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TEL AVIV, Israel — An Iranian ballistic missile carrying a 220-pound (100-kilogram) warhead slammed into a central Tel Aviv street Tuesday, March 24, 2026, blowing out windows of nearby apartment buildings and wounding at least four to six people as part of a fresh barrage that highlighted the Islamic Republic’s ability to penetrate Israeli air defenses despite weeks of intense U.S. and Israeli strikes.

The impact left a visible crater in the heart of Israel’s commercial and cultural capital, sending smoke billowing into the sky and prompting emergency crews to rush to the scene. Rescue workers described shattered glass, damaged vehicles and frightened residents emerging from shelters. “It feels like you’re a sitting duck, waiting for the missiles to hit you, or someone next to you,” one resident, Amir Hasid, told reporters after the blast.

Israeli officials confirmed the missile evaded multilayered defenses including the Arrow, David’s Sling and Iron Dome systems. The warhead’s relatively modest size — typical for precision or cluster variants — still caused significant localized damage in a densely populated urban area. No fatalities were immediately reported from this specific strike, though earlier barrages in the ongoing war have killed civilians.

The attack formed part of what Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps described as a new wave under “Operation True Promise 4,” involving multiple ballistic missiles and drones targeting central Israel, including Tel Aviv and areas near the Dimona nuclear research center. Some missiles reportedly carried cluster munitions designed to disperse submunitions mid-air, complicating interception efforts.

Israeli military spokesmen said most incoming projectiles were intercepted, but several impacted or scattered debris across the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, including Ramat Gan and other suburbs. Drone and social media footage showed extensive damage to a multi-story residential building, with rescue teams searching rubble and treating the injured. Shrapnel also fell near infrastructure sites, briefly disrupting train services at Tel Aviv’s Savidor Central station in previous waves.

The strike occurred as President Donald Trump claimed the United States was engaged in “very good and productive” talks with Iran aimed at de-escalating the conflict that began with joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets in late February. Trump suggested a possible five-day pause in strikes, yet Iranian launches continued, and Tehran dismissed the talks as insincere. Iranian officials framed the barrages as retaliation for Israeli assassinations of senior security figures and ongoing airstrikes on missile production sites and underground facilities.

Iran’s ballistic missile program, once estimated at thousands of projectiles, has been degraded by repeated Israeli and U.S. attacks on launchers, production lines and “missile cities” buried deep underground. Despite losses estimated at 60-85% of some capabilities, Tehran has demonstrated resilience, firing salvos that include solid-fueled systems like the Kheibar Shekan and liquid-fueled variants capable of reaching Israeli territory from western Iran.

Military analysts noted the 220-pound warhead aligns with payloads on missiles such as the Emad or Ghadr families, which can feature maneuverable re-entry vehicles or cluster configurations. Recent attacks have increasingly relied on saturation tactics — launching dozens of missiles and drones simultaneously — to overwhelm defenses. In this latest wave, some reports indicated multi-warhead designs that split into smaller 100-kilogram charges, increasing the chance of at least partial success.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office condemned the attack as “another example of Iranian aggression” and vowed continued operations to dismantle Tehran’s missile infrastructure. “We will not allow Iran to threaten our civilians with impunity,” a statement read. Defense Minister Israel Katz added that the Israel Defense Forces were striking launch sites and command nodes in real time.

Civilian impact in Tel Aviv remained limited compared with the scale of some previous barrages, but the psychological toll was evident. Sirens wailed across central Israel, forcing residents into shelters for the second time in recent days. Schools and businesses in affected areas closed early, and traffic ground to a halt as emergency vehicles responded.

Health officials reported minor injuries from flying glass and shrapnel, with hospitals on high alert. Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service, treated walking wounded at the scene while search-and-rescue teams checked for anyone trapped. No large-scale structural collapses were reported, though several buildings required safety inspections.

The broader war, now in its fourth week, has seen Iran launch hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, with varying success. Israeli and U.S. counterstrikes have targeted Iranian nuclear-related sites, oil infrastructure and missile factories, significantly reducing Tehran’s daily launch capacity. Yet Iran has adapted by using mobile launchers, decoys and combined drone-missile attacks.

Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian projectiles aimed at their territory or passing through their airspace. The conflict has drawn in regional actors, raising fears of wider escalation even as diplomatic channels flicker.

