US and Israel Strike Iranian Nuclear and Gas Facilities

The United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Saturday, March 21, 2026, targeting the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan uranium enrichment facility at the Natanz nuclear complex in Iran. These operations are part of a broader campaign against Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure that began on February 28. The U.S. has expended approximately $11.3 billion in munitions during the first week of the conflict.

Tensions between the allies emerged after Israel struck the South Pars offshore natural gas field without notifying Washington. President Donald Trump stated the U.S. had no prior knowledge of that specific attack. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed that U.S. and Israeli objectives in the conflict differ.

In response, Iran has launched drone and missile strikes against Israel and U.S. military assets in the Gulf. Russia condemned the strikes, with spokesperson Maria Zakharova calling them a "brazen violation of international law" and warning of a potential radiological catastrophe.

While President Trump suggested a possible winding down of strikes, the Pentagon is deploying 5,000 Marines and the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group to the region. Military planners are preparing ground missions to secure the Strait of Hormuz and potentially target Kharg Island. The escalation has pushed oil prices toward 120 dollars per barrel and increased domestic opposition to the war in the U.S. ahead of the November midterm elections.