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US-Israel-Iran War Escalates Amid Regional Strikes and Diplomatic Maneuvering

Tehran and Gulf cities were rocked by intense strikes overnight into March 31, 2026, as the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran entered a critical phase.  Explosions were reported across Tehran, including at the University of Science and Technology, while Jerusalem and Tel Aviv faced retaliatory Iranian missile barrages, all reportedly intercepted. The UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia also engaged Iranian drones and missiles, with 12 US troops wounded in an attack on Prince Sultan Airbase. 

A Kuwaiti oil tanker was struck in Dubai waters, igniting a fire and threatening a major environmental disaster, while civilian casualties mounted, including an Indian worker killed in Kuwait and a man in Tel Aviv. Oil prices surged amid fears of prolonged disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed since the war began on February 28.

Rubio: "The Strait of Hormuz Will Be Open One Way or Another"

In a pivotal exclusive interview with Al Jazeera on March 30, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio laid out Washington's war aims and issued stark warnings.  He declared that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen "one way or another" after the conflict, rejecting Iran's claim of sovereignty over the waterway as an "unacceptable" and "illegal" precedent. 

Rubio confirmed that military objectives are being achieved "in weeks, not months", stating that the destruction of Iran's air force and navy is already complete, with missile launchers and production facilities next.  "We are well on our way or ahead of schedule," he said.

Controversial Admission on Israel's Role and Regime Change Hopes

Rubio's comments have drawn intense scrutiny for suggesting that the timing of the US strikes was influenced by Israeli plans.  He stated, "We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action...  and we knew that would precipitate an attack against American forces," implying the US launched preemptively to avoid higher casualties.  This has been interpreted by critics, including Human Rights Watch's Kenneth Roth, as an admission that the US was "entrapped by the Israelis" and drawn into a war that serves Israeli, not American, interests. 

While not an official war aim, Rubio expressed hope for a change in Iran's leadership: "We would not be heartbroken if there was a change in leadership.  If that opportunity presents itself, we’re going to take it." He added, "Do we think the people of Iran deserve better leadership than what they’ve gotten from the clerical regime? One hundred percent."

Diplomacy, Alliances, and a Divided NATO

Despite the military campaign, Rubio confirmed indirect talks with Iran are ongoing through intermediaries, aligning with President Trump's stated preference for a diplomatic solution.  However, he dismissed Iran's conditions for ending the war—sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and financial compensation—as non-starters. 

The conflict has also strained alliances. Rubio criticized NATO members like Spain for denying the US use of airspace and bases, calling the arrangement "not a very good one" and warning that "all of that is going to have to be re-examined" after the war, a sentiment echoed by President Trump.


 

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