the White House. “There has been and continues to be analysis with respect to the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Roughly 20% of global oil passes through the strait, and Iran’s effective closure has rattled energy markets. CNN previously reported that Pentagon and National Security Council planners underestimated Iran’s willingness to shut the waterway in response to U.S. strikes.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted Trump was “fully briefed” on the possibility of a closure.

Later in the hearing, Ratcliffe said Iran has sought intelligence assistance from Russia and China during the war, but declined to provide details in an unclassified setting.

Mar 18, 2026 at 05:50 PM EDT

Israeli opposition leader warns of ‘Lebanese quagmire’ if ground invasion proceeds

The head of Israel’s left‑wing Democrats party, Yair Golan, cautioned Wednesday that a full‑scale ground invasion of southern Lebanon would trap the country in a prolonged and costly conflict. Speaking during a visit to the northern border, Golan said a deep push into Lebanon without a clearly defined political objective risked repeating past mistakes.

“A deep military maneuver inside Lebanon, without a clear political objective, will drag Israel back into the Lebanese quagmire and will not bring real security to the communities of the north,” he said.

Golan, a retired major general and former deputy chief of staff, argued that “true victory” requires not only battlefield gains but also a coherent political strategy to end the fighting.

Israel has mobilized more than 120,000 reservists since the war with Iran began and has steadily reinforced its northern front as clashes with Hezbollah intensify. The military has already pushed forces into parts of southern Lebanon, raising concerns among critics that the operation could expand without a clear endgame.

Mar 18, 2026 at 05:37 PM EDT

UN nuclear watchdog urges restraint after projectile hits Bushehr plant grounds

The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog called for calm on Wednesday after Iran reported that a “hostile projectile” struck the grounds of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, though officials said the facility itself was unharmed.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said the impact caused no technical, financial, or human damage, and emphasized that no part of the reactor complex was hit. The projectile landed on the site around 7 p.m. local time, but Iranian authorities did not identify who was responsible. Tehran warned that attacks on nuclear facilities violate international norms and could have “irreparable consequences” for the region.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the agency received separate reports from Iran and Russia indicating that a drone struck a small laboratory building on the premises. “The reactors have not been affected, and there are no casualties,” he told reporters in Washington, adding that the incident “doesn’t seem to be very significant” based on early imagery. Still, he reiterated that any military action near nuclear sites must be avoided.

Mar 18, 2026 at 05:24 PM EDT

Was a nuclear plant run by Iran and Russia hit by the US? What we know

Iran and Russia both allege a projectile struck the grounds of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the Islamic Republic, raising the specter of a radiological incident as Tehran's war with Israel and the United States rages.

Neither Iran nor Russia say there was any release of nuclear material in the incident on Tuesday evening, but it again underlines a longtime worry of Iran's neighbors — that the power plant on the shores of the Persian Gulf could be hit by either an attack or an earthquake.

Here's what to know about the incident, the plant itself and Iran's wider nuclear program, which remains a reason U.S. President Donald Trump points to for starting the war alongside Israel against Iran on Feb. 28.

Reports of a Projectile Striking There

Russia’s state-run Tass news agency quoted Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev late Tuesday as claiming “a strike hit the area adjacent to the metrology service building located at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant site, in close proximity to the operating power unit.”

Russian technicians from Rosatom operate the plant, using Russian-made, low-enriched uranium.

“There were no casualties among Rosatom State Corporation personnel,” Likhachev said. “The radiation situation at the site is normal.”

Read more here.

Mar 18, 2026 at 05:11 PM EDT

Israel confirms damage to key infrastructure after missile strikes

Israeli officials acknowledged rare wartime damage to major infrastructure on Wednesday, saying both a central railway hub and Ben‑Gurion Airport were struck by falling missile fragments during recent Iranian barrages.

A spokesman for Israel Railways said debris from Tuesday night’s attack hit Savidor Central station in Tel Aviv, forcing a nationwide suspension of train service for several hours while crews assessed the site. The impact disrupted one of the country’s busiest commuter corridors.

At Ben‑Gurion Airport, an airport spokeswoman said three private passenger aircraft were damaged in recent days by fragments from intercepted missiles. Commercial operations continued, but the disclosure underscored the growing risks to critical infrastructure as Iran intensifies its long‑range attacks.

Mar 18, 2026 at 04:58 PM EDT

Israeli couple killed in Ramat Gan as Iranian cluster warhead hits apartment building

An Iranian missile strike early Wednesday shattered an apartment building in Ramat Gan, killing an older couple and sending millions of Israelis rushing to shelters as sirens wailed across central Israel. Video from the scene showed the front of the top‑floor apartment blown open, walls shredded by shrapnel and a metal walker lying amid the debris.

The victims, Yaron and Ilana Moshe, were found in their living room. Neighbors told Israeli media the building was hit moments after a warning siren sounded, and local police said it appeared the couple had not reached their safe room in time. Mr. Moshe was disabled, residents said.

Israeli officials said the blast was caused by a cluster warhead, a munition that breaks apart midair and scatters dozens of small explosive devices across a wide area. Even when Israel’s air defenses intercept incoming missiles, the military noted, cluster submunitions can still rain down over several miles. “It can cover a city with small bombs,” Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said at the site.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the barrage, saying it launched a large ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv in retaliation for the killing of senior Iranian official Ali Larijani.

Damage from cluster munitions was reported across the Tel Aviv region, including at a central train station and in Bnei Brak, where one man was injured by shrapnel. Israel’s largely ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, visited the Ramat Gan site, condemning the strike as the murder of innocent civilians.

Shortly after Herzog’s visit, sirens sounded again across central Israel. Police and bomb disposal teams worked to secure fresh impact sites, and emergency services reported that a man and two children were lightly wounded by falling fragments.

Mar 18, 2026 at 04:45 PM EDT

Gabbard declines to confirm reports of Russian intelligence sharing with Iran

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard avoided confirming whether Russia is providing intelligence support to Iran during the public portion of Wednesday’s Senate worldwide threats hearing. Pressed by Sen. Angus King about media reports suggesting such cooperation, Gabbard said any discussion of intelligence sharing “would be appropriate for a closed session.”

King asked again whether the sharing was occurring. Gabbard repeated that she could not address the matter publicly but added that, according to the Department of War, any assistance Iran may be receiving “is not inhibiting their operational effects.”

“That’s sort of the first cousin of a yes, I guess,” King replied, underscoring the tension between lawmakers seeking clarity and officials insisting the details remain classified.

