This live blog follows updates for Day 23 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 22, go here.
- Missiles strike southern Israel towns, causing damage, injuries, and widespread panic
- Israel launches strikes on Iran, targeting missile sites and nuclear facilities
- Iran retaliates with missiles and drones across Israel and Gulf countries
- Clashes intensify as Hezbollah fights Israeli forces along Lebanon border towns
- Global tensions rise as nations call for restraint and protect vital oil routes
Trump says will 'obliterate' Iran power plants unless Hormuz opens within 48 hours
Published March 22, 2026 | 00:13 GMT
US President Donald Trump gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic or face the destruction of its energy infrastructure.
"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Israel military says striking central Tehran
Published March 22, 2026 | 01:09 GMT
The Israeli military said its forces launched a wave of strikes on Tehran early Sunday, hours after Iranian missile fire hit two cities in southern Israel.
A brief statement said Israeli forces were "currently conducting strikes on Iranian terror regime targets in the heart of Tehran".
Iran army says will target energy, desalination infrastructure after US threats
Published March 22, 2026 | 01:41 GMT
Iran's military renewed threats against the region's infrastructure after the US president vowed to "obliterate" power plants in the Islamic republic if the Strait of Hormuz is not swiftly reopened.
"Following previous warnings, if Iran's fuel and energy infrastructure is violated by the enemy, all energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted," the Iranian military's operational command Khatam Al-Anbiya said in a statement carried by Fars news agency.
The statement comes after Donald Trump gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to open the vital route in the Gulf to shipping traffic after it was effectively closed in response to the Middle East war.
Saudi Arabia expels Iran military attache
Published March 22, 2026 | 00:02 GMT
Saudi Arabia has ordered an Iranian diplomat and three members of his team to leave the country, as the kingdom and its Gulf neighbors face Iranian strikes in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks.
In a statement condemning "repeated Iranian attacks," Riyadh said it "decided to declare persona non grata the military attache of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with three members of the embassy's military mission."
They were given 24 hours to leave the country, the foreign ministry said in a message posted on social media.
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