Day 15 of the war (evening): Iran declares US bases in the UAE as targets, Fujairah in flames, 12 medics killed in Lebanon

The fifteenth day of the war brought a new wave of escalation on Friday evening. Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) officially declared US military bases and ports in the United Arab Emirates to be legitimate targets. Fire engulfed the key Fujairah oil terminal, and Israeli airstrikes killed 12 medics in southern Lebanon. In the Strait of Hormuz, however, a diplomatic breakthrough emerged — two Indian tankers passed through the strait with Tehran's permission.

IRGC DECLARES AMERICAN TARGETS IN THE UAE LEGITIMATE Al Jazeera ↗

Following the American bombing of Kharg, the Revolutionary Guards informed the government of the United Arab Emirates that American shelters — ports, docks, and military facilities — are becoming legitimate targets. The IRGC called on UAE residents to move away from ports and American military sites. It also issued a warning: if the US strikes oil infrastructure on Kharg, all oil and gas facilities in the Persian Gulf in which the United States and its allies have interests will be reduced to ashes. Al Jazeera ↗

FUJAIRAH IN FLAMES — ONE MILLION BARRELS A DAY SUSPENDED Bloomberg ↗

A fire broke out at the key Fujairah oil terminal in the United Arab Emirates after debris from shot-down Iranian drones struck loading facilities. Fujairah processes approximately one million barrels of oil per day and is one of the largest oil hubs outside the Strait of Hormuz. Loading operations were suspended. The incident shows that even countries located outside the Hormuz strait itself are not safe from Iranian attacks. CNBC ↗

In Dubai, debris from an intercepted Iranian missile struck the facade of a residential building; no one was injured. Qatar issued evacuation orders following a missile attack — a large explosion was recorded over Doha around 1:30 a.m. Saudi Arabia intercepted six drones and one ballistic missile aimed at the al-Kharj air base. In Kuwait, two drones struck the Ahmed al-Jaber base and injured three soldiers. Al Jazeera ↗

TWO INDIAN TANKERS CROSSED HORMUZ — DIPLOMACY OUTSIDE THE US Bloomberg ↗

Two Indian LPG tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Friday heading toward India — Iran permitted their passage. India has liquefied gas reserves for only ten days, and twenty-two Indian ships remain stranded in the Gulf. India, France, and Italy are bypassing the United States and negotiating directly with Iran on the safe passage of tankers — a diplomatic channel that Washington does not officially support. Al Jazeera ↗

12 MEDICS KILLED IN LEBANON Al Jazeera ↗

An Israeli airstrike hit a medical center in the village of Burj Qalaouiyeh in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon. Twelve medics — doctors, paramedics, and nurses — were killed. In another attack on the village of Suhmor, two medics were killed and five were injured. Since the war began on March 2, a total of 26 medics have been killed in Lebanon. Since the start of the conflict, Israel has carried out approximately 7,600 strikes on Iran and 1,100 on Lebanon. Evacuation orders cover 14 percent of Lebanese territory, and 800,000 people have been displaced. CNN ↗

5,000 MORE MARINES HEADED TO THE MIDDLE EAST NBC News ↗

The Pentagon is sending approximately 5,000 additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East. This includes the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from Okinawa aboard the USS Tripoli and 2,500 members of a rapid reaction force. 10,000 interceptor drones intended for defense against Iranian unmanned systems are also being deployed to the Middle East.

IRAN DESIGNATES UKRAINE A LEGITIMATE TARGET Al Jazeera ↗

Iran declared the entire territory of Ukraine a legitimate target on Friday. Tehran accuses Kyiv of supplying attack drones to Israel and of alleged intelligence cooperation with American forces. The Ukrainian side rejects the accusations.

$10 MILLION FOR KHAMENEI RFERL ↗

The US State Department has posted a reward of ten million dollars for information leading to the location of Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Larijani, and Esmail Khatib. Khamenei has not appeared in public since the start of the war — according to Defense Secretary Hegseth, he is injured and likely disfigured from the attacks on the first day of the war. CNN reported that he suffered a fractured foot, facial abrasions, and a bruise to his left eye. Bloomberg ↗

UPDATED CASUALTY FIGURES (as of the evening of March 14, 2026)

The total number of casualties has exceeded 3,000 over two weeks of conflict. Iran: 1,444 dead, 18,551 injured. Lebanon: 773 dead (including 98 children), 1,933 injured. Gulf countries: 19 killed. US: 13 soldiers. Israel: 14 killed. Brent oil closed at $103.14 per barrel, with a forecast of $150 by the end of March if Hormuz does not reopen. NPR ↗