International reaction was swift. The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting, while European leaders urged restraint. U.S. officials reiterated support for Israel’s right to defend itself while pushing for de-escalation talks.

For Tel Aviv residents, the strike served as a stark reminder of vulnerability in a city long considered safe behind advanced defenses. “We thought the Iron Dome would handle everything, but these barrages keep testing the system,” said one shop owner whose business windows shattered in the blast.

As night fell Tuesday, Israeli jets were reported active over Iranian airspace, and additional sirens sounded in southern Israel near Dimona. Analysts warned that further Iranian retaliation could target economic or symbolic sites, while Israel aims to degrade remaining missile stocks before any ceasefire.

The 220-pound warhead impact, while not catastrophic, underscores the persistent threat posed by Iran’s arsenal even after sustained degradation. With talks underway yet missiles still flying, the coming hours could determine whether diplomacy gains traction or the conflict spirals further.

Emergency crews continued working into the evening, clearing debris and reassuring residents. In a city known for its vibrant nightlife and innovation, the sound of explosions and sirens once again replaced the usual hum of daily life.

Residents of a Texas city were urged to shelter in place following an explosion and fire at a Valero oil refinery that sent massive plumes of smoke billowing into the air. 

The incident happened Monday at Valero’s Port Arthur Refinery, which is located about 90 miles east of Houston and processes around 435,000 barrels per day. The company says about 770 employees work at the site, but there were no injuries, according to Port Arthur Mayor Charlotte Moses. 

“There’s been an explosion, yes, but we’re OK, everybody’s OK,” Moses said in a video posted on Facebook late Monday. “They’re trying to put the fire out as quickly as possible. They are working fast, our firefighters are on the scene. They’re working really hard.” 

Port Arthur is advising residents who live in the areas of Stillwell Boulevard West to South of Highway 73, Sabine Pass and Pleasure Island to adhere to an “immediate shelter in place.” 

ENERGY PRICES COULD FALL ‘PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY’ IF IRAN DEAL REACHED, ENERGY SECRETARY SAYS 

Smoke is seen rising during a fire on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Valero’s Port Arthur Refinery in Texas. (@heavensent_axgel via Storyful / Storyful)

“For your safety, please remain in place until the ‘All Clear’ is given by emergency personnel,” the city said. 

Port Arthur has a population of around 56,000.

“Currently, there is a fire in a unit at Valero’s Port Arthur, Texas refinery,” Valero told FOX Business in a statement on Tuesday morning. “All personnel have been accounted for. Valero’s emergency response team is responding and coordinating with local authorities. As a precaution, Jefferson County officials have closed State Highways 82 and 87. As always, the safety of our workers is our top priority.”

ONE YEAR LATER, LOS ANGELES RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO FACE REBUILDING CHALLENGES: ‘FATIGUE FACTOR’ 

A Valero oil refining plant is seen near Port Arthur, Texas, on Aug. 28, 2020. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens told FOX4 Beaumont that an industrial heater was likely behind the explosion. 

A Valero gas station in San Rafael, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS       

“Emergency response coordinators and regional staff have been deployed with handheld and mobile air monitoring assets in response to the Valero fire in Port Arthur, TX and are coordinating activities through incident command,” the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality wrote on X. 

CHICAGO — Travelers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport faced moderate to extended security lines Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with average TSA wait times hovering between 20 and 35 minutes at many checkpoints, though some peaks reached 40-60 minutes during morning and midday rushes as the partial federal government shutdown continues to strain staffing during peak spring break travel.

O’Hare, one of the nation’s busiest hubs handling more than 80 million passengers annually, does not maintain an official real-time TSA wait time dashboard on its flychicago.com site. Airport officials have instead issued broad advisories urging passengers to allow significantly more time than usual for security screening amid ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding issues.

Third-party trackers and traveler reports painted a variable picture Tuesday. Aggregators showed current standard security waits averaging around 25-26 minutes, with some checkpoints reporting as low as 5-10 minutes in off-peak overnight hours and climbing to 30-45 minutes during busier periods. TSA PreCheck lanes generally moved faster, often clearing in 5-15 minutes when open, though they too experienced occasional backups.

