All you need to know about Day 19 of US-Israeli war on Iran

This live blog follows updates for Day 19 of the US-Israel war on Iran. For a recap of Day 18, go here.

• Iranian state media have confirmed the killings of security chief Ali Larijani and Basij force commander Gholamreza Soleimani.
• Iran's FM sees no reason for talks after Trump says it wants a deal.
• The IRGC carried out waves of strikes in Israel, Kuwait, and the UAE, while Israel hit Tehran and southern Lebanon and neighbourhoods in Beirut.
• Trump accuses NATO of 'foolish mistake' as allies show reluctance to send warships over to Strait of Hormuz.

French president calls for moratorium on strikes on civilian infrastructure

Published March 18, 2026 | 23:29 GMT

France's president called on Thursday for a moratorium on strikes against civilian infrastructure after speaking with President Donald Trump and the Qatari leader about attacks that hit energy sites in Iran and Qatar.

"I just spoke with the Emir of Qatar and President Trump following the strikes that hit today gas production sites in Iran and Qatar," President Emmanuel Macron posted on X.

"It is in the common interest to implement without delay a moratorium on strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly energy and water infrastructure," he added. 

Foreign worker killed in central Israel after Iran missile launch: medics

Published March 18, 2026 | 21:53 GMT

A man was killed in central Israel after the latest round of Iranian missile fire, medics said Thursday, bringing the death toll in the country from the ongoing war to 15.

The Magen David Adom emergency services described the victim as a "foreign worker" and said he was killed in Moshav Adanim, about 20 kilometres northeast of Tel Aviv.

"Metal shrapnel was scattered across the scene, and nearby lay a man...unconscious and suffering from severe shrapnel injuries," MDA medic Idan Shina said in a statement.

3 Palestinian woman killed in West Bank after Iran missile launch

Published March 18, 2026 | 21:53 GMT

Three Palestinian women were killed in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday by falling shrapnel, emergency responders said, shortly after Israel's military reported another Iranian missile barrage.

The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed four fatalities, all women, and six injuries ranging from moderate to minor, in the Beit Awa area near Hebron, marking the first Palestinian deaths in the ongoing Middle East war.

The Palestinian medics said the deaths were caused by "shrapnel falling."

Shortly before the deaths were confirmed, Israel's military said it had identified "missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel," adding that it was "operating to intercept the threat."

Iran strikes cause 'extensive damage' at major Qatar gas hub

Published March 18, 2026 | 21:52 GMT

Iranian strikes caused "extensive damage" at the world's largest gas hub in Qatar, the Gulf state's energy firm said Thursday, and an AFP journalist saw a vast fire illuminating the night sky, visible from roughly 30 kilometres away.

QatarEnergy said emergency teams had been "deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires," at the Ras Laffan facility on the tiny Gulf state's north coast after it was "the subject of missile attacks".

In a statement Qatar's foreign ministry condemned what called a "brutal Iranian attack targeting Ras Laffan" saying the targeting represented a "direct threat to its national security".

Later, the ministry said Iran's military and security attaches and their staff had been ordered to leave the country within 24 hours.

France's top diplomat to visit Lebanon Thursday: ministry to AFP

Published March 18, 2026 | 21:45 GMT

France's foreign minister will visit Lebanon on Thursday, the ministry told AFP, after the EU called on Israel to stop its military strikes on the country.

The visit by Jean-Noel Barrot "underlines France's support and solidarity with the Lebanese people, dragged into a war they didn't choose," the foreign ministry said.

Barrot is due to meet with Lebanon's president, prime minister and parliament speaker and comes after he spoke by phone with his Israeli and US counterparts.

Iran warns will destroy Gulf energy industry if its own attacked again

Published March 18, 2026 | 21:39 GMT

Iran warned on Wednesday that it would destroy the oil and gas industry of its Gulf neighbours, which it considers American interests, if its own energy sector is harmed again.

"We warn you once again that you made a big mistake in attacking the energy infrastructure of the Islamic Republic, the response to which is being implemented," the Revolutionary Guards announced, in a statement carried by Iranian media.

"If it is repeated again, further attacks on your energy infrastructure and that of your allies will not stop until it is completely destroyed, and our response will be much more severe than tonight's attacks."

