US-Iran-Israel War Live Updates: Trump Claims America Has Struck Over 7,000 Targets As Conflict Enters 'Third Week'

Oil prices eased by about 1 per cent on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump repeated his call for help to unblock the Strait of Hormuz after some vessels sailed through it, and amid discussions of possible additional releases from emergency reserves as part of global efforts to reduce consumer energy prices during the Iran conflict.

• US President Donald Trump said on Monday that it was unclear whether the new Iranian leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, was still alive, given reports that he had been injured in an airstrike. "We don't know... if he's dead or not. I will say that nobody has seen him, which is unusual," he said during an event at the White House.
• After Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in the initial strikes of the war, Tehran announced that his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, had been named as his successor. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said last week that the new leader was believed to have been wounded in a strike. He has not been seen publicly. "A lot of people are saying that he's badly disfigured. They're saying that he lost his leg... and he's been hurt very badly. Other people are saying he's dead," Trump said.

Trump reveals he spoke with French President Macron about the coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, rating Macron’s support "an 8" out of 10. He emphasised that while Macron’s help is appreciated, the US doesn’t need anyone’s assistance, being the strongest nation in the world.,

#WATCH | On being asked if he has been speaking with the French president Macron about the coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump says, "I have spoken to him. On a scale of 0 to 10, he's been an eight. Not perfect, but it's France... I think he's… pic.twitter.com/DH5parhW43, — ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

Trump claims he predicted the 9/11 attacks a year before they happened, saying he warned about Osama bin Laden's threat. He also criticized President Clinton for missing the chance to take action against bin Laden.,

#WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, "... I predicted Osama bin Laden would knock out the World Trade Centre. I made that prediction a year before he did. I said, you better get him, he's a bad guy. I watched him be interviewed one time. One year before exactly, I wrote it in… pic.twitter.com/G53wr3hI8W, — ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

President Donald Trump stated that the US has effectively neutralised Iran's influence in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has long used as an economic weapon. He also mentioned that numerous countries are backing US efforts to secure the region, despite the threat of missile attacks.,

#WATCH | On US Operations in Iran, US President Donald Trump says, "... We have it (Strait of Hormuz) in very good shape. We've already taken care of Iran, but now, because of the fact that literally a single terrorist can shoot a missile, and it's fairly close range, because it… pic.twitter.com/9BYqhjkNv6, — ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

The Indian Navy has deployed two task forces of warships to ensure the safe transit of merchant vessels and tankers carrying gas and crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz. ,

The Indian Navy has deployed two task forces of warships to help in the safe transit of merchant vessels and tankers, bringing gas and crude oil to India after crossing the Strait of Hormuz near Iran. All possible assistance and support are being provided to the vessels which are… pic.twitter.com/pYQYQDaagO, — ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

Dubai's international airport was gradually resuming flights on Monday after a fuel tank fire caused by a drone attack forced a temporary closure and flights to reroute, spotlighting the challenge for airlines grappling with the Middle East crisis.

President Donald Trump on Monday repeated his call to nations to help reopen shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, saying some countries told him they were on the way, while others were not that enthusiastic about helping. Trump was speaking ahead of a lunch at the Kennedy Center.

Iran has asked India to release three tankers seized in February as part of talks seeking the safe passage of Indian-flagged or India-bound vessels out of the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Reuters citing sources, Indian authorities seized the three Iran-linked tankers near Indian waters, alleging they had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship-to-ship transfers at sea.

Israel on Monday warned that displaced Lebanese driven from their homes by its military campaign would not be able to return until the safety of Israelis living near the border was ensured, as Israeli troops pushed into new parts of southern Lebanon. 

Small pieces of metal from an explosion during an interception landed on the roof of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem, as reported by the Patriarchate. This was just metres away from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a sacred site where Christian tradition holds that Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of any injuries from the incident.

European countries on Monday demanded to know more about US President Donald Trump's plans for the war on Iran and when the conflict might end as they weighed whether to agree to his call to send warships to help shore up security in the Persian Gulf. Trump has asked allies including France, China, Japan, South Korea and Britain to help secure the strait for global shipping.

Indian LPG carrier 'Shivalik', carrying about 40,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, reached Mundra Port in Gujarat on Monday evening.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that Britain would not be drawn into a wider war in Iran but would work with allies on a "viable" plan to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz, a task he described as "difficult" without de-escalation in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump spoke with European allies and many other nations about opening the Strait of Hormuz, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during an interview with Fox News on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a new video to counter rumors about his death dismissing online speculations.,

שומרים על ההנחיות ומנצחים ביחד >> pic.twitter.com/HC5w3PqKuV, — Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 16, 2026

President Donald Trump may delay his China trip due to the Iran war, but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday it's not to pressure Beijing on the Strait of Hormuz. Bessent said any delay to Trump's trip to Beijing would not be because of disagreements over the Iran war or efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Monday rejected demands by US President Donald Trump for military support in the war against Iran and downplayed threats that such a stance by allies would hurt NATO.

