This live blog follows updates for Day 32 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 31, go here

• Iran parliament approves toll plan for Strait of Hormuz
• NATO and regional allies intercept multiple Iranian missiles
• Iran confirms killing of Guards navy commander Alireza Tangsiri
• Netanyahu says Iran war goals achieved 'beyond halfway point
• Iranian attack sparks fire on Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port; no injuries reported

Israeli army says 'struck senior Hezbollah commander' in Beirut

Published March 31, 2026 | 23:16 GMT

The Israeli army said Wednesday it had "struck a senior commander" and another "terrorist" from Hezbollah in Beirut.

"A short while ago, in two separate strikes in the Beirut area, the IDF struck a senior Hezbollah commander," the Israeli Defense Forces said, adding that the second person was also a Hezbollah member.

Trump says US to leave Iran 'very soon,' deal or not

Published March 31, 2026 | 22:13 GMT

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that US forces would end operations in Iran "very soon," evoking a timeline of two to three weeks as his administration pursues talks with Iranian authorities while continuing its aerial campaign.

Asked during a White House event about the impact of high fuel prices since the start of the war on February 8, Trump said that "All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll become tumbling down."

"But we're finishing the job, and I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer," US forces will leave, he added.

Israeli airstrike targets car on a main road south of Beirut: state media

Published March 31, 2026 | 21:41 GMT

An Israeli airstrike hit a car on a major road south of Beirut, state media reported late Tuesday.

"The correspondent of the National News Agency reported that a car on the Khalde highway was targeted by more than one missile fired from a hostile Israeli drone," it said, adding that emergency services were headed to the site.

Israeli strikes in south Lebanon kill 8, including paramedic: health ministry

Published March 31, 2026 | 20:36 GMT

Israeli strikes in south Lebanon killed at least eight people on Tuesday, one of them a paramedic, according to the ministry of health.

In separate statements, the ministry said a strike in Tyre district killed three people and wounded 19 more, while another attack in Sidon district killed four.

A third strike in Bint Jbeil district hit a gathering point for the Risala Scouts ,killing a paramedic and wounding 13 other people.

Three explosions heard across Beirut: AFP journalists

Published March 31, 2026 | 20:15 GMT

Three explosions rocked Beirut early Wednesday, AFP journalists reported.

An AFP correspondent saw a column of smoke rising from the area after three large explosions were heard across the city, and saw an ambulance headed towards the site.

Iran’s FM says he’s gotten direct messages from Witkoff

Published March 31, 2026 | 20:09 GMT

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that messages have been exchanged with US special envoy Steve Witkoff directly and through friends, according to Al-Jazeera.

“I receive messages from Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations,” he said.

“We have not sent any response to the 15 American proposals, nor have we submitted any proposals or conditions,” Araghchi told Al Jazeera.

The Iranian foreign minister says Iran will only accept cessation of hostilities in the entire region, rather than a pause.

Lebanon denounces Israel's 'clear intention' for new occupation

Published March 31, 2026 | 18:55 GMT

Lebanon denounced what it called Israel's plans for "a new occupation of Lebanese territory" on Tuesday, after Israel said it would establish a "security zone" in the country.

Defense Minister Major General Michel Menassa said the remarks by his counterpart Israel Katz were "no longer mere threats", but reflected "a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory, forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of citizens, and systematically destroy villages and towns in the south".

Katz also said Israel would have "security control" up to the Litani river, an idea which Menassa denounced as "a deepening of the aggression against Lebanese land and national sovereignty".

US stocks jump after Iran says has 'will' to end war 

Published March 31, 2026 | 18:06 GMT

Wall Street stocks added to gains Tuesday after Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country had the "necessary will" to end the war with the United States and Israel depending on conditions.

Near 1720 GMT, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.1 percent at 49,164.55.

The broad-based S&P 500 gained 2.5 percent to 6,503.08, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 3.6 percent to 21,533.15.

Iran has 'necessary will' to end war, but seeking guarantees: president

Published March 31, 2026 | 17:27 GMT

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday his country had the "necessary will" to end the ongoing war with Israel and the United States, but was seeking guarantees that the conflict would not be repeated.

"We possess the necessary will to end this conflict, provided that essential conditions are met -- especially the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression," Pezeshkian said in a phone conversation with the president of the European Council, according to a statement from his office, reiterating a key demand of Tehran's.

Canada prime minister denounces Israel's 'illegal invasion' of Lebanon

Published March 31, 2026 | 16:45 GMT

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday denounced Israel's deployment of troops against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as an "illegal invasion" that violates its "integrity and sovereignty."

"The government of Lebanon has banned Hezbollah, is taking action, is trying to take action against Hezbollah and their terrorist activities and their threats to Israel, and that is the purported justification for this invasion," Carney told journalists at an event in Wakefield, Quebec.

"So we condemn it," he said.

Iran Guards say will target US tech firms if more leaders killed

Published March 31, 2026 | 16:23 GMT

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that they would target leading US technology firms like Apple, Google and Meta if more Iranian leaders were killed in "targeted assassinations".

"These companies, starting from 8:00 pm (1630 GMT) Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1, should expect the destruction of their relevant units in exchange for every assassination in Iran," the Guards said in a statement listing the names of 18 companies it alleged were complicit in the killing of officials.

"We advise the employees of these institutions to immediately leave their workplaces to preserve their lives," it added.

France 'surprised' by Trump criticism

Published March 31, 2026 | 16:05 GMT

French President Emmanuel Macron's office said Tuesday it was "surprised" by US President Donald Trump's criticism of France, stressing the country's position on US military overflights had not changed.

"France has not changed its position since day one," the presidency said.

"We are surprised by this tweet," it said, referring to Trump's social media post in which he accused France of being "very unhelpful" in the US-Israeli war on Iran and not allowing planes carrying military supplies to "fly over French territory".

UN worried by Israeli threats to occupy south Lebanon

Published March 31, 2026 | 15:45 GMT

The UN aid chief warned Tuesday that southern Lebanon could become another occupied territory in the Middle East after renewed Israeli threats to seize the area following its war with Hezbollah.

The aid chief, Tom Fletcher, drew parallels to Gaza, the Palestinian territory facing a humanitarian crisis, as he told the Security Council that fighting in Lebanon has already displaced 1.1 million people.

"Given the trajectory that some Israeli ministers have described and given what we have seen in plain sight in Gaza, how will you protect civilians?" he said.

"Given the intensity of the coercive displacement that we are seeing, how should we prepare, collectively as the international community, for a new addition to the list of occupied territories?"

Israeli strike hits apartment north of Beirut: state media

Published March 31, 2026 | 15:19 GMT

An Israeli strike hit an apartment in Christian-majority Mansourieh, north of Beirut, on Tuesday, state media reported, in the first attack on the area since the outbreak of the Israel-Hezbollah war.

"An enemy air raid targeted a ground-floor apartment in a building in Mansourieh," Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said. The strike came without warning.

Residents of the area heard an explosion and saw black smoke rise from the area, which contains many factories and furnished rental apartments.

Pakistan, China propose five-point plan for Gulf, Middle East stability

Published March 31, 2026 | 14:36 GMT

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi have released a five-point initiative aimed at “restoring peace and stability” in the Gulf and Iran following talks in Beijing.

The points are as follows:

·  Immediate ceasefire urged to prevent further escalation and allow humanitarian aid access.

·  Dialogue and diplomacy are emphasized as the only path, with calls to begin peace talks quickly.

·  Sovereignty and security of Iran and Gulf states must be respected and protected.

·  Attacks on civilians, infrastructure, and nonmilitary targets must stop under international law.

·  Shipping routes, especially the Strait of Hormuz, must remain secure with safe passage restored.

Next days in Iran war will be 'decisive': Pentagon chief

Published March 31, 2026 | 13:34 GMT

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the next days of the Iran war will be "decisive" while refusing to rule out US ground forces playing a role in the conflict.

Hegseth also revealed during a news conference -- his first in nearly two weeks -- that he had visited US troops in the Middle East over the weekend, and said that talks on ending the conflict were "gaining strength."

"The upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it," Hegseth said.

