Iran War Day 15: Third Week Begins With Kharg Strike, Gulf Escalation, and Hormuz Pressure

Overview

The third week of war between the United States–Israel coalition and the Islamic Republic of Iran has begun. Fighting erupted on 28 February 2026 when U.S. and Israeli aircraft attacked Iranian air‑defence, missile, and nuclear facilities. Iran responded with barrages of drones and ballistic missiles targeting Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf neighbors. By March 14 (day 15 of the conflict), the war had killed over 1,400 people in Iran, injured more than 18,500, and displaced millions. Israeli strikes have killed at least 773 people in Lebanon and wounded thousands, while Iranian missile attacks and Israeli retaliatory strikes have killed about 15 people in Israel and over 800 in Lebanon. The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is severe, with around 850,000 people displaced.

Major military operations continue on Iranian soil and across the wider region. The United States says its campaign is aimed at destroying Iran’s air‑defence network and ballistic‑missile capacity; Israeli leaders have said they hope to “create the optimal conditions for toppling the regime”. Iran is trying to keep U.S. and Israeli forces away by closing the Strait of Hormuz to “enemy” shipping, launching waves of drones and missiles at Israel and Gulf states, and threatening to strike regional energy infrastructure.

Events in the last 24 hours (March 13–14)

Strikes on Kharg Island

• On 13 March, U.S. aircraft attacked Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil-export hub. The U.S. Central Command said more than 90 Iranian military targets were destroyed while sparing oil infrastructure. The attack hit naval mine storage sites, missile bunkers, and air‑defense radars. President Donald Trump boasted that U.S. forces had “obliterated” the island’s military facilities and warned he would target the oil facilities if Iran continued to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iranian reaction: Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said any attack on the country’s energy infrastructure would trigger retaliation against “all oil, economic and energy infrastructures” belonging to U.S. companies in the region. He urged Gulf neighbours to expel U.S. forces, calling America’s security umbrella “full of holes”. Iran’s joint command claimed U.S. strikes had been launched from ports in the United Arab Emirates and warned civilians to evacuate the UAE’s Jebel Ali, Khalifa, and Fujairah ports.
• Despite U.S. claims of destroying all military sites, Iranian media said at least 15 explosions followed the strikes and that some air‑defense and naval facilities were hit, but oil infrastructure remained intact.

Iranian missile and drone attacks

• Missile barrages on Israel and the Gulf: Iran fired new waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states on March 14. Israeli officials reported rockets and missiles striking near Tel Aviv. Iran’s state television said the attack was coordinated with Hezbollah as part of its annual al‑Quds Day operation.
• Attack on U.S. embassy in Baghdad: A missile struck a helipad inside the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad. Associated Press photographs showed smoke rising from the embassy. Iraq’s government said the attack destroyed parts of the embassy’s air‑defence system; it was the second attack on the embassy since the war began. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al‑Sudani later pledged to prevent such attacks.

Attacks on Gulf states:

• Qatar: The Qatari armed forces announced they intercepted four ballistic missiles and several drones on March 14. Authorities issued warnings via mobile phones and temporarily evacuated parts of Education City.
• Saudi Arabia: The Saudi defence ministry said it destroyed six Iranian drones—five over the kingdom’s eastern region and one over the Empty Quarter desert. Later on March 14 it downed three more drones.
• Bahrain: Sirens sounded and residents were told to head to shelters as Bahrain reported intercepting missiles and drones. The country’s government says Iran has fired 124 missiles and 203 drones at it since February 28.
• Kuwait: Kuwaiti air defences dealt with two drones targeting Ahmad Al‑Jaber air base and destroyed five more drones in the past 24 hours. Three soldiers sustained minor injuries.
• United Arab Emirates: Debris from an intercepted Iranian drone caused a fire at Fujairah port, temporarily suspending oil-loading operations. The terminal handles about 1 % of global oil trade, and the incident heightened fears that no Gulf port is safe.
• Missile strike on Isfahan factory: Iranian state media reported that a U.S.–Israeli missile strike hit an industrial plant in Isfahan, killing at least 15 workers. The factory reportedly produced heating and cooling equipment and was operating at the time of the attack.
• Drone attacks on Kuwait airport: Kuwaiti authorities said “several drones” hit Kuwait International Airport on March 14. Details about casualties were not immediately available.