Mar 18, 2026 at 04:32 PM EDT

Israel strikes gas stations in southern Lebanon, citing Hezbollah links

Israel carried out airstrikes on several gas stations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, saying the sites were tied to Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said it targeted five stations operated by the Al‑Amana Fuel Company, which it described as “controlled by Hezbollah” and part of the group’s economic network.

Lebanon’s state‑run NNA news agency published an image showing one of the stations in Deir Canon Al‑Nahr reduced to rubble, with nearby buildings damaged and thick black smoke rising over the town.

Mar 18, 2026 at 04:19 PM EDT

South Pars strike threatens core of Iran’s energy system

South Pars sits at the heart of Iran’s energy economy, supplying the bulk of the country’s natural gas for industry, power generation and household use. Any strike on the sprawling offshore field or its processing facilities risks disrupting output, with potential consequences for government revenue, domestic supply and broader economic stability.

The vulnerability is compounded by Iran’s long‑standing structural problems. The country has faced recurring gas and electricity shortages for years, particularly in winter, driven by aging infrastructure, chronic underinvestment, and rising demand. Even limited damage to South Pars could deepen those strains, forcing the government to divert gas away from industry or exports to meet basic household needs.

Mar 18, 2026 at 04:11 PM EDT

Four injured in Riyadh after missile interception, Saudi Civil Defense says

Saudi Civil Defence reported Wednesday that four people were injured in Riyadh when shrapnel fell onto a residential building following the interception of a ballistic missile.

The statement was released on X, where officials said emergency teams were deployed to the site.

Mar 18, 2026 at 04:08 PM EDT

UAE says air defenses responding to missile and drone threats

The United Arab Emirates Defence Ministry said Wednesday that its air‑defense systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran. Officials did not provide details on the scale of the attack or whether any projectiles reached Emirati territory.

The ministry said more information will be released as assessments continue, signaling that the situation remains fluid and that defensive operations are still underway.

Mar 18, 2026 at 04:06 PM EDT

WATCH: Trump calls NATO ‘foolish’ for not helping with Iran war

Mar 18, 2026 at 03:53 PM EDT

Merz says Germany would have opposed U.S. strike on Iran if consulted

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Wednesday that Berlin would have advised the United States not to launch its attack on Iran had Washington sought European input beforehand. Addressing lawmakers in the Bundestag, Merz said Germany still has “many questions” about the strategy behind the U.S.–Israeli campaign that began on February 28.

“To this day, there is no convincing plan as to how this operation might succeed,” he told parliament, adding that the U.S. neither consulted Germany nor indicated it needed European support. Merz has sharpened his tone in recent days after initially declining to criticize the strikes, which came as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program were still underway.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we would have advised against taking this course of action in the way it has been taken,” he said.

Merz also reaffirmed that Germany will not send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, despite President Donald Trump’s calls for NATO allies to help secure commercial shipping in the waterway, where Iranian attacks have contributed to soaring global oil prices.

Mar 18, 2026 at 03:40 PM EDT

Iran’s army chief vows retaliation after killings of senior officials

Iran’s top military commander has threatened to avenge the deaths of several senior officials killed in recent Israeli strikes, state media reported Wednesday. Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami said retaliation was inevitable following the assassinations of Ali Larijani, Iran’s top national security official, and Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, the former Basij militia chief.

“Revenge for the pure blood of this honored martyr and other valued martyrs will be taken,” Hatami said, according to the semiofficial Tasnim news agency. Iranian authorities confirmed Tuesday that both Larijani and Soleimani were killed in Israeli attacks.

Iran responded early Wednesday by firing missiles with cluster warheads toward Tel Aviv, marking one of its most direct strikes on Israel in the current conflict.

Mar 18, 2026 at 03:27 PM EDT

Rutte says NATO discussing options to reopen blocked Hormuz Strait

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Wednesday that the alliance is in active talks with member states on how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the vital waterway “has to open up again” after weeks of disruption from the Iran war.

Speaking to reporters in Norway, Rutte said he has been in contact with “many” allies about possible steps to restore safe passage through the strait, which remains largely shut amid Iranian attacks and U.S.–Israeli strikes. “Allies are working together, discussing how to do that, what is the best way to do it,” he said. “They are working on that collectively to find a way forward.”

His comments come days after President Donald Trump publicly criticized several NATO members for refusing his request to send warships to escort tankers through the chokepoint, a key artery for global oil shipments.

Mar 18, 2026 at 03:14 PM EDT

U.S. intelligence says Iran’s regime weakened but still standing

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told senators Wednesday that Iran’s government “appears to be intact, but largely degraded” after weeks of strikes that have killed senior leaders and dismantled major parts of its military. Speaking at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on global threats, she said the regime would likely embark on a years‑long effort to rebuild its missile, drone and conventional forces if it survives the current conflict.

Gabbard noted that before U.S. and Israeli operations began in late February, intelligence agencies assessed that Iran was still recovering from heavy damage to its nuclear infrastructure during the 12‑Day War and continued to resist compliance with its nuclear obligations. She did not elaborate on whether Tehran was attempting to restore its enrichment capabilities.

Iran’s ability to project conventional military power has been “largely destroyed,” she said, adding that sanctions and the snapback of European penalties have further weakened Tehran’s strategic position. The intelligence community expects internal tensions to rise as Iran’s economy deteriorates.

Gabbard reiterated that Iran could use existing technology to develop a viable intercontinental ballistic missile before 2035 if it chose to pursue that path, though the assessment will be updated to reflect the impact of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing campaign targeting Iran’s missile production network.

C.I.A. Director John Ratcliffe added that Iran is gaining experience with larger booster technologies through its space‑launch program, warning that if left unchecked, Tehran could eventually field missiles capable of reaching the continental United States.

Mar 18, 2026 at 03:01 PM EDT

Pezeshkian condemns killings of senior Iranian officials as ‘cowardly assassinations’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday denounced the recent killings of several top officials, including Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, calling the strikes “cowardly assassinations” that have left the country’s leadership shaken. Israel said it killed Khatib in an overnight operation, the latest in a series of targeted attacks on Iran’s senior ranks.

Pezeshkian said the deaths of Khatib, Ali Larijani, Iran’s top national security official, and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh — along with members of their families and staff — had “left us heartbroken.” Larijani was killed in an Israeli strike on Tuesday, while Nasirzadeh died on February 28 during the opening wave of U.S.–Israeli attacks.

