US-Israel Strikes on Iran Reach 30th Day as Diplomatic Talks Aim to Reduce Tensions

By Priyanka Shankar

*March 29, 2026*

Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia met in Islamabad on Sunday to discuss ways to de-escalate the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began with US and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026.

The strikes targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, and military leadership—including the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—citing Iran's advancing nuclear program following earlier 2025 strikes on its sites and ongoing threats from Iranian-backed proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks, which Iranian officials describe as retaliation.

The diplomatic meeting occurs amid broader regional escalations, including Houthi missile launches toward Israel on Saturday. Since the strikes began, Iranian sources have reported over 1,443 deaths, primarily civilians according to Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), while US and Israeli officials have denied intentionally targeting civilians and pointed to Iran's use of dual-use sites and human shields. Conversely, Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed 13 US service members and 19 people in Israel, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM) and Israeli military statements.

Related developments:

• Air strikes in Iraq targeted Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) sites, with reports of casualties among fighters and an alleged attempt on the Iraqi Kurdish region president.
• Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's former shah, spoke at the 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, pledging support for regime change.
• Pakistan secured an agreement with Iran allowing 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amid energy disruptions.

As the conflict enters its 30th day, global energy markets face strain, with 20 percent of the world's oil and gas transiting the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has restricted access.

In Iran

US and Israeli aircraft conducted strikes on Sunday morning, causing explosions in Tehran, according to Iran's Mehr and Fars news agencies. Mehr reported two deaths and five injuries in a residential area near Shaft city. Fars detailed hits on Tehran’s Saadat Abad neighborhood (three wounded) and a western residential area (nine wounded).

On Saturday, strikes in Bushehr province killed four family members, per local reports, and damaged a water facility in Khuzestan province. Iran accused the US and Israel of targeting the residence of the Iraqi Kurdish region president, describing it as part of a pattern of assassinations against Iranian officials.

Iranian state broadcaster Press TV stated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used long-range missiles, drones, and other systems on Saturday to strike Israeli and US-affiliated industries in Israel and elsewhere. It claimed the IRGC downed a US MQ-9 drone and damaged an F-16 jet.

The Iranian army reported targeting an Elta-operated electronic warfare and radar center at Haifa’s military aerospace complex and a fuel storage site at Ben Gurion Airport.

Al Jazeera correspondent Mohamed Vall, reporting from Tehran, noted that after one month, Iran has sustained operations despite initial expectations from US and Israeli officials of a swift resolution through bombardment and leadership targeting.

Al Jazeera’s Maziar Motamedi, also in Tehran, reported that Iranian politicians are advocating withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) following strikes on civilian nuclear sites, factories, and universities—actions US and Israeli officials justify as preemptive measures against Iran's nuclear weaponization efforts, which they claim advanced significantly post-2025.

In the Gulf

Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry reported intercepting and destroying 10 drones early Sunday.

The UAE Ministry of Defence stated its air defenses engaged missile and drone threats, with sounds nationwide attributed to interception operations. Emirates Global Aluminium reported significant damage to a site in Abu Dhabi from an Iranian strike on Saturday, injuring six employees.

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) said two employees sustained minor injuries when its facility was hit on Saturday. Iran’s IRIB broadcaster quoted an IRGC statement claiming responsibility, describing the sites as linked to US military and aerospace interests.

Kuwait’s National Guard reported shooting down four drones after air raid sirens sounded for the second time early Sunday.

Qatar and Ukraine signed a defense agreement to share expertise on countering missile and drone threats, amid Iran's strikes on Gulf states.

In Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Gaza

In Lebanon, protests erupted in Beirut following Israeli strikes on Saturday that killed Al Mayadeen journalists Fatima Ftouni and Mohammed Ftouni, as well as Al-Manar’s Ali Shuaib, according to Lebanese media.

Hezbollah stated it fired missiles at Israel’s Ein Shemer airfield and Regavim military camp on Saturday, followed by strikes on Mahava Alon base and drone attacks on Berea base near Safed on Sunday.

In Gaza, health officials reported six Palestinian deaths, including a child, from Israeli air strikes on police checkpoints in southern Khan Younis.

Yemen’s Houthis launched ballistic missiles at Israel on Saturday—their first direct strikes since the US-Israel actions began.

In Iraq, Al Jazeera reporters noted air strikes on PMF sites. An Iraqi police source reported a hit in Mosul’s Rashidiya area, while a PMF media office source confirmed a strike on its headquarters in Tuz Khurmatu, Salah ad-Din province.

In Israel

Protests occurred in Tel Aviv against the ongoing conflict and reports of increased settler violence, with clashes involving police.

The Israeli military announced the death of soldier Moshe Yitzhak HaCohen Katz in southern Lebanon amid Hezbollah attacks.

Israel’s army reported intercepting two Iranian-fired missiles.

Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Amman, noted Israel’s engagements across multiple fronts: direct exchanges with Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Houthis in Yemen.

In the United States

CENTCOM announced the arrival of 3,500 additional US soldiers in the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli.

The Washington Post, citing unnamed US officials, reported Pentagon preparations for limited ground operations in Iran, potentially involving special forces raids and infantry but short of full invasion. Al Jazeera could not independently verify this.

Protests under the "No Kings" banner drew thousands across all 50 US states, opposing President Donald Trump’s policies.

At CPAC, Reza Pahlavi urged Trump against negotiating with Iran’s government and toward regime change.

Diplomacy

Egypt and Turkiye’s foreign ministers joined Pakistan’s in Islamabad, with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister attending, to address the regional situation. US and Israeli officials have pursued separate diplomatic channels, including UN Security Council sessions, while Iran has warned of further Strait of Hormuz restrictions if attacks continue—all parties citing the other’s actions as escalatory.

Fuel and Food Crises

Fuel prices rose globally. China’s Xinhua, citing Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, reported diesel at 7,200 riels ($1.80) per liter (up 1.4 percent) and LPG at 3,400 riels ($0.85) per liter (up 6.2 percent).

Pakistan announced Iran’s approval for 20 of its vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a step to alleviate energy shortages, though Iran maintains controls on the key route.

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