A New Wave of War in the Middle East: Larijani Killing Claim, Strikes on Gulf Bases, and Diplomatic Deadlock
The military conflict in the Middle East appears to be intensifying further in the last 24 hours. (March 18, 2026)
According to the latest reports, Israel has claimed to have killed Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Defense Council, along with a senior commander of the volunteer force “Basij.” Although Iran has not yet officially confirmed this news, if the claim proves true, it will be a precursor to major changes in the region’s political and military situation.
Ali Larijani was an important and influential figure in Iran’s political structure. He had previously served as Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and played a prominent role in national security and foreign policy matters across various periods. If the news of his death is confirmed, it would undoubtedly be a significant political loss for Iran.
However, Iran’s political system is structured in such a way that the absence of any single individual does not paralyze the entire system. Strategic and wartime decisions in Iran are made by the “Supreme National Security Council,” where military and political leadership make decisions collectively.
If Larijani has indeed been killed, his position will be taken over by Saeed Jalili in accordance with pre-established procedures — the same person who previously served as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator. He is considered considerably more hardline than Larijani.
Battlefield Developments in the Last 24 Hours
Several notable changes have been observed on the battlefield. Iran is now conducting more focused attacks on American military installations in Gulf countries. In particular, strikes on US bases in the United Arab Emirates have intensified.
The primary reason cited for this shift is the severe damage inflicted on the American military base in Bahrain. Reports indicate that US operational capability there has been severely degraded, following which the US has relocated a large portion of its military activities to the UAE.
Against this backdrop, Al Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi has come under particular targeting. This base is considered a key hub for American aerial surveillance, drone operations, air defense systems, and advanced combat aircraft. Recent satellite imagery has revealed signs of destruction across various sections of the base, including aircraft hangars, command and control centers, and military buildings.
Iranian strikes now appear aimed not only at damaging infrastructure but also at complicating US and allied air operations. For example, fuel supply centers near Dubai have also been targeted, forcing several aircraft to relocate to alternative airports to refuel. From a military strategy standpoint, the objective is to make enemy air missions more complex and costly, requiring greater resources and time for each operation.
Expanding Target Set Inside Israel
On the other side, the scope of Iranian attacks inside Israel also appears to be shifting. Now, not just military installations, but Israeli command and control centers, intelligence networks, and communications systems are being targeted. One apparent aim of these strikes is to support Hezbollah in its ongoing fighting in Lebanon, putting further pressure on the Israeli military’s command systems.
According to some reports, cluster munitions have also been used in attacks on Tel Aviv, affecting large areas.
US-Israeli Strikes on Iranian Civilian Infrastructure
Meanwhile, the United States and Israel are targeting civilian infrastructure inside Iran, something US officials have confirmed in their own statements. Donald Trump himself has spoken of further infrastructure strikes, and American defense circles have issued extremely harsh statements about “teaching Iranian civilians a lesson.” Analysts note that this type of language falls within the category of war crimes.
Attacks on US Positions in Iraq
Multiple drone and missile attacks have been carried out on the US Embassy in Baghdad. Similarly, the American military base in Erbil remains under sustained targeting.
Diplomatic Activity
Despite the military escalation, diplomatic activity continues. Reports indicate that the US has conveyed certain ceasefire proposals to Iran through intermediary countries. However, Iran has neither accepted nor formally rejected these proposals. Meanwhile, some American media outlets claimed that direct contact had been established between US representatives and Iran’s Foreign Minister — a report that Iran has denied.
Intelligence Assessment
According to some US intelligence estimates, despite the ongoing war, Iran’s system of governance may remain intact and could potentially become more consolidated internally. If this assessment proves correct, it would mean that bringing this conflict to any decisive conclusion through military force alone will not be straightforward.