Asked about concerns among some of President Donald Trump's base about the possible use of ground troops in Iran, Hegseth 

declined to tip his hand.

"You can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do, or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground," he said.

Explosions heard in Saudi capital Riyadh: AFP journalist

Published March 31, 2026 | 12:49 GMT

Multiple explosions rattled the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday, according to an AFP journalist, the latest apparent barrage targeting the city as Iran carries out attacks across the Gulf region.

An AFP journalist heard at least two blasts echo over the city. The kingdom has been targeted regularly with drones and missiles over the past month.

Trump blasts UK, France over Iran war, says countries should 'just take' the Strait of Hormuz

Published March 31, 2026 | 12:25 GMT

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that countries that have not joined the Middle East war but are struggling with fuel shortages should "go get your own oil" in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said countries "that refused to get involved" should "build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," adding that the United States would not help them.

"The U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!"

In a follow-up post on the same platform, Trump singled out France specifically, claiming it had been “VERY UNHELPFUL” in refusing to allow supply-laden planes to fly over French territory. 

"The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL," he concluded with, “The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!”

EU chief urges Iran president to 'engage' on opening Strait of Hormuz

Published March 31, 2026 | 12:04 GMT

EU chief Antonio Costa on Tuesday urged Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call to stop attacks on regional neighbours and engage with diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"To de-escalate the situation, I urged Iran to stop the unacceptable attacks on countries in the region and to engage positively on the diplomatic track, notably with the UN to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," European Council president Costa wrote on X.

Strike hits Beirut's southern suburbs after Israeli warning: AFPTV

Published March 31, 2026 | 11:44 GMT

A strike hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday, AFPTV's live broadcast showed, after the Israeli military renewed its warning for residents to leave as it attacks the area.

The strike came shortly after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the war against the armed group.

Spain PM says Israel death penalty law 'step closer to apartheid'

Published March 31, 2026 | 11:34 GMT

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday condemned as "a step closer to apartheid" a bill passed by Israeli lawmakers that would allow the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks.

"It is an asymmetric measure that would not apply to Israelis who committed the same crimes. Same crime, different punishment. That is not justice. It is a step closer to apartheid," Sanchez wrote on X.

EU calls attacks on UN Lebanon peacekeepers 'grave violation' of law

Published March 31, 2026 | 11:14 GMT

The EU on Tuesday demanded an investigation into attacks on United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon, after three Indonesian troops were killed amid fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

"We call for a thorough investigation to shed light on these grave attacks. These attacks are a grave violation of international law, are totally unacceptable and must stop immediately," EU spokesman Anou

US-Israel targeted major pharmaceutical company: Iran govt

Published March 31, 2026 | 10:53 GMT

US-Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday hit one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Iran which produces anaesthetic and cancer drugs, the Iranian government said.

"During the US and Zionist regime attacks on civilian centres, on the morning of Tuesday, one of the largest companies producing anti-cancer, anaesthetic and specialised medicines was damaged and the drug production line was damaged," the government said in a post on X.

The pharmaceutical company was named as Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Company, which is owned by the Social Security Investment Company, a state-run holding firm.

On LinkedIn, Tofigh Daru says it develops and produces active pharmaceutical ingredients "in the anticancer, narcotics, cardiovascular to immunomodulatory segments."

Israeli forces will occupy parts of South Lebanon even after war: defence minister

Published March 31, 2026 | 10:51 GMT

Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said Israel's military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the current war against the Hezbollah armed group.

"At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon, on a defensive line against anti-tank missiles, and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani," Katz said in a video statement published by his ministry, referring to a river around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

Katz said hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese residents would be "completely prevented" from returning until north Israel's security was ensured, adding that: "All the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished in accordance with the Rafah and Beit Hanoun model in Gaza."

Qatar says Gulf states 'unified' in calling for war de-escalation

Published March 31, 2026 | 10:37 GMT

The Gulf states are unified in calling for a de-escalation of the Middle East war, Qatar said Tuesday as Tehran launched new strikes against its neighbours.

"Our understanding is that there is a very unified position in the Gulf on calling for the de-escalation and an end to the war," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a regular news briefing.

