Iran Launches Deadly Missile and Drone Attacks on Israel and Gulf States

Iran launched a devastating wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel and multiple Gulf states on March 18, 2026, marking what Tehran called the '61st wave' of its ongoing retaliatory campaign.

The Revolutionary Guards claimed strikes hit over 100 military and security targets in Tel Aviv, using advanced weaponry including Khorramshahr-4, Qadr, Emad, and Kheibar Shekan missiles.

Al Jazeera

At least one Iranian missile carried a cluster bomb warhead that dispersed multiple submunitions over central Israel, though no casualties were confirmed from this specific strike.

Israel's medical service confirmed two deaths in Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv, bringing the total death toll from Iranian missile attacks on Israel to at least 14 people since the conflict began.

Iran's missile barrage represented a significant escalation in the regional conflict, demonstrating Tehran's continued military capabilities despite ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Simultaneously with the Israeli strikes, Iran targeted multiple Gulf Arab states with barrages of missiles and drones, raising regional tensions to new heights.

Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry confirmed its forces shot down a hostile drone approaching the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh, which houses the U.S. embassy and other foreign missions.

Al Jazeera

Kuwait and other Gulf states also faced similar attacks, with their air defense systems intercepting numerous projectiles.

Saudi Arabia, which has repeatedly come under fire from Iran, expressed growing anger at Tehran as well as the United States and Israel for launching the war.

These attacks on Gulf infrastructure underscored the widening regional dimensions of the conflict, with Iran demonstrating its willingness to strike beyond its immediate adversaries and affect international shipping lanes and energy infrastructure.

The latest round of attacks came as Iran vowed a 'decisive response' to avenge the killing of two of its top security officials, Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, who were eliminated in overnight Israeli strikes the day prior.

“- Tensions with NATO allies: President Trump has lashed out at NATO allies, as well as Japan, Australia and South Korea, over their reluctance to offer military support in the conflict”

Al Jazeera

Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a former nuclear negotiator, had been viewed as a serious contender to lead the regime following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in early strikes.

Soleimani commanded the IRGC's Basij paramilitary unit and was sanctioned by the U.S., EU, and other nations for his role in suppressing dissent.

Iranian news agencies reported that funerals for both officials would begin at 10:30 GMT in Tehran, with state media airing footage of pro-government demonstrations and crowds waving flags of the killed former supreme leader.

The escalation followed Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's assertion that 'The United States must be held accountable' for the conflict, which he claimed 'was not Iran's war.'

The escalating conflict began to take a significant toll on global markets and transportation systems as international airlines canceled hundreds of flights due to soaring fuel costs.

Scandinavian airline SAS announced plans to cancel about 1,000 flights in April after jet fuel prices doubled in recent days amid the ongoing West Asia conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

AP News

Other international carriers including Air Canada, Air France KLM, and Cathay Pacific also suspended flights to Middle Eastern destinations including Tel Aviv and Dubai.

The UN's World Food Programme warned that the conflict could push millions more into hunger if oil prices remain high, as rising fuel and transport costs disrupted food supply chains worldwide.

Iran's continued control over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil exports, further exacerbated global energy concerns despite reports that about 90 ships including oil tankers had crossed the strait since the war's outset.

In response to the escalating crisis, Saudi Arabia convened an urgent meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh to coordinate efforts on regional security and containment of the conflict.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated the meeting would explore ways to 'support regional security and stability' amid the Iran war that shows no sign of abating.

Associated Press News

Meanwhile, the United States confirmed significant casualties from the ongoing conflict, with more than 200 U.S. service members injured in the Middle East during the war and at least 13 service members killed.

President Trump expressed disappointment that European Union countries largely rebuffed his calls for help to open the Strait of Hormuz, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stating there was 'no appetite' among member states.

The diplomatic scrambling came as Israel intensified its campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah with widespread airstrikes across Lebanon, including Beirut, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and further entangling the country in the conflict.