Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel will continue its campaign to eliminate Iran’s leadership following a recent airstrike. Katz said the operation killed Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. He stated that both he and the prime minister had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to keep pursuing Iran’s leadership, which he described as responsible for terrorism and oppression.

Katz referenced a comment by U.S. President Donald Trump about frequent changes in Iran’s leadership, saying that Israel’s actions had accelerated that process by killing two of Iran’s top figures. He also praised the Israeli Air Force pilots and intelligence officers who took part in the mission.

Iran has not yet confirmed the deaths of Larijani and Soleimani, leaving uncertainty about the full impact of the strike and Israel’s ongoing operations.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani was killed. However, Iranian media reported that Larijani would soon deliver a message, suggesting he may still be alive. At least two Iranian outlets confirmed that the message was expected to be released within minutes.

An Israeli military official told the BBC that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had targeted Larijani. In a separate claim, the Israeli army said it had killed Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij Force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), during an attack on Monday night. Iranian authorities have not yet issued any official response or comment on either claim.

According to the Israeli military, Soleimani’s death would represent a major blow to Iran’s command-and-control structure. The situation remains unclear as Iranian media await Larijani’s statement and no confirmation has been provided from Tehran.

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized countries that did not respond to Washington’s call for assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on March 17, 2026, he said some nations preferred not to get involved, even though the United States continues to protect them. Trump remarked that while America defends others, those same countries might not stand by the U.S. if help were ever needed.

Trump stated that the United States has neutralized Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, all 30 Iranian ships allegedly involved in laying mines have been destroyed. However, he admitted uncertainty about whether Iran has deployed additional mines in the area. He declared that the U.S. has already “dealt with Iran.”

The president urged other nations to join efforts in maintaining security in the Strait, claiming that several countries are already moving toward cooperation.

Cuba has plunged into darkness following a severe nationwide power outage triggered by the United States’ strict oil blockade. Speaking at the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could either “liberate” or “occupy” Cuba, claiming the island nation was now in a weakened state. The AFP reported the remarks from Havana as the crisis deepened across the Caribbean country of 9.6 million people.

Cuba’s national electricity company, Unión Nacional Eléctrica, said the entire grid had collapsed, leaving many areas without power for up to 20 hours a day. The oil import halt has crippled the energy sector, disrupting transport and tourism. Following political changes in Venezuela, the US maintained its oil embargo, cutting off supplies since early January. In response, Havana introduced policy shifts allowing Cuban expatriates to invest and own businesses, with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva expressing readiness for trade with US firms and diaspora investors.

Public frustration has grown amid fuel shortages, food and medicine scarcity, and sporadic protests. President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged citizens’ anger but condemned violence as unacceptable.

British Airways has suspended flights on several Middle Eastern routes until June 2026 due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The airline announced that flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv will remain canceled until May 31, while services to Doha are suspended until April 30. A company spokesperson said the decision was made to ensure passenger safety and convenience amid unstable airspace conditions in the region.

The spokesperson added that the airline is continuously monitoring the situation and directly contacting affected passengers to offer alternative arrangements. Customers whose flights have been canceled can choose to rebook with another airline, change their travel dates, or receive a full refund. Despite the suspensions, British Airways continues to operate flights to Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The airline indicated that the suspension period could be extended further depending on developments in the region, as it continues to assess security and operational risks.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani has been killed. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Katz said the Israeli military was responsible for the attack. The Israeli army also claimed responsibility for killing Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij Force under Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in an assault on Monday night.

According to the Israeli military, Soleimani’s death represents a major blow to Iran’s command-and-control structure. Israel further pledged to continue using force against Iranian commanders. As of now, Iranian authorities have not issued any official response or comment regarding these claims.

The report noted that since the war began on February 28, Israel and the United States have been targeting Iran’s senior leadership, resulting in the deaths of several top military commanders, including the country’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Analysts believe Soleimani’s killing could further weaken the Basij Force’s control system.

Nearly 12,000 houses in Tehran have been partially or completely destroyed in attacks carried out by the United States and Israel over the past 18 days, according to Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian. The information was reported by Iran’s Mehr News Agency and cited by Middle East Eye.

Motamedian stated that residents whose homes were damaged can apply for compensation through their respective municipal offices. The report did not specify the exact dates or nature of the strikes, nor did it mention any casualties or further details about the affected areas.

The statement highlights the scale of destruction in Iran’s capital following the recent attacks, though broader political or military responses were not included in the report.

An Israeli military official confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s National Security Council. The incident was reported on March 17, 2026. It remains unclear whether Larijani was killed or injured in the attack.

The same Israeli military source also claimed responsibility for killing Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Basij force. The report did not specify where or how the attacks took place, and no further details were provided by either side.

