Top Stories: March 16, 2026

Fighting around the Strait of Hormuz is intensifying as Operation Epic Fury expands, with new U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian coastal missile sites and naval infrastructure linked to Tehran’s control of the strategic shipping corridor.

Officials say the strikes are aimed at weakening the military capabilities of Iran and reopening the vital maritime route, which carries a significant share of the world’s oil supply.

Iran responded with a drone strike near Dubai International Airport in the Dubai, hitting fuel storage facilities and briefly disrupting flights. The attack signals a widening campaign targeting commercial infrastructure across the Gulf region.

Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Israeli forces have expanded ground operations against Hezbollah in the south. Lebanese officials say the escalating fighting has displaced more than 800,000 people.

In Washington, Donald Trump warned that NATO faces a “very bad future” if allies do not help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also said he could delay a planned summit with Xi Jinping if China does not pressure Iran to reduce tensions.

Energy markets reacted quickly to the developments. Global benchmark Brent crude climbed to around $104 a barrel as tanker traffic through the Gulf remains under threat.