US-Israel-Iran War News Highlights : Trump threatens NATO over Strait of Hormuz blockade; ‘very bad future’ if allies don’t help

US-Israel-Iran War News Today Highlights: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed to “pursue and kill” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the ongoing war with Israel and the United States. Calling him a “child-killing criminal”, the Guards said that they will continue to target Netanyahu with full force if he remains alive, news agency AFP reported citing Sepah News, the official website of the Guards. This comes after the Israeli prime minister issued a veiled threat to kill Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Meanwhile, the US embassy in Baghdad has urged American citizens to leave Iraq immediately after a missile struck the diplomatic mission’s building. This comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with the US President Donald Trump calling on allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping lane. The Strait of Hormuz is vital for global energy trade, with about 20 million barrels of oil passing through it daily, accounting for roughly a fifth of global consumption Trump has urged countries receiving oil through the Strait of Hormuz to secure the passage, saying “the countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help”. He also warned Iran, stating the US may hit Kharg Island “a few more times just for fun” if terms aren’t met. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized the strait is closed to Tehran’s enemies. The conflict has led to escalating strikes across the Middle East, including a drone attack on Fujairah port in the UAE On the ground, the chaos is mounting. A missile strike hit a helipad within the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, while intercepted drone debris sparked fires at an oil facility in the UAE. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is doubling down on its regional footprint; an additional 2,500 Marines and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli are now steaming toward the Middle East, joining the largest American naval buildup in decades. ## 5 key developments: • US-Israel Attacks on Iran: Missiles have struck multiple sites across central Isfahan province, killing at least 15 people. • Iranian Retaliation: Iran has launched multiple barrages of missiles at Israel and claimed attacks on US bases in Iraq and Kuwait. • Regional Casualties: The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon has risen to 826, with 831,000 displaced • Kharg Island raid: President Trump confirmed US Central Command destroyed naval mine storage and missile bunkers on Iran’s “crown jewel” export hub. Tehran claims the oil facilities remain functional despite 15 massive explosions. • Baghdad embassy strike: A helipad inside the massive US diplomatic compound in Iraq was struck Saturday. While no group has claimed responsibility, Washington has blamed Iran-aligned militias. The Indian Express Global Desk remains committed to rigorous verification. Follow our live blog below for real-time tracking of Operation Epic Fury, regional airspace status, and diplomatic efforts to contain the escalation. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned Israeli strikes on Tehran's fuel depots as "ecocide", stating that the attacks violate international law and pose severe risks to residents' health and well-being. "Residents face long-term damage to their health and well-being. Contamination of soil and groundwater could have generational impacts," Araghchi posted on X, demanding Israel be punished for its war crimes. Thanks for joining, for all the latest Iran related developments join us here. Kazem Jalali, the Russian ambassador to Iran, says that the perpetrator of the Minab school attack, where at least 170 people were killed, must be held accountable. “The aggressor must be held accountable for the war it started and is obligated to compensate for all damages caused,” Jalali said, according to remarks carried by Tasmin news agency. Join us for all the latest developments here: US fighter jets have reportedly struck military facilities on a mountain near the Chabahar Free Trade Zone, according to the Voice of America’s Persian language service. Sound of intense explosions were heard in the area behind the zone, the report said. The Chabahar Free Trade Zone is located in Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province near the border with Pakistan. Join our new live here: US President Donald Trump is rallying allies to form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route blocked by Iran. Get the latest on the Middle East crisis here: US President Donald Trump has warned that NATO could face a “very bad” future if member countries do not support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to an interview with the Financial Times published on Sunday. Trump said countries that benefit from the vital oil shipping route should help ensure it remains open. Read all the latest developments here. Japan has started to release oil from private-sector stockpiles to stabilize supply as the war on Iran continues to disrupts tanker traffic from the Middle East, according to the NHK broadcaster. The fuel released amounts to 15 days of consumption, NHK reported. “Oil-related companies in Japan hold reserves equivalent to 70 days. The government has a separate stockpile and is expected to release one month of supply later in March,” it said. Brent crude oil traded near $105 per barrel on Monday as Gulf countries reported more attacks by Iran with the war entering its third week, while share prices were mixed. A barrel of Brent, the international standard, was up 1.6% at $104.73, dipping slightly after opening above $106 per barrel. It's up more than 40% since the war began. U.S. benchmark crude gained 1% to $99.68 per barrel. It's up nearly 50% since the war began. (With inputs from Reuters) US President Donald Trump is rallying allies to form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route blocked by Iran. Trump mentioned he's spoken to "about seven" countries, including China, about "policing" the strait, emphasizing that nations relying on Gulf energy should help secure it. He warned that NATO faces a "very bad future" if allies don't pitch in, and might delay his Beijing summit with Xi Jinping if China doesn't assist. The UAE’ Ministry of Defence says its air defence systems are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. In a statement, the ministry said the sounds heard in parts of the country were the result of air defence systems intercepting the incoming projectiles. The ministry did not immediately provide further details about damage or casualties. -Aljazeera An explosion has been reported in Nineveh province, northern Iraq, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. This follows an earlier air attack that wounded three people at a base belonging to the Popular Mobilisation Forces, a group with ties to Iran. An Iraqi security source has told Al Jazeera that there’s been an air strike on the headquarters of the Popular Mobilisation Force in the Jurf al-Sakahr area. The source said at least three people were wounded. The exiled son of Iran’s last shah, who was ousted by the 1979 revolution, has called on Iranians around the world to stage protests to mark an important date in the Persian calendar before the Spring Festival later this week. “I call on all Iranians abroad to gather on Charshanbeh Suri in front of the regime’s embassies around the world and shout with one voice: the Iranian nation will not rest until Iran is liberated and the Islamic Republic is consigned to history,” the US-based Reza Pahlavi wrote on X. > My compatriots,On the eve of Charshanbeh Suri, the anti-Iranian regime of the Islamic Republic is once again attempting to prevent this ancient national ritual. But this year, we will mark Charshanbeh Suri with solemn national pride in memory of the brave souls who have… https://t.co/lgbyzJzoO2— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) March 15, 2026 My compatriots,On the eve of Charshanbeh Suri, the anti-Iranian regime of the Islamic Republic is once again attempting to prevent this ancient national ritual. But this year, we will mark Charshanbeh Suri with solemn national pride in memory of the brave souls who have… https://t.co/lgbyzJzoO2 The Iranian Red Crescent Society says that one of its workers has been killed during a search and rescue operation in Tiran-o-Korun, Isfahan Province, on March 8. The group identified the worker as Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies also extended their condolences over Jahanbakhsh’s death. The IFRC said it was appalled by his death, noting that several other IRCS staff and volunteers have also sustained injuries while carrying out their duties since the outbreak of the conflict. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has stated that the country doesn't plan to send naval vessels to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, citing constitutional limitations. "We have not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships. We are continuing to examine what Japan can do independently and what can be done within the legal framework," Takaichi told parliament. This comes as US President Donald Trump pressures allies to help protect the vital waterway, which Iran has effectively blockaded, impacting global oil supplies. South Korean shares are trading lower on Monday, with the benchmark KOSPI down 0.52% at 5,458.65, as uncertainty over the Middle East conflict keeps oil prices elevated. Analyst Han Ji-young notes that hourly updates on the situation are triggering oil price volatility, which in turn affects the stock market. President Donald Trump mentioned talks with seven countries to secure the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to pare gains, with Brent crude futures at $102.90 a barrel. The Strait of Hormuz remains under "critical" threat, with at least 20 vessels attacked around the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman since the war began three weeks ago, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The threat environment is still considered critical due to recent attack patterns, navigation interference, and operational disruptions, including attacks on port facilities. -CNN Energy prices have kept near the $100 (£75.44) mark since the US bombing of Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, though charts have been choppy in early Monday trade in Asia. US-traded crude is down slightly by 0.6% at $98.14 a barrel, while Brent is currently priced at $103.17, largely unchanged. Oil is still trading at prices higher than they were before the war, even after major nations under the International Energy Agency (IEA) have pledged to release 400 million barrels of reserves to keep a lid on prices. Major Asian stock markets edged higher during early Monday trade. South Korea's Kospi index was up by around 1%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 exchange gained by 0.2%. Both have fallen sharply since the start of the Iran war. