Iran rejects ceasefire as UAE, U.S. Embassy in Iraq come under heavy attack

Mar 17, 2026

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Iran Rejects Ceasefire as UAE, U.S. Embassy in Iraq Come Under Heavy Attack

On day 18 of the Middle East conflict, Iran escalated its response to U.S. and Israeli actions, launching intense strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting American bases, while declaring it will not agree to a ceasefire and demanding compensation from Washington.

Israeli media reported that by early afternoon March 17 (local time), Iran had carried out six waves of ballistic missile attacks on Israeli territory. Most missiles reportedly carried cluster munitions, causing widespread impact. No casualties have been confirmed, but initial reports indicate property damage across central Israel.

Beyond Israel, Iran has intensified attacks on U.S.-linked targets in the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates remains a primary target. The UAE Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 10 ballistic missiles and 45 drones in just half a day on March 17. Since the conflict began on February 28, the UAE has intercepted a total of 314 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,672 UAVs launched from Iran.

iran khong chap nhan ngung ban, uae va Dai su quan my o iraq bi tap kich du doi hinh anh 1

Smoke rises following suspected Iranian missile strikes. (Photo: Reuters)

In Iraq, security officials confirmed that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was hit by a heavy barrage of rockets and drones early the same day. Footage circulating on social media showed a large fire inside the compound as air defense systems engaged incoming threats. No casualties or damage assessments have been officially confirmed, and it remains unclear whether the हमला was carried out directly by Iran or by allied militias.

A senior Iranian official said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has rejected mediation proposals aimed at de-escalation or a ceasefire with the U.S. In his first foreign policy stance since taking power, Khamenei reportedly adopted a hardline position, stating it is “not the right time for peace” until the U.S. and Israel “accept defeat and pay compensation.”

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that overnight airstrikes on Tehran killed Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, along with Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made a similar statement earlier in the day. However, these claims have not been confirmed by Iranian officials or independent sources.

iran khong chap nhan ngung ban, uae va Dai su quan my o iraq bi tap kich du doi hinh anh 2

Rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel amid the broader U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. (Photo: Reuters)

The U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, more than eight months after a previous 12-day conflict in June 2025. Some reports estimate the current campaign has resulted in over 20,000 casualties, including nearly 1,400 deaths, and displaced more than 3 million people.

A new report from the World Food Programme warns that if the conflict continues through June 2026, an additional 45 million people worldwide could face severe hunger.

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"A LITTLE EXCURSION": TRUMP’S SHOCKING WAR CONFESSION... 🤐🌍 Former President Donald Trump faced a series of pointed questions from reporters this week during a visit to an industrial packaging facility in Ohio, where the discussion shifted from economic policy to the escalating U.S. military conflict involving Iran. The appearance was part of a broader tour in which Trump has been defending his administration’s economic record and arguing that inflation and rising living costs will soon stabilize. However, the focus quickly turned to foreign policy after journalists asked about the ongoing military operations connected to Iran. During his remarks, Trump described the recent military campaign in unusual terms, referring to it as “a little excursion” that lasted several weeks. He suggested the limited operation was necessary and said the U.S. economy had weathered the situation better than expected. “We did a little excursion,” Trump told reporters. “A couple weeks, a few weeks of excursion… but it’s doing well. The market is holding up well. I thought we might be hit harder, but we were hit less than expected and we’ll be back on track pretty soon.” Reporters pressed the former president for clarification, pointing out what appeared to be conflicting descriptions. One journalist asked whether the situation should be described as a war or as the “excursion” Trump had referenced in his comments. Trump responded that the situation could be viewed as both, saying the operation was intended to prevent a larger war. “It’s both,” he said. “It’s an excursion that will keep us out of a war. And the war is going to be — for them it’s a war. For us it turned out to be easier than we thought.” The exchange quickly spread across social media, where critics argued that the comments reflected confusion about the scale of the conflict. Supporters, however, said Trump was simply emphasizing that the operation was limited in scope compared with a broader regional war. Meanwhile, economic concerns remain closely tied to the conflict. Energy markets have reacted to the instability in the Middle East, and officials have warned that disruptions to oil shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz could continue affecting global energy prices. As the conflict continues, analysts say the political debate surrounding both the war and the economy is likely to intensify. With rising energy costs and ongoing military tensions shaping headlines, the administration faces growing pressure to clarify its strategy both abroad and at home.