US to send thousands more troops to Middle East, reports say
The US Defense Department is expected to order roughly 3,000 additional soldiers to the Middle East to support operations related to the war with Iran, two officials told the Wall Street Journal; Reuters also reported thousands more troops were due to be deployed. The forces would reportedly come from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, a rapid‑deployment brigade. Officials did not specify destinations or arrival dates and said a decision to place boots on the ground in Iran had not been made. Last week the US deployed about 2,500 Marines and sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. The military buildup could give the US options for future operations, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz by force or seizing Iran’s strategic islands, the WSJ reported.
US reportedly conveyed 15‑point plan to Iran
Israeli Channel 12 and the New York Times reported that the US has sent Iran a 15‑point plan, conveyed via Pakistan, proposing a path to end the war. The plan reportedly includes a one‑month ceasefire during which the sides would negotiate a 15‑point agreement, with conditions such as dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, ceasing support for proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. It is unclear whether Israel supports the proposal.
Diplomatic moves and denials
US President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were underway and claimed Tehran had offered an energy‑related “very big present,” adding that Iran agreed it would never have a nuclear weapon. Iran denied negotiations were taking place and accused Trump of trying to manipulate markets. Pakistan has offered to host talks; Qatar denied mediating, saying it was not involved in talks but supports diplomatic efforts to end the war. Egypt’s foreign minister has also been speaking to officials on both sides. China’s top diplomat urged Iran to seize opportunities for peace talks, saying “talking is always better” than fighting. French President Emmanuel Macron called on Iran to engage in “good faith” de‑escalation talks and to preserve civilian infrastructure and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah developments
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said Israel was not part of any reported US‑Iran talks and that Israel and the US were continuing to target military targets in Iran. Lebanon announced it would declare Iran’s ambassador persona non grata and ordered him to leave by March 29; the Foreign Ministry said this did not sever diplomatic relations. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam blamed Iran‑backed Hezbollah for dragging Lebanon into a wider regional war and called for the expulsion of Iranian operatives.
Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, reportedly launched about 90 rockets and attack drones at northern Israel in one day, Israeli military sources cited by Haaretz said. A woman was killed in northern Israel in a rocket attack, and Iranian missiles later struck a building in Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv, sending dozens to hospitals.
Strait of Hormuz, maritime and energy impacts
Iran told the International Maritime Organization that “non‑hostile” vessels may transit the Strait of Hormuz if they coordinate with Iranian authorities, and stated that vessels linked to the US, Israel and other “participants in the aggression” would not qualify for innocent or non‑hostile passage. The waterway has been effectively shut to international traffic since strikes began, leaving hundreds of commercial ships stranded and contributing to global energy concerns. US President Trump has threatened strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure if the strait is not reopened; Tehran has shown no sign of returning to pre‑war traffic.
IAEA and nuclear safety
The International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran informed it that a projectile struck the premises of the Bushehr nuclear power plant but that staff were uninjured, the facility was not damaged, and conditions remained normal. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called for “maximum restraint” to avoid nuclear safety risks during the conflict.
Gulf security incidents
Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority reported a fire at Kuwait International Airport after drones hit a fuel tank; there were no reported casualties. The airport was fully closed to commercial traffic, and Kuwait Airways had already suspended incoming and outgoing flights indefinitely following earlier drone attacks.
Domestic crackdowns and arrests in Iran
Iranian police announced the arrest of 466 people accused of destabilizing the country through online activities, part of what state media described as more than 1,000 arrests in the past month linked to filming sensitive locations, “cooperating with the enemy,” or sharing anti‑government content. Iran has largely cut off internet access to the outside world since February 28, though local services remain and some residents have tried to use VPNs or satellite internet.
Regional political and economic responses
France, China and other powers have urged negotiations and restraint. The Philippines declared a national energy emergency, citing rising oil prices from the Middle East war and ordering measures to ensure fuel, food and medicine availability, and to guard against hoarding and profiteering. The government also instructed agencies to prepare for possible evacuation of more than 2 million Filipinos in the region.
Humanitarian and security concerns
The conflict’s regional spillover has produced large numbers of displaced people in Lebanon and raised fears over civilian infrastructure and nuclear safety. Calls for de‑escalation and diplomatic engagement continue alongside military preparations and strategic posturing by multiple actors.