Live updates: Trump says 'very good' Iran talks, hints at 'total resolution'

Israel announced strikes on government infrastructure in Tehran on Monday.

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Last updated: Monday, March 23, 2026 6:16PM GMT
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President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israel strikes targeting military and government sites, officials said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed in Tehran on the first day of strikes, and his son Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen to succeed him. Iran is responding with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations. Iran is also attempting to block some shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel is also intensifying its long-running strike campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

ByJoe Simonetti ABCNews logo
Mar 23, 2026, 10:58 AM GMT

Iran threatens to lay mines across Persian Gulf if land invasion launched

In a statement issued on Monday and published by the semi-official Fars news agency, Iran's Defense Council threatened to deploy naval mines across the "entire Persian Gulf" in response to any land invasion.

In this image provided by Sepahnews of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Feb. 16, 2026, shows the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's drill in the Persian Gulf.
In this image provided by Sepahnews of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on Feb. 16, 2026, shows the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's drill in the Persian Gulf.

The council issued the statement ahead of the potential arrival of a force of U.S. Marines in the region.

"Any attempt by the enemy to target Iran's coasts or islands will, naturally and in accordance with established military practice, lead to the mining of all access routes" in the "Persian Gulf and along the coasts," the council said.

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Mar 23, 2026, 7:26 AM GMT

State Department tells Americans worldwide to 'exercise increased caution'

In a notice on the U.S. State Department official website, the agency is advising Americans worldwide, "and especially in the Middle East," to "exercise increased caution."

"Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate," the statement reads.

The State Department is warning that U.S. diplomatic facilities, including those outside of the Middle East, "have been targeted."

The agency warns that groups in support of Iran "may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world."

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Mar 23, 2026, 7:26 AM GMT

1 injured due to missile debris in Abu Dhabi

Officials in Abu Dhabi said in a statement that one person was injured due to falling debris from a missile attack in the Al Shoamkh area.

UAE air defences responded to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, officials said.

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Mar 23, 2026, 7:26 AM GMT

Israeli forces preparing to 'deepen the maneuver' in Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it's planning to "deepen" its military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"We are now preparing to deepen the maneuver and strikes according to an orderly plan. We will not stop until the threat is removed from the borders and long-term security is ensured for the residents of the northern region," the IDF said.

"It is a long battle, and we are prepared for it," the IDF added.

Further details about the operation were not provided.