War in the Middle East: latest developments

PARIS, March 18: Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:

- Lebanon strikes -

The Israeli army issued an evacuation call for residents of four towns in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, warning of imminent strikes targeting Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Earlier Wednesday, state media reported an Israeli strike in central Beirut, following an evacuation warning.

Lebanon's health ministry said that two Israeli strikes on central Beirut without warning killed at least six people and wounded 24 others.

The Israeli military also said it was striking Hezbollah targets in the area around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre in response to rocket fire towards Israel.

- Iran says war 'will hit all' -

Iran's top diplomat said Wednesday the repercussions of the war in the Middle East would be felt globally.

"Wave of global repercussions has only begun and will hit all -- regardless of wealth, faith, or race," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X, accompanied by a copy of the US National Counterterrorism Center director's resignation letter prompted by the war.

Joseph Kent, who was appointed by Trump, announced his resignation Tuesday. "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran," he said.

- Iran army threatens retaliation -

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami threatened on Wednesday to launch a "decisive and regrettable" retaliation for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a separate statement that it had launched missiles at central Israel "in revenge for the blood of martyr Dr Ali Larijani and his companions".

Hamas offered condolences to Iran, writing on Telegram: "We renew our solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is being subjected to Zionist-American aggression, and affirm that the continuation of this aggression is a crime that targets the entire region and threatens its security and stability."

Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday confirmed the death of its chief Larijani, after Israel said it had killed him in an air strike.

- Gulf nations intercept drone, missile attacks -

An Iranian projectile struck near Australia's military headquarters for the Middle East in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

The Saudi defence ministry said it had intercepted a ballistic missile near Prince Sultan Air Base, which houses US military personnel.

Saudi Arabia also intercepted eight drones while Kuwait's air defences responded to a rocket and drone attack, according to authorities from both countries.

Qatar's defence ministry also said it intercepted a missile attack on Wednesday as blasts were heard in Doha.

- US strikes near Strait of Hormuz -

US Central Command said Tuesday it had hit Iranian missile sites with "multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions," some of the most powerful bombs in the US arsenal, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

- Two killed near Tel Aviv from Iranian missiles -

A barrage of missiles from Iran killed two people near Tel Aviv, Israeli medics said Wednesday, bringing the death toll from missiles fired on the country to 14.

- Ukrainian anti-drone experts -

Over 200 Ukrainian anti-drone military experts were in several Middle East countries to help defend against Iranian-designed drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

- US embassy struck -

The US embassy in Baghdad was the target of a drone and rocket attack, a security official said.

The strike sparked a fire on embassy grounds, the source said, while a witness reported seeing the fire from her balcony.

- Crowds gather in Iran -

Crowds gathered in Iranian cities after authorities called for nationwide rallies to defy enemy "plots", state television said.

The rallies come on a night usually marked by Persian new year (Nowruz) festivities, with the authorities apparently keen to prevent any anti-government dissent at a time when people traditionally take to the streets.

- NATO, Britain 'mistakes' -

US President Donald Trump said that NATO was making a "foolish mistake" on Iran, after the military alliance's members largely rebuffed his calls to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic.

Trump also said he was disappointed with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's response, telling reporters: "He hasn't been supportive, and I think it's a big mistake... I'm disappointed with Keir -- I like him, I think he's a nice man, but I'm disappointed."

- Israel says striking Basij -

Israel's military said it was striking positions of Iran's Basij paramilitary force around Tehran, after announcing it had killed the volunteer militia's top commander.

- US doesn't 'need' help -

Trump said "we no longer need" help reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after his request for allies to quickly send warships was snubbed.

"We have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance -- WE NEVER DID!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!"

- Lebanese troops killed -

Lebanon's military said that three soldiers were killed in Israeli air strikes in the country's south.

Lebanon's health ministry said Israeli attacks have killed 912 people in the country since the latest Israel-Hezbollah conflict erupted on March 2, up from 886 a day earlier.