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East in a conversation with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to NHK, Koizumi stated, "Tokyo intends to maintain close communication with the US and other relevant parties," highlighting Japan's commitment to regional security. Hegseth assured Koizumi that the US-Japan alliance remains strong, with no changes to US forces in Japan, and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to strengthening deterrence and response capabilities. Israeli forces have launched two raids targeting southern Beirut's suburbs, with buildings hit in the early morning strike, according to Al Jazeera Arabic. There are no immediate reports on casualties, but the strikes have caused damage to residential areas. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Israeli strikes on fuel depots in Tehran, stating it's a violation of international law and a form of "ecocide". In a statement on X, he said, "residents face long-term damage to their health and well-being" and that "contamination of soil and groundwater could have generational impacts". He added, "Israel must be punished for its war crimes". > Israel's bombings of fuel depots in Tehran violate international law and constitute ecocide.Residents face long-term damage to their health and well-being. Contamination of soil and groundwater could have generational impacts.Israel must be punished for its war crimes. pic.twitter.com/K9bU57ZBTC— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 16, 2026 Israel's bombings of fuel depots in Tehran violate international law and constitute ecocide.Residents face long-term damage to their health and well-being. Contamination of soil and groundwater could have generational impacts.Israel must be punished for its war crimes. pic.twitter.com/K9bU57ZBTC Donald Trump stated that Iran is eager to negotiate, but believes they're not ready yet, saying "we're talking to them but I don't think they're ready, but they're getting pretty close". He also claimed the US has dealt significant damage to Iran, stating it would take them 10 years to rebuild if the US withdrew now. Trump alleged that reports of support for Iran's leader and attacks on the USS Abraham Lincoln were AI-generated, without providing evidence. He described his relationship with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu as "extraordinary" and predicted oil prices will drop once the conflict ends. The UK is planning to send minesweeping drones to the Strait of Hormuz to help reopen the vital waterway, amid concerns that sending ships could escalate the crisis with Iran. This move comes after US President Donald Trump requested ships to be sent to protect the strait, but UK officials are hesitant due to the volatile situation. Instead, the UK is considering aerial minesweepers to clear mines and allow oil exports to resume. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband mentioned that the UK is exploring options, including mine-hunting drones, to secure the route. New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis said on Monday the country's treasury department has forecast that inflation will rise to 3.7% if the Iran war lasts through the year. New Zealand's inflation rose 3.1% in the 12 months to the December quarter, above the central bank's ⁠target ​rate and previous forecasts. Willis said Treasury modelling done for a "worst-case scenario" with a prolonged conflict in Iran and oil prices rising to $135 a barrel forecast inflation to rise to 3.7%. Air raid sirens have sounded across southern Israel as the Israeli military warns of a new wave of missiles from Iran, with no casualties reported so far. Earlier, sirens blared in central Israel amid warnings of a missile attack. The situation is part of the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with Iran launching hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel. South Korea's ruling Democratic Party said on Monday that the government will lift limits on coal-fired power generation capacity and raise nuclear power plant utilisation ⁠to ​as high as 80% as part of an energy response to the Middle East ​crisis. Lawmakers ​in the party's ⁠Middle East crisis economic response task force said in ‌a briefing the measures are aimed at stabilising energy supply and prices as oil and gas shipments to South Korea have ⁠been ⁠blocked by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has "demanded" that about seven countries heavily reliant on Middle East oil join a coalition to police the Strait of Hormuz. About one-fifth the world's traded oil flows through the waterway. Trump spoke while answering reporters' questions as he flew back to Washington from Florida aboard Air Force One. The president declined to name the countries he the administration is negotiating with for protection for the strait. "I'm demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their own territory," Trump said about the strait, claiming the vital shipping channel is not something the United States needs because of its own access to oil. Israel’s Channel 12 is reporting that air raid sirens were activated in central parts of the country at around 1:30am local time due to missile fire from Iran. The projectiles “apparently fell in an open area” and no casualties were reported, it added. The Mehr news agency says Iranian air defences are confronting “hostile targets in the skies” of the country’s capital. The US president has lashed out at American media over their coverage of the war on Iran, calling for treason charges against outlets that spread false information. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused US media of being manipulated by Iran, which he claimed is using AI to disseminate disinformation “Iran, working in close coordination with the Fake News Media, shows our great USS Abraham Lincoln Aircraft Carrier, one of the largest and most prestigious Ships in the World, burning uncontrollably in the Ocean. Not only was it not burning, it was not even shot at — Iran knows better than to do that! The story was knowingly FAKE and, in a certain way, you can say that those Media Outlets that generated it should be brought up on Charges for TREASON for the dissemination of false information!” he wrote. The Israeli military says it is following its attacks on Lebanon’s Beirut by launching a “wave of extensive strikes” in the Iranian capital, Tehran. -Aljazeera Australia will not send naval ships to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a government minister said on Monday. "We won't be sending a ship to the Strait ⁠of ​Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is, but that's not something that we've been asked or ​that we're ​contributing to," Catherine ⁠King, a member of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's cabinet, said ‌in an interview with state broadcaster ABC. little sign of easing despite efforts by Washington and its allies to contain rising prices. When futures trading resumed at 6 p.m. ET, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate climbed more than 2% to about $102 a barrel. The international benchmark Brent crude also advanced, reaching roughly $106 a barrel. US president Donald Trump warned NATO allies that the alliance may face a “very bad future” if they don't help the United States in its war against Iran, FT reports. The report suggested that Trump pressed partners to do more to secure regional energy routes and stabilize the situation as Washington grows frustrated with limited allied involvement. Fifteen Israelis have been killed since the start of the war in the Middle East on 28 February, according to emergency organization Magen David Adom (MDA). It says that, on Sunday, 69 people have been injured "in light condition", and one person "moderately injured". Over the course of the conflict, more than 900 people have been injured, MDA adds, with five of those being "seriously injured". A position belonging to the Iranian Kurdish opposition party Komala has been struck by three missiles in the Zrgwez area of Sulaimaniya in the Kurdish semi-autonomous entity of Iraqi Kurdistan, Rudaw news reports. Ali Ranjbari, a senior member of the party, told the Rudaw news platform that the strike has caused no damage to the site. The Trump administration plans to announce as early as this week that several countries have agreed to form a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing US officials. Iranian forces have warned that logistics and support facilities linked to the US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford deployed in the Red Sea could become military targets. Tasnim news agency quoted a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters as saying the carrier’s presence in the Red Sea is viewed as a threat against Iran and that service and logistics centers tied to the fleet would be considered targets by Iran’s armed forces. Bahrain’s ministry of interior has stated that sirens have been activated across the kingdom. The ministry is urging citizens and residents to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels. Oil prices could extend gains at Monday's open as the US-Israeli war against Iran entered a third week, putting oil infrastructure at risk and