13 Latest Updates on the US-Israel–Iran War in the Middle East
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — Escalation of the conflict in the Middle East has entered a more chilling phase as cross-border attacks intensify. Open warfare between Iran and the United States (US) and its allies, including Israel, will formally enter a period of one week as of today. The conflict has already claimed lives and disrupted global economies. The following are the latest developments in the Middle East war on Saturday, 7 March 2026:
- The US will ramp up weapon production
Senior US defence contractors have agreed to double the production of advanced weapons, President Donald Trump said on the seventh day of his war against Iran. The United States has struck more than 3,000 targets during the first week of the conflict, according to the military.
- Oil prices surge
Oil prices surged on growing concerns about supply disruptions due to the US-Israel strikes and Tehran’s retaliation across the Gulf region, which has roiled the energy and transport sectors globally. Brent crude rose to $92.69 a barrel, up 8.5% for the day and nearly 30% for the week.
- Rockets target the Baghdad airport complex
Rockets targeted the Baghdad airport complex housing US military bases and diplomatic facilities. A mysterious group calling itself Saraya Awliyaa al-Dam (Guardians of Blood), which says it is part of an Iran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq, claimed responsibility for the attack on the base.
- Trump to attend repatriation ceremony for fallen US soldiers
Trump will attend the ceremony for repatriating six soldiers who were killed in the Iranian attack on Kuwait on Saturday, the White House said, as the United States brings home its first fallen servicemen from the war. The soldiers were killed when a drone attacked the US central command at Port Shuaiba, a facility in southern Kuwait’s industrial area.
- UN peacekeeping troops injured in Lebanon
Several Ghanaian United Nations peacekeepers were injured when their base was attacked in southern Lebanon, according to state media, without specifying the source of the attack. Israel has been striking southern Lebanon in its campaign against Iran-backed Hizbullah.
- Trump demands ‘unconditional surrender’
Trump is demanding ‘unconditional surrender’ from Iran as the only acceptable outcome to end the war in the Middle East, and has pledged to help rebuild the country’s economy if Tehran complies with those demands. This stance appears to be a major expansion of US objectives in the war, which Washington had previously said were focused on Iran’s missile and naval programmes.
- UN Secretary-General condemns ‘illegal attack’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned ‘illegal attacks’ across the Middle East and warned that the war could spiral out of control. Guterres said the crisis is causing ‘extraordinary suffering and losses’ and poses a ‘massive risk’ to the global economy.
- Only nine commercial ships sail through the Strait of Hormuz
Only nine tanker, cargo, and container ships have been recorded passing through the Strait of Hormuz since Monday, according to MarineTraffic data analysed by AFP. Roughly 20% of global crude oil and around 20% of LNG ordinarily transit this waterway, but the conflict has effectively shut it down.
- France deploys helicopter carrier
France has dispatched a helicopter carrier to the Mediterranean in response to the war, the French defence ministry told AFP. Paris decided to deploy its flagship carrier and a frigate earlier this week.
- Lebanon records 217 dead, 300,000 refugees
Lebanon’s death toll rose to 217, as Israeli air strikes hit the outskirts of Beirut, where Hizbullah, the Iran-backed militia, holds sway. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) says 300,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced and questions the legality of Israel’s orders.
- Explosion in Iraqi Kurdistan
An explosion was heard near Erbil international airport in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, and an attack forced the US-led coalition’s oil field to halt production. AFP reporters described the explosion and grey smoke rising from near the airport area, home to coalition forces. Iraqi Kurdish authorities earlier said production at the oil field operated by US company HKN Energy had been halted following the attack.
- Iran targets Kuwait
Iranian military said it had attacked US bases in Kuwait and vowed to strike further. Explosions were heard in Kuwait City, AFP witnesses said, as authorities said they faced missile and drone attacks. Earlier, Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said 67 Kuwaiti soldiers were wounded in the conflict—the highest number so far among Gulf militaries.
- The UN says the US must investigate the school attack
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the US should investigate the attack on the school.