The Israeli military announced that it has launched a large-scale offensive on three major Iranian cities—Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. According to a statement cited by Al Jazeera, the operation marks a new phase of attacks aimed at what Israel described as critical infrastructure targets across Iran.

Tehran, Iran’s capital, lies in the northern part of the country, while Tabriz, the fourth-largest city, is located in the northwest near the borders with Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Shiraz, another major city, is situated in the southwest. The Israeli statement did not specify the exact nature or extent of the damage caused by the strikes.

Further details about the attacks are expected to be released as more information becomes available, according to the report.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the country never trusted the United States during their discussions, according to a report by Al Jazeera. In a statement released on March 16, 2026, Baghaei said the negotiations were conducted with “complete caution and deep distrust.” He emphasized that Iran approached the talks with open eyes and full awareness of the opposing side’s intentions.

Baghaei further claimed that the actions of the United States would remain “a stain in history.” Despite this, he noted that Iran did not hesitate to participate in the discussions. The remarks reflect Tehran’s continued skepticism toward Washington, even while maintaining diplomatic engagement.

The statement underscores Iran’s cautious diplomatic stance and signals that mutual distrust continues to shape its approach to negotiations with the United States.

Iran has warned that any facility providing support or services to the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford in the Red Sea will be considered a legitimate target. The warning came on Sunday from a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who described the carrier’s presence in the region as a threat to Iran.

Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters operates under the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and is responsible for planning and coordinating military operations involving various Iranian units. The statement follows the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28, according to the report.

The warning underscores heightened regional tensions and signals that Iran may expand its military response to include indirect targets associated with US operations in the Red Sea.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Sunday that it launched missile strikes on various Israeli targets using the ‘Sejjil’ missile for the first time. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that the attack marks Iran’s first use of this strategic solid-fuel missile since the start of U.S.-Israeli aggression on February 28.

According to the IRGC, the strikes successfully targeted key military and defense industry infrastructure belonging to the Israeli government. Al Jazeera reported that the Sejjil missile has an estimated range of 2,000 to 2,500 kilometers and travels at a speed 13 times faster than sound.

The report did not include details on the extent of damage or potential casualties from the attack, nor any immediate response from Israel or other parties involved.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran is desperate to reach a deal, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. He added that while Iran wants an agreement, he does not believe Tehran is ready to take the necessary steps. Trump also mentioned that despite Iran’s threats of retaliation, he is in discussions with other countries about protecting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Trump’s claim, saying Tehran has not requested any ceasefire or negotiations. He stated that Iran sees no reason to talk with the United States under current circumstances and is prepared to defend itself as long as needed. In an interview with CBS News, Araghchi said Iran was attacked even while engaged in talks, calling the conflict a war of choice by President Trump and the U.S.

The exchange underscores continuing U.S.-Iran tensions over security in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional standoff, with both sides maintaining firm positions against compromise.

Iranian police have arrested 500 individuals accused of supplying information to the country’s enemies, according to a statement made on Sunday by Police Chief Ahmadreza Radan. He said many of those detained were involved in serious incidents and had allegedly shared footage and photographs of potential attack sites with hostile entities. Authorities did not disclose when the arrests took place.

Earlier on Sunday, Iranian media had reported that several people were detained across multiple regions, though details were limited. The announcement underscores heightened security measures and the government’s focus on countering alleged espionage and internal threats.

No further information was provided about the identities of the detainees or the specific nature of the incidents, leaving key aspects of the case undisclosed.

Iran has asserted full control over the Strait of Hormuz, blocking all vessel movement without its permission. The closure has halted the transport of nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, driving global energy prices sharply higher. The situation follows the February 28 joint attack on Iran by the United States and Israel, which has now entered its third week. President Donald Trump, facing mounting pressure from rising fuel costs, has sought help from allies but received little response.

Iran’s foreign minister warned that the strait would remain closed to Tehran’s enemies, while reports said at least 16 ships have been attacked since fighting began. The U.S., Israel, and Iran have continued reciprocal strikes, including explosions near Tehran and Shiraz. Israel’s military claimed thousands of Iranian casualties, while Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israeli and regional targets. Several countries, including Japan, the UK, China, France, and South Korea, have reacted cautiously to Trump’s calls for cooperation.

Trump rejected any negotiation with Tehran, insisting that Iran must abandon its nuclear program before any deal. Meanwhile, rumors about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s death were denied, and Hezbollah continued retaliatory attacks in Lebanon as diplomatic efforts by France and the UN sought to halt the violence.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran has not requested a ceasefire nor sought any compromise. Speaking to CBS News, he said Tehran sees no reason to engage in talks with the United States under the current circumstances and remains prepared to defend itself for as long as necessary.

Araghchi explained that Iran does not understand why it should negotiate with Washington, noting that while discussions were ongoing, the US decided to launch attacks against Iran. He described the conflict as a war chosen by President Donald Trump and the United States, emphasizing that Iran will continue its self-defense efforts.

Earlier, US President Trump claimed that Iran wanted to make a deal but said he was not interested because the proposed terms were unsatisfactory, according to Al Jazeera.

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.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is in good health and has full control of the situation. He made the remarks in an interview with Qatar-based media outlet Al-Arabi Al-Jadid. Khamenei, who assumed office on March 8, has not been seen in public since taking charge. His first address on March 12 was read by a news presenter instead of being delivered directly, sparking speculation about his health and whereabouts.

In the same interview, Araghchi discussed regional tensions and ongoing conflicts, saying Iran would welcome any regional initiative that could bring about a just end to the war. However, he clarified that no concrete proposal or initiative for ending the conflict has yet been presented to Iran. He also issued a stern warning regarding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, stating that it would remain open to all ships except those belonging to the United States and its allies.

The minister’s comments appear aimed at dispelling rumors about the new leader’s condition while reaffirming Iran’s firm stance on regional security and foreign intervention.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has claimed that a group he described as the remaining members of the ‘Epstein gang’ might plan an attack similar to the September 11 attacks in the United States and attempt to blame Iran for it. He stated that Iran strongly opposes any such terrorist plan and emphasized that the Iranian people have no conflict with the American public.

The remarks came amid the ongoing war involving Iran and the recent release of a large number of US government documents. Those documents reportedly reveal connections between the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and several influential and wealthy individuals. Former US President Donald Trump, who once called Epstein a “pervert,” had been photographed with him on multiple occasions.

Tehran has recently highlighted Epstein’s links with American political, business, and social elites to portray Washington’s adversaries as morally corrupt, according to the report.

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.

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.

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.

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on various countries to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz as the joint U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran enters its fifteenth day. Iran has responded with strong counterattacks and tightened control over the strategic waterway, reportedly striking a U.S.-linked vessel under the Marshall Islands flag. While Iran has allowed Turkish and Indian ships to pass, most other maritime traffic has been halted. Experts believe Trump’s call for a multinational naval mission is unlikely to gain much support.

Analysts cited by Al Jazeera, including Professor Mohammed Elmasry of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, described the proposed mission as extremely difficult and dangerous. Elmasry noted that warships move slowly and could easily become targets in the narrow strait, which lies close to Iran’s mainland. He added that Iran’s drones have a range of about 2,500 kilometers, giving it the capacity to strike vessels at will.

The heightened risk has already made many insurance companies reluctant to cover ships or crews operating in the area, further complicating any potential deployment.