Three killed in West Bank after Iran missile launch: Palestinian Red Crescent

Published March 18, 2026 | 21:28 GMT

Three people were killed from falling shrapnel in a Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank late Wednesday, medics said, shortly after Israel's military reported another Iranian missile barrage.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said it had responded to "three fatalities and five injuries, one of them very critical," in the Beit Awa area, near Hebron, marking the first Palestinian deaths in the ongoing Middle East war.

Air raid warnings reach southern Israel followed reported Lebanon rocket

Published March 18, 2026 | 21:01 GMT

Air raid sirens rang out late Wednesday across Israel from the north to the south following what Israeli media said was one or more missile launches from Lebanon.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on a report from the N12 television channel that a missile fired from Lebanon had been intercepted over the southern coastal city of Ashdod.

Between about 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm (1830 and 1900 GMT), the military's Home Front Command said air raid sirens were issued for communities in northern Israel, as well as areas near Gaza, about 160 kilometres from the Lebanon border.

Israel army says begins striking north Iran

Published March 18, 2026 | 20:53 GMT

The Israeli military said Wednesday it had launched airstrikes in northern Iran for the first time since the war began on February 28.

"The Israeli Air Force, acting on navy and IDF intelligence, began striking targets in northern Iran for the first time during Operation Roaring Lion," the military said.

Israeli media reports said the air force was striking Iranian navy vessels at the port city of Bandar Anzali, on the coast of the Caspian Sea.

Qatar orders departure of two Iranian diplomats over gas facility attack

Published March 18, 2026 | 20:37 GMT

Qatar's foreign ministry on Wednesday ordered Iran's military and security attaches, along with their staff, to leave the country within 24 hours, following an attack on its massive natural gas facility.

"Both the military attache and the security attache in the embassy, in addition to those working in the two attache offices, persona non grata, and requests that they leave the state's territories within a maximum period of 24 hours," the ministry said, in a social media post.

Kuwait arrests 10 Hezbollah members, thwarts 'terrorist' plot: ministry

Published March 18, 2026 | 20:22 GMT

Kuwait arrested 10 militants affiliated with the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group on Wednesday, who were accused of plotting "terrorist" actions against vital infrastructure, the interior ministry said.

This was the second Hezbollah-affiliated cell to be arrested in Kuwait this week, as the Gulf faced daily Iranian attacks during the Middle East war, which has seen Tehran-backed groups including Hezbollah join the conflict.

"The State Security Agency has successfully thwarted a plot for a terrorist operation targeting vital installations," the interior ministry said.

"Ten citizens, members of a terrorist group affiliated with the banned Hezbollah terrorist organisation were apprehended," it added.

The ministry shared a video of seized items including Hezbollah flags, small drones and pictures of Iran's slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Hezbollah's former leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli attack.

Saudi Arabia says 5 drones intercepted approaching energy facility in east

Published March 18, 2026 | 20:22 GMT

Saudi Arabia's defence ministry said on Wednesday that five drones approaching an energy facility were intercepted in the kingdom's east, in the latest strikes to target the Gulf's energy installations.

The official spokesman for the ministry reported the "interception and destruction of 5 drones that attempted to approach one of the energy facilities in the Eastern Region", according to a post on its official X account.

Ballistic missile fragment falls near refinery south of Riyadh: Saudi statement

Published March 18, 2026 | 19:53 GMT

Saudi Arabia intercepted four ballistic missiles on Wednesday, with a fragment falling near a refinery south of Riyadh, its defence ministry said, as Iran threatened Gulf gas facilities following US-Israeli attacks on its own infrastructure.

"Four ballistic missiles launched toward the city of Riyadh were intercepted and destroyed, a fragment of one of the ballistic missiles landed near a refinery south of Riyadh," the ministry said in a statement on X.

Saudi Arabia says four injured in Riyadh by shrapnel following interceptions

Published March 18, 2026 | 19:42 GMT

Four people were injured when shrapnel from a ballistic missile interception fell on a residential area of the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, the civil defence said.

"Four residents sustained injuries, and limited material damage occurred, as a result of shrapnel falling onto a residential area in Riyadh following the interception of a ballistic missile," said a civil defence statement on X.

