March 24, 2026
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel plans to control southern Lebanon up to the Litani River and has destroyed five bridges over the waterway, which he accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of using to move arms and personnel. Katz said displaced residents would not return south of the Litani until security for northern Israel is guaranteed.
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called for immediate negotiations to end the conflict, warning of critical impacts on global energy supplies. She condemned what she termed Iran’s “de-facto closure” of the Strait of Hormuz and urged a negotiated end to hostilities, though she did not name the United States or Israel in her remarks.
Strikes continued across the region. In Tel Aviv, debris from impacts wounded at least six people at multiple sites; Israeli authorities said a heavy warhead may have struck between apartment buildings. Smoke and explosions were reported across the city. Both sides traded strikes even as reports circulated of indirect talks; US President Donald Trump said he held productive discussions with Iranian officials, a claim Tehran denied. US officials later clarified a promised pause applied only to energy infrastructure.
The conflict’s wider ramifications grew clearer. Russia warned it would view any spillover into the Caspian Sea “extremely negatively.” Japan announced releases from private and national oil stockpiles and jointly held reserves after Iranian actions disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing global oil prices to highs not seen since 2022. Vietnam Airlines said it would suspend at least 23 domestic flights a week because of soaring jet-fuel costs, and Vietnam struck a deal to buy fuel from Russia. South Korea urged public institutions to curb vehicle use, asked major oil-consuming firms to cut usage and plans to restart nuclear reactors and boost renewables to reduce LNG dependence.
Reports from the region highlighted unrest and arrests. Iranian state media said security services detained around 30 people accused of spying for Israel; the suspects were reportedly found with Starlink devices and weapons. In Iraq, Kurdish Peshmerga forces and fighters from the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces suffered deadly attacks, including a US strike the PMF said killed at least 14 of its members.
Mediation efforts remained fragmented. Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan have each held talks with warring parties, and multiple sources said messages exchanged between Washington and Tehran were relayed through those capitals. Turkey’s foreign minister reportedly spoke with Iran’s foreign minister and US officials; Egypt said it delivered messages aimed at de-escalation; Pakistan offered Islamabad as a possible venue for talks. It was unclear which actor—if any—was leading the mediation or whether a unified diplomatic approach would emerge.
The conflict’s economic fallout extended beyond energy. Coverage highlighted threats to East Africa’s economies from surging oil prices and supply disruptions. Governments from Japan to South Korea announced measures to mitigate shortages and price shocks. Amid the uncertainty, leaders and international bodies urged negotiations to restore stability and reopen vital shipping routes.