What we know on Day 28 of the US and Israel’s war with Iran: Trump extends deadline and global energy crisis deepens

By CNN Newsource

Published March 26, 2026 9:30 PM

By Jessie Yeung, Issy Ronald, CNN

(CNN) — Citing ongoing peace talks, US President Donald Trump has for a second time extended his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz – or face its power plants being “obliterated.”

The status of the talks remains unclear, with both sides giving mixed signals. Iran has expressed deep distrust toward Washington, while Trump is growing frustrated with the pace of progress.

And on the ground, the war, which has killed thousands across the Middle East since it began nearly four weeks ago, shows no signs of diminishing.

Israel vowed Friday to “escalate” its offensive in Iran. A fresh wave of overnight strikes killed dozens in Iran, according to the country’s authorities and state media, while strikes hit southern Lebanon and southern Beirut early Friday, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported.

Meanwhile, the energy crisis is beginning to bite around the world, triggering protests in the Philippines.

Here’s what to know on Day 28.

What are the main headlines?

Israel’s vow: Israel “will escalate and expand” its attacks on Iran in response to Iranian missile fire, Israel’s defense minister said Friday, without specifying the nature of that expansion.
Deadline extended: While Israel’s rhetoric escalates, the Trump administration’s statements remain difficult to pin down, and are often contradictory. Trump said Thursday that the US will hold off on targeting Iranian energy sites another 10 days as “talks are ongoing” with Tehran. The pause on strikes had been set to expire Friday.
Fraught negotiations: Exactly what the status of those talks is remains unclear. Trump has insisted that it’s up to Iranian leaders to “get serious” and convince him to halt the war, saying he doesn’t care about making a deal. He voiced frustration with Tehran’s approach on Thursday, warning that time was running out for negotiations. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have said they are in “complete doubt” about Washington’s willingness to engage in ceasefire discussions.
Protests in Philippines: Hundreds of people marched through the country’s capital Manila on Friday, protesting the soaring fuel prices there. The march is part of a two-day nationwide strike, organized by the country’s transport union. One public transport operator told CNN the increase in oil prices meant he could no longer afford to give his children their “school allowance.”
Markets spooked: Global markets have been rattled by the war, impacting not just stocks but also safe havens like bonds, gold and currencies – which have also dropped this month. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq are each set for their worst month in a year. Oil prices rose slightly early Friday, another sign of their volatility this week, which has mirrored Trump’s mixed messaging.
Civilian toll: At least 18 people were killed and 10 were injured in overnight strikes in Qom, according to the city’s deputy governor. Several people were killed in Urmia, in western Iran too, the country’s state media said. Meanwhile in Tehran, rescue workers were combing through rubble Friday morning trying to find survivors after overnight strikes there.

What’s happening on the ground?

Ongoing fighting: Attacks are continuing across the region, with Israel carrying out a wave of strikes “in the heart of Tehran” early Friday, its military said. Two separate Kuwaiti ports were damaged in strikes Friday morning, though no casualties were reported, and other Gulf countries reported interceptions.
Death tolls rise: At least 1,900 people have been killed and 20,000 injured in Iran since the war began, the Iranian Red Crescent said Friday. Much civilian infrastructure has been damaged by US-Israeli airstrikes too, including about 289 medical facilities as well as 600 schools and educational institutions. More than 1,116 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the country’s health ministry.
Iran’s new supreme leader: Mojtaba Khamenei hasn’t been seen in public due to security considerations, an Iranian official insisted Friday, dismissing concerns about the new supreme leader’s health. Khamenei has only issued written statements since his father and former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes.
Houthi involvement: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels are prepared to join the war in support of Iran if the US and Israel escalate, a Houthi government official told CNN. The group, which previously disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, has not yet joined the war despite some analysts expecting it to do so.
Iran navy chief dead: Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy, has been killed, according to Israel’s defense minister. Tangsiri oversaw the near-total shutdown of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the US and Israel said. Iranian authorities have not commented on the claims of Tangsiri’s death.
IDF stretched: With multiple war fronts open, the Israel Defense Forces is under severe strain, the Israeli military’s chief of staff warned government ministers Wednesday, according to a source.

What’s happening in the energy crisis?

Status of the Strait: Three ships of different nationalities were turned away from the Strait of Hormuz by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, according to semi-official news agency Fars. That report came after Trump’s claim that Iran allowed 10 “boats of oil” to pass through the strait on Thursday. Fars denied the waterway was open to any ships.
Energy crisis deepens: Every day the strait remains closed, choking off a sizeable chunk of the world’s oil and natural gas from energy markets, the worse this global energy crisis becomes. Countries around the world, particularly in Asia, are feeling the fallout, with several resorting to austerity measures. South Korea has declared an emergency economic response to the energy crisis; Japan has begun releasing oil from its state-owned reserves; and the Philippines has announced a state of emergency, with only about 40 to 45 days’ worth of petroleum supply left.
Humanitarian aid strain: Rising costs caused by supply chain disruption could threaten food security in vulnerable African nations, aid groups warn. Such disruption couldn’t come at a worse time for countries like Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia “where millions of people are already living through drought, hunger, displacement and conflict,” an aid executive told CNN Friday.

What is the Trump administration saying?

Rubio’s trip: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with other G7 foreign ministers in France on Friday, where he is expected to have a difficult time selling European nations on the US strategy for the war. Instead, European allies tried to drag the spotlight back onto Ukraine.
Rubio optimistic on talks: Before traveling to France, Rubio said Thursday “progress has been made” in negotiations with Iran but declined to say what he had discussed or with whom.
Decoding Trump’s comments: Meanwhile, over the course of Thursday, Trump said taking over Iran’s oil supply is “an option,” extended a pause on striking Iran’s energy infrastructure, said he doesn’t care about making a deal and vented his frustration with Iran’s stance towards negotiations.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - World

Jump to comments ↓