Iran War: What’s Happening on Day 15 of US-Israel Attack? | US-Israel war over Iran news

Explainer

The US has hit Iran’s Kharg Island, saying oil sites could be next if Tehran disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States-Israel war over Iran, now in its third week, continues to escalate after US forces hit military targets on Kharg Island, a critical hub through which most of Iran’s crude exports pass.

US President Donald Trump said Washington had deliberately spared the island’s oil infrastructure but warned Iran could attack it if it disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Tehran has warned that any attack on its energy facilities would trigger retaliation against regional oil infrastructure and US-linked assets, raising fears of a wider energy and security crisis across the Gulf.

Here’s what we know:

In Iran

• Joint Attack: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has previously said it launched missiles and drones at Israel in coordination with Tehran’s Lebanese proxy Hezbollah. The IRGC said in a statement that the operation was part of their annual Al-Quds Day, which aims to show support for the Palestinian cause.
• Iran’s Supreme Leader ‘Wounded’: Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has been wounded, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. “We know that the new so-called, non-supreme leader is injured and disfigured.”
• $10m prize: The US Department of State offered a $10m reward for information on Khamenei and other top officials.
• US attack on Kharg Island: Trump announced that US forces had bombed Iranian military installations on Kharg Island, which he described as Iran’s “crown jewel”. The island is critical to Iran’s economy, as approximately 90 percent of the country’s oil exports pass through it before traveling through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
• Death toll rises: Since February 28, at least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured in US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

In the Gulf countries

• Iranian retaliation: Iran has been conducting reciprocal drone and missile attacks on US assets, military bases and commercial sites across the Gulf region.
• Saudi Arabia intercepts drones: The Saudi Defense Ministry intercepted and destroyed six drones on Friday, five in the kingdom’s eastern region and one in the “Empty Quarter” desert zone.
• Qatar: Qatari armed forces successfully intercepted the incoming missile. Before the interception, authorities put all mobile phones on high security alert, warned of incoming missiles or drones, and temporarily evacuated some areas, including parts of the Education City.
• Bahrain: Sirens sounded and the Ministry of Interior urged all citizens and residents to remain calm and move to their nearest safe place.
• Oman: Following an incident in Oman where two were killed by drones, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar called for dialogue and regional detente.
• F1 races cancelled: Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will reportedly be canceled or rescheduled as war engulfs the region. The Bahrain race is currently scheduled for April 10 to 12 and Saudi Arabia a week later.

In the US

• Major Army Deployments: To counter ongoing Iranian drone attacks and regional threats, the US is deploying 10,000 interceptor drones to the Middle East, according to US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Furthermore, US media reports indicate the possible deployment of the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, along with 2,500 Marines, as approved by Hegseth.
• Aggressive rhetoric and gifts: Highlighting the aggressive US stance, Hegseth said the US military would “show no quarter, no mercy to our enemies”, prompting concerns about possible illegal orders from Democratic Congressman Eugene Windman.
• Oil Infrastructure Saved: While military facilities on Kharg Island were destroyed, Trump said he decided not to hit the island’s oil infrastructure “for reasons of decency.” The island hosts key energy facilities related to Iran’s oil export system, including storage tanks, loading terminals and pipelines.
• Ultimatum on Strait of Hormuz: In a Truth Social post, Trump warned that if Iran interfered with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, he would reconsider that decision and target oil facilities.
• Strategic Leverage: The bombing signals that the US could weaken Iran’s ability to attack ships in the Strait while foreclosing the option of striking oil infrastructure — a move that could significantly disrupt Iran’s crude exports and intensify a global energy shock.

In Israel

• 7,600 targets: Israel’s military says it has carried out about 7,600 strikes in Iran and 1,100 in Lebanon since it launched a joint operation with the US on February 28.
• Hit Israel: Smoke could be seen rising from two locations around Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial hub, after explosions were heard following warnings that missiles had been fired from Iran, an AFP news agency journalist said.

in Lebanon

• Lebanon toll hike: Israeli strikes have killed at least 773 people in Lebanon since March 2, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said, with Israel pledging to pay an “increasing price” for damage to Israeli infrastructure.
• Attack on medical workers: Lebanon’s Ministry of Health has strongly condemned the Israeli strike on a health center in Borj Qaloui that killed 12 medical staff, including doctors, nurses and paramedics.
• UN Base Hit: Israeli shells hit the headquarters of a Nepalese peacekeeping battalion serving with UNIFIL in the southern Lebanese town of Mees el-Jabal.
• Hezbollah’s position: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has said his group is ready for a “prolonged confrontation” with Israel, framing the conflict as a legitimate defense against 15 months of unaddressed Israeli abuses.

In Iraq

• US Embassy Targeted: Iraq says the US Embassy helipad in Baghdad was hit by a missile. An Iraqi security source told Al Jazeera that the attack on the embassy destroyed an air defense system. Smoke was seen rising at the place. The sprawling embassy complex, located inside Baghdad’s security green zone, has been repeatedly targeted by rockets and drones from Iran-aligned groups. There was no immediate comment from the US Embassy in Baghdad.
• Iraqi Prime Minister, Macron calls: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani vowed to stop the attacks after a drone strike killed a French soldier in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
• Turkey offers travel advice: Turkey has advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iraq as the country is heavily affected by the ongoing US-Israel war over Iran.

Economic impact

• Global Economic Impact: The US-Israel war over Iran has prompted a global energy crisis and a spike in oil prices. In response, Canada announced the release of 23.6 million barrels of oil as part of an emergency coordinated effort by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
• Impact of aviation: Major Indian airlines including Air India and IndiGo have hiked ticket prices substantially to offset rising aviation turbine fuel costs caused by geopolitical instability.
• Changing Diplomatic Dynamics: Analysts noted that despite the heavy US military presence, the US is losing diplomatic leverage over closing the Strait of Hormuz. Major nations including India, France and Italy are now bypassing Washington and reaching out directly to Iran to negotiate safe passage for their ships, signaling a shift in who is controlling the immediate crisis.