Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned Wednesday that global oil prices could surge to $200 per barrel as the Strait of Hormuz—the key route for a large portion of the world’s exported oil—remains shut during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
The warning came from Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a spokesperson for the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who blamed the conflict for threatening stability in global energy markets.
“Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilized,” Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a spokesperson for the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, told Reuters.
Tensions in the region escalated further after the U.S. military announced Tuesday that American forces had destroyed 16 vessels used to lay naval mines near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials have since warned that vessels connected to the United States or Israel could be targeted, with the IRGC stating that such ships “will be considered a legitimate target,” according to Al Jazeera.
Energy markets have already shown sharp volatility. West Texas Intermediate crude, the main benchmark for North American oil prices, is currently trading near $87 per barrel. Earlier this week, however, the price spiked to nearly $120. Meanwhile, the national average cost of gasoline in the United States has climbed to $3.57 per gallon, according to data from AAA.
In response to rising energy prices triggered by the conflict, the International Energy Agency announced that its 32 member nations will release 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves in an effort to stabilize global markets.
“This is a major action aiming to alleviate the immediate impacts of the disruption in markets,” Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA, said in an address from Paris. “But to be clear, the most important thing for a return to stable flows of oil and gas is the resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Birol said the emergency reserves would be distributed gradually in a way that fits the needs and timelines of participating countries. Among the nations that have already indicated they will take part are Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
The United States has not yet announced whether it will contribute oil from its own strategic petroleum reserve.
President Trump previously criticized a decision by President Joe Biden to release 180 million barrels from U.S. strategic reserves following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump argued that those reserves should be preserved for military needs rather than used to bring down fuel prices.
Trump has also downplayed the significance of rising fuel costs during the current conflict, saying that higher gasoline prices are a “very small price to pay” as the administration continues its military campaign against Iran.
The president has offered varying estimates about how long the fighting might continue. At one point he suggested the war could last as long as five weeks, though on Monday he said the conflict would end “very soon.” On Tuesday, Trump said the U.S. “excursion” in Iran was “nearly complete.”
{Matzav.com}
Tens of thousands of Israelis who were stranded abroad when the war began have already returned home, according to new figures released Wednesday by the Israel Airports Authority.
The data was published as part of Operation “Wings of the Lion,” the effort launched to bring back large numbers of Israelis who were overseas when Operation “Shaagas HaAri” began.
According to the Airports Authority, between March 5 and March 10 a total of 215 flights landed at Ben Gurion Airport, carrying approximately 38,867 passengers returning to Israel.
Officials said that additional arrivals are expected throughout the day. Around 40 more flights are scheduled to land Wednesday, bringing roughly 6,250 more passengers back to the country. During the same period, about 13,000 travelers departed from Ben Gurion Airport on flights operated by Israeli airlines.
Passenger traffic has also increased significantly at Israel’s land border crossings since the war began. Between February 28 and March 10, crossings through Begin (Taba), Rabin (Arava), the Jordan River crossing, and Allenby Bridge saw heavy movement.
During that time, approximately 26,500 travelers entered Israel through those crossings, while about 33,000 people exited the country.
Officials said that operations at Ben Gurion Airport as well as the land crossings are continuing around the clock in order to facilitate the safe return of Israeli citizens while also assisting passengers who need to leave the country.
The Israel Airports Authority said in a statement that it will continue to update the public with any relevant information as needed.
{Matzav.com}
A political dispute erupted Wednesday after senior coalition officials, including Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, made statements opposing the advancement of legislation regulating the draft status of yeshiva students, prompting Degel HaTorah representatives to respond with a retaliatory move in the Knesset Finance Committee.
Members of Degel HaTorah on the committee voted Wednesday morning against a coalition request to separate the property tax issue from the Arrangements Law and instead supported removing the matter from the committee’s agenda.
In a statement explaining the unusual vote, Degel HaTorah said the decision came in response to comments made the previous night by senior coalition figures criticizing coalition agreements reached between the chareidi parties and the government.
As previously reported, chareidi representatives had agreed to support passage of the state budget even though, before the war began, they had insisted they would not back the budget until a draft law regulating the status of yeshiva students was approved.
Chareidi lawmakers explained that during wartime it would be inappropriate to destabilize the government. As a result, they agreed to support the budget while pointing to several achievements included in the spending plan that benefit the chareidi community.
Tensions escalated, however, after Smotrich declared publicly in the presence of the prime minister that the draft law would not be advanced at this time, a statement that reportedly surprised chareidi representatives and was viewed by them as contradicting earlier understandings.
Smotrich said that in order to focus on the war effort, disputed issues are being set aside for now, including the draft law and several reforms that have not yet gained broad agreement, emphasizing that wartime requires unity and national responsibility.
In addition to the finance minister’s remarks, chareidi representatives were angered by statements from other coalition partners who criticized both the proposed draft law and budget allocations directed to the chareidi sector.
The vote in the Finance Committee is being interpreted as an early signal of growing tensions within the coalition if the dispute over the draft law and related issues continues.
{Matzav.com}
The Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday published recordings capturing radio communications between Israeli and American pilots who took part in a joint flight operation over Iran.
According to the IDF, the recordings highlight the close coordination between the Israeli Air Force and the United States Armed Forces during ongoing military activity connected to Operation Roaring Lion.
In a statement accompanying the audio, the military emphasized that the two countries are working together closely as part of a broader effort to weaken the Iranian regime.
“The Israeli Air Force and the US Air Force continue to operate with full aerial freedom over Iranian skies,” the IDF stated.
