LIVE: Iranian Intelligence Minister Khatib Killed: Israel
U.S. Central Command said the strikes targeted Iranian anti-ship cruise missile facilities that posed a risk to international shipping passing through the strategic waterway.
Tehran: Israel’s defense minister said on Wednesday that the Israeli military killed Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib.
Israel Katz announced Khatib’s killing and said that “significant surprises are expected throughout this day on all the fronts,” without elaborating.
Khatib’s killing follows Israel killing top Iranian security official Ali Larijani and the head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force.
What to know:
- India has sent its first consignment of medical assistance to Iran as the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States entered its 19th day on Wednesday. Read more here.
- About 90 ships including oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the outset of the war with Iran and it is still exporting millions of barrels of oil at a time when the waterway has been effectively closed, according to maritime and trade data platforms. Read more here.
- A top security official in U.S. President Donald Trump's administration resigned over the war in Iran on Tuesday, saying the country had posed no imminent threat to the United States. Joe Kent, who headed the National Counterterrorism Center, is the first senior official in Trump's administration to resign over the conflict, now in its third week. Read more here.
- Israel's military killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani in an overnight strike , and Iranian state media confirmed the military also killed Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani as he met in a combat tent with commanders of the Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force . Both men were key to Iran’s violent crackdown on protests in January. Read more here.
- The United States said it pounded Iranian missile sites near the key Strait of Hormuz as the Islamic republic fired missiles Wednesday around the region, vowing to avenge the killing of its powerful security chief.
Live Updates
- 18 March 2026 1:43 PM IST
Indian-flagged tanker Jag Laadki reaches Mundra amid West Asia tensions
The Indian-flagged crude oil tanker, Jag Laadki, has successfully arrived at Adani Ports Mundra in Gujarat, marking a significant addition to the nation's energy imports.The vessel reached the port carrying approximately 80,886 metric tonnes (MT) of crude oil. The cargo was sourced from the UAE and was loaded at Fujairah Port.Measuring 274.19 metres in length overall with a beam of 50.04 metres, the tanker boasts a deadweight tonnage of approximately 164,716 tonnes and a gross tonnage of about 84,735 tonnes. - 18 March 2026 1:04 PM IST
Saudi ministry says second drone intercepted over Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry says its forces shot down a second drone Wednesday over the capital Riyadh. The drone was approaching the city’s diplomatic quarter, where the U.S. Embassy and other foreign missions are located.
- 18 March 2026 1:03 PM IST
Four explosions heard in Iraq's Erbil
At least four explosions were heard on Wednesday in the city of Erbil in the autonomous Kurdistan region, AFP journalists reported.
It was not immediately clear what the target was. From a suburb of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, AFP journalists saw interceptions of projectiles over the city, which is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses US-led coalition troops.
- 18 March 2026 1:03 PM IST
Israeli strikes in central Beirut unsettle residents
Israeli strikes overnight against central Beirut have destroyed the illusion of safe areas in the capital, residents and first responders said.In the renewed fighting with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Israel has concentrated most strikes where the group has a strong presence in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs.But several attacks early Wednesday hit city center neighborhoods, some without warning.“Today, Beirut is no different from the southern suburbs,” fire brigade Capt. Neshat Berri said in the Bachoura neighborhood, where emergency crews dug through rubble.Near a building damaged by a strike in the Basta neighborhood, resident Hassan Jaber said there was “no safety.”“We will continue to be exposed to this. Beirut is no different (from other areas),” he said. “May God protect us.” - 18 March 2026 12:33 PM IST
Iran to hold funeral for slain security chief as it vows vengeance
Iran will hold a funeral Wednesday for its security chief Ali Larijani as it vowed revenge, firing off a wave of missiles at Israel after it killed the powerful figure in an air strike.
A barrage of Iranian missiles killed two people near Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv, while Gulf nations intercepted rockets and drones headed for targets including US bases in the region.
- 18 March 2026 11:59 AM IST
Saudi forces destroy drone nearing diplomatic quarter
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry says its forces shot down a drone Wedneday morning as it approached the diplomatic quarter in the capital Riyadh, which houses the U.S. embassy and other foreign missions.
- 18 March 2026 7:09 AM IST
We will Pursue, Find, Neutralise Him: Israel on Mojtaba Khamenei
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue targeting anyone who “poses a threat to the state of Israel,” including Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, military spokesperson Effie Defrin has said. He added that the Israeli military currently has no information about Khamenei’s whereabouts. - 18 March 2026 7:09 AM IST
Iran Confirms Death of Security Chief Larijani
Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday confirmed the death of its chief Ali Larijani, after Israel said it had killed him in an air strike. "The pure souls of the martyrs embraced the purified soul of God's righteous servant, Martyr Dr. Ali Larijani," the council said, adding that his son and his bodyguards had died with him.
