Iran Launches 60th Wave, Israel Intensifies Strikes on Hezbollah; Trump ‘Shocked’ by NATO, Says U.S. Doesn’t Need Its Support
The conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate with a series of fast-moving developments.
Iran Launches 60th Wave, Israel Steps Up Strikes on Hezbollah
Tensions surged as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced new waves of attacks targeting Israel and U.S.-linked positions across the region.
On the evening of March 18, the IRGC said it had launched the “60th wave” of its “True Promise 4” operation. The combined assault targeted U.S. bases in the region as well as sites inside Israel, according to Al Mayadeen.
Just hours earlier, the IRGC announced its “59th wave,” saying missiles were fired at targets in Tel Aviv and Bet Shemesh, along with U.S. bases in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq.
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said a “hostile aerial object” had fallen near the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran, though no casualties or damage were reported.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had detected a new barrage of ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem and surrounding areas, according to The Times of Israel.
Israeli emergency services reported no casualties from the latest attacks. However, public broadcaster Kan aired footage showing an Iranian missile carrying a cluster warhead detonating over central Israel. Medical teams were dispatched to inspect suspected impact sites.
An Iranian cluster-warhead missile explodes over central Israel on March 17 (Photo: The Times of Israel).
At the same time, Israel said it continued to carry out airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including weapons depots, launch sites, and other infrastructure.
Tel Aviv has vowed to target any individuals it considers a threat, including Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Tensions have also spread across the Gulf. Authorities in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, said explosions heard in some areas were caused by air defense systems intercepting missiles.
The UAE Defense Ministry said it had responded to missile and drone threats from Iran, according to Al Jazeera.
In Bahrain, sirens sounded across multiple locations, with the Interior Ministry urging residents to seek shelter.
An Iraqi armed group, Saraya Awliya al-Dam, claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on U.S. targets over the past 15 days. The group said it carried out 50 rocket and drone strikes on U.S. bases in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region, along with 21 attacks on the Victoria base in Baghdad.
It also claimed 11 missile and drone attacks against U.S. forces in Syria, and 28 drone strikes targeting U.S. interests in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Trump Says NATO Making ‘Mistake’
On March 17, U.S. President Donald Trump said most NATO allies had informed Washington they would not participate in U.S. military operations against Iran, a move he described as a “mistake,” according to Reuters.
U.S. President Donald Trump (Photo: White House).
“I think NATO is making a mistake. Everyone agrees with us, but they don’t want to help. We will remember that, because it’s quite shocking,” Trump said.
When asked whether he would retaliate against NATO allies for refusing to join, Trump said he had not considered that option.
Earlier the same day, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was not surprised, reiterating his long-held view that NATO is a “one-way street.”
He said the U.S. spends hundreds of billions of dollars each year to defend NATO members, but they “do nothing for us, especially when we need them.”
“We no longer need, nor do we want, NATO’s assistance. In fact, we never did. The same goes for Japan, Australia, or South Korea. As President of the United States—the most powerful country in the world—we do not need anyone’s help,” he wrote.
Ukraine Deploys 201 Counter-Drone Experts to Middle East
On March 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had deployed 201 specialists experienced in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones to the Middle East, according to The Kyiv Independent.
“There are currently 201 Ukrainians in the Middle East and the Gulf region, with another 34 ready for deployment. These are military experts who know how to defend against such UAVs,” Zelensky said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Photo: Telegram).
According to him, Ukrainian teams are already operating in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with additional personnel en route to Kuwait.
Zelensky said the deployment was carried out at the request of Kyiv’s partners, including the United States, as part of a broader drone cooperation proposal.
However, on March 13, President Trump appeared to dismiss the need for Ukrainian assistance, saying the U.S. already possesses superior drone technology.
“We don’t need Zelensky’s help. We don’t need Ukraine’s assistance. We understand drones better than anyone. In fact, we have the best drones in the world,” Trump said.
