Top Stories: March 18, 2026

Major developments are unfolding in Operation Epic Fury as the conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran continues to escalate across the region.

Israeli officials say an overnight strike inside Iran killed Esmail Khatib, the country’s intelligence minister and one of the highest-ranking officials targeted since the conflict intensified. Iranian leaders are warning of retaliation as missile and drone attacks continue.

At the same time, U.S. forces under Donald Trump launched new strikes on Iranian missile infrastructure near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, using heavy bunker-buster bombs in an effort to reduce threats to global shipping routes.

The operation is also exposing divisions among Western allies. Several NATO governments say they were not consulted ahead of the strikes, while European officials are now considering taking the crisis to the United Nations instead of coordinating through NATO.

In Washington, the White House has canceled a planned trip by President Trump to meet with Xi Jinping in China, citing rising tensions linked to the conflict.

Meanwhile, fighting is intensifying along Israel’s northern border, with Israeli forces targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon as cross-border attacks continue.