The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reiterated its call for restraint as Iran reported that its Natanz uranium enrichment facility had been hit on March 21, as US and Israeli strikes continued despite US President Donald Trump saying the day before that the war could be "winding down."
No increase in radiation levels had been reported outside the Natanz facility, the IAEA said. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said in a statement that "no leakage of radioactive materials has been reported in this complex and no danger threatens the residents of the areas surrounding this site," it said in a statement.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, in a post on X, reiterated his call for "military restraint to prevent a nuclear accident."
This is at least the second time the Natanz facility has been targeted during the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran that began on February 28.
Natanz was struck by US B-2 bombers on July 1, 2025, during Israel's 12-day war with Iran. At the time, Trump said the facility was "completely and absolutely" destroyed.
Meanwhile, a massive fire was reported at a US diplomatic facility near Baghdad airport in Iraq. Images from eyewitnesses showed a huge fire followed by dark columns of smoke rising into the sky.
Iraqi security sources said the fire was reported after renewed drone attacks on the US diplomatic compound near Baghdad airport.
At least three strikes were also reported on the compound, with a fire breaking out after the third attack.
The pro-Iranian militia group Ashab al-Kahf claimed responsibility for the attacks in a statement.
On March 20, Trump said he is considering "winding down" military efforts in the Middle East, even as reports grow of thousands of US ground forces heading toward the region as the war with Iran enters its fourth week.
"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran," Trump posted on Truth Social on March 20.
In the post, he listed the main US goals in the war, including degrading Iran's military and preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Trump also suggested it will be up to other countries that utilize the Strait of Hormuz -- now effectively shut down by Iran -- to secure shipping in the crucial waterway and help put a cap on soaring oil prices that threaten to roil the world economy.
"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it -- The United States does not [use it]!" he said.
"If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated. Importantly, it will be an easy Military Operation for them," he added.
Trump's latest comments appear to be somewhat contradictory to recent remarks in which he suggested that, while Iran's military and leadership were mostly destroyed by US-Israeli air strikes, there was still work to be done.
The US Treasury Department on March 20 issued a 30-day authorization for the delivery and sale of previously sanctioned Iranian crude oil and petroleum products currently "stranded" on vessels.
However, Iranian oil ministry spokesman Saman Ghodousi wrote on X that Iran did not have any surplus oil stranded on vessels, rejecting US remarks that the action would free up some 140 million barrels for the world market.
Washington had previously granted a 30-day allowance for the purchase of sanctioned Russian oil that was also stranded at sea to bolster global supplies.
Israel To Ramp Up Strikes
Israel Katz, Israel's defense minister, said on March 21 that military operations against Iran are expected to increase in intensity in the coming days.
"The intensity of the attacks that will be carried out by the Israeli and US military against the Iranian regime and its supporting infrastructure will increase significantly," Katz said in a statement released by Israel's Defense Ministry.
A growing number of media outlets have reported -- citing unnamed US officials -- that thousands of additional US ground troops are on their way to the region, a move seen as giving the United States additional options in the war with Iran.
Trump, on March 19, denied to reporters he was about to deploy more troops, although he appeared to keep the door open: "I'm not putting troops anywhere. If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you. But I'm not putting troops. We will do whatever is necessary."
Reuters cited three US officials as saying 2,500 Marines, along with the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, and accompanying warships would deploy to the region, although they did not say what their role would be.
CBS, citing sources, reported that the Pentagon is preparing to send the famed 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East.
Newsmax, meanwhile, reported that the US military had already accelerated the deployment of thousands of Marines and sailors to potentially help reinforce its forces fighting against Iran.
Citing three officials speaking on condition of anonymity, the agency reported that the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit were deploying ahead of schedule from the West Coast of the United States.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that the Pentagon is sending three warships and thousands of additional Marines to the Middle East, citing unnamed US officials.
"Roughly 2,200 to 2,500 Marines from the California-based USS Boxer amphibious ready group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are heading to the US Central Command, responsible for all American forces in the Middle East," the Journal cited officials as saying.
The forces would be in addition to an earlier deployment of Marines, due to arrive this week in the region. The Pentagon sent the 5,000-strong, Japan-based USS Tripoli and 31st MEU to the Middle East, adding to the approximately 50,000 troops already stationed in the region, the WSJ reported.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian forces targeted the strategically important US-UK military base on the tiny island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean but did not hit the site in the most ambitious strike geographically by the Islamic republic.
The report said two ballistic missiles were fired, with one failing to reach the island and the other being fired at by a US warship, although it wasn't clear if the US interceptor struck the missile.
