Amanda CastroEllie CookJohn Feng

By Amanda Castro, Ellie Cook, and John Feng

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The U.S. and several regional mediators are exploring whether high‑level peace talks with Iran could begin as early as Thursday, according to a report from Axios, but officials say they are still awaiting a formal response from Tehran. The potential summit comes as Washington tests a diplomatic opening while simultaneously preparing for further military escalation.

Here's what to know on day 25:

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Mar 24, 2026 at 08:00 PM EDT

Israeli woman killed by Hezbollah rocket in first civilian death of war

A 30‑year‑old woman was killed on Tuesday when a Hezbollah rocket fired from Lebanon struck northern Israel, according to emergency services. She is the first Israeli civilian to die from Hezbollah fire since the cross‑border fighting erupted at the start of the month.

Two other civilians were lightly wounded by shrapnel in the same attack, which occurred in the Upper Galilee, responders said.

The latest escalation comes amid near‑daily exchanges of fire since March 2, when Hezbollah launched a large rocket barrage two days after Israel and the United States began their war with Iran. An Israeli military official said Hezbollah has been firing 90 to 110 projectiles a day, with most aimed at Israeli forces operating inside Lebanon and the remainder targeting civilian areas in the north.

In a separate incident Tuesday, also in the Upper Galilee, two people were lightly injured by shrapnel from an Iranian missile launch, authorities said.

Mar 24, 2026 at 07:47 PM EDT

Tax refund warning issues over rising gas prices

A surge in U.S. gasoline prices following the start of the Iran war could wipe out the larger tax refunds promised under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), according to a new analysis by economists at Stanford University.

The Trump administration has touted 2025 as the “largest tax refund season in U.S. history,” with estimates suggesting average refunds could reach roughly $3,800. But Stanford researchers say those gains are being overtaken by higher fuel costs, which have climbed sharply since the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, disrupting oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Crude prices have since jumped above $100 per barrel, pushing the national average for gasoline to $3.98 per gallon, up more than a dollar in a month, according to AAA. The Stanford team — along with former Council of Economic Advisers chair Jared Bernstein — estimates the typical household will spend an extra $68 on gas this month and $740 over the rest of the year.

Their model draws on Goldman Sachs’ updated oil forecast, which now expects Brent crude to average $110 per barrel in March and April if the strait remains closed for several weeks.

The impact will vary: non‑drivers and electric‑vehicle owners won’t see higher fuel costs, while long‑distance commuters will feel the sharpest hit. Refund sizes also differ widely across households.

The findings come as the White House insists the price spike is temporary. Trump has said he expected fuel costs to rise after authorizing strikes in Iran but argued the situation “could have been much worse.” Vice President JD Vance has called the increase a “temporary blip.”

Administration officials say they are weighing options to ease global oil prices and argue that once U.S. objectives in Iran are met, energy markets will stabilize. Analysts caution that any meaningful relief depends on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring normal oil production.

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.

Read more about it here.

Mar 24, 2026 at 07:34 PM EDT

Hezbollah condemns Lebanon’s expulsion of Iranian ambassador as ‘reckless’

Hezbollah sharply criticized the Lebanese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday for declaring Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani persona non grata and ordering him to leave the country by Sunday.

In a statement posted on Telegram, the group said it “rejects” the decision, calling it “reckless and condemnable” and accusing the government of bowing to pressure from foreign powers. Hezbollah said the move amounted to a “coup” against Lebanon’s national interests.

The group dismissed the government’s justification — that Sheibani had interfered in Lebanon’s internal affairs — as a “flimsy pretext” and a “malicious political decision” lacking any sense of responsibility. It argued that authorities should instead be focused on unifying the country against ongoing Israeli attacks.

Earlier in the day, Lebanon not only revoked Sheibani’s accreditation but also summoned its own ambassador to Iran for consultations, citing what it described as Tehran’s violations of diplomatic norms. The decision marks a significant escalation in Beirut’s handling of its relationship with Iran amid the intensifying regional war.

Mar 24, 2026 at 07:21 PM EDT

Qatar says it is not mediating between U.S. and Iran as focus shifts to national defense

Qatar is not involved in any mediation between Washington and Tehran, a notable departure from its long‑standing role as a regional go‑between, Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al‑Ansari said Tuesday. Speaking at his weekly briefing in Doha, al‑Ansari said the government’s attention is fixed on defending the country after repeated attacks linked to the widening war.

“Our focus at this time is entirely dedicated to defending our country and addressing the losses resulting from the various attacks that the State of Qatar has endured,” he said.

Al‑Ansari added that there has been no communication with Iran beyond an early‑war phone call between the two foreign ministers. His comments came a day after President Trump claimed the U.S. and Iran were engaged in “very strong talks” to end the conflict — a claim Iran has denied.

Qatar, which has historically played a central diplomatic role in the Gulf, now says it is not part of any discussions “if they exist.” Al‑Ansari also said trust between Gulf states and Tehran has eroded sharply. “It’s now up to the Iranians, post this war, to decide how they’re going to rebuild the trust that was lost due to their attacks on our sovereignty,” he said.

Since the U.S.‑Israel campaign against Iran began on Feb. 28, Tehran has launched thousands of missiles and drones at Israel and several Gulf nations, including Qatar. Recent strikes on Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest LNG export hub, caused severe damage that could take up to five years to repair, al‑Ansari said.

He added that the Gulf Cooperation Council will need to overhaul its collective defense system once the fighting ends, saying the war has “shattered” long‑held assumptions about regional security.

