BAGHDAD - The Middle East conflict intensified dramatically overnight as Israel launched major strikes on Tehran and Beirut, drones targeted the US embassy in Baghdad and attacks spread across Iraq and the Gulf.
Here are the latest developments.
Israel launches strikes on Tehran and Beirut
The Israel Defense Forces said it launched a “wide-scale wave of strikes” in the Iranian capital Tehran early Tuesday.
At the same time, Israeli forces began striking targets linked to Hezbollah in Beirut, marking another escalation in a conflict that has already spread across several countries.
Drone and rocket attack hits US embassy in Baghdad
The United States Embassy in Baghdad was targeted in an overnight attack involving drones and rockets.
A security official said three drones and four rockets were launched at the compound, with at least one drone crashing inside the embassy grounds in Baghdad.
No casualties were immediately reported.
Trump urges allies to secure Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump called on allies to help secure the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
Iran shut the strategic waterway in response to joint US-Israeli strikes, prompting Trump to demand that world powers deploy warships to escort tankers.
The strait normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil supply.
However, several European governments have reportedly been reluctant to commit to such a mission.
Israel president calls for support against Hezbollah
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog urged Europe to support Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah as Israeli troops conduct ground operations in Lebanon.
“Europe should support any effort to eradicate Hezbollah now,” Herzog said.
The Lebanese front of the war erupted after Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2 following the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.
Oil facilities and hotel targeted in drone attacks
A drone strike caused a fire at the Shah Oil Field in Abu Dhabi, authorities confirmed, as Iran continued launching drone and missile strikes across the Gulf.
Meanwhile, in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, a drone sparked a fire at a luxury hotel often used by diplomats shortly before air defences intercepted rockets aimed at the US embassy.
Hezbollah attacks Israeli troops and city
Hezbollah said it had targeted Israeli troops and vehicles in several Lebanese border towns.
The group also claimed responsibility for an attack on the northern Israeli city of Nahariya, where emergency services reported one person was wounded.
One million displaced in Lebanon
Lebanese authorities say the fighting has forced more than one million people from their homes since the war began earlier this month.
German chancellor warns Israel over Lebanon offensive
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon, warning it would worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis.
“We urgently call on our Israeli friends: Do not take this path,” he said.
UAE oil loading halted after repeated strikes
The UAE’s state energy giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Company halted oil loading operations at its storage facilities in Fujairah following repeated attacks.
Fujairah hosts one of the region’s most important oil ports and storage hubs.
Confusion over Iran’s leadership
Trump also said Washington was uncertain about the status of Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
“We don’t know if he’s dead or not,” the US president told reporters at the White House, adding that it remained unclear who the US could negotiate with in Tehran.