The partial government shutdown, now in its sixth week, has prompted elevated TSA call-out rates as officers work without guaranteed paychecks. Nationwide absenteeism has fluctuated, with some shifts seeing 10-30 percent or more officers absent. At O’Hare, lines were noticeably longer over the weekend, with reports of waits approaching two hours at certain international checkpoints, though conditions appeared somewhat steadier by Tuesday afternoon as volumes eased.

Chicago Department of Aviation officials have warned that passengers “may experience longer-than-usual wait times” due to the combination of spring break crowds and staffing challenges. More than 3.7 million travelers are expected to pass through O’Hare and Midway during the spring break period, with O’Hare projecting a 13 percent increase over last year on some days.

President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist at major airports, including O’Hare, began taking effect Monday. ICE officers were spotted in Terminal 3 and other areas, helping with crowd management and flow rather than direct screening. Their presence has drawn mixed reactions from travelers, with some expressing unease while others appreciated any additional support to ease bottlenecks.

Local media and social media posts Tuesday described scenes of manageable but slower-moving lines at most domestic checkpoints in Terminals 1, 2 and 3. International Terminal 5 sometimes saw heavier traffic due to additional screening requirements. One traveler reported clearing Terminal 1 PreCheck in about 7 minutes midday, while standard lanes in Terminal 3 averaged closer to 25-30 minutes during the lunch hour.

Unlike harder-hit airports such as Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, where lines have stretched for hours and official trackers were suspended, O’Hare has avoided the most extreme backups so far. However, aviation experts note that even moderate delays can cascade quickly in a hub like ORD, where tight connections are common.

Practical advice from the Chicago Department of Aviation and airlines remains consistent: Arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures. Many travelers and experts recommend adding an extra hour buffer during the current conditions, especially for families or those with checked baggage.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR expedited lanes continue to offer significant time savings for enrolled members. PreCheck checkpoints were open across terminals, with hours varying by location — some opening as early as 3:15 a.m. and closing in the evening. CLEAR enrollment and lanes are available in Terminals 1, 2 and 5.

Community support efforts have emerged to assist TSA officers facing financial hardship. Travelers and local groups have donated gift cards for food and gas, with some passengers handing them directly to officers at checkpoints.

For those flying out of O’Hare today, tips to minimize delays include:

– Check third-party trackers or the MyTSA app before leaving home, though data may be less reliable during the shutdown.
– Pack liquids in a quart-sized bag and remove laptops and large electronics early.
– Wear slip-on shoes and limit metal items to speed screening.
– Use the CTA Blue Line or other public transit to avoid roadway congestion around the airport.
– Monitor airline apps for gate changes and connection times.
– Consider the airport’s multiple checkpoints — moving between terminals is possible but adds time.

O’Hare’s layout, with four main terminals connected by walkways and the ATS people-mover system, helps distribute crowds after security. However, the initial checkpoints remain the primary potential choke point.

Flight operations continue normally, with average delays under 15 minutes reported early Tuesday according to airport data. No widespread cancellations tied directly to security lines were noted, though individual missed connections remain a risk for tight schedules.

The ongoing shutdown has drawn criticism from travel industry groups and unions, who warn of broader economic impacts if the impasse continues into peak summer travel. TSA officers, deemed essential, continue working while many face personal financial strain, leading to resignations and call-outs.

As evening approaches on March 24, passenger volumes typically ease after the afternoon rush, potentially shortening lines further for later departures. Overnight and very early morning hours often see the shortest waits.

Travelers with disabilities or needing assistance should contact their airline in advance and allow extra time. Family lanes exist but can also experience variability.

Chicago Mayor’s office and airport leadership continue coordinating with federal partners on ICE assistance and monitoring conditions closely. Officials emphasize that safety remains the top priority despite the challenges.

For real-time insights, passengers can consult sites like takeofftimer.com or onairparking.com, which aggregate traveler reports and checkpoint data. Social media groups and local news also provide frequent updates from those on the ground.

O’Hare International Airport remains a vital economic engine for the Chicago region. While the current situation tests its resilience, the hub has managed high volumes effectively in the past through proactive measures.

As spring break continues and negotiations in Washington drag on, conditions at ORD are expected to remain fluid. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed via airline notifications, the flychicago.com site and trusted travel apps.

The message from Chicago’s primary international gateway is clear: Plan ahead, build in substantial extra time and prepare for variable but generally manageable TSA experiences amid broader national strains. Safe travels to all departing O’Hare today.