keeping the Strait of Hormuz shut in ⁠the world's largest ​supply disruption. The International Energy Agency on Sunday said more than 400 million barrels of oil reserves will begin flowing to the market soon, a record draw aimed at combating price spikes caused by the Middle East war. Stocks from Asia Oceania will be released immediately and those from Europe and the Americas ​will ​be available at the end of March, the agency said. (Reuters) A strike on the Javadieh neighbourhood of southern Tehran on Friday hit a police station and several surrounding buildings. Elham Movagghari, a resident of the area who spoke to journalists Sunday, said she was shocked by the attack. "We were confused and didn't know what had happened," she said. "We just ran away." Another resident, Hossein Ghardashi, said the strike threw him across the room. The US has spent about USD 12 billion on the ongoing war with Iran so far, Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett said on Sunday. "The latest number I was briefed on was 12," Hassett said. Pentagon estimates provided to Congress said the war would cost $11.3 billion in its first week. Hassett did not specify the time frame for the $12 billion in spending. US Central Command on Sunday refuted claims made by Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi that Washington and Israel were responsible for the attacks on Gulf states. In a post on X, the US Centcom said, "Iranian forces have launched thousands of drones AND missiles at its neighbors, indiscriminately targeting civilian hotels, commercial airports, residential communities and economic infrastructure." > 🚫The Iranian regime’s foreign minister claims that the United States is using one-way attack drones to attack Gulf countries and shifting the blame to Iran. LIE. ✅Iranian forces have launched thousands of drones AND missiles at its neighbors, indiscriminately targeting… pic.twitter.com/kr7slhdtEO— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2026 🚫The Iranian regime’s foreign minister claims that the United States is using one-way attack drones to attack Gulf countries and shifting the blame to Iran. LIE. ✅Iranian forces have launched thousands of drones AND missiles at its neighbors, indiscriminately targeting… pic.twitter.com/kr7slhdtEO More than 400 million barrels of oil from International Energy Agency emergency reserves will begin flowing soon, the agency said in its most detailed account of the rollout of the plan to combat a spike in crude prices since the start of the Iran war. Stocks from Asia and Oceania countries will be available immediately and stocks ⁠from ​Europe and the Americas will be available at the end of March, the agency said on Sunday, four days after the agreement was announced. Drones have targeted Kuwait's airport causing damage to the radar system, country's defence ministry said on Sunday. It added that the country’s armed forces destroyed five additional drones, Al Jazeera reported. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday denied a report that Israel was facing a shortage of ballistic missile interceptors after more than two weeks of war that has seen repeated attacks from Iran and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. American news website Semafor on Saturday cited an unnamed US official as saying that Israel had told Washington it was running ⁠critically ​low on ballistic missile interceptors. Asked whether the report was accurate, along with an Israeli media report that Israel was set to hold direct talks with Lebanon, Saar responded: "For both questions, the answer is no." Iran foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran "never asked" for a ceasefire or negotiation after US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran wanted to make a deal. "We don’t see any reason why we should talk with Americans, because we were talking with them when they decided to attack us, and that was for the second time," Araghchi told CBS News. Amid rumours and unverified reports of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's death after Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed to “pursue and kill” him , the leader posted a video on X from a coffee shop and wrote, "They say I'm what? Watch" > אומרים שאני מה? צפו >> pic.twitter.com/ijHPkM3ZHZ— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) March 15, 2026> pic.twitter.com/ijHPkM3ZHZ US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, during an interview with CNN on Sunday, raised doubts over Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and said that the Trump administration is keeping a close tab on how much control Mojtaba holds over the country. "The president has said he’s not happy (with the new leader) who by many accounts is an incredibly hardline individual, a hardline cleric, we’ll see if he’s actually really in charge,” Waltz said. Iran on Sunday said that at least 56 of its museums, historic buildings and cultural sites have been damaged in US-Israeli strikes, Tehran's state news agency IRNA reported. Since the US-Israel launched their campaign to jointly attack Iran, the government in Tehran has continued to impose a near-total internet blackout across the country which has entered into its 16th day, Netblocks showed. The UAE on Sunday ordered the arrest of 35 individuals, including 19 Indians, for publishing video clips on social media platforms that contained misleading and fabricated content amid regional tensions due to the Israel-US-Iran war. The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) official news agency Wam said the accused have been referred for an expedited trial. - PTI A spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said that the country intends to continue Iran campaign for at least "three more weeks" with “thousands of targets” remaining, CNN reported. "We have thousand of targets ahead. We are ready, in coordination with our US allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now. And we have deeper plans for even three weeks beyond that," IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, during an interview with ABC News on Sunday, said that Iran conflict is going to end in a "next few weeks" with rebound in oil supplies and lower energy prices to follow. UAE's Ministry of Defence on Sunday said that it intercepted several ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran. In a post on X, the ministry wrote, "UAE air defenses intercept 4 ballistic missiles and 6 drones." > الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية تتعامل مع الصواريخ الباليستية والجوالة والمسيرات الإيرانية.UAE Air Defences engaged IranianBallistic and Cruise Missiles and UAVs Attacks#_ #__#mod#uaeministryofdefence pic.twitter.com/vRWuA5UFRS— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) M الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية تتعامل مع الصواريخ الباليستية والجوالة والمسيرات الإيرانية.UAE Air Defences engaged IranianBallistic and Cruise Missiles and UAVs Attacks#_ #__#mod#uaeministryofdefence pic.twitter.com/vRWuA5UFRS Bahrain's Ministry of the Interior on Sunday said that they have arrested five people for their involvement in collecting and passing on "precise and sensitive information" to Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). Bahrain’s Ministry of the Interior on Sunday said that it has arrested five people for their involvement in collecting and passing on "precise and sensitive information" to Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). Pope Leo made an impassioned plea on Sunday for an immediate ceasefire in the expanding Iran war, lamenting "atrocious violence" that he said had killed thousands of non-combatants and caused suffering across the region. As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its ⁠third ​week, the first US pope warned that violence would not bring the justice, stability and peace that the peoples of the region long for. (Reuters) Iran has repeatedly launched wave of missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB) at Al-Kharj, near the capital of Riyadh, BBC news reports. According to Iran's Fars news agency, Tehran has fired a barrage of missiles at the US base in Al-Kharj. There have been reports of missile and drone activity across Israel after the IDF confirmed that a new wave of missiles were fired towards the country by Iran. According to a Times of Israel report, at least five people have been injured from seven separate Iranian missile attacks on Israel since midnight. A fragment of an Iranian ⁠missile struck ​a residential ​building ​used by ⁠the United States ‌consul in Israel, Reuters reported quoting Israeli media ⁠⁠on ⁠Sunday. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have said that Iran has fired another wave of missiles towards the country, just two hours after the previous barrage of missiles were reported in Tel Aviv. Oil loading operations at the United Arab Emirates' Fujairah emirate, a major bunkering hub and crude export terminal, have resumed after a drone attack and fire on Saturday, four sources told Reuters, but it was unclear if ⁠the ​operations were back to normal. The US-Iran war has already cut Middle Eastern oil production by over 7 million barrels per day or 7% of global supply. ​Disruptions ​at Fujairah might force OPEC's ⁠third-largest crude producer to shut down more production after already cutting output at its offshore ‌fields. The Israeli Foreign Minister said Israel expects the Lebanese government to take serious steps to stop Hezbollah from firing at Israel. He also stated that Israel does not plan to hold direct talks with the Lebanese government in the coming days. The minister reiterated that no direct negotiations with Beirut are currently planned. Reuters inputs Iran’s army says in a statement carried by the country’s media outlets that its forces carried out “powerful drone attacks” this morning targeting Israel’s “Lahav 433” special police unit headquarters and the Gilat defence satellite communications centre. Al Jazeera reported Iran's Foreign Minister tells French counterpart: Each country needs to refrain from any action that can escalate conflict, Reuters said citing Telegram account After Iran vowed to retaliate in