US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Trump says US ‘very close to meeting its objective’ with war in Iran
US Israel Iran War News Live Updates: The Trump administration on Friday night granted Iran a “temporary license” to sell oil already at sea, a move expected to help allies facing acute supply shortages purchase the cargo. The decision comes as Trump appears to be running out of options to curb surging oil and gas prices.
Trump also said the US is “very close to meeting its objectives” in its war with Iran, even as thousands of service members continue to be deployed to the Middle East, CNN reported.
Story continues below this ad
Tehran has warned the UAE it could strike the port city of Ras al-Khaimah if Iranian islands in the Gulf remain under attack. Iranian state media also claimed that Iran had targeted a US base in Baghdad.
Meanwhile, Bahrain has joined EU nations, along with Japan and Canada, in signaling readiness to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media.
Dubai, UAE Iran War News Live Updates: follow here
What is happening: Overnight strikes continued across multiple fronts, with explosions reported over Jerusalem and in Tehran, even as civilians marked Eid under the shadow of war. Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem as Iranian missiles were fired in quick succession, while several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, said they intercepted incoming drones. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had acted alone in striking Iran’s South Pars gasfield, amid reports of mounting damage to critical energy infrastructure across the region.
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
- Energy escalation: Iran’s strike on Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility could cut liquefied natural gas exports by around 17%, raising fears of supply disruptions across Europe and Asia.
- 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.
Regional spillover: The UAE has reportedly arrested members of an Iran-linked network, while Gulf states remain on high alert after intercepting drones. - 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
