The war in the Middle East continues, and the Gulf conflict over energy heats up. Israel strikes Iran's massive South Pars gas field. The Revolutionary Guards retaliate in Qatar, repeatedly striking the large Ras Laffan facility. Fears for global energy supplies: oil prices soar. A new case emerges in the US following the resignation of counterterrorism chief Kent: Intelligence Director Gabbard denies the White House's claims about the conflict, then adjusts her stance.

The Pentagon plans to ask Congress for $200 billion for the war, according to the WP, while Trump is considering sending thousands of troops to the Middle East, Reuters reports.

LIVE NEWS FOR MARCH 19:

10:00 PM – US: "Iranian ballistic missile facility destroyed in Karaj"

The US Central Command announced it destroyed the surface-to-surface missile facility in Karaj, northwest of Tehran. The facility was being used to "assemble ballistic missiles that threatened the United States, neighboring countries, and commercial maritime traffic," Centcom said in a social media post.

8:30 PM – Netanyahu: "Trump asked us to stop on South Pars, and we're doing so."

"Israel acted alone against the South Pars gas field in Iran. US President Donald Trump has called for avoiding further attacks, and we are doing so," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference.

8:10 PM – Netanyahu: "How long will the war take? As long as it takes."

"How long will (the war) take? As long as it takes," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at a press conference. "In one hand we hold the sword of David, and the other is stretched out toward peace. Whoever extends their hand to us in a sign of peace, we will shake it. From whoever attacks us, we will remove our hand," the prime minister said.

7:55 PM – Netanyahu: "After 20 days of raids, Iran is unable to enrich uranium."

"After 20 days of attacks, Iran today lacks the capacity to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles. And we continue to strike," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference, the second since Operation Lion's Roar began.

"We are eliminating the Iranian leadership, and it doesn't matter who replaces them, because they are temporary Guardians. Yesterday, together with our American allies, we destroyed their entire flotilla in the Caspian Sea. It's too early to say whether the Iranian people will take advantage of the conditions we are creating for them to take to the streets. We hope it happens, we are working to make it happen, but ultimately it depends entirely on them," he added.

7:45 PM – IDF: "We are operating south of the Litani because the Lebanese army has not disarmed Hezbollah."

"Since Hezbollah decided to support the Iranian regime and attack Israel on March 2, it has launched approximately 700 rockets, missiles, and drones at Israel from areas south of the Litani River. These are the very areas that the Lebanese Army was supposed to liberate from Hezbollah's terror, but this has not happened. We have no choice but to intervene against the threat Hezbollah poses to our civilians," IDF spokesman Nadav Shoshani wrote in X.

7:10 PM – Crosetto: "No mission to Hormuz without a truce."

"I have read completely incorrect interpretations of the document approved today by some European and non-European nations, including Italy. No war mission. No entry into Hormuz without a truce and a comprehensive multilateral initiative. We are aware, however, of the importance for everyone of working towards the safe reopening of Hormuz, and we believe it is right and appropriate for the United Nations to provide the legal framework for a peaceful and multilateral initiative to achieve this goal," Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a statement.

6:40 PM – Conte: "No to Italy's participation in the Hormuz mission."

"We've now reached the point where we have the information either from Washington or, in this case, from London. London tells us that Italy would participate in this mission, but we say absolutely not." Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte explained this, responding to reporters who asked him what he thought of the news that Italy is part of the group of six countries mobilizing to guarantee navigability in the Strait of Hormuz. "Trump created this instability, he carried out these illegal attacks. Trump solves the problem; he doesn't ask us to send our men, our ships, our resources," he added, arriving at the University of Milan for a meeting with UniSi students on the referendum.

5:30 PM – Trump: "Everyone wanted to attack Iran but didn't have the courage. It was my turn."

