Here's the latest
• War timeline: Trump administration officials said today that they expect the conflict in Iran to come to an end within weeks or “sooner,” as economists voice concerns that the oil disruption in the Middle East could spark a recession. Meanwhile, Israel’s military told CNN it plans for its campaign to continue for at least three more weeks.
• Strait of Hormuz: Multiple Trump administration officials tried to tamp down concern today about the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, saying that other countries will likely assist in reopening the strategic waterway. Meanwhile, Iran’ foreign minister said Tehran is open to holding talks with countries wanting to safely access the strait and has already been approached by several of them.
• Death toll climbs: At least 850 people have been reported killed in Lebanon since Israel began its attacks there. More than 1,300 have been killed in Iran since the start of the conflict, according to Iran’s ambassador to the UN. The Pentagon has named the six US air crew who died in the aircraft crash in Iraq.
Israel says it hit more than 200 targets in Iran in one day
Israel’s military said it has continued operations aimed at what it called Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and air defense systems in western and central Iran, claiming it struck more than 200 targets over the past day.
In a statement released today, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the targets included “command centers in which regime operatives were active, defense systems, and weapon storage and production sites.”
The IDF also released aerial footage it said showed some of the strikes.
Iran has not immediately commented on the statement.
US officials say war could end soon as gas prices climb. Here are today's updates
Officials from President Donald Trump’s administration expressed optimism today the war with Iran will end within weeks or “sooner,” as economists voice concerns that oil disruption from the conflict could spark a recession.
US gas prices reached an average of $3.70 a gallon today, according to AAA, a 24% increase since the war in Iran began February 28. Gas prices have jumped upwards as the US looks for ways to secure the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
Here’s are more of today’s headlines:
- Five Iraqi people were wounded after several rockets hit in and around Baghdad International Airport, including a facility used by the US Embassy, local security said.
- The US condemned Iran after debris from a missile interception struck a building that housed US diplomats in Israel. There were no injuries to US personnel, a State Department spokesperson told CNN.
- United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon were fired at three separate times today, “likely by non-state armed groups,” the UN’s peacekeeping mission in the country said in a statement.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the US is preparing a government-backed insurance plan to help ships move through the Strait of Hormuz, as the Trump administration vows to escort oil tankers through the critical global energy route.
- Iranian state media shows a large crowd chanting “death to America” in Hamedan’s main square after explosions rang out in the distance.
- Iran’s weeks-long internet shutdown just got even worse when the trickle of remaining connectivity dropped abruptly, an expert told CNN.
- Member countries of the International Energy Agency said they have so far committed to make 400 million barrels of oil available to help ease oil trade disruptions due to the war.
- Israel is set to reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt for “limited” movement of people after it was closed at the start of the war with Iran, according to the Israeli military’s liaison agency.
CNN’s Aileen Graef, Auzinea Bacon, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Aqeel Najim, Christian Sierra, Oren Liebermann, Charbel Mallo, Catherine Nicholls, Alejandra Jaramillo, Evan John and Billy Stockwell contributed to this report.
Israel set to reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing, closed since start of war with Iran
Israel is set to reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt for the “limited” movement of people after it was closed at the start of the war with Iran, according to the Israeli military’s liaison agency.
COGAT - the Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories - said the border crossing would open on Wednesday in both directions, and that it would maintain “necessary security restrictions” for the passage of people. After being closed for nearly two years, the crossing was open for only one month when COGAT announced the complete closure of all crossings leading into Gaza at the beginning of the war.
Prior to the war, Rafah had reopened at the start of February to allow a trickle of Gazan patients seeking urgent medical care to leave, while allowing the same small number back into the shattered enclave. It’s unclear if the same number of Palestinians will be allowed to cross, or if it will be even fewer.
On March 2, COGAT announced that the Kerem Shalom crossing would reopen for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, but Rafah remained closed.
US condemns Iran after missile intercept debris hits building housing diplomats in Israel
Debris struck a building housing US diplomats in Israel after a missile was intercepted, but there were no injuries to US personnel, a US State Department spokesperson said today.
