EXPLAINER
Israel strikes Tehran as Iran retaliates throughout the Gulf; Hormuz disruption pushes oil costs greater and tensions rise.
Revealed On 13 Mar 2026
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Up to date: 2 hours in the past
Heavy Israeli strikes have hit Tehran, Iran, as its allies launch assaults throughout Gulf states, and transport via the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted, sending international oil costs hovering.
In the meantime, political strain is mounting in Washington because the battle spreads throughout the area.
Here’s what we find out about what has been taking place up to now 24 hours:
In Iran
- Supreme chief speaks: Appointed final week following the assassination of his father, Iran’s new supreme chief, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first assertion, warning that assaults on Israel and US navy property and infrastructure within the Center East will proceed except bases internet hosting US forces within the area are closed. The chief didn’t seem in particular person.
- Iranian supreme chief ‘wounded’: US Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth stated he believes Khamenei is wounded. “We all know the brand new so-called, not-so-supreme chief is wounded and certain disfigured.”
- President Donald Trump, in the meantime, stated it was a “nice honour” to be liable for killing Iran’s management, calling them “deranged scumbags.”
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Tehran rally blasts: Explosions struck close to a pro-government rally in Tehran attended by senior officers, together with safety chief Ali Larijani, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi, killing not less than one particular person as Israel and Iran exchanged new strikes.
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Iran promised to ship an “unforgettable lesson” to the US and Israel, whereas the Revolutionary Guards warned any protests would face a harsher crackdown than in January.
- Civilian casualties: No less than 1,444 individuals have been killed and 18,551 injured in US-Israel assaults since February 28, Iran’s Well being Ministry stated, with victims ranging in age from eight months to 88 years outdated.
In Gulf nations
- Regional retaliation and assaults: Iran has launched waves of drones and missiles in direction of Gulf nations that host US navy property and troops, and has focused oil tankers and services.
- Lethal assault: Two individuals died after safety forces intercepted a drone close to an industrial space in northern Oman, state media stated.
- Bahrain: The nation has reported intercepting 114 missiles and 190 drones because the struggle started on February 28.
- Saudi Arabia: The nation intercepted 10 drones over its japanese area and later destroyed an extra 28 drones that breached its airspace.
- Assaults on the UAE: The nation has strongly condemned Iranian strikes on the area, and stated they’ve hit Dubai Worldwide Airport and a few motels.
- Evacuations: Australia has ordered all “non-essential” officers to go away the United Arab Emirates and Israel, and urged its residents to evacuate the Center East whereas it’s nonetheless secure to take action
- Qatar’s response: Qatar’s airspace is formally closed, however Qatar Airways has scheduled greater than 140 particular flights to assist repatriate stranded residents and residents.
- Qatar has strongly rejected Israeli media claims that it deliberately paused liquefied pure fuel (LNG) manufacturing to control US vitality costs; officers clarified that the suspension was really pressured by an Iranian drone assault.
Within the US
- Troop surge: The US plans to deploy a Marine expeditionary unit of roughly 2,200 personnel from Okinawa, Japan, to the Center East to assist ongoing navy operations and potential evacuation missions.
- Home opposition: Greater than 250 US organisations have signed a letter calling on Congress to halt funding for the struggle. They argue the $11.3bn spent within the first six days of the battle is diverting essential funds from pressing home wants, similar to meals advantages.
- No ‘want’ for floor troops in Iran: US Senator Lindsey Graham has performed down the potential of US troops being deployed to Iran, however instructed the struggle might proceed for a while. “I don’t see this battle ending as we speak,” the Republican senator instructed reporters in Washington, DC.
- Drone defences: The US Military has deployed 10,000 Merops interceptor drones to the Center East. These drones, costing round $14,000–$15,000 every, are supposed to supply a less expensive various to costly missile defence methods for countering Iranian drones.
In Israel
- New missile wave launched at Israel: The Israeli navy stated early on Friday that Iran had fired a brand new barrage of missiles in direction of Israel, and instructed individuals in affected areas to move to shelters.
- Israel strikes Basij pressure: Israel’s navy stated it had struck checkpoints arrange in Tehran by the Basij pressure of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a part of efforts to undermine management by the authorities.
- Regime change: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel can create situations for regime change, however it’s as much as Iran’s individuals to take to the streets. He additionally stated Israel is aiming to cease Iran from shifting nuclear and ballistic initiatives underground.
In Lebanon, Iraq
- Downed US plane: All six crew died when a KC-135 aerial refuelling airplane crashed in western Iraq, the US navy stated. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the crash “was not as a consequence of hostile hearth or pleasant hearth.” A second airplane concerned within the incident had landed safely.
- Iraqi port closures: Iraq has shut its port operations after an Indian crew member was killed throughout an assault on a US-owned oil tanker in Iraqi waters.
- French soldier killed: An Iranian drone was liable for the loss of life of a French soldier in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish area, the primary French casualty of the struggle, his commanding officer stated.
- A number of assaults attributed to pro-Iranian factions have focused the area the place international forces are based mostly.
- Mounting loss of life toll and mass displacement: Lebanese officers have reported that not less than 687 individuals have been killed in Israeli assaults on Lebanon since final Monday, together with 98 kids. The extreme bombardments have displaced an estimated 700,000 to 750,000 individuals from their houses.
- UN chief in Beirut: UN chief Antonio Guterres stated he arrived in Beirut on a “solidarity” go to to Lebanon.
