5 Big News Stories Overnight - Sunday, March 15, 2026

U.S.: Trump Says America Is Winning

Donald J. Trump posted:

@realDonaldTrump

The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both Militarily, Economically, and in every other way, but the Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT! The U.S. will also coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well. This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be — It will bring the World together toward Harmony, Security, and Everlasting Peace! President DONALD J. TRUMP

Iraq: U.S. Tells Citizens to Leave Iraq After Second Attack on Embassy

New York Times reports:

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad urged all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately on Saturday after the embassy was attacked overnight for the second time since the war with Iran started.

The warning said militias allied with Iran had carried out numerous attacks on targets associated with the United States, including diplomatic facilities, American companies and hotels frequented by foreigners. It recommended Americans travel overland to neighboring countries because commercial flights were not operating and warned them not to come to the embassy or a U.S. consulate in the northern city of Erbil.

Israel: Israel said planning ‘massive’ south Lebanon ground invasion

Times of Israel reports:

Israel is planning to launch a “massive” ground invasion of southern Lebanon in order to push the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group away from the border and destroy its weapons stores and positions, US and Israeli officials told the Axios news site on Saturday.

The report said the Israeli plan aims to seize the entire area south of the Litani River that bisects Lebanon from east to west and that the operation became inevitable after the terror group launched a large-scale rocket attack on northern Israel on Wednesday.

It also comes after Hezbollah’s leader said his group was ready for a long confrontation with Israel.

United Kingdom: "Starmer could send thousands of drones to the Middle East"

Telegraph reports: 
Sir Keir Starmer could send thousands of interceptor drones to the Middle East, The Telegraph has learnt.

The sophisticated “Octopus” interceptor anti-drone systems are being manufactured in the UK for Ukraine to use against Russia, with production ramping up to reach thousands per month.

But The Telegraph can reveal that military officials are now examining whether the interceptors could also be used to bolster the UK’s defences against Iran’s Shahed drones.

It may be seen as an attempt by the Prime Minister to counter criticism from Donald Trump and military figures over his “weak” response to the Iran war.

U.S.: Trump Administration Threatens News Outlets Over Critical Coverage of Iran

Al Jazeera reports:

The administration of President Donald Trump has warned that news outlets could have their broadcasting licences revoked over critical reporting on the war against Iran, accusing the media of “distortions”.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said in a social media post on Saturday that broadcasters must “operate in the public interest”, or else lose their licenses.

“Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions — also known as the fake news — have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up,” Carr wrote.