Iranian news claims no talks, Trump backed down from ultimatum | Trump orders 5-day halt to US strikes on Iran power after talks | IDF strikes Hamas armed police in central Gaza
| Published: March 23, 2026
16:54 – Trump says Hormuz Strait may be ‘jointly controlled’ by him and ‘next ayatollah’ if talks succeed
Speaking to the press in Florida on Monday, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz “will be opened very soon if this works,” referring to ongoing talks with an unnamed senior Iranian official, whom early Israeli media reports identify as parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
When asked who would control the strait, Trump said it would be “jointly controlled,” possibly by himself and “whoever the next ayatollah is.”
Trump claimed there was “automatically” a regime change in Iran given the number of regime leaders eliminated, citing what he signaled to be success in Venezuela.
16:33 – IDF allows northern Israel residents to leave shelters after striking IRGC target in Beirut
Israel’s northern residents are now allowed to leave protected spaces, the IDF said following a reassessment.
Earlier, the military had instructed residents to stay “in close proximity to protected spaces” and limit movement and gatherings.
Shortly before the update, the IDF announced it had struck an IRGC Quds Force terrorist in Beirut, Lebanon. Details of the strike are still pending.
16:12 – Trump affirms Iran deal possible, great for Israel & region
Speaking to the press on Monday, U.S. President Trump said Sunday’s talks with Iran are set to continue and signaled that a deal could come soon, warning: “If it goes well we’re going to end up settling this, otherwise we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”
He declined to name the senior Iranian official involved in the talks but confirmed it was not the new supreme leader: “Nobody heard of the second supreme leader, the son,” he said, noting that whether Mojtaba Khamenei is alive remains unknown, as he has yet to make a statement.
Addressing U.S. goals for the talks, Trump reiterated that Iran must not have a nuclear weapon, adding, “We want the nuclear dust, we’re going to want that, and I think we’re going to get that.”
“We want no enrichment, but we also want the enriched uranium,” he said. “If this happens, it’s a great start for Iran to build itself back, and it’s everything that we want. And it’s also great for Israel and it’s great for the other Middle Eastern countries.”
15:34 – IDF tells northern residents to stay near shelters
Residents along Israel’s northern border were told by the Home Front Command to stay “in close proximity to protected spaces” and limit movement and gatherings.
The IDF spokesperson said the guidance follows a situational assessment and that the military is coordinating directly with local authorities.
15:03 – Hezbollah rocket hits northern Israel, injures two
A Hezbollah rocket strike in Kiryat Shmona injured a man in his 50s, who is in moderate-to-serious condition after being struck in the face by shrapnel.
The rocket launched from Lebanon caused damage to a bus and injured the man, who was standing near it, upon striking the road.
Another man, in his 80s, was also evacuated to the hospital in mild condition after a shrapnel injury.
14:45 – UNIFIL says headquarters in southern Lebanon hit by projecile
The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), said that a building at its headquarters in the coastal town of Naqoura was struck by a projectile. The U.N. said it believes it “was fired by a non-state actor,” in an apparent reference to Hezbollah.
The IDF launched a renewed ground incursion into southern Lebanon earlier this month over the failure of the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah and remove the terror group’s presence south of the Litani River, as required in the November 2024 Lebanon Ceasefire.
The UNIFIL statement said that “bullets, fragments, and shrapnel have hit buildings and open areas inside our headquarters” in the Naqoura area. “As a result, peacekeepers have been restricted to shelters to avoid injury.”
14:40 – Iranian Foreign Ministry, other government-aligned media deny talks with U.S.
Iranian regime-owned IRAN newspaper became the third media outlet to deny negotiations with the U.S.
“Remarks by the U.S. president are part of efforts to reduce energy prices and buy time to implement his military plans” the newspaper said.
“While there have been initiatives by regional countries to de-escalate tensions, Iran’s response has been clear: It did not start the war and all such requests should be directed to Washington.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also denied that any talks with the U.S. had taken place.
14:30 – Oil prices drop and markets rise, following Trump’s announcement of Iran talks
Prices of Brent crude fell rapidly after President Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz, before rebounding to just over $100 a barrel.
At the same time, U.S. markets rose just before the opening bell, with futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising around 2.6%.
President Trump said the U.S. would hold off on strikes against Iranian power plants for at least 5 days.
14:25 – Right-wing opposition head says Israel must continue war ‘even without US’
Israel Beitenu head Avigdor Lieberman criticized the coalition government during a party meeting for prioritizing coalition interests during a war. Lieberman also said Israel should fight, even if the U.S. withdraws.
“If the United States withdraws from the war, we have to continue, as far as we are concerned, the overthrow of the regime is necessary,” Lieberman stated.
14:05 – Iranian news claims Trump backed down from ultimatum, no direct talks
Iran’s Fars news agency said there had been no talks with the U.S., neither direct communication, nor via ?intermediaries.
