The US-Israeli conflict with Iran hit its fourth week on Sunday, March 22, marked by partial de-escalation signals at the Strait of Hormuz, broader regional strikes, and surging global economic fallout.
Iran's representative to the International Maritime Organization announced the strait remains open to most ships, excluding vessels tied to "enemies"—a clear nod to the US and Israel. This followed US President Donald Trump's ultimatum: fully reopen the waterway within 48 hours or face strikes on Iranian power plants. Iran countered that non-hostile vessels can pass with coordination, though disruptions persist, threatening vital energy routes.
Missile fire spread beyond Israel. Saudi Arabia intercepted three ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh (one downed, two in empty areas) and a drone in its east. Israel faced fresh Iranian launches, triggering sirens and explosions in central and northern regions, with no immediate deaths reported. A Lebanon-fired projectile killed one Israeli in the north, amid cross-border exchanges causing injuries and damage.
Hezbollah in Lebanon claimed 14 strikes on Israeli positions using missiles, drones, and artillery. Iraq's Islamic Resistance reported 21 attacks on US bases, citing troop pullbacks toward Jordan. Israel hit back, seizing weapons and killing Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon while intercepting missiles. In Tehran, Iran downed a US-Israel-linked armed drone amid new Israeli strikes on the capital.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) detected no radiation or damage at Israel's Negev nuclear center near Dimona after a missile incident. Separately, Qatar recovered six bodies from a helicopter crash in its waters, ending the search.
Japan offered minesweeping aid via its Self-Defence Forces post-ceasefire but not during active fighting. Aviation took a hit, with top airlines shedding $53 billion in value as flights halt and jet fuel prices double since late February. India bolstered supplies, docking a Russian crude tanker at Mangaluru after US waiver for rerouted shipments originally bound for China.
Iran vowed retaliation against US and Israeli energy, desalination, and tech sites if attacked. Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged crushing the enemy after inspecting a strike site. Diplomatic notes continued, with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meeting Oman's counterpart. Over 115,000 British expats fled the Gulf for home.
With missile barrages, expanding fronts, and economic shocks, the war risks dragging into a wider inferno.