Mar 24, 2026 at 07:08 PM EDT

Turkiye says gas flows from Iran uninterrupted despite earlier reports

Turkiye’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Tuesday that natural gas deliveries from Iran are continuing normally, pushing back on earlier media claims that supplies had been halted. Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Bayraktar said the country’s gas storage sites are currently 71 percent full, leaving Turkiye in a stable position.

“There are no problems with the gas flow from Iran,” Turkish outlets quoted him as saying, directly contradicting reports that suggested a disruption.

Mar 24, 2026 at 06:55 PM EDT

Israeli strikes hit multiple towns in southern Lebanon, health ministry says

Israeli artillery and drone attacks struck several areas across southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to colleagues reporting from the ground. Shelling hit as‑Sultaniyeh, Khirbet Selm, and Majdal Selem, while a drone strike targeted the town of Shahour.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said at least 14 people were wounded in a separate Israeli airstrike on the Al‑Alam roundabout in the southern city of Tyre, one of the most densely populated areas in the region.

Additional Israeli strikes were reported in Kfar Tebnit and Mahrouna, continuing a pattern of near‑daily bombardment across the south.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it fired a guided rocket at Israeli forces inside a house in Qouzah, claiming a direct hit. The group did not provide casualty details, and Israel has not commented on the claim.

Mar 24, 2026 at 06:42 PM EDT

WATCH: Is Trump actually talking to Iran about ending the war? Everything we know

Mar 24, 2026 at 06:29 PM EDT

UAE says contractor killed, five soldiers injured in Iranian missile strike

The United Arab Emirates’ armed forces and Defence Ministry said Tuesday that a civilian contractor working with the military was killed in a missile strike launched from Iran, marking the first confirmed Emirati fatality of the conflict. Five members of the UAE armed forces were also wounded and later evacuated to hospital, the statement said.

The announcement represents a significant escalation for the UAE, which until now had avoided direct casualties among its service members. The incident is expected to further strain already tense relations between Abu Dhabi and Tehran, as the regional war continues to widen.

Mar 24, 2026 at 06:16 PM EDT

What to know about Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr

Iran has named Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a hard‑line former deputy commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as its new national security adviser, replacing Ali Larijani, who was killed in an Israeli strike last week. The appointment was announced Tuesday by a senior aide to President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Zolghadr is not widely known among ordinary Iranians, but he has spent decades helping the Revolutionary Guards expand their political footprint. Analysts say his elevation underscores how firmly military hard‑liners have consolidated power during the war. Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies wrote that the conflict has “accelerated” the long‑running trend of growing IRGC dominance.

The Guards remain central to Iran’s security apparatus, overseeing missile and drone programs, protecting nuclear sites, managing proxy militias across the region, and controlling significant parts of the economy.

Larijani, despite overseeing a deadly crackdown on protesters in January, was viewed as a pragmatic figure who could bridge Iran’s military and political factions. His death raised concerns that the armed forces would tighten their grip even further.

Zolghadr has long been aligned with Iran’s most hard‑line currents. He played a key role in helping Mahmoud Ahmadinejad win the presidency in 2005 and later served as deputy interior minister. During heightened tensions with the United States under President George W. Bush, he warned that Iran would unleash “tens of thousands of missiles” if attacked.

He later became a senior adviser within the judiciary and, since 2021, has led the Expediency Discernment Council, which advises Iran’s supreme leader. His militant background stretches back to the pre‑1979 armed struggle against the Shah and to cross‑border operations during the Iran‑Iraq War.

Mar 24, 2026 at 06:03 PM EDT

Pezeshkian says regional outrage against U.S. and Israel is growing

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that public anger toward the United States and Israel is intensifying across the Middle East and beyond, accusing both countries of committing “crimes” in the ongoing war.

In a message posted on social media, Pezeshkian said people in Pakistan, Turkiye, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and several Arab states were openly expressing their rejection of U.S. and Israeli actions. “The hearts of the free people of the world are not with the Zionists,” he wrote.

Pezeshkian added that long‑term stability in the region depends on cooperation among neighboring countries and respect for the political will of their populations, framing regional unity as the only path to ending the conflict.

Mar 24, 2026 at 06:00 PM EDT

Trump says Iran talks continuing, signals openness to cease-fire

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that negotiations with Iran are ongoing, telling reporters in the Oval Office that several senior members of his team — including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, adviser Steve Witkoff, and his son‑in‑law Jared Kushner — are now involved in the discussions. Trump said Iran appears willing “to make a deal.”

Asked why he seemed more open to considering a cease-fire, Trump offered a brief explanation: “They’re talking to us and they’re making sense,” he said.

Mar 24, 2026 at 05:50 PM EDT

Israel says it killed Quds Force member in strike near Beirut

Israel’s military said Tuesday that its forces carried out a strike in Hazmieh, just east of Beirut, killing a man it identified as a member of Iran’s Quds Force. The operation, according to the army and the Shin Bet security agency, was conducted by naval units on Monday.

The individual, named as Mohammad Ali Kourani, was accused by Israel of helping coordinate attacks for groups aligned with Iran. The Quds Force is the external‑operations arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Officials in Iran and Lebanon have not responded publicly to the claim, and no independent confirmation has emerged.

Mar 24, 2026 at 05:37 PM EDT

Erdogan says Turkey mobilizing ‘all resources’ to pursue peace as war hits economy

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Turkey will continue using “all its resources” to push for an end to the U.S.–Israel war on Iran, warning that the conflict is inflicting economic damage not only on Turkey but on countries across the world.

Erdogan said the government is weighing additional steps to shield the Turkish economy from the fallout of the regional war, which has driven up energy prices and intensified financial pressures at home. He did not specify which measures were under consideration but signaled that Ankara is preparing for prolonged instability.