Fars claimed that President Trump backed down from his ultimatum after hearing that Iran would retaliate by attacking power plants across the region.
A senior Iranian security official told the regime-affiliated Tasnim News, “There were no negotiations underway and there will be none.”
He called Trump’s social media posts “psychological warfare,” saying the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war state.
“Trump backed down from attacking critical infrastructure after the Iranian threats became certain,” the official stated.
According to Reuters, the U.S. kept Israel informed of its talks with Tehran. It cited a “source briefed on Israel’s war plans” for the report, saying Israel is likely to follow Washington in suspending any targeting of Iranian energy infrastructure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on U.S. talks with Iran or Washington’s decision to hold off on striking some Iranian targets.
14:00 – IDF strikes Tehran anew after Trump announcement
The IDF has begun another wave of strikes on Iranian regime targets in the heart of Tehran, a statement by the IDF Spokesperson said.
The announcement comes a day after Israeli forces struck a regime military base, weapons production sites, and the Ministry of Intelligence hedquarters along with the Internal Security Forces emergency headquarters.
13:18 – Trump orders 5-day halt to U.S. strikes on Iran power after talks
President Trump said Washington and Tehran have held “very good and productive” conversations leading to a five-day postponement of U.S. strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, “subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”
In a post on ?, the U.S. president said discussions on “a total resolution” of hostilities in the Middle East would continue throughout the week.
13:01 – Crown Prince Pahlavi: Trump is right, regime’s infrastructure of terror must be destroyed
Iranian crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, wrote on X that President Trump’s motto, “Peace through strength” is right regarding the Iranian regime.
“President Trump is right. This regime only understands strength. Its infrastructure of terror— its leadership, machinery, and facilities that harm Iranians and Americans— must be destroyed and the entire regime must go. When Iran is free, the world will have lasting peace,” he wrote on X.
It is unclear whether Pahlavi’s statement was intended to correct or to reiterate his previous stance, as he had responded to Trump’s threat to “obliterate” Iranian power plants by noting that “Iran is not the Islamic Republic. Iran’s civilian infrastructure belongs to the Iranian people and to the future of a free Iran.”
“The Islamic Republic’s infrastructure is the machinery of repression and terror used to keep that future from becoming reality,” he wrote on Sunday.
12:46 – WATCH: IDF strikes Hamas cell in Gaza as fighting continues on low intensity
“Yesterday (Sunday), IDF troops identified a cell of armed Hamas terrorists in an SUV in the central Gaza Strip,” the Israeli military stated.
“Following the identification, the IDF eliminated the armed terrorists in order to remove the threat. Prior to the strike, steps were taken in order to mitigate harm to civilians. This included the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence.”
Palestinian reports said that three Hamas police officers were killed in the strike.
While it has received less attention amid the wars in Iran and Lebanon, fighting on the Gaza front has continued on a low intensity, with soldiers killing terrorists trying to cross the ceasefire lines and the Air Force occasionally striking Hamas cells and commanders.
“IDF Southern Command troops remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will operate to remove any immediate threat,” the IDF said.
12:22 – Russia reiterates call for ‘political and diplomatic’ settlement with Iran
Russia reiterated its calls for a diplomatic solution to the war in Iran, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We believe that the situation should have transitioned to a political and diplomatic settlement,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a briefing.
“This is the only thing that can effectively contribute to defusing the catastrophically tense situation that has now developed in the region,” Peskov added.
11:50 – Israeli soldiers find anti-tank missile post and weapons in southern Lebanon
“IDF soldiers continue targeted ground activity aimed at enhancing the forward defense area in southern Lebanon,” the IDF stated.
“Yesterday (Sunday), IDF soldiers located an anti-tank missile post and weapons in southern Lebanon.”
“The IDF is operating decisively against the Hezbollah terrorist organization in response to its deliberate decision to attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian terror regime. The IDF operates to remove threats to the civilians of the State of Israel.”
10:52 – For first time: Soldiers of Haredi ‘Hasmonean’ Brigade operate in Lebanon
In recent weeks, soldiers of the IDF Hasmonean Brigade, the first ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) brigade in the army, have been operating in southern Lebanon for the first time, the IDF revealed.
The brigade has been carrying out targeted raids in several areas as part of the “forward defense” effort under the command of the “Baram” 300th Regional Brigade, the IDF said.
“The soldiers, who have taken part in operational activities in Syria, the Judea and Samaria Division, and the Gaza Strip – and are now operating in Lebanon for the first time – yesterday (Sunday) began the first cycle of the brigade’s officers’ course, which will take place at the Hasmonean Brigade’s training base,” the military stated.
Brigade commander Colonel “Shin” said, “The Hasmonean Brigade will continue to act with bravery in every arena where it is required. Alongside operational activity, we will continue training the next generation of Haredi commanders who will lead the brigade forward. This is another milestone for the brigade, which will continue to operate on the front lines while preserving the Haredi lifestyle of its soldiers.”
