Iran War Day 14 Update: Internal Strikes, Persian Gulf Pressure, and Hormuz Crisis | Mar. 13, 2026

Overview of the situation

On March 13 2026 (Day 14 of the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran), fighting has intensified while neither side has achieved a decisive breakthrough. Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first written statement since assuming power, vowing that missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. bases would continue until foreign forces leave the region. Despite the pledge to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, Iran’s U.N. ambassador told reporters that Tehran has no intention of closing the strait and seeks only to “preserve the peace and security” of the waterway. U.S. officials believe Khamenei was wounded during earlier strikes; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed he may be “disfigured”. Large pro‑government rallies in Tehran were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, and a security checkpoint in southwestern Tehran was hit. Iran’s health ministry reported 1,444 civilian deaths and over 18,500 injured since the war began.

The conflict has become a strategic war of endurance: Iran uses asymmetric missile and drone attacks and maritime disruptions, while U.S.–Israel airstrikes focus on degrading Iranian military capabilities. The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could cause the largest disruption to oil supplies in history, trapping roughly 15 % of global crude east of the strait. This has already driven Brent crude prices above $100 per barrel and triggered large releases from strategic reserves. Gulf states have intercepted hundreds of drones and missiles; the UAE reported destroying 1,540 drones and 278 ballistic missiles since the war began.

Key events in the last 24 hours

1 Strikes inside Iran

• Heavy Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and Parchin: Israeli aircraft targeted the Taleghan‑2 facility at the Parchin complex, penetrating the concrete bunker protecting a high‑explosive testing chamber. Additional strikes hit an IRGC military garrison and air‑defence system in Hakimabad (Tehran) and the 20th Ramezan Armored Brigade in Khuzestan province. A security checkpoint in Tehran and internal security sites in Ahvaz and Behbahan were also attacked.
• Explosions near pro‑regime rally: During an Al‑Quds Day rally in central Tehran, blasts occurred near a gathering attended by senior officials including security chief Ali Larijani and President Masoud Pezeshkian. At least one person was killed. Israeli forces said they targeted Basij checkpoints to undermine the regime’s ability to suppress unrest.
• Missile launches from Iran: Iran launched at least four missile barrages at Israel between March 11 and March 12; one missile landed near Jerusalem. Iranian proxies fired drones at U.S. bases in Iraq, killing or wounding U.S. and coalition personnel. Hezbollah escalated its attacks, conducting 36 strikes (including 10 drone attacks) on March 11–12, the highest daily total since the war began.
• Downed U.S. refueling aircraft: A KC‑135 refueling plane crashed in western Iraq on March 12. The U.S. Central Command confirmed all six crew members died. Iranian‑aligned militias claimed they shot down the plane, but the Pentagon stated there was no hostile fire.

2 Targets outside Iran

• Gulf states under fire: Iran and allied militias launched waves of drones and missiles at Gulf countries hosting U.S. bases. Saudi Arabia intercepted 10 drones over its eastern region and later shot down another 28 drones. Bahrain has intercepted 114 missiles and 190 drones since the war began. Kuwait and Oman also reported intercepts; a strike in Oman’s Sohar province killed two foreign workers. The UAE said Iranian drones hit Dubai airport and hotels. Qatar Airways arranged over 140 repatriation flights after closing its airspace.
• Shipping attacks: According to maritime‑intelligence provider Windward, five vessels were struck on March 11, bringing the total since Feb. 28 to at least 16 ships. A Thailand‑flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was hit in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fire and leaving several crew missing. The Japan‑flagged One Majesty and Marshall Islands‑flagged Star Gwyneth were damaged near Ras al‑Khaimah and Dubai respectively. Two tankers conducting a ship‑to‑ship transfer near Basra were struck by explosive‑laden Iranian surface vessels, killing an Indian crew member and causing Iraq to halt port operations. Iran’s IRGC warned that ships linked to the U.S. or Israel could be targeted.
• Hezbollah and militias: In Lebanon, Israeli bombing intensified; at least 12 people were killed in central Beirut and 687 people have been killed in Lebanon since last Monday, including 98 children. Hezbollah’s drone attacks on northern Israel increased, prompting Israel to broaden evacuation zones. In Iraq, pro‑Iran militias attacked U.S. and coalition facilities; a French soldier was killed in a drone strike on a base in Iraqi Kurdistan, the first French casualty. Iran’s proxies also targeted U.S. bases in Kuwait and the UAE.

3 Movements in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz

• Traffic near standstill: Windward reported that on March 11 there were only two outbound crossings through the Strait of Hormuz, with no inbound transits. Typical daily traffic prior to the war was 70–80 ships. Commercial vessels are rerouting via the Bab el‑Mandeb strait and the Suez Canal, where crossings increased sharply (Bab el‑Mandeb 26 crossings, up 62.5 %; Suez Canal 44 crossings, up 63 %). Traffic around the Cape of Good Hope also remains high as ships avoid the Gulf.
• Series of vessel attacks: Since Feb. 28, at least 16 ships have been hit across the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. The attacks include direct hits on tankers near Basra and Ras al‑Khaimah and the disabling of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The Mayuree Naree attack occurred 11 nautical miles north of Oman.
• Iranian oil exports reduced: Iranian crude exports from Kharg Island fell by 51.7 % (from 2.04 million b/d to 0.98 million b/d) since Feb. 28. Tankers are increasingly turning off AIS transponders and spoofing positions to avoid detection. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia accelerated exports through the 1,200‑km Petroline pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, sending 27 Very Large Crude Carriers to load cargoes.

