Day 29 of Iran war: Conflict escalates as US deploys more troops, Houthis enter fray, and Israeli strikes pound Tehran

2026-03-28 - 22:00

Saturday, March 28, 2026, marks exactly one month since the outbreak of the war between Iran’s regime, the United States, and Israel. The conflict, which began on February 28 and saw the death of the regime’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on its first day, has now engulfed the broader Middle East. Following yesterday’s intense Israeli airstrikes on the regime’s key nuclear infrastructure and major steel manufacturing sites, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to strike US- and Israeli-linked industries across neighboring Gulf states. Today, those threats materialized as the Iranian regime targeted industrial facilities in the United Arab Emirates and a major US airbase in Saudi Arabia. In response to the escalating violence, the United States has deployed an additional 3,500 troops to the region, even as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that military operations are ahead of schedule and expected to conclude within weeks. Meanwhile, the conflict widened further as Yemen’s Houthis officially entered the war, launching ballistic missiles at Israel in support of Tehran. Diplomatic efforts are also accelerating, with Pakistan preparing to host top regional diplomats for mediation talks on Sunday. Roundup of today’s key events US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that military operations against the Iranian regime are expected to conclude in a “matter of weeks, not months.” Israel conducted a widespread wave of airstrikes targeting Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, and several other cities, hitting nuclear-related facilities, missile production centers, and air defense systems. Yemen’s Houthis officially entered the conflict, launching ballistic missiles toward Israel in support of the Iranian regime. An Iranian regime missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia wounded 12 US military personnel and damaged several aircraft, including an E-3 Sentry AWACS. The Iranian regime struck a major aluminum production facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, wounding several foreign workers. More than 3,500 US troops, alongside the USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship, arrived in the Middle East. US Central Command reported that over 11,000 targets have been struck since the war began. Pakistan announced it will host the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt for talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict. The UAE has reportedly begun canceling residency visas for many Iranians currently residing outside the country. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed that Iran has been in total “digital darkness” for exactly one month since authorities severed global internet access. Israeli airstrikes pound Tehran and other Iranian cities From Friday night into early Saturday morning, Israeli airstrikes extensively targeted the Iranian capital and several other cities, resulting in multiple explosions. Reports indicate that Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Kashan, Arak, and Hamedan were all hit. In Tehran, blasts were reported near Mehrabad Airport, Pasdaran, and Nobonyad. According to the Israeli military, the strikes targeted facilities associated with the regime’s nuclear program, the Arak heavy water plant, ballistic missile production and storage centers, and air defense systems in Tehran and western Iran. Additionally, a US-Israeli strike on a residential unit in the northwestern city of Zanjan left at least five people dead and seven injured. The Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran was also reportedly struck. In a separate incident, an airstrike hit the Firuzabad cement factory mine in Fars province. Jalil Hassani, the acting deputy for political and security affairs of the Fars governorate, stated that the attack on the active civilian industrial site killed at least two people and wounded two others, while damaging industrial machinery. US deployment expands as timeline for operation takes shape Despite the intensifying conflict, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Washington is “on or ahead of schedule” in its military campaign, anticipating it will conclude in a “matter of weeks, not months.” However, emphasizing the need for multiple contingencies, the US military confirmed the arrival of more than 3,500 troops to the Middle East. The deployment includes the USS Tripoli, carrying roughly 2,500 Marines, F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets, and Ospreys. US Central Command noted that over 11,000 targets have been struck since the commencement of “Operation Epic Fury” on February 28. U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 27. The America-class amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group / 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit composed of about... pic.twitter.com/JFWiPBbkd2 — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 28, 2026 The US President, Donald Trump also made headlines by questioning the commitment of traditional NATO allies, who have largely stayed on the sidelines of the conflict. “Why would we be there for them if they’re not there for us?” Trump stated. Despite the rhetoric, the US has extended a deadline by 10 days for the Iranian regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before facing attacks on its civilian energy grid. The Iranian regime’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, claimed the recent strikes contradict the extended deadline, warning that the regime will exact a “heavy price.” Iranian regime targets US base in Saudi Arabia and UAE industry The Iranian regime continued its retaliatory missile strikes, inflicting damage across the region. A drone and missile attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday wounded 12 US service members, two of them seriously. The attack struck at least one missile on the base and damaged several critical aircraft, including an E-3 Sentry AWACS and aerial refueling planes. This base serves as a central hub for US air operations in the Middle East. Meanwhile, following the IRGC’s threat yesterday to target regional industries, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) reported that its Al Taweelah facility in Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Industrial Zone suffered significant damage from an Iranian regime missile and drone strike. The UAE Ministry of Defense stated that it intercepted projectiles, but falling debris caused fires and wounded several foreign workers. In Israel, a fresh wave of Iranian regime missile strikes late Friday night killed one man in Tel Aviv and wounded several others. Yemen’s Houthis officially enter the conflict Expanding the scope of the war, Yemen’s Houthi group confirmed Saturday that they fired ballistic missiles at Israel. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the operation was conducted in support of the Iranian regime and Lebanon, marking the first time the Tehran-backed militia has intervened since the war began a month ago. Their entry raises concerns over global shipping, as the group previously disrupted maritime trade in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. Diplomatic efforts and regional fallout As the military situation intensifies, Pakistan is stepping up its mediation efforts. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced that Islamabad will host talks starting Sunday with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also spoke with the Iranian regime’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, for over an hour on Saturday to discuss de-escalation. The regional fallout is increasingly impacting civilians. Reports indicate that the UAE has begun canceling the residency visas—including work, family, and even “Golden Visas”—of many Iranians who are currently outside the Emirates, preventing their return. In Iraq, violence continues to spill over. Iraqi security sources reported that airstrikes targeted the headquarters of the Iranian-backed Hashd al-Shaabi (PMF) in Mosul and Kirkuk, killing at least three PMF members and two police officers, and wounding several others. The PMF blamed the US and Israel for the attacks. Exactly one month ago on Saturday morning, 28 February, #Iran was plunged into digital darkness as authorities cut off access to the global internet. After four full weeks, 672 hours, the blackout remains in effect, violating Iranians' right to communicate and stay informed. pic.twitter.com/DwLhElXAp7 — NetBlocks (@netblocks) March 28, 2026 Meanwhile, inside Iran, citizens continue to suffer under a total communication blockade. According to the internet monitoring group NetBlocks, Saturday marked exactly four weeks—672 hours—since the Iranian regime plunged the country into digital darkness by cutting off global internet access, violating the Iranian people’s basic right to communicate.