March 22, 2026

• Iran’s threat: Iran’s military declared it is ready to close the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely if US President Donald Trump carries out a threat to bomb its power plants. Separately, an Iranian source told CNN that Tehran is moving forward with monetizing control of the critical waterway.

• Strikes on Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned Tehran after a missile attack on the southern Israeli city of Arad, which injured at least 84 people.

• Death toll climbs: The number of people reported killed in Iran and Lebanon since the start of the conflict is now into the thousands. Anti-war protests haven take place in several cities around the world this weekend.

 

Iran has escalated tensions by threatening to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz if President Trump follows through on bombing its power plants, while reportedly seeking to monetize control of the waterway. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned Iran following a missile attack on Arad that wounded at least 84 people, as the death toll in Iran and Lebanon rises into the thousands amid global anti-war protests. Meanwhile, GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed concern over a potential U.S. troop deployment to Iran, pushing for Congress to demand greater transparency from the administration and consider authorizing war powers through a formal vote, signaling a shift toward increased congressional oversight of escalating conflict.

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