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Day 17: Dubai paralyzed, Iran rejects ceasefire
By Le Pivot — Iran Monitor · March 15, 2026 · 10 min read
Day seventeen of the war between the United States and Israel against Iran. As Israel launches new waves of strikes on Tehran, Iranian retaliation hits civilian infrastructure in the Gulf for the first time, forcing the temporary closure of Dubai airport. Iran’s foreign minister categorically dismisses any ceasefire talks.
Tehran under fire again
The Israeli military continued airstrikes against the Iranian capital. The Mehr news agency reported that air defences “responded to hostile targets in the skies” above Tehran. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that Israeli raids damaged a clinic and a relief post.
The IRGC spokesperson nonetheless claimed that the majority of Iranian weapons stockpiles “remain intact” and that the missiles used in retaliation come from reserves “a decade old” — a sign that Iran is preserving its most advanced capabilities.
Dubai airport paralyzed
A drone sparked a fire near a fuel tank at Dubai International Airport, forcing a temporary suspension of flights. Emirates resumed limited operations in the following hours. Throughout the day:
- Fujairah (UAE): a fire broke out in the industrial zone following a drone strike
- Abu Dhabi: a missile struck a vehicle, killing a Palestinian resident
- Saudi Arabia: 37 drones intercepted in the eastern region
- Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar: multiple drone and missile interceptions
UAE airspace was temporarily closed as defence forces responded to threats.
Tehran’s categorical refusal
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi unambiguously rejected Donald Trump’s claims that Iran was ready to negotiate. “We never asked for a ceasefire,” he declared, accusing the United States of having “started this war and being responsible for all its consequences.”
Trump, for his part, called Iran a “paper tiger” and a “militarily ineffective” nation, claiming without evidence that Tehran uses artificial intelligence for “disinformation campaigns.”
Escalation in Iraq and Lebanon
In Iraq, an airstrike hit the Popular Mobilisation Forces headquarters in Jurf al-Sakhar, injuring three people. Iraqi air defences responded to drones near the US Embassy in Baghdad and Balad airbase.
In Lebanon, Israel launched new raids in the south and is conducting “limited ground operations” against Hezbollah. The Lebanese death toll since the start of the conflict has reached 850, including over 100 children. UNIFIL reported that armed groups fired on three of its patrols.
Markets under pressure
Brent crude crossed the $106 per barrel threshold, representing an approximately 50% increase since hostilities began on February 28. Japan has begun releasing its strategic oil reserves, following the International Energy Agency’s announcement. Pump prices continue to rise worldwide, including in Canada.
Key takeaways
Day 17 marks a turning point in the civilian dimension of the conflict: for the first time, a major international airport was directly affected by the fallout from hostilities. Tehran’s categorical refusal to negotiate pushes any prospect of de-escalation further away. For Quebec, the continued surge of Brent above $106 signals further inflationary pressure on fuel and transportation costs.