The US-Israeli war on Iran intensified significantly on Saturday, March 28, 2026, marking a month since its onset, as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels officially entered the conflict by launching missiles and drones at Israel. This escalation coincided with heavy Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and US-Israeli air raids in northern Iraq, further widening a conflict already destabilizing the Middle East and impacting the global economy.
In a dramatic development, Yemen's Houthi rebels initiated their first attacks on Israel since the war began on February 28. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree confirmed that the group fired a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones targeting “sensitive Israeli military sites” in southern Israel. The Israeli military confirmed intercepting at least one missile originating from Yemen, with sirens sounding across Beersheba and surrounding Negev communities. No casualties were reported from the Houthi strike. The Houthis have stated their operations will continue until the "aggression" on all fronts ends, highlighting their alignment with Iran's "axis of resistance." Their entry raises concerns about further disruptions to global trade routes, particularly in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, given their past actions during the Israel-Hamas war.
Simultaneously, Tehran experienced heavy bombardment in the early hours of Saturday, as the Iranian capital came under one of the most intense aerial strikes from the United States and Israel in recent days. Explosions and dense smoke billowed over the skyline across multiple districts, according to a China Media Group reporter on the ground. Israel's military stated it launched strikes on Iranian "regime targets" across Tehran, without elaborating further. Reports from Iranian media and an Israeli military statement indicated targets included nuclear-related facilities, missile production centers, and air defense systems. Other sites hit included a heavy water research reactor facility in Khondab and a yellowcake production plant in Yazd province.
The conflict also spilled over into Iraq, where airstrikes targeting Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) near northern Iraq’s Kirkuk Airport killed three fighters and two Iraqi police officers. Two other PMF fighters and six Iraqi soldiers were wounded in the double-bombing. An Iraqi security source told Al Jazeera about the casualties, while the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) attributed the attack to a "treacherous Zionist-American" operation. These strikes are part of ongoing US-Israeli operations against Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq, which have seen over 80 PMF fighters killed and hundreds wounded since the war began in late February.
In response to perceived US-Israeli strikes on Iranian universities, Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) on Sunday, March 29, threatened to target American and Israeli universities across the Middle East. The IRGC issued an ultimatum, demanding the US government officially condemn the bombing of Iranian universities by 12 noon Tehran time on Monday, March 30, to spare its regional institutions from retaliation. The statement advised employees, professors, and students of American universities in the region, along with residents of surrounding areas, to stay at least a kilometer away from campuses.
Amid these escalations, approximately 3,500 additional U.S. troops, comprising Marines and sailors, have arrived in the Middle East, with further deployments from the 82nd Airborne Division underway, adding to the roughly 50,000 U.S. troops already present in the region. This substantial military buildup suggests a potential shift towards ground operations, though US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated military operations are ahead of schedule and expected to conclude within weeks.
One month into the conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, the war continues to escalate across the Middle East, reshaping the region and destabilizing the global economy through disruptions to supply chains and rising fuel prices. Anti-war protesters have rallied in Tel Aviv, reflecting growing concerns over the widening conflict.
The immediate future portends further uncertainty and potential for heightened conflict. The ultimatum issued by Iran regarding university attacks sets a critical deadline, while continued Houthi involvement and military buildups signal a prolonged and unpredictable trajectory for the region. All parties remain poised for further action, with diplomatic efforts currently failing to halt the escalating violence. Observers will be watching for responses to Iran's ultimatum, further Houthi attacks, and any indications of expanded ground operations by US and Israeli forces. The global economic repercussions are also expected to intensify if the conflict remains unchecked.
ISN MEDIA
