Israel launched a new wave of strikes targeting Tehran and Beirut on Saturday, March 21, 2026, following a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump that he was considering “winding down” military operations against Iran after three weeks of conflict. The attacks came after Iranian missile fire at Israel overnight, prompting the Israeli military to target what it described as “regime targets” in the Iranian capital, which has been under bombardment since a U.S.-Israeli attack initiated the war on February 28.
The Israeli military stated its forces were “currently striking Hezbollah terrorist organization targets in Beirut,” according to reports. Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Israel destroyed a building in Beirut’s Bashoura neighborhood after issuing an “urgent warning” for occupants to evacuate, citing the building’s alleged affiliation with Hezbollah. At least ten people were killed in overnight Israeli strikes on Beirut, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, with an additional 27 injured.
Simultaneously, Israel conducted strikes within Iran, targeting weapon factories in Tehran and ballistic missile storage sites in central Iran, according to reports from The Times of Israel. These strikes appear to be part of a broader effort to dismantle Iranian military capabilities, including targeting the Basij, a volunteer militia force linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, from commanders to local operatives.
The escalating conflict is unfolding as the United States is deploying 2,500 Marines to the Middle East, according to reports, potentially signaling preparations for a ground operation. This deployment follows a Reuters poll indicating American expectations of a large-scale ground war. The U.S. Treasury Department has temporarily eased sanctions on Iranian oil already at sea in an attempt to alleviate global supply concerns, a move coinciding with Trump’s consideration of de-escalation.
President Trump indicated in a social media post that the U.S. Was “getting very close to meeting our objectives” and considering winding down military efforts in the Middle East. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump and the Pentagon had “predicted it would take approximately 4-6 weeks to achieve this mission,” with the conflict entering its fourth week on Saturday. However, the deployment of Marines suggests a potential shift in strategy.
The standoff in the Strait of Hormuz has contributed to a surge in crude oil prices. The European Union has urged its member states to lower gas storage targets amid rising energy prices linked to the conflict, according to the Financial Times, citing a letter from Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen. The EU’s gas storage targets, implemented after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, aim to bolster energy security, but current reserves are at their lowest level since 2022.
Saudi Arabia reported intercepting over 20 drones in its eastern region, though it remains unclear whether these were directly linked to the broader conflict between Israel, and Iran. Hezbollah initiated missile launches into southern Israel on March 2, reportedly in support of Iran, effectively ending a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since November 2024.
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