West Asian War Daily Bulletin – March 21, 2026 | Day 22 of Operation Epic Fury

US grants temporary licence for Iran to sell 140 million barrels of crude oil to calm energy markets. Iran launches 70th wave of attacks. Bahrain becomes first Arab country to signal willingness to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Coalition of 22 nations now calling for the strait’s reopening.

March 21, 2026

Iran
West Asia

Authors

Today’s Key Developments

This space provides a daily brief tracking key developments in the West Asian conflict.

India

Foreign Policy & Neighbourhood

  • The UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali assured India that the safety of Indian nationals in the Gulf is the UAE’s “top priority,” calling them family. He also praised India’s decision to co-sponsor a UN resolution condemning Iran’s attacks against Gulf countries.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, appreciating Iran’s continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran. This was their second such conversation since the conflict began on February 28.

Geopolitics

Strait of Hormuz

  • The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced that the threat level across the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman remains “critical,” with 21 attacks reported on commercial vessels and offshore infrastructure since March 1.
  • Bahrain became the first country in the Arab world to signal willingness to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE and Australia issued a joint statement calling for reopening the strait, bringing the total of participating nations to 22.
  • Iran’s military warned it will deliver “crushing blows” to the port city of Ras al-Khaimah if there is any “further aggression” launched from UAE territory against the disputed Gulf islands of Abu Musa and Greater Tunb.

Global Systems

Energy & Supply Chains

  • The US granted a temporary licence for Iran to sell approximately 140 million barrels of crude oil currently sitting on tankers in an effort to calm energy markets. The waiver is valid until April 19, 2026.
  • Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence reported intercepting and destroying a large barrage of Iranian drones over its eastern region, including at least 47 drones.
  • Iran announced its 70th wave of attacks, launching missiles and drones towards Israel and US bases in the Gulf, in retaliation for the South Pars strike.

Defence & Security

Weapons Systems & Defence Tech

  • Iranian strikes reportedly hit southern Israel, with missile fragments falling in East Jerusalem just 350 metres from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
  • Bahrain’s defence forces reported bringing their total interceptions to 143 missiles and 242 drones since the conflict began.
  • Israel’s defence minister said US and Israeli strikes on Iran would “increase significantly” in the coming week, despite Trump’s earlier “winding down” remarks.

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