In a message posted on X, Pezeshkian offered condolences to the Iranian public, describing the slain officials as martyrs whose work would continue. “I am sure that their path will continue stronger than before,” he wrote, vowing resilience as Iran absorbs the most significant losses to its leadership in years.

Mar 18, 2026 at 02:48 PM EDT

Russia condemns strike near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday criticized a U.S.–Israeli strike near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, saying the attack landed only meters from one of the site’s energy units. Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova urged Washington and Jerusalem to halt all strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that such actions carry unacceptable risks.

Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the incident caused no damage or injuries, but Moscow said the proximity of the strike to a civilian nuclear site underscored the danger of escalating military operations around sensitive infrastructure.

Mar 18, 2026 at 02:35 PM EDT

Sweden condemns Iran after execution of dual national accused of spying

Sweden denounced Iran on Wednesday after the execution of a Swedish citizen accused of spying for Israel, saying the case was marred by a lack of due process. Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the legal proceedings “had not been legally secure” and reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to opposing human rights abuses in Iran.

Iranian state media identified the man as Kourosh Keyvani, a dual Swedish‑Iranian national arrested in June 2025 and charged with “intelligence cooperation and espionage in favor of the Israeli government.” Sweden said it had repeatedly raised the case with Iranian officials, urging that he receive a fair trial and not face execution.

Keyvani is the third person executed by Iran on espionage charges this year, according to the monitoring group Iran Human Rights, which reported at least 13 similar executions in 2025. Hundreds of Iranians — including many considered political prisoners — remain on death row.

Stenergard reiterated Sweden’s and the EU’s opposition to capital punishment, calling it “an inhuman, cruel and irreversible punishment” that must be condemned under all circumstances.

Mar 18, 2026 at 02:22 PM EDT

Ratcliffe rejects claim Iran was not an imminent threat

C.I.A. Director John Ratcliffe pushed back Wednesday against assertions by former National Counterterrorism Center chief Joe Kent, who resigned this week after arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States before the current wave of strikes.

Testifying before the Senate, Ratcliffe said he “strongly disagreed” with Kent’s characterization. “I think Iran has been a constant threat to the United States for an extended period of time and posed an immediate threat at this time,” he told lawmakers.

Mar 18, 2026 at 02:09 PM EDT

Strikes hit energy sites across region as Iran, Israel and U.S. trade blows

A widening wave of attacks across the Middle East on Wednesday underscored how quickly the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States is expanding, with strikes now hitting energy infrastructure, major cities and diplomatic sites.

Iranian state media said parts of the country’s oil and natural gas facilities were struck by U.S. and Israeli forces, including installations near Bushehr. Footage aired on state television showed what it described as damage in a Tehran residential neighborhood following a separate strike earlier in the day.

In Israel, two people were killed overnight when an Iranian ballistic missile hit central areas of the country. Police reported debris falling across multiple locations in Tel Aviv after Israel’s air defenses intercepted a wave of incoming fire.

Israel also intensified its bombardment of Lebanon, destroying a high‑rise building in central Beirut near government offices and leaving surrounding streets heavily damaged.

In Iraq, drone and rocket attacks resumed around the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, according to a local security official, marking the latest in a series of strikes on American diplomatic sites since the conflict began.

The U.S. military separately confirmed it had dropped 5,000‑pound bunker‑penetrating bombs on Iranian missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments.

The expanding map of strikes highlights the growing risk that the conflict could spill further across the region, drawing in additional actors and threatening global energy and security interests.

Mar 18, 2026 at 02:06 PM EDT

Saudi civil defense issues alert over threat in Riyadh

Saudi Civil Defense activated emergency warnings in Riyadh after authorities detected a potential threat over the capital, according to a message shared by emergency responders on a public Telegram board.

The alert, issued through the National Emergency Early Warning Platform, urged residents to follow official safety instructions. A translated version of the Arabic notice said an alarm had been triggered “to warn of a danger” in the city and advised people to comply with guidance from civil defense officials.

Mar 18, 2026 at 02:04 PM EDT

Iran warns civilians near Gulf oil sites to evacuate

Iranian state media issued a new warning Wednesday urging civilians living near major oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to leave immediately, saying the sites will be targeted “in the coming hours.”

In a Telegram post, the semi‑official Tasnim news agency listed several facilities it said were at risk. The sites included the Samref refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia; the Mesaieed petrochemical complex, Mesaieed Holding Company and Ras Laffan refinery in Qatar; and the Al Hosn gas field in the UAE.

Tasnim said the facilities had become “direct and legitimate targets” and urged residents, workers and nearby communities to move to a safe distance without delay.

The outlet added that regional governments had been repeatedly warned about “entering this dangerous path” and accused them of risking the security of their own populations.

Mar 18, 2026 at 01:56 PM EDT

Expert warns U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran’s gas fields could trigger major retaliation

Attacks reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel on key Iranian gas facilities could provoke “severe Iranian retaliation” and destabilize global energy markets, an expert told CNN on Wednesday. Iran’s semi‑official Fars and Tasnim agencies said several refineries and natural gas installations were hit, with emergency crews working to contain fires.

Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, called the strikes a “clear turning point,” noting that Iran has already threatened to target energy assets across the region — a warning that has contributed to sharp jumps in oil prices.

He said the attacks may also reflect a shift in President Donald Trump’s approach. While Trump had previously avoided damaging infrastructure critical to Iran’s long‑term recovery, Citrinowicz said the latest strikes suggest a reassessment, even at the risk of further volatility in global oil and gas markets.

Because Iran consumes nearly all of its natural gas domestically, the expert added, the strikes directly affect electricity generation and cooking fuel for millions of Iranians, raising the likelihood of a forceful response.

Mar 18, 2026 at 01:46 PM EDT

Vance says Kent’s resignation was ‘a good thing,’ emphasizes duty to carry out Trump’s decisions

Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent made the right choice by resigning if he could no longer support President Donald Trump’s decisions on the Iran war. Speaking at an event in Michigan, Vance said members of the administration must help implement the president’s directives, even when they disagree.

“That’s how I do my job,” he said, adding that Trump welcomes internal debate but expects unity once a decision is made. “If you are on the team and you can’t help implement the decisions of his administration … then it’s a good thing for you to resign.”

Kent stepped down Tuesday, saying Iran posed “no imminent threat” to the United States — a position that has fueled criticism of the administration’s justification for military action. CNN reported that Kent met with Vance on Monday to explain his decision.

