- By Nidhi Giri
- Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:37 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
US-Israel-Iran War Updates: More than 1,500 people have been killed in Iran since the war began on February 28, the state broadcaster said recently, citing the health ministry. The extent of damage from US and Israeli strikes remains unclear, and uncertainty persists over who is effectively leading Iran. Meanwhile, in a major escalation, Iran has fired long-range missiles for the first time as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran enters its fourth week.
US-Iran War Latest Updates
-According to Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir, Iran fired two ballistic missiles with a range of 4,000 kilometres at the US-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, marking a first in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli military highlighted that this represents Iran’s “first” use of long-range missiles, signaling the conflict’s expansion beyond the Middle East.
"These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Their range reaches European capitals - Berlin, Paris, and Rome are all within direct threat range," Zamir said in a statement.
-The United States and Israel have given different explanations for their military actions against Iran, suggesting they want to spark internal unrest to remove Iran’s top leaders. Meanwhile, Iran’s nuclear programme has been a central focus of the ongoing tensions, with Trump repeatedly stating that he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
-There are still no clear indications of a mass uprising inside Iran as internet restrictions have made it difficult to verify events on the ground. Meanwhile, the war’s effects are being witnessed beyond the Middle East region, contributing to higher prices for essential commodities like food and fuel in global markets.
-Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iran on Saturday claimed that its Natanz nuclear facility was targeted in a strike. The Natanz uranium-enrichment facility was one of the three major nuclear sites targeted by the United States during strikes in June 2025. The other two facilities were the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center. These sites form key parts of Iran’s nuclear program.
-According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, no radioactive leaks occurred and residents near the site were not at risk. Iranian media later confirmed attacks on a passenger terminal in the southern port city of Bushehr and on an unoccupied passenger vessel near Kharg Island, a key hub for the country’s oil exports.
-Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a public statement to mark the Persian New Year and the conclusion of Ramadan, but unlike his late father, he did not appear on video. His absence from public appearances since being named supreme leader nearly two weeks ago has fueled speculations about his health.
The appointment came after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israel airstrike on February 28. Pentagon officials have indicated that Mojtaba may have been seriously injured during attacks on Iran.