Iran has launched missiles carrying cluster-type warheads at Tel Aviv, in what it described as retaliation for the killing of senior official Ali Larijani, marking a further escalation in the ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States. Iranian state media reported that the overnight strikes killed at least two people, bringing the total number of fatalities in Israel since the war began to at least 14. Get today's headlines by email According to a statement from Iranâs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the attack involved Khorramshahr-4 and Qadr missiles, both capable of deploying multiple warheads over a wide area. Israeli officials have previously accused Iran of using such munitions, which disperse smaller explosives mid-air and are difficult to intercept. Retaliation following high-profile killingThe strikes came days after Iran confirmed the death of Larijani, who had been a central figure in national security decision-making. He was killed in an Israeli strike, alongside his son and deputy, Alireza Bayat. The killing followed the earlier death of Iranâs Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, further destabilising the countryâs leadership during wartime. Nuclear concerns and calls for restraintIn a separate development, Iran reported that a projectile struck near the Bushehr nuclear power plant but caused no damage or injuries. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear incident. The United States and Israel have said that curbing Iranâs nuclear ambitions is a central objective of their military campaign, which began in late February. Hardening positions on both sidesIranâs new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly rejected proposals to reduce tensions or agree to a ceasefire. According to officials, he said it was not the right time for peace and insisted that Iran would continue its resistance until its adversaries accepted defeat. The conflict has already caused heavy casualties across the region. A U.S.-based monitoring group estimates that more than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran since the fighting began, while Israeli strikes have also caused significant loss of life in Lebanon. Global impact and economic pressureThe war continues to disrupt global energy supplies, with the Strait of Hormuzâa key route for oil shipmentsâlargely closed. Prices have surged sharply, raising concerns about inflation and economic instability worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised allied nations for declining to assist in securing the waterway, though he has also said Washington could act independently. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for diplomatic solutions, warning of potential food, energy and fertiliser crises if the conflict persists. Widening regional and global disruptionIran has expanded its response beyond Israel, targeting Gulf states that host U.S. bases. Thousands of missile and drone attacks have reportedly struck infrastructure across the region, including ports, airports and oil facilities. The United States military said it had carried out strikes on Iranian coastal positions to counter threats to shipping. The broader fallout is being felt across global industries. Airlines have warned of rising fuel costs and potential route cuts, while international shipping faces severe disruption. Aid agencies, including the World Food Programme, have cautioned that prolonged conflict could push tens of millions of people into acute hunger. As fighting shows no sign of easing, the escalation in attacks and leadership losses is raising fears of a prolonged and increasingly destabilising regional war. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 18 March 2026
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