A aircraft takes off from Rafik Hariri Worldwide Airport as smoke rises from the positioning of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, Lebanon, on March 17, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
The Israeli army struck Iran and Beirut on Saturday (March 21, 2026) because the U.S. was sending hundreds extra Marines to West Asia and President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to assist open the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally learn: West Asia battle updates on March 21, 2026
Greater than 2,000 folks have been killed for the reason that U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, whereas People seem more and more involved at indicators the battle may increase additional because it enters its fourth week.
Israel stated it was attacking Hezbollah on Saturday (March 21, 2026) within the Lebanese capital because it steps up airstrikes concentrating on the Iran-backed militia within the deadliest spill over from the battle on Iran since Hezbollah fired on Israel in help of Tehran on March 2.
Israel additionally launched new assaults on Iran on Saturday (March 21, 2026), together with on the capital, Tehran, its army stated.
Germany and France prepared to assist on Hormuz
Very important power infrastructure in Iran and neighbouring Gulf states has additionally been attacked, and oil costs have jumped 50% for the reason that battle started, threatening world financial shock.
Within the U.S., United Airways stated it will minimize its scheduled flights by 5% within the second and third quarters, planning for extended larger oil costs.
The Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for round a fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied pure gasoline provides, has been successfully closed to most transport since america and Israel launched the battle in opposition to Iran.
Mr. Trump on Friday (March 20, 2026) referred to as U.S. allies “cowards” for declining to assist open the strait whereas preventing continued.
A number of allies, who weren’t consulted earlier than the battle, have pledged to affix “applicable efforts” to make sure secure passage by way of the strait, however Germany and France have stated preventing should cease first. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated he would converse to Mr. Trump this weekend.
Iran is able to let Japanese-related vessels cross by way of the Strait of Hormuz, Kyodo Information reported on Saturday (March 21, 2026), citing Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araqchi. Japan will get round 90% of its oil shipments through the strait.
The Trump White Home, in an effort to extend provide and decrease costs, stated it will waive sanctions for 30 days to permit the sale of 140 million barrels of Iranian oil stranded on tankers by the battle. The administration had beforehand eased sanctions on an identical quantity of sanctioned Russian oil.
The Israeli army stated earlier than its Saturday (March 21, 2026) assaults it had issued evacuation warnings for seven neighbourhoods within the southern suburbs of Beirut. Greater than 1,000 folks have been killed in Lebanon and over 1 million have been displaced within the Israeli assaults.
Mr. Trump stated america was near reaching its objectives within the battle, which embody degrading Iran’s army and stopping it from creating a nuclear weapon, and may wind down its army effort.
Revealed – March 21, 2026 12:48 pm IST