All you need to know about the US Israel war on Iran day 28

This live blog follows updates for Day 28 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 27, go here.

• Iran says US, Israeli strikes damage 120 museums, historic buildings
• Spain annual inflation rises in March on higher fuel costs
• Kuwait says main port damaged in drone attack
• UK urges 'swift resolution' to Middle East war at G7
• Iran Guards urge civilians to leave areas near US forces in region

Trump says US may not be there for NATO if needed

Published: March 27, 2026 | 23:35 GMT

US President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his disappointment with NATO allies over their refusal to send military support to secure the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington may not help them if asked to do so.

"They just weren't there," he said at an economic event in Miami. "We spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year on NATO, hundreds, protecting them, and we would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don't have to be, do we?"

"Why would we be there for them if they're not there for us? They weren't there for us."

'Strait of Trump': US president says Iran must open key waterway

Published: March 27, 2026 | 22:26 GMT

US President Donald Trump on Friday insisted Iran must open up the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic to make a peace deal -- and dubbed the crucial waterway the "Strait of Trump."

Trump, who has renamed several buildings in Washington after himself during his second term, said his comment was a "mistake" but then added that "there's no accidents with me."

Repeating his claims that Tehran is ready to make a deal despite its denials, the 79-year-old US leader said that talks were underway to negotiate an end to the month-long conflict.

Multiple explosions shake Tehran: AFP journalist

Published: March 27, 2026 | 22:23 GMT

A series of explosions shook Tehran in the early hours of Saturday, an AFP journalist said, reporting around 10 intense blasts in the Iranian capital.

A plume of black smoke could be seen rising over the city after the blasts, the journalist said, one month into the war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Saudi Arabia says intercepts missile targeting Riyadh region

Published: March 27, 2026 | 22:13 GMT

Saudi Arabia said Saturday it had intercepted a missile targeting the Riyadh region, as Iran hits the kingdom and its Gulf neighbours with strikes.

"A ballistic missile fired in the direction of the Riyadh region was intercepted and destroyed," the defence ministry wrote on X.

Israel military reports missiles fired from Iran

Published: March 27, 2026 | 21:36 GMT

Israel's military warned late Friday that Iran had fired missiles toward it, as AFP correspondents reported air raid sirens in Jerusalem and explosions were heard from the city of Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

A man, thought to be around 60, was in a critical condition following the latest attack, the Magen David Adom emergency service reported, while police said three injuries of "varying severity" were recorded.

A witness shared video footage with AFP apparently showing an inbound missile barrage over Jerusalem as the military said it was scrambling search and rescue teams to impact sites in central Israel.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the military said on its official Telegram channel.

US hopes for Iran meetings 'this week': envoy Witkoff

Published: March 27, 2026 | 20:46 GMT

US President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Friday he believes Iran will hold talks with Washington "this week" to end the month-long war in the Middle East.

"We think there will be meetings this week, we're certainly hopeful for it," Witkoff told a business forum in Miami when asked about Iran negotiations.

The businessman-turned-roving envoy added that the United States expected a response from Tehran to its peace plan.

"We have a 15-point plan on the table. We expect the Iranians to respond. It could solve it all," Witkoff said.

Trump was due to speak at the same forum later Friday.

 Iran FM vows to 'exact heavy price' after strikes on key facilities

Published: March 27, 2026 | 19:23 GMT

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday Tehran would exact a "HEAVY price for Israeli crimes", after attacks on two of the country's largest steel factories and nuclear sites.

"Israel has hit 2 of Iran's largest steel factories, a power plant, and civilian nuclear sites among other infrastructure. Israel claims it acted in coordination with the US," said Araghchi in a social media post.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards also warned employees of the region's industrial sites "that have American shareholders as well as heavy industries allied with the Zionist regime... to leave their workplaces immediately" as they vowed to carry out retaliatory attacks.

Rubio says Iran has sent 'messages' but not response to proposal

Published: March 27, 2026 | 18:43 GMT

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that Iran had not responded to a plan to end the war but had sent "messages" showing an interest in diplomacy.

"We haven't gotten it yet," Rubio told reporters in Paris after G7 talks. "We've had an exchange of messages and indications from the Iranian system -- whatever's left of it -- about a willingness to talk about certain things."

