War On Iran: US Begins Unblocking The Strait Of Hormuz

18.03.2026, 8:45
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(Updated) Successful strike on Iranian missile launchers interfering with shipping.

Operation Lion's Roar, which Israel and the United States are carrying out against Iran, continues in the Middle East.

The website Charter97.org is broadcasting online the 19th day of the war.

08:58 In Baghdad on the night of March 18, the U.S. Embassy was the target of an Iranian drone and missile attack. Security sources said missiles were fired at the diplomatic compound in the so-called Green Zone, along with an attack drone. The attack set off sirens and an explosion was heard near the complex. Footage circulated by the media showed a large-scale fire at the site of the emergency.

08:31 Iran's Supreme National Security Council has confirmed the death of its head Ali Larijani after Israel claimed he was killed in an airstrike. It added that his son and bodyguards were also killed along with Larijani.

Also, media outlets citing Iranian media reported that in addition to Larijani, the council's deputy security chief Alirezu Bayata and Basij (People's Militia) unit commander Gholamrez Suleimani were eliminated.

08:17 The U.S. military successfully attacked Iran's fortified missile sites along the country's coast near the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. used 5,000-pound aerial bombs (approximate weight - 2,270 kilograms) for the strike to destroy underground shelters, and after the bombing declared the operation a success. This was reported by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM claimed that Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles located at the sites posed a threat to international shipping in the strait.

08:04 Iran conducted a massive missile attack on central Israel, with debris from downed missiles raining down on the Tel Aviv train station. Damage from the rocket fire is reported to have been recorded at the Savidor train station in Tel Aviv. Israel Railways says traffic is temporarily suspended due to damage to platforms at the station.

Firefighters are also working to extinguish several fires in the central Israeli cities of Petah Tikva and Kafr Qasim.