WATCH:
https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/573b9e2dc0904fc7adb8cbc713563da9.mp4Approximately 100 rockets were fired at Israel Wednesday evening by the Hezbollah terrorist organization, prompting interception efforts and retaliatory strikes by the Israeli Air Force against launch sites and other Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the attack shortly after 8:20 p.m., reporting that multiple communities came under rocket fire within a short period of time.
Shortly after 8:20 pm, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated: “In the past few minutes, the Hezbollah terrorist organization launched rockets toward several areas in Israel. Along with the intercepting effort, the Israeli Air Force is currently striking ready-to-launch projectile launchers and additional infrastructure sites belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization across Lebanon.”
“The public is requested to follow the Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines. The IDF will not tolerate any harm to Israeli civilians and will forcibly respond against any threat posed to the State of Israel.”
Reports from the field indicated that several rockets struck in different areas, with initial information suggesting that people were injured in the attacks.
Earlier in the evening, Mate Asher Regional Council chairman Moshe Davidovich issued an urgent message to residents urging heightened caution. Davidovich, who also heads the Confrontation Line Forum, advised residents of the Mateh Asher region to remain near protected spaces and limit unnecessary activity outside their homes.
The warning came after what he described as a series of alerts from security officials, leading him to instruct residents to be prepared to reach shelters or safe rooms quickly if necessary.
Across a number of northern communities, local authorities announced that extracurricular programs, public gatherings, and social events scheduled for the evening would be canceled as a precaution.
At the same time, numerous messages circulated widely on social media and WhatsApp groups claiming that a “significant missile barrage” could be imminent.
Despite those reports, the IDF Home Front Command stated that it had not issued any warning of unusual incoming fire expected overnight, and that no changes had been made to official civilian defense guidelines.
Responding to the growing speculation, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Efi Defrin addressed the public.
“I am aware of the public discourse in recent hours regarding the possibility of increased shooting. I want to emphasize that there is no change in the Home Front Command’s defense policy as of this moment. The IDF is prepared for strong defense and will do whatever is necessary to protect the citizens of Israel.”
He added that the situation continues to be closely monitored and emphasized the importance of following official safety instructions.
“We continue to conduct ongoing situation assessments and will update you on any changes, if any. I emphasize – continue to obey the Home Front Command’s instructions. They save lives.”
{Matzav.com}
Israeli defense officials are examining a significant change to the way missile alerts are issued to civilians, potentially distinguishing between areas at risk of a direct ballistic missile strike and areas where the main danger comes from falling interceptor debris.
The proposal is currently being reviewed by the IDF Home Front Command as authorities search for ways to reduce the ongoing disruption to civilian life caused by frequent alerts during the conflict with Iran.
According to a report Wednesday by Channel 12 News, the Home Front Command is considering revising how warning zones are defined when ballistic missiles are launched from Iran.
Under the proposal being studied, authorities could issue different types of warnings depending on the level of threat in a particular area. Regions facing the danger of a direct hit from a ballistic missile carrying a 400–500 kilogram warhead could receive stronger alerts than areas where the primary risk is falling fragments from intercepted missiles.
While interceptor debris remains a serious hazard, military officials note that during nighttime hours most residents are already inside their homes. In some cases, they believe remaining indoors may provide sufficient protection.
Home Front Command officials are aware that millions of Israelis are being awakened repeatedly throughout the night by incoming alerts. As a result, the military is exploring ways to ease the strain on daily life if the current situation continues for several more weeks.
According to defense assessments, the goal is to allow some level of normal routine and economic activity to continue while minimizing the impact that constant nighttime alarms are having on sleep and everyday life.
{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the joint American-Israeli campaign against Iran has inflicted devastating damage on the regime’s military capabilities and warned that the offensive is not yet finished.
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Cincinnati, Trump discussed the progress of the military operation and praised the performance of U.S. forces.
Trump declared that “we’re doing something that nobody ever thought was possible to do. Our military is the best; it’s the most powerful in the world, and they’re hitting them very hard. This is 47 years of abuse – and killing lots of people.”
The president said the combined U.S. and Israeli strikes have already dismantled key elements of Iran’s armed forces, including its naval power, air force, air defense systems, and senior leadership.
Still, Trump indicated that the campaign could escalate further if necessary.
The President told the press that while the US and Israel have eliminated Iran’s navy, air force, anti-aircraft apparatus, and leaders, “We could do a lot worse.”
He also suggested that certain Iranian assets have intentionally been left untouched for now, though they could be destroyed quickly if the decision were made to do so.
According to the President, “We’re leaving certain things, which if we do, and we could take them out by this afternoon, in fact, within an hour, they will never be able to build that country back.”
Trump emphasized that the strikes so far have already been extraordinarily severe and warned that further action could still follow.
He added: “We have hit them harder than virtually any country in history has been hit, and we’re not finished yet.”
Despite threats from Iran targeting shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump urged energy companies not to avoid the crucial waterway, saying Iranian naval capabilities have largely been wiped out.
“We took out just about all of their mine ships in one night. We’re up to boat number 60. I didn’t realize they had such a big navy. I would say it was big and ineffective. Just about all of their navy is gone, on the bottom of the sea,” he claimed.
Turning to developments in Lebanon, Trump said the country and its people deserve relief from Hezbollah’s influence, which he described as destructive.
Asked about the situation in Lebanon, the President declared, “We love Lebanon. We love the people of Lebanon. We’ve gotta get rid of Hezbollah, it has been a disaster for many years.”
Trump also took aim at Spain’s government, accusing it of failing to support the effort against Iran and criticizing its record within NATO.
Trump also criticized the Spanish government for its lack of cooperation with the operation against Iran. “They’re not cooperating at all. I think they’ve been very bad. We may cut off trade with Spain. They’ve been very bad to NATO. They don’t want to pay their fair share, and they’ve been that way for many years.”
{Matzav.com}
