Israel, Iran trade attacks as US sends Marines to Middle East - Reuters

Reuters
March 21, 2026
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Israel attacked targets in Tehran and Beirut while the U.S. deployed Marines to the Middle East amid escalating regional tensions.

How This Affects You

Escalating Middle East conflict could increase oil prices, raising gas and heating costs for American households, and may require increased U.S. military spending.

AI Summary

Israel launched attacks against targets in Tehran and Beirut, escalating military operations in the region. The United States is simultaneously deploying Marines to the Middle East, signaling a broader military posture amid heightened tensions. These coordinated developments represent a significant expansion of conflict beyond Israel's borders into Iranian and Lebanese territory, raising the risk of regional conflagration. The U.S. deployment suggests Washington is preparing for potential contingencies or seeking to prevent further escalation. The moves underscore deepening instability across the Middle East as Israeli operations extend beyond Gaza.

What's Being Done

The United States is deploying Marines to the Middle East in response to heightened tensions.

Source Coverage Map

6 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

14% coverage
Did Not Cover (37)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+32 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Middle East crisis live: Trump reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island - The Guardian
National Security

Middle East crisis live: Trump reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island - The Guardian

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0gFBVV95cUxNUG1oWXgwZHM4d0VnZXAtN0JfbWV2dFFIU0FXejVyZjh4QnB3SGdabWtTQTZmTWxIX0Q4NGdIQlNLRHM2QTFYM0dodTBhWmRQSGhfQ3VFQXNEdzFvZnpYMHI5cHZUTEJGSUV5TkNWc1FSTGcxYXhDd0ZydUVrQi1hTDJQYjB3MWpFTWs0c2xhZDVIZXVTTFk0X0lRc3R0cGZGR0RDSDhSVG94Vzktdzg1dWVjanBYclFncWd6YXJBazVMWU5PT3d0Q0N5eGFwZk9YSmc?oc=5" target="_blank">Middle East crisis live: Israel strikes Tehran; Netanyahu suggests need for ‘ground component’ in Iran war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">The Guardian</font><strong><a href="https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoRUtEd2pHdV9qYkVCR2V6bWUwVlpWVC1DZ0FQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en&oc=5" target="_blank">View Full Coverage on Google News</a></strong>

The GuardianMar 20
Trump says Israel attacked Iran gas field without US and Qatari involvement, warns against attacks on Qatar - Reuters
Global

Trump says Israel attacked Iran gas field without US and Qatari involvement, warns against attacks on Qatar - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiywFBVV95cUxOaHlsV2txcHpXRmxvVlRDMkpiYk5ybktCdzlXOEFwdk9BUmtrSE9leUZEV3M4b2VBQl9KZWFhbjU4RXloeWRkR05UR3E3emZZOGpNYTZUck90bzN4c1N2OVk4dWt3MGZMaU9zOXpmNjF3VXZTMWNhSUVFWW5DV2JYM2Q2ajd2aFdHaGpDaE9ReG84dkJxYnNjZHRZODloR3B4aU1mSUtuSE84QTEzU2J0aHJnRlYwUS1DQUlnaFg3Z1RGaFBiWXJGbEhQaw?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump says Israel attacked Iran gas field without US and Qatari involvement, warns against attacks on Qatar</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 19
Middle East war live: Iran drone sparks fires at Kuwait refinery as Israel strikes Tehran on Nowruz
Global

Middle East war live: Iran drone sparks fires at Kuwait refinery as Israel strikes Tehran on Nowruz

srael pounded Tehran with airstrikes Friday as Iranians marked Nowruz, or the Persian New Year, in the midst of a war that has sent shock waves through the global economy and risked drawing Iran’s Arab neighbors directly into the conflict. Follow our live blog for the latest developments.

© Vahid Salemi, APMar 20
Israel launches more strikes on Tehran as Iran continues attacks on Gulf oil facilities
Global

Israel launches more strikes on Tehran as Iran continues attacks on Gulf oil facilities

The latest strikes come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel would "hold off on future attacks" on Iran's energy infrastructure, following Trump's request.

NPRMar 20
State Department cut jobs with deep expertise in Middle East as Iran crisis escalates - AP News
National Security

State Department cut jobs with deep expertise in Middle East as Iran crisis escalates - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxNOWJOTnowdVBTUDNKdGtObWxlTGFFb29HcDlZMHVCbVRaem14dG11WVR4MjU0WlBwTEdHVU5nS294Z2o4WHEzVXJBT09TdEEwX1FpUm5xdng5MTFKU2RjY2xVTTRQTkJBYU9qVl9mUVdIOGNXMDQ0Qm5ZTnNLMk1pZUlPbnZ3RkstSEVZQm5JRWpQcUpVTW1PcmtxVDB5OHpwdTVrUE05RVB6YjVubHo2RA?oc=5" target="_blank">State Department cut jobs with deep expertise in Middle East as Iran crisis escalates</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 19
US Marines deploy to Middle East, Europe under pressure and BTS - Reuters
National Security

US Marines deploy to Middle East, Europe under pressure and BTS - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxQeXV6Sk1tOWlrNXdhOGFQcXhKaFk0MmQ4NEpYNG9wUVgxbVJMVkxSS3BVSDdTUm9GMWotV1MtVlZhM2k5VXEyelB0a3dJUkpFWldyS1V2bXM2cWptWkVMazhYZVd0dFZkWkhvRjVhaEFta1ZZMWZWeXlCWTY1MnhLcEpZajEtZW16bUhjcg?oc=5" target="_blank">US Marines deploy to Middle East, Europe under pressure and BTS</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 20
Read Next
US considers lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil
Global

US considers lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent broached waiving sanctions on oil already at sea, which would be a stunning reversal of longstanding American policy.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources