Iran has launched a large-scale ballistic missile and drone attack on Israel on Sunday, March 15, 2026, marking the 16th day of the ongoing conflict between the two nations. According to reports, missiles struck Tel Aviv and at least two other cities, injuring two people in central Israel and three more in the occupied West Bank. The Times of Israel cited emergency service Magen David Adom confirming that two 50-year-old men were wounded in the attack.

The report added that one of the missiles carried cluster munitions, dispersing submunitions across southern and central Israel, including the city of Eilat. Local authorities in Eilat stated that an Iranian ballistic missile equipped with cluster bombs was intercepted by Israel’s air defense system before impact. The attack occurred amid heightened tensions as Iran accused Israel and the United States of imposing an “unjust war.”

The situation underscores the intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel, with no indication of ceasefire or negotiation efforts from Tehran, according to related reports.

Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, has threatened to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in support of Iran as the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive against Tehran enters its 16th day. Houthi military official Abed al-Thawr said on Saturday that if a decision for intervention is made, their first step could be to impose a naval blockade against the United States and Israel. Citing Press TV, he added that commercial ships, warships, and even aircraft carriers heading toward those countries could be detained.

Al-Thawr further stated that the Houthis are considering a complete closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to all vessels bound for Israeli ports. The joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran began on February 28, targeting Tehran and several major Iranian cities. The White House claimed the strikes were aimed at neutralizing Iran’s potential missile and nuclear threats.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched counterattacks on Israeli facilities and U.S. bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Reports also claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials were killed in the strikes.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced key deadlines for Umrah pilgrims during the current season. The ministry stated that the last day to issue Umrah visas will be the first day of Shawwal, corresponding to March 20. Pilgrims must enter Saudi Arabia by the 15th of Shawwal, or April 3, and depart by the first day of Dhul Qadah, April 18.

The ministry reaffirmed that only those with valid Hajj visas may perform Hajj, and Umrah visas cannot be used for that purpose. Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al Rabiah praised Umrah companies for their cooperation during Ramadan, highlighting their role in assisting stranded pilgrims and facilitating their return. He emphasized the importance of adhering to scheduled airport arrivals and updating departure information through the Nusuk Makkah platform.

Officials also reviewed performance indicators for the Umrah season and discussed preparations for the third Umrah and Visit Forum in 2026, aimed at strengthening partnerships and improving pilgrim services in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

An Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese coastal city of Sidon has killed a Hamas official, according to a report by AFP. A Hamas source, speaking on condition of anonymity, identified the deceased as Wisam Taha, a member of the organization. The attack targeted an apartment in a residential building in Sidon, as reported by Lebanon’s state media.

Sidon hosts Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp and has been struck multiple times by Israel in recent months. Israel has stated that its operations in the area are aimed at targeting Hamas members. The latest strike adds to a series of cross-border incidents that have heightened tensions in the region.

The report did not provide further details about casualties or official responses from either side following the attack.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched a new round of missile attacks on multiple targets inside Israel, marking the first use of its solid-fuel Sejjil missile. According to a statement cited by Tasnim News, the strike was part of the retaliatory military campaign named True Promise 4, representing the 54th missile assault against Israel.

The IRGC said the latest operation also involved Khorramshahr, Kheibar Shekan, Qadr, and Emad missiles, targeting command and control centers linked to Israel’s aerial military operations. The force claimed that key military and defense infrastructure, as well as troop assembly points within the occupied territories, were successfully hit.

The attacks come as part of Iran’s ongoing retaliation for the February 28 U.S.-Israeli strike in Iran that killed senior military officials and civilians. Iranian forces have since been conducting missile and drone operations against Israeli and American regional bases.

A vessel of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC), named MV Banglar Joyjatra, has been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz due to escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The ship, carrying 31 Bangladeshi sailors, was only 66 nautical miles from the strait’s entrance on March 12 when reports of missile attacks emerged. Following security instructions from the UAE Coast Guard, the vessel retreated to a safer position in the Persian Gulf and is now anchored in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

The ship had earlier crossed the Hormuz Strait from India on February 2 and reached the UAE after loading steel coils from Qatar on February 27. The conflict began the next day when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, spreading instability across the region. BSC had planned to load new cargo in Kuwait after unloading at Jebel Ali Port on March 11 but decided to return the ship safely due to the war situation.

BSC has requested the Ministry of Shipping to seek diplomatic assistance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the vessel’s safe passage through the Hormuz Strait.

A senior US official has warned that Israel might consider using nuclear weapons if its ongoing conflict with Iran continues. David Sacks, an adviser to former US President Donald Trump on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, made the remarks on his All-In podcast, saying Israel is facing one of the most severe attacks in its history. He cautioned that prolonged warfare could weaken Israel’s air defense systems, posing a serious threat to its national security.

Sacks compared the current situation to the 12-day war in June 2025, noting that although Iran launched more missiles and drones then, the present conflict has caused greater humanitarian losses, infrastructure destruction, and displacement. He urged a swift end to the hostilities, arguing that the United States has already achieved its main objective by significantly weakening Iran’s military capabilities.

