The United States is preparing to send about 1,000 troops from an Army airborne unit to the Middle East, according to a report from the Associated Press.
The troops are to be sent in the coming days, according to three people with knowledge of the plans. It’s the latest addition of troops after US officials said last week that thousands of Marines aboard several Navy ships would head to the region.
While the Marine units are trained in missions that include supporting US embassies, evacuating civilians and disaster relief, the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne, based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, are trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields.
The New York Times reported earlier that the deployment was being considered.
See a recap.
Trump administration offers 15-point cease-fire plan to Iran — 10:21 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The Trump administration has offered a 15-point cease-fire plan to Iran, according to a person briefed on the contours of the plan but who was not authorized to speak publicly about it.
The cease-fire plan was submitted to Iran by intermediaries from Pakistan, who have offered to host renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
The proposal comes as the US military is preparing to call up at least 1,000 more troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to supplement some 50,000 troops already in the region.
The New York Times reported earlier Tuesday that the 15-point plan had been delivered to Iranian officials.
The Pentagon is also in the process of deploying a pair of Marine Expeditionary Units that will add about 5,000 Marines and thousands of sailors to the region.
Israeli officials, who have been advocating for Trump to continue the war against Iran, were taken by surprise by the US administration’s submission of a cease-fire plan, the person said.
But with the US taking steps to send additional soldiers and Marines to the Mideast, the move is being framed as Trump maneuvering to give himself “max flexibility” on what he will do next, the person added.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
Iraq says its OK for militias to act in self-defense — 9:18 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Iraq’s government early Wednesday approved its militias and other members of its security forces to act in self-defense as it faces attacks.
The state-run Iraq News Agency reported the decision.
State-sanctioned, mainly Shiite militias, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, have grown into a powerful political faction within Iraq.
They have been targeted in attacks after Shiite militias have been attacking sites associated with the United States in Iraq as the Iran war rages on.
The move appears aimed at securing the uneasy coalition government now in control in Iraq as it balances competing forces within the country.
Israeli strikes on Southern Lebanon kill 9 — 9:01 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The strikes late Tuesday also wounded dozens, the Lebanese health ministry reported.
The overall toll was three dead and 18 wounded in Nabatiyeh province; six dead and five wounded in Sidon province; and 29 wounded in Tyre province.
Since March 2, Israeli strikes have killed at least 1,072 and injured 2,966, including 121 children and 81 women, according to the ministry.
Senate Democrats force another vote on Iran war, but lawmakers aren’t shifting — 8:03 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The vote on a war powers resolution would have forced Trump to get congressional approval before carrying out any further attacks on Iran. As was the case with two previous similar proposals, it failed to advance on a 47-53 vote.
Once again Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote in favor while Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote against.
A group of Democrats is forcing weekly votes on the war as a way to pressure the Senate to hold public hearings.
“This war makes absolutely no sense,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who forced the vote Tuesday evening.
So far GOP senators have backed the war and mostly expressed satisfaction with classified briefings given by the Trump administration.
290 US troops have been wounded in the Iran war — 7:29 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Of the total wounded to date, 255 service members have returned to duty, said Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for U.S. Central Command.
That leaves 35 wounded and out of action, with 10 still considered seriously wounded, Hawkins said.
The total of 290 is an increase of 90 since the last update, provided March 16. Last week 20 service members were too injured to return to their posts.
Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed in combat in the war.
US to send around 1,000 troops from 82nd Airborne Division to the Mideast, AP source says — 6:25 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The troops are to be sent in the coming days, a person with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press.
The unit is considered the Army’s emergency response force and can typically be deployed on short notice. The force would include a battalion of the 1st Brigade Combat Team as well as Maj. Gen. Brandon Tegtmeier, the division’s commander, and division staff, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.
It’s the latest addition of troops after US officials said last week that thousands of Marines aboard several Navy ships would head to the region.
While the Marine units are trained in missions that include supporting US embassies, evacuating civilians and disaster relief, the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne are trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields.
The New York Times reported earlier that the deployment was being considered.
Bahrain’s UN proposal on Strait of Hormuz faces opposition — 5:46 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The UN Security Council draft resolution calls for countries to use “all necessary means” to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
The proposal was obtained by AP on Tuesday as world powers grapple with how to release Iran’s chokehold on the crucial waterway, which has sent fuel prices skyrocketing and threatened the world economy.
