Live Updates: Iran-Israel Conflict – March 15, 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, expressing strong disapproval over the death of a French soldier in Iraqi Kurdistan.

“I asked him to immediately end the unacceptable attacks that Iran is carrying out against countries in the region, either directly or through proxies, as in Lebanon and Iraq,” Macron wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), referring to an attack that occurred on Thursday.

“I reminded him that France is acting strictly in self-defense to protect its interests and those of its regional partners, and to defend freedom of navigation, and that It’s unacceptable for our country to be the target of attacks,” the French leader added.

A phone conversation between the presidents of Iran and France took place Sunday against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, as both leaders reviewed recent developments in the Middle East. According to a report from Iranian news agency ISNA, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and French President Emmanuel Macron held the discussion.

The conversation comes as Iran continues to respond to developments following the outbreak of conflict involving the United States and Israel. Since the conflict began, Iran has repeatedly targeted U.S. Bases and installations belonging to Washington and its allies in the region using drones and missiles. On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, resulting in the deaths of several senior figures in the country. Iran quickly responded to those strikes by launching several missiles toward Israel and targeting multiple U.S. Military bases and facilities across the region.

This exchange highlights ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in a volatile region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on Sunday, showing himself ordering a coffee and playfully addressing rumors circulating online that he had been killed. In the video, an aide directly asks about the speculation, and Netanyahu responds, “I’m passionate about coffee… I’m dying for a coffee,” using a Hebrew phrase that can also mean “to die for.”

The rumors gained traction after a perceived anomaly in a live broadcast – a moment at 0:33 that appeared to show six fingers on one hand – fueled claims on social media that the video was AI-generated and evidence of Netanyahu’s death. To counter this, Netanyahu displayed both hands in the new video, demonstrating that he has five fingers on each.

A forensic analysis by EFE Verifica determined the video was not created by artificial intelligence, and a frame-by-frame review showed the apparent extra finger was the back of his hand overlapping with his pinky finger. On February 28, the day Israel and the United States launched repeated strikes on Iran, Ayatollah Ali Jamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, and other high-ranking officials were killed in Tehran.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated on Sunday that his country will not participate in a mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, which has been impacted by strikes from the United States and Israel against Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions by Tehran. “We will not participate in the confrontation,” he said in an interview with public broadcaster ARD. “To answer the question of whether we will be an active part of this confrontation: no,” he added.

Wadephul was responding to a call from U.S. President Donald Trump urging other countries affected by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz to work to secure the area. “I hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and others affected by this artificial constriction will send ships to the area so that the Strait of Hormuz no longer poses a threat from a totally decapitated nation,” Trump wrote Saturday on his Truth Social platform.

Wadephul indicated that Berlin is awaiting clarity from Washington and Israel regarding when the offensive will end before addressing the issue of regional security. “Security in the Strait of Hormuz and also in the Red Sea will approach when there is a negotiated solution and when talks are held with the Iranians,” the German foreign minister said.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported on Sunday that reserves from Asia and Oceania will be released immediately, putting 400 million barrels of oil on the market, while volumes from America and Europe will initiate to arrive at the end of March.

According to an update released by the agency, member countries have already presented their implementation plans for the exceptional measure adopted due to the strong impact the war in Iran and, in particular, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – through which 20 percent of global oil trade passes – is having on the oil market.

To date, IEA members have committed 271.7 million barrels of government reserves, 116.6 million barrels from mandatory industry reserves, and 23.6 million barrels from other stocks, according to updated data as of March 15.

A drone struck Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on Sunday, a facility housing contingents from Italy and the United States, causing no injuries but destroying an Italian military aircraft, according to Italian Chief of Staff Luciano Portolano.

The attack occurred Sunday morning when a drone impacted a hangar containing an unmanned aircraft belonging to the Air Task Force, which was completely destroyed.

“The aircraft hit was an indispensable asset for the development of operational activities and had been deployed at the base to ensure the continuity of operations,” Portolano wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “The military contingent in Kuwait had been reduced in recent days due to the ‘evolving security situation in the area,’ with personnel at the base now dedicated to ‘essential mission activities.’”

Israeli attacks have killed 850 people in Lebanon since March 2, including 107 children, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced on Sunday. Among the dead in the war, which began with an attack by the Lebanese pro-Iranian movement Hezbollah against Israel, are 66 women and 32 members of health personnel, the ministry said. Another 2,105 people have been injured.

Israel stated on Sunday that direct negotiations with Lebanon to end the war that began on March 2 with a Hezbollah attack on its territory are not foreseen.

“The answer is no,” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters when asked about the possibility of dialogue between Israel and Lebanon. A Lebanese source had stated Saturday that negotiations were “on the agenda” and preparations for the formation of a delegation were “underway,” but noted that a “Israeli commitment to a truce or ceasefire” was needed.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abas Araqchi called on other countries on Sunday to “refrain from any action that could lead to escalation and an extension of the conflict” during a phone conversation with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, according to a statement.

On Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump called on several countries to send warships to ensure the security of the vital oil shipping lane in the Persian Gulf, which has been blocked by Iran.