As the joint U.S.-Israeli war against Iran moved into its 17th day, President Donald Trump discussed the likelihood of other nations aiding the U.S. in freeing up the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, Vice President JD Vance addressed skepticism that he fully supports the war, and Israel initiated a ground offensive in Lebanon that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says is meant to repeat the military’s actions in Gaza starting in 2023.
Nations refuse Trump demand for military help to open vital oil passage
Germany, Spain, Italy, and other U.S. partners on Monday rejected Trump’s public demands that they send military reinforcements to help the U.S. and Israel reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In reaction to U.S.-Israeli attacks, Iran has effectively closed the strait to American and Israeli passage, although the Middle Eastern nation claims only its enemies will be harassed along the waterway. About a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes through the strait.
As Reuters reported, German and Italian leaders have been critical of the war, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pointing out Monday that Trump and the Israeli Prime Minister did not consult other nations before initiating the war against Iran.
In comments to reporters at the White House, Trump claimed that the U.S. did not need anyone’s help to secure the strait, while also expressing frustration at the lack of “enthusiasm” other countries showed about sending help.
Read more at Reuters.
JD Vance fields question about reports he opposed Iran war
A reporter confronted JD Vance at the White House March 16 over his past comments against the U.S. attacking Iran. Asked if he was “completely on board” with the war, Vance answered in part, “I know what you’re trying to do … You’re trying to drive a wedge between members of the administration, between me and the President,” but “one big difference” is that “we have a smart President, whereas in the past we’ve had dumb presidents, and I trust President Trump to get the job done” and “make sure that the mistakes of the past aren’t repeated.”
Q: Given your past skepticism of foreign adventurism, are you completely on board with the war on Iran?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 16, 2026
JD VANCE: I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to drive a wedge. All of us should pray for success
(Not a yes!) pic.twitter.com/o5iddbutXn
1 million reportedly displaced in Lebanon, Israel says they cannot return until Hezbollah defeated
Lebanon’s government reported March 16 that 20% of the nation’s population, about 1 million people, have been displaced by Israeli airstrikes, according to the Associated Press.
Israel meanwhile announced it is sending ground troops into Lebanon in an effort to eliminate the threat of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the new Israeli effort in Lebanon is meant to be a repeat of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians.
“Katz says that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have told the military to destroy terror infrastructure close to the border in order to prevent Hezbollah’s return, ‘just as was done against Hamas in Rafah, Beit Hanoun and the terror tunnels in Gaza,’” The Times of Israel reported.
Read more at The Times of Israel.