US Iran War Live Updates: Trump calls anti-terror aide Joe Kent 'very weak on security' after resignation over Iran war

Rocket and drone attacks targeting the US embassy and a diplomatic facility in Baghdad resumed on Tuesday following a series of earlier strikes, Reuters reported citing security sources.

Rockets and an explosive drone struck near the US embassy compound, triggering sirens, while an explosion was heard in the vicinity.

At least three explosive drones also targeted a US diplomatic site near Baghdad International Airport, activating C-RAM air defence systems. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

US President Donald Trump said several Middle Eastern countries have extended strong support to the United States in its war against Iran, naming Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain among key backers.

He added that Israel has been working closely with Washington, describing the coordination as a “very strong collaboration.”

Trump also reiterated that he has long viewed Iran as a major threat, insisting that Tehran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, and claiming it would use one “within 24 hours” if it ever did.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday criticised NATO after several allies refused to join the US-Israel military operation against Iran, while asserting that Washington does not require their support.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said most NATO members had informed the US they “don’t want to get involved” in the conflict, despite agreeing that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

Speaking later at the Oval Office, Trump said he was “disappointed” with the alliance, calling its stance a “foolish mistake.”

“The United States has been informed by most of our NATO ‘Allies’ that they don’t want to get involved with our Military Operation against the Terrorist Regime of Iran… despite the fact that almost every Country strongly agreed with what we are doing,” Trump said.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he expected European countries to deploy minesweepers to support US operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said the lack of assistance was “not a big deal”, but added that it was “unfair” to the United States amid rising tensions in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed conspiracy theories about his death in a video alongside US Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

In the clip, Huckabee said US President Donald Trump had asked him to check if Netanyahu was alright, prompting the Israeli PM to respond, “Yes, Mike, I’m alive.”

Netanyahu also addressed false claims circulating online that recent videos of him were AI-generated.

He added that he had “erased two names” from a list of Iranian leaders Israel is targeting, referring to Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, who were killed overnight.

The British government has initiated a formal inquiry following the unauthorised disclosure of confidential discussions from a National Security Council meeting regarding the use of UK military bases by the United States. According to an official letter from the cabinet secretary, the Government Security Group is investigating how details of the top secret talks were made public.

The leak involves claims that Energy Minister Ed Miliband was among those who opposed allowing American forces to operate from British territory during the initial phase of the conflict with Iran in early March. When approached for a statement, a spokesperson for the Cabinet Office declined to provide further details, noting that there was nothing to add to the published letter at this stage.

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister, Abdulaziz bin Saud, has held a telephone conversation with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, to address the regional fallout of the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

In a social media update, bin Saud stated that the discussions focused on the security consequences of recent, aggressive Iranian attacks across the Gulf region. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to standing with Qatar, ensuring the protection and safety of both citizens and residents.

The Saudi minister also held a similar discussion with Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates’ deputy prime minister and interior minister, to further coordinate regional security efforts.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that her country is prepared to host Iran’s 2026 World Cup matches, provided that FIFA grants its approval. This offer follows a formal request from the Iranian football federation to relocate its scheduled fixtures from the United States to Mexico.

Iranian officials cited significant concerns regarding the safety of their players after the United States launched joint air strikes against Iran. The federation expressed apprehension about competing on American soil given the current hostilities, suggesting that a move to Mexico would ensure a more secure environment for the squad. While Mexico has indicated its willingness to step in, the final decision rests with world football’s governing body to determine if such a logistical shift is feasible.

The number of fatalities in Lebanon has risen to 912 since the escalation of hostilities on 2 March, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Public Health. The update also confirmed that 2,221 people have been injured during this period.

These new statistics represent a sharp increase from Monday, when the death toll stood at 886. The ministry’s emergency operations centre continues to monitor casualties as air strikes and military operations persist across various regions of the country.

Lebanon’s National News Agency has reported that an Israeli air strike between the southern towns of Abba and Jebchit has resulted in one death and one injury. The raid reportedly targeted a vehicle travelling on a road in close proximity to a local school.

This strike is part of an intensified wave of aerial attacks across the region today, which has seen several casualties including Lebanese military personnel. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene immediately following the blast to assist the wounded and secure the area.

The Israeli military has reported a significant increase in activity suggesting that Hezbollah is preparing to launch large scale rocket barrages within the next few hours. Intelligence suggests the group is planning to target both northern and central parts of the country with a high volume of fire.

In a statement posted on X, the military confirmed that air defence units and border forces have been placed on high alert to intercept incoming projectiles. Officials stated that they are taking proactive measures to disrupt these preparations and thwart the planned offensive. The public has been advised to remain vigilant and follow emergency safety protocols issued by the authorities as the situation develops.