The resolution would authorize countries or naval partnerships to use military action to secure passage and “to repress, neutralize and deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.” It also demands that Iran “immediately cease all attacks against merchant and commercial vessels” and stop impeding freedom of navigation.
One of the diplomats said the draft was being reworked after a number of countries raised concerns about it being placed under Chapter Seven of the U.N. Charter, which allows the council to authorize actions ranging from sanctions to the use of force.
The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose private negotiations.
France’s Emmanuel Macron urges Iran to engage in good faith negotiations — 5:44 p.m.
By the Associated Press
In a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the French president also called on Iran to end the “unacceptable attacks” against countries in the region, preserve energy and civilian infrastructure and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“I called on Iran to engage in good faith in negotiations, in order to open a path to de-escalation,” he said on the social platform X.
UN chief condemns Israeli settlement expansion and steps promoting West Bank annexation — 5:20 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Secretary-General António Guterres said the rapid pace of settlement expansion and proliferation of outposts is fueling tensions, impeding Palestinians’ access to their land and threatening the viability of an independent and contiguous Palestinian state. It is also taking place in conjunction with a rise in settler attacks, he said.
U.N. deputy Middle East envoy Ramiz Alakbarov, delivered the findings from Guterres’ report to the UN Security Council, saying Israeli planning authorities advanced or approved over 6,000 housing units in the West Bank between December and March 13.
He said demolitions and seizures of Palestinian homes and other structures also accelerated, as well as inflammatory rhetoric from Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Israeli ministers and members of Parliament.
Eight of the 15 council members — Bahrain, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Pakistan, Somalia and United Kingdom — delivered a joint statement just before the meeting reaffirming their “firm opposition to annexation” of any Palestinian territory and any forced displacements.
Pope Leo XIV repeats his appeal for a ceasefire in the Middle East — 5:18 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Speaking to reporters Tuesday evening outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff invited leaders to “work for peace” not with weapons but rather “with dialogue, truly seeking a solution for all.”
“Hatred is increasing, violence is worsening,” Pope Leo warned, saying more than a million people have been displaced and many others killed.
“We want to pray for peace,” he said, adding, “but I invite all authorities to truly work through dialogue to resolve this problem.”
Lebanon orders Iran’s ambassador out, escalating a crackdown on Tehran’s influence — 4:54 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The decision was the clearest sign yet of deteriorating relations between the two countries and raises tensions within Lebanon over the role of Tehran and its Lebanon-based ally, the militant group Hezbollah.
Over the weekend, Lebanon’s prime minister said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is commanding the attacks by Hezbollah on Israel, which have drawn stiff retaliation and dragged Lebanon into a confrontation the government “was not willing to get involved in.”
Lebanon’s foreign minister posted on X that Iran’s new ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shibani, will be declared “persona non grata, and requested that he leaves Lebanese territory no later than 29 March 2026.” The ministry later said the move does not mean that Lebanon is severing its diplomatic relations with Tehran.
Israel isn’t part of any reported Iran talks and will continue military operations with US, ambassador says — 4:05 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon says as far as he knows Israel isn’t part of any reported talks between the United States and Iran later this week in Pakistan.
“As we speak, Israel and the US, we continue to target military targets in Iran, and we will continue to do that,” he told UN reporters Tuesday.
He said the attacks have “accomplished a lot” but not everything.
Danon accused Iran’s foreign minister of saying just weeks ago that Iran didn’t have missiles with a range beyond 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) — then launching a missile that went nearly 4,000 kilometers (2,500 kilometers) toward Diego Garcia, a remote Indian Ocean island that hosts a major UK-US military base.
In negotiations at the end of the conflict, he said, Israel is determined to ensure that Iran has no nuclear or ballistic missile capability.
Iran says a projectile struck the area of Bushehr nuclear power plant — 4:01 p.m.
By the Associated Press
No casualties or technical damage was reported at the facility from the incident Tuesday night, which Iran’s atomic agency blamed on Israel and the United States.
A similar event was reported last week by Iran and Russia who said a projectile had struck the grounds of the Russia-built Bushehr plant, raising the specter of a radiological incident as the war rages.
