March 2026 — World Tension 91.7

March was an intense month, ending in the Extreme zone with a high average risk score of 91.7. Tensions spiked sharply on March 25 due to US warnings about attacking Iranian power plants, shortly after hitting a monthly low on March 24. Overall, the month saw heavy fighting, including explosions in Iran's capital, Iranian missile strikes near Israeli nuclear sites, and attacks on US bases. A brief drop in tension occurred on March 28 amid discussions on how the conflict could cause global nuclear proliferation. Despite international calls and proposals for a ceasefire, the month ended with the risk index reaching its peak of 98 on March 27.

Scores in this month were computed by the first-generation engine (v1), which ran on a higher calibration than today's engine.

Peak 98 on 2026-03-27 · low 69 on 2026-03-24 · locked record · · 2026 overview · April →

• US and Iran trade threats of expanding war after strikes near Israeli areas tied to nuclear sites ABC7 New York · 2026-03-22 · tension 88
• Explosions rock Iran's capital, and more attacks target Israel as US warns bombing will intensify AP News · 2026-03-06 · tension 76
• How War With Iran Could Lead to More Nuclear Weapons Around the World Time Magazine · 2026-03-28 · tension 70
• Pummeled by airstrikes, Iran launches new wave of attacks against Israel and U.S. bases PBS · 2026-03-05 · tension 67
• Iran launches missiles at Israel and US bases as Israeli military begins new strikes in Lebanon AP News · 2026-03-04 · tension 67
• Dozens injured in Israel after Iranian missile strikes target two areas near main nuclear research center PBS · 2026-03-21 · tension 64
• Energy costs spike as Iran war thrusts Strait of Hormuz into crisis Axios · 2026-03-09 · tension 64
• Trump May Seize Iran’s Nuclear Stockpile: Why Airstrikes Alone Aren’t Enough CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies · 2026-03-13 · tension 64
• The Iran Conflict Is Becoming a Russia-Ukraine Proxy War Council on Foreign Relations · 2026-03-30 · tension 63
• USA/Iran: Trump’s warning that USA will attack Iran’s power plants is a threat to commit war crimes Amnesty International · 2026-03-24 · tension 58

• Iran dismisses U.S. ceasefire plan, issues counterproposal as strikes land across the Mideast PBS
• China condemns attacks on Iran, urges ceasefire and talks Reuters
• Pope appeals for ceasefire and dialogue in Middle East war Vatican News
• How a U.S.-Iran war could 'immediately' impact gas prices at the pump, according to experts CNBC
• Department of War Secures Agreement on THAAD Seeker Production, Quadrupling Output to Bols U.S. Department of War (.gov)