Iran media says strikes put desalination plant on Gulf island out of service

Published March 31, 2026 | 10:09 GMT

Iranian media said Tuesday airstrikes have put a desalination plant on Iran's Qeshm island in the strategic Strait of Hormuz out of service, though the report did not specify when the attack took place.

"One of the desalination plants on Qeshm Island was targeted... and is now completely out of service, as it is not possible to repair it in the short term," the ISNA news agency reported, quoting health ministry official Mohsen Farhadi.

China expresses 'gratitude' after three ships transit Hormuz strait

Published March 31, 2026 | 10:05 GMT

Beijing expressed "gratitude" on Tuesday for coordination that enabled three Chinese ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway which Iran has all but closed during the war in the Middle East.

Two of the vessels, belonging to state-owned shipping giant Cosco, passed through the strait while exiting the Gulf on Monday morning, data from the MarineTraffic monitor showed.

A third ship, a Hong Kong-flagged oil and chemical tanker called the Egret, crossed earlier on March 25 sailing from east to west, according to maritime analytics firm Kpler.

"Following coordination with relevant parties, three Chinese vessels recently transited the Strait of Hormuz," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a press conference.

"We express our gratitude to the relevant parties for the assistance provided," she said.

Deadly US-Israeli strikes damage religious site in Iran: media

Published March 31, 2026 | 10:11 GMT

US-Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed four people and damaged a Shia Muslim mosque and religious site in northwest Iran, Iranian media reported.

State television said the building of the Grand Husseiniya, a hall for Shia gatherings and mourning ceremonies, "was damaged following the enemy's morning attack on the Ferdowsi street" in the city of Zanjan.

It added that "parts of the dome and minarets were damaged."

The strikes killed four people and wounded 26 others in the area, according ISNA news agency citing Ali Sadeghi, a provincial deputy governor.

US, Israeli strikes hit pharmaceutical company producing cancer drugs: Iran govt

Published March 31, 2026 | 09:58 GMT

US-Israeli strikes hit on Tuesday one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Iran which produces anaesthetic and cancer drugs, the Iranian government said.

"During the US and Zionist regime attacks on civilian centres, on the morning of Tuesday, one of the largest companies producing anti-cancer, anaesthetic and specialised medicines was damaged and the drug production line was damaged," the government said in a post on X.

The pharmaceutical company is owned by the Social Security Investment Company, a state-run holding firm managing pension funds.

Strikes in central Iran hit 'military sites': Iranian media

Published March 31, 2026 | 09:18 GMT

Iranian media reported Tuesday that initial investigations indicated strikes in central Iran had hit some "military sites", without specifying the locations.

"Initial investigations indicate that some military locations in Isfahan were targeted," the Fars news agency quoted Akbar Salehi, a security official at the governor's office in Isfahan province, as saying.

The official also said the extent of the damage and any casualties were not immediately clear.

Isfahan province is a key hub for Iran's defence industry and hosts major nuclear facilities, including Natanz.

Strikes damage desalination plant on Iran island in Strait of Hormuz: media

Published March 31, 2026 | 09:03 GMT

Strikes have hit a desalination plant on Iran's Qeshm island in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, putting it out of service, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

"One of the desalination plants on Qeshm Island was targeted... and is now completely out of service, as it is not possible to repair it in the short term," the ISNA news agency reported, quoting health ministry official Mohsen Farhadi.

It was not immediately clear when the attack took place.

Two Chinese container ships transited Strait of Hormuz on Monday: monitor

Published March 31, 2026 | 6:30 GMT

Two container vessels belonging to the Chinese shipping giant Cosco have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz as they have exited the Gulf, ship tracking data showed Tuesday.

The CSCL Indian Ocean crossed the strait at around 0914 GMT on Monday, followed by CSCL Arctic Ocean 27 minutes later, according to data from Marine Traffic.

They passed close to the Iranian-controlled island of Larak and are bound for Port Klang in Malaysia.

Iran has said that the strait is open to ships of "friendly countries". It maintains healthy diplomatic ties with China.

Pakistani FM departs for day-long visit to China for talks on regional developments

Published March 31, 2026 | 6:28 GMT

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has departed for an official visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, the Foreign Office said Tuesday.

