U.S. President Donald Trump warned that American forces could target Iranian power plants if the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and Iran, in return, warned that any attack on its energy infrastructure would trigger strikes on regional facilities.
Here’s how the situation in the Middle East unfolded throughout the day:
At least four people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Sunday, Palestinian officials said, including three in a strike on a police vehicle in Nuseirat camp.
Medics said the three were members of the Hamas-led police force, and ten others were wounded. Earlier, another strike in northern Gaza killed a member of a Fatah-linked armed group.
Israel’s military said it is reviewing the incidents.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will chair an emergency COBRA meeting on Monday to assess how the Iran conflict could affect the economy, a government official said.
Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, is expected to attend, highlighting concerns over market stability, inflation, and energy prices.
Michel Aoun says recent Israel attacks on Lebanese infrastructure could be a prelude to a ground invasion, calling the escalation “dangerous” and urging international intervention.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that if President Trump strikes Iranian energy facilities, the Strait of Hormuz will be fully closed.
Companies with U.S. shareholders “will be completely destroyed” if Iranian energy sites are attacked, the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement on Sunday.
Turkish Foreign Minister held discussions with Iranian and Egyptian counterparts, as well as US officials and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, to explore measures to end the ongoing war, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters.
Slovenia has temporarily restricted fuel purchases to tackle shortages at pumps, partly linked to cross-border refuelling and stockpiling amid the Iran war. Private vehicles are limited to 50 litres per day, while businesses and farmers may purchase up to 200 litres.
Prime Minister Robert Golob assured that warehouses are full and there will be no national shortage, attributing the problem to transport delays to service stations. The army is helping move supplies.
Many Petrol stations were closed on Sunday, while MOL stations stayed open with purchase limits. Authorities are monitoring supplies daily and preparing measures for foreign drivers if needed.
Southern Israeli towns were hit overnight by Iranian missile strikes, leaving scores injured in one of the war’s worst attacks on Israeli soil.
In Arad, a multi-storey apartment block was heavily damaged, with entire floors blown open and a large crater nearby. 31 people, including 18 children, were hospitalised, at least nine in serious condition. Dimona also suffered strikes, leaving five hospitalised.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a miracle no one was killed and urged residents to follow shelter protocols. Israeli authorities said Iran targeted civilian areas, while Iran claimed it was hitting military and security sites in retaliation for Israeli strikes.
Pope Leo called the ongoing war in the Middle East a “scandal to the whole human family”, urging an immediate ceasefire. Speaking at his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, the Pope expressed dismay at the suffering caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, now entering its fourth week.
“We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, the defenseless victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts the whole of humanity,” Leo said.
He renewed his appeal for prayer and for hostilities to end, calling for a path toward peace in the region.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has held a phone call with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging Tehran to halt attacks on critical infrastructure and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, an EU official told Reuters on Sunday.
During the call, Kallas urged Iran to halt attacks on critical infrastructure and stressed the need to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments.
She reiterated the EU’s commitment to de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution to regional tensions, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.
Iran warns of 'irreversible damage' to regional infrastructure if its power plants are attacked. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says critical energy and oil facilities across the Middle East would become legitimate targets in retaliation.
His warning follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum that Iranian power plants would be targeted if the Strait of Hormuz is not “fully open” within 48 hours.
Qalibaf added that such retaliation could temporarily push oil prices higher.
A Turkish soldier, two technical personnel from ASELSAN and four Qatari troops have been killed in a helicopter crash in Qatar, Turkey’s Defence Ministry said on Sunday.
The ministry said the aircraft went down due to a technical issue during a training flight.
The statement added that four Qatari troops also died in the accident. Qatari authorities will conduct inspections to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Iran’s Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi has said the country’s water and electricity infrastructure has been heavily damaged following what he described as attacks by the United States and Israel, according to the ISNA news agency.
Aliabadi added that the attacks targeted dozens of water transmission and treatment facilities, destroying parts of key water supply networks. He also said that repair efforts are currently underway.
Israel Defence Minister Katz announced that the Israeli military will intensify operations in southern Lebanon, targeting infrastructure and homes in “frontline villages.”
The directive, issued with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to neutralize threats to Israeli border communities.
Bridges over the Litani River are to be destroyed immediately, reportedly used for “terrorist activity.”
No groups were named, and Lebanese authorities have yet to respond.
UK cabinet minister Reed says there is “no assessment” backing claims that Iran plans - or is able - to strike European capitals, according to the BBC.
Overnight, eight separate attacks targeted a US diplomatic and logistics centre at Baghdad International Airport, according to Iraqi security officials.
The strikes, carried out using rockets and drones, continued until dawn, with some rockets landing near the base.
Sources vary slightly on the number of strikes, with one official reporting six attacks, and police confirmed that a rocket launcher was discovered in a nearby Baghdad district.
Authorities are investigating the incidents.
At least six people have been killed after a helicopter crashed in Qatar’s territorial waters, authorities said. The aircraft went down during a routine mission after suffering a technical malfunction, according to the defence ministry.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate one person still missing, the interior ministry confirmed. Further details have not yet been released.