Other developments inside Iran

• Iran’s leadership: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded and disfigured, and the State Department offered a $10 million reward for information on him. Iran’s foreign minister dismissed the claim, insisting there was “no problem” with Khamenei and that he would continue performing his duties.
• Basij and security apparatus targeted: The Institute for the Study of War observed that U.S.‑Israeli strikes continue to hit Iran’s internal security infrastructure. By March 13, strikes had functionally defeated Iran’s ballistic‑missile production capacity and destroyed 80 % of Iran’s offensive capability. The strikes targeted Law Enforcement Command sites in Tehran Province and Basij checkpoints; Iranian security forces were abandoning fixed checkpoints to hide under highway bridges.
• Casualties in Iran: Since the war started, at least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured in U.S.-Israeli attacks. Iranian authorities also report severe damage to civilian infrastructure: 36,000 residential units and 6,000 commercial buildings have been damaged or destroyed, and 56 cultural or heritage sites have been harmed.

Military and diplomatic movements

• U.S. reinforcements: The U.S. is deploying 10,000 interceptor drones to the Middle East and sending the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli with about 2,500 Marines; additional Marine Expeditionary Units can help secure embassies and evacuate civilians.

Other countries’ responses:

• United Kingdom: The UK defence ministry said it is considering options to secure the Strait of Hormuz, including sending warships, after Trump called on allies to help protect shipping.
• Canada: Canada announced it would release 23.6 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves as part of a coordinated International Energy Agency (IEA) effort to ease the global energy crisis.
• France and Italy: According to analysts, nations such as France, Italy, and India have begun negotiating directly with Iran for safe passage of their ships, indicating that some countries are bypassing U.S. mediation.
• United Nations: UN Secretary‑General António Guterres, visiting Beirut, urged Israel and Hezbollah to stop fighting and said there is no military solution to the Lebanon conflict.
• Political negotiation efforts: Lebanon said it was preparing to form a delegation to negotiate with Israel for a possible ceasefire. French diplomats were reportedly involved in drafting a plan under which Lebanon would recognise Israel in exchange for an end to hostilities. Iran, however, rejected ceasefire calls and insisted that attacks would continue until U.S. and Israeli strikes stop.

Economic and social impacts

• Strait of Hormuz and shipping: Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz to “enemy” ships and has allowed only selected vessels to transit. Analysts at ISW note that Iran is selectively permitting some tankers (such as two Indian LPG carriers) through the strait, using drones and missiles to disrupt shipping while avoiding the consequences of fully mining the waterway. Nearly all commercial shipping is still avoiding the strait due to security concerns. Trump has urged multiple countries to send warships to maintain freedom of navigation, and India, France, and Italy are negotiating their own escorts.
• Oil prices: The closure of the strait and attacks on Gulf infrastructure have created what the IEA calls the largest oil supply crisis since the 1970s. Oil prices have spiked, prompting some airlines and shipping firms to add fuel surcharges and adjust routes. India’s Akasa Air, for example, announced a fuel surcharge on domestic and international flights to offset rising jet fuel costs.
• Suspension of port operations: Fujairah port in the UAE temporarily suspended loading operations after the drone interception caused a fire. Kuwait restored power lines damaged by falling shrapnel, but repairs highlight the vulnerability of Gulf infrastructure.
• Cultural and sporting impacts: Formula One announced it would cancel or reschedule races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia scheduled for mid‑April because of security concerns. Tourism and cultural sites in Iran have suffered damage; UNESCO reported damage to at least 56 museums and heritage sites due to U.S.‑Israeli strikes.

Targets inside and outside Iran

Inside Iran

• Military infrastructure: U.S.‑Israeli airstrikes continue to dismantle Iran’s air‑defence, missile, and drone infrastructure. The Kharg Island attack destroyed naval mine storage facilities, missile bunkers, and radar sites. Strikes also hit Basij checkpoints and Law Enforcement Command sites across Tehran and other provinces. By March 13, the coalition had carried out about 7,600 strikes in Iran and 1,100 in Lebanon.
• Industrial sites: The March 14 strike on a factory in Isfahan killed 15 workers. Iranian media also reported strikes on defence‑industry plants producing missile components and air‑defence equipment.
• Leadership and intelligence: Israeli forces killed two senior Iranian intelligence officers, Abdollah Jalali‑Nasab and Amir Shariat, in a Tehran strike. These officials had been appointed to replace the director killed in the war’s opening hours.
• Civilian and heritage sites: The combined campaign has damaged thousands of residences, commercial buildings, and at least 56 cultural sites.