“The United States strongly condemns Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias’ attacks on diplomatic, military, and civilian infrastructure in the region,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported earlier today that shrapnel from an Iranian ballistic missile damaged a building housing US diplomats in the country. The broadcaster aired images showing damage to a ceiling in what appeared to be a parking area, but did not specify the building’s location.
The US Embassy in Israel is in Jerusalem, and the United States also maintains a major branch office in Tel Aviv.
Rockets hit Baghdad airport area, including US Embassy-linked facility, local security say
Five rockets hit areas in and around Baghdad International Airport today, including the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center (BDSC), a facility used by the US Embassy in Baghdad, wounding five Iraqis, according to local security sources.
The sources said an initial blast was heard at about 7 p.m. local time. A subsequent assessment found that one rocket struck an air navigation facility on the civilian side of the airport, while four landed inside the BDSC compound.
It was not immediately clear who launched the rockets.
CNN has reached out to the US State Department for comment.
Attacks on US-linked facilities, including sites near Baghdad International Airport, have been reported frequently.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq — an umbrella name used by Iran-backed armed groups — has issued near-daily statements claiming responsibility for dozens of attacks in each 24-hour period since US-Israel conflict with Iran started, often without specifying locations.
The United States has previously carried out strikes on sites linked to Iran-backed Shiite militias, which Washington views as a threat to its regional interests.
Trump administration officials express optimism that war will end within weeks
Trump administration officials said today they expect the conflict in Iran to end within weeks or “sooner,” as economists voice concerns that the oil disruption in the Middle East could spark a recession.
“I think that this conflict will certainly come to the end in the next few weeks. Could be sooner than that … and we’ll see a rebound in supplies and a pushing down in prices after that,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on ABC’s “This Week.”
Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, echoed that sentiment in an interview with CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
“We expect that the global economy is going to have a big positive shock as soon as this is over,” he said. He said the operation has been “ahead of schedule” from administration estimates that it would last four to six weeks from the start of the war on February 28.
Wright acknowledged the economic impacts of the conflict but said enduring the “short-term pain” is better than “to have a nuclear armed Iran.”
The comments came as the Israeli military told CNN it plans for at least three more weeks of its campaign in Iran. President Donald Trump has offered conflicting timelines for ending the war, which is entering its third week.
Trump administration officials also tried to tamp down concern about the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, saying that other countries will likely assist in reopening the strategic waterway.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “State of the Union” that “the conversations are ongoing” with countries that could join the US in sending naval forces to secure the route. Wright said “all US military assets” and those of other countries “will work to open the strait.”
It comes after Trump claimed in a social media post Saturday that “other countries” will be sending warships “in conjunction” with the US. But in the same post, Trump said, “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others” will send ships to the region.
GOP senator says he would be reluctant to put US troops on the ground in Iran
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson said today he would be “very reluctant” to put US troops on the ground in Iran, as the country continues to largely block the passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s crude normally passes.
Asked on Fox News on Sunday whether he would be open to the idea of placing troops on the ground to seize the territory around the critical waterway, Johnson said he recognized the “need” to keep the strait open, but that Iran has “a real strategic advantage” on the ground in that area.
Johnson instead backed President Donald Trump’s call from a day earlier for other countries to send naval ships to the region, though he added he’s “not sure where it goes.” No countries have confirmed they will send the ships.
Trump has not ruled out the prospect of putting US troops on the ground as part of the war. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this month it was “not part of the plan for this operation at this time, but I certainly will never take away military options on behalf of the president of the United States.”
What tensions over the Strait of Hormuz could mean for the petrodollar
A senior Iranian official told CNN that Tehran is weighing whether to allow some vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz — with one stipulation: that transactions for cargo, including oil, be settled in Chinese yuan rather than US dollars.
CNN’s Eleni Giokos explains what impact that could have on the petrodollar.