10:31 – Iran threatens to mine Gulf coast & Hormuz Strait if attacked by ground troops
Iran’s Defense Council warned that it would block the entire Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz if its coasts or islands were attacked by ground forces, following reports that the U.S. military is considering such a move.
“The only way to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for non-belligerent countries is coordination with Iran,” the semi-official Fars News cited.
“Any enemy attempt to attack Iranian coasts or islands” will lead to “all access routes and communication lines in the Persian Gulf and coasts being mined with various naval mines,” the Defense Council said.
“The entire Persian Gulf will effectively be blocked, and the responsibility for this will lie with the threatener.”
10:01 – British PM Starmer condemns ‘deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack’
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sharply condemned the torching of Jewish community ambulances at a synagogue in London’s Golders Green overnight.
“This is a deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack. My thoughts are with the Jewish community who are waking up this morning to this horrific news. Antisemitism has no place in our society. Anyone with any information must come forward to the police,” he wrote on ?.
09:44 – Five children, one adult still in serious condition after Arad missile attack
Five children and one adult who were injured in the Iranian strike in Arad are still hospitalized in serious condition, according to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva.
Meanwhile, the condition of the 12-year-old boy seriously wounded in Dimona on Saturday has improved, and he was transferred from the pediatric intensive care unit to the surgical department.
Soroka is still treating four other children and seven adults who are in moderate to good condition after the same strikes.
A total of 4,713 Israelis were evacuated to hospitals since the start of the war, the Health Ministry said.
08:40 – Iranian media post list of Gulf power sites to be targeted, includes UAE nuclear power plant
After Iran threatened to attack power plants across the Middle East, several news outlets published a list of potential targets, which included the United Arab Emirates’ nuclear power plant.
A report from the Fars news agency, affiliated with the IRGC, listed several sites, including desalination plants in the Middle East. The list also included the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant, which has four reactors near the border with Saudi Arabia.
07:15 – Iran threatens to target power plants in Israel and Gulf states
Iran warned it would strike energy and water infrastructure in Israel and across the Gulf if U.S. President Donald Trump carries out his threat to attack power plants in the country.
“If Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy infrastructure, as well as information technology…and water desalination facilities, belonging to the U.S. and the regime in the region will be targeted pursuant to previous warnings,” Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari said, according to state media.
On Saturday evening, President Trump set a 48-hour deadline, warning that the United States would strike Iran’s power plants unless Tehran fully reopened ?the Strait of Hormuz.
06:30 – 4 ambulances of volunteer organization Jewish EMS set ablaze in London
Masked arsonists set fire to several Hatzolah ambulances outside the Machzike Hadath Synagogue in Golders Green, a largely Jewish neighborhood in northwest London.
UK police said the incident is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.
“An investigation has been launched after four ambulances belonging to the Jewish Community Ambulance service were set on fire in Golders Green,” Metropolitan Police said in a statement. “Officers remain on scene and the arson attack is being treated as an antisemitic hate crime.”
05:20 – CENTCOM Chief Cooper says Iranian military in ‘state of desperation’
In an interview with Iran International, U.S. Central Command Chief Adm. Brad Cooper said the Iranian military is “acting in a state of desperation.”
He based this assessment on the pattern of attacks, a noticeable decline in the volume of fire from the Islamic Republic, and the near absence of air defense and naval activity.
“My overall assessment is that we are on track to achieve our main military objectives as planned,” Cooper said.
04:45 – International Energy Agency says 40 energy facilities in Middle East severely damaged
International Energy Agency (IEA) Director General Fatih Birol, warned that the global economy is under “major threat” from the energy crisis caused by the Iran war, and said that “at least 40… energy assets in the region are severely or very severely damaged across nine countries.”
This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to target Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully opened to shipping traffic.
02:30 – New restrictions in outbound flights from Ben Gurion International Airport
Starting Monday afternoon, new restrictions on flights from Ben-Gurion International Airport will begin, limiting the number of flights and passengers, Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced.
Under the new restrictions, only 50 passengers will be allowed on each flight, down from the current limit of 120. Additionally, only one flight per hour will be allowed for takeoffs and landings.
The new restrictions come after Iranian ballistic missiles targeted central and southern Israel over the weekend, with multiple impacts and people injured.
00:15 – IDF and Police arrest 5 Israelis after responding to reports of settler violence
IDF troops, Israel Police and Border Police responded to reports of violent attacks, including arson and disturbance of public order, near the village of Deir al-Hatab in Samaria on Sunday.
The forces searched a suspicious vehicle near the village, discovering assault weapons. Border Police arrested five Israeli citizens involved in the incident, who were taken for questioning.
In another incident that occurred in the Itamar area, several Israelis assaulted security forces working to restore order. A police officer was injured and damage was caused to a security vehicle.
As a result of these incidents, several Palestinians were injured and evacuated for medical treatment.
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