Supplementary Open-Source Review

The section below includes supplementary citizen-submitted reports sent to the Telegram channels Vahid Online and Ilya. These data are useful for mapping the rhythm of the attacks, their geographic spread, and recurring target patterns, but they should be treated as rapid open-source reporting under wartime conditions, not as a fully verified strike log. Some times, locations, and target attributions may be revised later.

On Thursday night, March 12, there was a clear rise in reported activity around Tehran and Karaj. Reports pointed to an explosion in western Tehran, the activation of air defenses in eastern Tehran and Sorkheh Hesar, fighter aircraft flying over Kordan and Gohardasht, and several explosions near the Basij–Bagheri highway interchange. Ahvaz and Chabahar also appeared in late-night reports. Separate claims also said that several police stations and checkpoints in Tehran had been targeted by drones or missiles, including sites in Bisim, Afsarieh, Fallah, and Moshiriyeh. Additional reporting also referred to a drone strike near the Tehran–Qom toll gate, as well as impacts near Malek Ashtar University and Shiraz Airport.

The early Friday wave was broader and more intense. Reports referred to explosions in Kashan, Sirjan, Arak, Hamedan, Isfahan, Qom, Behshahr, Ahvaz, Abadan, and multiple points across Tehran province. In Arak, the claims centered on the Ministry of Intelligence, Hepco, Pardis Township, Kheirabad, Hajiabad, and the Narenjestan complex in Amin Township. In Hamedan, the industrial zone appeared repeatedly in reports. Around Tehran and Karaj, witnesses also reported low-altitude aircraft, gunfire in Azimiyeh, heavy explosions from the Malard–Shahriar direction, and a prolonged strike cycle focused on southern Tehran. Some reports described tremors strong enough to fuel speculation that bunker-buster munitions had been used.

Friday midday and afternoon reports pointed to a more scattered, but still significant, set of incidents. Qazvin appeared repeatedly in the incoming reports, especially Lia Industrial City, Alborz Industrial City, the Caspian zone, and nearby areas. Separate claims referred to the Qarchak highway police post, Shahriar, Baharestan county, Shahr-e Rey, Hassanabad-e Fashafuyeh, and areas near the Quds Day march route in Tehran, including around Fatemi Street and the Interior Ministry building. Other reports referred to an attack near a special police site around Azadi Stadium, missile-related activity toward Kish Airport, and a precision strike in Isfahan near North Sheikh Saduq Street and the Bank Mellat supervisory district.

Friday afternoon and night brought another broad wave across several cities. The user-submitted reports referred to fighter aircraft, drones, and explosions, or all three together, in Tehran, Karaj, Eslamshahr, Shahriar, Malard, Mehrshahr, Baghestan, Kamalshahr, Bonfeshah Township, Shahr-e Rey, Chitgar, Jannatabad, Gisha, southern Kargar, Pirouzi, Seyed Khandan, Qods, Nasimshahr, Robat Karim, Qazvin, Shiraz, and Babolsar. One notable claim said that at 20:04 on Friday, the Islamic Republic launched at least two ballistic missiles from an urban area in Shiraz using a mobile launcher toward an unspecified destination, likely Israel.

Late-night reports around Tehran referred to possible drone attacks or impacts in Shahrak-e Gharb, Sattarkhan, Navab, Azadi, Nobonyad, Shahrak-e Rajaei, Afsarieh, and the area around the Artesh Highway. There were also reports of smoke columns in Nobonyad and near the Artesh Highway, security restrictions in parts of Shahrak-e Gharb, and one claimed strike near the Shahrak-e Gharb police station area. Beyond Tehran, claims referred to seven explosions in Deyr county in Bushehr province near a naval area, a strike on Shahid Chamran Barracks in Karaj, and a possible hit on the Iranian Space Research Center.

Overall, these supplementary open-source data reinforce five broad patterns. First, the Tehran–Karaj belt remained the densest reported strike corridor. Second, checkpoints, police sites, barracks, and administrative-control centers appeared repeatedly in incoming reports. Third, the geographic spread of the attacks extended beyond the capital and included military, industrial, research, and transport-related targets. Fourth, Friday’s reporting suggested repeated use of coordinated wave attacks rather than only single-point strikes. Fifth, by the end of the second week, the line between strategic targets and urban targets tied to internal security had become increasingly blurred.

