The war in the Middle East continues. Iran has confirmed Israel's killing of Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and General Gholam Reza Soleimani , head of the Basij force, the volunteer paramilitary militia that is part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. Iranian Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib was also killed . And Tehran's retaliation was not long in coming: a cluster bomb killed two people on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, where the Savidor train station was also devastated by a rocket attack.

For its part, the US announced it had struck missile sites along the Iranian coast, near the Strait of Hormuz . And attacks continue in Lebanon : Israel struck without warning in a central Beirut neighborhood, an attack that, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, killed 12 people and injured over 40.

Meanwhile, US-Israeli raids and Iranian counterattacks are increasingly targeting energy infrastructure and gas plants, including in Qatar and other Gulf countries. The Tehran regime warns: "Uncontrollable consequences for the entire world."

Live news from March 18, 2026

10:30 PM – Three Palestinians killed in Iranian airstrikes in the West Bank

Three Palestinians, two of them women, were killed in an Iranian missile attack near Hebron in the West Bank, the Red Crescent reported.

10:22 PM – Trump: "Enough attacks on energy facilities."

Donald Trump does not want further attacks on Iranian energy sites and facilities. The Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources who say the president had been informed in advance of Israel's strike on the South Pars gas field, the world's largest.

10:20 PM – Kallas-Araghchi telephone conversation

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi about the impact of the war on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to EU sources. Kallas emphasized that free transit through this waterway is a priority for Europe. She urged Iran to cease all attacks on critical infrastructure in the region and emphasized that the EU supports the de-escalation of tensions and a diplomatic solution to the conflict. The conversation, it should be noted, took place before the execution of a European citizen detained by the regime, which Kallas condemns in the strongest terms.

9:57 PM – Kuwait arrests 10 pro-Iran militants

Kuwait has arrested 10 militants affiliated with the Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, accused of planning "terrorist" attacks against vital infrastructure, the Interior Ministry said.

9:45 PM – Qatar expels Iranian officials and military personnel

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has ordered Iranian military and security officials, along with their personnel, to leave the country within 24 hours following the attack on its major natural gas plant.

9:36 PM - Missiles fired at Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has intercepted four ballistic missiles in the last few hours, with a fragment falling near a refinery south of Riyadh: the Ministry of Defence declared, while Tehran threatens the gas infrastructure in the Gulf following the attacks of

United States and Israel against Iranian energy facilities.

9:10 PM – Swedish citizen executed, EU condemns

"The Iranian regime's execution of a Swedish citizen is a brutal act of senseless violence, and we condemn it," EU High Representative Kaja Kallas wrote in a statement, calling on Iran "to halt all executions and abolish the death penalty."

8:45 PM – Israeli attacks on Iranian ships in the Caspian Sea

Israel has "carried out attacks against Iranian Navy missile vessels in the Caspian Sea," journalist Barak Ravid reports on his X profile, citing an Israeli official. "More than five vessels were targeted," Ravid's post adds.

8:10 PM – Raid on QatarEnergy facilities

QatarEnergy has confirmed that the Ras Laffan industrial zone was targeted by Iranian missile attacks that caused "extensive damage" to one of the country's main gas plants, among the largest in the world.

7:32 PM – Iran's energy infrastructure hit: "Uncontrollable consequences"

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the recent attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure on X. "Such aggressive acts will bring nothing to the Zionist-American enemy and their supporters. This will complicate the situation and could have uncontrollable consequences, the scale of which could engulf the entire world," his post stated.

7 p.m. – Vance: "The war won't last forever."

The increase in energy prices will be "temporary," because our commitment to the Middle East "will not last forever," U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said today.

6:06 PM – Air threat alert in Riyadh

In Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, several loud booms were heard, and some residents received cell phone alerts for the first time warning them of a hostile air threat. The Times of Israel reports this, citing Reuters.

5:40 PM – Khamenei: "Anti-Islamists will pay."

"The assassination of Ali Larijani demonstrates his importance and the hatred that the enemies of Islam harbor toward him. Anti-Islamists must understand that shedding this blood at the foot of the tree of the Islamic system only strengthens it. And of course, every blood has a price that the criminal murderers of the martyrs will soon have to pay." This was stated by Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in a message of condolences for the killing of Ali Larijani, as reported by Tasnim.

5:30 PM – Parolin: "Trump must stop as soon as possible."

