Conflict escalates as war with Iran enters 11th day and regional tensions widen
March 11, 2026: The United States military said it destroyed 16 Iranian vessels suspected of laying naval mines near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, intensifying the ongoing conflict with Iran as the war entered its 11th day. The US also released unclassified footage showing some of the targeted boats. Earlier, President Donald Trump warned that Washington would strike Iran “at a level never seen before” if mines were placed in the crucial waterway, though he later said there were no confirmed reports of explosives being deployed.
As tensions escalated, US officials signalled the possibility of more intense military strikes. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said further action against Iranian targets could follow, while the Pentagon reported injuries among American troops during the conflict. Iranian leaders rejected calls for negotiations and launched fresh attacks targeting Israel and Gulf nations, while heavy bombardment in Tehran forced thousands of civilians to flee to rural areas for safety.
The conflict has widened across the region, with missile and drone strikes reported in several countries. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles aimed at key locations including Prince Sultan Air Base, while drones targeted facilities near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. Air defences were also activated in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain amid incoming Iranian projectiles, highlighting the growing regional fallout from the escalating war.