TEHRAN DAILY - 17 MARCH 2026
Allied Resistance to Hormuz Coalition Intensifies; Larijani Assassination Claims Unconfirmed; Israel Expands Lebanon Ground Operations; Iranian Retaliation Continues
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Israeli Media Report Strike Targeted Iran Security Chief Ali Larijani Fate Unclear
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed Ali Larijani killed in overnight Tehran strike, with four Israeli officials confirming targeting but unclear if killed or injured, Reuters reports no Iranian confirmation.
European NATO Allies Reject Trump Request to Send Warships to Strait of Hormuz
UK, Germany, France, Spain, Japan and Australia declined US request for naval forces to reopen Strait of Hormuz, with Germany stating Iran war has nothing to do with NATO marking diplomatic isolation.
Iran Selectively Allows Turkish Indian Pakistani Ships Through Hormuz Amid Blockade
Bloomberg reports countries including Turkey and India received specific approval from Tehran for vessels to pass through Strait of Hormuz, with Pakistan-bound tanker Karachi among first successful crossings.
Israel Launches Ground Operations in Southern Lebanon Against Hezbollah
Israeli military announced Division 36 and 401 Brigade began expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah strongholds, marking territorial expansion of conflict while European leaders warn against major offensive.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: The United States faced widening allied resistance to President Donald Trump's demand for naval support in the Strait of Hormuz, with Germany, Spain, France, and Britain declining immediate military commitments despite Trump's threat that NATO faces a "very bad future" without compliance. Israel claimed 17 March it targeted Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani in overnight Tehran strikes—four Israeli officials told Reuters Larijani was targeted but his fate remained unclear, while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the strike killed Larijani. Iranian authorities have not confirmed the claim. The Israeli military announced expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, with Division 36 and the 401st Brigade joining forces against Hezbollah positions south of the Zahrani River. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied seeking ceasefire negotiations and rejected U.S. claims of diplomatic contact, stating his last communication with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff occurred before Washington's latest strikes. Qatar intercepted 13 of 14 Iranian ballistic missiles launched 17 March, while Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah confirmed the death of senior security official Abu Ali al-Askari in Israeli strikes. END SUMMARY.