Vance has privately expressed reservations about the initial strikes on Iran, according to sources, but has avoided publicly stating his personal views. He has instead voiced confidence that the conflict will not become a long-term war.

While some officials have accused Kent of leaking, Vance struck a more conciliatory tone. “I know Joe Kent a little bit. I like Joe Kent,” he said.

Mar 18, 2026 at 01:43 PM EDT

Gas prices surge after U.S.–Israel strike on Iranian gas field

European gas prices jumped sharply on Wednesday after U.S. and Israeli forces struck processing facilities at Iran’s South Pars field, the world’s largest natural gas reservoir. The Dutch TTF front‑month contract rose about 7%, climbing to €55.11/MWh, as traders reacted to the risk of wider supply disruptions.

Iranian state television confirmed that several installations near Bushehr had been hit. Analysts told Montel News the attack marked a major escalation, raising the possibility of retaliatory strikes on energy infrastructure across the Gulf. They warned that Turkey’s pipeline imports from Iran and Turkmenistan could be jeopardized if Tehran declares force majeure and diverts gas for domestic use.

South Pars, shared with Qatar, produced a record 735 million cubic meters per day in 2025, making it central to Iran’s domestic supply. Any disruption could indirectly affect the roughly 7 bcm Turkey buys from Iran annually, as well as transit volumes from Turkmenistan.

Experts said the strike increases the risk of further attacks on facilities in Qatar and the UAE, while Turkey may be forced to lean more heavily on Russian gas or compete for LNG cargoes increasingly diverted to Asia.

Analysts expect volatility to continue as Iran signals it will retaliate for any assault on its energy infrastructure.

Mar 18, 2026 at 01:30 PM EDT

Missile fire hits central Israel again, three injured

Central Israel came under another round of missile fire on Wednesday afternoon after the Israeli military reported fresh launches from Iran. Authorities said at least one missile appeared to penetrate air‑defense systems, while additional fragments fell in several areas.

Search‑and‑rescue teams were dispatched to at least one impact site, according to the military. Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency service, said three people were injured, all lightly.

The latest barrage comes amid escalating cross‑border strikes and growing concerns that Iran’s missile capabilities remain largely intact despite repeated Israeli attacks.

Mar 18, 2026 at 01:17 PM EDT

U.S. intelligence chief says Iran could build ICBM by 2035 if it chose to

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told senators on Wednesday that Iran’s intercontinental ballistic missile program remains incomplete but could become viable before 2035 if Tehran decided to pursue that capability. Her comments echoed a previous Defense Intelligence Agency assessment but came with a new caveat: the need to reassess Iran’s missile capacity after weeks of U.S. and Israeli strikes on its infrastructure.

Gabbard said the full extent of the damage to Iran’s missile network is still being evaluated, and any updated intelligence estimate would depend on what remains intact. The remarks came during a high‑stakes Senate hearing focused on the intelligence that shaped the administration’s decisions in the lead‑up to the war with Iran.

Mar 18, 2026 at 01:04 PM EDT

Kremlin says U.S. has ‘no information’ on claims Russia aided Iran

The Kremlin on Wednesday dismissed a report in The Wall Street Journal alleging that Russia provided assistance to Iran during the ongoing conflict, saying Washington itself has denied having any evidence to support the claim.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that U.S. officials had already addressed the allegation. “U.S. official representatives have commented on this issue, saying that they had no information in this regard,” he said.

Mar 18, 2026 at 12:57 PM EDT

Senate Intelligence hearing ends with Gabbard highlighting Iran’s weakened but intact government

The Senate’s annual Worldwide Threats hearing wrapped up Wednesday with one of its most notable moments coming at the very start: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said that while Iran’s leadership has been “largely degraded” by U.S. and Israeli strikes, the regime itself “appears to be intact.”

Gabbard told lawmakers that Iran’s ability to project military power has been effectively destroyed, leaving the country in a significantly weakened strategic position. Her assessment underscored the intelligence community’s view that Tehran’s command structure has been battered but not dismantled, even as the war continues to reshape the region.

The hearing offered few new details about Iran’s internal decision‑making or military recovery efforts, but Gabbard’s remarks reinforced the administration’s message that Iran’s capabilities have been severely diminished — even if its government remains standing.

Mar 18, 2026 at 12:54 PM EDT

Gabbard says determining ‘imminent threat’ is the president’s call, not the intelligence community’s

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told senators Wednesday that it is not the intelligence community’s role to decide what constitutes an “imminent threat,” pushing back during a tense exchange at the Senate’s Worldwide Threats hearing.

“Senator, the only person who can determine what is and is not an imminent threat is the President,” Gabbard said when questioned by Sen. Jon Ossoff, who pressed her on the administration’s claim that Iran posed an imminent danger requiring U.S. military action.

Ossoff asked directly whether the intelligence community had assessed an “imminent nuclear threat” from Iran despite the country’s leadership being heavily degraded. Gabbard responded that imminence is a presidential judgment based on a broad set of information, not a determination made by intelligence agencies.

Ossoff pushed back, noting that Gabbard was testifying at a hearing specifically dedicated to outlining threats to the United States. “It is precisely your responsibility to determine what constitutes a threat to the United States,” he said.

Mar 18, 2026 at 12:52 PM EDT

UAE issues rare rebuke, condemns Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field

The United Arab Emirates issued a sharp condemnation on Wednesday after Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, marking one of the rare public rebukes from Gulf states since the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran began.

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Mar 18, 2026 at 12:50 PM EDT

Trump weighs risky operation to seize Iran’s nuclear material, CBS reports

President Donald Trump has not decided whether to send U.S. forces into Iran to seize the country’s missing nuclear material — an operation Pentagon planners warn would be extremely dangerous, CBS News reported, citing sources familiar with internal discussions. In private conversations, Trump has said only that he has “a lot of decisions to make” as the conflict enters a new phase.

The Pentagon has presented multiple military options, including a potential ground mission to locate roughly 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium the International Atomic Energy Agency says it can no longer account for following U.S. strikes on three nuclear sites last summer. Satellite imagery suggests Iran has buried tunnel entrances at one key facility, a move experts say would complicate any attempt to reach the material.

Trump believes Iran’s military has been severely degraded — its navy and air force “essentially gone,” according to sources — but he remains concerned about Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with small mine‑laying teams. The White House also lacks clarity on who is currently running Iran’s government after the deaths of several top leaders, with Trump describing the situation as “rogue,” the sources said.