Mar 24, 2026 at 05:24 PM EDT

United Airlines warns fares may rise if oil prices stay elevated

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said Tuesday that ticket prices may need to increase if the Middle East war continues to disrupt global energy supplies and keep fuel costs high. Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Kirby said the airline is facing a sharp jump in expenses tied to the surge in oil.

“If oil prices stay where they are today, that’s 11 billion of expense for us, and that would require prices to be up 20 percent to break even, to cover that cost,” he said.

Mar 24, 2026 at 05:19 PM EDT

IAEA says new projectile hit Bushehr nuclear plant grounds, no damage reported

The International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday it was informed by Iran that another projectile struck the grounds of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, marking the second such incident reported during the ongoing regional conflict. According to Iranian authorities, the strike caused no damage to the facility and no injuries among staff, and operations at the plant remain normal.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated his call for “maximum restraint,” warning that any military activity near nuclear sites carries inherent risks and could undermine safety systems designed to prevent a radiological emergency.

View this post on X

Mar 24, 2026 at 05:11 PM EDT

Six peshmerga fighters killed in Iranian missile strikes near Erbil, officials say

At least six Kurdish Peshmerga fighters were killed and 30 others wounded early Tuesday when Iranian missiles struck two military positions north of Erbil, according to officials in Iraqi Kurdistan. The attack marks Iran’s first direct strike on Peshmerga forces since the regional war began.

The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs said Iran fired six missiles in two separate barrages, hitting the headquarters of one infantry division and targeting another in the Soran district near the Iranian border. The ministry condemned the assault and urged Baghdad and international partners to intervene to halt what it called ongoing Iranian aggression.

Iraq’s federal government also denounced the strikes, saying both the attacks on the Peshmerga and earlier strikes on Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) positions were violations of Iraqi sovereignty. The cabinet said it remained committed to protecting the country’s territorial integrity.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated that the region has maintained a policy of non‑involvement in the wider Middle East conflict. He called the missile strikes “a direct hostile act” with no justification.

Mar 24, 2026 at 04:58 PM EDT

Lebanese President says war could have been averted if Israel honored 2024 withdrawal deal

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Tuesday that the current conflict with Israel would not have erupted had Israel carried out its obligations under the 2024 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. In remarks shared on X, Aoun said the war “could have been avoided” if Israel had pulled back from southern areas it continued to hold.

Aoun made the comments during a meeting with British Vice Adm. Edward Ahlgren, using the moment to highlight Israel’s intensified strikes on Beirut and its recent targeting of infrastructure along the Litani River. He said the destruction of bridges linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country was aimed at cutting off entire communities.

“Israel’s bombing of bridges aims to isolate villages and towns south of the Litani River from the rest of Lebanon, with all the negative consequences resulting from this condemned act,” Aoun said.

Mar 24, 2026 at 04:45 PM EDT

Woman killed in northern Israel after cross-border fire from Lebanon

A woman was killed and two people were injured in northern Israel on Tuesday after a series of rockets and drones were launched from Lebanon, according to the Israeli military and emergency responders.

Eli Bin, who heads Israel’s national emergency service, said the woman was hit by a “large projectile,” though officials have not yet determined whether it came from a rocket, a drone strike, or debris from an interception in the air.

Mar 24, 2026 at 04:32 PM EDT

Confusion deepens over U.S.–Iran contacts as both sides issue contradictory claims

Conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran over whether they are engaged in talks to end the regional war have injected fresh volatility into global financial and energy markets. The uncertainty follows a dramatic shift in messaging from President Trump, who over the weekend threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power grid if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within 48 hours.

By Monday, Trump announced a five‑day pause on those strikes, saying the U.S. had held “productive conversations” with Iranian officials. He later told CNN that Iran wanted to “make a deal,” claiming discussions with a “top person” in the regime and asserting there were “major points of agreement,” though he offered no details.

Iran flatly denied any such contact. Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed reports of back‑channel communication as fabricated, accusing the U.S. and Israel of spreading “fake news” to influence oil markets and distract from battlefield setbacks.

Analysts say Tehran is unlikely to trust Washington after being bombed twice during previous diplomatic efforts. Sanam Vakil of Chatham House told CNN that Iran would demand credible guarantees it will not face further U.S. or Israeli attacks. President Masoud Pezeshkian has also said Iran expects compensation for wartime destruction and will not surrender its missile or drone programs.

Despite the denials, several countries are attempting to capitalize on even the faintest opening for diplomacy. Turkey’s foreign minister has spoken with Iran, Egypt, the U.S. and the EU about possible off‑ramps, while Pakistan says it is prepared to host talks in Islamabad, with sources telling CNN that Vice President JD Vance could attend.

Israel, however, appears unmoved. An Israeli official told CNN that a deal to end the Iran war is not “tangible right now,” as Israel continues its campaigns against both Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Mar 24, 2026 at 04:19 PM EDT

France warns Israel against ground push into southern Lebanon

France urged Israel on Tuesday to halt plans for a ground operation in southern Lebanon, warning that such a move would worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis. Foreign Minister Jean‑Noel Barrot told AFP that Paris is calling on Israel “to refrain from such ground operations,” saying they would have “major humanitarian consequences” for a country already under immense strain.

His remarks came after Israel announced its intention to take control of territory up to the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometers from the border. The area has become a focal point of Israel’s expanding campaign against Hezbollah.

Mar 24, 2026 at 04:06 PM EDT

Netanyahu’s war, Trump’s peace: Analysis

Israel’s air campaign over Iran is intensifying again, with strikes in and around Tehran on Tuesday, even as U.S. President Donald Trump says a diplomatic off-ramp is emerging, and with it a core tension in the alliance.

