Israel launches new wave of strikes on Iran with no sign of diplomatic breakthrough

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran early Friday ahead of a planned U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, while Iran and the United States appeared at a diplomatic impasse, setting the stage for potential escalation as the first month of the Middle East war neared its end.

Israel’s attack Friday on targets “in the heart of Tehran” targeted sites used by Iran to produce ballistic missiles and other weapons, the Israeli military said. It also hit missile launchers and storage sites in western Iran.

Smoke also rose over Beirut, although Israel did not immediately report hitting the Lebanese capital, while air raid sirens sounded in Israel as the military said it was working to intercept Iranian missiles. Iran kept firing missiles and drones at its Gulf Arab neighbors, with sirens warning of attacks in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Kuwait said its Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait City had sustained “material damage” in attack but that nobody was hurt.

The U.S. has been pushing Iran to start talks on a 15-point proposal for a ceasefire, but at the same time has ordered thousands more troops to the region, possibly in preparation for a military attempt to wrest the Strait of Hormuz from Iran’s tight grip.

After Wall Street's worst day since the war began, Asian shares mostly fell Friday over growing doubts about the chances of de-escalation. Oil prices rose again, the Brent crude, the international standard, at $107 a barrel in morning trading, up more than 45% since Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran on Feb. 28 to start the war.

Iran's stranglehold on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, has caused growing concerns of a global energy crisis, and appears part of a strategy to get the U.S. to back down by roiling the world economy. A Gulf Arab bloc said Thursday that Iran is now exacting tolls from ships to ensure their safe passage through the waterway.

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington has delivered a 15-point “action list" to Iran for a possible ceasefire, using Pakistan as an intermediary. The list includes restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program and re-opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has rejected the U.S. offer and put forth its own five-point proposal, which includes reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

As the diplomatic efforts went on, a group of U.S. ships drew closer to the region with some 2,500 Marines. Also, at least 1,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne — trained to land in hostile territory to secure key territory and airfields — have been ordered to the region.

As American and Israeli attacks on Iran continued, the U.N. Security Council scheduled closed consultation on Iran for Friday in New York, according to two U.N. diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting is not public.

They added that Russia had asked for the meeting on U.S.-Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure in the country, that the United States, which holds the Security Council presidency, had scheduled it.

Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said the humanitarian organization's workers in Iran have reported to him that “countless homes, hospitals and schools have been damaged or destroyed,” and that nearly every neighborhood in Tehran has sustained damage.

“Civilians are paying the highest price for this war — it must end” he said in a statement.

“If this war continues, we risk a far wider humanitarian disaster,” he added. “Millions could be forced to flee across borders, placing immense pressure on an already overstretched region.”

Since the war began, more than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran, according to the Health Ministry.

Eighteen people have died in Israel, while at least three Israeli soldiers have also been killed in Lebanon. At least 13 American troops have been killed. Four people in the occupied West Bank and 20 in Gulf Arab states have also died.

Authorities said more than 1,100 people have died in Lebanon. In Iraq, where Iranian-supported militia groups have entered the conflict, 80 members of the security forces have been killed.

Rising reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Giovanna Dell'Orto in Miami and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.

A woman holds a portrait of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a protest outside Iran's embassy, where dozens of people gathered waving Hezbollah and Iranian flags in solidarity with the Islamic Republic, in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A girl holds a toy gun during a protest outside Iran's embassy, where dozens of people gathered waving Hezbollah and Iranian flags in solidarity with the Islamic Republic, in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A woman holds a picture of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during a pro-government gathering in a square in western Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Pro-government supporters chant slogans and wave Iranian flags during a rally, in a square in western Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Relatives grieve an Iraqi soldier killed in a strike Wednesday on a military clinic in western Iraq's Anbar province, during a mass procession inside the shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)

NEUSS, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 27, 2026--

Tineco, a global leader in intelligent floor care solutions, announces that Euromonitor International has recognised the company as the world’s leading brand in the household wet & dry vacuum cleaner segment for the fourth consecutive year*. The recognition by one of the world’s leading independent market research providers highlights Tineco’s sustained leadership and growth momentum within the global smart home category.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260327642806/en/

In recent years, Tineco has played a key role in making wet & dry vacuum cleaners an essential part of modern households. By combining advanced technology with user-centric design, the brand has built a global community of more than 24 million users** and continuously expanded its presence across major international markets.

According to Euromonitor International, Tineco achieved a global market share of 35 percent in 2025, maintaining its position as the world’s leading brand in the wet & dry vacuum cleaner segment for four consecutive years. This milestone demonstrates the brand’s sustained growth, its global leadership and its commitment to high-performance, intelligently designed cleaning solutions trusted by millions of households worldwide.

Flagship Products at a Glance

Tineco’s spirit of innovation is reflected across its flagship product portfolio. The FLOOR ONE S9 Artist series ( S9 Artist Steam Pro, S9 Artist ) represents the brand’s leadership in smart wet cleaning, combining advanced sensor technology with premium design for hard floor care. The PURE ONE A90S demonstrates powerful cordless suction with intelligent suction optimisation for whole-home cleaning. The CARPET ONE Cruiser, meanwhile, highlights Tineco’s expansion into deep carpet cleaning. Together, these products demonstrate Tineco’s ability to deliver comprehensive, high-performance solutions for every surface in the modern home.

Voice of the Company

“Being recognised by Euromonitor International as the world’s leading brand in the wet & dry vacuum cleaner segment for the fourth consecutive year is a significant milestone for Tineco,” said Ling Leng, CEO of Tineco. “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and our mission to simplify everyday life through intelligent technology. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, we remain focused on developing solutions that deliver strong performance, convenience and an overall better cleaning experience.”

Company Background

Since its founding in 1998, Tineco has evolved from a vacuum cleaner manufacturer into a global innovator in smart floor care, kitchen appliances and personal care products. The company introduced the world’s first smart vacuum cleaner in 2018 and the first smart wet & dry vacuum cleaner in 2019, setting new standards for intelligent household cleaning.

Tineco continues to drive the category forward through ongoing product innovation, integrating intelligent features such as real-time sensing, automatic power adjustments and simplified maintenance systems. The brand’s expanding portfolio is designed to meet the needs of today’s consumers.

Tineco products are available at more than 10,000 retail locations worldwide. In Germany, they are sold through Otto, Cyberport, QVC, Tchibo, as well as in more than 600 major retail stores including MediaMarkt, Saturn, Expert, EP, Euronics and Edeka, in addition to Amazon and Tineco’s official online store.

Learn more about Tineco and its portfolio of intelligent household appliances at de.tineco.com.

*Source: Euromonitor International (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; measured by global retail sales volume (in units) of the brand in the household wet & dry vacuum cleaner segment in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Household wet & dry vacuum cleaners are defined as household appliances that dispense clean water (or cleaning solution) to clean hard floors and subsequently vacuum the dirty water and debris. Based on research completed in March 2026.

**Data based on Tineco’s official net sales records (January 2020 to March 2026). Tineco reserves the right of final interpretation.

About Tineco

Tineco (“tin-co”) was founded in 1998 with the launch of its first vacuum cleaner and, in 2019, pioneered the world’s first smart vacuum. Today, the brand has evolved into a global leader in intelligent appliances across floor care, kitchen, and personal care categories. With a growing user base of over 23 million households and availability in approximately 30 countries worldwide, Tineco remains committed to its vision of making life easier through smart technology and continuous innovation.

Tineco ranks as the world’s No.1 wet & dry vacuum cleaner brand for the fourth consecutive year (Euromonitor International).