Global Security and Defense Developments - 12 March 2026

Executive Summary

The United States and Israel have continued expanding their military campaign against Iran, with sustained air strikes targeting ballistic missile infrastructure, radar networks, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command centers across multiple locations including Tehran. Forward deployment of U.S. strategic bombers to RAF Fairford has enabled the initiation of bomber strike missions against Iranian targets, while additional bomber deployments have further strengthened the forward strike posture. At the same time, intensive logistical airlift operations using C-17 and C-5 aircraft indicate ongoing efforts to sustain high operational tempo across regional bases. The United States is also reinforcing regional air defense networks by transferring Patriot and THAAD resources and replenishing missile stocks following heavy operational usage. Operational indicators suggest that the combined U.S. and Israeli campaign is significantly degrading Iran’s missile launch capabilities. The number of Iranian ballistic missile launches has declined substantially since the beginning of the conflict, reflecting the impact of continued strikes on launch infrastructure and supporting systems. In response, Iran has increasingly targeted regional air defense assets such as Patriot and THAAD radar systems and has expanded its pressure campaign into the maritime domain. Security risks in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified as Iran reportedly attempted to deploy naval mines and issued explicit threats against commercial vessels linked to the United States, Israel, or their partners. U.S. naval forces have begun counter mine operations and destroyed Iranian naval assets believed capable of conducting mining activities near the strait. Several commercial vessels have already been attacked, forcing some ships to conduct dark transit by disabling identification systems, while oil terminals in the region have temporarily suspended operations due to security concerns. Regional states are responding by strengthening integrated air defense coordination with the United States and expanding early warning capabilities. At the same time, the broader global security environment remains active, with continued Ukrainian strikes against Russian military infrastructure and multiple defense modernization initiatives underway across Europe, Asia, and the Indo Pacific, reflecting a wider acceleration in military technological development and capability expansion.