The stories that matter, when they happen.
Wednesday March 18 brought the war’s broadest single-night assault on Western military infrastructure — Iranian strikes damaged the US Naval Support Activity in Bahrain, hit the US section of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, and likely struck a German camp in Jordan. The US responded with B-2 stealth bombers hitting hardened Iranian underground sites with bunker-buster bombs. Israel assassinated Iran’s Intelligence Minister Khatib, dismantled 80+ Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, and continued airstrikes in Tehran. Trump raised alarm by saying he wouldn’t need Congress to quit NATO. Iran had now launched 61 attack waves.
Overnight — Dubai air defenses, Tel Aviv missiles, Hormuz strikes: Iran fired another missile wave at central Israel. Air defenses engaged over Dubai with interceptors visible citywide. US forces struck Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE emergency authority told residents to stay indoors.
Late night — B-2 bombers, IRGC revenge claim, Ramat Gan deaths: CENTCOM confirmed B-2 stealth bombers struck hardened Iranian underground sites with bunker-buster bombs — the most penetrating conventional weapon in the US arsenal. The IRGC claimed its Tel Aviv strike was revenge for Larijani’s killing. Two died in Ramat Gan. Widespread damage across central Israel.
Midnight — Trump NATO threat, MacDill Charlie, Bushehr hit: Trump said he wouldn’t need Congress to withdraw from NATO. MacDill AFB raised Force Protection to Charlie. Iran informed the IAEA a projectile struck the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Israel struck Beirut apartment blocks and ordered Hezbollah-area evacuations.
Pre-dawn — 61 waves, Gulf-wide engagement: Iran confirmed its 61st attack wave. Qatar intercepted a missile attack. Kuwait air defenses engaged simultaneously. An Iranian projectile struck near the Australian military HQ in the UAE with no casualties. A shooting at Holloman AFB in New Mexico left one dead.
Dawn — US bases struck across three countries: Iranian strikes caused extensive damage at the US Naval Support Activity in Bahrain. Satellite confirmed hits at the US section of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. An Iranian missile likely struck a German camp in Jordan. IDF issued urgent evacuation warnings south of the Zahrani River in Lebanon.
Morning — Intelligence Minister targeted, 80 Hezbollah sites dismantled: Israel attempted to assassinate Intelligence Minister Khatib at his home overnight with Israeli reports claiming he was killed. Iran’s FM issued a statement on the assassination. IDF dismantled 80+ Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon. Israel also eliminated Hamas supply commander Yahya Abu Labda.
Mid-morning — Patriot near Incirlik, UK-Ukraine drones, new missiles from Iran: NATO deploying another Patriot to southern Turkey near Incirlik. The IDF identified new Iranian missile launches. Iran invited the public to Larijani and Soleimani’s funeral. UK and Ukraine agreed to jointly sell drone technology. Putin and Ethiopia’s Abiy discussed nuclear energy cooperation.
Late morning — Beirut building levelled, IRGC multi-city attack, inflation surges: The IRGC claimed it targeted Acre, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Beersheba using Qadr multi-warhead missiles. Israeli airstrikes in Beirut reduced an 11-story building to rubble, killing around 20. Sweden confirmed a citizen was executed in Iran. US wholesale inflation rose 3.4% — the biggest jump in a year.
Afternoon — South Pars struck, Gulf evacuations begin, Khatib death confirmed: Israeli-American forces struck South Pars, the world’s largest natural gas field, in a US-coordinated attack causing fires and forcing multiple phases offline. Iran confirmed Intelligence Minister Khatib’s death. The IRGC issued evacuation warnings to Gulf energy facilities; Aramco evacuated the SAMREF refinery. Iraq said Iran’s gas supply was completely halted. Trump waived the Jones Act for energy commodities as US gas prices hit their highest since 2022.
Mid-afternoon — CENTCOM update, Trump vs NATO, Saudi missiles intercepted: CENTCOM: the US has struck 7,800+ targets in Iran and 120+ Iranian naval vessels. Iran pledged Gulf energy facility strikes in retaliation. Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles. Trump criticized UK PM Starmer for refusing to join the war, calling most NATO allies’ refusal a “very foolish mistake.” A potential Trump–Netanyahu split over ending the conflict was reported. Gabbard told the Senate Iran’s nuclear enrichment program was destroyed in June.
Iran · Energy · War · US
Israeli and American forces struck South Pars in a coordinated attack confirmed by a senior US official. Major fires erupted and multiple processing phases were taken offline. Iran immediately threatened Gulf energy facilities. Aramco evacuated the SAMREF refinery. Iraq reported Iran’s gas exports were completely halted.
Read more →Iran · Gulf · Energy · Saudi Arabia
Following South Pars, Iran’s IRGC issued evacuation warnings to Gulf facilities. Aramco evacuated SAMREF. Iran pledged Gulf energy strikes. Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles.
Read more →US · Iran · CENTCOM · Military
US Central Command’s Wednesday update: 7,800+ Iranian targets struck, 120+ naval vessels hit. US is also striking Iranian anti-ship positions along the Strait of Hormuz.
Read more →US · UK · NATO · War
Trump rebuked UK PM Starmer for not joining the Iran operation and said most NATO allies declined to participate. US officials reported a potential Trump–Netanyahu split over ending the conflict.
