The military conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its twentieth day on March 19, with hostilities impacting energy facilities in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Iran launched the 63rd wave of its "True Promise-4" operation in retaliation for attacks on its energy infrastructure. Following the death of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Larijani in an attack, the country's new Supreme Leader vowed that the perpetrators "will have to pay the price," while the Iranian military pledged a "decisive and regrettable" retaliation. Concurrently, the Iranian President warned that attacks on energy facilities could lead to "uncontrollable consequences," referencing an assault on a major gas field. The Israeli military stated it would not halt its "series of targeted operations" against Iranian officials and commenced strikes on targets in northern Iran for the first time, hitting five Iranian missile boats in the Caspian Sea. Israel also intensified attacks across Lebanon. Additionally, a U.S. diplomatic facility in Iraq was targeted by "Katyusha" rocket fire. Notably, U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Iran has not rebuilt uranium enrichment capabilities destroyed in previous attacks, contradicting the U.S. justification for war. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed an attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant but reported the reactor remained undamaged.
The following are the latest developments as of 8:00 AM Beijing Time on March 19:
Iran launched the 63rd wave of its "True Promise-4" operation in retaliation for attacks on its energy infrastructure. In the early hours of March 19 local time, Iran initiated the 63rd round of the "True Promise-4" action. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued an emergency statement announcing large-scale missile attacks on U.S.-associated oil and energy facilities in the region, describing it as a direct and proportional response to the previous day's assaults on Iranian energy infrastructure.
The Iranian President warned that attacks on energy facilities could lead to "uncontrollable consequences." According to AFP, the President issued this warning on the social media platform X. Separately, Reuters reported that Iran's vast South Pars gas field was attacked on March 18. Iran subsequently targeted energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Qatar's state-owned energy giant, QatarEnergy, reported that its industrial hub, Ras Laffan Industrial City, was hit by Iranian missiles, sustaining "extensive damage." Saudi Arabia stated it had intercepted a drone attack targeting a gas facility in its Eastern Province.
The Iranian President confirmed the death of the Intelligence Minister. The BBC reported the President's confirmation that Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was killed in an Israeli strike, describing the act as a "cowardly assassination" that has plunged Iran into "profound grief."
Iran's Supreme Leader stated that the perpetrators behind Larijani's killing "will have to pay the price." In a written statement reported by AFP, the new Supreme Leader made this declaration. Larijani, along with the commander of the IRGC's Basij paramilitary force, Soleimani, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on March 17.
The Iranian military vowed to carry out a "decisive and regrettable" retaliation for Larijani's assassination. AFP quoted the Army Chief as issuing this threat.
Iran fired cluster munition missiles toward Tel Aviv, Israel. Reuters, citing Iranian state television, reported the missile attack resulted in two fatalities. Iran stated the action was in retaliation for the assassination of Larijani.
The Israeli military stated it would not stop its "series of targeted operations" against senior Iranian officials. AFP reported the military's confirmation of the ongoing campaign.
The Israeli Defense Minister announced authorization for the military to strike any senior Iranian official without requiring further approval. AFP reported the Minister's statement that he and the Prime Minister had granted this pre-approval.
The Israeli military commenced strikes on targets in northern Iran for the first time. Reuters reported the military's announcement. An Axios journalist posted on X that Israeli strikes had hit Iranian naval missile boats in the Caspian Sea, affecting five vessels.
Israel intensified attacks across various locations in Lebanon. DPA reported increased strikes targeting central Beirut, its southern suburbs, and eastern and southern regions of Lebanon, in retaliation for Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel.
A U.S. diplomatic facility in Iraq was attacked by "Katyusha" rockets. Reuters, citing security sources, reported the attack near Baghdad International Airport, which triggered alarm systems at the facility.
Former U.S. President Trump expressed a desire to avoid further attacks on Iranian energy facilities. Reuters, citing The Wall Street Journal, reported this statement following the Israeli strike on the South Pars gas field.
U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Iran has not rebuilt uranium enrichment capabilities. AFP reported this assessment, which conflicts with the stated U.S. rationale for initiating conflict.
NATO deployed additional "Patriot" missile defense systems in Turkey. AFP reported the Turkish Defense Ministry's announcement of the new deployment at Incirlik Air Base. Since the conflict began, three missiles launched from Iran have entered Turkish airspace, all intercepted by NATO defenses.
Kuwait announced the arrest of ten individuals linked to Hezbollah, foiling a planned "terrorist" operation. AFP reported the Interior Ministry's statement that the group was plotting attacks on critical infrastructure.
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed an attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, but reported the reactor was undamaged. Reuters reported that a building 350 meters from the reactor was hit and destroyed. The IAEA Director General confirmed the reactor's integrity and that no staff were injured. The Bushehr plant, Iran's only nuclear power facility located on the Persian Gulf coast, has long raised concerns among regional states about potential attack or earthquake risks leading to radioactive leakage.