Latest Iranian missile attack on Israel hits several apartment buildings and injures at least 3 people — 3:24 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Images released by rescue authorities showed extensive damage to a residential building in Bnei Brak, east of Tel Aviv, where rescue services said one man was moderately injured and a 7-year-old boy and 80-year-old woman were lightly injured.
Impact sites with varying degrees of damage were reported in at least seven other locations in central Israel.
This was the 12th Iranian missile barrage fired at Israel on Tuesday, while rockets fired by militants in Lebanon also kept air raid sirens sounding for hours in Israel’s north and killed at least one woman.
Iran is firing an average of 10 missiles a day at Israel, military says — 3:14 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Israeli Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the military’s spokesman, said in a televised statement that Iran fired dozens of missiles on Israel in the war’s first and second days of the war but this number “dropped quickly.” He attributed that to Israel’s continued strikes on military headquarters, launch sites and missile production sites across Iran.
He said the military completed several more waves of strikes on targets in Iran on Tuesday.
Although the volume of missiles has decreased, Iran has kept up and indeed increased the pace of its launches, sending millions of Israelis into shelters multiple times a day. Recent failed interceptions have caused deaths and injuries.
In a cryptic comment, Trump says Iran has shared a ‘present’ as show of faith — 2:57 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Asked if he trusts the Iranians said to be in talks with U.S. representatives, Trump said he doesn’t trust anybody but alluded to receiving a “gift” that he said suggested “we’re dealing with the right people.”
“They gave us a present, and the present arrived today,” Trump said speaking at the White House on Tuesday. “It was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money. And I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize.”
Pressed for more detail, Trump said it was “oil- and gas-related” but went no further. “It was a very nice thing they did. But what it showed me is that we’re dealing with the right people.”
A missile fired from Iran exploded over Lebanon, official says — 2:43 p.m.
By the Associated Press
A senior Lebanese military official said the cluster munition-equipped ballistic missile exploded earlier Tuesday over the Keserwan region north of Beirut, causing some material damage.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, added that the missile was heading west when it exploded but it was not clear where it was headed. It marked the first time an Iranian missile was intercepted over Lebanese airspace during the current conflict.
It was not clear how the missile was intercepted. The Lebanese military lacks air defenses.
The Israeli military said following an assessment that alongside the Iranian launches toward Israel on Tuesday was a ballistic missile fired from Iran that fell in Beirut.
Trump says Vance, Rubio and others are involved in talks about Iran — 2:41 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The president said while speaking at the White House on Tuesday that the U.S. is “in negotiations right now,” and that his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are involved in the talks, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.
“We have a number of people doing it,” Trump said. “And the other side, I can tell you, they’d like to make a deal.”
The first Chinese-owned cargo ship crosses Iran’s safe corridor in the Strait of Hormuz — 2:15 p.m.
By the Associated Press
The Chinese-owned vessel sailed through a pay-to-pass corridor between Larak and Qeshm islands that Iran set up earlier this month, according to its location transponder data.
The Panama-flagged ship, Newvoyager, is the first Chinese-owned container ship to transit the corridor, according to the Chinese financial news site Caixin.
The vessel, owned by a shipping company in the Chinese province of Anhui, broadcasted its status as “China Owner” during the transit on Monday, according to Caixin.
Data show the ship set sail from Iranian waters on Sunday and transited out of the strait by Monday.
Iran has insisted that “safe passage” in the Strait of Hormuz is possible for non-enemies. Vessels with ties to India and Pakistan are among those that have already transited the strait.
Woman killed by shrapnel in northern Israel is war’s first Israeli death by fire from Lebanon — 1:24 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Paramedics from Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue services said the woman was found lying in a ditch by the side of a road with critical wounds, south of the town of Safed, and was declared dead shortly after. Medics said two more people were lightly injured in the attack.
Sirens rang out across northern Israel almost nonstop for hours on Tuesday warning of drones and rockets fired from Lebanon.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon has been carrying out attacks against Israel in support of Iran from the early days of the war, with Israel striking across Lebanon.
Also Tuesday evening, sirens rang out across parts of the northern Israel after the military warned of another wave of incoming missiles from Iran.
France’s armed forces chief says the US is ‘less and less predictable’ as an ally — 1:11 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Gen. Fabien Mandon made the comments Tuesday at a Paris defense and security forum. The French military chief described France’s relationship with the US as “very strong” but lamented that “they have just decided to intervene in the Near and Middle East without notifying us.”