UAE says air defenses responding to new missile threat

Published March 18, 2026 | 19:32 GMT

Emirati air defense was countering a missile threat Wednesday, authorities said, as Iran hit a major Qatar gas facility after threatening others across the Gulf following a US-Israeli attack on its own infrastructure.

"UAE air defenses are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the air defense systems intercepting missiles and drones," the ministry of defense said.

Fire at Qatar gas facility ‘under control’: civil defense

Published March 18, 2026 | 19:05 GMT

Qatari civil defence on Wednesday brought a fire caused by an Iranian attack on the country's main gas facility under control, the Ministry of Interior said, reporting no casualties.

"Civil Defense has initially brought the fire in Ras Laffan under control, with no injuries reported," the ministry said in a social media post.

'Uncontrollable consequences'

Published March 18, 2026 | 18:58 GMT

Iran's president warned on WBagher Ghalibaf risk of "uncontrollable consequences" of attacks on energy infrastructure, after facilities in the giant Iranian South Pars gas field were targeted in the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic.

"This will complicate the situation and could have uncontrollable consequences, the scope of which could engulf the entire world," Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on X, adding that such attacks "will yield nothing" for Iran's foes the US and Israel.

Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf added in a separate post on X that after the attacks on energy facilities, "an eye-for-an-eye sum is in effect, and a new level of confrontation has begun".

Qatar says Iran attack sparks fire in area hosting major gas facility

Published March 18, 2026 | 18:44 GMT

Qatar's interior ministry said on Wednesday that an Iranian attack set a fire at the Gulf state's main gas facility, situated on its north coast.

"Civil defence is dealing with a fire in the Ras Laffan area following an Iranian targeting," the ministry said in a statement after Tehran said it would target energy infrastructure across the Gulf following a US-Israeli attack on its own gas facilities.

Iran was not rebuilding nuclear enrichment, US intelligence finds

Published March 18, 2026 | 18:25 GMT

US intelligence concluded Wednesday that Iran was not rebuilding nuclear enrichment capacities destroyed last year by the United States and Israel, contradicting a key justification by President Donald Trump for his ongoing war.

Tulsi Gabbard, a Trump ally who is the director of national intelligence, offered mixed signals on the backdrop and outcomes of three weeks of war as she and other officials appeared before Congress.

She also assessed that Iran's leadership remained intact.

"As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran's nuclear enrichment program was obliterated," Gabbard said in prepared testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee, referring to the June 2025 US attack.

Saudi says destroyed drone headed towards gas plant

Published March 18, 2026 | 18:05 GMT

Saudi Arabia said it destroyed a drone headed towards a gas plant on Wednesday, as Iran threatened to attack Gulf energy infrastructure in retaliation for a US-Israeli strike on its own facilities.

"A drone attempting to approach a gas factory in the Eastern Province was intercepted and destroyed; the interception and destruction operation resulted in no damage," the Saudi defence ministry said.

Loud explosions heard over Riyadh: AFP

Published March 18, 2026 | 16:19 GMT

Multiple loud explosions echoed over the Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday, according to AFP journalists in the city.

The Gulf kingdom has been regularly targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks, including some aimed at Saudi Arabia's massive energy installations and the capital's diplomatic quarter.

Trump administration takes steps to curb energy cost hikes

Published March 18, 2026 | 16:13 GMT

US President Donald Trump's administration scrambled Wednesday to rein in surging energy costs from war in the Middle East,  temporarily waiving a century-old shipping law and easing Venezuela sanctions.

The moves came after oil prices rocketed following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Tehran's retaliation brought commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to a virtual halt, snarling energy supply chains.

Around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas pass through the critical waterway during peacetime.

The disruptions have caused average US gasoline prices to jump by more than 27 percent since the start of the war, according to data from the AAA motor club.

Lebanon says death toll from Israel-Hezbollah war rises to 968

Published March 18, 2026 | 16:10 GMT

Lebanon's health ministry said Wednesday that Israeli attacks have killed 968 people in the country since war erupted between Israel and Hezbollah on March 2, raising a previous toll of 912 a day earlier.

The new ministry statement said the toll included 77 women, 116 children and 40 health workers, with 2,432 other people wounded.