President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France will not engage in military operations to unblock the Strait of Hormuz while active fighting continues. However, he confirmed that the French government is proceeding with plans to establish an international coalition designed to safeguard freedom of navigation once the current conflict subsides.

Speaking at the beginning of a cabinet meeting focused on Middle Eastern security, Macron emphasised that France is not a participant in the war. He stated that, within the present circumstances, French forces would never take part in missions to liberate or open the strategic waterway by force. The President noted that any future maritime mission would remain focused on diplomatic coordination and defensive support to restore commercial trade and energy flows after the most intense phase of the crisis has passed.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah of Iran, has stated that the killing of Ali Larijani and other senior Iranian officials by Israel represents a just outcome. In a social media post, Pahlavi remarked that Larijani, alongside Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani and other high ranking figures, had finally faced the consequences of their roles in the violent suppression of Iranian citizens.

Pahlavi described these leaders as perpetrators of ruthless massacres against the nation’s youth. He expressed hope that their deaths would provide a sense of comfort to the grieving families of those he termed the immortal heroes of the Lion and Sun Revolution, as well as to the wider Iranian population currently enduring the wounds of conflict.

The Lebanese Armed Forces have announced the deaths of two soldiers following an Israeli air strike in the south of the country. According to an official statement shared on X, the troops were targeted while travelling on motorcycles along the route connecting Zebdin and Nabatieh.

This incident adds to the growing number of Lebanese military casualties reported since the escalation of hostilities on 2 March. Although Israel maintains that its operations are directed at Hezbollah positions, the Lebanese army continues to suffer losses as the conflict intensified in the border regions.

Hezbollah has rejected claims that it has any active members or networks in Kuwait, a day after authorities there announced the detention of 16 individuals. The group consists of 14 Kuwaiti citizens and two Lebanese nationals who were reportedly arrested by the interior ministry for their involvement in a suspected sabotage conspiracy.

In an official statement, the Lebanese movement dismissed the allegations as entirely unfounded and stressed that it has no cells or affiliates operating within the Gulf state. The denial comes as Kuwaiti security forces continue to investigate the group, whom they accuse of planning to undermine national sovereignty and destabilise the country.

The United Nations has expressed concern that Israel’s military actions in southern Lebanon may constitute war crimes, as evacuation orders are extended to cover approximately 14 per cent of the country. These directives now include vast areas north of the Litani River, forcing a significant portion of the population to flee their homes.

Since the escalation began on 2 March, at least 886 people have been killed, including a Lebanese soldier who died following Israeli shelling. While Israel maintains that its operations target Hezbollah rather than the Lebanese military, it has described the region as an active combat zone where such casualties are unavoidable.

The UN Human Rights Office highlighted that the targeting of medical staff and air strikes on displaced civilians are serious violations of international law. Specifically, officials pointed to a night time strike on 12 March along the Beirut seafront, which killed 12 people who had been living in tents after being forced out of other parts of the city.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that an Israeli air strike on the road leading to Beirut’s international airport has killed one person and left nine others wounded. The state run National News Agency reported that the emergency operations centre provided the casualty figures following the raid.

The strike targeted the old airport road near the Ansar Stadium in the Burj al Barajneh district. This latest attack comes amid a significant escalation in hostilities, with Lebanese authorities reporting that hundreds have been killed and over a million people displaced across the country since the beginning of March.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the assassination of Ali Larijani, Tehran’s national security official, was intended to assist the Iranian people in removing their current government. In a televised address, Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces had eliminated Larijani, whom he described as the head of the Revolutionary Guard and the leader of the group currently governing Iran.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the removal of the religious authorities by the Iranian public would not be an immediate or simple process. However, he argued that by maintaining military pressure, Israel would provide the population with the opportunity to reclaim control over their own future.

In response to the military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, President Emmanuel Macron announced on 2 March that France will expand its nuclear capabilities. The French leader also expressed a desire to deepen security cooperation with other members of the European Union.

Describing the new strategy as “forward deterrence,” Macron delivered a speech aimed at projecting European strength. This move comes at a time when many on the continent are increasingly reluctant to depend solely on the nuclear umbrella provided by the United States.

France currently maintains the fourth largest stockpile of nuclear weapons globally. This policy shift is expected to have significant implications for the country’s diplomatic ties with its European neighbours and its future stance regarding the war in Iran.

The director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, Joe Kent, has stepped down from his post due to his opposition to the ongoing military campaign involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

In a formal resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump and shared on X, Kent stated that he could no longer support the war in good conscience. He argued that Iran did not present an immediate danger to the United States and claimed that the decision to engage in hostilities was the result of intense pressure from Israel and influential American lobbying groups.

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Sardar Majid Mousavi, the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Aerospace Force, has declared a new stage of intensified military operations. He described this as a period of heavy and effective strikes across the region directed at American and Israeli forces.