“We acted immediately, surprised by an American ally, who remains an ally, but who is less and less predictable and doesn’t even bother to inform us when it decides to engage in military operations. This affects our security. This affects our interests,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron, the commander of chief of France’s armed forces, dispatched the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and other naval warships to the Mediterranean, and deployed aircraft and other assets, to defend France’s interests and allies in the region and the Persian Gulf after the launch of the U.S.- Israeli war with Iran.
Turkey warns against ‘sabotage’ of diplomatic efforts by Israel — 1:08 p.m.
By the Associated Press
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted that the war must be brought to an end through dialogue and serious negotiations but suggested that Israel’s position was undermining diplomacy.
“Israel’s uncompromising, maximalist, radical stance must not be allowed to sabotage diplomatic solutions,” Erdogan, a consistent and outspoken critic of Israel, said in a televised address. “No country that values world peace and stability should continue to add fuel to the fire that Israel has unjustly ignited in our region.”
White House describes possibility of Iran talks as a ‘fluid situation’ — 12:18 p.m.
By the Associated Press
When asked about the possibility of the US participating in talks in Pakistan, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that “these are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the U.S. will not negotiate through the press.”
“This is a fluid situation, and speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House,” Leavitt said.
China calls for seizing ‘every opportunity and window’ for peace in the Mideast — 11:49 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Amid regional efforts to revive talks between the US and Iran, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
“Wang called on all parties to seize every opportunity and window for peace and start peace talks as soon as possible,” ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.
Missiles intercepted over Lebanon — 11:24 a.m.
By the Associated Press
It was unclear what the intended target of the missiles was or how they had been intercepted. The Lebanese military lacks air defenses.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said that explosions heard north of Beirut in the Keserwan district were caused by interceptor missiles, and that missiles fell in the town of Faitroun and in the mountain village of Baskinta.
In the Sahel Alma area on the coast north of Beirut, Associated Press journalists saw minor damage to buildings and a wall. No casualties were reported.
US stocks give back some of the rally sparked by Trump’s talk of negotiations with Iran — 10:46 a.m.
By the Associated Press
With airstrikes still battering Iran and missiles still targeting sites across the Middle East, some of the optimism that sent stocks rallying the day before drained out of Wall Street on Tuesday. Oil prices got back to rising, and US stocks are returning some of their gains.
The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil rose 2.9 percent to $102.84, a day after slumping more than 10 percent. The main measure of the U.S. stock market, the S&P 500, fell 0.4 percent to give back more than a third of its climb from the day before.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 127 points, or 0.3 percent, as of 10:30 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.8 percent lower.
The optimism at the week’s start came after President Trump raised hopes that the war could end soon when he said the United States and Iran held productive talks “regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.” His announcement caused stocks to flip immediately from losses to gains.
But Iran has denied such talks are underway, and attacks continued Tuesday.
By the Associated Press
The Defense Ministry in Bahrain said he was killed while responding to the Iranian attacks along with Bahraini forces.
It said a number of Bahraini and Emirati forces were wounded.
The ministry didn’t elaborate on the circumstances of his death.
Trump and Modi speak about the Iran conflict — 10:01 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, posted about the call on social media Tuesday morning.
He called it a “useful exchange of views” and stressed that India “supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest.”
Modi also emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be “open, secure and accessible.”
Received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia. India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest. Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world.…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2026
At least 3 people injured in an Iranian missile attack on southern Israel — 9:59 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue services said a 40 year-old man was in moderate condition and a woman and two-month old baby suffered minor injuries in the attack, in a day of heavy missile fire from Iran.
The impact caused damage to a mobile home, according to Fire and Rescue services.
Many members of Israel’s Bedouin community live in unrecognized villages in the south, often in mobile and makeshift homes. They face severe shortages of bomb shelters.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military says it identified more missiles launched from Iran towards southern Israel, for the second time in an hour. It’s the tenth wave of missiles launched toward Israel from Iran on Tuesday.
At the same time, sirens sounded in parts of northern Israel with no advance warning, suggesting fire from Lebanon.
Pakistan’s prime minister says his country is ready to ‘facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks’ to end the Iran war — 9:34 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Pakistan’s prime minister says his country is ready to “facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks” to end the Iran war.
