West Asia War Day 19 LIVE: Iran Hits Tel Aviv with 'Cluster Warheads' to Avenge Larijani Death

March 18, 2026 - West Asia War Day 19 LIVE Updates

The war in the Middle East has entered day 19 and continues to escalate into a multi-front conflict across the region. Iran has confirmed the death of Security Chief Ali Larijani and Basij force commander Gholamreza Soleimani in strikes claimed by Israel on March 17. The country has vowed to avenge the killings of these two key persons with Mojtaba Khamenei rejecting de-escalation offers saying it was not "the right time for peace until the United States and Israel are brought to their knees, accept defeat, and pay compensation". Along with Larijani, his son, Mortaza Larijani, and Alireza Bayat, the deputy for national security, were also killed in the strikes. 

Iran retaliated by hitting Tel Aviv with "cluster warheads" and Israeli medics have confirmed that two people, a man and a woman in their 70s, were killed in Ramat Gan, according to reports. Iran has said these missile strikes were to avenge the assissnations of Larijani and Soleimani. The attack on densely populated Tel Aviv overnight on Tuesday caused widespread damage with Israeli military confirming damage to a train station, buses, buildings and vehicles.

12:00 pm: Multiple powerful blasts were heard across Dubai early Wednesday. The UAE said its air defence systems are responding to a missile threat, as residents in Dubai reported hearing a loud explosion. The Dubai Media Office says air interception operations have successfully dealt with the threat. Authorities said the interceptions were part of ongoing efforts to counter repeated aerial threats.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that strikes near urban areas in Gulf countries were as a result of US forces relocating from military bases to hotels and facilities in cities. Araghchi has also hinted at possible new rules for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while rejecting a ceasefire in favour of a permanent end to the war.

First shipment of medical aid from India was delivered to Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry says it has shot down another drone as it “attempted to approach the Embassies District”.

10:00 am:  The US military says it has struck Iranian missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz with powerful bombs that are capable of penetrating bunkers. In a post on X, the US Central Command said US forces had "successfully employed multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions on hardened Iranian missile sites" along Iran's coastline of the strait.

Oil price continues to surge with brent reportedly traded above $103 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was near $96 per barrel.

A projectile fired by Iran struck a nearby road leading up to the Australian airbase in the UAE causing minor infrastructure damage.

Iran issued a warning over the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf writing on social media that, "The Strait of Hormuz situation won't return to its pre-war status.”

Retaliatory strikes continued across the region with explosions reportedly heard in Qatar’s capital Doha.

An Israeli attack on central Beirut levelled a building early Wednesday morning.

Flights to several Gulf countries, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, were cancelled as the situation in the regions continues to remain volatile.

#MiddleEastWar #IranIsrael #OilPriceSurge #HormuzTension #GlobalCrisis #BreakingNews #Geopolitics #EnergyCrisis #WarUpdate #UAE #Doha #RajasthanNews