Read more →Israel · Lebanon · Beirut · War
Israeli airstrikes destroyed an 11-story building in Beirut, killing approximately 20. UNIFIL reported heavy fire and Israeli forces operating inside Lebanese territory.
Read more →Saudi Arabia · Iran · Defense
Saudi air defenses destroyed two Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at the Eastern Province — home to Aramco’s Abqaiq and Ras Tanura facilities. Air raid sirens also sounded in Bahrain.
US · UK · NATO · War
Trump publicly rebuked UK PM Starmer. Most NATO allies told him they won’t join the operation. US officials also reported a potential Trump–Netanyahu split over how to end the conflict.
Israel · Iran · War
Three private aircraft parked at Ben Gurion International Airport were severely damaged by an Iranian missile. Images also showed extensive damage at the US Navy’s 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain.
US · Iran · CENTCOM · Military
US Central Command’s Wednesday update on Operation Epic Fury: 7,800+ Iranian targets struck, more than 120 naval vessels hit. US also striking Hormuz anti-ship positions to protect tanker traffic.
Iran · Intelligence · War
Iran officially confirmed Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib was killed in Israel’s overnight strike at his home — removing earlier ambiguity after Israeli reports and an FM statement on the assassination.
US · Iran · Intelligence
DNI Gabbard told the Senate the nuclear enrichment program was destroyed in June strikes. Iranian regime remains intact but largely degraded. CIA Director warned Iran could develop ICBM-range missiles.
US · Economy · Energy
Trump waived Jones Act restrictions for oil, gas, fertilizer, and coal to ease fuel costs. US gas prices hit their highest since 2022. Wholesale inflation rose 3.4% — the biggest jump in a year.
Iran · Gulf · Energy
Iran’s military pledged to strike Gulf energy targets. The IRGC Navy Commander said US oil facilities are now equal to military bases in Iran’s target bank. Aramco already evacuated SAMREF refinery.
Iran · Energy · War
Israel and the US struck South Pars in a coordinated attack. Major fires erupted; multiple processing phases taken offline. Iraq says Iran gas supply completely halted. Iran threatens Gulf retaliation.
Israel · Lebanon · War
Israeli airstrikes destroyed an 11-story building in Beirut, killing approximately 20. UNIFIL reported heavy fire and Israeli forces inside Lebanese territory.
US · Economy · Markets
US wholesale inflation rose 3.4% in February, the biggest monthly jump in a year. Producer prices also exceeded estimates. Traders reduced Fed rate-cut bets; US 2-year yield hit a daily high.
Sweden · Iran · Human Rights
Sweden’s foreign minister confirmed a Swedish citizen was executed in Iran on Wednesday, drawing immediate condemnation from Stockholm.
Russia · Ethiopia · Diplomacy
Putin and Abiy Ahmed discussed cooperation and nuclear energy following an Ethiopian disaster, signaling continued Russian engagement in Africa.
Iran · Politics · War
Iran’s Islamic council invited the public to the funeral for Ali Larijani, Qasem Soleimani, and other officials killed in Israeli strikes.
Iran · Israel · Defense
The IDF announced it identified new missile launches from Iran toward Israel, with defensive systems activated to intercept the threat.
Turkey · NATO · Defense
Turkey announced NATO is deploying an additional Patriot missile defense system to the southern province where Incirlik Air Base is located.
UK · Ukraine · Defense · Diplomacy
During Zelensky’s London visit, the UK and Ukraine agreed to jointly export drone technology. Starmer reaffirmed British support for Kyiv.
Israel · Iran · Intelligence
Israel attempted to assassinate Iran’s Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib. Israeli reports said he was killed. Iran’s FM issued an official statement.
Iran · US · Bahrain · Defense
Iranian attacks struck the US Naval Support Activity in Bahrain — the primary logistics hub for the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet — causing extensive damage.
Israel · Gaza · Hamas · Military
The IDF announced the elimination of Yahya Abu Labda, Hamas’s supply and logistics commander.
Iran · Hormuz · Energy · Policy
Iran’s FM Araghchi said Tehran will establish new rules for ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz once the war ends.
Iran · Saudi Arabia · Defense
Satellite analysis confirmed Iranian strikes hit multiple locations inside the US-used section of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Iran · Jordan · NATO · Defense
Satellite analysis suggests an Iranian missile struck a German military camp at a base in Jordan, putting NATO forces directly under Iranian fire.
Israel · Iran · Military
The Israeli army carried out large-scale airstrikes against Iranian regime facilities in Tehran and released video of a Basij checkpoint drone strike.
UAE · Australia · Defense
Australian PM Albanese confirmed a projectile struck near the Australian military’s Middle East headquarters in the UAE. All personnel safe.
Qatar · Iran · Defense
Qatar’s Defense Ministry announced its armed forces intercepted a missile attack targeting the country. Kuwait air defenses also engaged simultaneously.
Iran · Israel · War
Iran’s IRGC claimed its Tel Aviv-area strike was direct revenge for Larijani’s killing. Two died in Ramat Gan. Widespread damage across central Israel.
US · NATO · Politics
Trump said he would not need Congressional approval to withdraw the US from NATO, contradicting a 2024 law requiring Senate approval.
US · Iran · Defense · Military
US Central Command confirmed B-2 stealth bombers struck hardened Iranian underground sites with bunker-buster bombs overnight.