Shehbaz Sharif made the comment in a post on X.
Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the WAR in Middle East, in the interest of peace and stability in region and beyond. Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 24, 2026
Pakistan is one of the countries pushing diplomatically for talks between Iran and the United States after President Donald Trump said Monday there were ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
“Subject to concurrence by the US and Iran, Pakistan stands ready and honoured to be the host to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing conflict,” Sharif wrote.
Pakistan says it ‘remains committed to resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East’ — 9:33 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that Islamabad “remains committed to resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East” through diplomacy and engagement, but urged the media to “refrain from speculation and to await official announcements regarding decisions and outcomes.”
In a statement, ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said “diplomacy and negotiations often require that certain matters be advanced with discretion.”
His remarks came in response to questions about Pakistan’s reported role in mediating talks between Washington and Tehran.
Philippine president declares a state of national energy emergency — 9:32 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday declared a state of national energy emergency to respond to the impact of the Middle East war, which his administration said posed “an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply.”
Under the declaration, which would initially last for a year, Marcos would lead a contingency committee that would monitor and ensure the availability and orderly distribution of fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products and other basic goods.
Authorities were ordered to take action against the hoarding, profiteering and manipulation of the supply of petroleum products. The Department of Migrant Workers, meanwhile, was asked to brace for the possible rescue and evacuation of Filipinos in the Middle East.
More than 2 million Filipinos live and work in the Middle East, including about 31,000 in Israel and 1,000 in Iran, but most have opted to stay in the region.
Israel’s military said it identified additional missiles from Iran for the ninth time within hours — 9:31 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The missiles are aimed at southern Israel, across a region near Israel’s main nuclear research center where two missiles struck Saturday.
Official says two Indian‑flagged gas tankers have passed through Strait of Hormuz without incident — 8:43 a.m.
By the Associated Press
And the Indian officials says they’re expected to reach Indian shores later this week.
The Pine Gas and the Jag Vasant LPG carriers crossed the war-hit strait late Monday, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said Tuesday.
Indian media reported that the two tankers, carrying roughly a day’s supply of the country’s cooking gas, sailed close to each other and followed a route approved by Iran that cuts closely to the country’s coastline.
Iran continues to keep a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which leads from the Persian Gulf toward the open ocean and through which a fifth of the world’s oil and other important commodities are shipped.
A trickle of ships has been getting through the strait and Iran insists it remains open — just not to the US, Israel or their allies.
Amazon says Bahrain data center operations disrupted by drone activity — 8:42 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Amazon says data center operations in Bahrain have been disrupted by drone activity, the second time that its cloud computing service in the Middle East has been affected since the Iran war erupted.
The company says Amazon Web Service in the Bahrain region “has been disrupted as a result of the ongoing conflict” early Tuesday, without providing further details.
“We continue to support affected customers, helping them to migrate to alternate AWS Regions, with a large number already successfully operating their applications from other parts of the world,” the company said.
Three AWS Middle East data centers, including two in the United Arab Emirates and one in Bahrain, were damaged by Iranian drone strikes days after the war began.
The company has been advising customers using servers in the Middle East to migrate shift their cloud computing workloads to other regions and to direct online traffic away from the UAE and Bahrain.
Palestinians in the West Bank inspect trunk of a massive missile that hit near village homes — 8:41 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The missile, which dwarfed its many onlookers, cratered the ground in the Palestinian village of Haris. It wasn’t clear whether it was an Iranian missile or an Israeli interceptor missile fired by Israeli air defense.
“We are caught between two fires, between Israeli missiles and Iranian missiles, so we do not know,” said Haris resident Hatem Dawood. “We have no shelters to protect our children, nothing at all.”
Dawood, who’s also a former member of the village’s governing council, said the missile had fallen Tuesday morning.
Palestinian paramedics haven’t reported any injuries or deaths from the impact. Israel’s military did not respond to requests for details from The Associated Press.
Bahrain’s Defense Ministry says the island kingdom was attacked with six missiles and 19 drones — 8:39 a.m.
By the Associated Press
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to France to sell the Iran war to skeptical G7 allies — 8:39 a.m.
By the Associated Press
He’ll attend a Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting near Versailles outside of Paris on Friday “to advance key US interests” and “discuss shared security concerns and opportunities for cooperation,” the State Department said.
