What we know on the 14th day of the US and Israel’s war with Iran

Jessie Yeung, Max Saltman, Nina Giraldo, CNNFri, March 13, 2026 at 11:58 PM UTC

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A man looks at the aftermath of an airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon. - Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP

As the US-Israel war with Iran enters its third week, the economic fallout is growing with little sign of relief, as Tehran’s new supreme leader vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.

Casualties are mounting, with six US service members among those killed in the past day when their refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq. More than 2,000 people have been killed in Iran and Lebanon since the war began, as well as dozens more across the region.

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Oil prices continued to rise Friday, driven by anxieties over the Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for the energy trade. Meanwhile, an Iranian source told CNN that Iran is mulling conditions to allow oil tankers to pass through the heavily fortified strait, including possibly requiring any trade to be conducted in Chinese yuan

Here’s what to know on day 14.

What are the main headlines?

A sign displays the prices of unleaded gasoline at a Chevron gas station in Palo Alto, California, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. - David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images -

Crashed aircraft: All six crew members aboard a US Air Force refueling aircraft were killed when it crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, the US military said. The incident wasn’t caused by “hostile fire or friendly fire,” but involved a second US tanker, the military added. An Air Force official later told CNN that the aircraft was not equipped with ejection systems or parachutes to evacuate its occupants mid-air.

Fuel crisis: US gas prices edged up another 3 cents a gallon in the latest reading from AAA, taking the average price to $3.63 a gallon and marking a 22-month high in costs. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most vital shipping routes, and its effective closure as a result of the war has sparked a global fuel crisis.

Iran weakened: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said joint US-Israeli strikes had significantly diminished Iran’s military capabilities and that Iran’s missile volume is “down 90%” and drone volume “down 95%.”

New Israeli strikes: Israel said it continues to strike Iran going into Friday night, with reported targets including Iranian security checkpoints in Tehran, government buildings and military weapon storage sites. Earlier Friday, explosions were reported in central Tehran near a massive Al Quds Day rally which is held in support of Palestinians, according to Iranian state-affiliated media, which said one woman was killed.

Trump’s declaration: US President Donald Trump suggested oil tanker crews should “go through the Strait of Hormuz and show some guts.” At least 16 oil tankers, cargo ships and other vessels have been attacked in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman since the war began two weeks ago, according to the UK’s maritime agency. On Friday evening Trump told reporters that he believes US Navy escorts for oil tankers through the strait will happen “soon.” He also said the US bombed “every military target” on Iran’s Kharg Island and threatened to attack the island’s oil infrastructure if Iran continues to block ships from traversing the strait.

Marines headed to the Middle East: Three officials familiar with the plans told CNN that the Pentagon is deploying a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the Middle East. The MEU’s role and exact destination is not yet clear, but in the past, they’ve been used for evacuations, amphibious missions and special operations.

Supreme leader’s message: A statement read out on Iranian state TV on Thursday was described as Mojtaba Khamenei’s first message as Iran’s new supreme leader. Hegseth later called the written statement evidence that the leader is “desperate,” “scared” and “injured.”

What’s happening on the ground? -

Strikes on Israel: A fresh wave of missiles were launched at Israel early Friday, injuring two people and damaging buildings in the country’s north. Earlier, Iran said it was firing missiles at Israel, and that Hezbollah had launched a simultaneous attack from southern Lebanon, according to Iranian state media.

Beirut targeted: Israel also expanded operations targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, including in the capital Beirut. Mass evacuation orders in Lebanon could push the number of displaced people to more than 1 million within the next few days, one expert said.

Mounting casualties: The toll of civilian deaths and injuries continues to climb, with two academics killed by an Israeli airstrike at a Lebanese university on Thursday, two foreigners killed in Oman on Friday, and three Red Crescent aid workers wounded in Iran.

Iran mulls options for oil: Iran is considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, provided that the oil cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, a senior Iranian official told CNN. Multiple sources told CNN earlier that the US defense establishment significantly underestimated Iran’s willingness to restrict traffic in the strait.

What’s the latest in Washington? -

New bounty on Khamenei: The State Department announced a $10 million reward for information on top figures in Iran’s government, including the newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. In a notice posted on social media, the department added that information on those named could make the tipster “eligible for relocation” alongside the cash reward.

Senate hearing: A key US Senate committee chairman is planning to hold the first public oversight hearing of the war soon with top Department of Defense officials testifying, CNN has learned. To date, there have been no open oversight hearings of the conflict in the GOP-led Congress – though there have been several classified sessions for members.

An end in sight?: Trump said Friday that he’ll know the war with Iran is over when he feels it “in (his) bones.” Since the campaign began, Trump has offered differing signals about how long the conflict might continue.

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