Asked whether the war could be considered successful without recovering the nuclear material, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president has kept that option “on the table” but would not elaborate.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi cautioned that Iran’s nuclear program cannot be destroyed militarily, noting its size, dispersal and decades‑long development. He said diplomacy will be essential once fighting ends.

Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to rise. A British maritime security agency has logged 15 attacks since the conflict began, involving drones, missiles and unidentified projectiles. The U.S. Navy, which previously retired several minesweeping ships, now relies on littoral combat ships equipped with modern mine‑countermeasure systems. Trump has criticized European allies for refusing to send their own minesweepers, saying he expected them to contribute to efforts to secure the waterway.

Mar 18, 2026 at 12:38 PM EDT

Sweden condemns Iran’s execution of dual national accused of spying

Sweden sharply criticized Iran on Wednesday after the execution of a Swedish‑Iranian citizen accused of spying for Israel, calling the legal process fundamentally flawed.

Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the proceedings that led to the execution were “not legally secure” and reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to denouncing human rights abuses in Iran.

Iranian state media identified the man as Kourosh Keyvani, arrested in June 2025 and charged with “intelligence cooperation and espionage in favor of the Israeli government.” Sweden did not name him in its statement but confirmed it had repeatedly raised the case with Iranian officials, urging that he receive a fair trial and not face the death penalty.

Keyvani, a dual national, is the third person executed by Iran on espionage charges in 2026. At least 13 people were executed on similar accusations last year, according to Iran Human Rights, a Norway‑based monitoring group. Hundreds more remain on death row, many of them political prisoners who have yet to be sentenced.

Stenergard reiterated Sweden’s opposition to capital punishment, calling it “an inhuman, cruel and irreversible punishment” condemned by Sweden and the wider European Union under all circumstances.

Mar 18, 2026 at 12:25 PM EDT

WATCH: Israeli airstrike hits apartment building in Beirut

Mar 18, 2026 at 12:12 PM EDT

Iran oil flows from Strait of Hormuz with US blessing—for now

It was business as usual this week for Iran’s oil industry despite daily airstrikes by the United States and Israel including the recent targeted bombing of the country’s main export hub.

Newsweek reported this week that suspected Iranian tankers were seen loading fuel at the Kharg Island oil terminal off Iran’s southern coast, days after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to hit military sites on the island last Friday.

Further evidence on Tuesday showed that Iran’s energy trade largely had been uninterrupted. A number of oil tankers could be seen pierside at the export hub’s eastern jetty in satellite imagery captured by the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Earth observation program.

The photograph taken by the ESA’s Sentinel-2 satellites was not detailed enough to identify any missile damage from last week’s bombing, which deliberately avoided Iran’s oil infrastructure, according to Trump and the U.S. Central Command.

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Iran’s crude oil trade is the lifeblood of its heavily sanctioned economy and Kharg Island handled most of the outbound volume last year, according to the monitoring service TankerTrackers.com. Millions of barrels are exported each day.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz to the majority of non-Iranian vessel traffic by striking at random in the Persian Gulf using drones and missiles. Oil and natural gas deliveries from the gulf have been suspended and major economies including the U.S. have released emergency oil stockpiles to keep prices from soaring far past $100 a barrel.

The U.S. bombing of Kharg Island was a warning to Tehran over the continued closure of the strait, which saw commercial vessel traffic fall to just two transits on Monday from an average of 138 per day before the Iran war began on February 28, according to the latest advisory published on Wednesday by the U.S.-run Joint Maritime Information Center.

Read more here.

Mar 18, 2026 at 11:59 AM EDT

Iran says Larijani’s killing won’t shake country’s leadership structure

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, insisted Wednesday that the assassination of Ali Larijani, the powerful secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, will not alter the country’s governing system. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said the United States and Israel misunderstand how Iran’s political order functions.

“I do not know why the Americans and the Israelis still have not understood this point: The Islamic Republic of Iran has a strong political structure with established political, economic and social institutions,” he said.

Araghchi stressed that Iran’s leadership does not hinge on any single figure, despite Larijani’s prominence. “The presence or absence of a single individual does not affect this structure,” he added.

Larijani, one of Iran’s most influential security officials, was killed Tuesday in an Israeli strike that also targeted other senior figures. Iran has vowed to respond, while maintaining that its political system remains intact.

Mar 18, 2026 at 11:46 AM EDT

List of airline cancelations and suspensions

• Aegean Airlines: Canceled Tel Aviv, Beirut and Amman until April 22; Erbil and Baghdad until May 24; Dubai until April 19; Riyadh until April 18.
• airBaltic: All Tel Aviv flights canceled until April 5; all Dubai flights canceled until October 24.
• Air Canada: Tel Aviv flights canceled until May 2; Dubai flights canceled until March 28.
• Air Europa: All Tel Aviv flights canceled until April 10.
• Air France-KLM: Air France canceled Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 21, Dubai and Riyadh until March 20; KLM suspended Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai until March 28 and Tel Aviv for the rest of its winter season.
• Cathay Pacific: All passenger flights to/from Dubai and Riyadh, plus freighters to both cities, canceled until April 30.
• Delta Air Lines: New York–Tel Aviv canceled until March 31, Tel Aviv–New York until April 1; Atlanta–Tel Aviv restart delayed with TLV-bound flights paused until August 4 and outbound until August 5.
• El Al Israel Airlines: Regular flights canceled until March 21.
• Emirates: Operating a reduced schedule after a partial regional airspace reopening.
• Etihad Airways: Operating a limited commercial schedule from Abu Dhabi to select destinations.
• Finnair: Dubai flights canceled until March 29 and Doha flights until April 2, with continued avoidance of Iraqi, Iranian, Syrian and Israeli airspace.
• Flynas: Suspended Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Syria until March 31.
• IAG (British Airways): BA cancellations extended for Amman, Bahrain, Dubai and Tel Aviv until May 31 and Doha until April 30; Abu Dhabi remains suspended until later this year.
• IndiGo: Operations to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah and Sharjah suspended until March 28.
• Japan Airlines: Tokyo–Doha flights suspended from February 28 to March 31 and Doha–Tokyo until April 1.
• LOT Polish Airlines: Dubai canceled until March 28; Tel Aviv until April 18; Riyadh until March 24; Beirut canceled from March 31 to April 30.
• Lufthansa Group: Tel Aviv suspended through April 2; Beirut, Dubai, Amman, Erbil and Abu Dhabi until March 28; Tehran through April 30.
• Malaysia Airlines: All flights to Doha suspended until March 20.
• Norwegian Air: Plans to start Tel Aviv and Beirut on June 15 instead of April 1 and April 4.
• Pegasus Airlines: Iran, Iraq, Amman, Beirut, Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah canceled until April 12; Riyadh until March 23.
• Qatar Airways: Scheduled operations temporarily suspended because of Qatari airspace closure; a revised limited number of flights will operate March 18–28.
• Turkish Airlines: Canceled flights to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Dammam until March 19, and to Iran until March 20.
• Wizz Air: Flights to Israel suspended until March 29 and to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman and Jeddah from mainland Europe until mid-September.

