Iran threatens to target tourism sites worldwide and says it's still building missiles nearly 3 weeks into war

PBS NewsHour
by Jon Gambrell, Associated Press
March 20, 2026
2 views
3 min read

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The Bottom Line

Nearly three weeks into war, Iran threatens to target tourism sites globally while claiming continued missile development.

How This Affects You

Americans traveling abroad could face elevated security risks if Iran targets tourism sites as threatened.

AI Summary

Iran has threatened to target tourism sites globally while asserting it continues missile development, nearly three weeks into an escalating conflict with Israel and the United States. The threat comes after U.S.-Israeli strikes have killed senior Iranian military and political leaders and severely damaged Tehran's weapons production and energy infrastructure. Iran's public defiance of its damaged military capabilities signals an attempt to project resolve despite significant losses and may indicate preparations for asymmetric retaliation through proxy networks or direct attacks on civilian targets. The threats underscore the conflict's expansion beyond direct military exchanges toward potential targeting of civilian infrastructure and international assets. Such escalation raises risks for global security and could draw additional nations into the broader confrontation.

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