“Both leaders will review bilateral ties and discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the statement said.

An earlier foreign office statement stated that the visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to hold in-depth discussions on regional developments, as well as bilateral and global issues of mutual interest.

Strikes in central Iran hit 'military sites': Iranian media

Published March 31, 2026 | 6:07 GMT

Iranian media reported Tuesday that initial investigations indicated strikes in central Iran had hit some "military sites", without specifying the locations.

"Initial investigations indicate that some military locations in Isfahan were targeted," the Fars news agency quoted Akbar Salehi, a security official at the governor's office in Isfahan province, as saying.

The official also said the extent of the damage and any casualties were not immediately clear. 

Indonesia urges UNSC meeting after peacekeepers killed

Published March 31, 2026 | 5:38 GMT

Indonesia urged warring parties in the Middle East "to respect international humanitarian law" after three of its peacekeepers were killed in Lebanon, and called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting.

"The safety of peacekeeping troops must be the top priority. All parties to the conflict are urged to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the security of peacekeeping personnel," defence ministry spokesman Rico Ricardo Sirait said in a statement.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said two of its personnel were killed Monday in an explosion and another died late Sunday when a projectile hit their position.

Condemning the "heinous" attacks, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said on Tuesday that he had discussed the deaths with UN chief Antonio Guterres, and asked for an emergency UN Security meeting as well as "a swift, thorough and transparent investigation".

Israel military says four soldiers killed in south Lebanon

Published March 31, 2026 | 4:04 GMT

The Israeli military said Tuesday that four soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where its forces are clashing with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

A military statement named three soldiers from the same battalion who "fell during combat", and a separate statement said another soldier whose name had not yet been cleared for publication had died in the same incident.

Another soldier was severely wounded and a reservist moderately wounded, according to the second statement.

Explosions heard in Tehran: local media

Published March 31, 2026 | 03:00 GMT

Explosions were heard in Tehran and power cuts hit some parts of the capital, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

"Power outages in parts of Tehran after multiple explosions heard," Fars news agency reported.

Tasnim news agency also reported some residents in eastern Tehran were without electricity and that authorities were working to restore power.

Israel military says air defenses responding to Iranian missiles

Published March 31, 2026 | 02:48 GMT

Israel's military said its air defenses were responding to Iranian missiles on Tuesday as sirens rang out in Jerusalem.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel," the Israeli military posted on Telegram.

Sirens sounded and several blasts were heard over Jerusalem, an AFP witness said.

After announcing that air defences were intercepting incoming missiles, a military statement said it was safe "to leave protected spaces in all areas of the country".

Iran's state broadcaster IRIB also reported that Iran had fired a missile towards Israel.

Asian stocks fall, oil up as Trump threatens Iran

Published March 31, 2026 | 02:04 GMT

Asian stocks fell sharply in early trade Tuesday and oil prices rose as the Middle East crisis further escalated with US President Donald Trump threatening to destroy Iran's main export terminal.

South Korea's benchmark Kospi index was down more than four percent around 0030 GMT, while Japan's Nikkei index dropped 2.24 percent, before both recovered slightly.

The price of the main US benchmark for oil, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), was up 3.30 percent at $106.28 a barrel after closing Monday above $100 for the first time since the war started.

Brent Crude, the international benchmark, climbed 2.23 percent to $109.78 early Tuesday.

Debris from air defense interception sparks fire, wounds 4 in Dubai: media office

Published March 31, 2026 | 00:42 GMT

Falling debris from an air defense interception sparked a fire and wounded four people in Dubai, city authorities said on Tuesday.

"Authorities in Dubai responded to a fire in an abandoned house in Al Badaa caused by debris following an air defense interception," the Dubai Media Office posted on X, adding that four people near the house sustained minor wounds.

Iran FM says 'high time' for Saudi Arabia to eject US forces

Published March 30, 2026 | 21:21 GMT

Iran's top diplomat urged Saudi Arabia on Monday to evict US forces from its territory, reiterating that its attacks in the region only targeted its enemies.

"Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X. "Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security... High time to eject US forces."

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