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New Front Opens as Houthis Strike Israel
The Iran war escalated sharply on March 28 as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched their first ballistic missile attack on Israel since the conflict began, opening a potential new front in the month-long war . The missile was intercepted by Israeli air defenses with no reported casualties, but Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree vowed the attacks would continue “until the aggression ends” .
The Houthi entry marks a significant expansion of the conflict. During the Gaza war, the group disrupted global shipping by attacking vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and officials now warn the Bab al-Mandab Strait—a critical chokepoint for Suez Canal traffic—could become a new target .
🇺🇸 U.S. Troops Wounded in Saudi Base Attack
In one of the most serious breaches of American defenses since the war began Feb. 28, an Iranian missile and drone strike on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base wounded at least 12 U.S. service members, two of them seriously . The attack also significantly damaged two KC-135 aerial refueling planes .
Overall U.S. casualties now stand at 13 killed and more than 300 wounded, according to the Pentagon . The base, located about 60 miles from Riyadh, is shared by Saudi and American forces .
Marines Deploy as War Widens
The U.S. has dispatched the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit—approximately 2,500 Marines and 2,500 sailors—to the Middle East as part of efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil normally passes . Iran has effectively blockaded the waterway, sending oil prices above $100 per barrel and rattling global markets .
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after meeting with G7 foreign ministers in France, said Friday that the U.S. expects military operations to conclude within weeks and can achieve its objectives “without any ground troops” . However, President Trump has not ruled out their use .
Strikes Intensify Across Iran and Region
Israeli and U.S. strikes continued across Iran, hitting the Iran University of Science and Industry in Tehran and the Bushehr nuclear power plant vicinity—the third such incident in 10 days . Russia called for “unequivocal and firm condemnation” of the Bushehr strikes, warning of nuclear safety risks .
Iranian retaliation expanded across the Gulf: drones struck Kuwait International Airport, damaging its radar; the port of Salalah in Oman was hit, injuring a worker; and the UAE intercepted over 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones in a single day . Falling debris in Abu Dhabi injured five people .
Diplomacy Stalls as Fighting Rages
Despite President Trump’s claims of “very strong talks” with Iran, Tehran has repeatedly denied direct negotiations are underway . Pakistan is set to host foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt on March 30 to discuss de-escalation, while Islamabad continues relaying messages between Washington and Tehran .
The death toll continues mounting: more than 1,490 civilians killed in Iran, over 1,100 in Lebanon, and at least 50 across Gulf states . Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed three journalists Saturday, according to Al Manar TV .
