US & ‘Israel’ at war with Iran | Day 17 coverage
The 2026 war between ‘Israel’, the United States, and Iran started on February 28 with the launch of Operation Epic Fury, a joint US-‘Israeli’ military campaign. Nearly 900 coordinated strikes were executed within the initial 12 hours, targeting Iranian missile systems, air defenses, military infrastructure, and senior leadership figures across multiple sites.
The operation resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous other high-ranking officials, with explicit objectives of preventing nuclear weapon development, dismantling ballistic missile capabilities, and advancing leadership change.
Iran initiated large-scale retaliatory missile and drone attacks against ‘Israeli’ settlements, US bases, and allied targets throughout the Middle East.
The escalation also encompassed disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian forces shut it down; heightening risks to global energy supplies.
Subsequent phases featured intensified ‘Israeli’ airstrikes on Iranian fuel depots and energy facilities in Tehran and surrounding provinces, complemented by US efforts to neutralize naval assets and remaining missile infrastructure.
The war produced over 2,000 reported deaths across Iran, ‘Israel’, and Lebanon.
Economic effects have included sharp increases in oil prices and interruptions to international shipping, prompting releases from strategic petroleum reserves to stabilize markets.
Netanyahu seen in new video with US ambassador to ‘Israel’
The ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister is seen with the US ambassador to ‘Israel’ Mike Huckabee, denying once again reports circulating on social media of his death in an Iranian strike.
Western leaders issue joint statement regarding Lebanon
Leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the escalating conflict between ‘Israel’ and Hezbollah. The statement urged immediate engagement between 'Israeli' and Lebanese representatives to negotiate a sustainable political solution and called for an end to attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure.
The leaders condemned Hezbollah’s participation in hostilities alongside Iran and stressed the need for the group to disarm. They also highlighted the unacceptable nature of attacks on health workers, civilian infrastructure, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Warning of the humanitarian consequences of a major 'Israeli' ground offensive, the statement emphasized that a protracted conflict must be avoided. The leaders called for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and reiterated their support for Lebanon’s government in curbing Hezbollah’s military activities.
The statement underscores growing international concern over the rising tensions in Lebanon and the potential for wider regional instability.
Iran: "Better to call this war Epic Fear instead of Epic Fury"
The spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters responded to President of the United States Donald Trump, saying that wars are not won through tweets but on the battlefield, “in places where American forces do not dare to go.”
He also suggested it would be more accurate to call the war “Epic Fear” rather than an “Epic Fury” and emphasized that the course of the war is determined by Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Alert period ends in Jordan
Alert period ends in Jordan
Sirens blare in Jordan
Sirens blare in Jordan
Trump pushes for 'enthusiasm' from allies to secure Hormuz
President Donald Trump criticized US allies on Monday for their lukewarm response to his call to help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz during the US war against Iran.
Trump called for more "enthusiasm" from other countries, as he said he believed France and Britain would somewhat reluctantly get involved.
"We strongly encourage the other nations to get involved with us and get involved quickly and with great enthusiasm," Trump told reporters during an event at the White House.
"The level of enthusiasm matters to me."
Trump said a number of countries that he did not name had committed to help secure the waterway, a critical choke point for the global oil trade, but lashed out at others who were not "enthusiastic."
"For 40 years, we're protecting you, and you don't want to get involved," Trump said.
NATO and other Western allies pushed back earlier Monday on Trump's demand at the weekend that the alliance help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed.
During lengthy remarks at a meeting with the hand-picked board of Washington's Kennedy Center, which Trump has renamed after himself, Trump had only partial praise for the leaders of Britain and France.
"On a scale of zero to 10, I'd say he's been an eight," Trump said when asked about a call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
"Not perfect -- but it's France."
Trump added of Macron that "I think he's going to help" -- and said he also believed Britain would be involved in a Hormuz mission.
'Oldest ally'
But the US leader was harsher about Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has previously faced stinging criticism from Trump over Britain's refusal to send an aircraft carrier to the region.
"I was not happy with the UK. I think they'll be involved, yeah, maybe. But they should be involved enthusiastically," Trump said.
"I said... 'You're our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on, you know, NATO and all of these things to protect you.'"
Starmer said earlier that London was working with allies to craft a "viable" plan to reopen the strategic waterway but ruled out a NATO mission.
Trump meanwhile insisted that Iran itself was a "paper tiger" after two weeks of joint US-Israeli airstrikes, adding that Washington was unclear whom it could negotiate with in Tehran.
"We don't know... if he's dead or not," Trump said when asked about the condition of Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
"A lot of people are saying that he's badly disfigured. They're saying that he lost his leg -- one leg -- and he's, you know, been hurt very badly. Other people are saying he's dead. Nobody's saying he's 100 percent healthy," he said.
"We don't know who we're dealing with" in Iran, Trump said. "We don't know who their leader is."
Air defenses are currently intercepting drone attack near US embassy in Baghdad
Iraqi air defense systems are currently engaging a drone near the US embassy in Baghdad, officials reported.
The situation is ongoing, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Iranian drones target hotel and airport in Iraq
Iraqi security forces intercepted two attacks targeting Erbil International Airport and shot down a drone over the Azadi district of the city.
A separate drone reportedly targeted the Al-Rashid Hotel in central Baghdad, but officials confirmed there were no casualties.