"I had to take this little step and do something that no other president has had the courage to do, and everyone wanted to do it, but never had the courage to do it. And I don't blame them, I'm not blaming them. It fell to me, and we did a great job. Our military is incredible, we have an incredible military. We have the strongest military in the world by far." These were the words of US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, regarding the attack on Iran.

5:20 PM – Trump: "We are defending the Strait of Hormuz for everyone."

"Iran is almost completely destroyed, the only thing left is the Strait of Hormuz. We are defending the Strait for everyone," said Donald Trump. "In two weeks, we've destroyed their Navy, their Air Force, and all their technology is gone. Other than that, Iran is fine," Trump emphasized, drawing smiles from those present. "The allies are now becoming more forthcoming about Hormuz, but it's too late."

The US president also reportedly asked Netanyahu not to attack oil and gas fields.

5:05 PM - US approves $16 billion in weapons to Gulf states targeted by Iran

The United States has approved over $16 billion in arms sales to the Gulf states affected by the war with Iran, the State Department announced.

5:05 PM – Trump: "I will not send troops to Iran."

Donald Trump assured the Japanese prime minister that he "won't send troops to Iran." "But if I were doing that, I certainly wouldn't say that," he added.

5:00 PM – Tajani: "We're ready to play our part in a possible UN mission to Hormuz."

"Should there be a UN mission to ensure the passage of Hormuz, we are ready to do our part," and "we can discuss" sending ships, "but we absolutely cannot participate in the war, not even in the fighting over Hormuz. Forcing Hormuz is not in our nature at this time. Reaching there means engaging in war." This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking on Tagadà on La7.

4:45 PM – Possible mission to Hormuz involving Italy only with the UN

A potential mission involving several countries, such as Italy, to ensure commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz could only take place under the auspices of the United Nations, informed Defense sources reiterate.

4:45 PM – Haifa refinery hit by Iranian-launched cluster bomb

The publication of a news report that a bombing from Iran caused damage to refineries in the Haifa area of Israel has been authorized. The bomb appears to be a cluster bomb. Television images show a thick plume of smoke rising from the impact site. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated that "no significant damage occurred to infrastructure in the State of Israel."

4:30 PM – US F-35 damaged by Iranian fire, makes emergency landing

A US F-35 fighter jet has made an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after being hit by what is believed to be Iranian fire, two informed sources told CNN. US Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said the jet was "conducting a combat mission over Iran" when it was forced to make the emergency landing. Hawkins specified that the aircraft landed safely and that the incident is under investigation. If confirmed, the incident would mark the first time Iran has struck a US aircraft during the conflict that began in late February.

3:50 PM – Lebanon, war death toll surpasses 1,000  

Lebanon's Ministry of Health announced today that Israeli strikes have killed 1,001 people in the country since the war between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2, bringing the death toll to 968 compared to the previous day. The ministry's new statement specifies that the victims include 79 women, 118 children, and 40 health workers, while another 2,584 people were injured.

3:15 PM – Araghchi: "Anyone who helps the US reopen Hormuz will be complicit in the aggression."

US allies helping Washington reopen the Strait of Hormuz are allegedly "complicit" in the aggression, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, according to CNN. During a phone call with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, Araghchi stated that the current situation in the Strait was caused by the United States and Israel, and warned that any country's participation in attempting to break the Iranian blockade would constitute "complicity in the aggression and the heinous crimes committed by the aggressors."

3:00 PM – US: "Mojtaba seriously injured, decision-making process in Iran unclear."

Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was seriously injured in an Israeli attack. Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard confirmed the news, admitting that Mojtaba Khamenei is more intransigent than his father, but that his injuries have left the decision-making process at the top of the Iranian government unclear.

2.45pm – Hormuz, joint statement from the six countries

Italy, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan have expressed their willingness to cooperate to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic.