If Iran pushes oil transporters to move to trade in yuan, what would it mean for the petrodollar, the system that keeps the US dollar the world’s dominant reserve currency? CNN’s Eleni Giokos explains the history of the petrodollar.
UN peacekeepers in Lebanon fired at on three occasions, likely by "non-state armed groups"
United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon were fired at three separate times today, “likely by non-state armed groups,” UNIFIL, the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, said in a statement.
The incidents occurred while peacekeepers were patrolling their bases in the municipalities of Yatar, Dayr Kifa and Qallawiyah, UNIFIL said, noting that, in Yatar, the gunfire “hit as close as five metres from the peacekeepers.”
No peacekeepers were injured in the attacks, the mission said.
Some context: Earlier this month, the Ghana Armed Forces said two of their soldiers serving in UNIFIL were “critically injured” after their headquarters in southern Lebanon suffered “two missile attacks.”
The Ghanaian army statement did not specify whether the missiles were fired by Israel or Hezbollah, instead attributing them to the “fallout of the current on-going (Israel Defense Forces) and Hezbollah exchanges.”
CNN’s Max Saltman and Yahya Salem contributed reporting.
State media footage shows crowd chanting “death to America” after strikes in Hamadan, Iran
![State media video from the western city of Hamedan's main square shows a large crowd reportedly assembled for a ceremony to commemorate 'five martyrs of the Ramadan War' before explosions ring out in the distance.<br />The religious singer leading the ceremony begins chanting “Allahu Akbar! [God is great]” and “Death to America! Death to Israel!' and is also joined by many in the crowd. He also encourages those gathered to 'never to accept humiliation' before chanting "Haydar! Haydar!"<br />Haydar is another name for Imam Ali, who was son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the first leader, or imam, of Shia Islam, the principal Islamic sect in Iran.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/videothumbnails/93986365-20820304-generated-thumbnail.jpg?c=16x9&q=w_1280,c_fill)
Video filmed by Iranian state media from the western city of Hamadan’s main square shows a large crowd assembled for a ceremony to commemorate “five martyrs of the Ramadan War,” as reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency.
In the video, verified by CNN, a maddah (religious singer) is performing a prayer when explosions are seen in the distance and air defenses ring out. The singer switches to chanting “Allahu Akbar! (God is great)” and is joined by many members of the crowd.
Shortly after, the maddah chants “Death to America! Death to Israel!” and is joined by the crowd. The singer also encourages those gathered to “never to accept humiliation” before chanting “Haydar! Haydar!”
Haydar is another name for Imam Ali, who was son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad the first leader, or imam, of Shia Islam, the principal Islamic sect in Iran.
Iran's internet shutdown just got even worse. Here’s why
Iran’s sweeping internet shutdown, which has now lasted for 15 days, just got even worse when the trickle of remaining connectivity dropped abruptly, an expert told CNN.
Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at network monitoring company Kentik, told CNN a “further drop in connectivity” hit several networks earlier today, which “appears bigger than the daily outages we’ve been seeing.”
While the exact cause of the steep drop is not known, Madory said it is likely the result of some type of “common infrastructure failure,” such as a fiber cable cut or a power outage.
Internet watchdog NetBlocks said “metrics indicate” that the connectivity of a key Iranian telecommunications network, which it said had “remained partly online” despite the government-imposed shutdown, has now collapsed.
NetBlocks said this incident corroborates reports of “instability” of Iran’s domestic intranet network.
International Energy Agency countries to release 400 million barrels by end of March
Member countries of the International Energy Agency said today that they have so far committed to make 400 million barrels of oil available for release to help ease oil trade disruptions due to the war with Iran.
The United States has so far committed to release 172 million barrels, in addition to other stocks from the agency’s 31 other member countries. Those barrels will be released by the end of March, alongside Europe’s promised 107.5 million combined government and industry stocks. Asia Oceania member countries will release its stocks immediately, according to the agency.
“IEA countries will be making 400 million barrels of oil available … to the market to offset the supply lost through the effective closure of the Strait (of Hormuz),” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said on Wednesday.