"If Donald Trump were here, I would tell him to stop as soon as possible, because the danger of escalation is upon us. I would say leave Lebanon alone, and this message should also be sent to the Israelis," because "we must try to resolve the problems they believe exist through the peaceful means of diplomacy and dialogue." This was stated by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on the sidelines of the presentation of a book on Leo XIV in the Chamber of Deputies.

5:15 PM – Gabbard contradicts Trump on Iran in writing but then adjusts her approach.

Tulsi Gabbard refuted the White House's official claim of a war with Iran in a written statement submitted to the Senate Intelligence Committee, but later reversed her position in her testimony. "Prior to Operation Epic Fury, Iran was trying to recover from the June attacks and continued to refuse to comply with its IAEA obligations," she stated.

5:00 PM – Lebanon: Death toll from Israeli airstrikes rises to 968

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have killed 968 people, including 116 children, since the war between Israel and the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah began on March 2, the Health Ministry announced Wednesday. The previous official death toll was 912. The dead include 77 women and 40 health workers, according to the ministry, which also reported 2,432 injuries.

4:50 PM – Around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf

"Approximately 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, aboard ships, in high-risk conditions and under significant psychological distress," said Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization. "This situation is unacceptable and unsustainable. All parties and stakeholders have an obligation to take the necessary measures to ensure the protection of seafarers, including their rights and well-being, as well as freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law," he added.

4:00 PM – "Tehran could develop an intercontinental ballistic missile before 2035."

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers that the U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Iran "has already demonstrated space-based launch and other technologies that could enable it to begin developing a militarily viable intercontinental ballistic missile by 2035, should Tehran seek to pursue such a capability." "However, these assessments will obviously be updated as the full impact of the devastating Operation Epic Fury strikes on Iran's missile production facilities, stockpiles, and launch capabilities is determined," Gabbard added during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

3:40 PM - Trump suspends the Jones Act for 60 days to address high oil prices.

The Trump administration has announced a 60-day suspension of a maritime law restricting oil shipments within the United States in an effort to stem rising prices caused by the war against Iran. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt made the statement on X. The Jones Act of 1920 requires domestic shipping to use American-built, American-owned, and American-crewed vessels. It has been a cornerstone of American maritime policy for over a century.

1:30 PM – Stockholm: "Iran has executed a Swedish citizen."

Sweden has announced that Iran has executed a Swedish citizen who was arrested by Tehran authorities in June 2025. "It is with shock that I learned of the execution of a Swedish citizen in Iran today," Foreign Minister Malmer Stenergard said in a statement quoted by the TT news agency.

12:15 PM – IDF: "We are about to bomb the bridges over the Litani River."

The IDF's Arabic-language military spokesperson urged Lebanese civilians to evacuate as bridges over the Litani River in southern Lebanon will soon be bombed. "Due to Hezbollah's activities and the movement of terrorists in southern Lebanon who hide among the civilian population, the IDF is forced to conduct large-scale, targeted attacks against terrorist assets to prevent the transfer of reinforcements and combat equipment. The Israel Defense Forces intend to attack the Litani River crossings" this afternoon.

11:50 a.m. – Katz: "Now surprises, we're intensifying the war against Iran and Hezbollah."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz officially confirmed the killing of Iranian Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib last night. "Major surprises are expected on all fronts during the day, which will intensify the war we are waging against Iran and Hezbollah," he added in a statement from Defense Headquarters in Tel Aviv. "The intensity of attacks in Iran is increasing: we are in the midst of the decisive phase. Israel's policy is clear and unequivocal: no one in Iran enjoys immunity and everyone is targeted."

11:30 a.m. – Tel Aviv confirms the killing of Iranian intelligence minister

Israeli Defense Minister says Iranian Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib has been killed.

11:15 a.m. – Araghchi: "The system in Iran is solid; it doesn't depend on a single individual."

"I don't understand why the Americans and Israelis haven't yet grasped this point: the Islamic Republic of Iran has a solid political structure with well-established political, economic, and social institutions" that isn't based "on a single individual." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said this in an interview with Al Jazeera following the death of the secretary of Iran's Supreme Security Council, Ali Larijani. "Of course, individuals have influence, and each plays their role—some better, some worse, some less so—but what matters is that the political system in Iran is a very solid structure," he insisted, emphasizing that, even after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed on the first day of Israeli-American raids on February 28, "the system remained standing." "If someone else were to die a martyr, it would be the same. If the Foreign Minister were to ever die a martyr, there would eventually be someone else ready to take over the post," he concluded, referring to himself.

