By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Beirut, Lebanon – Wednesday, March 18, 2026: An Israeli airstrike targeted Beirut’s Bachoura neighbourhood in central Beirut, killing civilians and damaging property. Residents heard loud explosions after the Israeli military warned them to evacuate a building. The strike is part of a broader wave of Israeli attacks across Lebanon, including southern and eastern regions, aimed at Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Escalation of Israeli Strikes Across Lebanon
The Israeli military intensified its campaign against Hezbollah on Wednesday. Multiple raids hit Beirut, southern Lebanon, and eastern areas. The strikes followed warnings to civilians to evacuate targeted buildings. Analysts say these actions signal a serious escalation in Israel’s efforts against Iranian influence in the region.
Iran’s Response and Retaliatory Attacks
Iran launched missiles at Tel Aviv overnight Tuesday, targeting key military facilities. The missiles carried cluster warheads, killing two civilians in densely populated areas. Iran stated these attacks were in retaliation for the assassination of its security chief, Ali Larijani, in a recent Israeli strike.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed using Khorramshahr 4 and Qadr missiles with multi-warheads. Iran’s state television emphasized that the attacks aimed to demonstrate retaliation against Israeli aggression.
Political Developments in Iran
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, rejected proposals for reducing tensions with the United States. He stated that peace is not possible until the U.S. and Israel “accept defeat and pay compensation.” Officials have not confirmed whether Mojtaba attended the meeting in person or remotely.
In a separate move, Iran executed Kurosh Keyvani for spying for Israel’s Mossad. He had provided sensitive intelligence, including pictures of critical locations, according to Iran’s judiciary media outlet, Mizan.
Nuclear Safety Concerns
A projectile hit near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant on Tuesday, but no damage occurred. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for restraint to prevent nuclear accidents. Israel and the U.S. stated their ongoing strikes aim to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapons program.
Rising Casualties and Regional Impact
The death toll from the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran reached at least 14 in Israel. Targeted assassinations include Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and security chief Ali Larijani. Larijani’s son and deputy Alireza Bayat were also killed. Experts warn the situation could further destabilize the region if escalation continues.
