Day 23 of Iran war: Widespread explosions across Iran as tension rises over Strait of Hormuz

2026-03-22 - 22:01

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and the Iranian regime has entered its 23rd day on March 22, 2026, marked by a significant escalation in rhetoric and widespread military strikes. US President Donald Trump has now issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the Iranian regime has threatened to target regional infrastructure and completely close the vital waterway. Meanwhile, heavy explosions were reported overnight across multiple Iranian cities, and Gulf states have reportedly issued “final warnings” to Tehran as they continue to intercept hundreds of regime-launched missiles and drones. Roundup of today’s key events US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Iranian regime to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that US forces will “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if they fail to comply. The regime’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters threatened to completely close the Strait of Hormuz and target US and Israeli energy, IT, and desalination infrastructure in the region if Iranian power plants are hit. Widespread explosions were reported overnight in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Karaj, Shiraz, and Ahvaz, resulting in at least five reported deaths in the northern cities of Ramsar and Kiashahr. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states intercepted multiple ballistic missiles and drones launched by the Iranian regime. Turkey’s foreign minister stated that Gulf countries have issued “final warnings” to Tehran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the destruction of the Iranian regime’s Kuh-E Barjamali Ballistic Missile Assembly Facility. A US diplomatic and logistics center at Baghdad’s International Airport was targeted by eight rocket and drone attacks overnight. Trump issues 48-hour ultimatum and the regime’s response Tensions over the Strait of Hormuz have reached a boiling point. On Saturday, US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum, giving the Iranian regime until the evening of March 23 to reopen the strategically vital waterway, which supplies roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil. In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned, “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump also criticized NATO allies for not assisting with the reopening of the strait, though a growing coalition of over 20 countries has signed a joint statement expressing readiness to ensure safe passage. pic.twitter.com/dZvs35j6nW — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 21, 2026 In rapid response to the ultimatum, the Iranian regime’s armed forces resumed threats against regional infrastructure. A spokesperson for the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters warned that if Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure are attacked, all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and Israel in the region will be targeted. The IRGC also threatened to completely close the Strait of Hormuz and not reopen it until destroyed Iranian power plants are rebuilt. Furthermore, the regime’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, stated in an interview that expecting “restraint” from a country under attack is meaningless. Widespread explosions reported across Iranian cities Overnight Saturday and early Sunday morning, intense explosions were reported across multiple provinces in Iran. Heavy strikes targeted the north, east, and west of Tehran, particularly around the Piroozi area, with further blasts heard in neighboring Karaj, Pardis, Damavand, Rey, Varamin, and Hashtgerd. Reports indicate widespread impacts in the southern and central provinces. In Khuzestan, bombs reportedly struck empty lands in Ahvaz, while a building was damaged in Andimeshk. Explosions were also reported in Khorramshahr, Shiraz, and Chabahar. In Kerman province, local officials stated a non-residential area in Rafsanjan was hit, with nearby fires reported. In Yazd, officials confirmed two military sites outside the city were targeted. The strikes have resulted in casualties in northern Iran; reports indicate three people were killed in a strike in Ramsar, and two others died following an attack in the Kiashahr region of Gilan province. Verification of these events remains highly difficult due to the regime’s widespread internet blackout, which has severely disrupted the free flow of information. US military officials have maintained that their strikes are focused on specific military targets. Regional escalation as Gulf states intercept missiles and issue warnings The Iranian regime has continued its daily barrage of missile and drone attacks against neighboring Gulf states. Early Sunday, Saudi Arabia intercepted one of three ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh, with the other two falling in uninhabited areas. Eleven drones targeting the Eastern Province were also destroyed. Since the conflict began on February 28, Saudi Arabia has faced nearly 600 drone strikes, 45 ballistic missiles, and seven cruise missiles. Consequently, Riyadh has ordered several Iranian military officials and embassy staff to leave the Kingdom within 24 hours. Interceptions of Iranian projectiles were also reported by the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Following a regional meeting in Riyadh, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Gulf countries have delivered “final warnings” to Tehran, indicating they may take reciprocal actions if the regime continues targeting civilian and economic infrastructure. While Gulf states expect the conflict to last another two to three weeks, they reiterated that they will not allow their airspace or bases to be used directly against Iran. Amid the regional chaos, the regime’s state television was forced to retract a fabricated news report claiming the Islamic Republic had warned residents to evacuate Doha, Qatar. Meanwhile, Qatar suffered its first reported casualties related to the broader war environment when a military helicopter crashed during a routine mission on Sunday morning, killing six people, including three Turkish citizens, and leaving one missing. US base in Baghdad attacked and CENTCOM updates Pro-Iran proxy groups have maintained their assaults on US interests in the region. An Iraqi security official confirmed that eight separate rocket and drone attacks targeted a US diplomatic and logistics center at Baghdad’s International Airport overnight into Sunday morning. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of regime-backed militias, claimed responsibility for 21 drone and rocket attacks over the past 24 hours against “the bases of the occupier.” The Iranian regime built close, short, and medium-range ballistic missiles at the Kuh-E Barjamali Ballistic Missile Assembly Facility. The first photo shows what the location looked like on March 1, 2026. The photo dated March 7, 2026 is what the buildings look like now. Out of... pic.twitter.com/uS5IKMNbWq — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 22, 2026 In a separate update, US Central Command (CENTCOM) released before-and-after satellite imagery confirming the complete destruction of the Kuh-E Barjamali Ballistic Missile Assembly Facility, where the Iranian regime built close, short, and medium-range ballistic missiles.