Jerusalem is committed to sustained military pressure on the Iranian regime, while Washington, burned by spiraling oil prices, has signaled a desire for negotiations and a path toward de-escalation.

The conflict began as a joint U.S.-Israeli effort, but it could end as a test of who really sets strategy when allied priorities diverge.

With Trump publicly touting talks as Israel escalates, the question is whether Washington is directing events or being carried along by them.

Read more here.

Mar 24, 2026 at 03:53 PM EDT

WATCH: Iran missile strikes Tel Aviv residential building

Mar 24, 2026 at 03:40 PM EDT

Iraq condemns strikes on PMF and Kurdish forces as regional tensions deepen

Iraq’s presidency issued two separate statements Tuesday denouncing deadly attacks on both the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and Kurdish units operating inside the country, calling the incidents violations of national sovereignty at a moment of widening regional conflict.

The condemnation followed a U.S. airstrike on the PMF’s command headquarters in Anbar, which killed at least 14 people, including the group’s regional operations commander. Hours later, authorities in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region accused Iran of launching two ballistic missile strikes on Kurdish forces, killing six fighters and injuring 30 others.

In its first statement, the presidency described the attack on the PMF as a “criminal” act that breached Iraq’s territorial integrity. A separate message criticized the strike on Peshmerga positions, calling the Kurdish forces a “fundamental pillar of the national defense system.”

Mar 24, 2026 at 03:27 PM EDT

Iranian Red Crescent says 17 of its centers hit in U.S.–Israeli strikes

The Iranian Red Crescent said Tuesday that 17 of its facilities have been struck since the start of the U.S.–Israeli military campaign, highlighting the growing toll on the country’s humanitarian infrastructure.

The organization also reported that 94 ambulances and one relief vehicle affiliated with the society have been damaged or destroyed in the attacks.

Mar 24, 2026 at 03:14 PM EDT

Teenager killed in Israeli operation in southern Lebanon, health ministry says

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported Tuesday that a 15‑year‑old boy was killed and another person wounded during an Israeli operation in the country’s south. The incident took place at dawn in the town of Halta, in the Hasbaya district.

According to the National News Agency, the Health Emergency Operations Centre said Israeli forces entered the town and abducted a resident during the raid. The ministry said the operation unfolded under heavy gunfire, which led to the teenager’s death and left another individual injured.

Mar 24, 2026 at 03:01 PM EDT

Israel signals deeper push into Lebanon as Katz outlines expanded control zone

Israel’s defense minister said Tuesday that the military intends to widen the territory it controls in southern Lebanon, signaling a further escalation of its ground campaign against Hezbollah. In a statement, Israel Katz said Israel plans to hold the area south of the Litani River, a stretch of land that has long marked a dividing line in clashes between the two sides.

Katz did not specify whether Israeli troops would be deployed across the entire zone or whether parts of it would be controlled primarily through airpower. His remarks also hinted that Israel may remain in significant portions of Lebanese territory even as President Trump attempts to open channels with Iran to halt the regional war.

Katz said displaced Lebanese residents would not be allowed to return to communities south of the Litani until northern Israel is considered secure. He also confirmed that Israeli forces destroyed five bridges along the river, claiming Hezbollah used them to move reinforcements. Those crossings are also essential for civilians who rely on them for medical access and daily travel.

Israel previously maintained several outposts inside Lebanon following a 2024 cease-fire, but some members of the Israeli government are now pushing for a far broader buffer zone. Hard‑line finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said this week that the current campaign “must end” with the Litani River serving as Israel’s new northern boundary.

Israel’s latest operation began earlier this month after Hezbollah fired rockets in support of Iran following the joint U.S.–Israeli strike on Tehran on Feb. 28. Since then, Israel has launched a ground maneuver aimed at pushing Hezbollah fighters away from the border and has carried out extensive airstrikes across Lebanon, including in Beirut, causing widespread destruction and more than 1,000 deaths, according to Lebanese health officials.

Mar 24, 2026 at 02:49 PM EDT

Countries turn to emergency measures as oil prices spike worldwide

Governments across multiple regions are rolling out urgent policies to cushion their economies from soaring oil prices driven by the Middle East war. While several nations — including South Korea, China, Croatia and Hungary — have imposed caps on fuel prices, others are adopting far more sweeping interventions to manage shortages and rising costs.

In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a national energy emergency, giving his administration broader authority to coordinate responses to supply disruptions and stabilize essential sectors. State media said the move is intended to help the country navigate mounting risks to both the economy and daily life.

Pakistan has taken a different approach. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced strict austerity rules, including shutting schools, banning official foreign travel and ordering half of public and private employees to work from home to conserve fuel.

Sri Lanka introduced a rationing system that limits when drivers can refuel. Under the new rules, vehicles with even‑numbered license plates can buy fuel only on even‑numbered days, with the same restriction applied to odd numbers.

In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto is pushing to expand coal production to offset pressure on the energy sector. The government has also encouraged work‑from‑home arrangements to reduce fuel consumption, according to state media.

Greece is offering financial support to ease the burden on households and businesses. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the government will provide subsidies for fuel and fertilizers, along with discounted ferry travel, as rising energy costs ripple through the economy.

Mar 24, 2026 at 02:36 PM EDT

Why power plant attacks are huge escalation in Iran war

Iran has announced a wide series of targets to retaliate against the U.S. and Israel, putting critical infrastructure that provides water and supplies energy in the region at risk.

Iranian media has circulated a list of sites in the Middle East which would be in Tehran’s crosshairs should President Donald Trump make good on the threat he made on Saturday to hit Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure.