The collective action is the largest such emergency release in history. Only five collective actions have been taken in the past, according to the agency — two of which were in 2022, when oil prices surged due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel in the past week as the US and Israel-led war with Iran effectively halted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz since February 28. About 20% of the world’s global oil supplies flow through the strait.
Hundreds mourn Kuwaiti soccer player killed by Iranian drone strike
Hundreds of people in Kuwait turned out today to mourn the death of Fahad Al-Majmad, a 33-year-old former national team soccer player and Border Force major.
“As devastated I am over the loss of Fahad, I’m also very proud of him,” Al-Majmad’s brother told CNN’s Nic Robertson. “He was brave, ready to sacrifice his life and he did sacrifice his life for his country.”
Hundreds in Kuwait turned out to mourn a 33-year-old former national footballer and Border Force major killed in an Iranian drone strike. As Iran retaliates against US-Israeli airstrikes with attacks across the Gulf, Kuwait has become one of the deadliest locations for service personnel. CNN’s Nic Robertson reports.
A previous version of this video was posted with a misspelling of Fahad Al-Majmad’s name.
Remember: At least six people have been killed in Kuwait since the war began about two weeks ago.
US preparing insurance plan for ships passing the Strait of Hormuz, transportation secretary says
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said today the US is preparing a government-backed insurance plan to help ships move through the Strait of Hormuz, as the Trump administration vows to escort oil tankers through the critical global energy route.
“I do think you’re going to see a place where we give insurance to the vessels in the Strait of Hormuz,” Duffy told Fox News. “And once we get a little more clarity on the security risk, we’re going to have not just the US, but our partner countries.”
“When those escorts, and we have the insurance, you’re going to start seeing oil flow,” Duffy said on “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.”
Asked how soon the plan could take effect, Duffy said the insurance component is ready while the US military evaluates security conditions for escort operations.
“We’re ready on the insurance front, that’s ready to go,” he said, adding that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine is assessing when naval escorts could begin. “It could be a day, it could be a week.”
Netanyahu releases video refuting and mocking rumors of his death
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday released a video on social media aimed at dispelling online rumors and Iranian claims that he had been injured or killed or that his condition is uncertain amid the ongoing war.
In a lighthearted video filmed at a café near Jerusalem, Netanyahu is seen ordering coffee and responding with humor to the rumors about his death.
The online rumors and speculation were amplified by Iranian state news agencies.
The official Islamic Republic News Agency posted on X that Revolutionary Guards had vowed to kill Netanyahu “if he is still alive,” while Tasnim News Agency reported alleged “pressure on Netanyahu to dispel rumors of his death or injury.”
Israel says Iran operation will continue for weeks as gas prices climb. Here's the latest
Israel’s military told CNN earlier that “thousands of targets” remain in Iran and its military campaign will continue for at least three more weeks, as the two countries trade strikes.
US President Donald Trump has said he’s not yet ready to reach a deal with Tehran to end the war.
We’re tracking developments as they unfold. Here are the latest headlines:
- Iran is open to holding talks with countries wanting to safely access the Strait of Hormuz and has already been approached by several of them, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
- US Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed, without offering details, that other countries would help the US secure the Strait of Hormuz. In a separate interview, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said discussions are underway for countries to help reopen the vital shipping lane at the entrance to the Persian Gulf.
- Shrapnel from an Iranian ballistic missile damaged a building housing US diplomats in Israel, according to Israel’s Channel 12 news station. There were no injuries to US personnel, a State Department spokesperson told CNN.
- Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf poked fun at Trump’s claims to have “defeated” Iran.
- US gas prices reached an average of $3.70 a gallon today, according to AAA, a 24% increase since the war in Iran began on February 28.
- The Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, which hosts the US and Italian forces, was targeted in a drone attack, Italy’s chief of defense staff said.
- Iran said today that at least 56 of its museums, historic buildings and cultural sites have so far been damaged by US-Israeli strikes, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA.
- Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict and said that the people in the region have been “suffering the horrific violence of war.”
- The “Finalissima” soccer match set to be played between Spain and Argentina in Qatar later this month has been canceled, UEFA announced, citing the the “current political situation in the region.”
CNN’s Tal Shalev, Oren Liebermann, Christopher Lamb, Catherine Nicholls, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Billy Stockwell, Riane Lumer, Auzinea Bacon, Alejandra Jaramillo, Logan Schiciano and Fadel Allassan contributed to this report.
Countries have approached Iran to discuss Strait of Hormuz, foreign minister says
Iran is open to holding talks with countries wanting to safely access the Strait of Hormuz and has already been approached by several of them, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said today.
Asked if Iran could allow oil and gas vessels to pass through the critical energy chokepoint again, Araghchi said “we are open to countries who want to talk to us about the safe passage of their vessels.”
“I cannot mention any country in particular, but we have been approached by a number of countries who wants to have a safe passage for their vessels,” Araghchi told CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
But the minister cautioned that this decision was for Iran’s military to make.
On Saturday, two tankers heading toward India passed through the strait, which usually carries about one-fifth of all crude oil, an Indian foreign ministry official told CNN.
In today’s interview, the foreign minister added that Iran is not currently asking for a ceasefire or negotiations with the US amid the ongoing war, while vowing they are “ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes.”
Drone attack destroys Italian aircraft in Kuwait, Italy’s chief of defense staff says
The Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait, which hosts the US and Italian forces, was targeted in a drone attack today, according to Italy’s chief of defense staff.
A remotely piloted aircraft belonging to the Italian air force was destroyed in the attack, General Luciano Portolano said in a post on X. It was an “indispensable asset for operational activities and had remained deployed at the base in order to ensure continuity of operations,” he said.
All Italian personnel at the base were safe during the attack, Portolano said.
The deployment of Italian service members was reduced in the days leading up to attack “in response to the evolving security situation in the area,” he noted.
Those who remain at the base “are being deployed to carry out the mission’s essential activities,” he wrote, adding that “the situation is being constantly monitored by the Chief of the Defense Staff and by the Joint Operations Headquarters, which maintain continuous contact with the contingents on the ground.”
US easing Russian oil sanctions a reward to Putin, says Texas GOP lawmaker
Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, a prominent voice on foreign policy in the Republican Party and a skeptic of some aspects of US foreign policy under the Trump administration, today condemned the US’ move to ease sanctions on Russian oil.
“Russia has provided military intelligence to Iran to hit our military targets, to kill Americans,” McCaul, who recently announced he does not intend to run for reelection, said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday. “I don’t think they should be rewarded by lifting sanctions.”
CNN has reported that Russia is providing Iran with intelligence about the locations and movements of American troops, ships and aircraft, according to multiple people familiar with US intelligence reporting on the issue.
The easing of sanctions is an effort to stem a sharp increase in oil prices amid the Iran war, as Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s crude normally passes, sparking a global energy crisis.
The move to ease sanctions hasn’t caused a noticeable drop in oil prices so far.
“The president is doing certain things to bring down the price of gas,” McCaul said. “I don’t like to see (Russian President Vladimir Putin) rewarded, but I know this is a short-term lifting of sanctions.”
Democratic leader says House will vote on war powers resolution when back in session
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said today that once back in session, the US House of Representatives will vote on a war powers resolution to rein in President Donald Trump’s authority to engage in the war with Iran.
“We brought a war powers resolution to the floor of the Congress that fell a few votes short when we were in session earlier this month. Upon our return, we’ll continue to do the same thing,” Jeffries told MS NOW.
Jeffries said some of the Democrats who voted against the resolution have expressed that they would now be in favor.
“Several of them have indicated that the next time we bring such a resolution to the floor, they will be prepared to support it,” Jeffries said. Four House Democrats voted against the last resolution.
The House is back in session on Monday.
Read how each House member voted on the measure here.