an intensified manner, US President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Tehran's Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said U.S. strikes had "totally demolished" much of the island and warned of more, telling NBC News on Saturday, "We may hit it a few more times just for fun." Al Jazeera inputs A US-Israeli attack early Sunday morning targeted an impoverished residential neighborhood in the southern city of Shiraz, Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA reported. The strike destroyed several housing units belonging to workers and people supported by the state welfare organization, the Associated Press quoted the report. It said a number of homes were destroyed and several people were injured. No fatalities have been reported yet. (AP) Switzerland Sunday said it refused permission for two overflights by US reconnaissance planes “in the context of the war in Iran," the Associated Press reported. The government said late Saturday that Switzerland’s neutrality law forbids overflights by parties to a conflict that have a military purpose in connection with that conflict. But it does allow humanitarian and medical transit, as well as flights unconnected with the conflict. Switzerland said it did give clearance for two US transport aircraft to fly over the country on Sunday and for a newly serviced plane to transit on Tuesday. (AP) The United States Department of Defense on Saturday identified six service members who died when a military refueling aircraft crashed Thursday while supporting operations against Iran, according to an Associated Press report. The service members were: Maj. John A. Klinner, 33 Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31 Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34 Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38 Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30 Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28 The crash in western Iraq followed an unspecified incident involving two aircraft in “friendly airspace,” according to US Central Command. The other plane landed safely. (AP) Sirens were sounded in Bahrain ahead of an assault on Sunday, while the United Arab Emirates reported a missile attack, urging residents to shelter in safe locations, the Associated Press reported. Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry also said its systems intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over the capital, Riyadh, and the kingdom’s eastern region. (AP) Anwar Gargash, adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, called Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s accusation that the US was using the UAE as a base for its attacks on Iran's Kharg Island, as "a confused policy." “This reflects a confused policy that missed the point, lost its direction, and lacked wisdom,” Gargash wrote on social media late Saturday. (AP) Israeli strikes have deepened Lebanon's humanitarian crisis, with about 800 people killed and more than 850,000 displaced, according to updated toll published by the Associated Press. Gulf countries reported new attacks Sunday morning, a day after Iran called for the evacuation of three major ports in the United Arab Emirates, threatening for the first time a neighboring country’s non-US assets, the Associated Press reported. Tehran has accused the United States of using “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to launch strikes on Kharg Island, without providing evidence. (AP) The Israeli military Sunday said that Iran had launched a new barrage of missiles toward Israel, the Associated Press reported. It said sirens are alerting residents in areas under attack and air defenses have been activated. (AP) The IRGC says it has launched 10 missiles and an unidentified number of drones against US forces at the UAE’s al-Dhafra airbase, according to a statement carried by Iranian news agencies. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have pledged to target Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing him as a "child-killing criminal". "If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force," the Guards said, according to AFP. Early morning raids hit Isfahan, Iran, with verified videos and images showing thick smoke rising over the city and jets flying low, according to Al Jazeera. The attacks are part of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with reports of explosions and air defense systems activated in multiple Iranian cities. > ' حدود ۶:۱۵'تصاویر دریافتی از دود انفجارهای حملات صبح یکشنبه ۲۴ اسفند#iran pic.twitter.com/Ec2P7VAJ4v— Vahid Online (@Vahid) March 15, 2026 ' حدود ۶:۱۵'تصاویر دریافتی از دود انفجارهای حملات صبح یکشنبه ۲۴ اسفند#iran pic.twitter.com/Ec2P7VAJ4v Twenty people were arrested in northwestern Iran for attempting to cooperate with Israel, Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday, citing a statement by the West Azerbaijan province's prosecutor office. They are accused of sending location details on Iran's military and security assets to Israel. Israel has launched a new phase of its assault on Iran, targeting security checkpoints based on tip-offs from informants on the ground, a source briefed on Israel's military strategy told Reuters last week. An Israeli strike hit a residential building in Sidon's Sharhabil area, sparking a fire and killing at least one person, with emergency workers retrieving the body. The Lebanese National News Agency reports the attack, amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with multiple strikes reported across Lebanon, including in Beirut's suburbs and southern cities like Nabatieh. -Aljazeera Israel’s Ynet News is reporting that Israeli air defences have intercepted two waves of missiles targeting southern parts of the country in the past hour. According to the Israeli Home Front Command, there were no casualties from the incidents. YNet also reported that alarms sounded in central Israel in the past hour due to a projectile launched from Lebanon. The weapon was intercepted, it added. US President Donald Trump threatened more US strikes on Iran’s main oil export hub and called on allied countries to send warships to protect the Strait of Hormuz, as the conflict with Iran continues, according to a report by Reuters. Speaking in an interview with NBC News, Trump said American strikes had caused heavy damage to Iran’s Kharg Island and warned that more attacks could follow. “We may hit it a few more times just for fun,” Trump said, adding that although Tehran seemed ready to discuss an end to the conflict, “the terms aren’t good enough yet”. Read more Lebanon's prime minister and president have expressed openness to direct talks with Israel, marking a significant shift in their decades-long state of war. This move comes amid intense diplomatic efforts to prevent an Israeli ground invasion in southern Lebanon and potential destruction of Beirut's southern suburbs. France has proposed hosting ceasefire negotiations in Paris, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasizing the need for negotiations to prevail over war. The proposed plan includes Israel withdrawing from southern Lebanon, Hezbollah disarming south of the Litani River, and Lebanon recognizing Israel, but France denies the plan's existence, saying they're only facilitating talks. Hezbollah has claimed four attacks this morning, including launching rockets at Israeli troops at Calf Hill site, north of Kfar Yuval settlement, and firing artillery at soldiers at Jibia point opposite Lebanon's Meiss el-Jabal border town. The Israeli Home Front Command says it has detected rocket and missile fire targeting southern Israel and has urged people to take shelter. Israel’s Channel 12 says there have been “loud explosions” in central parts of the country as air raid sirens blared across the region due to a missile attack from Iran. US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr warned broadcasters to avoid "hoaxes and news distortions" in their Iran war coverage, stating they risk losing licenses if they don't "operate in the public interest". Carr's comments drew criticism from Democrats and free speech advocates, with Senator Brian Schatz calling it a "clear directive to provide positive war coverage or else licenses may not be renewed", and California Governor Gavin Newsom deeming it "fragrantly unconstitutional". > If Trump doesn't like your coverage of the war, his FCC will pull your broadcast license.That is flagrantly unconstitutional. https://t.co/Jp1Mk5EEJb— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) March 14, 2026 If Trump doesn't like your coverage of the war, his FCC will pull your broadcast license.That is flagrantly unconstitutional. https://t.co/Jp1Mk5EEJb The US embassy in Baghdad has issued a fresh warning for its citizens to leave Iraq immediately after a missile hit the embassy building earlier on Saturday. The embassy stated that US citizens choosing to remain in Iraq are strongly encouraged to reconsider due to the significant threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups. This warning comes as Iran has launched strikes at US targets across the Middle East, prompting the US to urge its citizens to leave over a dozen countries. Additionally, the US has ordered non-emergency government employees and their relatives to leave Oman. Air raid sirens in the Jordanian city of Aqaba, which sits opposite Eilat in southern Israel. The warnings came as Bahrain and the UAE also issued warnings of air raids. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix events have officially been cancelled, Formula One has announced. They were initially scheduled for 12 April and 19 April respectively. In a statement, Formula One says the cancellation is due to the "ongoing situation in the Middle East" and while alternatives were considered, no substitutions will be made for the races. The cancellations mean there will be a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on 27-29 March and Miami on 1-3 May. "The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind," said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The UAE’s Ministry of Defence sats its air defences are “responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran”. It said the sounds being heard are the result of interceptions. Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones to use against the US and Israel, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told CNN in an interview excerpt aired on Saturday. Zelenskyy told ⁠CNN's ​Fareed Zakaria that it is "100% facts" that Iran has used Russian-made Shaheds to attack ​US bases. Shahed ​drones have been ⁠linked to other attacks on countries in the region, ‌although their manufacturers are not always clear. The Bahrain Interior Ministry says that sirens have been activated and is urging residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe location The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it targeted Israel and three US bases in Iraq and Kuwait. “The continuous sound of ambulance sirens” in Israel and the admissions by Israeli authorities on the “increasing number of deaths and injuries” reveal the “depth of the impact of the heavy missiles” of the IRGC in the industrial sectors of Tel Aviv, it said in a statement. It also claimed that the Harir airbase in Iraq’s Erbil, as well as the Ali Al Salem and Arifjan bases hosting US troops in Kuwait wee “destroyed by powerful Iranian missiles and drones”. The situation in Iraq is intensifying, with a missile striking the US Embassy in Baghdad and damaging part of its air defence system. This incident has prompted the US Embassy to urge American citizens to leave Iraq immediately due to the significant threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups. The attacks aren't limited to Baghdad; US forces at bases and airports across Iraq, including in the Kurdish region, have come under fire. There's also a report of a French soldier being killed when a base was hit. The frequency of these attacks is increasing, with Iraqi armed factions offering rewards for information on Americans in the country. Iran has buried Ali Shamkhani, a top defense official killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on February 28. Shamkhani, 70, was a key figure in nuclear negotiations and headed Iran's Defence Council, advising late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. > Iran has held a funeral for senior defence official Ali Shamkhani, who was killed in Israeli-US strikes on February 28.Shamkhani was a key figure in nuclear talks and head of Iran’s Defence Council, as well as an adviser to the late Supreme Leader. pic.twitter.com/xzDHzNXR4o— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 15, 2026 Iran has held a funeral for senior defence official Ali Shamkhani, who was killed in Israeli-US strikes on February 28.Shamkhani was a key figure in nuclear talks and head of Iran’s Defence Council, as well as an adviser to the late Supreme Leader. pic.twitter.com/xzDHzNXR4o The Saraya Awliyaa al-Dam group says it carried out the attacks in response to the US and Israel’s killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the deaths of its fighters. The attacks included a US site in the northern city of Erbil and at the Victoria Base at the Baghdad airport, it added. The Lebanese armed group says it fired a “large barrage of rockets” at Israeli soldiers in the Khallat al-Mahafir area near the border town of Odaisseh in southern Lebanon. Earlier, the group claimed another attack on Israeli soldiers at the Avivim barracks. (Aljazeera) Israeli forces have reportedly launched an air raid on a residential apartment in Sharhabil, a southern city area. Aljazeera Iran urged people Saturday to evacuate the Middle East's busiest port and two others in the United Arab Emirates, openly threatening a neighboring country's non-US assets for the first time as its war with the United States and Israel entered a third week. Tehran said the US had used “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to launch strikes on Kharg Island, home to the main terminal handling Iran's oil exports, without providing evidence. Israeli Army Radio has since deleted its post on X, while Channel 12 is reporting that “the fire did not break out due to interception fragments and started before the alarm was sounded”. It cited municipal authorities. The US State Department said ⁠on ​Saturday ​it had ​ordered ⁠non-emergency government employees and ‌the family members ⁠of ⁠government employees to ⁠leave ‌Oman, ​citing ‌safety risks ‌as ​the ​US-Israeli war ​on Iran ​continues. Japan's government is cautious about Trump's call to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz. A defence ministry official said Japan could be "forced to make difficult decisions" if it dispatches its Self-Defence Forces, while a foreign ministry official emphasized that "Japan decides its own response, and independent judgment is fundamental. The US State Department said on Saturday it has ordered non‑emergency government employees and their family members to depart Oman, citing safety risks as tensions stemming from the ongoing US‑Israeli conflict with Iran continue to escalate in the region, officials said. Israeli Army Radio says the military has intercepted the latest missile barrage from Iran, while some of the projectiles fell in open areas. Debris from interceptors fell in the central city of Ramla, causing a fire, it added. No casualties were reported, it added. A US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress was seen taking off for a night mission during Operation Epic Fury, as American strikes continue, a video shared by CENTCOM on X shows. > A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress takes off for a night mission during Operation Epic Fury. Strikes from U.S. forces continue to be unpredictable, dynamic, and decisive. pic.twitter.com/LU9zogVy7C— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2026 A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress takes off for a night mission during Operation Epic Fury. Strikes from U.S. forces continue to be unpredictable, dynamic, and decisive. pic.twitter.com/LU9zogVy7C Iraq's football team plans to fly to Mexico on a private plane for their World Cup play-off match on March 31, despite coach Graham Arnold's request to postpone due to the US-Iran tensions. The team faces either Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey, with the winner securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Iraq Football Association chief Adnan Dirjal cited the "difficulty of the journey" in a letter to FIFA, but remains focused on qualifying. The US military has confirmed that six service members were killed in a KC-135 refueling aircraft crash in western Iraq on Thursday. The incident involved another aircraft, but the crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire, according to US Central Command. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed group, claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft . Trump questioned Mojtaba Khamenei's status: "I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him," citing his written statement instead of speaking on camera. He added, "I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should... surrender." Trump described reports of Khamenei's death as a "rumour". The Israeli military says it has detected a new wave of Iranian missiles and that air defences are “operating to intercept the threat”. The Home Front Command said sirens are blaring in central Israel as well as the Avivim Area of the Upper Galilee in northern Israel. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reports that Israeli attacks have resulted in significant casualties in southern Lebanon. Two separate waves of attacks killed 14 people, including four children, and wounded eight others in towns like Saida, al-Qatrani, and Nabatieh. Since February 28, the death toll has risen to 826, with over 831,000 displaced. The Channel 12 broadcaster is reporting that the Israeli military has intercepted missiles launched from Iran over the central city of Eilat. The Israeli Home Front Command said the attack has ended and those told to take shelter can exit protected areas now. Iran threatened escalation across the Middle East to retaliate for American airstrikes on its energy hub and US President Donald Trump urged friendly nations to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, with no sign on Sunday of an end to the war. Tehran's ability to stop shipping through the strait, a major channel for oil and gas shipping, poses a difficult problem for the US and its allies facing soaring energy prices as the war causes the biggest-ever disruption in oil supply. "The Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!" Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer may send thousands of interceptor ⁠drones ​to the Middle East, The Telegraph ​reported ​on Saturday. Military ⁠officials are examining whether ‌the "Octopus" interceptor anti-drone drone system, which is manufactured ⁠in the ⁠UK for Ukraine to ⁠use ‌against ​Russia, can ‌also be used ‌to bolster ​British ​defenses ​against Iran's Shahed ​drones, the report said. Reuters ⁠could not immediately verify ‌the ⁠report. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States ⁠may ​carry out more strikes on Iran's Kharg ​Island ​oil export ⁠hub, saying that while Tehran ‌appears ready to make a deal to end the conflict, "the terms ⁠aren't ⁠good enough yet." He ⁠said ‌the ​US strikes had "totally ‌demolished" most of Kharg Island, ‌telling ​NBC ​News ​that "we may hit ​it a few ⁠more times just for fun." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer may send thousands of interceptor ⁠drones ​to the Middle East, The Telegraph ​reported ​on Saturday. Military ⁠officials are examining whether ‌the "Octopus" interceptor anti-drone drone system, which is manufactured ⁠in the ⁠UK for Ukraine to ⁠use ‌against ​Russia, can ‌also be used ‌to bolster ​British ​defenses ​against Iran's Shahed ​drones, the report said. Reuters ⁠could not immediately verify ‌the ⁠report. The US president has given a telephone interview to NBC, during which he claimed that Iran “wants to make a deal” but he is not ready for one “because the terms aren’t good enough yet”. Trump also dismissed concerns about increasing gas prices and repeated he is working with other countries on the plan to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq’s Justice Ministry says the surrounding areas of Baghdad International Prison and the Central Airport Prison have been subjected to repeated attacks in recent days. Iraqi News Agency quoted ministry spokesperson Ahmed Laibi as saying some of the attacks occurred “very close to the prison”. “The most severe strikes occurred on Saturday, with six strikes from 6pm until now, some close to the prison, which raises concerns regarding the potential impact on the security of the prison housing high-risk terrorist inmates,” he said. Laibi also said “the fall of projectiles near the prison site is cause for concern regarding their potential effect on our precautionary measures and security plans for protecting the prison or damaging its infrastructure.” A fire that broke out at ⁠the ​Lanaz refinery in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil after a ​drone strike ​was contained ⁠by authorities, but operations at the refinery ‌remain suspended, officials at the Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Natural Resources told Reuters early on Sunday. Provincial ⁠officials ⁠said earlier that operations at the refinery ⁠would ‌be suspended ​until a ‌fire caused by a drone strike on ‌Saturday was ​extinguished. (With inputs from Reuters) Speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Saturday listed radars, batteries, tankers, bases, and drones destroyed by Iran on X, then taunted US Secretary of War "Tele-General Hegseth" to send infantry “to die for Israel.” > Target status:✅Radars✅Batteries✅Refueling Tankers✅Military Bases✅DronesSo what do you think Tele-General Hegseth? obviously the best strategy now is to throw the infantry into the meat grinder.They're sending poor boys to fix what generals broke. Go die for Israel!— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) March 14, 2026 Target status:✅Radars✅Batteries✅Refueling Tankers✅Military Bases✅DronesSo what do you think Tele-General Hegseth? obviously the best strategy now is to throw the infantry into the meat grinder.They're sending poor boys to fix what generals broke. Go die for Israel! An Israeli strike on a health centre in southern Lebanon on Friday killed 12 medical workers, including doctors and nurses, Lebanon's ministry of public health says. The strike has been condemned by the chief of the World Health Organization. "These incidents highlight the ongoing assault on Lebanon’s healthcare system, which is crucial for the populations it serves," Tedros Ghebreyesus says. "WHO condemns this tragic loss of life and emphasises that health workers must always be protected." The Israeli military says it's aware of reports of a strike in the Borj Qalaouiye area in southern Lebanon, and the incident is under review. Switzerland’s Federal Council on Saturday rejected two overflight requests from the United States for military flights connected to the war involving Iran, while approving one maintenance flight and two transport overflights, reaffirming its neutrality and outlining criteria for future requests, the Swiss government said. > Today the Swiss government discussed military overflight requests from the US. Citing the law of neutrality, the Federal Council rejected two requests made in connection with the war in Iran. It decided to permit three flights. Details in DE/FR/IT: https://t.co/Dps46MlpBG— Swiss Federal Government (@SwissGov) March 14, 2026 Today the Swiss government discussed military overflight requests from the US. Citing the law of neutrality, the Federal Council rejected two requests made in connection with the war in Iran. It decided to permit three flights. Details in DE/FR/IT: https://t.co/Dps46MlpBG Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday confirmed the killing of Abolqasem Babaiyan, describing him as the special inspector at the office of the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces. The confirmation comes a week after the Israeli military announced that Babaiyan had been killed, saying he served as the head of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters and as the military chief of staff of the leader of the Islamic Republic. (Iran International) Jordan’s military says it intercepted 79 of 85 missiles and drones launched by Iran targeting "vital sites" in the kingdom during the second week of the West Asia war. The remaining five drones and one missile landed in Jordan, it said. The spokesperson for Jordan’s Public Security Directorate said in a statement that fragments from 93 rockets and drones fell during the war’s second week “in most of the kingdom’s provinces injuring nine people”. (Al Jazeera) Alireza Tangsiri, navy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, says Iran has not yet closed the Strait of Hormuz and the vital waterway is “only being controlled”. Tangsiri accused the United States of spreading false claims about destroying Iranian vessels and escorting oil tankers. “The Americans falsely claimed to have destroyed our ships and escorted oil tankers, and now they are asking for support from others,” said Tangsiri in a post on X. (Al Jazeera) Iran said the US had used "ports, docks and hideouts" in the UAE to launch strikes on Iran's Kharg Island, without providing evidence. It urged people to evacuate areas where it said US forces were sheltering. At least 15 people have been killed in Iran following strikes on an industrial zone in the central province of Isfahan, IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency reports. The attack, which happened earlier, is reported to have hit a "factory producing cooling and heating equipment" at a time when "a number of workers in the factory were working". Fars adds that a number have been injured, without specifying how many. US citizens should leave Iraq immediately, the US embassy ⁠in ​Baghdad said in an ​updated security ​alert ⁠Saturday, following an overnight ‌missile attack on the embassy's building. "US citizens ⁠choosing ⁠to remain in ⁠Iraq ‌are ​strongly encouraged to ‌reconsider in light ‌of ​the ​significant ​threat posed by ​Iran-aligned terrorist militia ⁠groups," the embassy said. Kuwait says it detected seven hostile drones over the past 24 hours. Officials said three of the drones were shot down while two crashed outside the threat zone. The Defence Ministry added two drones targeted Ahmed al-Jaber Air Base, one of the country’s key military installations that houses US forces. (Al Jazeera) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told ⁠MS ​Now in an ​interview ​Saturday ⁠that there ‌is no problem with Iran's new ⁠Supreme ⁠Leader ⁠Mojtaba ‌Khamenei, after US ​Defence ‌Secretary Pete ‌Hegseth ​claimed that ​he was wounded ⁠and likely disfigured. IndiGo will suspend planned flights to seven destinations in the Middle East, including Doha, Kuwait and Sharjah, till March 28 amid conflict in the region. In a statement on Saturday, the airline said it would continue to monitor the situation given the ongoing geopolitical risk, airspace restrictions, airport constraints, consistently rising fuel and insurance costs, and other uncertainties. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the country will attack facilities of US companies in the region if its energy infrastructure is targeted. “If Iranian facilities are targeted, our forces will target facilities of American companies in the region or companies in which the United States has shares,” said Araghchi, as reported by the YCJ news agency. He added that the country would “act with caution so that densely populated areas are not targeted” in the retaliatory strikes. (Al Jazeera) Israel’s military has warned that “every truck travelling near the coast may be putting itself at risk”. The coastal highway is Lebanon’s main transport artery, raising concerns that such warnings could disrupt movement and potentially deter civilians from travelling or fleeing areas affected by Israeli bombardment. In a statement, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee alleged Hezbollah is disguising missile launches and transporting weapons using civilian trucks moving through towns along Lebanon’s coast. (Al Jazeera) Drones target UAE Consulate in Iraq's Erbil, news agency Reuters reported, quoting security sources. Total Iranian gas supplies to Iraq increased from ⁠6 ​million cubic metres ​to 18 ​million ⁠cubic metres over the ‌past week, Iraqi electricity ministry spokesperson Ahmed ⁠Mousa ⁠told Reuters, ⁠adding ‌that the ​additional ‌volumes were allocated ‌to ​the ​country's ​southern region. US President Donald Trump said Saturday that many countries would send warships to keep the Strait ⁠of ​Hormuz open, but did not provide details on which countries would do so. "Many Countries, especially ​those who ​are affected by ⁠Iran's attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending ‌War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Trump said ⁠he ⁠hoped that China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and ⁠others ‌would send ships to ​the area. "In the meantime, ‌the United States will be bombing the hell out ‌of the ​shoreline, and ​continually ​shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water," ​he wrote. The White House ⁠did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether ‌any ⁠countries had agreed to send ships. Iran has issued a warning asking residents in parts of the United Arab Emirates to move away from key port areas in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said people should “immediately” evacuate areas around Jebel Ali port in Dubai, Khalifa port in Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah port. According to the report, the ports have become “legitimate targets” because US military forces are allegedly operating from or hiding among civilian facilities there, and the locations could be struck in the coming hours. India has sought safe passage for 22 of its vessels stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Saturday, after Iran allowed a few Indian ships to sail through, in a rare exception to the blockade. Jaiswal told a press ⁠conference ​that India has stayed in touch with all major parties in the Middle