This live blog follows updates for Day 23 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 22, go here.
- The United States and Israel intensify strikes on Iran and allied forces
- Iran threatens to close Hormuz and target regional infrastructure in response
- Israel expands ground operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, signaling prolonged conflict
- Missile and drone attacks spread across the region, hitting multiple countries
- Tensions escalate as both sides warn of extended fighting and severe consequences
Israel army says launched 'wide-scale wave of strikes' in Tehran
Published March 23, 2026 | 02:35 GMT
Israel's military said it launched a "wide-scale wave" of strikes on the Iranian capital early Monday morning.
"The IDF has begun a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting Iranian terror regime infrastructure in Tehran," the Israeli military posted on Telegram using its official acronym.
Blasts heard in Tehran: Iran media reports
Published March 23, 2026 | 01:47 GMT
Iranian news agencies reported explosions in capital Tehran early Monday morning, with Fars saying airstrikes had occurred in multiple locations.
"Explosion heard in Tehran," local media Mehr posted on Telegram.
Fars reported that "airstrikes targeted areas of Tehran", specifying five areas and that "terrible sounds of explosions have been reported".
IEA chief says at least 40 energy assets 'severely' damaged in Mideast war
Published March 23, 2026 | 01:04 GMT
The head of the International Energy Agency said Monday that at least forty energy assets had been "severely or very severely" damaged in the Middle East due to the war in the region.
"At least forty... energy assets in the region are severely or very severely damaged across nine countries," Fatih Birol told the National Press Club in Australia's capital.
Global economy under 'major threat' from Strait of Hormuz crisis: IEA chief
Published March 23, 2026 | 00:24 GMT
The global economy is under "major threat" from the energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol said Monday, warning that "no country will be immune" to its effects.
"The global economy is facing a major, major threat today, and I very much hope that this issue will be resolved as soon as possible," Birol told the National Press Club in Australia's capital.
"No country will be immune to the effects of this crisis if it continues to go in this direction. So there is a need for global efforts," he said.
WTI crude oil prices up following Trump ultimatum on Iran
Published March 23, 2026 | 00:15 GMT
Benchmark US oil contract WTI was up Monday after US President Donald Trump gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum to open the Strait of Hormuz or face decimation of its energy infrastructure and Israel warned the war would continue for several more weeks.
At 0015 GMT, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was up 0.44% to $98.66 per barrel. It had climbed to just over $100 a barrel earlier Monday.
Iran awaits Trump threat to blow up power plants
Published March 23, 2026 | 00:12 GMT
Iran faces a deadline by President Donald Trump to open up the crucial Strait of Hormuz or face a major US assault on power plants, as Israel warned of weeks more of war.
Trump on Saturday threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if it did not, within 48 hours, end its partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway into the Gulf through which one-fifth of the world's oil flows.
The deadline, based on the time of his social media posting, would be 23:44 GMT, early morning Tuesday in Iran and Monday evening in Washington.
Iran's military command responded defiantly, saying that if Trump goes ahead, it would strike Israel's "power plants, energy and information and communications technology infrastructure," along with power plants in regional countries hosting US bases and companies with American shareholders.
"If the United States' threats regarding Iran's power plants are carried out... the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed, and it will not be reopened until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt," a process that could take years, the operational command warned.
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