Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz Over Trump Ultimatum
Trump late Saturday set a 48-hour deadline to open the strait
The United States and Iran threatened to target critical infrastructure Sunday as the war in the Middle East, now in its fourth week, puts lives and livelihoods at risk throughout the region.
Iran said the Strait of Hormuz, crucial to oil and other exports, would be "completely closed" immediately if the US follows up on President Donald Trump's threat to attack its power plants. Trump late Saturday set a 48-hour deadline to open the strait.
Israeli leaders visited one of two southern communities near a secretive nuclear research site struck by Iranian missiles late Saturday, with scores of people wounded. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a "miracle" no one was killed. Israel detected more Iranian missiles fired toward the area Sunday evening.
Netanyahu also claimed Israel and the US were well on their way to achieving their war goals. The aims have ranged from weakening Iran's nuclear program, missile program and support for armed proxies to enabling the Iranian people to overthrow the theocracy.
The developments signalled the war, which the US and Israel launched Feb. 28, was moving in a dangerous new direction, despite Trump's comment last week he was considering "winding down" operations. It has killed over 2,000 people, rattled the global economy and sent oil prices surging.
Live Updates
- 22 March 2026 4:56 PM IST
Qatar confirms death of 7th person in helicopter that crashed off its coast
Qatar’s Interior Ministry says rescuers found the body of a seventh person who initially had been missing.
The Defense Ministry said four Qatari forces and three Turkish nationals — including a military officer and two civilians — were on board the helicopter that crashed Saturday in Qatari territorial waters.
- 22 March 2026 4:51 PM IST
German defense chief demands Iran immediately stop de-facto closure of Strait of Hormuz
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius says joint efforts to secure trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz can come only after a ceasefire is achieved.
Pistorius urged Iran to ensure freedom and safe passage in the strait.
He made the comments Sunday during a trip to Japan for talks with his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi.
- 22 March 2026 3:38 PM IST
Hezbollah claims responsibility for deadly strike on Israeli border town
The Lebanese militant group said it was behind a rocket salvo that struck a car and killed one person in the town of Misgav Am.
The Israeli military said a civilian was killed in what “seemed to be” a rocket attack. Israeli medics said they found the man dead in his car and released a video showing two vehicles ablaze.
Hezbollah claimed it targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers with rockets.
- 22 March 2026 2:54 PM IST
Iranian missiles injure more than 160 in Israeli towns near nuclear site, officials say
More than 160 people have been injured, some seriously, according to Israeli emergency officials, as Iranian missiles attack towns near nuclear site, international media reported.
- 22 March 2026 2:51 PM IST
Bahrain reports new missile and drone attacks
The Persian Gulf country says its air defense systems were responding to missile and drone attacks from Iran.
The Defense Ministry said two missiles and two drones were launched at the kingdom island, which hosts the U.S. 5th Fleet.
It said a total of 145 missiles and 146 drones have now been fired at Shiite-majority Bahrain since the start of the war.
- 22 March 2026 2:28 PM IST
Qatar confirms 6 dead in helicopter crash off its coast
The Qatari Interior Ministry said one person is still missing from the crash on Saturday in the Persian Gulf country’s territorial waters.
A ministry statement on Sunday didn’t clarify the nationality of the dead or say if they were civilian or military.
The Defense Ministry blamed a “technical malfunction” for the crash.
- 22 March 2026 1:19 PM IST
Fresh blasts in Jerusalem
Blasts were heard and air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem on Sunday, AFP journalists said, after the Israeli military warned of incoming missile fire from Iran.Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical service said after the first warning that there were no immediate reports of casualties. - 22 March 2026 1:19 PM IST
Qatar chopper crash
Rescuers were searching for the crew and passengers of a Qatari military helicopter that crashed in the Gulf state's waters after a "technical malfunction", the government said early Sunday.While Qatar has been targeted by several strikes since the start of the Middle East war, no connection has been made between this chopper and the conflict triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran. - 22 March 2026 1:19 PM IST
Missiles target Saudi, UAE
Saudi Arabia's defence ministry said Sunday three ballistic missiles were detected around the capital Riyadh, while its UAE counterpart said it was responding to Iranian missile and drone attacks.
