Russian President Offers Condolences After Iran’s Top Security Official Is Assassinated

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. 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. 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.