Fresh Wave of Strikes Reported Inside Iran, From Tehran and Isfahan to Shiraz, Tabriz, and Kharg Island

As the conflict continued to intensify, Friday night, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, saw a new wave of reported drone strikes, missile impacts, air defense activity, and fighter jet movements across multiple Iranian cities. Based on received reports and local open-source accounts, Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Qom, Ahvaz, Bushehr, and Kharg Island were among the main locations where explosions, impacts, or military activity were reported during this period.

In Tehran, several areas were reportedly struck on Friday night, including Navab–Azadi, Nobonyad, Shahrak Rajai, the Artesh Highway area, Pasdaran, Afsarieh, and Shahrak Gharb. In one reported incident, a location near the Shahrak Gharb police station and the Engineering Organization building was hit by a drone, after which security forces blocked Mehestan Street. Heavy smoke was also seen in the Nobonyad and Artesh Highway areas. Elsewhere in the capital, explosions were reported near Shahid Avini Technical School, close to Borj-e Sefid in Pasdaran, as well as two heavy blasts in Afsarieh. The Iranian Space Research Center was also listed among the reported targets that night.

Outside Tehran, reports indicated that Shahid Chamran Barracks in Karaj was struck by a drone, while seven explosions were heard in Dayyer County in Bushehr near what was described as a naval force area. These developments suggested that the scope of the strikes was not limited to the capital and that sensitive infrastructure and military-linked sites across several provinces were simultaneously under pressure.

In the early hours of Saturday, the scope of the strikes and air activity widened further. In Shiraz, the sound of low-flying fighter jets and several explosions was reported shortly after midnight. An area near Shiraz Airport was also described as having been hit by a drone or missile. Later in the day, more explosions were reported near Shiraz Electronics Industries, and by Saturday night, new fighter jet activity and three consecutive explosions were reported at warehouses linked to the Ministry of Defense’s Electronics Industries.

Isfahan also appeared to experience one of the heaviest waves of activity on Saturday. Air defense systems were reported to be active in Shahr-eza, with several explosions heard in the area, followed by reports that missile strikes targeted aerospace-related facilities in Isfahan. Citizen footage and local reports also pointed to strikes or explosions in areas associated with Army Aviation, Mojtama-e Parvaz, areas toward Sofeh and Mosalla, and a military barracks opposite Golestan-e Shohada. Some reports described thick smoke and multiple waves of blasts within a short period.

In northwestern Iran, Tabriz was also hit by several reported explosions in the early hours of Saturday. One blast was reported on Sento Road, while several more were heard in western Tabriz. Later, additional received footage and accounts pointed to a strike on the industrial zone in western Tabriz. In Qom, an explosion was heard at 01:10 a.m., while another location near Honarestan Street was identified in reports as a possible drone target.

Kharg Island was also reportedly bombed in the early hours of Saturday. Given Kharg’s strategic importance within Iran’s energy and transport architecture, any strike on the island would mark a significant escalation aimed at pressuring critical and high-value infrastructure.

As Saturday continued, several explosions were also reported in Ahvaz. In eastern Tehran, air defenses were activated, and a drone was reportedly seen in the sky. Minutes later, explosions were heard in Narmak and around Enghelab in Tehran, followed by more air defense activity in western Tehran. By late Saturday night, attention returned once again to the capital. From around 11:20 p.m. onward, several explosions were reported across Tehran, followed by accounts of drone attacks in different districts. Residents in Janat Abad, Ekbatan, Shahr-e Ziba, Boulevard-e Ferdows, Shahrak Gharb, Shahrak Vali Asr, and Ariashahr reported hearing explosions, drones, air defenses, and gunfire. In one of the most unusual claims of the night, a checkpoint in Chitgar was said to be firing at a drone with Kalashnikov rifles.

In addition to these incidents, compiled reports from the final 10 hours under review indicated explosions or security and air defense activity in Tehran, Karaj, Andimeshk, Shahriar, Tabriz, Isfahan, Sanandaj, Kermanshah, Sirjan, Shiraz, Aligudarz, Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, Bushehr, and Hamedan.

Taken together, the pattern of reported strikes and activity during this period suggests that the conflict inside Iran has moved beyond isolated incidents into a broader and more simultaneous wave across multiple geographies. The reported targets span military, research, and industrial sites, while the repeated sounds of explosions, drones, and air defenses in residential and urban areas point to a much heavier internal security atmosphere. Still, given the open-source and wartime nature of these reports, some of the times, locations, and target attributions may later be revised or clarified.

