Reports of a ballistic missile impact in Tel Aviv, following the launch of several missiles by Iran at Central Israel.

Sky above Tel Aviv moments ago

Speaking about Iran’s newly selected Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, President Trump questioned whether he was still alive, telling NBC News, “I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him,” adding that, “I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender,” though calling the news of his death “a rumor.”

During his interview Saturday with NBC News about the Iran War, President Trump suddenly attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has sent counter drone systems and experts to the Middle East to assist combating the threat of Iranian one-way attack drones, saying “I’m surprised that Zelensky doesn’t want to make a deal. Tell Zelensky to make a deal because Putin’s willing to make a deal.” Trump added that Zelensky was “far more difficult to make a deal with” than Russian President Vladimir Putin over efforts to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Trump on Iran: "We’ve knocked out most of their missiles. We’ve knocked out most of their drones. We knocked out their manufacturing of missiles and drones, largely. Within two days, it’ll be totally decimated."

Trump says it’s unclear if Iran has mined the Strait of Hormuz. “We’re going to be sweeping the strait very strongly, and we believe other countries will join us, some of whom are impeded from getting oil,” he told NBC News. Asked if the U.S. Navy would escort ships, Trump declined to confirm but added, “It’s possible.”

For the first time, an Iranian-backed militia has carried out an FPV drone attack in Iraq, marking a dangerous new escalation. Footage shows the FPV munition flying around Victory Base Complex near Baghdad International Airport before slamming into a building.

Satellite imagery from earlier today, March 14, shows the USS Tripoli (LHA-7), an America-class amphibious assault ship, rapidly heading toward the Middle East after entering the South China Sea. The ship is carrying roughly 2,500 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The deployment follows reports that the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group—which includes USS New Orleans (LPD-18) and USS San Diego (LPD-22)—has been ordered toward the region near Iran. The force also includes about 20 F-35B Lightning II aircraft embarked with the Marine contingent.

Following reports that 2,500-5,000 Marines have been ordered to the Middle East and that the Trump Administration is considering a possible operation to seize Iran’s Kharg Island in the Northern Persian Gulf, chances that U.S. forces enter Iran have skyrocketed on Polymarket, with traders now predicting there is a near 70% chance that American troops will enter Iran by the end of 2026.

Reporter: “What did you advise the president as he considered actions in Iran, and what are you urging him to do now? Do you have concerns about the risk of a prolonged war?” JD Vance: “Imagine the situation—we’re in the Situation Room, and the president and the entire senior team are discussing the options. I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not going to come out here and tell you exactly what I said in that classified room. Partly because I don’t want to go to prison, and partly because the President of the United States needs to be able to speak with his advisors without those advisors running to the media.”

Ukrainian Armed Forces reportedly struck a Russia missile storage site in Luhansk tonight, triggering a series of large secondary explosions. The strike highlights the growing impact of Ukrainian mid-range strike drones, which have increasingly targeted and disrupted Russian logistics and weapons depots deep in rear areas.

Additional footage of strikes against Iran have been published by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), with some of the targets including radar sites, air defenses, as well as ballistic missile and drone launch sites operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

"The Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed social media claims on Saturday that suggested he has been assassinated in an Iranian response to US and Israeli strikes. An Anadolu correspondent asked the office if they had a statement on increasing claims on social media that “Netanyahu has been assassinated. “These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine,” the office replied."

GM 🫡

Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran: “Russia and China are our strategic partners. We have had close cooperation with them in the past, and that cooperation continues today. This includes military cooperation as well, though I will not go into details. Our relations with both countries are strong politically, economically, and militarily.”

Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran, on the Strait of Hormuz: “The Strait of Hormuz is open. It is only closed to the ships and tankers belonging to our enemies—those attacking us and their allies. Others are free to pass. Many choose not to because of security concerns, but that has nothing to do with us. I can say clearly that the strait is not closed—it is only closed to United States and Israel vessels, not to others.”

Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran: “Last night, Israel attacked Kharg Island and Abu Musa Island using the M142 HIMARS artillery rocket system, launched from the territory of our neighbors. This makes it crystal clear—they are using neighboring territory to strike us, and that is absolutely unacceptable. Our forces tracked the launches, which came from the United Arab Emirates, specifically Ras Al Khaimah and areas near Dubai. It is extremely dangerous to use densely populated areas to launch rockets against us.”

Volodymyr Zelenskyy joked about his relationship with Donald Trump: Reporter: “Trump said your relationship is a bit like a father and son. Do you think he sees you as his son?” Zelenskyy: “I don’t know… maybe not his favorite son. But why not?”

The French government has drafted a proposal to end the war in Lebanon that would require the Lebanese government to take the unprecedented step of recognizing Israel, three sources familiar with the details told Axios.

Israel Katz, Israel’s defense minister, said the war with Iran is “escalating” and entering a “decisive phase” that will continue as long as necessary. He added that only the Iranian people can ultimately bring the conflict to an end, saying it would require a determined struggle leading to the fall of what he called the regime. Katz made the remarks during a briefing alongside Eyal Zamir, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, and other senior military officials.