Israel and Iran hits nuclear sites, Iran hits Israel’s civilian towns

Key widely reported facts from verified sources including Al Jazeera, BBC, The Guardian, Reuters, DW.com, Politico.eu, NBC News, Euronews, Middle East Eye

Timeline

Feb 28: Combined US-Israeli airstrikes hit Iranian military and civilian infrastructure.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels resume attacks on Red Sea shipping.

Mar 2: IRGC officially declares the Strait of Hormuz closed, threatening to “set fire” to any vessel attempting passage.

Mar 3: Global energy markets react as shipping effectively halts; European natural gas prices surge by over 100% after a drone strike on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility.

Mar 5: Maritime insurance providers cancel war risk coverage for the Persian Gulf, making transit economically unviable for most commercial carriers.

Mar 8: Brent crude oil prices surpass $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022 as supply disruptions intensify.

Mar 9: G7 finance ministers meet to discuss releasing strategic reserves; the proposal is initially met with caution by some members.

Mar 10: The IEA calls an extraordinary meeting of its 32 member states to assess the supply crisis.

Mar 11: IEA member countries unanimously vote to release 400M barrels of oil, the largest in history.

Mar 13: US conducts a massive bombing raid on Iran’s primary oil terminal, Kharg Island.

Mar 14: A senior Iranian official tells CNN that Tehran may allow a limited number of tankers to pass the Strait of Hormuz, but only if the oil is traded in Chinese yuan, directly challenging the US dollar’s role in global energy.

Mar 15: President Trump first called for an international naval coalition to guard the Strait.

He also claimed that Iran was “desperate” for a deal and wanted to negotiate a ceasefire. On March 15 and 16, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi refuted these claims.

Israeli PM Netanyahu releases a video from a Jerusalem café to show “proof of life”.

Mar 16: NATO allies and other key international partners officially declined President Trump’s request for warships.

Iran launches a drone and missile swarm at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the UAE.

For the first time in the conflict, Iran fires ballistic missiles at Qatar, targeting areas near U.S. Al-Udeid Air Base.

A drone strike on a fuel depot near Dubai International Airport forces a five-hour suspension of all flights, paralyzing one of the world’s most critical transit hubs.

Mar 17: On the Persian New Year, Netanyahu addresses the Iranian people directly, stating that the “light of freedom” is coming, while simultaneously launching the heaviest bombardment of Tehran’s government district to date.

Israel confirmed the “elimination” of two of the most powerful figures, Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, in the Iranian regime during precise strikes in Tehran.

Mar 18: Israeli airstrikes hit South Pars and the Asaluyeh hub in Iran.

Iran retaliates by firing ballistic missiles and drones at Gulf energy hubs.

Mar 19: President Trump warns Iran he will “massively blow up” the rest of South Pars if they strike Qatar again.

Trump publicly states he told PM Netanyahu to stop hitting Iranian energy sites to prevent further global oil spikes.

Netanyahu confirms Israel acted alone on South Pars but agrees to “hold off” on energy targets per Trump’s request.

Mar 20: Iran reportedly fired two ballistic missiles at the US-UK base in Diego Garcia.

The British government updated its policy to allow the US to use Diego Garcia for “specific and limited defensive operations” to degrade Iranian missile sites.

Qatar expels Iranian military attaches. The UAE suspends operations at the Habshan and Bab fields for safety.

China bans exports of refined petroleum to secure its own domestic supply.

Mar 21: Iran targets the Israeli towns of Arad and Dimona; over 100 civilians are injured and threatens to permanently close the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump gives Iran 48 hours to guarantee the Strait stays open or face the destruction of its national power grid.

Mar 22: The US State Department issues a worldwide “increased caution” alert for citizens.

Reports emerge of Russia providing satellite intelligence to Iran to help bypass regional missile defenses.

Reports confirm fires at Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery and Saudi facilities in Riyadh following missile interceptions.