The US-Israel-Iran conflict entered its fourth week on Monday with the war widening far beyond direct strikes. Fresh battlefield claims, warnings over the Strait of Hormuz, rising oil prices, and diplomatic outreach from Europe and the Gulf all point to a crisis that is now hitting energy markets, regional security, and global nerves at the same time.
The latest flashpoint came after the US said it had destroyed a turbine engine production plant in Iran’s Qom, describing it as a facility linked to attack drones and aircraft components used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Even as Washington projected strength, pressure also mounted for restraint, with France, Spain, and other countries calling for navigation through Hormuz to be restored and for attacks on energy infrastructure to stop.
US-Israel-Iran War UPDATES
Iran has 'one more chance at peace', says Trump as Tehran calls his talks claim an attempt to manipulate oil markets
After claiming that the US and Iran have held productive talks on ending the war, Trump on Monday said that Tehran has one more chance at peace and that he hopes they take it.
"My whole life has been a negotiation but with Iran, we've been negotiating a long time," Trump said, adding, "This time, they mean business."
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf has also posted on X, saying no negotiations have taken place with the US.
He called Trump's claim a "fake news" to "manipulate" the oil markets. He added that the Iranians "demand complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors".
'Dealing with most respected leader of Iran': Trump says 'communication breakdown' could be reason behind Tehran's denial of talks
President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that the US has been having “productive” conversations with Iran that led to “major points of agreement” on “almost all points.” When asked about Iran's denial, Trump claimed that there’s a communication breakdown in Tehran and that those involved in the talks aren’t necessarily able to contact other people in the regime. “If they carry through with that, it’ll end that conflict very substantially. We have very much in mind our partners in the Middle East,” he says.
When reporters asked who in Iran the US has been dealing with, Trump said, "We’re dealing with the man who I believe is the most respected and the leader… We have people who are very representative of the country.”
Tehran rejects Trump's productive talks with Iran claim
Iran's foreign ministry has issued a statement, saying: "We deny what US President Donald Trump said regarding negotiations taking place between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran." "The Islamic Republic of Iran adheres to its position rejecting any type of negotiations before achieving Iran's goals from the war," it added.
Oil shock driving inflation fears, rate outlook shifts
Experts say the conflict is now feeding into broader economic anxiety, with disrupted oil supply expected to trigger inflationary pressure globally.
Markets have already shifted expectations from rate cuts to possible pauses or hikes, reducing the appeal of non-yielding assets like gold and signalling deeper economic ripple effects.
Gold, silver tumble over 7% as war reshapes markets
In a surprising market reaction, gold and silver prices dropped sharply by more than 7 per cent amid the ongoing conflict and global economic uncertainty.
Analysts said rising oil prices are fuelling inflation concerns, strengthening the US dollar and pushing expectations of higher interest rates.
Hormuz disruption hits India’s energy lifeline
India has acknowledged that ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz has become “very challenging”, directly impacting energy supply chains.
With a significant portion of crude oil, gas and fertilisers coming through the route, the government said it is working to ensure petrol, diesel, and LPG supplies remain stable despite the disruption.
India evacuates over 3.75 lakh citizens, ramps up support
The government said more than 3.75 lakh Indians have returned safely since the conflict began, including nearly 1,000 from Iran, many of them students.
PM Modi said India remains in constant touch with regional leaders and has activated helplines, advisories and emergency support systems to assist citizens in affected areas.
PM Modi calls West Asia situation ‘worrisome’, flags impact on India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Parliament that the conflict is “worrisome” and is already affecting global economies and people’s lives.
He underlined that India faces economic, security, and humanitarian challenges due to the crisis, given its heavy dependence on the region for oil, gas, and trade routes.
Over 81,000 civilian units damaged, Iran claims
The humanitarian cost outlined by Iranian authorities is staggering. Officials said more than 81,000 civilian units, including homes, schools, medical centres and ambulances, have been damaged since the conflict began.
In Tehran alone, thousands of residential and commercial properties, along with hundreds of health facilities and schools, have reportedly been hit, with officials calling it a “gross violation” of humanitarian norms.
Iran moves ICC, alleges ‘unprovoked war’ by US and Israel
Iran has stepped up its diplomatic push, submitting 16 formal complaints to the International Criminal Court and other global bodies seeking condemnation of what it calls an “unprovoked war of aggression.”
Officials said Tehran is in constant touch with international humanitarian organisations and has issued multiple statements documenting alleged violations, including attacks on civilians, medical centres and emergency services.
Civilian toll emerges as child killed, damage reported in Urmia
Early reports indicate civilian impact, with a child killed in Khorramabad following the strikes.
Separately, Al Jazeera reported casualties and extensive damage in Urmia after an air attack.