The full text of the joint statement from the six countries.
We condemn in the strongest terms Iran's recent attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, the attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces. We express our deep concern at the escalation of the conflict. We call on Iran to immediately cease its threats, mine-laying, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the Strait of Hormuz from commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The effects of Iran's actions will be felt by people around the world, especially the most vulnerable. In line with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, we emphasize that such interference with international navigation and the disruption of global energy supply chains constitute a threat to international peace and security. In this regard, we call for an immediate global moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations. We express our willingness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations that are proceeding with preparatory planning. We welcome the International Energy Agency's decision to authorize a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves. We will take further measures to stabilize energy markets, including working with certain producing countries to increase production. We will also commit to providing support to the most affected countries, including through the United Nations and international financial institutions. Maritime security and freedom of navigation benefit all countries. We call on all States to respect international law and uphold the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security.

2:30 PM – London announces six-party plan to reopen Hormuz, including Italy.

Six countries—the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan—said today they are ready to contribute to a plan to ensure commercial shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, partially closed by Iran in response to US and Israeli attacks. This was stated in a statement released by Downing Street, in which the six countries also strongly condemned the attacks attributed to Tehran.

1:40 PM – Hegseth: "End of war? Trump will determine when the objectives are achieved."

"The best defense is offense, and we are not afraid to kill." Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said this, sidestepping questions about when and how the war will end. "We don't want to set a definitive timeline. Ultimately, it will be up to the President to say we've achieved the necessary objectives for the American people and our security," he added.

1:00 PM – Mattarella: "No to violations of international law."

"Today—in defiance of what is claimed to be necessary for the orderly life of individual national communities—we are witnessing the delegitimization of international courts and their judges, denying the value of international law and removing the historic, civilized choice to establish authorities responsible for verifying compliance and sanctioning violations." This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in a keynote address at the University of Salamanca. "What can Europe do in the face of the decline of the multilateral cooperative model in managing relations between states? Accept its replacement by a contractualist vision based on competition? It is up to Europe to say no to the expansion of conflicts, to perennial instability, and to the multiplication of crisis fronts."

12:25 PM – Aid from Italy to the Lebanese people

A plane departed Brindisi carrying over 11,000 relief items, funded by the Italian government, bound for Lebanon, enabling the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and its partners "to scale up assistance for displaced people and affected communities across the country." The new aid, a shipment of approximately 30 tons of relief items, including kitchen sets, blankets, hygiene kits, and jerry cans, will be distributed "in close coordination with the Lebanese authorities to displaced families across Lebanon," a statement read.

11:56 a.m. – Iran: "Ready to destroy energy infrastructure."

The Iranian military has renewed its threat to destroy the region's energy infrastructure if it comes under further attack during the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic. "We warn the enemy that you have committed a grave mistake by attacking the Islamic Republic of Iran's energy infrastructure, and the response is ongoing and has not yet been completed," the army's Khatam Al-Anbiya Operations Command said in a statement reported by the Fars news agency.

11:30 a.m. – Iran: "Tolls for crossing the Strait of Hormuz"

The Iranian parliament is debating a proposal to impose tolls on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to ISNA news agency. The agency reported that under the proposed plan, countries whose ships transit this strategic waterway would be required to pay a fee to Iran for its use as a safe route.

11:14 a.m. – Iranian missiles against Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv has again been targeted by an Iranian missile attack. Israeli media reported damage to a building. The attack triggered sirens in parts of central Israel and the coast, according to the Times of Israel.

10:56 a.m. – Macron: "Enough with raids on civilian and energy infrastructure."

"I then spoke with President Trump, and he himself called for a halt to all these bombings and attacks against civilian infrastructure, gas, oil, and even water," said French President Emmanuel Macron.

10:30 a.m. – Kallas: "EU countries have no intention of going to war."

"There is no basis in international law for war in Iran," said EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, recalling that the use of force is permitted in self-defense and in accordance with a UN Security Council resolution. "Since nothing of the sort currently exists, EU countries have no intention of going to war," Kallas emphasized.