East, including Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran, the US and Israel, to convey its priorities, particularly on energy security. Tehran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad ​Fathali, ​confirmed that Iran has allowed some Indian ⁠vessels to sail through the Strait of Hormuz. He was speaking on broadcaster India Today's conclave in New Delhi. Since ‌the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign on Iran, Tehran has largely halted traffic through the strait, which runs past its coast and through which around 20% of global oil and seaborne liquefied natural gas is supplied. Aseem Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), Saturday said five Indians had been killed, while one was injured in the conflict in West Asia. He said the missions remain open round the clock and are constantly working in all assistance efforts. Mahajan made the remarks during the inter-ministerial briefing on the recent developments in West Asia in New Delhi. He said, "We have five Indians who have lost their lives and one who is missing in earlier incident. Our missions in Oman, Iraq, UAE remain in touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian national and for early repatriation of mortal remains of the deceased after completing requisite formalities." He underlined that all support is being rendered to the seafarers in the regionmand the MEA is in close coordination with the Ministry of Ports and Shipping. He shared an update on the attack in Sohar city in Oman which resulted in the death of two Indians and injured 10 others and said that none of them were reported to be seriously injured. Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran was entering a “decisive’ phase, but cautioned that it would “continue as long as necessary”. “Only the Iranian people can put an end to this through a determined struggle, until the fall of the terror regime and the saving of Iran,” he said during a meeting with Israeli miltiary officials, the Times of Israel, reported. Two Indian-flagged vessels carrying LPG from the Gulf countries safely crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning, a senior Shipping Ministry official said. LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are now headed to Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in Ministry of Shipping, told a media briefing. The vessels are carrying 92,700 tonne of LPG and are likely to dock at Indian ports on March 16/17, he said. The two vessels were among the 24 ships that were stranded on the west side of the strait since the war broke out in the region. Iranian media have quoted the IRGC’s navy chief, Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, as saying Iranian naval forces launched “several consecutive waves” of attacks against US forces in two military bases in the region. He listed them as Abu Dhabi’s al-Dhafra and Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa. The targets, Tangsiri claimed, included patriot radar systems, planes and aircraft fuel storage tanks. (Al Jazeera) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the US, despite "bullying India" to end Russian oil imports, is now begging them to buy crude from Moscow, two weeks after its war with Iran. "The US spent months on bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia," said Araghchi on Friday in a post on social media platform X. "After two weeks of war with Iran, White House is now begging the world - including India - to buy Russian crude," he added. This comes after, on March 5, the US issued a 30-day waiver allowing India to buy Russian oil, having previously imposed heavy sanctions related to the war in Ukraine. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Saturday that US ⁠interests ​in the United Arab ​Emirates, including ​ports, docks ⁠and military locations, ‌are legitimate targets after US forces attacked ⁠Iranian ⁠islands, Iranian state media ⁠reported. In ‌its statement, ​the IRGC ‌urged residents in ‌the UAE ​to ​evacuate ports, ​docks, and ​US military ⁠shelters to avoid civilian casualties. > Iranian Armed Forces Spox to UAE: Iran has 'LEGITIMATE RIGHT to defend its national sovereignty''By targeting origin of US missile launches… in some cities in UAE' https://t.co/O40UEt9eQv pic.twitter.com/HNrO8xowcU— RT (@RT_com) March 14, 2026 Iranian Armed Forces Spox to UAE: Iran has 'LEGITIMATE RIGHT to defend its national sovereignty''By targeting origin of US missile launches… in some cities in UAE' https://t.co/O40UEt9eQv pic.twitter.com/HNrO8xowcU Some oil loading operations have been suspended in the United Arab Emirates' ⁠Fujairah emirate, ​a major bunkering hub, two industry sources said, after a fire broke ​out ​there on Saturday. The ⁠fire occurred after debris fell during ‌the interception of a drone, but no injuries were reported, the emirate's media office said. Civil defence forces are handling ⁠the ⁠incident to contain the fire, it added Authorities did ⁠not ‌provide any ​information about the reported ‌suspension of operations. Bloomberg News earlier reported that ‌some ​oil-loading operations ​in ​the port of Fujairah, outside the ​Strait of Hormuz, had been ⁠suspended after a drone attack and fire. A fire broke out due to falling debris in Fujairah, the emirate's media office confirmed on Saturday. The incident followed the successful interception of a drone by air defences and did not result in any injuries. Fujairah Civil Defence teams are currently responding to the incident to bring it under control. (Khaleej Times) Akasa Air will levy fuel surcharges ranging from Rs 199 to Rs 1,300 on domestic and international flight tickets from March 15 due to the spike in jet fuel prices amid the West Asia conflict. Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo have started levying similar charges on domestic and international flight tickets. In a statement on Saturday, Akasa Air said it would levy a fuel surcharge on each flight, with the amount varying based on the flight duration. "Akasa Air will introduce a fuel surcharge ranging from INR 199 to INR 1300 on our domestic and international routes, for all bookings that are made with effect from 00:01 hrs on March 15, 2026," it said. Japan said it will release stockpiled oil and cap prices as the US-Israeli war on Iran threatens global energy supplies. Japan imports about 95 per cent of its crude oil from the Middle East, making the country particularly vulnerable to instability in key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. In the fishing town of Misaki, south of Tokyo, rising fuel costs are already putting pressure on fishermen and seafood businesses. Local restaurant managers and fishing crews say higher fuel prices could force them to raise prices or risk shutting down operations. (Al Jazeera) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused the Congress party of attempting to create panic in the country at a time when global conflicts are intensifying, saying the opposition party had failed to act responsibly in the national interest. Addressing a gathering in Silchar, Modi said the government was working to shield citizens from the fallout of ongoing conflicts around the world. > #watch | Silchar, Assam: PM Narendra Modi says, "Nowadays, conditions of war prevail all around the world. Our government is making every possible effort to ensure that the citizens of our country face the fewest hardships possible. Our objective is to minimise the impact of this… pic.twitter.com/gQlE3iivDF— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2026 #watch | Silchar, Assam: PM Narendra Modi says, "Nowadays, conditions of war prevail all around the world. Our government is making every possible effort to ensure that the citizens of our country face the fewest hardships possible. Our objective is to minimise the impact of this… pic.twitter.com/gQlE3iivDF “Nowadays, conditions of war prevail all around the world. Our government is making every possible effort to ensure that the citizens of our country face the fewest hardships possible. Our objective is to minimise the impact of this war on the nation’s citizens,” the prime minister said. Modi added that at such a critical juncture, it was expected that Congress would behave like a responsible political party, but alleged that it had failed to do so. “The Congress is making every attempt to create panic within the country, hoping the nation gets entangled in difficulties, so that they can subsequently heap endless abuse upon Modi,” he said. Modi further alleged that certain global forces were uncomfortable with India’s rapid development and claimed that Congress was increasingly becoming a “puppet” in the hands of such forces. “The forces across the globe that are unable to digest India’s rapid development — the Congress is increasingly becoming a mere puppet in the hands of these very forces,” he said. Amir Hatami, commander-in-chief of the Iranian army, has warned that the killing of 104 crew members from the IRIS Dena, one of the country’s newest warships, in the Indian Ocean upon returning from a military exercise, “will not go unanswered”. “The crew of the Dena destroyer had completed a peaceful mission and were targeted while on their way back to Iran,” he was quoted as saying by Iran’s IRNA news agency, adding that the sailors were attacked despite not being engaged in a direct battle. “The name of Dena and the sacrifice of its crew will remain a symbol of courage and dedication in Iran’s naval history,” Hatami said. “The army will defend Iran’s maritime borders and strengthen its naval power with even greater determination.” (Al Jazeera) Hamas said it supports Iran’s right to respond to what it called US-Israeli aggression “by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws,” but urged Tehran not to target neighbouring countries. The Palestinian militant group also called on regional nations to cooperate to stop the aggression and preserve “bonds of brotherhood” among them, reported Al Jazeera. At least four people have been killed in an Israeli air raid on Taamir Haret Saida in the country’s south, the Lebanese News Agency has said. (Al Jazeera) No oil infrastructure was damaged in US strikes on Kharg Island, Iranian