In his address, Mousavi stated that the strength of these powers would be broken in public squares and streets. This announcement follows reports from the Revolutionary Guard regarding a significant wave of attacks launched at dawn, involving both drones and missiles, aimed at US and Israeli positions throughout the Middle East.

The Israeli military has confirmed that its air defence systems are currently engaged in intercepting a barrage of missiles launched from Iran. In an official update shared on X, authorities stated that the Home Front Command has issued emergency alerts to mobile devices across the affected regions.

Residents in the targeted areas have been instructed to seek immediate cover in bomb shelters. The military directive advises the public to remain in these secure locations until further notice from security officials.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that his country will not provide troops for the conflict in Iran. This follows a request from President Trump for international partners to assist in creating a maritime coalition to protect the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting, Tusk clarified that Poland has no intention of launching a military mission to Iran, adding that this stance is clearly understood by Warsaw’s allies. He emphasised that this policy applies to all branches of the armed forces, including land, air and naval units. The Prime Minister noted that Poland’s current military priority remains the ongoing development of its domestic defences in response to the nearby war in Ukraine.

Tehran has expressed grave concern regarding the widespread destruction of its cultural and historic landmarks amid the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel. According to reports from state media, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has identified at least 56 museums, monuments and sites that have suffered damage throughout the hostilities.

Data from the Islamic Republic News Agency indicates that the capital city has been the most severely impacted, with 19 sites affected. Notable landmarks cited include the former Senate building, the Grand Bazaar and the Golestan Palace. The palace, a celebrated relic of the Qajar period, is renowned for its unique fusion of traditional Persian craftsmanship and European architectural styles, set amongst ornate gardens and pools.

In its official statement, the Ministry highlighted that such strikes contravene international legal frameworks, specifically referencing the 1954 Hague Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 2347. As signatories to the Hague Convention, the United States, Israel and Iran are legally bound to protect cultural property, including historical architecture and art, during armed conflict.

Hezbollah has announced that it launched a barrage of rockets at Israeli soldiers stationed in the southern Lebanese town of Khiam. In a statement shared on X, the group specified that the strike was aimed at troops positioned in the vicinity of a local municipal building.

This follows a separate operation earlier today in the border village of Maroun al-Ras, located within the Bint Jbeil district. In that instance, Hezbollah claimed to have hit a group of Israeli personnel gathered inside a tent. These latest exchanges mark a continued escalation of hostilities along the frontier.

Spain has authorised the distribution of approximately 11.5 million barrels from its strategic oil reserves over the next quarter.

Energy Minister Sara Aagesen has emphasised that the drawdown will occur in stages, with the initial phase scheduled to begin in 15 days. This move is part of a broader, coordinated initiative by the International Energy Agency to inject 400 million barrels into the global market to mitigate potential shortages.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “Ali Larijani had a $10 million bounty on his head — we did it for free.”

Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, whom Israel claims to have killed, was among senior officials seen marching through central Tehran on Friday during the annual al-Quds Day rally.

Watch here:

The Israeli military launched an air strike near Beirut’s airport, in the city’s southern suburbs, on Tuesday, according to state media, after several raids hit the area earlier in the day.

“Israeli warplanes launched a raid, the third today on the southern suburbs, targeting the old airport road near the Ansar Stadium in the Burj al-Barajneh area,” a short distance from Beirut International Airport, state media reported.

Iran’s IRGC said it has launched a fresh wave of targeted attacks across the region since morning on Tuesday, reported Al Jazeera.

In a statement cited by Iranian media, it said the strikes involved missiles with different types of fuel and multiple warheads, along with drone attacks.

The UAE said its air defence systems shot down 10 ballistic missiles and 45 drones launched from Iran on March 17.

Since the conflict began, the UAE has intercepted hundreds of missiles and more than 1,600 drones.

The attacks have killed two UAE soldiers and six civilians from different countries. Around 157 people have been injured, with varying degrees of severity.

The Defence Ministry said it remains fully prepared to handle any threats and will continue to protect the country’s security and stability.

Akasa Air has started gradually resuming some flights in the Middle East after reviewing the current safety situation.

Flights between Jeddah and Indian cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kochi are continuing, helping passengers plan their travel. From March 18, 2026, flights between Riyadh and Mumbai will also begin.

However, flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Kuwait remain suspended until March 21, 2026.

Passengers booked on these routes can either get a full refund within 7 days or reschedule their travel without any extra charges until March 31, 2026.

It advised passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport or contact the airline’s support centre for help.

The Israeli military said it had launched a “wave of extensive strikes” targeting infrastructure across Tehran.

Explosions have been reported in the Iranian capital and other cities since early morning, as US-Israeli attacks intensified across the country.