Israel army says Ben Gurion airport hit by 'debris' after Iranian missile fire

Published March 18, 2026 | 15:46 GMT

The Israeli military told AFP on Wednesday that "debris" had hit Ben Gurion Airport following Iranian missile fire, without specifying when the incident had occurred.

Israeli media reported that private planes parked at the international airport near Tel Aviv had sustained damage. The army lifted the censorship order regarding the incident on Wednesday but did not authorise the disclosure of the date.

UAE condemns targeting of South Pars gas field, after Iran blames US, Israel

Published March 18, 2026 | 15:31 GMT

The UAE condemned the targeting on Wednesday of Iranian facilities in a gas field shared with Qatar, calling the attack attributed by Iran to the US and Israel a "dangerous escalation" in a rare rebuke.

"The United Arab Emirates affirmed that targeting energy facilities linked to the South Pars gas field in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is an extension of the North Field in the sisterly State of Qatar, constitutes a dangerous escalation," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Targeting energy infrastructure poses a direct threat to global energy security... It also entails serious environmental repercussions and exposes civilians, maritime security, and vital civilian and industrial facilities to direct risks," it added.

Blasts heard over Tel Aviv after Israel says detected missiles from Iran: AFP journalist

Published March 18, 2026 | 14:31 GMT

An AFP journalist heard loud blasts over the Tel Aviv area on Wednesday, after the Israeli military said it had detected missiles fired from Iran.

First responders were working at an impact site in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv shortly afterwards, AFP live footage showed. Israel's Magen David Adom emergency services said there were no initial reports of casualties.

Iran president confirms 'assassination' of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib

Published March 18, 2026 | 14:31 GMT

Iran president confirms 'assassination' of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib

NATO chief says allies in talks on 'best way' to re-open Hormuz strait

Published March 18, 2026 | 14:41 GMT

NATO chief Mark Rutte said Wednesday that allies of the military alliance were in discussions on the "best way" to open the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large chunk of the world's oil supply normally passes.

"I have been in contact with many allies. We all agree, of course, that strait has to open up again. And what I know is that allies are working together, discussing how to do that, what is the best way to do it," Rutte told a news conference during a visit to a NATO exercise in northern Norway.

US President Donald Trump has urged other global powers to send warships to escort convoys of tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Iran holds funeral for security and Basij chiefs killed in US-Israeli strikes 

Published March 18, 2026 | 12:45 GMT

A funeral ceremony was held in Tehran for senior security official Ali Larijani and Basij chief Gholamreza Soleimani, who were killed in recent US-Israeli air strikes.

According to Press TV, large numbers of officials and mourners attended the مراسم to pay tribute to the two leaders.

Larijani and Soleimani are among the most senior figures to have been killed since the escalation of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran last month.

Israel military says plans to strike Litani River crossings in Lebanon

Published March 18, 2026 | 11:10 GMT

The Israeli military said it planned to strike bridges and crossings over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Wednesday to disrupt what it said were Hezbollah arms‑smuggling routes.

"To prevent the transfer of reinforcements and weapons, the IDF intends to attack crossings on the Litani River starting from this afternoon," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said on X.

"For your safety, you must continue moving to the area north of the Zahrani River and refrain from any movement southward, which may endanger your lives."

Israel says killed Iran's intelligence minister

Published March 18, 2026 | 10:54 GMT

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israeli forces had killed Iran's Minister of Intelligence Esmail Khatib.

"Last night Iran's Intelligence Minister Khatib was also eliminated," Katz said in a statement.

Israeli strikes on central Beirut kill 12: ministry

Published March 18, 2026 | 09:19 GMT

Israeli strikes on central Beirut on Wednesday morning killed at least 12 people, the Lebanese health ministry said in updated tolls.

The ministry said that the strikes on the Basta and Zuqaq al-Blat neighborhoods in central Beirut killed at least 12 people and wounded 41.

Israeli strike hits car in Sidon, southern Lebanon: state media

Published March 18, 2026 | 08:10 GMT

An Israeli strike on Wednesday hit a car in the center of Sidon, southern Lebanon's largest city, state media reported.

An AFP correspondent at the scene said the strike hit near the city's civil defense headquarters and the seaside road, where many displaced people are sleeping in their cars.

