Iran US News Highlights (23 March 2026)

Our coverage on Iran-US war for Day 24 has shifted here

Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), issued a warning regarding attacks on civilian infrastructure.

She stated that deliberate attacks on essential services and civilian infrastructure can amount to war crimes.

She added that recent events in the Middle East risk reaching a point of no return, highlighting the urgency of addressing such attacks.

The statement underscores the humanitarian impact and legal implications of targeting civilians and essential services during conflicts.

Israel Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that the ongoing conflict must end with a “fundamental change” in the region.

He suggested that Israel should extend its control into southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, about 30 km (20 miles) north of the current border.

Smotrich said: “The Litani must be our new border with the state of Lebanon.”

A Gulf diplomat said an energy catastrophe may have been averted for now if a planned US attack on Iran’s energy facilities and Iran’s response had occurred, alluding to recent de‑escalation efforts.

The comment suggests concern that strikes on Iran’s power plants or oil infrastructure could have triggered major disruptions to global energy markets and supply.

An Egyptian official told The Associated Press that the US and Iran exchanged messages over the weekend through regional intermediaries including Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan, indicating back‑channel communications aimed at reducing tensions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement released by his office says:: “We continue to strike, both in Iran and in Lebanon. There’s more to come. We will protect our vital interests in any situation.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement released by his office says:

He spoke with Donald Trump on Iran situation

Trump sees a possible deal with Iran amid ongoing conflict

Netanyahu says talks focused on leveraging gains by Israel Defense Forces and US military

Aim is to convert military achievements into diplomatic outcomes

Proposed deal would seek to achieve war objectives while avoiding further escalation

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on the escalating situation in West Asia and its broader global impact.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said the discussion centred on the economic consequences of the conflict, with particular emphasis on energy supplies.

“Had a detailed telecon this evening with US @SecRubio. Our discussions focused on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the international economy. We particularly spoke about energy security concerns. Agreed to remain in touch,” he wrote.

President Donald Trump said on Monday that initial conversations between the United States and Iran had been “very, very good” and indicated that Tehran was interested in reaching a settlement.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said it is closely tracking the situation in West Asia, three weeks into the ongoing conflict. This came hours after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure.

“We are closely following the developments--as we always do. We are keeping a focused watch on all these activities,” Randhir Jaiswal said.

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Iran's parliament speaker rejected claims of talks with the United States.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf took to X and said that, "No negotiations have been held with the US, and fakenews is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped."

His post on Monday came after US President Donald Trump said Iran was keen to make a deal and that US envoys were holding talks with a "respected" Iranian leader.

Loud explosions and air‑raid sirens were reported on Monday in Bahrain, marking the first such incidents in the Gulf since US President Donald Trump announced that talks to end the war with Iran were in progress, according to AFP.

Britain said on Monday that it had summoned the Iranian ambassador to the UK after an Iranian citizen and a British‑Iranian dual national were charged last week on suspicion of aiding Iran’s intelligence service, according to Reuters.

After claiming that a regime change was underway, Donald Trump has also claimed that the US was in talks with a leader from Iran and claimed the Islamic Republic was eager for a deal to end the war.

Trump has also extended the 48-hour deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Just as Donald Trump claimed that a regime change was underway in Iran, Tehran's Parliament speaker has denied that there have been any negotiations with United States, reports AP.

US President Donald Trump said that he and Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, would jointly oversee control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping and global energy route, as per ANI.

A report in the Financial Times said Pakistan is positioning itself as the main mediator trying to help broker an end to the United States’ and Israel’s war against Iran.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he is considering a broader range of measures to support the UK economy amid the Iran crisis as he prepares to chair an emergency meeting on its economic impact, according to Bloomberg.

“We will be looking at a wider set of measures for the economy and specific sectors within the economy,” Starmer told Parliament’s Liaison Committee, adding, ”Then the chancellor will come to Parliament tomorrow to announce the outcome.”

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Monday that it is “highly unlikely” the United States will release more crude from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve to calm energy markets amid the war with Iran, even as costs rise and consumers feel the squeeze. Wright told CNBC that Washington is considering other measures to help lower prices, including boosting refinery efficiency and increasing the availability of diesel fuel.

US President Donald Trump said any possible resolution of the conflict with Tehran would depend on the complete elimination of the nuclear threat.

As per ANI, Emphasising key conditions for a diplomatic breakthrough, Trump told reporters in Florida, “We want to see no nuclear bomb, no nuclear weapon."

A source told Reuters that Israeli officials believe the United States and Iran could hold talks in Islamabad as early as this week.