Israel army confirms struck uranium processing facility in Iran's Yazd

Published: March 27, 2026 | 17:59 GMT

The Israeli military confirmed it struck a uranium processing site in Yazd, central Iran, on Friday, after the Islamic republic's atomic energy organization said US-Israeli strikes hit the facility.

"A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force... struck a uranium extraction plant located in Yazd, central Iran," the military said in a statement, describing the site as a "unique facility in Iran used for the production of raw materials required for the uranium enrichment process".

Rubio urges world to stop Iran starting 'tolling' in key strait

Published: March 27, 2026 | 17:49 GMT

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday he had made progress with allies in opposing Iranian threats to start "tolling" vessels that pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

"Not only is this illegal, it's unacceptable, it's dangerous to the world, and it's important that the world have a plan to confront it," Rubio told reporters in Paris after a G7 meeting, where he said he found "a lot of buy-in" to opposing the Iranian plan.

Rubio expects Iran war aims finished in 'weeks'

Published: March 27, 2026 | 17:47 GMT

 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday he expected Washington's war objectives in Iran to be completed in the next two weeks, regardless of whether the United States sends ground troops.

"When we are done with them here in the next couple weeks, they will be weaker than they've been in recent history," Rubio told reporters in Paris after G7 talks.

US-Israeli strikes hit heavy water reactor in central Iran: media

Published: March 27, 2026 | 16:40 GMT

US-Israeli strikes hit a heavy water reactor in central Iran, Iranian media reported on Friday.

"The Khondab Heavy Water Complex was targeted in two stages by aggression from the American and Zionist enemy," said Fars news agency, citing Hassan Ghamari, an official in the central Markazi province.

Fars and other media said there were no casualties or radiation leak from the site.

US-Israeli strikes hit uranium processing plant: Iranian atomic energy organization

Published: March 27, 2026 | 16:20 GMT

US-Israeli strikes hit a uranium processing facility in central Iran on Friday, the country's atomic energy organization said.

"The plant in Ardakan, located in Yazd Province, was targeted minutes ago in an attack by the American-Zionist enemy," it said on its Telegram channel, adding the attack "did not result in the release of any radioactive material."

Germany urges Iran to enter into talks with US

Published: March 27, 2026 | 15:20 GMT

 Iran would be "well advised" to negotiate with the United States after almost a month of the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic, Germany's foreign minister said Friday.

"The Iranian regime would be well advised to enter into serious negotiations with the United States now," Johann Wadephul said, after meeting G7 counterparts in France, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"There are initial indications that such talks should be taking place," he added, without giving further details.

Israeli strike on south Beirut without warning: state media, AFPTV

Published: March 27, 2026 | 14:05 GMT

A strike hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday afternoon without warning from the Israeli military, Lebanese state media said, as AFPTV footage showed smoke rising from the area.

The state-run National News Agency said Israeli warplanes "carried out a very heavy strike... on the Tahouitet al-Ghadir area", the same district where Lebanese authorities said another raid earlier Friday killed two people.

US-Israeli airstrikes target two steel plants in Iran: agencies

Published: March 27, 2026 | 14:05 GMT

US-Israeli airstrikes on Friday damaged two major steel plants in Iran, Iranian media reports said.

"Minutes ago, the American–Zionist enemy targeted the Khuzestan Steel (in southwest Iran) and Mobarakeh Steel factories in Isfahan (central Iran) in two separate attacks," the Fars news agency said, with state broadcaster IRIB also reporting the strikes.

"Rescue forces have immediately arrived at the scene of the incident," Fars wrote.

Bank of Spain flags risk of 'significant slowdown' due to Mideast war

Published: March 27, 2026 | 13:23 GMT

Spain’s economy could face a "significant slowdown" due to the Middle East war, the Bank of Spain said on Friday, although it still predicts growth of 2.3 percent in 2026.

"The central scenario anticipates a significant slowdown in the pace of activity, shaped by an international context dominated by the conflict in the Middle East," it said said, warning of potential "episodes of financial market instability"

Israel to 'intensify' strikes on Iran to stop missile fire: defense minister

Published: March 27, 2026 | 11:38 GMT

Defense minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel would step up strikes against Iran as a result of its continued missile fire, warning the Islamic republic would pay a "heavy price".

