Yemen’s Houthi Restrictions: Ships Not Linked to Israel/US Can Pass
A large explosion rocked a central square in Tehran on Friday, March 13, 2026, during a state-organized rally commemorating Al-Quds Day, a demonstration in support of the Palestinian people and against Israel. The blast occurred as thousands, including senior government officials, were gathered, according to reports from the Associated Press and Fars News Agency.
The explosion took place amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, with Iran continuing widespread missile and drone attacks on Israel and neighboring Gulf states. Israel had reportedly warned it would target the area in central Tehran where the rally was being held, though no casualties were immediately reported.
The United States military responded to the escalating tensions by ordering 2,500 Marines and an amphibious assault ship to the Middle East, a U.S. Official confirmed. This represents a significant increase in American forces in the region, coming after nearly two weeks of war with Iran.
Simultaneously, the American military has been tracking and responding to attacks on maritime vessels. President Trump stated on March 12, 2026, that he would conclude the war “soon,” at a time of his choosing, as Iran warned it was prepared for “a long-term war of attrition that will destroy the entire American economy” and threatened to target U.S.-linked banks across the Middle East. Suspected Iranian drones had struck at least three ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting traffic through the vital shipping lane.
The conflict follows a pattern of attacks that began after the October 28, 2022, arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it was positioned to provide support to Israel. Within hours of the Hamas attack on Israel, the U.S. Began moving warships and aircraft to the region. Approximately 140 U.S. Service members had been wounded in the first ten days of the current war, according to the Pentagon.
In a separate incident dating back to June 8, 1967, the USS Liberty, a U.S. Navy technical research ship, was attacked by Israeli air and naval forces during the Six-Day War. The attack resulted in 34 American deaths and 171 injuries, and caused severe damage to the ship. Both the Israeli and U.S. Governments concluded the attack was a mistake stemming from Israeli confusion over the ship’s identity.
Damage to historical sites in Iran, including the Qajar-era Golestan Palace in Tehran, the 17th-century Chehel Sotoun palace, and the Masjed-e Jāme, the country’s oldest Friday mosque, all located in Isfahan, has raised concerns about the war’s impact on cultural heritage. Iran and Lebanon have requested that UNESCO add more sites to its enhanced protection list, and UNESCO has confirmed verifying damage to these locations.
The U.S. Government has not yet commented on the incident in Tehran beyond acknowledging the reports of an explosion. The situation remains fluid, with no immediate indication of de-escalation.