Iran Update Special Report, March 28, 2026
March 28, 2026
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute are publishing daily updates to provide analysis on the war with Iran. The updates focus on US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran and the Axis of Resistance’s response to the strikes. The updates cover events from the past 24-hour period.
NOTE: ISW-CTP will no longer publish morning updates covering the war with Iran. ISW-CTP will instead publish threads on its social media channels in the morning that cover the latest developments in the war and include relevant maps.
Key Takeaways
The Houthis conducted a ballistic missile attack and a drone and cruise missile attack targeting southern Israel on March 27 and 28, marking the group’s first involvement in the war. The Houthis’ decision, as of now, to participate in the war by conducting drone and missile attacks against Israel instead of attacking international shipping suggests that the Houthis may be pursuing a relatively cautious approach designed to avoid an immediate escalation with the United States and Israel.
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s Telegram channel published an infographic about the regime’s long‑standing concept of a “resistance economy” on March 28. The publication of this type of infographic is disconnected from the present economic and social realities, particularly amid the ongoing military conflict. The publication of this infographic may also reflect an effort to portray Mojtaba as an active leader amid reports that he is seriously wounded.
Iran and Russia have held “very active” discussions in March about transferring a limited shipment of “upgraded” Russian drones to Iran, according to US and European officials speaking to the Associated Press. This report follows recent Western media reports that Russia is providing Shahed drones to Iran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 28 that Ukraine and Qatar signed a 10-year defense agreement that includes developing technologies, air defenses, counter-drone measures, military training, experience sharing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and control systems.
The combined force continued to strike Iranian defense industrial sites, including Iran’s Marine Industries Organization (MIO) and Parchin Military Complex in Tehran City and the Iran Marine Industrial Company (SADRA) in Bushehr Province.
US Central Command stated on March 27 that US forces struck a border guard outpost in Siranband, Kurdistan Province, along Iran’s western border with Iraqi Kurdistan.
https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-special-report-march-28-2026/