9:58 AM – Drones attack oil site in Saudi Arabia

A drone crashed into the Saudi-owned Samref refinery, located in the Yanbu industrial zone on the Red Sea coast, and "a damage assessment is underway," the Saudi Defense Ministry said this morning.

9:07 AM – Kuwait: Another oil refinery hit

Another Iranian drone struck an oil refinery in Kuwait, starting a fire, local authorities reported.

8:32 a.m. – Iran, Crosetto: "The situation is difficult and complex. Tehran's reaction is to unleash chaos."

"The situation is very difficult and complex because the United States thought that decapitating the Tehran regime would be enough to provoke reactions that would lead to a change in Iranian leadership. Instead, they are realizing that Iran's pre-planned reaction is to unleash chaos," Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told RTL 102.5. "Direct attacks on Italy," Crosetto added, "by Iran are not currently under consideration. The issue is instead terrorism. Iranian sleeper cells scattered around the world are estimated to number in the hundreds, people who can be activated at any time for an act of terrorism. They have been dormant for years and are located all over the world. This is a bigger problem."

8:32 a.m. – Beijing: "The killing of Larijani and other Iranian leaders is unacceptable."

China calls the killing of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani, killed by Israel, and other leaders "unacceptable" and reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire. "We have always opposed the use of force in international relations. Actions aimed at assassinating Iranian leaders and attacking civilian targets are even more unacceptable," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference.

08.22 – Media, drone attack against refinery in Kuwait

An oil refinery in Kuwait has been targeted by a drone attack, resulting in

a fire. State media reported.

8:05 AM – Israel: "Over 170 people hospitalized after the latest raids."

The Israeli Ministry of Health reported that 177 injured people were hospitalized in the past 24 hours following the conflict with Iran, according to the Times of Israel. Among those hospitalized, one is in critical condition, two are in moderate condition, and 167 are in good condition.

5:45 AM – Iranian attacks kill three Palestinian women in the West Bank and a man in Israel.

Iranian missile attacks have killed three Palestinian women in the West Bank and a foreign worker in central Israel, emergency services announced today. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, rocket fragments struck a hair salon last night in Beit Awa, in the occupied West Bank near Hebron (southern Israel), killing three women. These are the first Palestinian casualties from Iranian attacks since the start of the Middle East war on February 28. Eight injuries were reported, including one woman in serious condition. Magen David Adom, Israel's equivalent of the Red Cross, announced the death of a man in central Israel following an Iranian missile attack, bringing the number of victims in the country due to the war to 15. According to this source, the man was a "foreign worker," a Thai citizen employed in the agricultural sector, according to Israeli media.

5:22 AM – Qatar: All fires at the gas plant attacked by Iran are "under control."

All fires that broke out at Qatar's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility following the Iranian attack are "under control," the Interior Ministry announced today. "Civil Defense has completely extinguished all fires in the Ras Laffan industrial zone," the ministry said, adding that there were no injuries and that cooling and safety operations are ongoing.

4:59 a.m. – Saudi Arabia: "We reserve the right to retaliate militarily against Iran."

Saudi Arabia said today that it "reserves the right" to retaliate militarily against Iran, which regularly targets the country with drones and missiles. "We reserve the right to take military action if necessary," Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said, stressing that "the Kingdom will not give in to pressure; on the contrary, such pressure will be

will turn against those who exercise them."

4:05 a.m. – Trump: "We will destroy Iran's gas field if Tehran attacks the Qatari site again."

US President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Iran's massive South Pars gas field if Tehran again attacks the key Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility in Qatar. Trump claimed the United States "knew nothing" about the strike that led to Iran's retaliatory strike against Ras Laffan. "There will be no further attacks by Israel against this critically important and valuable South Pars field unless Iran recklessly decides to attack a completely innocent country, namely Qatar. In that event, the United States of America, with or without Israel's assistance or consent, will massively destroy the entire South Pars gas field with a force and power the likes of which Iran has never seen or known before," Trump wrote.

(Unioneonline/vf)

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