Airstrikes battered Iran’s capital and Iranian missiles and drones focused Israel’s Tel Aviv and websites throughout the West Asia on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), whilst President Donald Trump mentioned america was in talks with the Islamic Republic to finish the battle.
With hundreds extra U.S. Marines on their strategy to the Gulf, either side firing intense barrages and Iran denying any negotiations are happening, the battle’s tempo remained excessive a day after Mr. Trump delayed his self-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s chokehold on that essential waterway has snarled worldwide delivery, despatched gas costs skyrocketing, and threatened the world financial system.
Iran-Israel battle updates on March 24, 2026
Any talks between the U.S. and Iran — which appeared on the most tentative on Tuesday (March 24, 2026)— would face monumental challenges. A lot of Washington’s shifting record of targets — significantly over Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear packages — stay tough to realize. In the meantime, it is not clear who in Iran’s authorities would have the authority to barter — or be prepared to, significantly as Israel has vowed to proceed taking out leaders after killing a number of.
Iran additionally stays extremely suspicious of america, which twice, underneath the Trump administration, has attacked throughout high-level diplomatic talks, together with with the February 28 strikes that began the present battle.
Iran’s navy has carried out strikes on the orders of native commanders, somewhat than from the political management, International Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned early within the battle. It stays unclear whether or not Iran’s new Supreme Chief, Mojtaba Khamenei, who reportedly was wounded and has but to be seen publicly, is issuing orders to Iran’s common navy or its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which answered solely to his late father.
Combined indicators on negotiations amid deep distrust
Whereas Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf known as the thought of negotiations with the U.S. “pretend information,” Mr. Araghchi’s workplace acknowledged the International Minister has been speaking concerning the battle this week together with his counterparts in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey and Turkmenistan.
Discuss of negotiations briefly drove down oil costs and boosted shares. However that respite was short-lived, with the value of Brent crude, the worldwide customary, nudging again over $100 a barrel Tuesday (March 24, 2026), up practically 40% for the reason that battle began.
Iran’s leaders are cautious of Washington’s motives, partially as a result of Tehran was in negotiations with the U.S. earlier than the shock assault that began the present battle. Iran was additionally in talks final yr when the U.S. and Israel attacked its nuclear services.
Iran named a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander as the brand new secretary of the nation’s Supreme Nationwide Safety Council on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), changing Ali Larijani, who was killed in an airstrike. Iranian state tv recognized the brand new secretary as Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, who reached the rank of brigadier basic within the Guard.
Marines are on the best way to the Persian Gulf
Mr. Trump’s announcement additionally comes as a contingent of hundreds of Marines is on the best way to the area, elevating hypothesis that the U.S. could attempt to seize Kharg Island, which is important to the nation’s oil community.
The U.S. bombed the island within the Persian Gulf greater than per week in the past, hitting its defences however saying it had left oil infrastructure intact.
Iran has threatened to mine the Persian Gulf if the U.S. seems to be on the verge of touchdown troops. That might complicate an amphibious assault and likewise imperil all delivery within the space.
Mr. Trump mentioned he would maintain off on a menace to bomb Iran’s energy stations whereas talks unfold — a delay that could possibly be timed to coincide with the arrival of U.S. Marines within the area, anticipated Friday (March 27, 2026), wrote the New York-based suppose tank the Soufan Centre in an evaluation.
“As Trump has previously, he could possibly be shifting navy belongings into place, on this case to organize for an invasion and seizure of Kharg Island, whereas utilizing negotiations as a canopy till these belongings are totally combat-ready.” Nonetheless, the centre additionally famous that “Trump could possibly be actively looking for an offramp. Whether or not Iran reciprocates is but to be seen.” Mr. Trump has mentioned he has no plans to ship floor forces into Iran however has not dominated it out. Israel has instructed its floor forces may participate within the battle.
Iran hits Israel and Gulf neighbours whereas Israel assaults Beirut
As airstrikes hit Tehran, Iran fired a number of waves of missiles at Israel early on Tuesday (March 24, 2026).
In Tel Aviv, a missile with a 100-kilogram (220-pound) warhead evaded Israeli defences to slam right into a road within the centre of town, blowing out home windows of a neighbouring condominium constructing and sending smoke billowing. 4 individuals suffered minor wounds, rescue service employee Yoel Moshe mentioned.
Rising from a shelter, Amir Hasid mentioned he anticipated the scene to be far worse. “It feels such as you’re a [sitting] duck, ready for the missiles to hit you, or somebody subsequent to you,” he mentioned.
In Kuwait, energy strains have been hit by air defence shrapnel, inflicting partial electrical energy outages for a number of hours. Missile alert sirens sounded in Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry mentioned it had destroyed 19 Iranian drones concentrating on its oil-rich Japanese Province.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the meantime, mentioned Israel will proceed to strike Iran and Lebanon even because the U.S. considers a ceasefire.
“There’s extra to return,” he mentioned.
Israel pounded Beirut’s southern suburbs on Tuesday (March 24, 2026), saying that it was concentrating on infrastructure utilized by the Iran-linked Hezbollah militant group.
A strike on a residential condominium southeast of the Lebanese capital killed at the very least three individuals, together with a 3-year-old woman, in keeping with the Lebanese Well being Ministry. One other 5 individuals have been killed within the south.
In the meantime, Lebanon ordered Iran’s ambassador to depart by Sunday (March 29, 2026), declaring him persona non grata. International Ministry spokesperson Denise Rahme instructed The Related Press that Iran’s embassy will nonetheless have a cost d’affaires to move its diplomatic mission.
The Lebanese authorities has been crucial of Iran and accuses its elite Revolutionary Guard of working in Lebanon alongside the Hezbollah militant group, and dragging the nation into one other battle with Israel.
Israel has mentioned that a few of its strikes have focused Guard officers working within the nation.
Authorities say Israeli strikes have killed greater than 1,000 individuals in Lebanon and displaced greater than 1 million.
Iran’s dying toll has surpassed 1,500, its Well being Ministry has mentioned. In Israel, 15 individuals have been killed by Iranian strikes. At the very least 13 U.S. navy members have been killed, together with greater than a dozen civilians, within the occupied West Financial institution and Gulf Arab states.