Analysis & Reports

The Ministry of National Defense criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for obstructing Taiwanese citizens from receiving assistance for evacuation from the Middle East on March 18. The DPP is accused of prioritizing political interests over the safety of Taiwanese citizens, hindering their ability to escape conflict. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to assist Taiwanese citizens in times of crisis.

Iran launched approximately 2,000 projectiles against Gulf states since February 28, 2026, prompting extensive defensive actions. The UAE intercepted 268 ballistic missiles, while Qatar and Bahrain reported significant interceptions as well. Saudi Arabia's air defenses also engaged multiple drones and missiles. The conflict has led Gulf states to reassess their military strategies and partnerships, highlighting vulnerabilities in their defense architectures.

Ahmed Al-RashidWed Mar 18 2026Loading...

In March 2026, the U.S. transferred part of its THAAD missile systems from South Korea to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. North Korea launched about 10 ballistic missiles into the Japan Sea during U.S.-South Korea military exercises. Japan announced its intention to participate in the Golden Dome missile defense initiative and began deploying domestic long-range missiles, reflecting a shift towards greater defense autonomy in response to regional threats.

Tanaka TakashiWed Mar 18 2026Loading...

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in March 2023, escalating tensions in the region. The IRGC, with approximately 190,000 personnel, conducted attacks on vessels in the area, asserting its military capabilities. The organization also plays a crucial role in supporting pro-Iranian groups across the Middle East and has significant political influence within Iran's government.

European nations, including the UK, France, and Italy, are deploying military assets to the Middle East in March 2023 to respond to escalating conflicts. The UK has sent a destroyer and fighter jets to Cyprus, while France has dispatched around 12 naval vessels, including its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Italy has also contributed a missile frigate and air defense systems. These actions reveal both military capabilities and deficiencies in European defense readiness.

Iran launched a series of missile and drone attacks against the UAE, with the UAE successfully intercepting over 90% of the threats. As of March 12, 2023, the conflict has resulted in 6 deaths and 142 injuries. The intensity of the attacks on the UAE is comparable to those faced by Israel, highlighting its strategic importance to Iran. Despite the UAE's efforts to maintain normalcy, international banks have begun evacuating staff from Dubai due to the ongoing threat.

The U.S. Department of Defense plans to mass-produce the Lucas drone, a replica of Iran's Shahed suicide drone, for military operations against Iran. The drone has been deployed in the Middle East since late 2022 and has demonstrated effective performance. Improvements have been made to facilitate large-scale production, although the production costs remain undisclosed.

Iran employs its geographical terrain to enhance military strategy and control over the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps utilizes advanced systems like the Hunter-3G missile and drones to maintain maritime dominance. Despite losses, Iran effectively implements electronic warfare to disrupt shipping and project power asymmetrically.

On March 18, 2023, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched the 61st wave of Operation 'True Commitment-4', targeting over 100 military and security sites in Tel Aviv in retaliation for the assassination of Ali Larijani. The attack resulted in over 230 casualties, including Larijani and several officials. The missiles used included Bastion Destroyer, Imad, Khorramshahr-4, and Qader missiles, which struck without interference.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched the 61st wave of Operation 'True Commitment-4' on March 18, 2023, in retaliation for the assassination of Ali Larijani, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. This operation signifies a direct military response to perceived threats against Iranian leadership.

Iran launched a missile strike on Israel on March 18, 2023, resulting in two fatalities and damage to several buildings. The Israeli Defense Forces reported that air raid sirens were activated in multiple locations, including Jerusalem, as interceptors were deployed. Debris from the missiles struck a train station in Tel Aviv, causing further damage.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was attacked multiple times on March 18, with a drone crashing near the facility. This incident highlights ongoing threats to U.S. diplomatic missions in Iraq.

The U.S. military conducted airstrikes on March 17 using multiple 5000-pound bunker busters against Iranian missile positions along the Strait of Hormuz. These strikes were aimed at mitigating threats posed by Iranian anti-ship cruise missiles to international shipping. President Trump has been urging European allies to join U.S. efforts in the region, but most NATO allies have indicated they will not participate in military actions against Iran.

French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to redeploy from the Baltic Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean on March 3, 2026, to protect allied assets from Iranian missile and drone attacks. The carrier, accompanied by the frigate Languedoc, aims to secure maritime routes near Cyprus amidst escalating tensions in the region. This deployment underscores France's reliance on its single aircraft carrier as it prepares for future naval capabilities with the upcoming PANG program.

An airstrike in Tehran on March 18 resulted in the deaths of Ali Larijani, secretary of the Iranian National Security Council, his son Morteza Larijani, and deputy Ali Reza Bayat. The Iranian National Security Council confirmed the casualties in an official statement.

Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was confirmed dead following attacks attributed to the U.S. and Israel. The announcement was made on March 18 via his social media account, indicating the incident's significance in the context of Iranian national security.

The Pentagon's assessment revealed that the F-35 program delivered no new combat capability in 2024 due to significant issues with the TR-3 upgrade, which was found to be predominantly unusable. This delay in software and hardware upgrades poses readiness risks for over 800 F-35s currently in service, particularly as U.S. Marine Corps F-35s continue operations in Iran using older software. The Block 4 modernization is now expected to be delayed until 2031, raising concerns about the aircraft's future combat effectiveness.

U.S. officials confirmed that weapons shipments to Taiwan have not been delayed due to the ongoing war on Iran. A significant arms package, including advanced interceptor missiles, is prepared for approval. The U.S. faces a multi-billion-dollar backlog of arms shipments to Taiwan, which is under increasing military pressure from China. Additionally, President Trump postponed a trip to China that was expected to address Taiwan-related discussions.

U.S. officials confirmed that weapons shipments to Taiwan have not been delayed due to the ongoing war on Iran. The U.S. is facing a multi-billion-dollar backlog of arms shipments to Taiwan, with a significant arms package ready for approval. Concerns were raised about the defense industry's ability to meet demand amid the conflict, but the administration is exploring ways to expedite shipments. Additionally, President Trump postponed a trip to China that was expected to discuss Taiwan.

China is reportedly nearing the finalization of a sale of CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles to Iran, which could significantly enhance Iran's naval capabilities against U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf. Despite Beijing's denials, multiple sources indicate that a contract for the missile is close to completion. The CM-302, an export version of the YJ-12 missile, poses a threat to U.S. naval assets due to its advanced capabilities.