Israel Says It Has Plans For 'At Least Three Weeks' Of Operations As Airstrikes Hit Iran; Dubai Airport Briefly Closed

Tel Aviv/Dubai, March 16 (Reuters) - Israel says it has detailed operational plans covering at least the next three weeks as its forces carried out air strikes across Iran overnight. Tehran responded with drone attacks that briefly shut Dubai International Airport and struck a major United Arab Emirates energy facility, escalating a regional confrontation with global economic implications.

What Happened Overnight

Israeli military spokespeople said strikes targeted facilities in Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz, describing them as infrastructure tied to what they called the "Iranian terror regime." Iran's Mehr and Fars news agencies reported civilian casualties and damage in central provinces, including five dead and seven wounded in Markazi province and reports of other deaths near Martyrs' Square.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched attacks on areas in Tel Aviv and on several U.S. military bases in the Gulf region. Iranian drone strikes also hit a fuel storage site near Dubai and the port of Fujairah, suspending oil loading operations and briefly halting flights at Dubai International Airport.

Military Aims And Statements

Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, told reporters the military has detailed operational plans for the coming three weeks, with additional contingency plans beyond that. He said the aims are to weaken Iran's ability to threaten Israel by targeting ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear-related facilities and elements of Iran's security apparatus. "We want to make sure that they are as weak as possible… and that we degrade all their capabilities," he said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had not sought a ceasefire nor exchanged messages with the United States, according to Iran's semi-official Student News Network.

Regional And Economic Impact

The conflict has led to the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz at times — a key route that handles roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows — contributing to a rise in oil prices above $100 a barrel. Energy exports from the UAE, including Murban crude through Fujairah, were disrupted after the drone strike. Saudi authorities also reported intercepting dozens of drones over its eastern region.

Global leaders responded cautiously. U.S. President Donald Trump called on a coalition of countries to help secure the strait and suggested he might delay a meeting with China’s Xi Jinping if Beijing did not assist. Several U.S. allies — including Britain, Japan, Germany and Australia — voiced support for diplomatic efforts but stopped short of committing naval forces to a military mission in the strait.

Fighting Beyond Iran

Israel said it continued strikes against targets in Lebanon and Gaza connected to Iran-backed groups Hezbollah and Hamas, and reported limited ground operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah positions.

On the ground: Rescue teams in Tehran pulled survivors from rubble after strikes on residential areas. Civilians reported internet outages and fear ahead of Nowruz, Iran’s New Year.

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Tel Aviv, Parisa Hafezi, Maya Gebeily in Dubai, Emily Rose in Jerusalem and Jarrett Renshaw in Palm Beach, Florida; additional reporting by Reuters bureaux; writing by Lincoln Feast and Sharon Singleton; editing by Michael Perry and William Maclean.)

Smoke rises following a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 16, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

A member of the media works near emergency personnel inspecting the damage inside an house that was damaged by a projectile strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Rishon LeZion, Israel, March 16, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

A man moves past a huge billboard displaying images of Iranian missiles, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 16, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

A member of emergency personnel inspects the damage inside an house that was damaged by a projectile strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Rishon LeZion, Israel, March 16, 2026. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Satellite image shows smoke rising from UAE's Fujairah port, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, March 15, 2026. Nasa Worldview/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.

Israeli military vehicles on the Lebanese side of the Israel-Lebanon border, amid an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, and amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from northern Israel, March 16, 2026. REUTERS/Shir Torem

FILE PHOTO: Tankers sail in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

Displaced people outside a car with belongings next to tents, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Beirut, Lebanon, March 16, 2026. REUTERS/Raghed Waked