Iran to hold funeral for slain security chief as it vows vengeance

Published March 18, 2026 | 08:00 GMT

Iran will hold a funeral Wednesday for its security chief Ali Larijani as it vowed revenge, firing off a wave of missiles at Israel after it killed the powerful figure in an air strike.

According to Iran's Fars and Tasnim news agencies, funerals for Larijani and another powerful figure killed by Israel, Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij paramilitary force, will take place from 1030 GMT in Tehran.

A barrage of Iranian missiles killed two people near Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv, while Gulf nations intercepted rockets and drones headed for targets including US bases in the region.

In Lebanon, pulled into the Middle East war by Israel, Israel conducted a wave of deadly strikes including in central Beirut, with AFPTV's live broadcast showing plumes of smoke rising from one of the targeted areas.

Saudi Arabia says intercepted two drones targeting Riyadh diplomatic quarter

Published March 18, 2026 | 07:31 GMT

Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it had intercepted two drones targeting the diplomatic quarter of its capital, Riyadh, as Iran pressed on with its attacks on the Gulf.

Two drones were downed as they attempted "to approach the embassy quarter", the defense ministry posted on X.

The authorities had earlier said they intercepted several drones over the country's Eastern Province, as well as a ballistic missile close to the major Prince Sultan air base housing US forces south east of Riyadh.

Four explosions heard in Iraq's Erbil: AFP journalists

Published March 18, 2026 | 07:25 GMT

At least four explosions were heard on Wednesday in the city of Erbil in the autonomous Kurdistan region, AFP journalists reported.

It was not immediately clear what the target was. From a suburb of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, AFP journalists saw interceptions of projectiles over the city, which is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses US-led coalition troops.

Foreign ministers to meet in Riyadh as Arab neighbors call for end to conflict

Published March 18, 2026 | 07:21 GMT

“There has been a buildup of this political contact between Arab neighbors because they realize they’re the lone voice calling for an end to a conflict, and they were a lone voice calling for it never to happen in the first place,” according to AlJazeera.

“It is expected to reach a crescendo in coming weeks, and especially with this meeting in Riyadh,” AlJazeera reported.

 “What we’re expecting is even though Iran and Arab neighbors are on the opposite sides of this conflict at the moment, since Iran has been firing on its Arab neighbors, one thing that they agree on is that the war is inherently expensive,” it added. 

New Israeli strike on central Beirut without warning: state media

Published March 18, 2026 | 06:45 GMT

A new Israeli strike hit central Beirut's Zuqaq al-Blat neighbourhoods on Wednesday, state media reported, the second on the densely populated area since the early morning without prior warning.

A blast was heard throughout the capital, and AFPTV's live broadcast showed plumes of smoke rising from the area as the war between Hezbollah and Israel continued.

A building in Bashoura, also in central Beirut, was struck earlier following an Israeli warning.

UN maritime body holds emergency talks on Mideast shipping

Published March 18, 2026 | 06:25 GMT

The International Maritime Organization will begin an "extraordinary session" on Wednesday to discuss shipping amid the Middle East war, as fears grow over the fate of thousands of stranded ships and seafarers.

The London-based UN agency responsible for regulating international shipping safety is set to consider adopting possible resolutions during the two-day gathering at its London headquarters.

The IMO's 40-member council could vote Thursday on several proposed resolutions, including one to "establish a safe maritime corridor to allow the safe evacuation of seafarers and ships stranded in the Persian Gulf".

However, if passed, resolutions remain non-binding.

The meeting open to all 176 member states as well as dozens of NGOs and maritime industry bodies, comes as Iran's retaliation to Israeli-US strikes cripples commercial shipping in or near the Strait of Hormuz.

An effective Iranian blockade of the key maritime chokepoint through which a fifth of global crude and liquified natural gas normally transits has dramatically spiked oil prices and spooked markets.

It has also left around 20,000 seafarers stranded on approximately 3,200 vessels west of the strait, according to the IMO.

Israeli army issues warning ahead of strikes on south Lebanon

Published March 18, 2026 | 05:14 GMT

 Israel's military issued an evacuation call for residents of four towns in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, warning of imminent strikes targeting Hezbollah.