Australia’s fuel supply remains strong despite disruptions from the Iran conflict, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said.
The nation holds around 38 days of petrol and 30 days of diesel and jet fuel, with two domestic refineries operating at full capacity.
Bowen stressed there are no immediate plans to ration fuel, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Australians not to panic-buy.
A national fuel supply task force, led by former Australian Energy Regulator chief Anthea Harris, has been set up to manage shortages and strengthen the supply chain.
One person has died after a fire broke out in two vehicles near Israel’s northern Galilee, the Israeli emergency service reported on Sunday.
The incident follows projectile strikes from Lebanon toward a community along the northern border, according to the Israeli military.
Damage and injuries were reported, though details on casualties remain limited.
The Israeli military has confirmed a projectile was launched from Lebanon toward a community along Israel’s northern border. Authorities reported damage to property and wounded civilians or personnel, though casualty details have not yet been fully released.
The military said the launch was immediately identified, and emergency response teams were deployed to the affected area. Residents in northern Israel were reportedly put on alert as the situation unfolded.
Iran has said it is ready to work with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.
Ali Mousavi, Iran’s representative to the UN maritime agency, said the Strait of Hormuz remained open to shipping, but excluded vessels linked to “Iran’s enemies”. He added that passage could be coordinated with Tehran on security and safety arrangements.
“Diplomacy remains Iran’s priority,” Mousavi said, adding that a complete cessation of aggression and the building of mutual trust were essential.
He also blamed Israeli and U.S. attacks for tensions in the strait.
Japan may consider deploying military minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz if a ceasefire is reached in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said.
Speaking on Fuji TV, Motegi emphasised that the scenario is hypothetical, adding that Japan currently has no plans to escort stranded vessels.
He highlighted the importance of ensuring safe passage for all shipping through the strategic waterway, which carries around a fifth of the world’s oil.
"If there were to be a complete ceasefire, hypothetically speaking, then things like minesweeping could come up," Motegi said during a Fuji TV programme.
"This is purely hypothetical, but if a ceasefire were established and naval mines were creating an obstacle, then I think that would be something to consider."
The Saudi Defence Ministry has reported that three missiles were launched toward Riyadh. One missile was successfully intercepted, while the other two fell in uninhabited areas, causing no reported casualties.
Authorities said they were monitoring the situation.
Qatar’s Defence Ministry has reported that a helicopter crashed in regional waters early on Sunday following a technical malfunction during routine duty.
Search operations are under way for crew and passengers. No further details have been released.
An unknown projectile struck a vessel 15 nautical miles north of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported early on Sunday.
All crew members were reported safe. The incident comes amid heightened maritime tensions in the Gulf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is determined to continue striking “our enemies” on all fronts, amid ongoing regional tensions.
Speaking on Saturday, Netanyahu emphasised the country’s commitment to national security and military operations, signalling that Israel will maintain its offensive posture in response to perceived threats.
Saudi Arabia has declared Iran’s military attache and four embassy staff persona non grata, ordering them to leave within 24 hours, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
Riyadh cited continued Iranian attacks on its territory as the reason, warning that further aggression could have "significant consequences".
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was aware of reports that a projectile struck Dimona in southern Israel on Saturday.
The agency said there were no indications of damage to the Negev nuclear research centre, and no abnormal radiation levels had been reported.
Donald Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, warning that the U.S. will strike Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
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Qatar has confirmed that seven people, including four of its military personnel and three Turkish nationals, were killed on Sunday (22 March) when a helicopter crashed in the country’s territorial waters.
Georgia bid farewell to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on Sunday (22 March). He was considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the country’s modern history.
Palestinians have reported a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers on homes, vehicles, and residents across the West Bank, amid growing international criticism.
Belgium has marked the 10th-anniversary of the 2016 Brussels terror attacks, remembering the victims of the country’s deadliest peacetime attack and reflecting on changes to national security.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, as Iran and Israel traded attacks on Saturday (21 March) and Iranian media said the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz had been attacked.
Slovenia heads to the polls on Sunday (22 March) in a closely contested race between incumbent Prime Minister Robert Golob and right-wing former Prime Minister Janez Janša.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that American forces could target Iranian power plants if the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and Iran, in return, warned that any attack on its energy infrastructure would trigger strikes on regional facilities.
Italy is voting on 22 and 23 March in a judicial reform referendum that could reshape the justice system and test Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s political strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
Iceland could reopen talks on joining the European Union after a 13-year pause, as shifting security concerns and renewed economic debate bring EU membership back to the centre of national politics.
Georgia bid farewell to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II on Sunday (22 March). He was considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the country’s modern history.
Palestinians have reported a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers on homes, vehicles, and residents across the West Bank, amid growing international criticism.
Iran has launched long-range and intermediate-range ballistic missiles towards the joint U.S.-UK military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, in what Israeli officials said was a major escalation in the war.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. was considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, as Iran and Israel traded attacks on Saturday (21 March) and Iranian media said the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz had been attacked.
The U.S. President’s Board of Peace has presented Hamas with a written proposal on disarmament, two sources said, a step the group has so far refused as Washington presses ahead with its plan for Gaza’s future.
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