The situation adds to ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, though the immediate consequences of the reported attacks remain uncertain.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed the arrest of ten foreign spies during its ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States. According to a report by AFP citing Iran’s ISNA news agency on Tuesday, the IRGC’s intelligence branch in the northeastern province of Razavi Khorasan stated that the individuals were identified and detained after being labeled as mercenaries and traitors.

The ISNA report did not disclose the nationalities of those arrested. The IRGC alleged that four of the detainees were gathering information about Iran’s sensitive facilities and economic infrastructure, while the others were linked to a group described as a “monarchist terrorist” organization.

No further details were provided about the timing of the arrests or the specific charges, leaving uncertainty about the broader implications of the detentions.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij Force, a paramilitary unit under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to the Israeli statement, Soleimani was killed in an attack on Monday night. Israel described his death as a major blow to Iran’s command-and-control structure and vowed to continue using force against Iranian commanders. Iran has not yet issued any official response to the claim.

The report comes amid heightened regional tensions following failed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington that took place from February 6 to 27 without reaching an agreement. On February 28, the United States launched “Operation Epic Fury” in Iran, while Israel simultaneously began its own campaign called “Operation Roaring Lion.”

In retaliation, Iran has been launching waves of drone and missile strikes targeting U.S. bases in Israel and six Gulf countries—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These attacks are reportedly ongoing, according to Al Jazeera.

The number of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, increased by 178,757 over the past year, reaching 1,184,864 as of February 28, 2026. The data comes from the latest report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published on March 17, 2026. In February 2025, the refugee population stood at 1,006,107.

According to the UNHCR report, 144,456 of the new arrivals were identified as newcomers, while an estimated 34,301 were newborns. The report attributes the new wave of displacement to both general and targeted conflicts in Myanmar during 2024. Although the newcomers have been identified through biometric methods, they are not yet fully registered; they receive only family cards for life-saving aid distribution.

The report also notes that the number of Rohingya refugee families in Bangladesh rose to 246,415 by February 2026, up from 204,303 a year earlier. Since 1990, 39,502 Rohingya refugees have been officially registered in Bangladesh, with more than one million arriving after August 2017.

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Moscow after being injured in attacks by the United States and Israel. According to a report by Kuwait-based outlet Al-Jarida, he traveled to Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The report stated that Putin spoke with Khamenei by phone on March 12, after which Khamenei flew to Moscow aboard a Russian military aircraft.

Al-Jarida contacted the Kremlin for confirmation, but no officials agreed to comment. Russian news agency TASS also sought clarification, and President Putin’s press secretary said they could not comment on such reports. The incident follows the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, the first day of the Iran war, in which several members of his family were also killed.

Following Ayatollah Khamenei’s death, Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as Iran’s new Supreme Leader. U.S. media reported that he was seriously injured, though Iranian sources said his leg injury was not life-threatening.

Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, has announced the likely date for Eid al-Fitr in Arab countries this year. According to his statement, the holy month of Ramadan in the Arab world is expected to complete 30 days, making the first day of Shawwal likely to fall on March 20. This means that most countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, are expected to celebrate Eid on Friday, March 20.

Al Jarwan also noted that on the 29th day of Ramadan, which falls on the preceding Wednesday, there will be no crescent moon visible in the skies over Arab nations. His assessment was reported by The National, indicating that astronomical conditions support the likelihood of Eid being observed a day later.

The announcement provides early guidance for communities and authorities in the Middle East to prepare for the festival, though the final confirmation will depend on the official moon sighting closer to the date.

At least 3,530 people have been injured in Israel since the outbreak of war with Iran, according to the Israeli Health Ministry. The ministry reported that the injured include both civilians and members of the Israeli military. Many of the wounded have been hospitalized for treatment.

As of Tuesday, 86 Israelis remain hospitalized, with eight of them in critical condition. The information was reported by Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, citing official data from Israel’s Health Ministry. The report did not specify the timeline or nature of the incidents that caused the injuries.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has led to a significant number of casualties and hospitalizations, highlighting the escalating humanitarian impact within Israel.

Iran has launched nearly 2,000 missiles and drones toward the United Arab Emirates since the start of the ongoing conflict, focusing its attacks on the country’s transport and energy infrastructure. On Monday, a drone strike near Dubai International Airport caused a fire and temporarily halted flight operations. Another attack ignited a blaze at the major oil storage facility in Fujairah port.

According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, a Palestinian citizen was killed in a rocket strike on a car in the outskirts of the UAE capital. Dubai International Airport has been hit multiple times since Iran began its retaliatory strikes, leading to significant disruptions. In late February, a luxury hotel in Dubai was also targeted in a separate attack.

The continued strikes have raised concerns over the safety of key infrastructure and civilian areas in the UAE as the conflict persists.