Israel Launches New Strikes on Iran Amid Diplomatic Impasse

Attacks target Iranian missile and weapons sites as U.S. pushes ceasefire proposal

Mar. 27, 2026 at 7:51am

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Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes on Iran early Friday, hitting sites used for missile and weapons production, as the U.S. and Iran remain at an diplomatic impasse over a proposed ceasefire. The attacks came ahead of a planned U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss the conflict, which has already claimed over 1,900 lives in Iran and 18 in Israel since the war began last month.

Why it matters

The escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran, with the U.S. caught in the middle, threatens to further destabilize the Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies as Iran continues to restrict shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire have so far failed, raising the risk of the conflict widening.

The details

Israel's latest strikes targeted sites 'in the heart of Tehran' that were used for ballistic missile and weapons production, according to the Israeli military. The attacks also hit missile launchers and storage facilities in western Iran. Meanwhile, Iran continued firing missiles and drones at Gulf Arab neighbors like Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, with one strike causing 'material damage' at Kuwait's Shuwaikh Port.

  • The attacks occurred early Friday morning, ahead of a planned U.N. Security Council meeting on the conflict.
  • U.S. President Donald Trump had set an April 6 deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to destroy Iran's energy plants if they did not comply.

The players

Israel

A key U.S. ally in the Middle East that has launched a series of strikes on Iranian targets since the conflict began.

Iran

The target of the Israeli attacks, Iran has retaliated by firing missiles and drones at neighboring Gulf states in an effort to disrupt global energy supplies.

United States

The U.S. has pushed for a diplomatic solution, delivering a 15-point ceasefire proposal to Iran, while also sending thousands of additional troops to the region, potentially in preparation for military action.

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What they’re saying

“Civilians are paying the highest price for this war — it must end”

— Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council

“If this war continues, we risk a far wider humanitarian disaster. Millions could be forced to flee across borders, placing immense pressure on an already overstretched region.”

— Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council

What’s next

The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to hold a closed-door meeting on Friday to discuss the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure. Russia had requested the meeting, which will be presided over by the U.S. as the current Security Council president.

The takeaway

The escalating military conflict between Israel and Iran, with the U.S. caught in the middle, threatens to further destabilize the Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies. Diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire have so far failed, raising the risk of the conflict widening and causing a major humanitarian crisis if it continues.