Explosions rock Tehran as multiple districts hit in fresh strikes
Iranian media reported loud explosions across several parts of Tehran after targeted airstrikes hit key areas of the capital.
According to Fars News Agency, districts including 1, 4, 11, 13 and 21 were affected, with blasts reported near major roads and intersections.
Iran warns US, Israel: ‘No hiding place’ as surveillance claim made
The IRGC said US and Israeli forces remain under “constant surveillance” and warned that hiding military assets within civilian areas would not offer protection.
It added that “no hiding place or defensive measure” would shield adversaries, signalling continued retaliation and a more aggressive posture in the coming days.
Iran warns it may shut Strait of Hormuz ‘indefinitely’
Iran’s Armed Forces headquarters has issued its sharpest warning yet, saying it is ready to close the Strait of Hormuz “indefinitely” if the US moves to bomb Iranian energy facilities.
The warning follows President Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the route.
IDF launches fresh strikes across Tehran infrastructure
The Israeli Defence Forces said it has begun a new wave of “extensive strikes” targeting infrastructure in Tehran.
According to reports, the strikes hit multiple security- and military-linked facilities, including weapons production sites, intelligence headquarters, and training bases.
Cluster munitions hit central Israel; injuries and damage reported
Iran’s latest ballistic missile attacks saw cluster munitions land in central Israel, causing damage to homes and infrastructure.
At least 15 people were reported injured, with impacts recorded in areas like Jaffa and Petah Tikva. While no major casualties were reported, the strikes underline the continuing risk to civilian zones.
Spillover spreads: missiles intercepted over Riyadh, drone threats in Gulf
Saudi Arabia said it detected two ballistic missiles headed towards Riyadh, intercepting one while the other landed in an uninhabited area. A drone was also shot down in the eastern region.
In the UAE, air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones, with debris injuring an Indian national in Abu Dhabi. The conflict is now visibly spilling into multiple Gulf states.
Iran reiterates: Hormuz won’t reopen until damage is repaired
Iranian military messaging has hardened further, with officials saying the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed if US threats materialise.
Tehran has tied reopening the route directly to the restoration of its damaged energy infrastructure, making it clear that economic pressure and military retaliation are now deeply linked.
US says Qom turbine engine plant in Iran has been destroyed
In one of the sharpest battlefield claims of the day, US Central Command said Iran’s Qom Turbine Engine Production Plant had been destroyed in a US attack. According to CENTCOM, the facility produced gas turbine engines for attack drones and aircraft components linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The US military also shared a photograph dated March 6 showing the site before the strike, alongside another image taken three days later showing what it described as severe destruction.
The Qom Turbine Engine Production Plant produced gas turbine engines for attack drones and aircraft components used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The photo dated on March 6, 2026 shows the plant before U.S. airstrikes and the second photo shows the plant three days… pic.twitter.com/wCxiE7Qnka
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 23, 2026
US says Qom turbine engine plant in Iran has been destroyed
In one of the sharpest battlefield claims of the day, US Central Command said Iran’s Qom Turbine Engine Production Plant had been destroyed in a US attack. According to CENTCOM, the facility produced gas turbine engines for attack drones and aircraft components linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The US military also shared a photograph dated March 6 showing the site before the strike, alongside another image taken three days later showing what it described as severe destruction.
The Qom Turbine Engine Production Plant produced gas turbine engines for attack drones and aircraft components used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The photo dated on March 6, 2026 shows the plant before U.S. airstrikes and the second photo shows the plant three days… pic.twitter.com/wCxiE7Qnka
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 23, 2026
Macron backs Saudi air defences, calls for attacks on energy sites to stop
French President Emmanuel Macron, after talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said France stood in solidarity with the Kingdom and would contribute to strengthening Saudi air defences.
Macron also made a broader diplomatic pitch, saying all parties should agree to a temporary halt to attacks on energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. He stressed that Iran must restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and said the current phase demanded restraint, responsibility and coordination between the G7 and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Explosions heard in Tehran as pressure grows on multiple fronts
Amid the diplomatic messaging, reports said explosions were heard in Tehran, a reminder that the conflict remains live and volatile on the ground. That came alongside growing political messaging from Iranian opposition voices and Western leaders, showing how the war is now being fought not only through missiles and drones but also through competing narratives about Iran’s future.
Reza Pahlavi says ‘Iran is not the Islamic Republic’, calls for regime to be dismantled
Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi used some of the strongest language yet from an opposition figure, saying Iran must be protected but the regime must be dismantled. In his statement, he drew a clear distinction between civilian infrastructure, which he said belongs to the Iranian people, and what he described as the machinery of repression and terror run by the Islamic Republic.
He also appealed directly to US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep targeting the regime and its apparatus while sparing civilian infrastructure.