This list is according to Reuters.

Read more here.

Mar 18, 2026 at 11:38 AM EDT

Ratcliffe declines timeline but warns Iran’s missile program is advancing

C.I.A. Director John Ratcliffe declined to tell senators on Wednesday whether Iran could field a missile capable of reaching the United States within six months, but he stressed that Tehran’s long‑range capabilities are improving. Ratcliffe said Iran was “gaining experience” in developing missiles with greater reach, calling the trend a serious concern for U.S. national security.

He pointed to Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S. effort to dismantle Iran’s missile production network, as a critical step in limiting that progress. “Degrading Iran’s missile production capabilities… is so important to our national security,” he told lawmakers.

Mar 18, 2026 at 11:33 AM EDT

Qatari official warns strike on South Pars threatens global energy security

Qatar’s foreign ministry adviser Dr. Majed Al Ansari condemned Israel’s reported strike on facilities linked to Iran’s South Pars gas field, calling it a reckless escalation that endangers both regional stability and global energy supplies. South Pars is the Iranian extension of Qatar’s North Field, the world’s largest natural gas reservoir.

Al Ansari said targeting energy infrastructure is a “dangerous and irresponsible step” amid the current military tensions, warning that such actions pose risks not only to the people of the region but also to the environment and international energy markets.

He reiterated Qatar’s long‑standing position that vital facilities must not be attacked, urging all parties to show restraint, respect international law and work toward de‑escalation. His comments reflect growing concern among Gulf states that the conflict could spill over into critical energy corridors and production sites.

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Mar 18, 2026 at 11:20 AM EDT

Iran women’s national team returns home after anthem controversy and asylum drama

Iran’s national women’s soccer team has returned home, state media reported, ending days of uncertainty over their fate after several players refused to sing the national anthem at a tournament in Australia. The silent protest came just two days after the United States and Israel began their war with Iran, prompting Iranian state television to brand the players “traitors.” The team sang the anthem in their two subsequent Asian Cup matches but has not publicly addressed the controversy or the conflict.

Seven players initially sought asylum in Australia, though five later reversed their decision and traveled back to Iran. The semi‑official Fars news agency released video of the squad and coaching staff entering the country through the Bazargan border crossing with Turkey, where officials and supporters greeted them.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf praised the players in a message on X, calling them “the dear children of this land” and insisting they had not succumbed to “the malice” or “intimidation” of Iran’s enemies.

Two players who chose to remain in Australia have already joined a training session with a professional club there.

The situation drew international attention, including a public appeal from President Donald Trump, who urged Australia to grant asylum to the players amid concerns for their safety.

Mar 18, 2026 at 11:14 AM EDT

Israel poised to destroy Litani River bridges, legal experts warn of civilian impact

Israel is preparing to demolish 8–10 bridges over the Litani River, a move that would effectively sever southern Lebanon from the rest of the country, according to humanitarian expert Itay Epshtain. He warned that the legality of such strikes hinges on strict rules under international humanitarian law, including whether each bridge is being used for military purposes and whether the expected civilian harm would be disproportionate.

Epshtain noted that a bridge can be considered a legitimate military target only if its location or use provides a concrete military advantage. But if its military value is uncertain or minimal, it retains protected civilian status under Article 52(3) of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions.

Even when a bridge qualifies as a military objective, he said, the proportionality rule still applies. That requires weighing not just immediate casualties but the broader, foreseeable consequences — including cutting off civilian movement, blocking access to medical care, and hindering humanitarian aid. In southern Lebanon, where bridges are essential for evacuation and relief, those effects could be severe.

Epshtain added that international law also obligates militaries to take feasible precautions, such as disabling rather than destroying infrastructure when possible. He argued that the wholesale destruction of all Litani crossings would exceed what the law permits, given the scale of civilian dependence on them.

After a night spent in a safe room, he said he remained troubled by whether any military gain could outweigh the “inescapably severe” harm to hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians.

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Mar 18, 2026 at 11:07 AM EDT

French envoy says disarming Hezbollah impossible under Israeli bombardment

France’s special envoy for Lebanon, Jean‑Yves Le Drian, said Wednesday it is unrealistic to expect the Lebanese government to move against Hezbollah while the country is under heavy Israeli fire. Lebanese officials say more than 900 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since Hezbollah entered the regional war on March 2 in support of Iran.

“Israel occupied Lebanon for a very long time and failed to eradicate Hezbollah’s military capacity. Therefore, they cannot now ask the Lebanese government to do that job in three days under bombardment,” Le Drian told France Info radio. He stressed that only negotiations—not military pressure—can resolve the crisis.

Israel has already dismissed Beirut’s offer of direct talks as too late to be meaningful, despite President Joseph Aoun signaling readiness to negotiate and expressing support for disarming Hezbollah through a political process. Lebanese officials fear that any unilateral move against the group could risk civil war.

Hezbollah has rejected the idea of talks and continued fighting, even as France and the United States attempt to mediate. “There is a process of negotiation and discussion that is possible, but all the parties must want it,” Le Drian said.

Mar 18, 2026 at 10:54 AM EDT

U.S. gas prices hit highest level since 2023 as surge accelerates

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The average price of regular gasoline in the United States rose another 5 cents today, climbing to $3.84 a gallon, its highest level since September 25, 2023. The rapid rise has pushed prices to $4 or more in seven states, with California, Hawaii and Washington now averaging above $5.

The spike has been both steep and unusually fast. Over the past 18 days, the national average has jumped 86 cents—a 29% increase—placing it among the quickest price escalations on record. On a percentage basis, the surge is comparable to the shock that followed Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when the storm crippled Gulf Coast refining capacity.

