US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iran ready to help Japanese ships pass Strait of Hormuz, Iranian FM says
An Israeli soldier stands next to a fragment of a missile fired from Iran and intercepted by Israeli air defense system embedded in an open field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. (AP Photo)
US Israel Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has told Japanese media that Tehran is prepared to allow the passage of Japan-linked vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the transit for a fifth of global energy supplies, BBC reported. Japan is among six countries that have signalled they are ready to explore joint efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid Iran’s blockade.
Israeli military says it is striking targets in Tehran, while several parts of the Iranian capital, the central city of Isfahan, and Karaj to its west its of Tehran, reported explosions on Saturday.
Story continues below this ad
US President Donald Trump said he is considering “winding down” military operations and that the United States is “very close to meeting its objectives” in the war with Iran. However, thousands of service members remain deployed across the Middle East with 2,500 marine on the way and the Pentagon has sought an additional $200 billion from Congress to fund the conflict.
The US on Saturday paused sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea until April 19, as Washington seeks to curb soaring prices, news agency AP reported. The decision comes as Trump appears to be running out of options to curb surging oil and gas prices.
Dubai, UAE Iran War News Live Updates: follow here
Story continues below this ad
Middle East Energy War: 72 Hours That Shook Global Markets
Market Shock — March 18–20, 2026
$116+
Brent crude intraday peak (per barrel) — up from ~$73 before the war began
Source: AP / Al Jazeera, Mar 19
2×
European TTF gas prices — doubled in the past month; hit 3-year high after Ras Laffan strike
Source: Fortune / Al Jazeera, Mar 19
Key Facilities Struck — 5 Countries, 72 Hours
Qatar
Ras Laffan Industrial City
Mar 19 · Iranian missiles (4 intercepted, 1 hit)
17% of Qatar’s LNG export capacity offline. LNG trains S4 & S6 destroyed. Force majeure declared. Repairs: 3–5 years.
QatarEnergy CEO al-Kaabi via Reuters/CNBC
Qatar
Pearl GTL Facility
Mar 18 · Part of wider Ras Laffan wave
Fire at Shell’s gas-to-liquids plant. Quickly extinguished. Among facilities confirmed hit in two-wave missile attack.
LNG Global crisis memo / QatarEnergy
Iran
South Pars — Asaluyeh Processing Hub
Mar 18 · Israeli airstrike (coordinated with US)
Onshore treatment facilities taken offline. Offshore gas transmission intact. World’s largest gas reserve. Sparked regional energy war.
Jerusalem Post / ME Council on Global Affairs
Saudi Arabia
SAMREF Refinery, Yanbu
Mar 19 · Drone confirmed by Saudi Defence Ministry
Drone fell at Aramco-ExxonMobil JV refinery (400,000 b/d). Damage assessment underway; industry sources report minimal impact. Yanbu port halted oil loadings.
Saudi Ministry of Defence / Arab News / Reuters
Israel
Bazan (Haifa) Refinery
Mar 19–20 · Iranian missiles
“Non-significant” damage to external infrastructure. Operations expected to resume shortly. No injuries reported.
Israel Energy Ministry / Times of Israel
Kuwait
Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery
Mar 19–20 · Repeated Iranian drone strikes
Fires in multiple units; several units shut down. No injuries reported. Hit on both consecutive days. Kuwait is a non-combatant.
Kuwait KPC / AP / Middle East Eye
Strategic Shift
Analysts describe March 18 as the pivot from targeting leadership and military assets to the Energy Phase — a “tit-for-tat” campaign against the region’s economic backbone. Iran has threatened “zero restraint” on energy facilities of any nation hosting US forces or backing Israel.
Sources
AP · Reuters · Al Jazeera · Bloomberg · CNBC · Fortune · CNN · NPR · Jerusalem Post · Arab News · QatarEnergy (official statements) · Saudi Ministry of Defence · Kuwait KPC · ME Council on Global Affairs · LNG Global crisis memo · Argus Media · EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook (Mar 10, 2026)
5 Key developments
- Fresh wave of Israeli strikes in Tehran: Israeli military said it is striking targets in Tehran as several parts of the Iranian capital, the central city of Isfahan, and Karaj to its west its of Tehran reported explosions on Saturday.
- Sanctions on Iranian oil lifted: The US on Saturday paused sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea until April 19, as Washington seeks to curb soaring prices, news agency AP reported.
- War funding push: The US Department of Defense is seeking $200 billion from Congress to sustain President Donald Trump’s war effort, with officials saying there is no clear timeline for an end to the conflict.
- Rising casualties: The Iranian Red Crescent says at least 204 children are among more than 1,444 people killed in Iran, while over 1,000 people, including 118 children, have died in Israeli strikes on Lebanon.
- Global concern: The European Council has called for de-escalation, warning over mounting civilian deaths and the risk of a broader regional crisis.
Also Read:
The Indian Express Global Desk remains committed to rigorous verification. Follow our live blog below for real-time tracking of Operation Epic Fury, regional airspace status, and diplomatic efforts to contain the escalation.
Live Updates
Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