Trump rowed back on that threat on Monday, announcing a five-day pause as he touted talks with Iran which the Islamic Republic has denied are even taking place, but Tehran has threatened to target water, energy and technology sites.

“The threats by both sides to target critical energy infrastructure definitely mark an escalation in the conflict,” James Caldwell, senior analyst at threat intelligence firm Flashpoint told Newsweek.

Continue reading here.

Mar 24, 2026 at 02:23 PM EDT

Lebanon says war ‘could have been avoided’ as Israel expands operations toward Litani River

The Lebanese presidency said Tuesday that the war “could have been avoided” had Israel responded to longstanding calls to withdraw from occupied areas in the country’s south. The statement came hours after Israel declared its intention to push control up to the Litani River, a key waterway roughly 30 kilometers north of the border.

In a post on X, the presidency quoted President Joseph Aoun as saying Israel’s destruction of five bridges in the region was aimed at “isolating villages and towns south of the Litani from the rest of the Lebanese regions.” Israel has said the crossings were used by Hezbollah to move fighters and weapons.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops will establish a security zone extending to the Litani and that displaced Lebanese residents will not be allowed to return until northern Israel is deemed secure.

Mar 24, 2026 at 02:16 PM EDT

Pentagon preparing to send 3,000 more U.S. troops to Middle East

The Pentagon is preparing to deploy roughly 3,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, expanding the growing U.S. military presence positioned to support operations related to the war in Iran, according to two defense officials.

The deployment would add to the thousands of U.S. Marines already moving toward the region. Officials stressed that no decision has been made to send American troops into Iran, but acknowledged the buildup marks a significant escalation in the U.S.–Israel campaign against Tehran.

The 82nd Airborne maintains a rapid‑response force capable of deploying worldwide within 18 hours, though it remains unclear whether the division would be tasked with missions inside Iran or positioned elsewhere in the region.

Mar 24, 2026 at 02:10 PM EDT

China urges diplomacy as Wang Yi speaks with Iran’s Araghchi

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging all sides to seize what he described as a narrowing window for diplomacy as the Middle East war grinds on. According to translated summaries from Chinese state media, Araghchi told Wang that Iran supports a “comprehensive ceasefire, not just a temporary one,” signaling Tehran’s desire for a broader halt to hostilities.

Araghchi also said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping but noted that vessels belonging to countries engaged in the conflict are not being granted passage. The waterway has become a central pressure point in the war, with global energy markets reacting sharply to disruptions.

Mar 24, 2026 at 02:06 PM EDT

U.S. and Iran weigh high-level talks as mediators await Tehran’s reply: Report

The United States and several regional mediators are exploring the possibility of holding high‑level talks with Iran as early as March 26, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The outreach, first reported by Axios, reflects Washington’s push to test whether diplomacy can slow or end the war even as fighting continues.

Officials say the U.S. has circulated a 15‑point proposal outlining conditions for a potential deal, though Iran has not publicly acknowledged agreeing to any of the terms. Tehran has denied President Trump’s claim that negotiations are underway, while confirming that messages have been exchanged through intermediaries.

Regional partners including Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkiye have been passing communications between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan has said it is prepared to host talks if both sides consent, a signal that planning for a possible summit is advancing despite uncertainty.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, are wary that any U.S.–Iran agreement could fall short of Israel’s objectives or limit its military freedom of action. They also question whether Iran has genuinely offered the concessions the U.S. has described.

Inside Iran, political turbulence and questions over who holds decision‑making authority have complicated the process. U.S. officials say they are still waiting for a definitive response from Tehran on whether it will participate in the proposed meeting.

Even as diplomatic channels are tested, the U.S. continues preparing for potential escalation, including the deployment of additional military units to the region. The White House has described the situation as fluid, with Trump signaling he is open to a deal but ready to resume strikes if talks fail to materialize.

Mar 24, 2026 at 01:57 PM EDT

Modi, Trump discuss Middle East crisis as India warns over Hormuz risks

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump held their first known call since the U.S.‑Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, with both leaders discussing the rapidly worsening situation in the Middle East and the growing risks around the Strait of Hormuz.

In separate posts on X, Modi and U.S. envoy to India Sergio Gor confirmed the conversation, with Modi stressing that India “supports de‑escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest.” He said keeping Hormuz “open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world,” underscoring the waterway’s importance to global energy flows.

The strait is especially critical for India, which relies on it for roughly 40 percent of its crude oil imports. Modi told Parliament on Monday that the conflict has already disrupted air travel, shipping routes and gas supplies, though he said India has sufficient reserves of petroleum, fertilizers and coal to manage short‑term shocks.

Mar 24, 2026 at 01:44 PM EDT

UAE contractor killed in Bahrain after Iranian missile strike, officials say

A Moroccan national working with the Emirati armed forces was killed in Bahrain after an Iranian missile strike, the United Arab Emirates’ defense ministry said in a statement posted on social media. Five members of the Emirati military were also injured.

The ministry did not explain why Emirati personnel were operating in Bahrain, describing the incident only as occurring during “a routine mission.” Both countries are close security partners and have cooperated closely since the start of the regional conflict.

Mar 24, 2026 at 01:31 PM EDT

UAE Energy chief condemns Hormuz disruption as ‘economic terrorism’

The head of the United Arab Emirates’ state‑owned energy giant warned that Iran’s effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is inflicting global economic harm, calling the move “economic terrorism against every nation.” Speaking at the CERAWeek conference in Texas, ADNOC CEO Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said the world’s energy system is dangerously exposed when a single chokepoint is disrupted.