"Despite the warnings, the firing continues -- consequently, IDF strikes in Iran will intensify and expand to other targets in sectors that help the regime develop and use military means against Israeli civilians. They will pay a heavy price, an increasingly heavy one, for this war crime," Katz said in a video released by his office.

Iran says US, Israeli strikes damage 120 museums, historic buildings

Published: March 27, 2026 | 09:27 GMT

US and Israeli strikes on Iran have damaged at least 120 museums and cultural and historic sites across the country since the start of the war, the head of Tehran city council's cultural heritage committee said.

"At least 120 museums, historical buildings, and cultural sites across various provinces were directly targeted and sustained serious structural damage," said Ahmad Alavi.

He was quoted by state TV as naming UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace, along with other sites damaged in the war, including Saadabad Palace, the Marble Palace, and Teymourtash house, also known as the War Museum.

Spain annual inflation rises in March on higher fuel costs

Published: March 27, 2026 | 09:27 GMT

Spain's annual inflation rose to 3.3% in March, up from 2.3% the previous month, driven by higher fuel costs amid the Middle East war, preliminary data showed Friday.

The rise in consumer prices was mainly "due to higher prices of fuels and lubricants for personal vehicles," statistics office INE said in a statement.

Kuwait says main port damaged in drone attack

Published: March 27, 2026 | 09:27 GMT

Kuwait's main commercial port was damaged in a drone attack on Friday, authorities said, as Iran pressed its campaign in the Gulf in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.

The Shuwaikh port was targeted at dawn "by enemy drones; preliminary reports revealed material damage but no human casualties", the Kuwait port authority said in a statement on X.

A second port still under construction in the north of the country was also targeted on Friday, according to the ministry of public works.

The missile and drone attack on the Mubarak al-Kabeer port similarly caused damage but no casualties, the ministry said.

UK urges 'swift resolution' to Middle East war at G7

Published: March 27, 2026 | 09:27 GMT

The UK's foreign minister Yvette Cooper on Friday urged a "swift resolution" to Middle East war, accusing Iran of holding the global economy hostage by blocking shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

"We are very clear we need to see a swift resolution to this conflict that restores regional stability," Cooper said ahead of a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Referring to the refusal of Iran to allow vessels through the key Strait of Hormuz, she added: "Frankly, Iran cannot be able to just hold the global economy hostage as a result of a Strait which is about international shipping routes and the freedom of navigation."

Iran Guards urge civilians to leave areas near US forces in region

Published: March 27, 2026 | 08:51 GMT

Iran's Revolutionary Guards urged civilians across the region on Friday to stay away from areas near US forces, nearly a month into the war with the United States and Israel.

"The cowardly American-Zionist forces... are attempting to use civilian locations and innocent people as human shields," said the Guards in a statement on their Sepah News website.

"We recommend that you urgently leave locations where American forces are stationed so that no harm comes to you."

UN demands 'justice' after Iran school strike

Published: March 27, 2026 | 08:51 GMT

The deadly bombing of an Iranian school spurred "visceral horror", the UN rights chief said Friday, urging Washington to conclude its probe and demanding justice "for the terrible harm done".

Speaking at the start of an urgent debate in the UN Human Rights Council focused on the Feb. 28 strike on an Iranian elementary school in Minab on the first day of the Middle East war, Volker Turk said that "whatever differences countries have, we can all agree they will not be solved by killing schoolchildren".

The bombing "evoked a visceral horror", Turk told the United Nations' top rights body.

"The images of bombed-out classrooms and grieving parents showed clearly who pays the highest price for war: civilians with no power in the decisions that led to conflict," he said.

"In this case, a reported 168 pupils, teachers, school staff, and their loved ones."

A US Tomahawk cruise missile hit the school due to a targeting mistake, according to the preliminary findings of a US military investigation reported by The New York Times newspaper.

The UN rights chief stressed that "the onus is on those who carried out the attack to investigate it promptly, impartially, transparently and thoroughly".

"Senior US officials have said the strike is under investigation," he said, calling "for that process to be concluded as soon as possible, and for its findings to be made public".

"There must be justice for the terrible harm done."