"What does Donald Trump expect a handful, or two handfuls, of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful US Navy cannot do?" he said in Berlin.

"This is not our war; we have not started it."

Israel said on Monday it has detailed plans for a further three weeks of war as its military pounded sites across Iran overnight, while Iranian drone attacks temporarily shut Dubai airport and hit a key oil facility in the United Arab Emirates.

After a top US official named India when asked about plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz currently blockaded by Iran, the Indian government said on Monday that it is "not in any bilateral talks” on being part of any coalition to help reopen the waterway.,

According to Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Germany does not envision the NATO defense alliance playing a part in resolving Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
"I don't see NATO taking over responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz or making any decisions in this direction. In front of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Wadephul stated, "If that were the case, the NATO bodies would address it accordingly."

India has seen an uptick in Russian oil purchases this month, according to official confirmation from the country's trade secretary. The bilateral trade relationship between Russia and India has significantly improved as a result of this confirmation, especially in the energy sector. The official also confirmed that Venezuelan oil has not reached the Indian ports yet.

חיל-האוויר השמיד את מטוסו של מנהיג משטר הטרור האיראני בשדה התעופה ״מהאראבד״ שבטהרן - המטוס שימש את עלי ח׳אמנהאי, מנהיג משטר הטרור האיראני, בכירים נוספים ממשטר הטרור וגורמים בצבא איראן, לקידום רכש צבאי ולניהול קשרים עם מדינות הציר באמצעות טיסות פנים וחוץ.

השמדת המטוס פוגעת… pic.twitter.com/lOtRRIHTff, — Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 16, 2026

Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's aircraft was destroyed overnight at Tehran's Mehrabad airport, the Israeli military confirmed on Monday. Senior Iranian political and military leaders reportedly utilized the aircraft to travel both domestically and abroad and to coordinate with allies

Sharing a heartfelt post on social media, S Jaishankar said, Thank the Government and the people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far. Appreciate their support in these challenging times. ,

Thank the Government and the people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far.

Appreciate their support in these challenging times. @AraratMirzoyan

🇮🇳 🇦🇲, — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 16, 2026

A deputy governor of Iran's Markazi province was later quoted by the Mehr news agency as claiming that numerous homes surrounding the school in the city of Khomein were destroyed but no one was killed in the attack. According to Iran's Fars News Agency, a US-Israeli attack on the Shahid Khomeini Boys’ School at dawn today, attaching a number of photos that show the destruction of a building.

A drone strike hit an oil industry zone near UAE's Fujairah Port on Monday, triggering a fire in the area just days after a similar attack took place in the Gulf nation's key important energy hubs. There have been no casualties reported so far, said the Fujairah media office.,

EU ⁠member ⁠states will discuss what can be done ⁠from the European side to ⁠keep the Strait of Hormuz open, the EU’s foreign policy chief ‌Kaja Kallas said.

“It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open ⁠and that’s why we ⁠are also discussing what we can do ⁠in this regard from the ⁠European side,” ⁠she said, speaking to journalists before a EU foreign affairs ‌meeting in Brussels.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's health and whereabouts have been the subject of strange social media rumors. However, a Jerusalem cafe has intervened with images that provide a much less dramatic story: Netanyahu was recently alive, awake, and drinking coffee.After reports of Netanyahu's passing circulated on social media, the Jerusalem cafe where he allegedly had coffee released a photo of the prime minister, stating that he is still alive.,

אומרים שאני מה? צפו >> pic.twitter.com/ijHPkM3ZHZ, — Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 15, 2026

At least five people have been killed and seven others  were critically injured following separate strikes conducted US and Israel forces in the Iranian province of Markazi, Mehr news agency reported.

In the first attack, a residential complex surrounding the city of Arak was hit killing at least four people, the report said quoting a Markazi provincial official.

According to the report, there is a possibility that the number of fatalities could increase.

In an effort to strengthen front defenses, the Israeli military announced on Monday that its soldiers had started limited ground operations against Hezbollah locations in southern Lebanon in recent days.

Following a temporary suspension put in place as a precaution, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced the gradual resumption of some flights to and from Dubai International Airport to specific locations.

For the most recent information about their flights, travelers are encouraged to contact their airlines.

President Trump said that Washington is in contact with Iran, but expressed doubt that Tehran is prepared for serious negotiations to end the conflict.

Three drones were intercepted and destroyed over the Riyadh and Eastern areas, according to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense.

Saudi air defenses shot down the drones, according to a statement from the ministry's official spokeswoman. No other information was given right away.

The southern Lebanon city of Khiam has been the target of three airstrikes by Israeli airplanes.Following the early morning strikes, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, Al Jazeera reported.