"For your safety, leave your homes immediately and head north of the Zahrani river", a military spokesman said in a statement posted online, naming four towns and villages near the Israeli border and in the area near Tyre city.

Blast heard in Beirut after Israeli warning: AFP journalists

Published March 18, 2026 | 04:15 GMT

A blast was heard in central Beirut early Wednesday, AFP correspondents said, as state media reported an Israeli strike following an evacuation warning.

"The enemy targeted the threatened building in Bashoura", a central Beirut neighborhoods, the official National News Agency reported, while AFPTV footage showed smoke billowing from the area.

Qatar intercepts missile attack as blasts heard in Doha

Published March 18, 2026 | 04:05 GMT

Qatar's defense ministry said it intercepted a missile attack on Wednesday as blasts were heard in Doha.

"Armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar," the ministry of defence said in a statement, released shortly after an AFP journalist in the capital heard several blasts.

Iran's foreign minister says global repercussions of war 'will hit all'

Published March 18, 2026 | 03:45 GMT

The repercussions of the war in the Middle East would be felt globally, Iran's top diplomat said on Wednesday, suggesting more Western officials should push back against the conflict.

"A wave of global repercussions has only begun and will hit all regardless of wealth, faith, or race," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X, accompanied by a copy of the US National Counterterrorism Center director's resignation announcement prompted by the war on Tuesday.

"A rising number of voices (including) European and US officials exclaim that the war on Iran is unjust. More members of the international community should follow suit," the post added.

Israel's military warns of imminent strike in central Beirut area

Published March 18, 2026 | 02:15 GMT

The Israeli military called on residents of a central Beirut neighborhood to evacuate early Wednesday, warning of an imminent attack on the Lebanese capital targeting Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

In a statement on social media, the military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee issued "an urgent warning to residents of... Bashoura neighborhood," saying Israeli forces would operate against a Hezbollah facility there.

A map posted alongside the statement showed a building in Bashoura, telling residents to stay at least 300 meters (985 feet) from it "for your safety."

UN watchdog says projectile struck Iran nuclear power plant

Published March 18, 2026 | 01:59 GMT

The UN nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that Iranian authorities had reported a projectile impact at the country's only operational nuclear power plant that caused no damage.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "has been informed by Iran that a projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr NPP on Tuesday evening," the Vienna-based agency posted on social media. "No damage to the plant or injuries to staff reported."

Agency head Rafael Grossi "reiterates his call for restraint during the conflict to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident," the statement said.

Iranian projectile hits near Australian military HQ in UAE: PM

Published March 18, 2026 | 01:36 GMT

An Iranian projectile hit near Australia's military headquarters for the Middle East in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, adding no-one was hurt.

"At 9:15 this morning at the Al Minhad base that Australia has in the United Arab Emirates, there was an Iranian projectile hit near that base," Albanese told reporters.

"I can confirm that no Australian personnel were injured, and everyone is absolutely safe," he added.

Lebanon says at least 6 dead, 24 wounded in Israeli strikes on central Beirut

Published March 18, 2026 | 01:13 GMT

Lebanon's health ministry said that two Israeli strikes on central Beirut early Wednesday killed at least six people and wounded 24 others, noting the toll was preliminary.

"Human remains were also recovered from the site, and their identities will be determined after DNA testing," the ministry statement said.

Iran's army vows revenge for security chief Larijani's killing

Published March 18, 2026 | 01:12 GMT

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami threatened on Wednesday to launch a "decisive and regrettable" retaliation for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike.

"Iran's response to the assassination of the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council will be decisive and regrettable," Hatami said in a statement.

The Revolutionary Guards said in a statement Wednesday that it had launched missiles at central Israel "in revenge for the blood of martyr Dr Ali Larijani and his companions".

Iraqi security official says drone hits US embassy in Baghdad

Published March 18, 2026 | 01:05 GMT

An explosion was heard in Baghdad early Wednesday, an AFP journalist said, as Iraqi officials reported a drone and rocket attack targeting the US embassy.

The latest explosion came hours after multiple blasts were heard across the Iraqi capital, where a witness told AFP he saw detonations likely caused by air defences intercepting projectiles over the embassy.

