The conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate with cross-border strikes, rising casualties and heightened diplomatic tensions. Israel says it still has "thousands" of targets in Iran while Tehran rejects talks with the U.S. Lebanon reports heavy civilian losses amid exchanges with Hezbollah. Global responses include the IEA releasing strategic oil reserves and Israel approving emergency military funding.
Middle East Update: Israel Says It Has 'Thousands' of Targets in Iran — Latest Developments
An Israeli self-propelled howitzer artillery gun fires rounds toward southern Lebanon (Odd ANDERSEN)(Odd ANDERSEN/AFP/AFP)
Below are the latest verified developments in the widening Middle East conflict, summarised by event and location.
Military Escalation and Attacks
Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said in a televised briefing that "we still have thousands of targets in Iran, and we are identifying new targets every day." Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes that Israeli authorities say injured at least eight people, including reports that two incoming munitions contained cluster submunitions.
Hezbollah claimed it struck Israel's Palmachim air base south of Tel Aviv with what it called an "advanced missile." In south Lebanon, an Israeli strike in the Sidon area reportedly killed Hamas official Wissam Taha and, according to Lebanese state media, overnight strikes in Sidon and nearby Al-Qatrani killed at least four people.
Regional Incidents and Casualties
Lebanon's health ministry reported that Israeli attacks have killed 850 people in the country during two weeks of fighting with Hezbollah, and said 2,105 people have been wounded. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said peacekeepers were fired on three times in southern Lebanon, likely by non-state armed groups.
In Iraq, a rocket attack on the Baghdad airport complex — which houses a U.S. diplomatic facility — wounded five people. Italy's military reported a drone attack on Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, which hosts Italian and U.S. personnel, but said all Italian personnel were safe.
Diplomacy and International Responses
U.S. President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke about the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked, according to the U.K. leader's office. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pushed back on the notion that Tehran wants talks with the U.S., saying Iran is not interested in negotiations with Washington and urging other states to "refrain from any action that could lead to escalation and expansion of the conflict." Araghchi also claimed Tehran has "ample evidence" that U.S. bases in the region were used to launch attacks on Iran, alleging missiles were launched from the UAE against the Kharg Island oil terminal.
Humanitarian, Economic and Domestic Developments
Israel said it would partially reopen the Rafah crossing with Egypt to allow limited movement after closing the gateway during strikes on Iran. The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that strategic oil reserves will be released "immediately" in Asia and Oceania and as early as the end of March in the Americas and Europe to help ease a surge in global oil prices caused by the conflict.
Domestically, Iran's labour minister announced a more than 60% increase in the national minimum wage, a measure introduced months after anti-government protests over economic conditions. Separately, Zahra Ghanbari, captain of Iran's women's football team, withdrew her asylum bid in Australia — the fifth team member to do so after the squad declined to sing the national anthem earlier this month.
Security Claims and Budget Moves
Iran's army said it targeted the Israeli police unit "Lahav 433" and the "Gilat Defense" satellite communications centre with drone strikes, according to state-run IRNA. Israel approved about $827 million in emergency budget allocations for military purchases, Israeli media reported.
Note: Details are developing and attribution of some attacks remains contested. Numbers and claims come from official statements and media reports cited by regional agencies.
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