Friday's discussion, at the request of Iran, China, and Cuba, marked the second urgent debate before the rights council this week, focused on the war in the Middle East.

On Wednesday, a debate requested by Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan, considered Iran's strikes on countries across the Gulf region and their impact on civilians.

Following that debate, the 47-member council approved by consensus a resolution condemning Iran's "egregious attacks" on its Gulf neighbours, calling for swift "reparation" to all victims of its strikes.

The council was not asked to consider a draft resolution during Friday's debate, which was scheduled to last around two hours.

US weighs sending up to 10,000 troops to Middle East: Reports

Published: March 27, 2026 | 08:01 GMT

The United States is weighing sending up to 10,000 extra troops to the Middle East, US media reported Friday, as speculation grows that Washington may be preparing a ground operation in Iran.

The deployment would mark a significant boost to Washington's military presence in the region, despite US President Donald Trump insisting that Tehran was taking part in peace talks with Washington to end the war.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the move would aim to provide Trump with "more military options" in the Middle East, engulfed by war since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

The troops would join thousands of paratroopers and Marines who have already been ordered to the region.

An Iranian official said Wednesday that Tehran would retaliate to a ground invasion of its territory by Washington by activating its Houthi rebels in Yemen to attack shipping in the Red Sea.

That would open up a new front in a war of spiralling economic, political, and military repercussions.

UN Security Council to meet on Iran Friday: Russian state media

Published: March 27, 2026 | 06:53 GMT

The UN Security Council will hold closed-door consultations on Friday to discuss strikes on Iran at Moscow's request, Russian state media reported, as the Middle East war nears its second month.

Iran has come under near-daily bombardment since US-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 triggered the war, which has since widened to large parts of the region.

"The Russian Federation has requested closed-door consultations with the UN Security Council due to the ongoing strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including educational and healthcare facilities," said Evgeny Uspensky, spokesman for Russia's envoy to the United Nations, according to state news agency TASS.

A strike on the first day of the war hit a school in the southern Iranian city of Minab, killing more than 160 children, according to authorities.

Preliminary findings of a US military investigation reported by The New York Times showed that a US Tomahawk cruise missile had hit the school due to a targeting mistake.

The United States, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, scheduled the meeting for 10:00 am in New York (1400 GMT), according to TASS.

Iran Guards say carried out attacks on Israel and US forces in Gulf

Published: March 27, 2026 | 02:26 GMT

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had carried out missile and drone strikes the previous day targeting sites in Israel and military facilities in the Gulf used by US forces.

The strikes involved long- and medium-range missiles and "destructive and roaming drones", and targeted sites in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, the Guards said in a statement carried by the IRNA and Fars news agencies.

The statement said a maintenance facility for US air defence system Patriot was targeted in Bahrain.

Israel military says carried out 'wide-scale' strike on Tehran

Published: March 27, 2026 | 01:39 GMT

Israel's military said its forces carried out strikes on "infrastructure" targets in Tehran early Friday, nearly a month into the Middle East war.

A brief military statement said Israeli forces "completed a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran".

Explosions heard from south Beirut as local media report Israeli strike

Published: March 27, 2026 | 00:59 GMT

Lebanese media reported an Israeli strike hit Beirut's southern suburbs early Friday, as AFP correspondents heard several explosions from the Hezbollah stronghold, which Israel has repeatedly struck since war erupted this month.

AFPTV footage showed smoke billowing from the area after the raid.

Israeli chief of staff warns military will ‘collapse in on itself’ due to soldier shortage

Published: March 26, 2026 | 23:29 GMT

The chief of staff of the Israeli military has warned that it will “collapse in on itself” due to growing demand and a shortfall of manpower as it fights multiple fronts.

“I am raising 10 red flags before you,” Eyal Zamir told a security cabinet meeting on Wednesday, according to Israeli media reports. He said that it wouldn’t be long before the military was unable to perform routine missions.

He said the military needs a “conscription law, a reserve duty law, and a law to extend mandatory service.”

Trump postpones Iran power plant strikes, says talks going 'very well'

Published: March 26, 2026 | 20:54 GMT

US President Donald Trump said he would not yet strike Iranian power plants as previously threatened after a request from Tehran, and added that talks with the Islamic Republic were "going very well."

"As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

"Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well."