The armed conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran’s regime has entered its 17th day on March 16, 2026. The war, which began on February 28 and resulted in the death of the regime’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei on its first day, has severely disrupted the Middle East and global trade.

As the regime—now operating under the leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei—retaliates by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, the regional fallout continues to widen. Today’s updates highlight a divided international response, as European allies rebuffed U.S. requests for military support in the Gulf, while regime-linked drone strikes targeted critical oil and transport infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Israeli and U.S. strikes continue to target regime assets and proxy militias across the region, as human rights organizations begin investigating the heavy civilian toll of the war’s opening days.

Roundup of today’s key events

U.S. European allies rebuff President Donald Trump’s request to send military ships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing fears of being dragged into a wider war.

Successive drone strikes target the UAE’s Fujairah oil trading hub and Dubai International Airport, sparking fires and temporarily halting operations.

The Israeli military claims to have destroyed an airplane belonging to the late Ali Khamenei at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport.

Airstrikes near the Iraq-Syria border kill at least........

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