March 18, 2026
Israeli airstrikes on central Beirut early Wednesday killed and wounded civilians and struck near government buildings, while US forces conducted strikes on Iranian missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz, expanding a wider regional confrontation.
Beirut strikes
Lebanese authorities said strikes hit the Basta and Zuqaq al-Blat neighbourhoods and the central Bachoura district, where an entire building was destroyed. The health ministry later put the toll at at least 12 dead and 41 injured. Officials said the attacks followed overnight rocket fire by Hezbollah into northern Israel and came as Israel intensified operations against the Iran‑backed militia.
Assassinations and senior casualties
Israeli media reported an attempted assassination of Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmaeil Khatib. Iran confirmed the killing of Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, in an Israeli strike, and Israel announced the death of Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of the Basij. Tehran warned of retaliation after Larijani’s death, and a government adviser cautioned that continued successful strikes on senior officials could produce decisive consequences.
Iranian counterstrikes and Israeli casualties
Iranian forces launched missile attacks in retaliation for strikes on senior targets. Authorities said a missile armed with cluster munitions struck a residential building in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, killing two people and causing damage across central Israel, including to railway infrastructure. Multiple impact sites required bomb disposal operations.
US strikes on Hormuz-area missile sites
US Central Command said forces used multiple 5,000‑pound deep‑penetrator munitions against hardened Iranian missile sites along the coastline near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting anti‑ship cruise missiles that threatened international shipping. The strikes used some of the most powerful munitions in the US arsenal. Shipping through the strait has largely halted amid the fighting, contributing to higher oil prices and prompting calls for allied efforts to secure the waterway.
Gulf-wide attacks and alerts
Missile alerts sounded in Dubai and other Gulf states amid a wave of attacks. Officials reported successful air interceptions and no reported casualties in several incidents. Attacks were also reported in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar; Saudi forces said they intercepted a ballistic missile targeting Prince Sultan Air Base. Australian authorities reported a small fire near an Australian base in the UAE with no injuries.
Nuclear site report
Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency that a projectile struck the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex. The IAEA reported no injuries and no damage, and Rosatom, which operates Bushehr with Russian staff, said the radiation situation was normal.
Domestic and regional developments
Iran’s judiciary said a man accused of spying for Israel’s Mossad was executed. Human rights groups and UN figures have previously criticized Iran’s high execution rate. Iraq announced a limited resumption of oil exports via the pipeline to Ceyhan, Turkey, restarting pumping at an initial capacity of about 250,000 barrels per day after disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz closures.
Diplomatic warnings
Iran’s foreign minister warned the conflict would have global repercussions, urging broader recognition of what Tehran describes as an unjust war. International officials and regional leaders continue to monitor and respond as fighting enters its third week.