Frederik Pleitgen

U.S. missiles that hit Iran likely were fired from Gulf countries that have taken the brunt of Iranian drone and missile attacks—although none acknowledges allowing use of their land or airspace on.wsj.com/4rLLyvx

NEW: Sources tell me frustration inside the Trump White House is mounting over Israel’s latest strikes — with one person familiar describing them as “very reckless.” Qatar has privately warned U.S. officials that targeting energy infrastructure “needs to be stopped,” the source says. More from my reporting with @politico colleagues @scottpwaldman @EliStokols @SophiaCai99 👇 politico.com/news/2026/03/1…

A US F-35 fighter jet damaged by suspected Iranian fire makes an emergency landing at an US air base in the Middle East, sources say cnn.it/40GqGe4

Iran‘s FM seemingly offering deescalation and an end to infrastructure attacks.

Sky's ＠DominicWaghorn says tonight’s strikes on major energy facilities marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Iran, the U.S. and Israel.

Strong reporting by @DominicWaghorn @SkyNews on the ground inside Iran. So important to get this perspective

🚨After the first Iranian missile strike, Qatari officials contacted White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CENTCOM commanders and other senior Trump administration officials and demanded to know whether the U.S. had prior knowledge of the Israeli strike, per source with knowledge

BIG: There were two actors which secretly labored behind the scenes to facilitate Iran-US deal; @guardian yesterday revealed the British role—today @amwajmedia can divulge who brought in the UK and partnered with it, along with details on what precisely Powell did in Geneva. Probably most detailed account of the talks out there, built on interviews with both Arab and Iranian sources. The story reflects utter consternation among virtually everyone involved when Trump suddenly decided to bomb instead of working with what the Iranians put on the table. 48 hours before the US bombed Iran, Kushner/Witkoff agreed on holding one more final session while joking with Iranian negotiators about how Trump bought their shoes for them on sale at Florsheim:

BREAKING: 🇺🇸🇮🇷🇮🇱 CNN claims that since the start of the US war against Iran, the country's popularity worldwide has fallen by 79%. The only country more unpopular than the United States is Israel. This could cause an additional and significant economic blow due to boycotts of US products and services around the world.

Sky's @DominicWaghorn witnesses loud explosions and drone activity from his hotel in the capital, Tehran. In his eyewitness report, Sky's International Affairs Editor remarks, 'the impact on civilians is getting more severe' as the war enters its 19th day.

SCOOP: Senior Israeli officials tell U.S. diplomats Iranian protesters “will get slaughtered” if they take to the streets, though Israel is still angling for a popular uprising, per a State Department cable from Embassy Jerusalem 🧵

Israel urges Iranians to revolt but privately assesses they’ll be ‘slaughtered’ washingtonpost.com/national-secur…

EXCL: UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell attended final talks between US and Iran - and judged Tehran's offer on its nuclear programme was significant enough to prevent rush to war @patrickwintour & @julianborger reveal theguardian.com/world/2026/mar…

Day 3 in Tehran: - massive explosions in early hours shook hotel. Possibly the bombs that killed Larijani. - sustained bouts of outgoing and incoming during the day - one drone attack on police vehicles in centre of town in broad daylight highlight that nowhere is safe 1/

Wow.

Countless investments in the #US from the #Gulf states, their main security guarantor and all they wanted in return was security. That’s exactly what they didn’t get. @ZiadMDaoud and I examined this in our @Bloomberg weekend essay: bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Iranian officials have tried to reach out directly to the president’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and others in the Trump administration in recent days attempting to reopen a diplomatic channel, two senior White House officials tell me But Donald Trump has advised his team that he does not want to negotiate now, the officials said “The president has said he is willing to talk, but not at this time, as he wants to see operation Epic Fury continue unabated,” one of the officials said #cmmtsitu000003b6v952hu6jg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">cnn.com/world/live-new…

Sky's @DominicWaghorn is among one of the only international journalists currently allowed into Iran. He witnesses the impact of the war on the ground, as it continues to escalate. ➡️ trib.al/SwaVKGX

"The fire started in the ship’s main laundry area last Thursday. By the time it was over, more than 600 sailors and crew members had lost their beds and have since been bunking down on floors and tables, officials said." nytimes.com/2026/03/16/us/…

🇮🇷📲🇺🇸A direct communications channel between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi & U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has been reactivated in recent days, according to a U.S. official & a source with knowledge. Read the story by @MarcACaputo & me on @Axios axios.com/2026/03/16/ira…