West Asian War Daily Bulletin – March 18, 2026 | Day 19 of Operation Epic Fury

US and Israeli forces strike Iran’s South Pars gas field; IRGC threatens Gulf refineries. Brent crude surges past $108/barrel. Iran fires ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv. Strait of Hormuz blockade enters Day 19 as major shipping companies suspend transits. India sends medical aid to Tehran; refuses to join US naval coalition.

March 18, 2026

Iran
West Asia

Authors

Today’s Key Developments

India

Foreign Policy & Neighbourhood

  • The Iranian Embassy in India confirmed that the first shipment of medical aid from India arrived in Tehran. The Iranian Red Crescent Society expressed gratitude for the “kind people of India.”
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the second time since the war began. PM Modi condemned recent Iranian drone and missile strikes targeting civilian and energy infrastructure in the Gulf.
  • India reiterated its refusal to join the US-led military coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India is instead pursuing “dialogue and diplomacy” with Tehran to ensure the safe passage of Indian energy tankers.
  • Saudi Arabia called for a meeting of foreign ministers of Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh, per March 18 reports, to discuss ways to find an off-ramp from the conflict.

Geopolitics

Strait of Hormuz

  • Iran has maintained the blockade of the strait since March 2, initially threatening all ships before narrowing the closure to vessels from the US, Israel, and Western allies. Major container shipping companies — including Maersk, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd — have reportedly suspended transits. Iran-backed Houthis have simultaneously resumed Red Sea attacks, compelling most vessels to reroute around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.
  • US President Donald Trump intensified pressure on NATO members and allies — including Japan and South Korea — to join a naval coalition to reopen the strait. European leaders expressed reluctance to enter the conflict. Trump subsequently said the US does not need NATO after being rebuffed by member countries.

Pakistan

  • Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on March 18 expressed Islamabad’s willingness to play a mediation role amid the ongoing West Asian conflict, in a news interview.

China

  • China, the world’s largest crude importer, is reportedly on the verge of tapping its commercial oil reserves amid the strait blockade.

Global Systems

Energy & Supply Chains

  • As of March 18, Brent crude is trading at $108.78/barrel — an increase of $5.80 since March 17, and more than 40% above pre-conflict levels.
  • US and Israeli forces struck Phases 3 through 6 of Iran’s South Pars gas field, the world’s largest natural gas reservoir, on March 18. The governor of Assaluyeh and Bushehr’s deputy security officer both confirmed the attacks.
  • The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned it would strike five refineries across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE “in the coming hours,” declaring these facilities “direct and legitimate targets.” The warning was issued within an hour of the South Pars strike being confirmed.

Defence & Security

Weapons Systems & Defence Tech

  • The US military targeted Iranian missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz with “barrier-busting” munitions — several 5,000-pound (2,200 kg) bombs deployed against fortified missile positions on the Iranian coast, according to CENTCOM.
  • Iran fired multiple waves of ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv on March 17 and through the night into March 18, including Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles, some equipped with cluster or multi-segment warheads, targeting several locations including a train station.

War Tactics & Strategy

  • Israel has intensified its campaign on two fronts simultaneously — escalating air and ground attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, including strikes on densely populated areas of Beirut, while continuing strikes inside Iran targeting senior leadership and critical energy infrastructure.
  • An Iranian projectile landed near a military base in the UAE, confirmed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait also reported multiple drone and missile strikes.
  • Per reports, new attacks were reported on the US Embassy complex in Baghdad.

Table of key Iranian and allied leaders killed since the start of Operation Epic Fury, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior military and security figures.

Key Leaders Killed in the West Asian War

Key leaders killed since the outbreak of the West Asian War. Five senior Iranian commanders — including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohammad Pakpour, and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh — were eliminated on February 28 in a single wave of coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. Ali Larijani (National Security Council) and Gholamreza Soleimani (Basij) were killed on March 17; Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib became the latest senior figure to be eliminated, on March 18.

This bulletin is prepared by the Takshashila West Asia Desk. For queries, contact research@takshashila.org.in.