10.40am – Türkiye deploys new Patriot system in the south

Turkey has announced that new Patriot missiles will be deployed at the Incirlik military base in the southeastern province of Adana, after NATO's defense system intercepted a third missile from Iran heading toward Turkish airspace last week. "In addition to the national measures taken to ensure the safety of our airspace and citizens, an additional Patriot system, assigned by Allied Air Command Ramstein/Germany, is being deployed to Adana, in addition to the Spanish Patriot system already present at the base," the Defense Ministry announced, TRT reports.

10:25 AM – Funerals for Larijani and Soleimani to be held today in Tehran

The funerals of Iranian Supreme Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary force, will be held today in Tehran. The BBC reports this, citing the Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The ceremony, which will begin at 1:30 PM local time (11 AM GMT) in Tehran's Enghelab Square, will also be held in memory of the 84 sailors killed in the sinking of the Iranian warship Iris Dena on March 4 by a US-launched torpedo.

10:20 a.m. – Larijani account posts photo of Shiite ring on the finger of leader killed in the rubble

The Telegram account of Ali Larijani, the leader of the Islamic Republic killed last night in an Israeli attack, posted an image of his distinctive Shiite ring on his hand amid the rubble at the scene of his assassination. The image is reminiscent of one circulated in Iran after the United States eliminated Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force, a powerful figure in the regime, in 2020. Larijani's Telegram account also posted an image of his hand before and after the assassination.

10:15 a.m. – Crosetto: "We need a UN mission in Hormuz."

Italy is not participating in this war, no European nation is participating in this war, it is not our war. We have every interest, the entire world has an interest, in Hormuz not being involved in this war, because over 20% of the gas and oil that daily supply the rest of the world, all commercial activities, and life throughout the rest of the world passes through that Strait. An international agreement is needed for this to happen. We, as Italy, would be very happy if there were a mission that brought together the entire world to guarantee the passage of energy through Hormuz. However, sending ships that could be interpreted as participating in a war and not in a peace corridor is not feasible. The way to create one is perhaps to start with a nonpartisan organization like the United Nations." This was stated by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, who stated that "participation in a mission under the auspices of the UN, whose decision is up to Parliament, would mean operating within a framework of complete security."

10:00 AM – Lebanon: 12 dead in Israeli raids in central Beirut

The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on densely populated neighborhoods in central Beirut has risen to 12 and 41 wounded, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

9:50 a.m. – Tajani: "We are loyal to the US, but we are not at war."

"We have always been loyal to the United States, to any president, but this war does not involve an area of NATO interest or NATO competence," said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, a guest on Agorà on Rai3. "We," Tajani added, "are not at war; no one asked us to go to war. The Americans attacked the Israelis without saying anything. We condemned Iran's reaction because Iran is attacking countries that have nothing to do with the American and Israeli attack—I'm thinking of the Emirates, Turkey, and Cyprus."

9:25 a.m. – Iran, media: Intelligence Minister Khatib killed in attack

Israel killed Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib in an attack overnight, Ynet reported. The minister, commander of the Imam Hussein militia, was hit in Beirut, Lebanon.

9:20 AM – IDF orders evacuation south of Zahrani River in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army has ordered the evacuation of the entire area south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon. "Hezbollah's terrorist activities are forcing the IDF to act forcefully in that area, and it has no intention of harming you," the military spokesman warned on X, insisting that "anyone near Hezbollah members, facilities, or weapons is putting their lives at risk."

8:45 a.m. – Four strong explosions heard in Erbil

At least four loud explosions were heard in Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq, according to AFP journalists. Pro-Iranian armed groups have carried out a series of drone attacks against US military personnel and interests in recent days. As air defense systems intercepted the projectiles over Erbil, AFP journalists saw a column of smoke rising from the outskirts of the city, where a US consulate and troops from the US-led anti-jihadist coalition stationed at the airport are located.

8:00 AM – IAEA: Bushehr nuclear power plant hit, no damage

The IAEA was informed by Iran that an attack hit the premises of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran on Tuesday evening. "No damage to the facility or injuries to personnel were reported. Director General Rafael Grossi reiterates his call for maximum restraint during the conflict to avert the risk of a nuclear accident," the IAEA wrote in X.

(Unioneonline)

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