March 11, 2026, marks the twelfth day of the escalating military conflict between Iran’s regime, the United States, and Israel. The twelfth day of the war follows an intense period of bombardment, which the US Defense Secretary previously described as the “most intense day” of strikes against the regime.

The crisis, which began on February 28, 2026, saw the death of regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei on its first day and the hasty appointment of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as his successor.

As the conflict continues to disrupt global energy supplies—with roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply halted and global prices surging past $100 per barrel—Iran’s regime faces crippling domestic destruction, rising casualties, and a massive nationwide internet blackout that has kept the country largely offline for hundreds of hours.

Roundup of key events on day 12

Maryam Rajavi called for the protection of Iranian civilians and civilian infrastructure following strikes on power plants in Tehran and Karaj, urging Resistance Units to aid those affected.

Airstrikes targeted northern Tehran, while US Central Command warned civilians to immediately vacate ports used by the Iranian regime’s navy.

US President Donald Trump stated the war will end “soon” as there is “practically nothing left to target,” confirming the destruction of 16 Iranian mine-laying boats.

The regime’s police chief issued a direct shoot-to-kill order against any protesters who take to the streets, threatening them as “enemies.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dispatched drone experts to the Gulf to help Middle Eastern countries counter the regime’s drone attacks.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly criticized the US and Israeli intervention as being outside international law, while emphasizing that Iran must not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

The regime’s internet blackout entered its 12th day, reaching 264 hours with connectivity at just 1%, as officials confirmed the implementation of an internet “whitelisting” system.

Maryam Rajavi calls for protection of civilians

Following reports of targeted strikes on power plants in Tehran and Karaj, Maryam Rajavi emphasized the urgent need to protect the Iranian people. She stated that all parties involved in the war must “exercise the utmost care to prevent any loss of life or damage to the people of Iran and to the country’s civilian infrastructure.” She also called on the Iranian public, particularly the youth, supporters of the Iranian Resistance, and the Resistance Units, to rush to the aid of those affected by the ongoing bombings.

Strikes hit northern Tehran as US military warns civilians away from ports

On March 11, new video footage confirmed airstrikes hitting several locations in northern Tehran, with reports indicating that the Pasdaran, Dowlat, and Gholhak neighborhoods were targeted.

Concurrently, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a stark warning to Iranian civilians, urging them to immediately stay away from all port facilities in the Strait of Hormuz where the regime’s naval forces operate. CENTCOM cautioned that Iranian dockworkers, administrative staff, and commercial vessel crews must avoid Iranian military equipment and naval vessels, warning that civilian ports utilized for military purposes “lose protected status” and become legitimate military targets under international law.

Meanwhile, the regime’s IRGC claimed via public relations that a Liberia-flagged ship was struck after allegedly ignoring warnings. The IRGC also claimed that it launched two missile strikes on the “Al-Udeid” helicopter base, resulting in the deaths and injuries of over 100 American soldiers, though this has not been independently verified. The regime’s Telegram channel, “Akharin Khabar,” additionally claimed that 17 US bases have been damaged in the war so far.

Regime issues shoot-to-kill orders against protesters amid massive destruction

As the regime continues its war, domestic oppression has escalated dramatically. Ahmad-Reza Radan, the commander of the regime’s State Security Force, threatened the Iranian public, stating that anyone who takes to the streets at the “enemy’s behest” will be treated as an enemy. Radan explicitly confirmed a shoot-to-kill policy, saying: “Hands are on the triggers; orders have been given that any trespassing or movement is to be answered only with bullets.” He further threatened that those “disturbing the public mind” in cyberspace would also face treatment as enemies. The regime’s Prosecutor General asked citizens to report any instances of “cooperation with the enemy” through an online system.

The physical toll on the country continues to mount. The head of the regime’s Red Crescent Society announced that 19,734 civilian units and 3,384 commercial units have been damaged so far.

Despite the widespread destruction, regime officials remain defiant. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf stated that the regime will “not back down one iota in defending the country.” His advisor, Mohammadi, noted that 90% of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been cut off and insisted that the war will continue, declaring that “after the assassinations, a ceasefire will never be established in the region.”

Trump says war will end soon as US destroys mine-laying boats

In a brief phone interview with Axios on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump stated that the war with Iran’s regime will end “soon,” citing that there is “practically nothing left to target.” Trump remarked, “Any time I want it to end, it will end.”

Despite Trump’s comments, US and Israeli officials indicated that they are preparing for at least two more weeks of strikes. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the campaign will continue “without any time limit, for as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives.”

The US had received intelligence on Tuesday suggesting the regime had begun laying a small number of mines in the critical Strait of Hormuz. Trump confirmed to Axios that US strikes successfully destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying boats, disrupting Tehran’s plans.

Ukraine steps in to help Middle East counter regime drones

As the regime continues launching retaliatory drones across the region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that teams of Ukrainian military experts have been deployed to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to assist in defending against the attacks.

Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine possesses “the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones,” referencing their years of experience defending against Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russia. While Middle Eastern air defenses have been forced to use million-dollar missiles against cheap unmanned aircraft, Ukraine is offering its mass-produced interceptor drones and expertise to Gulf nations.

Meanwhile, the impact of the regime’s regional drone attacks continues to be felt. Authorities in Dubai reported that two drones crashed near Dubai International Airport on March 11. While air traffic continued normally, the incident resulted in minor to moderate injuries to four individuals, including two citizens of Ghana, one from Bangladesh, and one from India.

International reactions: Italy criticizes US intervention

Global leaders continue to respond to the spiraling war. On Wednesday, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered her strongest criticism of the US and Israeli strikes, telling the Italian parliament that the intervention falls “outside the scope of international law.” Drawing parallels to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Meloni stated that unilateral military interventions are contributing to structural global destabilization.

Despite her criticism, Meloni affirmed that Italy is actively providing air-defense assets to Gulf countries targeted by Tehran to protect strategic partners, as well as tens of thousands of Italian citizens and around 2,000 Italian soldiers stationed in the region. She also emphasized that the Iranian regime must under no circumstances be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, as it would pose a dramatic threat to global security and expose Europe to a potential nuclear threat.

In a separate statement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also urged for an immediate end to the war currently engulfing the Middle East.

Internet blackout enters 12th day with whitelisting implemented

Inside Iran, the regime continues its unprecedented suppression of the free flow of information. According to the cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks, the nationwide internet blackout has now entered its twelfth day, reaching 264 hours of disruption. Connectivity remains at just 1% of ordinary levels.

In a chilling confirmation of the regime’s control tactics, NetBlocks noted a spokesperson for the regime confirmed the implementation of an internet “whitelisting” system, declaring that “only the approved are given a voice.”

© Eurasia Review