ALBAWABA- A wave of explosions, drone interceptions, and security alerts swept across the Middle East and Gulf on Monday evening, underscoring escalating regional tensions alongside fragile diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.
In Kuwait City, the Ministry of Electricity reported that seven power transmission lines were knocked out after shrapnel fell in the area, causing temporary blackouts in several districts. Officials said the damage appeared to be caused by nearby blasts, though critical infrastructure remained secure.
Elsewhere, blasts were reported in Israeli territory, while Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted multiple drones over its airspace. In Tehran, large explosions rocked several parts of the city, sending smoke plumes into the sky and prompting widespread security alerts.
BREAKING: Kuwait says responding to missile and drone attacks
🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/O2P0zClGzU pic.twitter.com/wk7GJS4bCz— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 23, 2026
The flare-up comes amid heightened political and military activity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an urgent meeting with political leaders to assess the evolving security situation. The meeting followed renewed diplomatic remarks from US President Donald Trump, who said a deal with Iran “is very possible” and called for direct talks.
Iranian officials rejected the proposal, insisting that any engagement with Washington would occur only through regional mediation involving Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic sources said preliminary contacts have already taken place, with potential talks possibly hosted in Islamabad in the coming days.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued strict preconditions, including compensation for damages from the United States and Israel and the closure of all US military and diplomatic assets in the region before any negotiations can proceed.
