Iran war live: US-Israeli strikes killed over 200 children, says foreign minister

March 16, 2026

Meanwhile, European allies refuse US request to help open Strait of Hormuz

Key Points

• Iran's health infrastructure is holding up, says WHO
• Israeli strike kills nine officers and personnel, says Gaza health ministry
• Israeli strikes kill 826 in Lebanon since war began: ministry

One million displaced in Lebanon as Israeli attacks kill 886
2 seconds ago
Lebanon’s National News Agency says displacement continues to surge as Israel’s assault on the country intensifies. Authorities reported that the total number of displaced people has reached 1,049,328.
Officials added that the death toll has risen to 886 and the number of wounded to 2141.

Drone strike hits southern Iraq oil field, second attack in four days
12 minutes ago
Iraq’s Oil Ministry says a drone strike targeted a southern oil field, marking the second such attack in four days as the Israeli-US war on Iran continues to threaten energy infrastructure in the region.

Six injured after missile from Lebanon hits building in Israel
22 minutes ago
Israel’s ambulance service says six people were injured after a missile fired from Lebanon struck a building in the northern coastal city of Nahariya. Authorities reported
 
Trump pressures UK and France to help secure Strait of Hormuz
31 minutes ago
US President Donald Trump says he expects France and the United Kingdom to support efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking on Monday, Trump said he had raised the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron.
He described Macron’s response as “not perfect” but added: “I think it will help.”
Turning to Britain, Trump said: “I think they will get involved, they should get involved.”
 
Trump says Macron willing to help reopen Strait of Hormuz
43 minutes ago
US President Donald Trump says he has spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron about efforts to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a White House event on Monday, Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio would soon announce which countries are prepared to assist the United States.
 
Turkey condemns Israel’s Lebanon invasion, warns of ‘new humanitarian catastrophe’
56 minutes ago
Turkey has strongly condemned Israel’s ground invasion of southern Lebanon, warning that the assault risks plunging the region deeper into crisis.
In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry accused Israel’s leadership of extending destructive policies beyond Gaza.
“The Netanyahu government’s implementation of genocidal and collective punishment policies, this time in Lebanon, will lead to a new humanitarian catastrophe in the region,” the ministry said.
Ankara also stressed its support for Lebanon as Israeli forces expand operations across the border.
“We reiterate our solidarity with Lebanon in the face of these attacks, which violate Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
 
At least 886 deaths in Lebanon, says health ministry
1 hour ago
The number now understood to have been killed in Lebanon since the start of the war has reached at least 886 with more than 2,000 injured, according the Lebanon's health ministry.
As Israel announces widening its assault into southern Lebanon which began after Hezbollah began launching attacks against Israel in response to the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the number of casualties in Lebanon continues to rise rapidly.
Around a million people have also been displaced in the country since the war began.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has said in a news briefing on Monday that it intends to continue its attacks.
 
Governments remain silent or reject Trump's proposed naval coalition
1 hour ago
Donald Trump's suggested multinational naval coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz has still not had any volunteers, with governments rejecting the idea outright or refusing to engage with the US president on the subject.
The proposal consisted of sending warships to the strait to get trade up and running again, as 20 percent of the world's oil normally passes through it.
In Europe, some leaders were unequivocal. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin had no intention of joining military operations.
Beyond Europe, both Japan and Australia have said they do not intend to send ships to the region.
 
Six dead in strike on PMF in western Iraq
2 hours ago
A strike on Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq has left six dead near the Syrian border, according to the group.
The group has said the "Zionist bombing" had left another four fighters injured in the latest of recent attacks against the group in Iraq.
Parts of the umbrella group of paramilitaries that was founded in 2014 are known to be Iran-backed.
Another three were killed on Saturday with a further ten in al-Qaim on Thursday.
 
Sri Lanka declares shorter work week over fuel scarcity
2 hours ago
Fears over the scarcity of fuel and the war on Iran's uncertain future has forced Sri Lanka to declare a shorter work week.
The move, it is hoped, will conserve its limited fuel reserves as transportation of fuel and other goods through the Strait of Hormuz - which normally carries 20 percent of world exports - remains blocked.
In 2024 In 2024 around 84 percent of the 2o million barrels a day crude oil and other condensate shipments moving through the strait went to Asia.
 
US told Turkey war would last just four days, expert says
2 hours ago
The United States government had told Turkey through official channels that the war on Iran would only take four days, Asli Aydintasbas, a Washington-based Turkey expert, said during an interview on Sunday.
“Turkey and some of its allies were told, through official channels, that this operation would take days and be completed in four days,” Aydintasbas, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, said in an interview with the Serbestiyet news site.
“You cannot tell a Nato ally that you have made a four-day plan and then extend the operation to 14 days. In a sense, this was also a betrayal of the regional countries.”