March 28, 2026
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels said late Saturday they launched a second missile-and-drone attack against Israel, after officially announcing their entry into the month-long war earlier in the day. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the group fired ‘a barrage of cruise missiles and drones targeting several vital and military sites’ and that the strike coincided with operations by Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The group vowed to continue operations in the coming days.
Israel reported intercepting a missile over Tel Aviv that it said was launched by Houthi militants in Yemen. Separately, the Israeli military said it struck a Tehran compound used by Iran to research and develop naval weapons, identifying the site as the headquarters of the Marine Industries Organization, which it says is responsible for maritime systems.
Regional and international developments
United States: Washington ‘unequivocally and forcefully’ condemned a drone attack on the private residence of Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, and blamed pro-Iran militias. State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott characterized the actions by Iran and its proxies as a direct assault on Iraq’s sovereignty and stability. Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani called the drone strike cowardly and urged Baghdad to respond.
Iraq: The Interior Ministry reported that two police officers were killed and five wounded in strikes on Mosul it blamed on US and Israeli forces. The ministry said the wounded were hit in a second strike while rescuing colleagues; the initial attack reportedly hit a police station shared with Popular Mobilization Forces, a mostly Shiite umbrella group with factions aligned with Iran.
Lebanon: An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon killed two reporters and a cameraman working for broadcasters affiliated with Hezbollah. Al Manar said correspondent Ali Shoeib died in an attack on a vehicle near Jezzine. The Israeli military acknowledged targeting Shoeib, accusing him of acting as an intelligence operative for Hezbollah’s Radwan Force and of using journalistic cover to expose IDF positions.
Syria: State media reported Syrian forces foiled a drone attack launched from Iraq that targeted the Al-Tanf base in southern Syria, a site that previously hosted US personnel. Earlier in the week Damascus said one of its northeast bases had been hit by a missile from Iraq.
Maritime and diplomatic moves
Strait of Hormuz: Iran has allowed 20 additional Pakistani-flagged ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz at a rate of two per day, after largely closing the waterway since the war began. Pakistan’s foreign minister described the gesture as constructive and said Islamabad is hosting talks with senior diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt to seek de-escalation. Indonesia said negotiations with Iran over safe passage for Pertamina tankers were positive, and Thailand reported a deal with Tehran to allow its tankers safe transit.
Military deployments and alliances
US forces: The USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship normally based in Japan, arrived in the Middle East carrying roughly 3,500 sailors and Marines along with aircraft and amphibious assets, US Central Command said. The vessel was sent amid concerns the conflict could widen; the USS Boxer and other ships have also been deployed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US could meet its objectives without a ground invasion, while President Donald Trump remained vague on next steps.
Ukraine-Qatar cooperation: Ukraine and Qatar signed a defense cooperation deal following an unannounced visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Doha. Kyiv has been sharing expertise in drone and anti-drone warfare with Gulf states facing Iranian threats.
Human impact and wider reactions
Casualties and displacement: The fighting continues to produce civilian casualties and displacements across the region. Deutsche Welle reported Iranians crossing into Turkey, describing fear and disruption after a month of war.
Press safety and antisemitism: The deaths of journalists in Lebanon have raised concerns about press safety in conflict zones. Separately, a wave of antisemitic incidents across Europe prompted Belgium to deploy soldiers to protect Jewish sites, with community leaders saying tensions tied to regional conflicts are affecting daily life.
Protests in the United States: Demonstrations under the ‘No Kings’ banner spread across the US, signaling broader discontent with President Trump over issues including the Iran war, perceived corruption, immigration and economic pressures. Polling shows Trump’s approval ratings have fallen amid the conflict and rising energy prices linked to Gulf disruptions.
Infrastructure concerns: Media outlets have explored whether the Iran-related fighting threatens underwater internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz and what that could mean for global connectivity as attacks and blockades disrupt maritime routes and energy flows.
Diplomacy and multilateral responses
As the fighting spreads, multiple states are pursuing diplomacy to protect shipping lanes and de-escalate tensions. Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand and others have reported talks or arrangements with Iran to secure safe passage for commercial vessels. Pakistan has emphasized diplomacy and confidence-building measures as the preferred path forward.
Summary
What began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran has broadened into a regional confrontation drawing in Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis. Exchanges of missiles, drones and strikes have crossed borders, prompting military deployments, diplomatic initiatives, humanitarian concerns and economic impacts across the Middle East and beyond.