Without naming Iran directly, Al Jaber said the waterway — which normally carries roughly a fifth of global oil and gas shipments — has become a pressure point for the entire world. He noted that oil prices have surged nearly 40 percent since the war began on February 28, driving up living costs and slowing growth from “factories to farms to families.”

Al Jaber, who also serves as the UAE’s minister of industry and advanced technology, argued that no country should be allowed to hold the strait “hostage,” warning that the consequences of weaponizing Hormuz extend far beyond the region.

Mar 24, 2026 at 01:18 PM EDT

Saudi Arabia seeks end to Iran war but wants missile threat reduced

Saudi Arabia wants the Iran war brought to a close but insists that Tehran’s cruise and ballistic missile capabilities be significantly weakened before any settlement, a regional official familiar with Riyadh’s thinking told CNN. The official said the kingdom is pushing for a balance that curbs Iran’s ability to threaten its neighbors without inflicting widespread suffering on civilians.

Riyadh “can’t have an aggressive neighbor but also can’t have a population in Iran that is destitute,” the official said, describing the kingdom’s position as one shaped by geography and long‑term stability. “At the end of the day, we are neighbors and want a peaceful neighborhood.”

Mar 24, 2026 at 01:05 PM EDT

Israeli strikes kill paramedics in Nabatieh as attacks intensify

Israeli forces carried out a series of deadly strikes in and around Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, killing several people — including two paramedics — according to the National News Agency. The first attack targeted a motorcycle convoy at the northern entrance to the city, where two members of the Nabatieh ambulance team were killed while responding to emergencies.

The Nabatieh Ambulance Association said the men “gave their lives in service to their people,” describing them as dedicated responders carrying out humanitarian duties. The same location was reportedly hit again less than two hours later, though no additional casualties were immediately confirmed.

Elsewhere, a drone strike near the Nafaa building on the Jbeil–Nabatieh highway killed one person and wounded another, while another attack near Al‑Fayrouz Restaurant on the Haboush–Nabatieh road killed a Syrian man, the agency reported. Israeli warplanes also launched raids on Nabatieh al‑Fawqa, adding to the mounting toll as strikes across the region continue to escalate.

Mar 24, 2026 at 12:52 PM EDT

Israel signals deeper push into Lebanon, citing operations against Hezbollah

Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, said Monday that Israeli forces intend to push their control in Lebanon as far north as the Litani River, framing the advance as essential to operations against Hezbollah. He also confirmed that the military is applying the same urban‑clearance model used in last year’s Gaza war, where large sections of neighborhoods were demolished during efforts to counter what officials described as a renewed Hamas insurgency.

Katz said Tuesday that Israeli troops are now flattening homes in border villages, claiming the structures were being “used as terrorist positions.” He added that Israeli forces have destroyed all five bridges spanning the Litani River, arguing that Hezbollah relied on them to move fighters and weapons. The crossings are critical for civilians living south of the river, most of whom have already been displaced by weeks of fighting.

Mar 24, 2026 at 12:29 PM EDT

Energy markets won’t quickly recover even if Iran war ends, experts warn

An end to the Iran war would immediately ease pressure on global oil and natural gas markets, but analysts say it could take months before prices return to pre‑conflict levels. The biggest obstacle is the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping companies and insurers must first be convinced it is safe to resume transit. Nearly 2,000 vessels remain stuck inside the Persian Gulf, according to the International Maritime Organization, creating a massive backlog that will take time to unwind.

Production is another challenge. Many oil and gas facilities across the region have been shut down, and restarting them will not be quick. “It’s not like you switch the light button and everything comes back online,” said Anne‑Sophie Corbeau of Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, noting that damaged sites could take weeks to restart.

Some facilities face far longer delays. QatarEnergy said Iranian missile strikes had cut its liquefied natural gas export capacity by 17 percent, warning that repairs could take up to five years. The combination of disrupted shipping, damaged infrastructure and lingering security risks means energy markets are unlikely to stabilize quickly, even if diplomacy brings the fighting to a halt.

Mar 24, 2026 at 12:16 PM EDT

Lebanon expels appointed Iranian ambassador amid wartime tensions

Lebanon has revoked its approval of the newly appointed Iranian ambassador and ordered him to leave the country by Sunday, the foreign ministry confirmed. In a statement posted on X, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said he had instructed officials to summon Iran’s chargé d’affaires and formally declare Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani persona non grata, requiring his departure by March 29, 2026.

Raggi did not specify the reason for the expulsion, but the move follows Beirut’s earlier wartime measures restricting Iran’s influence, including banning Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps activity and imposing visa requirements on Iranian nationals.

Mar 24, 2026 at 12:03 PM EDT

Pakistan positions itself as possible host for U.S.–Iran talks

Pakistan has signaled its willingness to host potential negotiations between the United States and Iran, even as Tehran publicly denies that any talks are underway. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Islamabad “is always willing to host talks” if both sides agree, emphasizing its long‑standing support for diplomacy to stabilize the region.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed that message hours later, writing that Pakistan “stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks” to resolve the conflict.

Despite Iran’s denials, U.S. and Israeli media have reported that Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey have been relaying messages between Washington and Tehran as part of an effort to find an off‑ramp from a war that has triggered a global energy crisis. Some reports suggest Islamabad could host meetings later this week, with several possible formats under discussion.

Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach has intensified in recent days. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir spoke with President Trump, while Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held separate calls with Iranian and Turkish leaders. Analysts describe the moment as one of “tentative but fragile diplomatic movement,” significant enough to pause some military activity but far from a formal negotiation.

Tehran has outlined sweeping conditions for ending the war, including the closure of U.S. bases in the Gulf, reparations, and a new legal framework for the Strait of Hormuz. Washington has declined to detail any talks, calling them “sensitive diplomatic discussions.”