Sacks suggested that now is the right time to declare victory and de-escalate tensions through a ceasefire or negotiations with Tehran.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of renewed attacks on Iran’s main oil export hub, Kharg Island, while calling on allied nations to deploy warships to protect the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to NBC News on Saturday, Trump claimed that U.S. strikes had already destroyed much of the island and suggested further attacks could follow. His remarks signaled an escalation from earlier statements that U.S. operations targeted only military facilities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that Tehran would intensify its countermeasures if its energy infrastructure were attacked. He alleged that the U.S. launched strikes on Kharg Island from two locations in the United Arab Emirates, calling the move dangerous but pledging Iran would avoid civilian areas. The U.S. Central Command declined to comment, while a UAE presidential adviser said the country prioritizes restraint and rationality despite its right to self-defense.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced missile and drone strikes on Israeli and U.S. bases in response to a deadly attack in Isfahan that killed at least 15 workers. The tensions have raised fears of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil passes.

Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian couple and their two young children in the occupied West Bank, according to a report published on March 15, 2026. The incident occurred in the northwestern city of Tammum, where the family’s car came under fire. Two other children from the same family, aged eight and eleven, were also injured in the attack. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the victims as Ali Bani Odeh, his wife Wad Bani Odeh, and their sons Mohammad, aged five, and Osman, aged seven. All were reportedly shot in the face and head.

The Palestinian Red Crescent stated that its emergency workers were initially prevented by Israeli forces from reaching the wounded at the scene and were ordered to leave the area. The report cited the BBC as its source but did not include any official comment from Israeli authorities or further details about the circumstances of the shooting.

The incident adds to ongoing tensions in the occupied West Bank, though the report did not specify any immediate political or security responses.

South Korea is considering sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz following a call from US President Donald Trump for allied nations to help ensure security in the region, according to a report by Middle East Eye. A South Korean presidential official told AFP that Seoul is closely monitoring Trump’s social media statements and will carefully review the matter in consultation with the United States.

The official added that South Korea is comprehensively reviewing various possible measures to secure the safety of energy transport routes. Trump said on Saturday that many countries would send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and safe, expressing hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom would join the effort.

Meanwhile, a senior Japanese official stated on Sunday that Tokyo remains highly cautious about taking such steps, indicating differing levels of readiness among US allies regarding participation in the proposed maritime security initiative.

A total of 500 international flights from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were canceled over the past 16 days due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East, according to a statement issued on Sunday by Muhammad Kausar Mahmud, public relations officer of the Civil Aviation Authority. On Sunday alone, 23 flights were canceled.

The cancellations began on February 28, when 23 flights were grounded. The following days saw fluctuating numbers, including 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, and 39 on March 3. Airlines affected include Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Jazeera, Flydubai, US-Bangla Airlines, and Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Despite the disruptions, 49 flights operated on Sunday, mainly to Muscat, Kuwait, and the UAE.

The Civil Aviation Authority continues to monitor the situation as the conflict in the Middle East disrupts regular air connectivity from Dhaka to key destinations in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on France to refrain from any actions that could escalate current conflicts. He made the remarks during a phone conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, according to a report by Al Jazeera. The discussion focused on the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel and its regional consequences.

According to a post from Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Telegram, Araghchi blamed the United States and Israel for increasing insecurity in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. He urged all countries to act responsibly and avoid moves that could intensify the situation. Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and national security, stating that Iranian forces had only targeted military bases of aggressors, not other nations.

He also noted that achieving lasting peace in Lebanon depends largely on an end to Israeli attacks, emphasizing the need for restraint across the region.

Israel has issued an immediate evacuation warning for residents in several southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, ahead of a potential military operation. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced that the alert applies specifically to the neighborhoods of Haret Hreik, Ghobeiry, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Tahouit al-Ghadir, and Chiyah.

Adraee stated that the IDF would not hesitate to target anyone found near Hezbollah members, urging civilians to leave the areas immediately to avoid danger. The warning was shared on the social media platform X, emphasizing that remaining in those neighborhoods could put lives at risk.

The announcement signals heightened tension between Israel and Hezbollah, as the IDF prepares for possible operations in Lebanon’s capital region.

Iran has claimed responsibility for drone attacks targeting key Israeli security installations. According to Israel’s military, the strikes occurred on Sunday morning and hit the headquarters of the Lahav 433 special police unit and the Gilat defense satellite communication center. The report was carried by Al Jazeera, citing official statements.

Iran’s state media released a statement from its military saying the attacks were part of an ongoing military operation. However, Iran did not specify the exact locations of the targeted facilities or the extent of any damage caused by the strikes. The statement provided no further operational details.

As of the latest update, Israel has not issued any official response regarding the incident or its potential impact on national security.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to the United States and Israel but open to all other countries. Speaking in an interview with the American cable news channel MS Now on Saturday, Araghchi said there are no restrictions for ships from other nations to pass through the strait. He added that while some avoid the route due to security concerns, Iran has no role in that decision, and many tankers and vessels continue to cross the area.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States, along with several affected countries, might send warships to keep the strait open and secure in response to Iran’s move. Following this, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured and possibly disabled. Araghchi dismissed the claim, asserting that the leader was active and fulfilling his constitutional duties.

Araghchi emphasized that the Islamic Republic remains stable and not dependent on any single individual, assuring that all systems are under control.