As major economic players started releasing oil stocks on Monday (March 16) to prevent supply disruptions, President Donald Trump called on China and NATO allies to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the vital petroleum route that Iran has essentially closed.

The humanitarian crisis in Iran has reached a breaking point, with over three million people now displaced by relentless aerial bombardments. According to Al Jazeera, the civilian death toll has surpassed 1,500 as the ongoing conflict ravages the nation’s economy and destroys the livelihoods of millions.

Many Iranians have begun labeling the conflict an "imposed war," expressing a growing sentiment that the escalation was an "Israeli initiative" rather than a domestic choice.

The Iranian capital has been hit by a series of powerful new air raids, marking some of the most intense bombardments since the conflict began. According to Al Jazeera, massive columns of smoke were visible across the city skyline throughout the night, with at least three distinct locations confirming heavy impacts.

The Emirates Thiruvananthapuram to Dubai flight returned midway following the closure of Dubai International Airport and has landed back at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Passengers will be shifted to the terminal.

Source: Thiruvananthapuram Airport (TRV) PRO, — ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense has successfully neutralised a series of drone assaults targeting the country’s eastern province. According to reports from Al Jazeera, the Royal Saudi Air Force intercepted three distinct waves of drones throughout the day, destroying 12, 6 and 5 units respectively.

This latest defensive success follows a heavy engagement in the early hours of the morning, where the ministry confirmed the downing of 37 drones. The escalating aerial campaign highlights the growing threat to the Kingdom's eastern energy infrastructure as regional hostilities intensify.

US President Donald Trump has labeled Iran's use of artificial intelligence a "disinformation weapon," accusing Tehran of circulating AI-generated "fake news" to exaggerate its military achievements. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump warned that AI is "very dangerous" and claimed, without providing evidence, that Western media outlets are coordinating with Iran to spread manipulated content.

Twenty Thai crew members from the cargo ship Mayuree Naree arrived safely in Thailand on Monday, following a harrowing attack in the Strait of Hormuz. The Thai-registered vessel was struck by two projectiles on March 11 shortly after departing the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the growing danger to commercial shipping in the volatile waterway.

While the majority of the crew has been repatriated, three colleagues remain stranded aboard the damaged vessel in the Gulf. The incident has intensified concerns over the safety of international seafarers as the conflict continues to disrupt one of the world's most vital maritime corridors.

US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to NATO, suggesting the alliance faces a "very bad" future if member states do not assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with The Financial Times, Trump argued that since the United States has provided significant aid to Ukraine against Russia, Europe must now reciprocate by helping to secure the critical oil chokepoint currently blocked by Iran.

Iran’s foreign minister has labeled Israeli strikes on Tehran’s fuel reserves as "ecocide," warning that the resulting environmental destruction poses severe, long-term health risks to local residents.,

Israel's bombings of fuel depots in Tehran violate international law and constitute ecocide.

Residents face long-term damage to their health and well-being. Contamination of soil and groundwater could have generational impacts.

Israel must be punished for its war crimes. pic.twitter.com/K9bU57ZBTC, — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 16, 2026

Australia has officially declined to deploy naval vessels to the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump’s call for an international coalition to secure the waterway. Federal Transport Minister Catherine King clarified on Monday that while the government recognises the strategic importance of the chokepoint, it has not been asked to provide a ship and currently has no plans to do so.

"We won’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is, but that’s not something we’ve been asked, or we’re contributing to," Transport Minister Catherine King told ABC.

Japanese's PM Sanae Takaichi announced on Monday that Japan has no current plans to deploy naval vessels to the Middle East. Despite direct pressure from US President Donald Trump for allies to provide military escorts for tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Tokyo is maintaining a cautious stance.

All flights to and from Dubai have been temporarily suspended.

Please do not go to the airport.

Emirates will share updates when available. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.

The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority… pic.twitter.com/m5eIloT2wk, — Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 16, 2026

In a defiant address, Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reinforced his nation's ultimatum, demanding full financial compensation from its "enemies" for the recent military strikes and resulting devastation.

"We will obtain compensation from the enemy, and if he refuses, we will take as much of his property as we determine, and if that is not possible, we will destroy the same amount of his property," Xinhua news agency reported.

US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a high-risk ground operation to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub, according to a report by Axios.,

BREAKING: Trump is considering an operation to put boots on the ground and seize Iran's strategic oil depot on Kharg Island, according to Axios report., — The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) March 16, 2026

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have detained 35 individuals, including 19 Indian nationals, for disseminating misleading and artificial social media content regarding the ongoing conflict. The Attorney General ordered the arrests following a probe that identified users circulating AI-generated footage of explosions and manipulated videos designed to incite public panic.

A barrage of rockets and drones targeted Baghdad International Airport, striking a section that houses a US diplomatic facility. According to reports from AFP, the assault has left at least five people injured as regional tensions continue to climb.