Netanyahu’s condition sparks speculation: Iran launches intense missile strikes on Israel

2026-03-16 - 07:42

Official denial follows Netanyahu death rumors Social media was flooded with unverified claims suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been killed in Iranian retaliatory strikes. In response, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement refuting the allegations: “These are fake news; the Prime Minister is in good health.” Despite the denial, observers pointed out that Netanyahu was absent from the most recent security briefing, fueling further speculation. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, through the Tasnim News Agency, signaled their continued intent to target Netanyahu if confirmed alive, as part of what they call Operation True Promise-4’s 52nd wave. Regional escalation and missile exchanges The overnight hours saw intensified military activity across the Middle East. Iran launched multiple waves of ballistic missiles toward Israel, with air raid sirens sounding in Tel Aviv, occupied East Jerusalem, and northern Israeli settlements including Haifa and the Golan Heights. Israeli emergency services reported light injuries from shrapnel as people rushed to shelters. The Israeli military confirmed it initiated a broad offensive against Iranian targets, while Iranian state media claimed successful strikes on Israeli military decision-making centers using advanced Siccil missiles. Simultaneously, explosions were heard in Iran’s Isfahan and Hamedan provinces, with at least 15 fatalities reported at a factory targeted in Isfahan. Iran’s Health Ministry updated the toll from US-Israeli strikes, noting 223 women and 202 children among the dead. In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister warned that any attack on its energy facilities would be met with strikes against American corporate assets in the region. Strait of Hormuz and international reactions Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi addressed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, stating it remains open to international transit but is closed to tankers and vessels belonging to nations that attacked Iran or their allies. He also alleged that rockets targeting Kharg Island were launched from UAE territory. The United Arab Emirates reported a drone-induced fire at Dubai International Airport, temporarily suspending flights, while Saudi Arabia’s defense forces intercepted 38 drones over its eastern region overnight. Pope Francis called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, expressing deep concern over Lebanon’s situation and urging dialogue. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes since March 2 have raised the death toll to 850, with over 2,100 wounded. Meanwhile, diplomatic contacts continued as Iran and France’s foreign ministers discussed the ongoing war and regional stability. Here's a minute-by-minute account of what happened in the region... 04:44: The United Arab Emirates announced that all flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended due to a fire caused by a drone. 04:35: Saudi Arabia announced that three more drones launched towards the east of the country were intercepted in the air, bringing the total number of intercepted drones tonight to 38. 03:24: A fire broke out around Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a result of an attack carried out by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). 01:12: The Iranian military warned residents in some areas of Dubai and Doha to evacuate the area in the coming hours due to the US military presence and the possibility of attacks. 22:33: The Israeli army announced that it would open the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, which it had closed citing Iranian retaliation, for limited pedestrian crossings only on Wednesday, March 18. 20:50: Iran announced that the Lincoln ship was heavily damaged and returned. 19:55: A missile attack targeted a Hashd al-Shaabi headquarters near the Bashir district of Kirkuk, Iraq. 19:27: Successive loud explosions were heard in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. 17:01: The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced that the death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2nd has risen by 24 to 850, while the number of injured has reached 2,105. 16.19: Israeli media: Iranian missile damages US consul's residence in Jerusalem 15.50: Iranian and French Foreign Ministers discuss US-Israeli war against Iran and current situation in the region 15.44: Pope calls for ceasefire in the Middle East The Pope said that for two weeks the people of the Middle East have been subjected to the horrific violence of war, saying, “Thousands of innocent people have been killed and many more have been forced to leave their homes. The situation in Lebanon is a cause for great concern. I hope that avenues for dialogue will be opened to support the authorities in the country in implementing lasting solutions to the ongoing serious crisis. This is for the common good of all the people of Lebanon. I call on those responsible for this conflict to cease fire. Let the channels of dialogue be reopened. "Violence can never bring the justice, stability, and peace that people expect," he said. 14:56: Iran: Successful attacks carried out on the regime's military decision-making centers with strategic Siccil missiles 14:25: Sirens sounded in many parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv, following Iran's new missile retaliation. 13:15: The Iranian Ministry of Health reported that 223 women and 202 children have died so far in the US-Israeli attacks. 12:15: The Israeli Ministry of Health reported that 108 people were injured in the attacks carried out by Iran in the last 24 hours. 11:42: Alarm sirens sounded in many cities in Haifa, the northern part of the occupied Golan Heights, and northern Israel due to rockets fired from Iran and Lebanon. 11:39: Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi: If our energy facilities are targeted, we will also target the facilities of American companies in the region. 11:20: Iran's Hamedan and Numerous explosions were heard in the city of Isfahan. 11:15: The Israeli army announced it had launched a large-scale wave of attacks against Iran. 10:30: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said regarding the US attack on Harg Island, "The rockets were fired from the territory of the United Arab Emirates." Minister Araghchi stated that the Strait of Hormuz was open to traffic; it was only closed to the attacking parties and their allies. Araghchi said, "In fact, the Strait of Hormuz is currently open to traffic. The Strait is only closed to tankers and ships belonging to our enemies, that is, the parties attacking us and their allies." 10:00: US President Donald Trump said he did not want to make a deal with Iran to end the attacks because "conditions are not yet good enough." Trump, who left unanswered the question of what the terms of a possible agreement to end the attacks would be, said that Iran's nuclear ambitions... 09:20: Following missile attacks from Iran on Israel, loud explosions were heard in occupied East Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the capital of Israel. First, attack warnings were issued via telephones, then violent explosions occurred in the sky. The Israeli Army Home Front Command announced that the danger had passed minutes later. Israeli emergency services reported that they had received no reports of anyone suffering minor injuries while running to shelters. 07:40: Explosions were reported in Isfahan, Iran, which is under attack by the US and Israel. 07:30: An Iranian news agency reported that at least 15 people were killed in a missile attack targeting a factory in Isfahan. 07:15: Israeli media reported hearing explosions in Tel Aviv following attacks from Iran. The Israeli Army Home Front Command announced that the danger had passed within minutes. Israeli emergency services reported receiving no reports of casualties other than those who sustained minor injuries while running to shelters. 06:18: Tasnim News Agency published a statement from the Revolutionary Guard regarding the 52nd wave of Operation Real Promise-4. The statement said, "We will resolutely continue attacks aimed at pursuing and killing Netanyahu should he be alive." 04:30: The Israeli Prime Minister's Office denied claims circulating on social media that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was killed in an Iranian retaliatory attack. The statement from the Prime Minister's Office said, "These are fake news, the Prime Minister is fine." Meanwhile, images showing Netanyahu absent from the last 'Security Briefing' seemed to strengthen the claims. 04:00: It was reported that shrapnel from a missile attack from Iran fell on Tel Aviv and surrounding cities in Israel, and fires broke out in three areas. 03:30: Saudi Arabia announced that three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were destroyed in the eastern region of the country. A statement from the Ministry of Defense on social media said, "Three UAVs were intercepted and destroyed in the eastern region." 03:00: According to a report in Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the Tel Aviv government informed Washington about a "significant decrease" in its missile stockpiles. The report, citing US sources, stated that an official said this shortage was "an expected situation," adding that the US "has not experienced a similar shortage in its own interceptor systems."