US-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Hormuz open to all but ‘enemy’ ships, says Iran

US-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran’s representative to the UN maritime agency stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping, with the exception of vessels linked with what Tehran describes as its “enemies.” This comes after escalating tensions, as the Iranian military warned it would strike on regional infrastructure if provoked. The threat comes after US President Donald Trump, who said American forces could “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the strategic waterway is not kept open. In response, Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command declared that any attack on its fuel and energy infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes targeting energy, information technology, and desalination facilities linked to the United States and its regional allies, according to Fars news agency.

Trump gives Iran a 48-hour deadline: POTUS gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum, stating that the US would hit Iran’s power plants, starting with the biggest one, if the strait isn’t fully opened without threats. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account.

Israel launches wave of strikes in Tehran: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that the Air Force is conducting a wave of strikes in the Iranian capital, Tehran, targeting the infrastructure of the Islamic Republic’s regime.

Key developments

• Qatar helicopter crashes: Qatar’s Defense Ministry said that a Qatari helicopter crashed in its regional waters during “routine duty” after it suffered a technical malfunction.

• Projectile causes explosion near bulk carrier off UAE’s coast: An unknown projectile caused an explosion “in close proximity” to a bulk carrier off the central northern coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) early on Sunday. “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 15NM(nautical miles) north of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates,” said the body. “All crew are reported safe,” it added.

• Three ballistic missiles target Riyadh area: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said that three ballistic missiles were detected around Riyadh.

• Iranian missile strike on Arad injures 84: Magen David Adom stated that 84 people were injured in the Iranian missile strike in Arad, The Times of Israel reported, citing Hebrew media.

Also Read:

• Iranian Leaders Killed: The Complete List

• What is Operation Epic Fury? Full Explainer

• Israel-Iran War: Full Timeline

The Indian Express Global Desk remains committed to rigorous verification. Follow our live blog below for real-time tracking of Operation Epic Fury, regional airspace status, and diplomatic efforts to contain the escalation.**

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian Deputy Defence Minister Reza Talaei-Nik rejected US claims that Tehran’s military has been weakened, asserting that continued regional attacks demonstrate sustained operational strength. He said long-term investments in domestic weapons production, particularly missiles and drones, have enabled the IRGC to carry out increasingly precise strikes. Talaei-Nik also claimed Iran effectively controls security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route, according to Al Jazeera.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Japan has indicated it could consider deploying its Self-Defense Forces for minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz, but only if a full ceasefire is reached in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran situation. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that the idea is hypothetical and dependent on safe conditions.

Under its pacifist constitution, Japan’s military role is restricted, though 2015 security laws allow overseas deployment in situations threatening national survival. With nearly 90% of its oil passing through the strait, Tokyo has emphasised the need to ensure safe navigation, even as Iran has largely restricted access during the conflict, Reuters reported.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iran's representative to the UN maritime agency said that the Strait of Hormuz remains open ​to all shipping except vessels linked to "Iran's ‌enemies".

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: A helicopter crash in Qatar’s territorial waters killed six people, while the operations are still ongoing to find the last missing person, said the country’s interior ministry.

تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض طائرة مروحية قطرية إلى عطل فني أثناء تأدية واجب روتيني، مما أدى إلى سقوطها في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، وجاري البحث عن طاقمها والركاب.The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that a Qatari helicopter had technical malfunction during a… pic.twitter.com/5yaYHa6KoW— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 22, 2026

تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض طائرة مروحية قطرية إلى عطل فني أثناء تأدية واجب روتيني، مما أدى إلى سقوطها في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، وجاري البحث عن طاقمها والركاب.The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that a Qatari helicopter had technical malfunction during a… pic.twitter.com/5yaYHa6KoW

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Eight overnight attacks targeted a US diplomatic and logistics centre at Baghdad International Airport, an Iraqi security official told AFP.

“Eight separate attacks, carried out until dawn with rockets and drones, targeted the US center,” a senior security official told news agency AFP, adding that “some rockets landed near the base.”

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iran has issued a new 10 million rial banknote—the highest denomination in its history—as war-related pressures and surging inflation continue to drive up the cost of essential goods. The note is worth around £5.70, according to the Telegraph.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack on Israel's northern border community of Misgav Am. The militant group released a statement saying it targeted a “gathering of Israeli enemy army soldiers in the settlement of Misgav Am with a rocket barrage” at 8 am, according to The Times of Israel.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: A suspected anti-tank missile attack killed one in the northern border community of Misgav Am, said first responders, according to The Times of Israel.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iran has expressed willingness to work with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf, the Iranian representative to the UN maritime agency said, reported the semi-official Mehr news agency.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The Japanese government confirmed the release one of the two Japanese nationals detained in Iran, reported Kyodo News.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Air India and Air India Express will operate a combined total of 50 scheduled and non-scheduled flights, to and from the West Asia region on 22 March 2026.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: No injuries were reported in Iran's latest missile barrage, the second within an hour against Israel, according to The Times of Israel.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Iranian drone strike targeted a military base near the Baghdad International Airport, said IRNA news agency.

