Iran No Talks Taking Place — Drone Hits Baghdad Hotel Hosting Diplomats
Iconic Baghdad hotel and home to EU, Saudi missions struck by drone…
BY TYLER DURDEN
Summary:
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Iran’s FM Aragchhi says his last contact with US envoy Witkoff was before the American attack.
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Trump says ‘I don’t think so’ when asked if war will be wrapped up soon, notes ‘not this week’.
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Iconic Baghdad hotel and home to EU, Saudi missions struck by drone, fire ensues.
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Trump is regularly presented with options to end the war in Iran: NBC.
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Iran has rejected prior reports of diplomatic contacts with the US, calling them “false”: state media
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Iran FM Araghchi and US envoy Witkoff have been in contact via text messages in recent days: Israeli media
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Trump speculates on Iran’s leadership, talks: Said “we don’t even know their leaders” – top Iranian officials – possibly even Ayatollah Khamenei – may be dead, while also claiming “they are negotiating” but may not yet be ready for deal.
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Trump asked about Israeli nukes and escalation: “Israel wouldn’t do that.”
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Trump reiterates military campaign continuing in full force, main efforts to Iran’s threat to shipping
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Trump presses for multinational Hormuz escort coalition as allies hesitate; Bessent says US allowing limited Iranian, Chinese, and Indian tanker transits “for now” to stabilize global supply.
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Headlines, rumors fly on new Ayatollah’s personal life & whether he’s actually in charge.
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Bessent downplays link to Trump-Xi summit, calling any potential delay “logistical” due to Iran war coordination needs.
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Trump floated delaying March 31–April 2 Beijing meeting unless China helps reopen Strait fully, citing Beijing’s heavy reliance on Gulf oil.
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Europe reluctant to join Hormuz operation, Germany outright rejects it alongside Italy and Greece: Trump warned of a “very bad” future for NATO if allies don’t help reopen the strait. UK also says it won’t be ‘NATO-led’.
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Iran rejects ceasefire, vows prolonged defense; selective Hormuz policy continues, with traffic still down 70-90% and only “friendly” vessels passing safely.
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Gulf energy infrastructure under ongoing attack; regional proxies (Houthis, others) threaten further disruptions to bypass routes.
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Iconic Baghdad Hotel & Home To EU, Saudi Missions Struck By Drone; Iran Denies US Talks
A drone slammed into the Al-Rasheed Hotel in central Baghdad Monday evening, triggering a massive fire and sending thick smoke pouring from the upper floors of the landmark building in what’s widely being seen as one of the most symbolic and significant strikes on the Iraqi capital since the US-Iran war erupted more than two weeks ago.
The strike hit the 18-story hotel mid-evening, with eyewitness videos also confirming the attack. So far, no group has claimed responsibility, and Iraqi authorities have yet to confirm who launched the drone. US bases in Iraq have lately come under attack allegedly by pro-Iran Iraqi paramilitary groups, and not just directly from Iran.
Image Tripavisor
Al Jazeera reports on a state of panic at the scene:
The last two floors of the Al-Rasheed Hotel, home to the European Union and Saudi diplomatic missions, were hit by a drone. Western workers are also based at the hotel, including oil company employees.
We do not know for certain who is responsible for the attack, but it is worth noting the hotel lies within the Green Zone, so it’s not far from the US embassy, which was also hit less than 48 hours ago.
Security forces deployed to the area right after the explosion. They say the blast only caused material damage and no casualties were reported.
Earlier in the day Iran warned that US companies, interests, and industrial zones across the region could be attacked. It warned bystanders to flee these places, which are all potential targets. Iran has also said it would hit the ‘hiding places’ of US forces, even if they be in hotels.
BREAKING: European Union mission HQ at Royal Tulip Al-Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq bombed by drone pic.twitter.com/o8y1pCzieI
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) March 16, 2026
Also of note late in the day Monday is that Iran has rejected prior reports of diplomatic contacts with the US, calling them “false” – according to state media…
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Header featured image (edited) credit: AP article tease open card. Emphasis added by (TLB)
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