29 tanks targeted, Iran aligns with Russia, pause claim denied, US warns citizens amid missile threats.
Pezeshkian Thanks Putin, Signals Deepening Iran-Russia Alignment
Masoud Pezeshkian expressed gratitude to Vladimir Putin and the Russian people for their support in the war with the US and Israel, in a message shared in Russian on X.
Pezeshkian said that messages from Putin and Russian support had provided encouragement during the war, while pointing to what he described as growing ties that could shape regional security.
The remarks highlight strengthening political alignment between Tehran and Moscow amid ongoing conflict, as Iran continues to frame the war within a broader regional and geopolitical context.
Сообщения президента Путина и поддержка российского народа вдохновляют нас в этой войне.
Сопротивление и мужество иранского народа обещая новые узы, которые обеспечат безопасность Восточной Азии странами региона. От имени народа Ирана благодарю правительство и народ России.— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 26, 2026
Lebanese Resistance Targets 29 Israeli Tanks in Coordinated Attacks
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon carried out coordinated attacks targeting 29 Israeli Merkava tanks and military vehicles across southern Lebanon using guided missiles and loitering munitions, statements by Hezbollah indicated.
According to the group, multiple strikes were carried out throughout the day across several border towns, including Qantara, Deir Siryan, Taybeh, Dibl, and Naqoura, with confirmed direct hits reported in several cases.
In Qantara alone, Hezbollah fighters targeted a large number of tanks in successive waves from early morning until the afternoon, combining anti-tank guided missiles with drone-based strikes, significantly increasing the scale of operations in the area.
Additional attacks were reported in Deir Siryan and Taybeh, where multiple Merkava tanks were hit, while confrontations were also reported during attempts by Israeli forces to advance on the ground.
UPDATE: Hezbollah Destroys 20 Israeli Tanks in Major Counterattack
Mediators: Iran Did Not Request Pause as US Proposal Remains Unanswered
A report by The Wall Street Journal said that mediators involved in indirect negotiations indicated Iran has not requested a pause in strikes targeting its energy infrastructure, contradicting claims made by US President Donald Trump.
According to the report, Trump had announced a 10-day halt in attacks on Iran’s energy sector, stating that the move came at Tehran’s request and describing ongoing talks as progressing positively.
However, mediators said no such request had been made by Iran, while also indicating that Tehran has yet to submit a final response to the US-proposed 15-point plan aimed at ending the war.
The proposal reportedly includes conditions related to Iran’s nuclear program, missile activities, and regional role in exchange for sanctions relief.
Mediators further indicated that prospects for a ceasefire remain limited, with both sides maintaining positions that the other considers unacceptable.
The End of Negotiation – How the US Became an International Serial Killer
Israel Reports 299 Injuries in 24 Hours, Highest Since Early Days of War
Israel’s Health Ministry said 299 people were admitted to hospitals over the past 24 hours, marking what it described as the highest number of injuries recorded since the first two days of the war, Al Mayadeen and other sources reported.
According to the ministry, a total of 5,772 injuries have been recorded since the start of the war involving Iran and Lebanon.
The figures come amid continued Iranian strikes on occupied Palestinian territories, launched in response to the US-Israeli war that began on February 28, as well as ongoing operations by Hezbollah in Lebanon following renewed Israeli attacks earlier in March.
Wave 82: Iran Targets US Bases as Strikes Hit Israel, Raids Intensify
EU Council Chief Urges De-Escalation, Direct Israel-Lebanon Talks
European Council President Antonio Costa called for de-escalation in the Middle East and urged direct talks between Israel and Lebanon during a call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Though in his statement on X Costa showed support for Israel, he stressed the need to preserve Lebanon’s stability and territorial integrity, while calling on Israel to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
He emphasized that diplomacy remains the only viable path to a sustainable solution, including in relation to tensions with Iran and the nuclear issue.
Costa also raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging immediate improvement, and described developments in the West Bank as “extremely worrying,” calling for an end to settler violence and a halt to settlement expansion.
In my call today with President @Isaac_Herzog of Israel, I expressed the EU’s solidarity with the Israeli people in light of the daily attacks by Iran and Hezbollah. Such attacks must stop immediately.
Amid the ongoing violence in the Middle East, I called for de-escalation and…
— António Costa (@eucopresident) March 26, 2026
US Issues Travel Advisory for Gulf States Amid Missile Threats
The US State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory urging Americans to reconsider travel to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia amid ongoing missile and drone threats linked to regional escalation.
In official notices released through US embassies, authorities advised citizens to consider leaving the region or be prepared to shelter in place, while urging vigilance and adherence to local security guidance.
The State Department noted that commercial flights remain operational across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, although delays and cancellations are possible due to the evolving security situation.
Officials also said that more than 70 evacuation flights have been conducted since the start of the war on February 28, assisting thousands of US citizens in leaving the Middle East.
(PC, Anadolu, Israeli Media, WSJ, Iranian Media, Al Mayadeen, Socail Media)