Mar 24, 2026 at 11:50 AM EDT

War in Iran drags down business confidence across Europe

The war in Iran is already weighing on companies in Europe and the United Kingdom, with new survey data showing rising costs, weakening confidence and slowing output growth across both regions.

The latest Purchasing Managers’ Index readings — based on monthly surveys of manufacturing and services executives — offer an early snapshot of the conflict’s global economic fallout. Chris Williamson, chief economist at S&P Global, said the Middle East war “stalled output growth while driving inflation sharply higher” in the UK during March. He warned that the full impact will hinge on how long the conflict lasts and how deeply it disrupts energy markets and shipping routes.

The picture is similarly bleak in the eurozone, where output growth across the 21 countries using the euro “slowed to near‑stagnation” as business confidence slumped. Companies reported the fastest rise in input costs in more than three years, driven by surging energy prices and renewed supply‑chain bottlenecks.

Williamson said the data is “ringing stagflation alarm bells,” pointing to the dangerous combination of rising prices and weakening growth. Both the UK and eurozone PMIs remained above the 50‑point threshold that signals expansion, but each fell sharply to multi‑month lows, underscoring how quickly the war is reshaping economic expectations.

Mar 24, 2026 at 11:37 AM EDT

Shakira concert in Qatar postponed as Gulf events face widespread disruptions

A concert by Shakira scheduled to take place in Qatar has been postponed because of the “regional situation,” according to the official events platform Qatar Calendar. The Colombian singer had been set to perform in Doha on April 1 as part of her world tour.

Organizers of the OFFLIMITS Music Festival in Abu Dhabi also announced Tuesday that the event — where Shakira and the Jonas Brothers were slated to perform on April 4 — has been pushed to November.

The postponements add to a growing list of cultural and sporting cancellations across the Gulf as the conflict between Iran and the United States continues to ripple through the region. Singer Josh Groban recently canceled concerts in Dubai and Bahrain, citing the same instability.

Formula 1 has also scrapped both of its April races in the Gulf, including events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, while a high‑profile football match between Spain and Argentina that was set for Qatar has been canceled.

Mar 24, 2026 at 11:24 AM EDT

Oil prices climb again as U.S. stocks slip at Tuesday’s open

Oil prices resumed their upward march on Tuesday as U.S. markets opened lower, extending the financial whiplash driven by the widening Middle East conflict. The S&P 500 fell 0.7 percent in early trading, giving back part of Monday’s 1.1 percent rally — its strongest single‑day gain since the war began.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose to roughly $103 a barrel after briefly dipping below $100 on Monday for the first time in about two weeks. The renewed climb underscored persistent concerns about supply disruptions and tightening global energy markets.

Mar 24, 2026 at 11:11 AM EDT

Israel intensifies strikes in Beirut after order to destroy Litani River bridges

The Israeli military said it carried out new strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut on Monday night, hours after Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the destruction of all bridges over the Litani River, severing key links between southern Lebanon and the rest of the country.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported seven overnight airstrikes—one of the heaviest barrages the capital has faced in recent days—as the IDF expanded evacuation warnings across the south and escalated attacks on roads, communications sites and other infrastructure.

“In the strikes conducted in Beirut, several Hezbollah headquarters were targeted,” the IDF said Tuesday, adding that a strike on Nur Radio was aimed at the group’s Radwan Forces, which it claimed were using the broadcaster’s facilities as a command site.

The military escalation coincided with incendiary remarks from Israel’s far‑right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who said the IDF was “expanding the buffer zone” in southern Lebanon and called for redrawing the border. He argued the current campaign should end with the Litani River becoming Israel’s new frontier, comparing it to buffer zones established in Gaza and Syria.

Mar 24, 2026 at 10:58 AM EDT

WATCH: Trump tries to pin Iran war push on Pete Hegseth

Mar 24, 2026 at 10:45 AM EDT

Qatar denies report sayingu.s.–Iran deal would close Al-Udeid base

A Qatari government spokesman has rejected a media report suggesting that a potential U.S.–Iran agreement could include shutting down the massive American‑run airbase at Al‑Udeid in Qatar.

He said the claim had no basis and stressed that, if anything, the current regional crisis is reinforcing—not weakening—the partnerships that Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council states maintain with the United States. The spokesman added that Doha views its security relationships as central to regional stability, particularly amid heightened tensions.

Mar 24, 2026 at 10:32 AM EDT

Germany’s president says Iran war violates international criminal law

Germany’s president, Frank‑Walter Steinmeier, said Tuesday that the war in Iran amounts to a violation of international criminal law, delivering one of the strongest critiques yet from a senior German official. Speaking at an event in Berlin, he suggested his own government had not been sufficiently clear in its condemnation of the conflict.

Steinmeier said there was little credible basis for the claim that the United States faced an imminent attack, arguing that the justification “does not hold water.” He went on to describe the war as a politically disastrous mistake, warning that its consequences would reverberate far beyond the immediate battlefield.

Mar 24, 2026 at 10:19 AM EDT

Three Palestinians injured in settler attack near Beit Imrin

Three Palestinians were injured in an attack by Israeli settlers near the village of Beit Imrin, northwest of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, the Wafa news agency reported Tuesday.

According to the report, settlers assaulted the men, damaged their vehicles and briefly detained them before releasing them later. Local officials said the incident is part of a pattern of escalating settler violence targeting Palestinian communities across the northern West Bank.

Mar 24, 2026 at 10:06 AM EDT

Qatar says no mediation underway as government focuses on security

Majed al‑Ansari, spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry, said Tuesday that Doha is not currently engaged in any mediation between the warring parties, marking a notable shift for a country long seen as a key regional negotiator. He said the government’s priority is defending the country and managing the fallout from recent attacks.