"The embassy was the target of a drone and rocket attack," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Another drone, targeting a US diplomatic and logistics centre at Baghdad's airport, was shot down, according to another security official.

Saudi Arabia says intercepts ballistic missile near Prince Sultan Air Base

Published March 18, 2026 | 00:56 GMT

Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile near Prince Sultan Air Base, which houses US military personnel, the defence ministry said on Wednesday as Iran continues strikes on Gulf nations.

"A ballistic missile launched toward Alkharj Governorate was intercepted and destroyed, with interception debris falling around Prince Sultan Air Base, causing no damage," the defence ministry posted on X.

Israel strikes central Beirut: Lebanese media

Published March 18, 2026 | 00:22 GMT

Lebanese media said Israeli strikes hit central Beirut and the city's southern suburbs early Wednesday, in raids that came without warning.

Local media reported one strike hit an apartment in the central Zuqaq al-Blat neighbourhood, where the Israeli military last week hit a Beirut branch of the Hezbollah-linked financial firm Al-Qard Al-Hassan.

The area is close to the government's headquarters and several embassies.

Another strike hit the central Basta district, where Israel had struck during a 2024 war between Israel and Hezbollah, according to media reports.

AFP correspondents in Beirut heard the sound of several explosions early Wednesday.

Lebanese media also reported two strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, a stronghold of pro-Iran militant group Hezbollah.

US military says hit Iran missile sites near strait with 'bunker buster' bombs

Published March 18, 2026 | 00:19 GMT

The US military said Tuesday it had hit Iranian missile sites near the strategic Strait of Hormuz with some of the most powerful bombs in the US arsenal.

"US forces successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz," Central Command said in a statement on X.

"The Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles in these sites posed a risk to international shipping in the strait."

Two killed near Tel Aviv after Iranian missile launches: Israeli medics

Published March 18, 2026 | 00:14 GMT

Two people were killed near Tel Aviv during an Iranian missile barrage, Israeli medics said on Wednesday, as security services reported that falling munitions had hit multiple sites.

The deaths brought the toll from missiles fired on Israel to 14 and came after another day of another day of heavy Israeli bombardments of targets in Iran and Lebanon.

The Magen David Adom emergency responders said the fatalities occurred in Ramat Gan, a city near the Israeli commercial hub of Tel Aviv.

"We saw smoke rising from a building with extensive damage and shattered glass," an MDA statement said.

Shortly after Israel's military had reported another round of Iranian launches, the MDA released images of destruction in multiple locations, including of cars on fire, destroyed vehicles and substantial amounts of rubble.

Israel's police said its bomb disposal experts were "operating at several impact sites involving munition debris within the (Tel Aviv) district."

In a separate statement, the military's Home Front Command said its search and rescue teams were "operating at several sites in central Israel where reports of impacts have been received."

Saudi Arabia says intercepts 6 drones, Kuwait reports rocket attack

Published March 18, 2026 | 00:07 GMT

Saudi Arabia intercepted several drones and Kuwait's air defences responded to a rocket and drone attack, authorities from both countries said on Wednesday.

The Saudi defence ministry said in two statements it had destroyed a total of six drones in the east of the country.

"Kuwaiti air defenses are currently intercepting hostile rocket and drone attacks," Kuwait's military also posted on X.

US embassy targeted in Baghdad: security source to AFP

Published March 18, 2026 | 00:03 GMT

A drone attack targeted the US embassy in Baghdad early Wednesday, a security source told AFP, and an AFP journalist reported hearing an explosion.

A security official told AFP that "a drone directly hit the embassy", but did not specify whether there was any damage. A second security official said the drone fell "near the embassy's security fence".

It comes hours after another drone and rocket attack targeted the US embassy in the Iraqi capital.

Iran confirms death of security chief Larijani, Basij commander Soleimani

Published March 18, 2026 | 00:00 GMT

Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed the death of its chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, after Israel said it had killed him in an air strike.

"The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of God's righteous servant, Martyr Dr. Ali Larijani," the council said, adding that his son and his bodyguards had died with him.

"After a lifetime of struggle for the advancement of Iran and of the Islamic Revolution, he ultimately attained his long-held aspiration, answered the divine call, and honourably achieved the sweet grace of martyrdom in the trench of service," it added.