Economists warn that if prices remain elevated, the impact could ripple through the broader economy. Gus Faucher, chief economist at The PNC Financial Services Group, estimates that maintaining current price levels for the rest of the year would add $100 billion in cumulative extra costs for consumers and businesses.

Mar 18, 2026 at 10:41 AM EDT

Oil prices jump as reports of strikes near South Pars rattle energy markets

International oil prices surged on Wednesday after Iranian state media claimed that U.S. and Israeli airstrikes had hit the South Pars gas field, a massive offshore deposit shared by Iran and Qatar. Brent crude climbed to around $108 a barrel, up from $103 earlier in the day, as traders reacted to the possibility that key energy infrastructure could become entangled in the widening conflict.

The reported strikes did not directly disrupt oil production or processing, but they underscored how vulnerable regional energy assets have become. South Pars is one of the world’s most important natural gas fields, and any threat to facilities in or around it can send shockwaves through global markets.

Mar 18, 2026 at 10:28 AM EDT

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warn Gulf residents to avoid energy sites amid new threats

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps on Wednesday urged people in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to stay away from major oil and gas facilities, warning that these sites could be targeted “in the coming hours.”

The announcement came shortly after Iranian state media reported U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field, one of the country’s most critical energy hubs. The reports have not been confirmed by Washington or Jerusalem, but they have heightened fears of a rapidly widening confrontation that could endanger key infrastructure across the Gulf.

State news agencies in Iran framed the warning as a direct response to the alleged attacks, signaling that energy installations in neighboring countries—many of which host U.S. military bases—may be viewed as potential targets.

Mar 18, 2026 at 10:15 AM EDT

WATCH: Joe Kent resigns as top US counterterrorism official over Iran

Mar 18, 2026 at 10:02 AM EDT

Kremlin condemns killing of senior Iranian officials in Israeli strike

The Kremlin on Wednesday sharply criticized Israel’s killing of two senior Iranian security figures, calling the strikes a violation of the sovereignty of a “sovereign and independent” nation.

“We firmly condemn actions aimed at harming the health and, even more, the killing of the leadership of sovereign and independent Iran. We condemn such actions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a daily briefing.

Mar 18, 2026 at 09:48 AM EDT

UAE says it has intercepted more than 2,000 Iranian missiles and drones

The United Arab Emirates has intercepted 327 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and nearly 1,700 drones launched from Iran since the war began, the country’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday, outlining the scale of the sustained attacks on the Gulf nation.

According to the ministry, the strikes have killed eight people—including two members of the UAE armed forces and six civilians of various nationalities. Dozens more have been injured in earlier waves of attacks.

Officials said Emirati air defenses were again active on Wednesday, intercepting 13 ballistic missiles and 27 drones in the latest barrage. The ministry did not immediately provide details on damage or casualties from the newest strikes.

Mar 18, 2026 at 09:46 AM EDT

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issue evacuation warning near Gulf oil sites

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday urged civilians living near five major oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to leave the areas immediately, warning that the sites could soon come under attack.

“Iranian state media reported the IRGC’s message: ‘Immediately leave these areas and move to a safe distance without any delay.’”

Mar 18, 2026 at 09:40 AM EDT

Iran halts gas flows to Iraq amid regional escalation, Al Hadath reports

Iran has completely stopped pumping natural gas to Iraq, according to a report from the Al Hadath correspondent on Wednesday. The abrupt cutoff comes as regional tensions surge following days of military escalation involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

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Mar 18, 2026 at 09:35 AM EDT

Tehran crowds mourn Larijani as Iran stages mass funeral rallies

Large crowds filled central Tehran on Wednesday for the funeral of Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, killed a day earlier in an Israeli strike. State television showed his coffin draped in the national flag as mourners chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” echoing long‑standing government slogans at moments of crisis.

Parallel ceremonies were held for Gholamreza Soleimani, the powerful head of the Basij militia, who died in the same wave of strikes. Both men were central figures in Iran’s security establishment, and their deaths have intensified public messaging from the government about unity and resistance.

Mar 18, 2026 at 09:24 AM EDT

Karoline Leavitt says U.S. energy supply not dependent on Hormuz

Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that the United States does not rely on the Strait of Hormuz for its domestic energy needs, downplaying concerns that escalating conflict in the region could disrupt U.S. supplies.

“We don’t need the Strait of Hormuz for our energy here at home for the American people,” Leavitt said on Fox News this morning.

Leavitt: "We don't need the Strait of Hormuz for our energy here at home for the American people"

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) March 18, 2026 at 9:15 AM

Mar 18, 2026 at 09:22 AM EDT

Zelensky warns Middle East war could drain U.S. missile supplies needed by Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is sounding the alarm that the expanding conflict in the Middle East could leave Ukraine short of critical air‑defense missiles, particularly U.S.-made Patriot interceptors.

In a new interview with the BBC, Zelensky said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on a prolonged confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, arguing that such a conflict would sap Western stockpiles and shift Washington’s attention away from Kyiv. “For Putin, a long war in Iran is a plus,” he said, warning that U.S. reserves and global air‑defense production lines could be stretched thin.

Zelensky noted that the U.S. manufactures roughly 60 to 65 Patriot missiles per month, yet more than 800 were fired on the first day of the Iran conflict alone. That pace, he said, guarantees a looming shortage. The question now, he added, is how quickly U.S. and allied stockpiles in the Middle East will be depleted.

The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly urged Washington and European partners to accelerate deliveries of Patriot interceptors, calling them essential to defending Ukrainian cities from Russian missile barrages. Earlier this month, he warned that Ukraine’s own Patriot missile supply was already running low.

Zelensky has also floated a weapons‑exchange arrangement, offering Ukrainian‑made interceptor drones to Gulf states under Iranian attack in return for additional Patriot missiles. He argues that Ukraine’s drone systems can help ease pressure on U.S. missile inventories while bolstering Kyiv’s defenses at a critical moment in the war.

Mar 18, 2026 at 09:09 AM EDT

U.S.–Israeli strikes reportedly hit key Iranian energy sites

Iran’s semi‑official media reported Wednesday that several of the country’s major oil and natural gas installations were struck in coordinated U.S. and Israeli attacks, marking what could be a significant escalation in the conflict.

According to Tasnim, explosions were reported at South Pars, one of the world’s largest natural gas fields, and in Asaluyeh, a hub for Iran’s oil and petrochemical operations. The outlet said the full extent of the damage remained unclear.

