According to the Israeli military, thousands of airstrikes have been carried out across western and central Iran, targeting infrastructure and military sites. Meanwhile, Iran has also continued its retaliatory operations across the region, primarily targeting Israeli interests and allied military facilities. Trump Calls on China and NATO AlliesPresident Trump has called on China and NATO allies to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring stability to global shipping routes. “For example, China gets a huge portion of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said. Some Countries Refuse to Join WarDespite Washington’s appeals, several countries including Canada, Australia, Italy, Japan, and Spain have already stated that they do not intend to participate in military operations against Iran.

Source: The Nation March 16, 2026 21:15 UTC