Israel announced detailed plans on Monday (Mar 16) for at least three more weeks of military operations against Iran, continuing airstrikes across Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz, while Iranian drone attacks temporarily shut Dubai International Airport and targeted a key oil facility in the United Arab Emirates.
The US-Israeli campaign has now entered its third week, largely closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. The disruption has driven energy prices above US$100 per barrel and raised fears of rising global inflation.
US President Donald Trump urged a coalition of nations to help reopen the strait, warning that NATO faced a “very bad” future if members failed to act. While allies expressed support for diplomatic solutions, they remained cautious about joining military operations.
Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said the Israel Defense Forces have operational plans covering the next three weeks, as well as longer-term strategies. Israel aims to degrade Iran’s ballistic missile, nuclear, and security capabilities, noting it still has thousands of targets to strike. “We want to make sure that they are as weak as possible… and degrade all their capabilities, all parts and all wings of their security establishment,” Shoshani said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had not requested a ceasefire or communicated with the US, and accused neighbouring states hosting US forces of encouraging attacks on Iranians. Araqchi said around 200 children are among the hundreds of civilians killed in US or Israeli strikes.
Overnight, Iranian media reported at least five fatalities and seven injuries in Markazi province, including damage to a boys’ school in Khomein city. Additional casualties were reported near Tehran’s Martyrs’ Square, while rescue teams worked to extract people from collapsed residential buildings.
Israel said its airstrikes also targeted Iran’s space programme, destroying a research facility in Tehran involved in satellite development. Residents described a blackout of internet services and a sense of isolation, with civilians expressing fear and frustration ahead of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year.
Iranian missile strikes triggered Israeli air raid sirens, while attacks hit the US al-Dhafra air base in Abu Dhabi, the US naval base in Bahrain, and Bahrain’s Sheikh Issa air base. In the UAE, drone strikes forced a temporary suspension of oil loading at Fujairah port—key for Murban crude exports—and halted operations at Dubai International Airport for several hours, though no injuries were reported. Saudi Arabia intercepted 34 drones over its eastern region.
Despite ongoing hostilities, oil prices eased after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said some Iranian tankers were safely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and stock markets responded positively. Tracking data confirmed a Pakistan-bound oil tanker passed through over the weekend, indicating limited safe passage arrangements.
While Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain, and others to contribute naval forces, many nations—including Germany, Italy, Greece, Japan, and Australia—refused military participation. Israel also continued strikes in Lebanon and Gaza, targeting Hezbollah and Hamas positions, with limited ground operations underway against southern Lebanon positions.
