Iran and the United States hardened their positions as diplomacy aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the war in West Asia appeared to be faltering on Thursday (March 26, 2026). Tehran moved to formalise its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz while Washington prepared for the arrival of U.S. combat forces in the region that could be used on the ground in the Islamic Republic.
Iran is instituting a “de facto ‘toll booth’ regime,” industry experts say, with some ships paying in Chinese yuan to pass through the strait, where 20% of all traded oil and natural gas is transported in peacetime.
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Meanwhile, the Israeli military on Thursday (March 26, 2026) said air defences responded to missile attacks from Iran that, according to medics, left six people lightly wounded and caused some damage. A spokesperson for Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency medical service said paramedics were providing medical treatment to “six people who were lightly injured by blast effects”, updating an earlier toll of two injured.
Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for MDA told public radio there was damage to several houses in the central city of Kafr Qassem, whose Mayor Haitham Taha said it was caused by cluster munitions.
