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 1:18 PM IST
Iran targets Baghdad base
Iran's official IRNA news agency said on Sunday that a drone attack targeted a military base near the Baghdad International Airport.The "military base, located near Baghdad International Airport, has again been the target of drone strikes," the IRNA wrote, referring to a compound that was used in the past by the US military. - 22 March 2026 12:10 PM IST
The Islamic Republic today is the front line of defense for the Islamic nation. We call upon the peoples of the region to stand against the true enemy, says spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas Abu Obeida
- 22 March 2026 10:51 AM IST
UAE says intercepting Iranian missiles, drones
The United Arab Emirates said its air defences responded to Iranian aerial attacks on Sunday."UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran," the defence ministry said in a statement, explaining "the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones".Iran accuses Gulf states of allowing US forces to carry out attacks from their territory, and has launched missile and drone strikes against what it calls US interests in those countries throughout the war. - 22 March 2026 9:40 AM IST
Iran denies role in reported missile attempt on Diego Garcia
Iran on Sunday denied targeting the UK's military base on Diego Garcia, with a senior official telling Al Jazeera that Tehran was not behind the reported missile attempt.The denial comes after a report by The Wall Street Journal claimed that Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles towards the joint US-UK military base in the Chagos Archipelago. - 22 March 2026 7:09 AM IST
Over 100 Injured in Iran Strikes Near Israeli Nuclear Research Center
Iran struck two communities near Israel’s main nuclear research center late Saturday, leaving buildings shattered and at least seven people seriously injured, hours after Tehran's main nuclear enrichment site was hit as the war spun into a dangerous new direction at the start of its fourth week.
