Two UN soldiers have died on the 31st day of the war in an “explosion of unknown origin” in a location in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel, announced the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
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/2026/03/31/69caf67cee6f2404031341.jpg "War in the Middle East: UN peacekeepers killed, Madrid closes its airspace to American planes, Trump m")
Two new UN soldiers killed in Lebanon, new threats from Donald Trump over the Iranian island of Kharg, a fourth Iranian missile intercepted by Turkey, Spanish airspace closed to American aircraft… On the 31st day of conflict in the Middle East, Monday, March 30, tensions continue to rise between Iran, Israel, the United States, and their allies. Here’s what you need to know from this latest day of war.
Two UN Peacekeepers Killed in Southern Lebanon
Two UN Peacekeepers died in an “explosion of unknown origin” in a location in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel, according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army are ongoing in this region. These two deaths follow the one of another Unifil soldier, Indonesian, in another location in southern Lebanon, killed by the explosion of a projectile of unknown origin. “Two soldiers of UNIFIL were tragically killed in southern Lebanon (…) by an explosion of unknown origin that destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third was seriously injured, and a fourth was injured,” detailed a UNIFIL statement, which stated it was conducting an investigation into the incident and did not assign responsibility.
Turkey Announces Interception of an Iranian Missile
Turkey announced the interception of a fourth missile aimed at its territory, attributed to Iran by the Ministry of Defense. “A ballistic munition, identified as having been fired from Iran and having entered Turkish airspace, was neutralized by the air defense and anti-missile means of NATO deployed in the eastern Mediterranean,” the ministry detailed in a statement. NATO confirmed, emphasizing that it would “always take necessary actions to defend all Allies.”
Madrid Closes its Airspace to American Aircraft
Spain, whose left-wing government is “totally opposed” to American-Israeli attacks against Iran, has closed its airspace to American aircraft involved in this war, announced the Spanish Minister of Defense. “The use of (American bases in Spain) is not authorized, and of course the use of Spanish airspace for actions related to the war in Iran is not authorized either,” indicated Margarita Robles in statements transmitted to AFP, confirming a report in the newspaper El País. In practice, “Spain’s refusal to cooperate has complicated the American operation” in the Middle East, as some Washington bombers had to “circumnavigate the Iberian Peninsula to enter through the Strait of Gibraltar,” requiring them to “change their routes” and logistics.
Iran Calls on Saudi Arabia to Expel American Forces
The Iranian Foreign Minister urged Saudi Arabia to expel American forces from its territory, reaffirming that its attacks in the region only target its enemies. “Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly country,” declared the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi. “Our operations target enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians and cannot provide any security. It is high time to expel American forces,” he added.
Donald Trump Once Again Threatens the Kharg Island
The American president promised in a post on his social platform, Truth Social, to “annihilate” this essential oil site for Tehran if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened and if discussions with the Iranians, whom he describes as “serious,” do not lead to results “quickly.” The head of state’s post, before the opening of American markets, comes as the price of oil continues to rise, a result of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic point for global oil supply has been almost blocked by Tehran since the beginning of the war triggered by an attack by Israel and the United States.