A separate report from Fars described “powerful explosions” at multiple refineries in Asaluyeh, adding that storage tanks and gas‑processing areas across several phases of the complex had been hit. Staff were evacuated to secure locations, and emergency crews were working to contain fires.

If verified, these would be the first direct strikes on Iran’s oil and gas production infrastructure since the war began—an escalation with potential implications for both Iran’s economy and global energy markets.

Mar 18, 2026 at 08:35 AM EDT

Major refinery in Iran hit by airstrikes: Iranian media

Iranian state-linked media is reporting that infrastructure associated with an energy refinery in the coastal Iranian city of Assaluyeh has been hit by air strikes.

The area is home to a vast natural gas field, known as South Pars. The site also hosts oil and petrochemical facilities.

"Several massive explosions" were heard and at least one fire broke out, Iran's Fars news agency reported.

Mar 18, 2026 at 08:10 AM EDT

Saudi Arabia intercepts drones, missile debris falls near airbase

Saudi authorities said in a series of updates overnight into Wednesday the country's air defenses had intercepted at least 18 drones, including two uncrewed vehicles around part of the capital city hosting international embassies.

Riyadh's defense ministry also said debris from an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile had fallen close to the Prince Sultan Airbase, which hosts U.S. aircraft and troops. There was no damage reported.

Mar 18, 2026 at 07:14 AM EDT

Photos show destruction at Ramat Gan missile site

We're seeing pictures of people in central Israel dipping down into bomb shelters ahead of Iranian ballistic missile strikes on Ramat Gan, an area just outside Tel Aviv.

Emergency services said two people had been killed by shrapnel, while Iranian officials described the attacks as a response to the Israeli killing of Iranian security chief, Ali Larijani, on Tuesday.

Photos from Ramat Gan show debris strewn around cars, with Israeli and American flags draped along a fence.

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Mar 18, 2026 at 07:04 AM EDT

Iranian intelligence minister killed: Israel

Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, said on Wednesday Israel had killed Iran's intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib.

Israel's military separately said the top intelligence official had been killed on Wednesday in a "targeted strike" on the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Khatib was appointed in 2021 when Iran's slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the first day of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, was still alive. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Khatib had been key in the repression of widespread protests in Iran from December last year, as well as from 2022.

The Israeli confirmation of Khatib's death comes a day after an Israeli strike killed Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, and a senior paramilitary commander.

Mar 18, 2026 at 06:43 AM EDT

Dramatic footage, photos show Beirut building collapse after Israeli strike

A clip widely circulating online on Wednesday appears to show a residential building collapsing in central Beirut moments after an Israeli air strike on the Lebanese capital.

In the video, a projectile can be seen hitting the building before the entire structure topples forward, dark smoke billowing up around it.

Images from Wednesday morning also capture the multi-story structure teetering over, enveloped in smoke. Photos from the scene around the building show damaged cars, debris scattered over the streets and blown-out windows.

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Mar 18, 2026 at 06:13 AM EDT

UAE intercepts Iranian missiles, drones

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said its air defenses had intercepted several waves of Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks overnight, with no injuries reported.

The Emirati defense ministry issued four separate updates into early on Wednesday, saying the country's air defenses were operating against incoming threats.

Authorities in the major city of Dubai said on Wednesday all threats had been intercepted and no one had been hurt.

Mar 18, 2026 at 06:05 AM EDT

Iran launches missile attack on Qatar

Qatar's government said on Wednesday its air defenses had intercepted a fresh Iranian missile attack on the Gulf state.

The Qatari defense ministry did not specify how many missiles were launched at the country, nor if there was any damage from the attack.

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Mar 18, 2026 at 05:54 AM EDT

Iran executes alleged Israeli spy: State media

Iran has executed a man accused of being an "Israeli spy," Iranian state media is reporting on Wednesday.

The man, named by Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency as Koroush Keyvani, was reportedly detained in June 2025, during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel.

He was accused of giving information about sensitive Iranian sites to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency after receiving espionage training in several European countries and inside Israel, according to state media reports.

Newsweek could not independently verify this information.

Mar 18, 2026 at 05:26 AM EDT

Iran claims to hit over 100 targets in central Israel overnight

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it used several types of missiles to strike "more than 100 military and security targets" in attacks that killed two people in central Israel overnight.

Tehran fired at least four types of medium-range ballistic missiles on the Tel Aviv area in retaliation for the killing of its top security chief, Ali Larijani, in an Israeli attack on Tuesday, state-linked media reported.

As a reminder, emergency services in Israel said two people had been killed in Ramat Gan, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

Mar 18, 2026 at 05:03 AM EDT

At least six people killed in Beirut as Israel issues evacuation orders for south

Lebanese health officials said on Wednesday at least six people have been killed and 24 more injured after Israeli attacks on the country's capital, Beirut.

The Israeli military said it had targeted the financial arm of Iran-backed Hezbollah, the Al-Qard al-Hassan Association, and individuals linked to Hezbollah in overnight strikes on Beirut.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, reiterated a warning for those south of the Zahrani River in Lebanon to immediately head north as Israel prepared to carry out fresh operations in the area on Wednesday. The IDF had expanded its evacuation order to include all areas south of the Zahrani River on Thursday.

"Remaining south of the Zahrani River may endanger your lives and the lives of your families," Adraee said.

Mar 18, 2026 at 04:43 AM EDT

Two people killed in overnight Iranian attack on Israel

Two people were killed in an overnight Iranian attack on central Israel, emergency services said, after Iran vowed to retaliate for an Israeli strike that took out Tehran's top security official on Tuesday.

A man and a woman, both in their 70s, died after sustaining "serious shrapnel injuries" in Ramat Gan, just outside of Tel Aviv, Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) medical personnel said. A 25-year-old in the nearby area of Bnei Brak was admitted to hospital with "minor" shrapnel injuries, MDA said.

Iran's military had promised a "decisive" response after Israeli attacks killed Ali Larijani, the most senior Iranian official to be killed since the first day of the war, on Tuesday.

Mar 18, 2026 at 04:25 AM EDT

Iranian attack damages Australian base in UAE

An Iranian "projectile" struck close to the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which hosts Australian troops, Australian officials said on Wednesday.

No Australian military personnel were hurt in the attack that caused "minor damage" to an accommodation area and a medical facility in the Australian part of the base, Australian authorities said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony ​Albanese separately told reporters the "projectile" had hit a road leading up to the base and sparked a "small fire."

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