The “military base, located near Baghdad International Airport, has again been the target of drone strikes,” stated IRNA.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The damaged facade of an apartment building is seen at the site struck by an Iranian missile in Arad, southern Israel (Photo/AP)

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: More than 100 people were injured by Iranian strikes in the Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad on Saturday.

The Iranian regime devastated Arad and Dimona by deliberately striking civilians with missiles. Over 100 people were injured, including children. A blatant war crime. Pure terrorism. pic.twitter.com/e0kpFpdZ6n— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) March 21, 2026

The Iranian regime devastated Arad and Dimona by deliberately striking civilians with missiles. Over 100 people were injured, including children. A blatant war crime. Pure terrorism. pic.twitter.com/e0kpFpdZ6n

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The United Arab Emirates (UAE), said that it is responding to incoming drone, missile attacks from Iran. “UAE air defenses are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement explaining that “the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defense Systems intercepting missiles and drones.”

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense said that three ballistic missiles were detected around Riyadh. "Detection of the launch of 3 ballistic missiles toward the Riyadh area, one of which was intercepted, while the other two missiles fell in an uninhabited area," the ministry said in a post on X.

المتحدث الرسمي لـ #_: رصد إطلاق 3 صواريخ باليستية باتجاه منطقة الرياض، وقد تم اعتراض أحد الصواريخ، فيما سقط الصاروخان الآخران في منطقة غير مأهولة. pic.twitter.com/ZRqeZmVO1p— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 22, 2026

المتحدث الرسمي لـ #_: رصد إطلاق 3 صواريخ باليستية باتجاه منطقة الرياض، وقد تم اعتراض أحد الصواريخ، فيما سقط الصاروخان الآخران في منطقة غير مأهولة. pic.twitter.com/ZRqeZmVO1p

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Qatar’s Defense Ministry said that a Qatari helicopter crashed in its regional waters during “routine duty” after it suffered a technical malfunction.

تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض طائرة مروحية قطرية إلى عطل فني أثناء تأدية واجب روتيني، مما أدى إلى سقوطها في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، وجاري البحث عن طاقمها والركاب.The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that a Qatari helicopter had technical malfunction during a… pic.twitter.com/5yaYHa6KoW— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 22, 2026

تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض طائرة مروحية قطرية إلى عطل فني أثناء تأدية واجب روتيني، مما أدى إلى سقوطها في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، وجاري البحث عن طاقمها والركاب.The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that a Qatari helicopter had technical malfunction during a… pic.twitter.com/5yaYHa6KoW

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that the Air Force is conducting a wave of strikes in the Iranian capital, Tehran, targeting infrastructure of the Islamic Republic’s regime.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a post on X, said “This is a very difficult evening in the battle for our future. A short time ago, I spoke with the mayor of Arad, Yair Maayan, and asked him to convey, on behalf of all the citizens of Israel, our prayers for the peace of the wounded. I instructed the Director General of my ministry to provide all necessary assistance, along with all government ministries. I am strengthening the emergency and rescue forces currently operating in the field and I call on everyone to obey the Home Front Command’s instructions. We are determined to continue to strike our enemies on all fronts.”

זהו ערב קשה מאוד במערכה על עתידנו. לפני זמן קצר שוחחתי עם ראש עיריית ערד, יאיר מעיין, וביקשתי למסור בשם כל אזרחי ישראל את תפילותינו לשלום הפצועים.הנחתי את מנכ"לית משרדי להגיש את מלוא הסיוע הנדרש יחד עם כל משרדי הממשלה.אני מחזק את כוחות החירום וההצלה שפועלים כעת בשטח ואני קורא…— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 21, 2026

זהו ערב קשה מאוד במערכה על עתידנו. לפני זמן קצר שוחחתי עם ראש עיריית ערד, יאיר מעיין, וביקשתי למסור בשם כל אזרחי ישראל את תפילותינו לשלום הפצועים.הנחתי את מנכ"לית משרדי להגיש את מלוא הסיוע הנדרש יחד עם כל משרדי הממשלה.אני מחזק את כוחות החירום וההצלה שפועלים כעת בשטח ואני קורא…

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: US President Donald Trump vowed to “obliterate” power plants in Iran if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. POTUS gave Iran a 48-hour ultimatum, stating that the US would hit Iran's power plants, starting with the biggest one, if the strait isn't fully opened without threats. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account.

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: An unknown projectile caused an explosion “in close proximity” to a bulk carrier off the central northern coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) early on Sunday. “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 15NM(nautical miles) north of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates,” said the body. “All crew are reported safe,” it added.

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