Iran vs US-Israel War News Live Updates: US, Iran confident in us to facilitate peace talks, says Pakistan
US-Israel-Iran War News Live: Smoke rises from Israeli artillery shells on Qlaileh village, as it’s seen from Tyre city. (AP Photo)
US-Israel-Iran War News Today Live Updates: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt discussed “possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war” Sunday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said. ” We are happy that US and Iran are confident in us to facilitate peace talks,” he added. The four nations held joint talks in Islamabad to seek a de-escalation in the West Asia war. In a recorded statement, Dar said all sides had expressed confidence in Pakistan’s facilitation and that China “fully supports” the initiative to host potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad.
An industrial site in Israel’s Negev desert, which is located in the southern region of the country, was up in flames after Iran’s fresh strike on Israel on March 29. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze wherein no casulties have been reported, said Israel’s national emergency service, Magen David Adom.
Story continues below this ad
Houthis join the war: For the first time since war began, Iran-backed Yemini Houthis confirmed they launched an attack on Israel. A ballistic missile was launched toward southern Israel on Saturday morning, setting off sirens in Beersheba and nearby areas, according to The Times of Israel. In a statement, the Houthis claimed responsibility, saying they had targeted “sensitive Israeli military sites” with a barrage of ballistic missiles.
US President Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” with NATO’s response to the Iran war, as tensions in the Middle East intensified and global concerns mounted over energy security and regional stability, according to Reuters.
5,000+
Total killed across region
14+
Countries affected
350+
Children killed
Phase 1 — The Opening Strike
Feb 28, 2026
War erupts. The US and Israel strike Iran, triggering retaliatory Iranian attacks on Israel, US bases across the Gulf, and allied states. Four people are killed when an Iranian missile hits Sweida, Syria.
Feb 28 onwards — Iran
Iran sustains the heaviest losses. US-Israeli strikes kill at least 1,900 people and injure 20,000, per the IFRC. Rights group HRANA puts the toll higher at 3,389 — including 1,527 civilians and at least 228 children.
Phase 2 — Escalation Across Borders
Mar 2, 2026 — Lebanon
Lebanon opens as a new front. Hezbollah launches attacks on Israel; Israel strikes back. Lebanese authorities report 1,142 killed — including 122 children — and 400+ Hezbollah fighters dead since this date.
Mar 4, 2026 — Off Sri Lanka
US strikes Iranian warship. At least 104 people are killed in a US attack on an Iranian military vessel in waters off Sri Lanka — one of the war’s deadliest single incidents.
Ongoing — Iraq
At least 95 people killed, including civilians, Iran-affiliated PMF fighters, US-allied Kurdish Peshmerga, and Iraqi army soldiers. One foreign crew member also killed in a tanker attack near an Iraqi port. One French soldier killed and six wounded in a drone strike in northern Iraq.
Ongoing — Gulf States
Iranian attacks spread across the Gulf: UAE — 10 killed (incl. 2 soldiers); Kuwait — 6 killed; Saudi Arabia — 2 killed in Al-Kharj; Bahrain — 3 killed including a UAE civilian contractor; West Bank — 4 Palestinian women killed in an Iranian missile strike.
Phase 3 — Neutral Ground & New Casualties
Mar 13, 2026 — Oman
Mediator nation hit for first time. A drone strikes an industrial zone in Sohar province, killing 2 — the first fatalities inside Oman, which had been hosting US-Iran mediation talks. A third person had earlier died when a projectile hit a tanker off Muscat.
Mar 22, 2026 — Qatar & Israel
A helicopter crash in Qatar’s territorial waters kills 7 — 4 Qatari armed forces personnel, 1 Turkish serviceman, and 2 ASELSAN technicians — due to a technical malfunction during routine duty. Separately in Israel, an Israeli farmer is killed near the Lebanon border in a military misfire.
Mar 24, 2026 — Saudi Arabia
US troops wounded at Prince Sultan Air Base. An Iranian military strike wounds 12 US troops — two seriously — at the base in Saudi Arabia.
Mar 28, 2026 — Latest count
Conflict ongoing. Israel has killed 19 civilians and 4 soldiers in Lebanon via Iranian-launched missiles; US has lost 13 service members (6 in an Iraq aircraft crash, 7 in combat). The war has now claimed lives in at least 14 countries across the Middle East, Gulf, and beyond.
What’s next
Source: Reuters · HRANA · IFRC · Lebanese authorities · US military · UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain defence ministries
Meanwhile, tech billionaire Elon Musk reportedly joined a call between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the crisis, an unusual move during a wartime situation.
- Rubio says no need for ground troops: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington could achieve its objectives without deploying forces on the ground. “We can achieve our war goals without any ground troops,” Rubio said, adding that the conflict could end in “weeks, not months”.
- Witkoff signals possible talks with Iran: President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said the US was hopeful of holding talks with Iran soon. “We are hopeful of having meetings with Iran this week,” Witkoff said, adding that Washington “expects” a response to a proposed 15-point deal.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, steel factories, and power plants, stating that these attacks contradict Donald Trump’s 10-day pause on targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure. Trump had announced the pause, claiming talks were “going very well,” but Iran denies seeking any pause and rules out negotiations. However, Araghchi warned that Tehran would impose a “heavy price” after Israeli strikes targeted what he described as civilian nuclear sites, steel factories and infrastructure.
5 key developments
- Iran’s parliament speaker accused the US of “secretly planning a ground invasion” while talking of negotiations.
- Explosions were heard in Tehran amid heavy bombardment, according to state-affiliated media. Iran’s IRGC threatened to hit US and Israeli university campuses in retaliation for strikes on Iranian educational institutions.
- An industrial site in Israel’s Negev desert was up in flames after Iran’s strike on Israel.
- Pakistan said foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt were participating in the talks in Islamabad.
- Iran-backed Yemini Houthis confirmed they launched an attack on Israel. A ballistic missile was launched toward southern Israel on Saturday morning, setting off sirens in Beersheba and nearby areas.
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