The US and Israel continue to strike across Iranian cities as the conflict spreads regionally and disrupts global energy markets.
In Iran
– A series of large explosions hit northern Tehran near the Saadabad Palace complex, following earlier attacks on central Tehran, Karaj, Shahriar and Shiraz.
– A three-day-old infant and his two-year-old sister were among those killed when a US-Israeli strike hit their home in Arak; the children’s mother and grandmother were also reported killed, according to Iran’s IRGC.
– Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended Tehran’s right to self-defence, saying Iran did not start the war and will not surrender to “bullies”.
– An Amnesty International investigation concluded a US attack on a primary school in Minab killed at least 170 people, mostly schoolgirls.
– At least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured by US-Israeli attacks on Iran since February 28.
In the Gulf
– The UAE’s Fujairah oil industry zone caught fire after a drone strike; debris from an intercepted missile killed one person in Abu Dhabi’s Bani Yas area. The UAE temporarily closed its airspace in response to incoming missiles and drones.
– Qatar reported intercepting a missile and dealing with a limited industrial fire from falling debris; its defence ministry said 13 of 14 ballistic missiles launched from Iran were destroyed.
– Kuwait shot down a drone and detained 14 Kuwaitis and two Lebanese nationals allegedly linked to Hezbollah plotting sabotage.
– Bahrain said it had neutralised 129 missiles and 221 drones since the war began.
– Saudi Arabia reported intercepting 12 drones in its Eastern region.
In Israel
– Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent Nowruz wishes to Iranians ahead of the Persian new year.
– Hezbollah said it attacked the northern Israeli city of Nahariya, wounding a man.
– Israeli police found missile and interceptor fragments near holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City, including around Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
– Defence Minister Israel Katz said displaced Lebanese would not be allowed to return until northern Israel is safe, as the Israeli military announced “limited ground operations” in Lebanon; over a million Lebanese have registered as displaced.
In the US
– President Donald Trump pressed the UK and France to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively shut down, contributing to a sharp rise in oil prices.
– European leaders, including Germany and the EU foreign policy chief, rejected joining the US-Israel campaign or sending troops.
– Trump called Iran a “paper tiger” and said it had closed access to the strait “to our enemies.”
– Vice President JD Vance expressed support for Trump’s actions. Trump also asked to delay a planned trip to China to remain in the US during the conflict.
In Lebanon
– Hezbollah said it attacked Israeli troops and vehicles in at least three Lebanese border towns after Israel began limited ground operations.
– Residents of Arab al-Jal in southern Lebanon were ordered to flee ahead of an imminent Israeli attack.
– Lebanese authorities reported more than one million people registered as displaced since Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah began.
– German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that an Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon would worsen the humanitarian crisis.
In Iraq
– An air attack on a house in Baghdad’s Jadriya district killed four people and wounded others.
– A drone started a fire at a luxury hotel in Baghdad’s Green Zone shortly before air defences foiled a rocket attack on the US Embassy.
– Kataib Hezbollah said its senior security commander Abu Ali al-Askari had been killed.
– The Iraqi government condemned attacks on the US Embassy, the Baghdad hotel, and a southern oilfield as “terrorist attacks.”
Global economic effect
– The conflict has severely disrupted financial and energy markets. Crude oil prices have surged by about 50 percent since the joint US-Israel attacks began, with Brent crude around $106 per barrel.
– Japan began releasing strategic oil reserves after the International Energy Agency indicated reserve releases would start in Asia and Oceania.