US-Iran war highlights: Netanyahu vows to ‘continue striking enemies’ after attacks on Israeli towns

An Israeli soldier uses a torch to inspect the damage after Iranian missile barrages struck Dimona.

US-Iran war news highlights: The updates to this live blog have ended. An Iranian missile on Saturday hit the Israeli town of Dimona, home to a nuclear facility, in what the Islamic Republic said was retaliation for strikes on its own nuclear site at Natanz. Dimona hosts a facility just outside the main town widely believed to possess the Middle East's sole nuclear arsenal, although Israel has never admitted to possessing nuclear weapons.

The Israeli army told AFP there had been a "direct missile hit on a building" in Dimona, with first responders saying their teams treated 33 people injured at multiple sites, including a 10-year-old boy in serious condition with shrapnel wounds.

Israel claimed late on Saturday that Iran fired missiles near the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, while Iran said a key airport in Bushehr was hit by US-Israeli strikes. The developments highlight the intensifying conflict and competing narratives from both sides.

The United States said it has struck over 8,000 targets in Iran since the start of the war, adding that it has effectively eliminated Iran’s navy, calling it the largest such military action since World War II.

Earlier, Iran had retaliated by targeting Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, shortly after its Natanz nuclear facility was hit. The back-and-forth strikes underscore a rapidly widening confrontation, with both sides continuing to launch attacks on key infrastructure, raising fears of a broader regional escalation.

PM Modi dials Iran Prez

Amid the ongoing war, PM Narendra Modi dialled Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to wish him on the occasion of Eid and Nowruz. He also expressed hope that the festival will bring stability, peace to the West Asia region. Modi also condemned the attacks on the critical infrastructure in the region while reiterating the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure.

Iran attacks Diego Garcia, says report

Iran reportedly launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at the US-UK military base in Diego Garcia, marking a potential expansion of its strike capabilities beyond the Middle East, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials.

Neither missile hit the base, around 4,000 km from Iran. One missile failed mid-flight, while the other was targeted by an SM-3 interceptor from a US warship, though it remains unclear if the interception was successful.

Donald Trump on future of the US-Iran war

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he does not want a ceasefire in the ongoing war with Iran.

He also said that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping passageway, will ‘open itself’ at a certain point and that it would be “nice” if China got involved in it.

Oil hits highest since 2022

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 1.18% to settle at $108.65 per barrel, marking its highest close during the Iran war and its strongest level since July 2022.

Iran discusses Strait of Hormuz with Japan

Iran has begun discussions with Japan on a possible opening of the Strait of Hormuz and is ready to allow Japanese vessels to pass through, its foreign minister said.

Iran's strike on Gulf energy infrastructure

Iran launched strikes on Israel and energy infrastructure across neighboring Gulf Arab states, asserting it retains the capability to build missiles and warning it could target public spaces such as parks and tourist areas worldwide.

Israel, meanwhile, carried out heavy airstrikes on Tehran as Iranians celebrated Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

Mojtaba Khamenei's resistance message on Eid and Nowruz

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said on Friday that the war with Israel and US “goes far beyond missiles, drones, torpedoes, and battlefield”. In his Eid and Nowruz message, he said, “I express my condolences and sympathy to all the families and survivors of the honorable martyrs.”

He also praises his country's “relentless resistance” to “global arrogance”.

US on war with Iran

The United States is deploying three additional warships and about 2,500 marines to the Middle East, even as the conflict shows no signs of easing after three weeks of joint US and Israeli strikes that have severely weakened Iran’s military leadership.

The Pentagon has also sought an additional $200 billion in funding for the war, pending congressional approval, as US national debt reaches $39 trillion.

Netanyahu on attacks on key Iranian gas field

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would halt attacks on a key Iranian gas field at Trump’s request. Iran, in turn, escalated its strikes on energy infrastructure across the wider Middle East.