International reactions and decisions

• United Nations Security Council: During a meeting on March 12, the United States and its allies clashed with Russia and China over sanctions enforcement on Iran’s nuclear program. Washington accused Moscow and Beijing of blocking the work of the UN’s 1737 Committee, which oversees sanctions. U.S. envoy Mike Waltz argued that all member states should impose arms embargoes and freeze financial assets linked to Iran’s missile and nuclear programs. Russia and China alleged the U.S. was using unverified nuclear claims to justify the war. Iran’s UN ambassador insisted the country’s nuclear program is peaceful.
• Humanitarian and diplomatic concerns: The Council on Foreign Relations warned that U.S.–Israeli strikes and the blockade of the Hormuz Strait are crippling global humanitarian aid—up to 3.2 million people are internally displaced in Iran and hundreds of thousands more in Lebanon. Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, the world’s main disaster‑relief logistics hub, has nearly shut down because ships cannot enter the Gulf and because the port of Jebel Ali caught fire after an intercepted missile. The World Food Program and International Organization for Migration report surcharges of $3,000 per container and warn that rising oil and fertilizer prices could trigger famine in fragile countries. Europe’s foreign ministers called for de‑escalation and urged building a coalition with Gulf states and other powers to negotiate a ceasefire. Protests have erupted in Athens, where thousands marched demanding the closure of NATO bases in Greece, and in Spain, which withdrew its ambassador from Israel and refused to allow U.S. use of Spanish bases.
• Domestic debate in the U.S.: More than 250 U.S. organizations, including the ACLU, Greenpeace and the SEIU, sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to reject a $50 billion supplemental request for the war. Critics argue the funds could instead restore food assistance and pay for domestic programs. U.S. Senators expressed scepticism about deploying ground troops; yet the Pentagon announced a 2,200‑strong Marine expeditionary unit will deploy from Okinawa to support operations and potential evacuations. The U.S. Army has also deployed 10,000 Merops interceptor drones to counter Iranian drones.
• Energy‑market responses: Oil prices remained above $100 per barrel despite strategic‑reserve releases. Global stock markets fell, and shipping insurance premiums skyrocketed. Greece introduced price controls on fuel and household staples through June 30 to stem inflation. The U.S. Treasury has suggested escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz once militarily feasible. The U.S. temporarily allowed some Russian oil exports that were already at sea to complete delivery to help stabilize markets (cited in other sources but beyond this document). Saudi Arabia and Qatar called for a diplomatic solution, emphasising that missile attacks risk devastating their economies.
• Russian and Chinese positions: Russia condemned U.S. and Israeli strikes as “unprovoked armed aggression” and warned of uncontrolled regional escalation; it hopes the war will divert U.S. attention from Ukraine and allow Moscow to act as a potential mediator. China similarly criticised Washington, calling it the “instigator” of the nuclear crisis. Both countries blocked or sought to dilute UN sanctions proposals.

Assessment and implications

Strategic stalemate and asymmetrical tactics

The war is transitioning from an initial shock phase to a prolonged attrition contest. Iran remains unable to defeat U.S.–Israel air power but is shaping the wider strategic environment by:

• Disrupting maritime trade through missile and drone attacks, mines and unmanned surface vessels, causing near‑standstill traffic through Hormuz and forcing ships to reroute via Bab el‑Mandeb, the Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope.
• Leveraging proxy forces (Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, Yemen’s Houthis) to extend the battlefield across the Levant and Gulf, forcing U.S. and Israeli forces to defend multiple theatres.
• Launching sustained missile barrages against Israel and U.S. bases, which, although largely intercepted, impose psychological and economic costs.

On the other side, U.S.–Israeli forces are executing systematic strikes on Iranian military infrastructure (air defences, garrisons, nuclear facilities), but Iran retains significant missile-launch capacity due to stockpiles and dispersal tactics. Supply shortages and friction between the Artesh (regular army) and IRGC have been reported, hinting at internal strains but not yet threatening regime control.

Economic and humanitarian fallout

The war is already producing global economic shocks. Oil prices hovering above $100 per barrel and spiking freight and insurance costs are fuelling inflation worldwide. The blockade of Hormuz and repeated vessel attacks have stranded 15 % of global oil supply east of the strait. Humanitarian organizations warn of rising famine risks as higher fuel, fertilizer and shipping costs make aid delivery prohibitively expensive. With millions displaced in Iran and Lebanon, the conflict risks a wider humanitarian catastrophe.

Outlook

The 14‑day mark shows no pathway to rapid de‑escalation. Both sides appear resolved to continue; Iran insists that attacks will persist until U.S. forces leave the region, while Washington says the war will last as long as necessary to degrade Iran’s capabilities. The Strait of Hormuz remains the central chokepoint; even if fighting stops tomorrow, it could take weeks to restore normal shipping. International pressure is growing for negotiations; Europe, Gulf states and humanitarian groups call for a diplomatic settlement and maritime security measures. Without a ceasefire, however, the war’s economic and humanitarian toll is likely to increase, and the risk of broader regional escalation (e.g., a strike on NATO ally Turkey or further involvement of Russia) cannot be discounted.