Al‑Ansari told reporters that the Gulf’s regional security framework has been overtaken by fast‑moving developments, calling for a reassessment of existing arrangements. He added that current defense agreements have proven effective despite the heightened threat environment.

Mar 24, 2026 at 09:52 AM EDT

US, France work to build naval coalition for Strait of Hormuz security

Defense officials say the UK, alongside France, is working to assemble a coalition of countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz “once conditions allow,” as threats to commercial shipping remain elevated.

British officials have offered to host a security conference in either Portsmouth or London to coordinate planning for the effort. Any mission, they said, would require a multinational naval presence to reassure merchant vessels, though escorting tankers is not currently possible because the threat level is too high.

Officials added that a future operation would likely rely on both crewed ships and autonomous vessels to clear safe routes and address the risk of mines. One defense official said he believes reports that mines have been laid “to be true,” though shipping lanes remain open and are still being used by a small number of tankers

Mar 24, 2026 at 09:38 AM EDT

Philippines declares national energy emergency amid Middle East war

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has placed the Philippines under a state of “national energy emergency,” warning that the conflict in the Middle East now poses an imminent threat to the country’s fuel supply and overall energy stability.

In an executive order released Tuesday, Marcos said the ongoing regional war has created “imminent danger” for the availability and reliability of domestic energy resources. The declaration gives the government expanded authority to manage supply disruptions, coordinate with private-sector providers and implement emergency measures if needed.

Mar 24, 2026 at 09:25 AM EDT

Iran names former guards commander Zolghadr as new security chief

Iran has appointed former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as its top security official, filling the post left vacant after the killing of Ali Larijani in an Israeli strike last week.

The announcement came Tuesday from presidential aide Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, who said on X that Zolghadr will serve as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. The move was made “with the approval and consent” of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and formalized by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Zolghadr is a veteran figure within Iran’s power structure. According to a résumé published by the semi‑official Tasnim news agency, he has held senior roles in the Revolutionary Guards, the judiciary, the interior ministry and the Expediency Discernment Council, which advises the supreme leader.

Mar 24, 2026 at 09:12 AM EDT

Rubio to join G7 diplomats in France for talks on global crises

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to France on Friday for high‑level discussions with top diplomats from the Group of 7 nations, the State Department said, as the U.S. seeks to coordinate responses to several escalating global crises.

Rubio is expected to use the previously scheduled meeting outside Versailles to press for continued unity on Iran, Russia’s war in Ukraine and what the department described as broader “threats across the world.” The gathering comes as Washington and its allies weigh next steps to confront Iran’s regional activities and sustain support for Kyiv.

Mar 24, 2026 at 08:59 AM EDT

Iran names new security chief to replace Larijani

Iranian media is reporting that the new head of the country's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has been named as Mohammad Baqir Zolqadr.

The former SNSC chief, Ali Larijani, was killed in an Israeli airstrike earlier this month. He was the most senior Iranian official to be killed in the war since the long-time Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died in the initial U.S. and Israeli strikes from February 28.

Zolqadr is a former commander in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and an ex-official in the Iranian interior ministry, as well as the judiciary, state-linked media reported.

Mar 24, 2026 at 07:44 AM EDT

Is Trump actually talking to the Iranians about ending the war?

While Trump insists U.S. officials are having productive conversations with Iran, the messaging coming out of Tehran is vastly different.

Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammed Qalibaf, said "no negotiations have been held" with the U.S. A report published by the Reuters news agency indicates that Egypt, Pakistan and Gulf states are stepping in as intermediaries, but no direct contact has taken place between the U.S. and Iran.

An unnamed senior Iranian foreign ministry official told CBS News Tehran had "received points from the U.S. through mediators" which could lead to talks.

Trump, meanwhile, told reporters on Monday the U.S. had reached "major ​points of agreement" with Tehran. The gaps between statements from the U.S. and Iran have kept global markets uncertain and oil prices high.

"Both sides in this conflict are proving to be unreliable narrators, and that's still causing nervousness," financial analyst Susannah Streeter told Newsweek on Monday.

Read the full analysis here.

Mar 24, 2026 at 06:55 AM EDT

Israel carries out new attacks on Iran

Israel's military has issued a new statement saying it has finished a "wide-scale wave of strikes" on Iranian production sites across the country.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not provide additional information on which areas had been targeted.

Mar 24, 2026 at 06:49 AM EDT

Footage shows US jets taking off from USS Abraham Lincoln

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East, has shared footage it says shows several fighter jets taking off from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier near Iran.

The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the Middle East in late January. The world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, was also deployed in the region as part of the massive U.S. military buildup ahead of the start of U.S. strikes on Iran.

But the U.S. Navy said the Ford arrived in Greece on Monday for "maintenance and repairs" after an onboard fire earlier in March.

Overnight, CENTCOM said that since the start of U.S. attacks on February 28, American forces had struck more than 9,000 Iranian targets and damaged or destroyed at least 140 Iranian vessels.

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Mar 24, 2026 at 05:29 AM EDT

Images show destruction in Tel Aviv after Iranian strike

More images are coming through of the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv overnight, which medical services said injured four people. A huge crater is visible in the middle of what appears to be a built-up area of the city, with emergency services on site.

An Israeli soldier walks on the rubble caused by an Iranian missile strike on Tel Aviv on March 24, 2026.

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Israeli security forces and rescue teams inspect the damage caused by an Iranian missile strike on Tel Aviv on March 24, 2026.

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Mar 24, 2026 at 05:19 AM EDT

Where did Iran strike overnight?

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