Day 27 of Iran war: Airstrikes intensify as US warns of consequences and Gulf states condemn regime

2026-03-26 - 21:21

The conflict between the Iranian regime, the United States, and Israel entered its 27th day on March 26, 2026. Following the regime’s rejection of a 15-point US peace plan and its deployment of heavily militarized checkpoints across Iran to suppress potential domestic uprisings the previous day, the war has seen continued military escalation and diplomatic tension. Heavy airstrikes targeted multiple Iranian cities overnight, while the regime launched a new wave of missiles toward Israel and the United Arab Emirates. As the regime continues to block the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran to engage in serious negotiations, amidst reports of further US troop deployments to the region. Meanwhile, Gulf nations condemned the regime’s regional attacks, and G7 foreign ministers gathered in France to navigate the geopolitical and economic fallout of the conflict. Roundup of today’s key events Airstrikes targeted several Iranian cities, including Shiraz, Lamerd, Isfahan, Shahin Shahr, and Bandar Abbas, amidst an ongoing widespread internet blackout. The Iranian regime launched a new wave of missile attacks at central Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Two people were killed and three injured in Abu Dhabi, UAE, by falling debris from an intercepted missile fired by the Iranian regime. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf nations issued a joint statement condemning the Iranian regime’s “criminal” attacks on their infrastructure. US President Donald Trump warned the regime to “get serious” about negotiations, while the US reportedly prepares to deploy thousands of additional troops to the region. G7 foreign ministers convened in France, seeking clarity from the US regarding military operations and diplomatic channels as the regime continues to choke the Strait of Hormuz. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier sharply criticized the war as a “politically disastrous mistake” and a breach of international law. Airstrikes continue across Iranian cities as regime fires missiles at Israel In the early hours of Thursday, March 26, reports indicated continued airstrikes on various cities across Iran, coinciding with the Iranian regime launching missiles at Israel. According to citizen reports, the city of Shiraz and parts of Fars province were targeted. Late on Wednesday, March 25, locations in Lamerd in southern Fars province, including the city’s airport, were also hit. By 3:00 AM local time on Thursday, reports emerged of heavy attacks on parts of Isfahan and Shahin Shahr, while citizens in Bandar Abbas reported explosions around 4:00 AM. Previous reports had also indicated strikes on Tehran, Karaj, Shahriar, and Mashhad. Independent verification of these reports remains difficult due to the regime’s widespread internet blackout. Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced that a new wave of missile attacks was launched by the Iranian regime toward Israel on Thursday morning. Sirens sounded in central Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank as defense systems actively intercepted the projectiles. Israeli officials noted that this attack came roughly 14 hours after the regime’s previous missile barrage, suggesting a decrease in the frequency of the regime’s strikes compared to the early days of the conflict. Two killed in Abu Dhabi as Gulf states condemn the Iranian regime The regional spillover of the Iranian regime’s hostilities resulted in civilian casualties in the United Arab Emirates. UAE officials reported that two people were killed and three others injured in Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning following the interception of a ballistic missile fired by the Iranian regime. Debris from the intercepted missile also damaged several vehicles. The incident occurred shortly after the UAE Ministry of Defense announced its air defense systems were attempting to intercept drones and missiles launched by the regime. Over the past four weeks, Gulf nations have frequently been targeted by the regime’s missile and drone attacks. While the regime initially claimed it was only targeting US military facilities, its attacks have expanded to civilian, commercial, and energy infrastructure. Patience among Iran’s Gulf neighbors is wearing thin. On Thursday morning, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and several other Gulf nations issued a joint statement condemning the Iranian regime’s “criminal” attacks and signaled a readiness to act in “self-defense” against future aggression. Trump warns the Iranian regime as US considers troop deployments US President Donald Trump issued a harsh warning to the Iranian regime early Thursday, demanding they “get serious soon” about a peace deal. Taking to Truth Social, Trump posted: “They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!” Trump dismissed comments by the Iranian regime’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who acknowledged reviewing a US proposal but denied direct negotiations with Washington. Trump said the country had been “militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback,” and categorized the regime’s negotiators as “very different” and “strange,” claiming they were “begging” for a deal. At the same time, the US is reportedly preparing to deploy thousands of additional soldiers to the region for rapid, time-limited military operations. The US might target the Kharg Island oil port or forcibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz if diplomatic efforts fail. The regime is already bracing for impact; its parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claimed intelligence indicates enemies are planning to occupy an Iranian island. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly reiterated that President Trump “always has all military options at his disposal.” G7 allies seek clarity amid global concerns The global repercussions of the conflict took center stage as foreign ministers from the G7 and the European Union met in Vaux-de-Cernay, France. A major focus of the gathering is US foreign policy and the lack of a clear exit strategy in the Middle East. Allies are heavily anticipating a debrief from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seeking clarity on military operations against the Iranian regime and the viability of diplomatic channels. Addressing the regime’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz—which has choked off roughly 20 percent of global oil supplies—is a critical priority for the ministers in attendance, who are also joined by representatives from economic heavyweights like Saudi Arabia, India, and Brazil. The war has also drawn direct criticism from European leaders. On Tuesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered a rare and blunt rebuke of US foreign policy, labeling the war a “politically disastrous mistake” that breaches international law.