media reported. Fars News Agency, citing sources on the ground, reported that there has been no damage to oil facilities after US President Donald Trump said the US bombardment of the island had destroyed military targets. An airstrike hit a house in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, early Saturday, killing at least one person, according to a security official and another affiliated with the Iranian-backed armed groups in the country. The strike in Baghdad’s Karrada district also wounded two people, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to the press. In a statement, the Iraqi military condemned the strike as “a blatant violation of all humanitarian values and a disregard for international conventions.” The strike happened before a missile attack hit the US Embassy compound in Baghdad. • Handles 90% of Iran’s oil exports: Making it the country’s most important oil terminal. • Key supply route for China: A large share of Iranian crude shipped from here goes to Chinese refiners. • Major storage hub: The island can store roughly 30 million barrels of crude oil. • Strategic Gulf location: About 26 km off Iran’s coast in the Persian Gulf, near major shipping routes. • Long seen as a vulnerability: Analysts say any strike on Kharg could severely disrupt global oil supply. President Donald Trump said US forces on Friday "obliterated" targets on Iran's Kharg Island, which is home to the primary terminal that handles the country's oil exports. The speaker of the Iranian Parliament had warned that such strikes would provoke a new level of retaliation. Meanwhile, an American official said 2,500 more Marines and an amphibious assault ship are being sent to the Middle East nearly two weeks into the war with the Islamic Republic. Members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are now on their way from their home port in Okinawa, Japan, alongside the USS Tripoli, which is an amphibious assault ship. That’s the vessel from which these Marines would deploy “in theatre”, whether it’s for responding to a crisis or perhaps being deployed to take over some part of Iranian territory. Essentially, they’re being called the first ground troops being deployed in to the US-Israel war on Iran, even though Marines are both on land and on sea. What we’re to make of this is that the US is very slowly increasing its military posture in terms of prosecuting the war, and that it is not intending to wrap things up any time soon. (With inputs from AP) Sri Lanka has repatriated the remains of 84 Iranian sailors who were killed when their frigate was sunk by a US submarine, an official said. Last week on Wednesday, Sri Lanka said it had recovered 84 bodies of Iranian sailors after the US submarine attack sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off Galle on the island's southern coast. The ship was returning to Iran from Visakhapatnam, India, where it had participated in a naval fleet review exercise. "Human remains were sent by the Iranian embassy on Friday - all 84", a foreign ministry spokesman said. Iran is considering allowing oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz if cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, according to an unnamed Iranian official, reported by CNN. This proposal is part of Iran's plan to manage tanker traffic through the strategic waterway amid the Israeli-US war. Currently, most global oil sales are conducted in US dollars, but sanctioned Russian crude has been increasingly traded in roubles or yuan. The Israeli military has issued an evacuation warning for a designated industrial area in Tabriz, in northwestern Iran, saying it will “conduct operations in this area in the coming hours”. The warning, issued on social media, tells citizens to “immediately evacuate”. US president Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has been “totally defeated” in the US-Israeli military campaign against the country and wanted a deal he would not accept, despite Iranian officials pledging to continue the fight. "The Fake News Media hates to report how well the United States Military has done against Iran, which is totally defeated and wants a deal - But not a deal that I would accept!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, without elaborating. President Donald Trump said the US destroyed military sites on an island vital to Iran’s oil network and warned that its oil infrastructure could be next if Iran continues to interfere with the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said US forces on Friday “obliterated” targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, which is home to the primary terminal that handles the country’s oil exports. The speaker of the Iranian Parliament had warned that such strikes would provoke a new level of retaliation. A missile struck a helipad inside the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, two Iraqi security officials said. Associated Press footage showed a column of smoke rising Saturday morning over the embassy compound. The sprawling embassy complex, one of the largest US diplomatic facilities in the world, has been repeatedly targeted by rockets and drones fired by Iran-aligned militias. The Associated Press news agency is reporting that Iraqi officials say a helipad at the US embassy in Baghdad was hit by a missile. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence said the latest drone to be intercepted and destroyed was in the east of the country. US President Donald Trump spoke to reporters before boarding Air Force One, saying the war with Iran will last "as long as it's necessary" and that Iran's military has been "decimated". He previously stated the war would end with Iran's unconditional surrender, meaning their navy, air force, and most of their military would be "gone", putting the US in a position of dominance. Trump also acknowledged differences in objectives with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but emphasized the unmatched power of the United States. Qatar’s defence ministry said its military had “intercepted” two missile attacks targeting the country, in statements posted on social media on Saturday. Earlier, the interior ministry said in a statement it was “evacuating several key areas as a temporary precautionary measure, within the framework of ensuring public safety until the danger has passed”. In Doha’s central Musheireb district some residents received phone alerts telling them to evacuate the area immediately. European leaders are criticizing the US decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil purchases. European Council President Antonio Costa calls it "very concerning" as it impacts European security and could increase Russia's resources for its war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns the move could give Russia $10bn, undermining peace efforts. French President Emmanuel Macron disagrees with lifting sanctions, citing the Strait of Hormuz shutdown. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz labels the decision "wrong", while Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney insists on maintaining sanctions on Russia. US President Donald Trump threatened to order strikes on the petroleum infrastructure of Iran's Kharg Island oil hub unless Tehran stopped attacking vessels in the vital Strait of Hormuz, a warning that could further roil markets already coping with a historic disruption in supply. Trump paired his ultimatum with a social media post saying the United States had "totally obliterated" military targets on the island, the export terminal for 90% of Iran's oil shipments, which lies about 300 miles (483 km) northwest of the strait. A drone hit the US embassy in Baghdad on Saturday, with an official confirming the attack, which comes after two Iran-backed fighters were killed in strikes on the capital. The attack is likely linked to escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with Iran-backed groups targeting US interests in the region. White House AI czar David Sacks said on Friday the US should "declare victory and get out" of its war on Iran, a rare instance of a prominent figure in Donald Trump's administration calling for an exit from the ⁠Iran ​conflict. Here are some details: "This is a good time to declare victory and get out," Sacks, Trump's crypto and AI czar, said ​in ​an appearance on the "All-In Podcast." ⁠Sacks said the US had degraded Iran's military capabilities. "I agree that we ‌should try to find the off-ramp," he added. "If escalation doesn't lead anywhere good, then you have to think about, well, how do you de-escalate? De-escalation, I think, involves reaching some sort of ceasefire ⁠agreement or some ⁠sort of negotiated settlement with Iran," he said. The US and ⁠Israel ‌attacked Iran on February 28. ​Iran and its ally in ‌Lebanon, Hezbollah, have responded with strikes on Israel and other countries in the ‌Middle East. (With inputs from Reuters) About 2,500 US Marines are being deployed to the Middle East as American and Israeli strikes keep pounding Iran and the Islamic Republic keeps attacking Persian Gulf shipping and energy infrastructure. As Iranian threats choke global oil shipments, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said “we have been dealing with it and don’t need to worry about it. Tensions escalate in the Middle East with multiple developments: • An Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh killed five people and wounded five others. • Six people were killed in an Israeli missile attack on a village in Iran's central Markazi province. • US President Donald Trump announced bombing military installations on Iran's Kharg Island, near the Strait of Hormuz. • The US offers up to $10m for info on Iranian leaders, including Mojtaba Khamenei. • The US deployed 10,000 interceptor drones to counter Iranian drone attacks. • Trump warned of intense strikes against Iranian targets in the coming days. • Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem vows a "long confrontation" with Israel. • Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and other officials marched in Tehran's al-Quds Day rally. • Brent crude prices soared over 42% since US-Israeli strikes on Iran .