The war in the Middle East raged on as U.S.-Israeli strikes on the Iranian capital and Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon continued Monday, stoking fears of a global energy crisis as the fighting effectively halted shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
—
Coverage for this event has ended.
March 17Pinned
Iran war coverage continues
Fox News Digital’s coverage of Operation Epic Fury in Iran continues here.
March 17
Iranian figures Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani have both been killed: Israel defense minister
Top Iranian official Ali Larijani, and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani were both killed overnight, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Larijani was targeted in an Israeli strike, a senior Israeli Official told Fox News.
And multiple Basij figures were targeted in an effort involving the U.S. and Israel, according to a senior Israeli official. “Over a dozen Basij officials were targeted in Iran last night in different strikes, including the head of the Basij forces Gholamreza Soleimani. This was a joint U.S. and Israeli effort,” the official noted. “A strike in Tehran targeted the Basij commander and around a dozen others, including the most senior figures in the Basij forces—people with a lot of blood on their hands.”
The killings come more than two weeks into the war effort against the Islamic Republic being waged by the U.S. and Israel.
Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report
March 17
Gholamreza Soleimani and other Basij officials targeted in strikes amid ongoing Iran war
Multiple Basij officials, including top figure Gholamreza Soleimani, have been targeted in strikes, according to a senior Israeli official.
“Over a dozen Basij officials were targeted in Iran last night in different strikes, including the head of the Basij forces Gholamreza Soleimani. This was a joint U.S. and Israeli effort,” the official noted. “A strike in Tehran targeted the Basij commander and around a dozen others, including the most senior figures in the Basij forces—people with a lot of blood on their hands.”
A battle damage assessment is ongoing to determine which individuals were killed or injured.
The news comes more than two weeks since the U.S. commander in chief, President Donald Trump, launched a war against Iran in conjunction with Israel, a key U.S. ally.
Fox News’ Trey Yingst contributed to this report
March 17
Iran’s Ali Larijani targeted in Israeli strike, Israeli official says
Top Iranian official Ali Larijani was targeted in an Israeli strike, a Senior Israeli Official told Fox News. Battle damage assessment is ongoing.
The news comes more than two weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched a war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Larijani serves as Iran’s secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. He was walking around Tehran during the pro-regime protest on Friday. The Israelis considered him the de-facto leader of Iran right now.
The U.S. government had indicated that it would offer a reward for information on Larijani.
“Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on the key leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its component branches,” rewardsforjustice.net notes. “Under this reward offer, RFJ is seeking information on the following individuals,” the webpage notes, listing Larijani, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, and others.
Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report
March 17
Rockets, drones fired at US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq: report
Rockets and drones were launched at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, according to a report.
The attack, which included at least five drones from areas around the city, was the most intense barrage since the start of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, Iraqi security sources told Reuters.
A witness observed at least three drones heading in the direction of the embassy, according to the outlet.
The C-RAM air defense system intercepted two of the drones while a third struck inside the embassy compound, where fire and smoke were seen rising, the witness said.
Another witness said an explosion was heard in Baghdad.
This comes as Iranian-backed militias have been attacking U.S. interests in Iraq in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes that began late last month, triggering a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Reuters contributed to this report.
March 17
Average diesel prices in US surpass $5 a gallon amid energy crisis from war in Middle East
The U.S. average for retail diesel prices exceeded $5 a gallon for only the second time ever on Monday, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran harms the supply of the industrial fuel, according to fuel markets tracker GasBuddy.
The only other time diesel retail prices moved past that mark was in December 2022, when global oil markets were still feeling the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of that year.
The war against Iran has disrupted global diesel supply chains, as the Middle East is a major supplier of both the fuel and the type of crude oil most suitable for its production.
Iran’s blocking of the Strait of Hormuz impacts between 10% to 20% of total global seaborne diesel supplies.
The U.S. national average for gasoline prices was $3.76 a gallon as of Monday night, the highest since October 2023, according to GasBuddy data.
“Until we see a meaningful resumption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, upward pressure on fuel prices is likely to persist,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said on Monday.
Reuters contributed to this report.
March 17
UK military says tanker struck by unknown projectile 25 miles east of UAE’s Fujairah
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile about 23 nautical miles, or about 26 miles, east of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
“A Tanker has reported being struck by an unknown projectile whilst at anchor,” the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said.
There were no injuries to crew members.
Minor structural damage was reported. No environmental impact was reported.
The incident remains under investigation.
March 17
CENTCOM shares behind the scenes look at flight ops aboard aircraft carrier
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shared a new video on social media Monday showing flight operations aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier.
The footage includes scenes from the carrier’s flight tower, where one crew member scans the horizon through binoculars while another writes operational information on a window used as a dry-erase board.
From the flight deck, the video shows aircraft landing, launching from the catapult and taxiing across the carrier.
“Teamwork makes it ALL work aboard an aircraft carrier launching flight operations!” CENTCOM wrote on X.
March 17
Iran and proxies launch strikes across region hitting hotel and disrupting flights
Iran and its proxies carried out attacks across the Middle East on Monday, striking Israel with ballistic missiles, hitting a high-profile hotel in Baghdad with a drone and causing major flight disruptions at Dubai International Airport.
Fox News correspondent Nate Foy reported that an Iranian drone struck the Al Rashid Hotel in Baghdad’s Green Zone, a location where diplomats often stay. The drone hit the top floor of the building, sparking a fire.
Another Iranian drone caused flight disruptions at Dubai International Airport.
Iran also attacked Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates throughout