Iranian missile intercepted over occupied Palestine
Sirens sound across 'Israel' after Iran missile launch
Air raid sirens sounded across several areas in ‘Israel’, including Ashdod, Ashkelon, the Greater Tel Aviv area, and Ben Gurion Airport, following a missile attack launched from Iran, according to the 'Israeli' Home Front Command.
Authorities also reported early warnings after detecting additional missiles heading toward northern and central parts of ‘Israel’, including the Sharon region.
Channel 12 cited sources saying that at least two missiles from the initial wave were intercepted.
Jordan condemns Iranian attack that killed civilian in UAE
Jordan on Monday strongly condemned the Iranian attack that resulted in a missile striking a civilian vehicle in the Al Bahya area of the United Arab Emirates, killing one civilian.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said in a statement that Jordan rejects and denounces the brutal attacks, calling them a clear violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly UAE and a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability.
The ministry reaffirmed Jordan’s full solidarity with the UAE in confronting Iranian attacks and expressed complete support for all measures taken by Abu Dhabi to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens.
The ministry also extended its sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of the victim.
Netanyahu’s ring disappears in video posted to prove he’s alive, sparking online debate
A video posted to 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official account, intended to confirm that he is alive amid persistent death rumors, has gone viral for an unexpected reason: his wedding ring appears and disappears during the clip.
Social media users have debated whether the effect is caused by a phone filter, video editing, or something else entirely, fueling theories and widespread online speculation.
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Trump says unclear if new Iran leader is 'dead or not'
US President Donald Trump said Monday that he does not know whether Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive, adding that Washington was unclear whom it could negotiate with in Tehran.
"We don't know... if he's dead or not," Trump told reporters at the White House.
"A lot of people are saying that he's badly disfigured. They're saying that he lost his leg -- one leg -- and he's, you know, been hurt very badly. Other people are saying he's dead. Nobody's saying he's 100 percent healthy. You know he hasn't spoken."
"We don't know who we're dealing with" in Iran, Trump said. "We don't know who their leader is."
Trump claims US crippled Iran’s military, missile capabilities
- Trump urges other oil-dependent nations to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
Donald Trump claimed that US forces have significantly degraded Iran’s military, targeting its navy, air force, and missile infrastructure.
In a series of statements, Trump said the United States has destroyed much of Iran’s naval fleet, neutralized air defense and radar systems, and hit over 7,000 military and commercial targets across the country.
Trump added that Iran’s stock of ballistic missiles and drones has been severely reduced, with attacks on production sites further limiting Tehran’s capabilities. He added that additional strikes are continuing “hour by hour” from multiple directions.
Regarding strategic oil infrastructure, Trump said US forces had avoided targeting oil pipelines on Khark Island, but emphasized that the capability to do so remains at his discretion. He also urged countries reliant on oil transported through the Strait of Hormuz to assist in keeping the waterway open.
Trump described recent operations in Iran as long overdue, noting that the country now faces “very limited” missile launches compared with previous weeks. He highlighted that the US has acted decisively against threats to regional stability while emphasizing ongoing readiness to strike as necessary.
Dubai extinguishes 14-hour fuel tank fire near airport
Dubai Civil Defense confirmed that a fuel tank fire near Dubai International Airport, which had been burning for 14 hours, has been successfully extinguished. Cooling operations are now underway to prevent any flare-ups and fully secure the site.
Emergency teams worked relentlessly for more than half a day to contain the blaze.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions, following the interception of Iranian drones and missiles targeting the UAE.
Civil Defense teams have confirmed that the fire in a fuel tank in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport has been extinguished. Cooling operations are now underway.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 16, 2026
Larijani says Iran faced ‘deceptive aggression’ during negotiations
Iranian politician Ali Larijani said Iran was subjected to what he described as “deceptive aggression” that occurred during negotiations, claiming the goal of the attack was to dismantle the country.
In remarks addressing regional developments, Larijani said the assault took place while talks were ongoing, describing it as a calculated move aimed at weakening Iran’s state structure.
He also criticized the response from the Islamic world, saying that “no Islamic country stood alongside the Iranian people except in rare cases and within limited political positions.”
Larijani added that, despite the pressure, Iran’s population had managed to confront the adversary.
He said the Iranian people, through their determination, had “suppressed the enemy” to the point where it now struggles to find a way out of what he called a “strategic impasse.”
Iran to release six-point message to Muslims worldwide
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Ali Larijani, announced that a six-point message addressed to Muslims worldwide and to the governments of Islamic countries will be released shortly.
Larijani wrote on his official account on X that the statement will be directed “to Muslims across the world and to the governments of Islamic states,” without providing further details about the content of the message.
ستنشر بعد قليل رسالة من ستة بنود موجهة إلى المسلمين في أنحاء العالم وإلى حكومات الدول الإسلامية
— Ali Larijani | علی لاریجانی (@alilarijani_ir) March 16, 2026
Child injured after missile shrapnel hits home in Jordan
A child was injured on Monday after missile shrapnel struck his family’s home in the Duqara area, west of Irbid, amid ongoing regional military escalation.
Security agencies and Civil Defense teams responded immediately to the incident, transferring the child to a hospital for treatment. The impact caused significant damage to the house after fragments hit the building.
Security forces secured the area and cordoned off the site to clear the debris and ensure the safety of residents.
The incident comes as regional tensions continue to escalate. Authorities urged citizens to stay away from any unfamiliar objects that fall to the ground and to immediately report them to emergency operations rooms.
UAE: Drone attack sparks fire at Fujairah oil zone
Alert period ends in Jordan
Sirens sound signaling end of alert period in Jordan.
