This live blog follows updates for Day 30 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 29, go here.

• Israeli strike kills three journalists in south Lebanon
• Hundreds of Israelis protest against war, clash with police
• Iran president lauds Pakistan for mediation to stop US, Israel 'aggression'
• Ukraine denies Iran destroyed its anti-drone system depot in UAE
• Iran military say targeted Ukranian anti-drone system depot in UAE

Series of explosions heard in northern Tehran: AFP journalist

Published March 29, 2026 | 18:29 GMT

An AFP journalist heard a series of explosions coming from northern Tehran on Sunday, as the US-Israeli war with Iran continued.

Smoke was seen rising from one of the areas that were hit, the journalist said. It was not possible to immediately determine what the target was.

It came after the Iranian capital, in the north of the country, was rocked by two powerful explosions early on Sunday morning.

Iran Guards say struck industrial complex in southern Israel

Published March 29, 2026 | 17:33 GMT

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday they struck an industrial complex in southern Israel with ballistic missiles.

In a statement carried by state TV, the Guards said the strike was in response to "attacks of the American-Zionist axis on the industrial centres" in the Islamic Republic.

Lebanon says Israeli strikes killed more than 1,200 since March 2

Published March 29, 2026 | 16:40 GMT

Lebanon's health ministry said on Sunday that Israeli strikes had killed 1,238 people in the country since the start of the latest war with Hezbollah on March 2.

The toll included 124 children, while more than 3,500 people had been wounded, the ministry said in a statement. On Saturday and Sunday alone, 49 people were killed, it said, including 10 rescue workers and three journalists.

Israeli PM says ordered military to 'further expand' in Lebanon

Published March 29, 2026 | 15:50 GMT

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had ordered the military to "further expand" in Lebanon as Israel continues its campaign in the neighbouring country.

"In Lebanon, I have just ordered the military to further expand the existing security zone," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

Kuwait says 10 service members injured in attack on military camp

Published March 29, 2026 | 15:30 GMT

Kuwait's defense ministry on Sunday said 10 service members were injured in an attack on a military camp, as Iran continues targeting positions in the region in response to US-Israeli strikes.

"Over the past 24 hours, the armed forces detected 14 ballistic missiles and 12 hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace," said defence ministry spokesman Colonel Saud Abdulaziz al-Atwan in a statement.

"This resulted in an attack on one of the armed forces' camps, injuring 10 members of the armed forces, who are receiving the necessary medical treatment, in addition to material damage to the site," the statement added.

University in Iran's Isfahan says was hit by US-Israeli strike

Published March 29, 2026 | 15:23 GMT

A university in Iran's central city of Isfahan said it was hit by US-Israeli airstrikes on Sunday for the second time since the war between the foes erupted a month ago.

"Around 2:00 PM (1030 GMT) today, Isfahan University of Technology was targeted for the second time (during the war) by a brutal airstrike of Zionist-American aggressors," the university said in a statement carried by Fars news agency.

"According to initial reports, the attack on one of the university's research institutes also caused damage to several other buildings and resulted in minor injuries to four university staff members," it added.

Iran warns US Troops would become ‘food for sharks’ in event of ground invasion

Published March 29, 2026 | 14:40 GMT

A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters of Iran warned that any US ground invasion would face destruction, saying American forces would become “food for sharks” in the Persian Gulf, according to Tehran's semi-official Tasnim news agency.

In a statement issued on Sunday, March 29, Enrahim Zolfaqari warned the US against any ground invasion of Iran, saying such a move would result in severe and humiliating consequences for American forces.

Addressing the prospect of a ground invasion, Zolfaqari said, "Iranian forces have long been prepared for such a scenario and are waiting to respond." He warned that any act of aggression or occupation would lead to outcomes including capture, fragmentation, and disappearance of invading forces.

He added that US commanders and soldiers would ultimately become “food for sharks in the Persian Gulf,” emphasizing the severity of the consequences.

Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt meet in Islamabad 

Published March 29, 2026 | 13:45 GMT

Consultations among the four foreign ministers have commenced in Islamabad to de-escalate the conflict.

The four countries have emerged as mediators between the United States and Iran.

Italy says Israel preventing mass an 'offence to the faithful'

Published March 29, 2026 | 13:10 GMT

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israeli police actions preventing Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch from celebrating Palm Sunday mass.

The Latin Patriarchate earlier said Israeli police stopped Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa -- an archbishop with Catholic jurisdiction across Israel and the Palestinian territories -- from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to conduct the mass.

Meloni said in a statement the incident was "an offence not only to the faithful but to any community that respects religious freedom".

Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said on X he had summoned Israel's ambassador over the incident.

Iran says to target USS Abraham Lincoln carrier if it moves within range

Published March 29, 2026 | 12:22 GMT

Iran's navy chief Shahram Irani said Sunday that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier would be targeted by the Islamic republic if it comes within range.

"As soon as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group comes within firing range, we will avenge the blood of the martyrs of the Dena warship by launching various types of sea-to-sea missiles," Irani was quoted as saying by state TV, referring to an Iranian frigate sunk by the US on March 4.

UAE says it intercepts 42 drones, 16 ballistic missiles from Iran

Published March 29, 2026 | 11:07 GMT

The UAE defense ministry said it intercepted 16 ballistic missiles and 42 drones launched from Iran today.

Its Defense Ministry said that since the start of the war, Iran has launched 414 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,914 drones at the Emirates.

Iran parliament speaker says US plots ground attack despite diplomatic efforts

March 29, 2026 | 09:29 GMT 

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Sunday that the United States was plotting a ground attack despite publicly engaging in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.

"The enemy publicly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue while secretly planning a ground attack," Ghalibaf said in a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency.

"Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional allies once and for all," he added.