“Areas of focus will include the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in the Middle East, and threats across the world to peace and stability,” it said.
Nearly all of the other G7 nations — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan — have reacted coolly at best to the US-Israeli military operation against Iran and have declined to participate.
Iran will fight ‘until complete victory’ — 8:01 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The spokesman of Iran’s top military command says that its armed forces will fight “until complete victory.”
The comments by Major General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters appeared related to President Trump’s announcement that there were negotiations ongoing between Tehran and Washington.
Iran has denied any talks are taking place, though its foreign minister has been talking to counterparts around the region.
Iranian state television quoted Aliabadi as saying: “Iran’s powerful armed forces are proud, victorious and steadfast in defending Iran’s integrity, and this path will continue until complete victory.”
The general didn’t say what “complete victory” would look like, but it appeared likely that Iran’s military was trying to warn against offering concessions in any possible negotiations with the United States.
Blasts heard in Tehran — 8:00 a.m.
By the Associated Press
An Associated Press journalist has heard a huge blast in the northern part of Iran’s capital, Tehran, that shook his home.
Another blast struck near central Tehran, another AP journalist says.
It wasn’t immediately clear what was being targeted, but Israel had said that it was embarking on airstrikes targeting locations in Iran.
Egypt and Jordan condemn Israeli practices in the West Bank — 7:59 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Egypt and Jordan say the Iran war shouldn’t distract the international community from the Israeli practices in the occupied West Bank.
Israel’s “illegitimate measures” in the West Bank “undermine all chances to achieve just peace,” the Egyptian and Jordanian foreign ministers said.
The ministers also condemned settler attacks in the West Bank as a “flagrant violation of international law.”
Lebanon orders Iran’s ambassador to leave — 7:58 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The Foreign Ministry says Tehran’s diplomatic representative in Lebanon has to leave by Sunday, declaring him persona non grata.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Denise Rahme told The Associated Press that the Iranian Embassy will still have a charge d’affaires to head its diplomatic mission.
The removal of the ambassador marks a culmination in the deterioration of Lebanon’s relations with Iran since the last Israel-Hezbollah war in 2024.
Iran names new Supreme National Security Council secretary — 7:57 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Iran has named a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander as the new secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani, who was killed in an airstrike.
Iranian state television identified the new secretary as Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr.
Zolghadr reached the rank of brigadier general in the Guard. He had been serving as the secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council.
United Arab Emirates reports more missile and drone attacks — 7:56 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The Emirati Defense Ministry says air defense systems have responded to five ballistic missiles and 17 drones fired at the Gulf nation.
That has brought the number of projectiles fired at the UAE since the start of the war to 372 missiles and 1,806 drones.
Israel reports more missiles launched from Iran — 6:58 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The Israeli military says it has detected a new wave of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel.
Israel gives update on Iran strikes — 6:57 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Israel’s military says it has finished an extensive wave of strikes on Iranian “production sites,” without immediately providing more information.
Katz threatens Gaza-like destruction in southern Lebanon — 6:56 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Defense Minister Israel Katz says that the Israeli military will destroy homes in southern Lebanon, just as it did in Gaza, in what he says is a stepped-up effort to rid the area of Hezbollah militants.
Katz says that Israel will implement “the Rafah and Beit Hanoun models,” referring to two Gaza border towns that Israel flattened in its offensive in the Palestinian territory.
Katz says that the military is going beyond destroying Hezbollah infrastructure, and that it was also destroying houses in Lebanese villages near the border that he says “serve as terrorist outposts for all intents and purposes.”
6 killed in missile attack on Kurdish base in Iraq — 6:55 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The attack on a Peshmerga base in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil also wounded 30 others.
A statement from the Peshmerga forces blamed Iran for the strike and another attack, which caused no casualties.
Israeli defense officials discuss southern Lebanon — 6:55 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Defense Minister Israel Katz says Israel’s military will control a “security zone” in southern Lebanon up to the Litani River.
Katz says the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese people who have evacuated north of the river — fleeing Israeli airstrikes — wouldn’t be able to return home until “security is guaranteed” for residents of Israel’s north.
He made the comments in a meeting with top Israeli defense officials, according to a statement released by his office.
Oman’s top diplomat conducts flurry of diplomacy — 6:54 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi called 18 counterparts from across the globe in recent days, according to Oman’s Foreign Ministry.