Iranian targets outside Iran

• Israel: Iran has repeatedly launched ballistic missiles and drones at Israel. Israel’s air‑defence system has intercepted many, but some rockets have hit near Tel Aviv.
• Iraq: Iranian missiles hit the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad. Iran‑aligned militias also claim attacks on U.S. bases across Iraq and northern Syria. A U.S. refuelling aircraft crashed in Iraq on March 13, killing six crew members; Iranian proxies claimed responsibility, although the Pentagon said there was no evidence of hostile fire.
• Persian Gulf states: Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, claiming to target U.S. assets and coalition partners. Gulf states intercepted most, but some debris caused damage (Fujairah port fire and Kuwaiti power lines).
• Shipping: On March 14, Iran allowed two Indian tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas to pass through the Strait of Hormuz but continues to threaten ships linked to the U.S., Israel, or their allies. Iranian officials have said the strait is “open only to those not attacking us”.

Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz situation

The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil chokepoint—roughly one‑fifth of globally traded crude normally passes through it. Iran declared the waterway closed to “enemy” ships but has selectively allowed some vessels to transit. The result is a virtual blockade, with most shipping avoiding the strait. U.S. officials say the closure threatens global energy security; Trump has threatened to target Iran’s oil facilities if the strait remains blocked.

Iran has also threatened to mine or attack ports in the UAE that it says are used by U.S. forces. Drones and missiles have already targeted oil facilities and ports across the Gulf. Gulf states, Britain, and other allies are discussing joint naval escorts to keep the shipping lane open. Meanwhile, countries like India and France are negotiating directly with Iran for safe passage. This new diplomatic dynamic suggests U.S. control over the crisis is waning.

International reactions

• United States: President Trump has vowed to continue the offensive until Iran’s ability to threaten the region is neutralised. He has demanded that other countries send warships to help protect the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to strike Iran’s oil infrastructure if shipping continues to be attacked.
• Iran: Iranian leaders portray the conflict as a defensive struggle against U.S. and Israeli aggression. They insist the Strait of Hormuz remains open to neutral shipping and warn they will respond proportionally if their oil facilities are targeted. Iran’s foreign ministry also called on neighbours to expel U.S. forces.
• Gulf states: Gulf Cooperation Council members have been targets of Iran’s attacks and mostly rely on U.S. protection. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain have all intercepted missiles and drones within the past 24 hours. UAE officials condemned the drone attack on Fujairah and temporarily suspended some operations. UAE security adviser Anwar Gargash criticised Iran’s strikes as “moral bankruptcy”.
• Israel: Israeli leaders say the war has reached a “decisive phase”. The Israel Defense Forces claim to have struck about 7,600 targets in Iran and 1,100 in Lebanon. Israel has targeted Hezbollah positions and Iranian proxies across Lebanon and Syria; Israeli attacks killed 12 medical staff at a Lebanese healthcare centre. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vowed a long confrontation, while Lebanon reported preparing a delegation to negotiate with Israel.
• United Nations and Europe: UN Secretary‑General António Guterres called for diplomacy and the full implementation of UN resolutions regarding Lebanon. France has been mediating between Lebanon and Israel and is encouraging Iran to allow safe passage for ships. The UK is considering naval deployments to secure the Strait. Canada and other IEA members are releasing oil reserves to ease the energy crisis.
• Economic organisations: The IEA warned that the conflict has led to the biggest oil-supply disruption since the 1970s. Airlines and shipping firms are adding surcharges or diverting routes, and global markets remain volatile. Iran’s selective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and threats against UAE ports have increased insurance premiums and undermined confidence in regional energy infrastructure.

Conclusion

By day 15 of the war (March 14, 2026), fighting between the U.S.–Israel coalition and Iran has escalated into a regional conflict. The U.S. and Israel continued intensive airstrikes on Iranian military infrastructure, culminating in the destruction of more than 90 targets on Kharg Island. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel, Gulf states, and U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq and threatened to strike regional energy infrastructure if its own oil facilities are attacked. The conflict is now disrupting global shipping and energy supplies, prompting international diplomatic efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz and to contain fighting in Lebanon. The coming days will reveal whether intensifying strikes and retaliations push the region towards broader war or whether diplomacy and naval escorts can stabilize the Persian Gulf.