Iran says Hormuz is open, but not for its ‘enemies’
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all nations except Iran’s enemies, framing Tehran’s position as one of controlled access rather than full closure. He also hit back at Trump’s rhetoric, saying the idea of erasing Iran from the map reflected desperation rather than strength.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi reinforced that line, saying the strait was not closed and that hesitation by ships was being driven by insurers fearing a war initiated by Washington, not by Iran. He added that freedom of navigation could not exist without freedom of trade, making it clear that Tehran sees Hormuz as both a security lever and a political message.
Iranian parliament speaker widens threat to financial entities funding US war effort
The rhetoric from Tehran hardened further when Iranian Parliament Speaker MB Ghalibaf warned that entities financing the US military budget could be treated as legitimate targets. His message went well beyond military bases, suggesting that financial institutions or holdings connected to US war funding could also come under threat.
US says it has enough money to sustain the war, keeps ‘all options on the table’
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington has sufficient resources to continue military action against Iran and defended Trump’s use of authority under the War Powers Act. He also said the administration was taking supplemental steps to ensure the military remained supplied as the conflict continued.
Mike Waltz says Hormuz strategy could involve allies and direct US force
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz described Washington’s approach to the Strait of Hormuz as a dual-track one. He said the US was encouraged by growing allied participation but made clear that military force remained an option if needed.
Waltz said several countries, including Italy, Germany and France, had committed to help, and noted that Asian economies also had a huge stake in keeping the route functional. But he refused to rule out direct action against Iran-linked infrastructure, saying the president would keep all options on the table and arguing that Iran’s military and civilian infrastructure were deeply intertwined.
Iran warns of broader retaliation if US targets its power plants
Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said that if the United States attacks Iran’s power facilities, power plants in countries hosting US bases would become legitimate targets.
The statement also said the Strait of Hormuz had not been fully closed and remained under Iran’s “smart control”, but warned that if US threats were carried out, Tehran could move to fully shut the waterway until damaged Iranian facilities were rebuilt. It also threatened strikes on Israel’s energy, communications and power infrastructure, as well as on regional companies with US capital ties.
Spain warns world could face long-term energy crisis
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and warned that further escalation could trigger an energy crisis “for all humanity”.
The European Union is also trying to keep diplomatic channels alive. Kaja Kallas, the Vice-President of the European Commission, held talks with Iran’s foreign minister and counterparts in Turkiye, Qatar, and South Korea as Brussels looked for openings to cool the crisis.
Brent crude jumps above USD 112 as India faces supply risk
The economic hit is no longer theoretical. Brent crude has surged by more than 60 per cent since the conflict began, rising to around USD 112 a barrel from roughly USD 70 earlier. In just the last 30 days, oil prices have climbed about 56 per cent, reflecting how severely the war is disrupting supply expectations.
For India, the risk is especially serious. A report cited by Systematix Research said India’s crude import volume had fallen sharply in early March, while damage to energy infrastructure in Qatar threatened LNG flows too. Since India imports a large share of its gas from Qatar, the current disruption could have direct consequences for both supply and pricing.
Netanyahu says US and Israel will continue to act ‘with great force’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the US and Israel would continue acting forcefully against Iran, accusing Tehran of targeting civilians, holy sites, and international security. He said recent Iranian actions showed why he regarded Iran as a danger not just to Israel but to the wider world.
Netanyahu also accused Iran of using the Strait of Hormuz for oil blackmail and urged world leaders to respond more decisively.
US issues worldwide caution for citizens, warns Iran supporters may target Americans
The US Department of State has issued a worldwide caution advising Americans, particularly in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution. The warning said groups supportive of Iran could target US interests, diplomatic facilities, or locations associated with Americans outside the region as well.
Kuwait, UAE report interceptions as missile and drone threat spreads
The regional fallout is also becoming more visible. Kuwait said sounds of explosions were linked to interceptions, while the UAE said its air defence systems were dealing with incoming missiles, drones, and loitering munitions from Iran.
Iran thanks Indians for donations as solidarity efforts emerge in Kashmir
In a very different development, the Iranian Embassy in India publicly thanked Indians, especially people in Kashmir, for donating cash, jewellery, and even children’s piggy banks to support Iran. The embassy said the kindness and humanity shown by Indians would not be forgotten.
Locals in Budgam were quoted as saying they had set up donation stalls to support Iran because, while they could not travel there to help, they wanted to contribute financially.
Protests spread across Europe against US-Israeli strikes
Public opposition to the war is also growing in Europe. Thousands marched in London, while demonstrations were also reported in Madrid, Lisbon, Sofia, and other cities. Protesters called for an immediate ceasefire, condemned foreign intervention, and warned of the consequences of escalating military action.