They included the foreign ministers of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq and France.
The ministry says the calls aimed to “support efforts to contain the ongoing war in the region, and return to diplomacy to address outstanding issues.”
Death toll in strike near Beirut increases — 6:53 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says that another person died after the airstrike on the town of Bchamoun southeast of Beirut, raising the death toll to three.
The ministry says the dead include a 3-year-old girl.
Iran-backed militiamen killed in Iraq airstrike — 4:37 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of militias backed by Iran, says 15 militiamen were killed in an airstrike in western Iraq.
The dead included Saad Dawai al-Baiji, who commands the PMA operations in the province of Anbar, the PMF said in a statement.
The PMF blamed the United States for the strike, which hit the coalition’s command headquarters in Anbar.
The PMF was formed to fight the Islamic State group and is formally under the control of the Iraqi army, but in practice still operates with significant autonomy.
Police say Tel Aviv explosion caused by Iranian warhead — 3:30 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Israeli Police Superintendent Fadida Yaniv confirmed damage to central Tel Aviv on Tuesday was caused by an Iranian warhead with about 220 pounds of explosives.
Yaniv, who serves with the police unit investigating explosions, told the Associated Press at the scene that the missile damaged homes and cars on the residential street but there were no serious injuries reported.
Asian benchmarks rebound — 3:13 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Asian benchmarks mostly rebounded Tuesday, echoing cautious relief that swept through Wall Street after President Trump said the US has talked with Iran about ending the war.
Benchmark US crude and brent crude rose, reversing course after the easing overnight on Wall Street.
Global markets have been on a roller coaster ride over worries about the war in Iran, especially nations in Asia impacted by a lack of access energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Rescue forces working in Tel Aviv — 3:09 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Israel’s military said search and rescue forces were headed to several sites where missile impacts were reported in Tel Aviv.
Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service posted images to X of a damaged site in central Israel where rescue workers worked around charred cars.
First responders combed through rubble after a missile struck a street in central Tel Aviv.
An Associated Press reporter saw a crater next to a destroyed building façade and shards where glass lined the ground as rescue workers searched for wounded people.
Yaffa Folger, who was a few hundred meters from the blast, said her building shook and the windows of several other buildings were blown out.
Egypt minister and US envoy discuss potential Iran negotiations — 2:55 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Egypt Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed “potential negotiations” between the US and Iran in a phone call Monday with US envoy Steve Witkoff, the Egyptian foreign ministry said Tuesday.
The ministry said the call came during concerted efforts to revive the “diplomatic path .. as the sole way to avert a comprehensive chaos in the region.”
Abdelatty also spoke with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Pakistan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France, and Cyprus, the ministry said.
Iran foreign minister holds talks — 2:11 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi since Monday has been discussing the conflict with some of his counterparts.
Araghchi is speaking with officials from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey and Turkmenistan, his office confirmed.
Iran must ‘think wisely’ over Trump’s comments about talks — 1:50 a.m.
By the Associated Press
A member of Iran’s Parliament has warned that his nation must “think wisely” about President Trump saying talks were ongoing between Tehran and Washington.
The semiofficial Fars news agency quoted Esmail Kowsari, a member of Parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, as making the comment.
“Trump, Netanyahu, and the like are inherently liars and their nature is to create division,” he said. “We must think wisely. Their nature is to sow discord so that they can make people distrust officials and believe that such actions have taken place, whereas no such action has occurred.”
Israeli strikes near Beirut kill 2, hit targets in southern Lebanon — 12:45 a.m.
By the Associated Press
An Israeli strike early Tuesday on a residential apartment in Bchamoun, around 6 miles southeast of Beirut, killed at least two people, according to an initial toll from the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The strike wounded five others, the ministry added.
The strike came without warning and hit an area outside Beirut’s southern suburbs, where the Israeli military had previously issued evacuation notices.
Footage circulating online showed at least one apartment in a building engulfed in flames.
Also early Tuesday, Israeli strikes hit several areas in southern Lebanon, including a gas station belonging to the Amana company in Rashidieh, near the port city of Tyre, sending a large plume of fire into the air.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Israel has repeatedly struck Amana fuel stations since the conflict with Hezbollah reignited on March 2, accusing them of being part of the group’s “economic infrastructure” that can support its military activities.