Qatari news channel Al Araby reports Tehran office damaged in Israeli strike

March 29, 2026 | 07:47 GMT 

Qatari news channel Al Araby reported on Sunday that an Israeli missile had hit the building housing its office in Tehran, causing damage.

"An Israeli missile targets the Al Araby TV channel building in the capital, Tehran... extensive damage and the suspension of live broadcasting," the channel said in a post on X.

Footage from inside the office showed broken windows, shattered glass and debris. Outside the building, images showed the streets covered in debris along with damage to surrounding buildings.

Iran foreign minister condemns Israeli killing of three journalists in Lebanon

March 29, 2026 | 07:29 GMT 

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday condemned Israel's killing of three journalists in Lebanon the day before.

On his official Telegram channel, Araghchi said the killings amounted to "targeted assassination" and "flagrant violation of international law".

Syria says repelled drone attack from Iraq on US base 

March 29, 2026 | 07:29 GMT 

Syria's assistant defence minister said Sunday that his country's forces had repelled a drone attack from neighboring Iraq targeting one of Syria's last US military bases.

"Earlier today, the US base in Qasrak, located on our territory, was attacked by four drones launched from Iraqi territory," Sipan Hamo said on X, adding that "the drones were shot down without casualties".

"We hold Iraq responsible and call upon it to prevent the recurrence of attacks that threaten our stability."

The attack came a day after Syria's army said it repelled another drone attack from Iraq aimed at al-Tanf, a base in the southeast which used to house US forces.

US, Israeli strikes hit Iran port city near Hormuz strait: state media

March 29, 2026 | 06:06 GMT 

US-Israeli strikes on Sunday hit a quay at an Iranian port city near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, killing five people, Iranian state media reported.

"The American-Zionist enemy carried out a criminal attack at the quay of Bandar Khamir, killing five people and injuring four others," the official IRNA news agency reported.

Series of explosions heard in Iranian capital: AFP journalist

March 29, 2026 | 05:49 GMT 

A series of loud explosions was heard Sunday across the Iranian capital, an AFP journalist said.

The blasts were heard in northern Tehran and smoke was seen rising from impacted areas in the city's northeast. It was not immediately clear what was hit.

Iran Guards say struck Bahrain, UAE aluminium plants

March 29, 2026 | 04:29 GMT 

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Sunday they launched missile and drone strikes on aluminium plants in Bahrain and the UAE over the weekend, targeting what they described as industries linked to the US military.

In a statement carried by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, the Guards said they hit an aluminium facility in the UAE and Aluminium Bahrain's main plant, calling both sites "industries affiliated with and connected to the US military and aerospace sectors in the region".

Two explosions heard in northern Tehran: AFP

March 29, 2026 | 04:06 GMT 

Two powerful explosions shook northern Tehran early Sunday, an AFP journalist reported.

The blasts occurred in the Iranian capital around 7:20 am (0350 GMT) as air defences operated, although it was not clear what was targeted.

Israel military says another soldier killed in south Lebanon

March 29, 2026 | 03:51 GMT 

The Israeli army announced on Sunday the death in combat of a soldier in south Lebanon.

"Sergeant Moshe Yitzchak hacohen Katz, aged 22, from New Haven, Connecticut, a soldier of the 890th battalion, Paratroopers Brigade, fell during combat in southern Lebanon," a military statement said.

UAE says responding to missiles and drones

March 29, 2026 | 03:13 GMT 

The UAE defence ministry said Sunday its air defence system was actively responding to missiles and drones, as Iran pressed strikes in the Gulf a month into the regional war.

"UAE Air Defences system(s) are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats," the ministry posted on X, adding that the "sounds heard across the country are the result of ongoing engaging operations".

Iran attack on Aluminium Bahrain plant wounds two: state media

March 29, 2026 | 03:03 GMT 

Two of Aluminium Bahrain's employees were wounded in an Iranian attack on its facilities over the weekend, Bahrain state media reported on Sunday.

Since the Middle East war erupted at the end of February, Bahrain and other Gulf countries have been regularly targeted by Iranian missile and drone strikes in retaliation for the US-Israeli campaign, now in its second month.

"The safety and security of (Aluminium Bahrain's) people remain its top priority and the Company confirms that two of Alba's employees sustained minor injuries," the company said in a statement carried by the official Bahrain News Agency.

Pentagon preparing for ground operations in Iran: report

March 29, 2026 | 01:23 GMT 

The Pentagon is preparing plans for weeks of ground operations in Iran -- potentially including raids on Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz -- though President Donald Trump has not yet approved any deployment, the Washington Post reported Saturday.

Any ground operation would stop short of a full-scale invasion, instead involving raids by special operations forces and conventional infantry troops, the Post said, citing unnamed officials.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted on Friday the United States "can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops," but the Post said planning is advanced, with one official saying: "This is not last-minute planning."

Iran signals possible retaliation after claiming strikes hit its universities

March 29, 2026 | 00:25 GMT 

Iran's Revolutionary Guard on Sunday threatened to target US universities in the Middle East after saying US-Israeli strikes had destroyed two Iranian universities.

"If the US government wants its universities in the region to be free from retaliation... it must condemn the bombing of the universities in an official statement by 12 noon on Monday, March 30, Tehran time," said the statement published by Iranian media.

The statement added: "We advise all employees, professors, and students of American universities in the region and residents of their surrounding areas" stay a kilometre away from campuses.

Israel military says intercepting missile from Yemen

March 29, 2026 | 00:15 GMT 

Israel's military said Sunday it was intecepting a missile fired from Yemen, a day after the Iran-backed Houthi rebels entered the war.

Israel's military "has identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat," it said in a statement.

"The public is requested to follow the Home Front Command's defensive guidelines."