US-Israel vs Iran War News Highlights — ‘We won in the first hour’: Trump claims US victory in Iran war

US-Israel vs Iran War News Highlights: Two foreign oil tankers were attacked in Iraq’s port of al-Faw even as Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia continued to intercept more Iranian missiles and drones. The strike comes hours after a Thai cargo vessel was hit in the Strait of Hormuz, and drones struck fuel tanks in Oman’s port of Salalah, according to AlJazeera. Projectiles also struck three vessels in Gulf waters, port, maritime security and risk firms have said, Reuters quoted. The latest attacks mark an escalation in the conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces, raising the number of ships struck in the region since fighting began to at least 16. The 13-day-old American-Israeli campaign against Iran has shifted from a localised military exchange into a high-stakes war of economic attrition. As US airstrikes surpass 5,500 targets, Tehran is increasingly leaning into its most potent asymmetric lever: the strangulation of global energy markets. With the strait—which handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil—effectively closed to safe passage, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has authorised a historic release of 400 million barrels of emergency reserves to prevent a total market collapse. On the ground, the humanitarian and political toll continue to mount. Lebanon is facing a fresh displacement crisis as Israeli forces target Hezbollah infrastructure, while in Tehran, the status of the new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, remains a subject of intense speculation following reports he was wounded in the opening salvos of the war. ## 5 key developments today • Shipping crisis: A Thai cargo vessel, the Mayuree Naree, was struck north of Oman; 20 crew members were rescued, while three remain missing in the engine room. At least 12 maritime incidents have been confirmed since the war began. • Oil shock: The IEA agreed to a record-breaking release of emergency oil stocks to stabilize soaring prices. South Korea alone will release 22 million barrels, as the Trump administration describes the Hormuz closure as a “temporary transit problem.” • Lebanon under pressure: The UN is urging the disarmament of Hezbollah as the Lebanese government attempts to ban the group’s military activities. Displacement in Lebanon has reached 780,000 people. • High-tech warfare: US Central Command confirmed the use of “advanced AI tools” to identify and strike over 5,500 targets in Iran, claiming a drastic reduction in Iran’s missile manufacturing capacity. • Diplomatic fractures: The US Embassy in Baghdad has urged all American citizens to depart Iraq immediately via land borders as Iranian-backed militias ramp up attacks on diplomatic facilities. Big picture: “In today’s context, sending warships or civilian vessels into the Strait of Hormuz would be suicidal,” says retired French Vice Adm. Pascal Ausseur. The question now facing Washington and Jerusalem is whether military gains against Iranian infrastructure can outpace the mounting economic damage to the West. The Indian Express Global Desk is providing minute-by-minute updates, including exclusive satellite analysis of the strikes in Tehran and real-time tracking of shipping disruptions in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday asserted that the United States had already secured victory in its conflict with Iran, claiming the outcome was effectively determined within the first hours of the campaign. However, he said American forces would continue operations until all objectives are fully met. Addressing supporters at a rally in Hebron, Kentucky, Trump said the war had been decided almost immediately after the initial strikes began, though he cautioned against declaring victory too early. > JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 President Trump declares the United States has won the war against Iran. pic.twitter.com/ynztH5bgYH— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) March 11, 2026 JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 President Trump declares the United States has won the war against Iran. pic.twitter.com/ynztH5bgYH "You never like to say too early you won. We won," Trump told the crowd. "In the first hour it was over." The president credited US military actions with severely damaging Iran's naval strength during the campaign. According to Trump, American forces destroyed dozens of Iranian vessels, describing the strikes as a major setback for Tehran's military capabilities. The Saudi Ministry of Defense Thursday said it has repelled three more drone attacks after shooting down 18 drones over the country’s eastern region. In a series of posts on X, the ministry announced minutes apart that it had intercepted two drones over the Empty Quarter desert that were heading towards the Shaybah oil field. It also said it shot down two more drones in the eastern region, according to the post. Soon after the oil tankers were attacked near the port of al-Faw in Iraq, a spokesman for Iraq’s Army said that one crew member was killed and 38 others were rescued, the Iraq News Agency (INA) reported. “Two oil tankers were subjected to a cowardly act of sabotage,” Lieutenant General Saad Maan said, adding “the attack took place within Iraqi territorial waters.” Maan said the assault “constitutes a violation of Iraqi sovereignty,” announcing “Iraq reserves the right to take legal action.” Four people were wounded after two Iranian drones hit near Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, though flights continued, the Dubai Media Office posted on X. (Reuters) The United Nations Security Council voted Wednesday to approve a resolution demanding a halt to Iran’s “egregious attacks” on its Gulf neighbors. “The international community is resolute in rejecting these Iranian attacks against sovereign countries that are threatening the stability of the peoples, especially in a region of strategic importance to global economy, energy, security and security of global trade,” said Bahrain’s UN ambassador, Jamal Alrowaiei. The 13-0 vote in the UN body reflects Iran’s isolated position as it has aggressively responded to Israeli and US strikes, as per Reuters. China and Russia — two Iranian allies — abstained from the vote. Their UN ambassadors called the proposal “extremely unbalanced” in not mentioning the strikes against Tehran that began the war, Reuters quoted. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has called the attack on Oman's Salalah port suspicious, and said that Iran was currently investigating the matter. "... the incident that occurred at Salalah port in the friendly, neighboring, and brotherly country of Oman appears very suspicious; the Islamic Republic of Iran is currently investigating this matter. Oman's security and national sovereignty are respected by the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the spokesperson said in a video. Iranian explosive-laden boats seem to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters setting them ablaze and killing one crew member on Wednesday, news agency Reuters reported. The projectiles struck three vessels in Gulf waters, said port, maritime security and risk firms. The latest attacks mark an escalation in the conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces, raising the number of ships struck in the region since fighting began to at least 16. The ⁠ships targeted ​in late-night armed boat attacks in the Gulf near Iraq were the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Zefyros, which had loaded fuel cargoes in Iraq, two Iraqi port officials have said, Reuters quoted. (Reuters) Israeli strikes battered Beirut's southern suburbs late Wednesday, lighting up the skyline with flashes of red and setting buildings on fire, after the Lebanese-armed group Hezbollah launched a volley of rockets into northern Israel, news agency Reuters reported. On Wednesday night, Hezbollah said it had launched dozens of rockets into northern Israel as part of a "series of operations," indicating there could be more to come. Lebanese security sources told Reuters ⁠more than ​100 rockets were launched. In the early hours of Thursday, Lebanon's health ministry said at least eight people were killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut's Ramlet al-Baida seafront. > 🚨🇮🇱🇱🇧 Israeli strikes hitting Ramlet al-Baida in Beirut.That's not the southern suburbs. That's a coastal neighborhood in the heart of the city itself.Large casualties reported. 10 of them civilians.@officialrnintel https://t.co/c6wnD8A9N6 pic.twitter.com/ro1xorImfb— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 11, 2026 🚨🇮🇱🇱🇧 Israeli strikes hitting Ramlet al-Baida in Beirut.That's not the southern suburbs. That's a coastal neighborhood in the heart of the city itself.Large casualties reported. 10 of them civilians.@officialrnintel https://t.co/c6wnD8A9N6 pic.twitter.com/ro1xorImfb A drone fell on a building in the vicinity of Dubai Creek Harbour early Thursday, with Dubai authorities responding to it, Dubai Media Office shared on X. "Authorities are currently carrying out evacuation operations to ensure the safety of everyone in the building," the office wrote. "Civil Defence teams brought a minor fire in the building under control. No injuries have been reported so far," it added. > Authorities have fully brought the fire under control, and all residents are safe. No injuries have been reported. pic.twitter.com/0WTqLurwPX— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 11, 2026 Authorities have fully brought the fire under control, and all residents are safe. No injuries have been reported. pic.twitter.com/0WTqLurwPX An Iranian-linked hacking group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a destructive cyberattack on US-based medical device and services provider Stryker, news agency Reuters reported quoting messages posted to the group's Telegram channel. The Michigan-based company, with 56,000 employees and operations in 61 countries, said in a filing with the SEC that the attack caused disruptions and limitations of access to some systems, and ⁠that ​the timeline for a full restoration is not yet known. Handala, an Iranian-linked hacking persona that has claimed multiple attacks on targets in Israel and around the world, said in a message posted to its Telegram channel that it was responsible for the attack, which was in response to the strike on the Minab ⁠school in southern Iran "and ongoing ⁠cyber assaults." (Reuters) Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, taking to X late Wednesday, announced that he was in talks with the leaders of Russia and Pakistan, reaffriming Iran's commitment to peace in the region. "Talking to leaders of Russia and Pakistan, I reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace in the region," he wrote. Further, Pezeshkian laid down three conditions for the war to end. "The only way to end this war—ignited by the Zionist regime & US—is recognizing Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm int'l guarantees against future aggression," he wrote in his post. > Talking to leaders of Russia and Pakistan, I reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace in the region. The only way to end this war—ignited by the Zionist regime & US—is recognizing Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm int'l guarantees against future aggression.— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 11, 2026 Talking to leaders of Russia and Pakistan, I reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace in the region. The only way to end this war—ignited by the Zionist regime & US—is recognizing Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm int'l guarantees against future aggression. Two foreign tankers were seen ablaze in Iraqi territorial waters after a strike near the al-Faw port, Al Jazeera reported. Authorities are saying they have evacuated 25 crew members, confirming at least one death. They are battling to control the flames. The strike comes even as Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to intercept more Iranian missiles and drones. This comes just hours after a Thai ship was hit in the Strait of Hormuz and drones struck fuel tanks in Oman’s port of Salalah. (AlJazeera) > Two foreign tankers were seen ablaze in Iraqi territorial waters after a strike near the al-Faw port. Authorities say they evacuated 25 crew members but have confirmed at least one death and are battling to control the flames. pic.twitter.com/C4jJYneaPV— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 11, 2026 Two foreign tankers were seen ablaze in Iraqi territorial waters after a strike near the al-Faw port. Authorities say they evacuated 25 crew members but have confirmed at least one death and are battling to control the flames. pic.twitter.com/C4jJYneaPV Another 17 people were injured in the attack, according to the ministry. raeli attack on Tamnin al-Tahta in the eastern Baalbek district has now risen to eight, after one person died from their wounds, NNA reported. Another 17 people were injured in the attack, according to the ministry. (Al Jazeera) The Lebanese group Hezbollah said it attacked the town of Shtula in northern Israel on Wednesday, Al Jazeera quoted. It said that the attacks were in response to Israel’s strikes on Lebanon, mainly at those on the southern suburbs of Beirut. One rocket hit a house near the Israeli town of Karmiel, lightly injuring two people, AP reported quoting Israeli rescue services. (Al Jazeera) Lebanon’s Public Health Ministry late Wednesday reported that at least eight people have been killed in an Israeli attack on the town of Shaath in the Baalbek district, the NNA news agency reported. Three people were also wounded in the attack, Al Jazeera noted. Iran has deployed about a dozen mines in the Strait of Hormuz, two sources familiar with the matter said, in a move likely to complicate the reopening of the narrow waterway, an important route for shipping oil and liquefied natural gas. Exports ⁠of ​oil and LNG through the strategic chokepoint along Iran's coast have effectively been halted by the war launched 12 days ago by the United States and Israel, helping ​to drive ​a surge in world energy ⁠prices. As the war in West Asia entered its 13th days, Iran has said that truce depends on US and Israel pledging no future strikes on the Islamic country, Bloomberg reported. An Iranian-linked hacking group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a destructive cyberattack on US-based medical device and services provider Stryker, according to messages posted to the group's Telegram channel and social media reports. Stryker shares fell about 3.4% on Wednesday after the Wall Street Journal reported that the medical equipment maker was hit by a suspected Iran-linked cyberattack. The Michigan-based company, with 56,000 employees and operations in 61 countries, ⁠is experiencing ​a global outage across its systems, according to the report. Staff and contractors have claimed the logo of an Iran-linked hacking group has appeared on the login pages. An Israeli military spokesperson on Wednesday said, "We are prepared to continue the war with Iran as long as necessary." Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a post on X, detailed how the war in the West Asia can end as he announced that he held talks with Russian and Pakistani president. Pezeshkian said, "I emphasized that the only way to end the war that began with the warmongering of the Zionist regime and America is the acceptance of Iran's indisputable rights, payment of reparations, and a firm international obligation to prevent their aggression from recurring." United Nations Security Council is poised to meet on Wednesday and vote on two draft resolutions, wherein the first resolution has been put forward by Gulf countries - condemning attacks on them and Jordan by Iran. UAE's defence ministry on Wednesday said that the air defences in the country are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. "Sounds which can be heard in the emirates are a result of the air defence systems intercepting missiles and drones," UAE's Ministry of Defence said in a post on X. US President Donald Trump, during an interaction with reporters outside the White House, said that "we are not finished yet" when asked about Iran war's timeline. "They've lost their navy. They've lost their air force. They have no anti-aircraft apparatus at all. They have no radar. Their leaders are gone. And we could do a lot worse," Trump told reporters on Wednesday. Iran's sports and youth minister said it's "not possible" for the country to take part in the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in its ongoing war. Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North America in June, but Iranian Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali told state television that his country's soccer team players are not safe in the US, according to a video of the interview posted Tuesday. The US Central Command has warned civilians in Iran to "immediately avoid" all parts where Iranian navy ships are positioned including the Strait of Hormuz. "This dangerous action risks the lives of innocent people," the US Centcom message stated. Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said that the incident in Salalah Port will be investigated. The Indian government Wednesday said it welcomes the decision from the International Energy Agency to ⁠release ​emergency oil stocks amid the prevailing supply disruptions. The IEA ​agreed to ​release 400 ⁠million barrels of oil, the largest such ‌move in its history, to try to rein in crude prices which have ⁠soared ⁠due to supply shocks from ⁠the U.S.-Israeli ‌war with ​Iran. "India stands ready ‌to take appropriate measures, as necessary, ‌to ​support ​global ​market stability in alignment with the ​efforts of the ⁠International Energy Agency," the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said in a statement. US President Donald Trump told Axios ⁠Wednesday that there's "practically nothing left" to target ​in Iran ​and that ⁠the war there will end "soon". "Little ‌this and that... Any time I want it to end, it ⁠will end," ⁠Trump said during a brief ⁠phone ‌interview. The ​conflict began nearly ‌two weeks ago with ‌strikes on ​Iran by ​the ​US and Israel aimed ​at dismantling Iran's ⁠military capabilities and nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end “soon”, claiming there is “practically nothing left to target”. Speaking to US news outlet Axios, Trump said the war is “going great”, and US forces have inflicted more damage than expected. “We are way ahead of the timetable. We have done more damage than we thought possible, even in the original six-week period,” he said. Critics, however, said Trump’s objectives in the war have shifted repeatedly, while opinion polls suggest many Americans oppose the conflict. (Al Jazeera) Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the United States launched airstrikes against the country alongside Israel, killing its leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said Wednesday. The United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran nearly two weeks ago, killing the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, leading to a region-wide conflict in the Gulf. "Considering that this corrupt ⁠regime ​has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup," the minister told state television. The 48-team World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The International Energy Agency agreed Wednesday to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history, in a bid to counter the effects on energy markets of the war in the Middle East, reported news agency AP. The Paris-based organisation said it will make 400 million barrels of oil available from its members' emergency reserves. It's a larger stock than the 182.7 million barrels that were released in 2022 by the IEA's 32 member countries in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. India has sufficient coal supplies to meet what is expected to be an unprecedented surge in demand during the summer months, the Coal Ministry said Wednesday, after gas supply disruptions due to the US-Israeli war on Iran. The overall ⁠coal ​stock available in the country is about 210 million metric tons, which would be sufficient for about 88 days of consumption, the ministry said in ​a ​statement. The South Asian country still ⁠relies on coal for three-fourths of its electricity generation, even as it ramps ‌up renewable energy generation at a record pace. The statement comes as India expects to boost its coal power usage to meet the summer demand after the conflict in the Middle East hit its supplies of natural gas, ⁠mainly from Qatar. Newly-appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was lightly injured ⁠but ​is continuing to operate, an ​Iranian ​official told ⁠news agency Reuters Wednesday. The ‌official did not give details about when ⁠he ⁠was injured or ⁠why ‌he had ​not ‌made any statement ‌to ​the ​public ​since being appointed the ​new leader. Iran will switch from "reciprocal hits" after attacks to continuous strikes on adversaries, and the ⁠US ​will not be able to control oil prices, ​the spokesperson ​for Tehran's ⁠Khatam al-Anbiya military command headquarters said ‌on Wednesday. "We won't allow even one litre of oil to reach the ⁠US, Zionists (Israel) ⁠and their partners. Any vessel ⁠or ‌tanker ​bound to them will ‌be a legitimate target," Ebrahim ‌Zolfaqari ​said. "Get ​ready ​for the oil barrel ​to be at $200 ⁠because the oil price depends on the ‌regional ⁠security which you have destabilised," ​he added. Two Indians were killed, and one is missing, when merchant vessels came under attack during the current West Asia conflict, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday. India, he said, remains committed to the welfare of citizens residing in the Gulf region. Three vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies and sources said Wednesday, as one of the strikes led to a fire onboard a ship and forced most of its crew to evacuate it. The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was ⁠targeted and ​damaged approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, two maritime security sources said. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said later, referring to the incident, that the fire ​had been extinguished ​and that there was no ⁠environmental impact. Necessary crew remained on the vessel. Earlier, the Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty ‌had sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles (46 km) northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security sources said. Its crew members are safe and the vessel is sailing towards a safe anchorage, the sources ⁠added. A third vessel, ⁠a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile approximately 50 miles northwest ⁠of ‌Dubai, maritime security firms said. The Iranian women’s soccer team left Australia minus seven of its members after tearful protests of their departure outside Sydney Airport and frantic final efforts inside the terminal by Australian officials, who sought to ensure the women understood they were being offered asylum. As the team's flight time drew nearer and they passed through security late Tuesday, each woman was taken aside to meet alone with officials who explained through interpreters that they could choose not to return to Iran. Seven women ultimately accepted humanitarian visas allowing them to remain permanently in Australia after what Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke described as “emotional” meetings. One has since changed her mind, underscoring the tense and precarious nature of their decisions. Members of the Iranian women's national soccer team arrive at Terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport after attending a match in Group A of the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia, at Sepang, Malaysia, March 11, 2026. (REUTERS) Witnesses saw continuous airstrikes hit Iran’s capital, Tehran, on Wednesday afternoon, reported news agency AP. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that the ⁠war ​in Iran must be ​stopped before ​the whole ⁠region is "thrown into the ‌fire", and added that this would be possible ⁠if ⁠diplomacy is given ⁠an opportunity. Speaking ‌in ​parliament, Erdogan ‌said Turkey was ‌engaged ​with all ​sides ​to seek an ​end to ⁠the war. Israeli warplanes have reportedly carried out an attack near the Rayak-Baalbek highway in eastern Lebanon. (Al Jazeera) Four loud booms have been heard in Bahrain after emergency sirens sounded, news agency Reuters reported. Gulf Air has relocated a large portion of its fleet from Bahrain international airport as the Israel-US war on Iran continues to reverberate across the region, reported Al Jazeera. The airline moved about 10 aircraft to safer locations during a brief reopening of regional airspace on March 10. Most of the planes were flown to airports in Saudi Arabia. The aircraft transfer happened without passengers as a precaution while missile threats persist in the region. With several aircraft now temporarily stationed abroad, regular commercial operations from Bahrain remain largely suspended. (Al Jazeera) Iran's joint military command said banks, financial institutions are now target in Middle East, reported the Associated Press. The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters issued a statement identifying the targets. It came after Iranian media reported staff at a bank in Tehran had been killed in Israeli-American airstrikes. The threat would put at risk, particularly Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, which is home to many international financial institutions, as well as Saudi Arabia and the island kingdom of Bahrain. Four people, including an Indian national, were injured after two drones fell near the Dubai International Airport (DXB) Wednesday morning, Dubai authorities said. "Authorities confirm that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) a short while ago, resulting in minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national. Air traffic is operating as normal," the Dubai Media Office posted on X. Speculation over the health of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei grew Wednesday after the son of Iran's president mentioned hearing news about him "being injured". Mojtaba, 56, is the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He long has been a secretive figure within Iran. His father and wife both were killed in an Israeli airstrike February 28 that started the war. Mojtaba has not been seen since, nor has he given any statement since becoming supreme leader on Monday. In an overnight post on the app Telegram, Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, wrote: "I heard news about Mr Mojtaba being injured. I asked friends who were in contact. They said, thank God, he is healthy and there is no problem." He did not elaborate. Iran’s military has said it conducted its "most intense and heaviest operation" yet since the conflict began on February 28. It claimed to have launched during overnight attacks into Wednesday, reported CNN. The strikes were aimed at locations in Israel as well as US assets across the region. Drone and missile interceptions across the Gulf. Countries in the Gulf region reported intercepting fresh waves of Iranian drones and missiles early on Wednesday. A suspected Iranian drone struck a US diplomatic facility in Baghdad, close to the city’s airport, as per CNN. Off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a container vessel was also damaged after being hit by what officials believe was a projectile. New York Times is reporting missile strike in the Aisha Bakkar neighbourhood of Beirut. The area is densely populated. Casualties were not immediately clear, but the damage seen in videos was massive. Gulf countries are reporting missile interceptions. The New York Times quoted the Saudi Arabia govt as claiming to have stopped over 20 drones and seven ballistic missiles. Kuwait National Guard said it had shot down eight drones. They did not specify the origin of the drones. A cargo ship has been set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by a projectile, reports news agency AP, quoting British military. The strait of Hormuz, which is the transit route for a fifth of the world's oil, has remained effectively closed since March 1. This has led to volatility in the global oil prices. The flag of the ship and the nature of the projectile are not known at this moment. Iran has claimed to have carried out missile strikes targeting US military bases at Al Udeid in Qatar, Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, and Harir in Iraq, according to an IRGC statement quoted by BBC. The statement said the “massive launch” also struck the US Fifth Fleet in the region and claimed that the “operational infrastructure of the US army was destroyed”. In a separate post, the group described the attack as the “most devastating and heaviest operation” since the conflict began. There has been no immediate response from US officials regarding the reported strikes. If you have just joined us, here's what's happening in the Middle East/ West Asia war. Tensions across the Middle East intensified overnight as multiple military actions were reported across several countries, including Lebanon, Iran, Israel and parts of the Gulf. Israeli forces carried out an airstrike on a residential building in central Beirut, sparking a fire and causing major structural damage across several floors of the building. Iran said it had launched a fresh wave of attacks targeting Israel as well as US-linked assets across the region. According to Iranian claims, the strikes included targets in Iraq, Bahrain and Kuwait. Israeli media outlets reported that all missiles fired from Iran towards Israel were intercepted. The incoming projectiles triggered warning sirens across Tel Aviv and several central areas of the country. Hezbollah too has joined the war actively. Saudi Arabia said its defence systems intercepted multiple drones that were heading toward the Shaybah oil field. Authorities in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates also confirmed that they had shot down several projectiles. Overnight, attacks involving US and Israeli forces on Iran reportedly continued, with multiple explosions observed near Tehran’s Mehrabad airport. Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an unidentified projectile struck a container vessel off the coast of Ras Al-Khaimah in the UAE. The incident caused damage to the ship, but no casualties were reported. The US has further claimed that it struck 16 Iranian mine-laying ships. Trump has warned Iran against using mines in the Strait of Hormuz. He also said that the US may soon effectively take control of the strait. A US national security specialist has been quoted as saying by Fox News that Hezbollah and Iran carried out a coordinated offensive on Tuesday against Israel. Fox News further reported that Israel was struck with cluster munitions in synchronized attacks. “Hezbollah has now fully entered the war, and the group appears to be closely coordinating with Iran,” Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, was quoted by Fox News. Michael was speaking from a bomb shelter near Tel Aviv at the time. Al Jazeera reports two powerful Israeli airstrikes in southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon's capital. The explosions were heard and felt across a large part of the city. The impact of the blasts left buildings shaking. The area has faced repeated bombardment over the last 9-10 days. Beirut, however, was not the only location hit overnight. Another strike was reported in the Bekaa Valley in eastern region near Syria. Several other airstrikes were also reported earlier on Tuesday evening across southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health was quoted as saying that a Lebanese Red Cross paramedic died from injuries during one of the Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday. At the time of the attack, he and a colleague were on their way to assist wounded civilians in the south in an ambulance. The paramedic’s death comes after three other Red Cross paramedics were injured over the past week. In a statement, the health ministry condemned the strike, stressing that the ambulance was clearly marked. It also urged international intervention to halt what it described as attacks targeting medical personnel in Lebanon, reported Al Jazeera. US-Israeli strikes on Tuesday near Resalat Square in Tehran claimed several lives. Videos from the site showed Iranian Red Crescent members pull out at least 6 bodies from the debris, reported Al Jazeera. Blasts were heard from the direction of Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, reports CNN. A geolocation video to support the report has been verified by the news outlet. Earlier, the Israeli Defense Forces said it was launching direct simultaneous strikes on Tehran and Tabriz. > 🛩️📍TEHRAN & TABRIZ: A combined strike on central command centres of the Iranian terror regime Targets struck included:• A special units command center in Tabriz• An “Imam Hassan” security unit military compound in Tehran• A command center for the security unit…— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 10, 2026 🛩️📍TEHRAN & TABRIZ: A combined strike on central command centres of the Iranian terror regime Targets struck included:• A special units command center in Tabriz• An “Imam Hassan” security unit military compound in Tehran• A command center for the security unit… Residents of Tehran say the Iranian capital experienced one of its most intense nights of bombardment as fighting escalated, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that more strikes were likely despite suggestions from US President Donald Trump that the conflict might soon come to an end. The World Health Organization has urged Iranians to stay inside, saying "black rain" falling after strikes on oil facilities could cause respiratory problems. One Tehran resident described the city as "the last stop before hell", reported The Guardian. At least 1,245 civilians have been killed, including 194 children, by the US-Israeli war on Iran, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran group. In Lebanon, over 500 people have been killed by Israeli bombing. WHO spokesperson, Christian Lindmeier, was quoted by The Guardian as saying: "The black rain and the acidic rain coming with it is indeed a danger for the population, respiratory mainly." US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the United States is set to build its first new oil refinery in 50 years, backed by investment from billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries. Al Jazeera reported a series of deadly incidents across Lebanon in the past few hours, with multiple casualties following Israeli attacks. Two back-to-back Israeli airstrikes struck the town of Hanawiya, killing three civilians, including a paramedic, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health was quoted as saying. Another Israeli strike in the Al-Housh area left one person dead and injured eight others, the report mentioned. Two people were killed in an Israeli attack targeting the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, an NNA correspondent reported. Several others were wounded in separate Israeli drone strikes — one targeting a café in Al-Housh and another hitting a house in the town of Al-Shahabiya. Israel is not seeking an endless war with Iran and will coordinate with the United States on when to end the fighting, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Tuesday, declining to publicly state a timeline for when the conflict could end. Turmoil has spread throughout the Middle East since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran 11 days ago, with Tehran carrying out attacks across the region in response, and fighting expanding to Lebanon where ⁠Israel is ​now battling Hezbollah. The Pentagon on Tuesday said about 140 US service members have been wounded in conflict with Iran. “The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in an emailed statement. Eight are currently “severely injured,” Parnell added. The United States has asked Israel to halt strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, Axios ⁠reported ​on Tuesday, citing three sources familiar with the matter. Washington sent the message ​at ​a senior political ⁠level and to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal ‌Zamir, Axios reported, citing an Israeli official. (Reuters) British Airways has announced cancellation of flight to Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv until "later this month" amid the prevailing situation in West Asia. The British Airways informed about the development in a post on X. > An update for our customers - 10 March.Be alert to potential scams and only rely on official British Airways channels for updates – never click suspicious links or share personal or payment details. pic.twitter.com/N0ec4GqFnk— British Airways (@British_Airways) March 10, 2026 An update for our customers - 10 March.Be alert to potential scams and only rely on official British Airways channels for updates – never click suspicious links or share personal or payment details. pic.twitter.com/N0ec4GqFnk White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday said that US military is moving to dismantle Iran's missile production infrastructure as war in West Asia intensifies. US intelligence has started ⁠seeing ​indications ​that Iran ​is ⁠taking steps ‌to deploy mines in ⁠the ⁠Strait ⁠of ‌Hormuz, CBS News reported on Tuesday. The US military has not escorted any ships ⁠through ​the Strait of ​Hormuz so ​far, ⁠a US official told Reuters ‌on Tuesday, after US Energy Secretary Chris ⁠Wright ⁠posted and ⁠deleted ‌a tweet ​that ‌had said the US ‌Navy ​had ​escorted ​an oil tanker ​through the ⁠strait. The US stock market is holding steadier Tuesday as Wall Street waits for the next signal on when the war with Iran may end. The S&P 500 added 0.4%, a day after its latest wild swings caused by extreme moves in the oil market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 313 points, or 0.7%, as of 1:43 pm ET, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.6% higher. (AP) The State Department has authorized the use of up to $40 million in emergency funds to pay for evacuation charter flights for Americans to leave the Middle East because of disruptions in transportation caused by the Iran war. The department had approved the use of money from a fund normally reserved for emergencies involving diplomatic and consular staff, according to two US officials. US Secretary of Energy ⁠Chris ​Wright on Tuesday deleted ​a ​post on ⁠X which had said the ‌US Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker ⁠through the ⁠Strait of Hormuz "to ⁠ensure ‌oil ​remains flowing ‌to global markets." Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday his country would keep fighting as long as necessary, casting doubt on US President Donald Trump’s insistence the previous day that the conflict would be over “soon.” And the Islamic Republic’s security chief, Ali Larijani, dismissed Trump’s “empty” threats, insisting that the people of Iran did not fear them. “Even those greater than you could not eliminate the Iranian nation,” Larijani warned Trump on X. “Watch out for yourself — lest you be eliminated.” The remarks from Araghchi, who also ruled out negotiations with Washington, came as Tehran launched a new wave of attacks on US-allied Gulf nations, hours after Trump’s assurances of a swift end to the rapidly widening conflict. (Times of Israel) India's Reliance Industries, operator of the world's biggest refining complex, said on Tuesday it is maximising ⁠production ​of liquefied petroleum gas(LPG) and diverting its locally-produced natural gas for ​priority ​sectors. India has invoked ⁠emergency measures and is restricting ‌the use of natural gas to priority sectors after the disruption of liquefied natural gas shipments through ⁠the ⁠Strait of Hormuz due to the ⁠conflict in ‌the ​Middle East. Last week ‌India asked its refiners to ‌boost LPG ​production to ​overcome ​any shortage of cooking gas ​in the country. India ⁠buys most of its LPG and LNG ‌from ⁠the Middle East. British Airways has cancelled multiple flights to the Middle East due to ongoing airspace instability. Flights to Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv are suspended until March 28, while services to Abu Dhabi remain on hold until later this year. The airline is closely monitoring the situation and offering affected passengers a range of options. Limited seats are available on repatriation flights from Muscat to London Heathrow on 11 and 12 March for existing bookings. Beyond these dates, flights will pause due to reduced demand but will remain under continuous review. (Gulf News) The Israeli military says it has identified missiles launched from Iran towards Israeli territory. In a statement, the army said defence systems were working to intercept the threat. (Al Jazeera) Oil prices plummeted by more than $10 a barrel Tuesday after soaring to an almost four-year high in the previous session after US President Donald Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could end soon, lowering expectations of prolonged disruptions to oil supply. Brent futures were down $10.45, or 10.6%, at $88.51 a barrel by 1504 GMT (11:04 am EDT), while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down $10.61, or 11.2%, at $84.16. Oil surged to more than $119 a ⁠barrel ​on Monday to its highest since mid-2022 as supply cuts by Saudi Arabia and other producers stoked fears of major disruptions to global supplies. Prices later retreated after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a call and shared proposals aimed at a quick settlement to the war, according to a Kremlin aide. Tensions in the Middle East escalated on Tuesday after Iran launched a coordinated wave of drone and missile strikes across the Persian Gulf. The attacks came amid conflict involving the United States and Israel, raising fears of a wider regional confrontation. The strikes occurred even as US President Donald Trump suggested that the war might be nearing its end, creating confusion over the actual state of the conflict. Read the full story here Iran said the bodies of dozens of sailors killed when the US attacked and sank its frigate Dena will soon be returned to the country. In a statement reported by Iran’s Fars News Agency, the army’s public relations office said 84 of 104 bodies had been identified and would soon be transferred back to Iran. The statement said the repatriation was being carried out with the efforts of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the cooperation of the Sri Lankan government. (Al Jazeera) Abdulnasser Alshaali, Ambassador of the UAE to India, reassured Indian families that their children and relatives who reside in the UAE are safe, and cared for. As reported by ANI, Abdulnasser said "To the mother in Kerala watching the news at, midnight, to the father in Gujarat refreshing his phone, waiting to hear from his son in Dubai, let me be extremely clear. Your family in the UAE is not alone." The ambassador added that Indian PM Modi's response was immediate; he called UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directly. "He did that because he understood that the 4 million Indians living in the UAE deserve to know that their Prime Minister was personally engaged, personally watching, and personally in contact with the leadership of the country they call home," the ambassador said. (Khaleej Times) The Netherlands will temporarily move its embassy staff in Iran ⁠to ​Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen ​said on ​Tuesday, ⁠citing safety concerns over the ‌US-Israeli war on Iran. "Due to increasing risks to ⁠the ⁠safety of our ⁠staff, ‌it has been ​decided ‌to temporarily relocate the ‌activities ​of ​the ​Dutch embassy in Iran ​to Baku, ⁠Azerbaijan," Berendsen wrote on ‌X. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said ⁠Tuesday ​would be the ​most intense ​day ⁠of strikes against Iran ‌in the campaign so far. Speaking with ⁠reporters, ⁠Hegseth, who is also the Pentagon chief, said ⁠Tuesday ‌would ​bring the ‌most fighter jets ‌and ​bombers ​against ​Iran. The US-Israeli war on Iran has entered its 11th day. Tehran has continued its barrage of drones and missiles aimed at US bases across all Gulf states which are being used for continued US-Israeli strikes on Iran. On Saturday (March 7), Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to Arab states for the damage incurred and reiterated that Tehran had “no intention of aggression against them”, as Iran has consistently maintained. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) reiterated this, with a commitment to respecting Arab sovereignty. Read the full story here Australia granted asylum to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who were visiting the country for a tournament when the Iran war began, a government minister said Tuesday. The announcement followed days of urging by Iranian groups in Australia and by US President Donald Trump for the Australian government to help the women, who had not spoken publicly about a wish to claim asylum. The team drew speculation and news coverage in Australia when players didn't sing the Iranian anthem before their first match. Early Tuesday, police officers transported five of the women from their hotel in Gold Coast, Australia, “to a safe location” after they made asylum requests. There, they met with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and the processing of their humanitarian visas was finalised.“I don't want to begin to imagine how difficult that decision is for each of the individual women, but certainly last night it was joy, it was relief,” said Burke, who posted photos to social media of the women smiling and clapping as he signed documents. “People were very excited about embarking on a life in Australia. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority of the UAE said air defence systems are currently responding to a missile threat. It urged residents to remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates. (Gulf News) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi in a call ⁠Tuesday ​that the violation of Turkey's airspace by ​Iranian ​ballistic missiles was ⁠unacceptable, a Turkish Foreign Ministry ‌source said. The source said Araqchi told Fidan that Tehran had conducted a ⁠wide investigation ⁠into the missiles, adding ⁠Fidan ‌reiterated Turkey's ​demand for ‌all sides to refrain from ‌steps ​that ​could put ​civilians at risk and ​told Araqchi that ⁠Ankara would take measures against missiles ‌targeting ⁠it. The Kremlin said Russian ⁠President ⁠Vladimir Putin, who on Monday, held a call with US President Donald Trump, has offered different options to mediate ⁠and reduce tensions in ⁠the war. Speaking to reporters, spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined ⁠to offer details ⁠on the specifics of ⁠the “considerations” that Putin raised on the call, but said these proposals are still on the table. Russia is ready to provide any help it can to reduce the ⁠tensions in the Middle ⁠East, Peskov said. (Al Jazeera) Worshippers at a mosque in Bahrain continued performing the Ramadan night prayers, known as Taraweeh, even as loud explosions were heard nearby. The country is among several Gulf states targeted by Iran following strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel in late February. > Worshippers at a mosque in Bahrain continued Ramadan night prayers known as Taraweeh despite loud explosions that could be heard nearby. Bahrain is among the Gulf countries that have been targeted by Iran, since US and Israeli attacks on Iran began at the end of February. pic.twitter.com/nO3Lq1JBLv— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) March 10, 2026 Worshippers at a mosque in Bahrain continued Ramadan night prayers known as Taraweeh despite loud explosions that could be heard nearby. Bahrain is among the Gulf countries that have been targeted by Iran, since US and Israeli attacks on Iran began at the end of February. pic.twitter.com/nO3Lq1JBLv Bringing down the regime in Iran is in the hands of the Iranian people, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Our aspiration is to bring the Iranian people to throw off the yoke of tyranny,” said Netanyahu during a visit late last night to the National Health Emergency Operations Center. “Ultimately, it depends on them. But there is no doubt that through the actions taken so far we are breaking their bones — and our arm is still outstretched.” A protester holds a banner with pictures of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they hold a rally in solidarity with Iran in Quezon city, Philippines on March 2, 2026. (AP) “If we succeed together with the Iranian people, we will bring about a permanent end — if such things exist in the life of nations — and we will bring about change,” said Netanyahu. He added that there is already a “tremendous change” in Israel’s standing in the world. (Times of Israel) Israel is ahead of schedule in achieving its war goals in Iran, its ambassador to France said Tuesday, adding that the operation aims to weaken Iran's authorities to curb attacks beyond its borders and allow its people to shape their own future. "When ⁠we ​were asked at the start of this war about its duration, we said it would last a few weeks. That hasn't changed," Joshua Zarka told ​BFM ​TV. "We are ahead of schedule ⁠to achieve our war objectives." Zarka, formerly Israel's lead diplomat on Iran, said the goals ‌extend beyond ending Iran's nuclear programme. They include weakening the government to the point that its population can "take its fate into its own hands," and ensuring Tehran can no longer mount attacks beyond its borders. Asked about the ⁠appointment of ⁠Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader, Zarka said that if he follows ⁠his ‌father Ali Khamenei's positions, he "would also ​be on a list of ‌those who should be eliminated." Pakistani warships were escorting the country’s merchant vessels in the Middle East Tuesday, as the conflict in Iran choked off oil tanker traffic and prompted President Trump to warn of even more aggressive US action if Iranian leaders continue trying to cut off access to energy supplies. Fighting has slowed ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for about one-fifth of the world’s oil. Pakistan, which heavily relies on energy imports from the Gulf, said on Monday that it had sent warships to accompany merchant vessels to ensure its access to energy supplies. The Iranian Army has issued a statement claiming that it launched a drone attack targeting an Israeli oil and gas refinery and fuel tanks in Haifa, according to Tasnim news agency. Turkey said Tuesday that a US Patriot air defence system was deployed to its southeast, near a NATO radar base, as part of steps by the alliance to boost air defences in the face of missile threats from the Iran war. It is being deployed to ⁠Malatya ​province, the location of the Kurecik NATO radar base, which provides vital data for the alliance and helped identify two Iranian ballistic missiles heading toward Turkey over the last week. Iran ​has said ​it is not at war ⁠with regional countries and denies explicitly targeting its neighbour, Turkey. Ankara has warned Tehran against firing any ‌more missiles towards it, and the two countries' presidents discussed the issue on Monday. "In addition to the measures we take on a national level, air and missile defence measures by NATO have been increased. In that framework, one Patriot System is being deployed to ⁠Malatya to contribute ⁠to defending our airspace," the defence ministry said. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the country is acting in self-defence as it attacks US military bases across the Middle East. “We have already warned everybody in the region that if the US attack us, since we cannot reach American soil, we have to attack their bases in the region, their facilities, their installations, their assets,” Araghchi said. “What we are doing is only defending ourselves. We are facing an act of aggression, which is absolutely illegal.” (Al Jazeera) > Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:They thought that in a matter of two or three days they could go for regime change and achieve a rapid, clean victory, but they failed.So I believe that Plan A was a failure. And now they are trying other plans, but all of them have… pic.twitter.com/1KBJBxcpPp— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 10, 2026 Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:They thought that in a matter of two or three days they could go for regime change and achieve a rapid, clean victory, but they failed.So I believe that Plan A was a failure. And now they are trying other plans, but all of them have… pic.twitter.com/1KBJBxcpPp Australia's Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand said Tuesday they are hiking fares due to the Middle East conflict, underscoring how global airlines are struggling to cope with the sudden and soaring costs of fuel. Jet fuel prices, which were around $85 to $90 per barrel prior to the conflict, have increased sharply to between $150 and $200 per barrel in recent days, New Zealand's flag carrier said as it suspended its financial outlook for 2026 due to uncertainty over the conflict. The US-Israeli war on Iran has sent oil prices surging, upending global travel, pushing ⁠airline tickets ​on some routes sky-high, sparking fears of a deep travel slump and the potential for the widespread grounding of planes. Highlighting the chaos around Middle Eastern airspace, planes arriving into Dubai were briefly placed in a holding pattern on Tuesday morning due to a potential missile attack, flight tracking service Flightradar24 said on X. The planes eventually landed. Saudi Arabia's Aramco, the world's top oil exporter, said Tuesday that there would be "catastrophic consequences" for the world's oil markets if the Iran war continues to disrupt ⁠shipping ​in the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has not only upended the shipping and insurance sectors but also promises to have drastic domino effects on aviation, agriculture, automotive and other industries, Aramco CEO ​Amin ​Nasser told reporters on an earnings call. Galaxy Globe bulk carrier and Luojiashan tanker sit anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman. (REUTERS) Nasser ⁠noted global inventories of oil were at a five-year low and said the crisis will ‌lead to drawdowns at a faster rate, adding that it was critical that shipping in the strait resumed. "There would be catastrophic consequences for the world's oil markets and the longer the disruption goes on, and the more drastic the consequences for the global economy," he ⁠said. The Iranian ISNA news agency is reporting that five people have been killed and several injured in an US and Israeli air strike that hit a residential building in the city of Arak, in western Iran. The Israeli army says it has targeted about 30 sites of Al-Qard al-Hasan, a Hezbollah-linked financial association, over the past week. Israel says it previously struck locations linked to the group, which it accuses of funding Hezbollah activities, including the purchase of weapons and payments to its fighters. The association is also subject to US sanctions. A drone has been intercepted over Israel’s northern border after sirens warning of a potential UAV intrusion were heard in towns in the western Galilee region, Israeli media is reporting. Israel’s Channel 12 later reported, citing the army, that the incident is now over. US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed on Monday the war in Iran and prospects for peace in Ukraine, just hours after the Kremlin chief warned that a global energy crisis threatened the world economy. The US and Israeli attack on Iran triggered the biggest spike in oil prices since the turmoil ⁠following ​Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, as Gulf producers reduce output after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The Kremlin said Trump called Putin, in the leaders' first telephone call this year, and they discussed Russian ideas for a speedy end to the conflict in Iran, the military situation in Ukraine and the impact of Venezuela ​on ​the global oil market. "I had a very good call ⁠with President Putin," Trump told a press conference at his Florida golf club, adding that Putin wanted to be helpful on Iran. (With inputs from Reuters) Airstrikes hit the Hashd Shaabi headquarters near Kirkuk, killing four fighters and wounding 12 others, according to security sources. The attack is reportedly linked to the ongoing conflict between the US-led coalition and Iran-backed groups in Iraq. (Reuters) Senator Lindsey Graham said on Monday in a Fox News interview that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should honor commitments to support the US if Iran attacks. "Here's what I want to say to Saudi Arabia tonight, I'm willing to do a mutual defense agreement with your country to give you protection and perpetuity under the agreement I've been pushing, and I hope we can continue to talk about, if you're attacked by Iran, we would go to war for you to Saudi Arabia," Graham said. "Our embassy was hit in Riyadh. Do you not have an obligation to join the fight with us? You've yet to do that. So if you do not believe the American Embassy being attacked in Riyadh would trigger mutual self defense. Maybe we shouldn't do a treaty with you," he added. > 🇺🇸🇸🇦 Senator Lindsey Graham is threatening to kill the Saudi defense treaty if they don't join the fight against Iran.Their embassy got hit so now they owe us troops?Lindsey wants to drag every country on Earth into this conflict.pic.twitter.com/Rp7KCY40bF https://t.co/rVVnLmDDcF— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 10, 2026 🇺🇸🇸🇦 Senator Lindsey Graham is threatening to kill the Saudi defense treaty if they don't join the fight against Iran.Their embassy got hit so now they owe us troops?Lindsey wants to drag every country on Earth into this conflict.pic.twitter.com/Rp7KCY40bF https://t.co/rVVnLmDDcF • War Nears End: President Trump says the war is "very complete, pretty much" and expects it to end "very soon". • Strait of Hormuz: Trump considers taking over the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil trade route, and warns Iran of severe consequences if it blocks oil supplies. • Oil Prices: Benchmark oil prices surge past $100 a barrel, driven by fears of prolonged conflict. • New Supreme Leader: Mojtaba Khamenei is named Iran's new Supreme Leader, with analysts describing it as a "high-risk job". • Casualties: The US military reports a seventh fatality, while Lebanon's health ministry puts the death toll from Israel's assault at nearly 400. US President Trump's latest comments on the Iran war have created confusion, with oil markets skyrocketing and fuel prices rising. He initially claimed the war was "very complete" and nearing its end, but later stated it could continue for another week or so with varying intensity. Trump didn't rule out deploying ground troops or involving other countries, leaving many questioning the war's future costs and scope. Saudi Arabia has condemned the attack on the UAE's Consulate General in Iraq's Kurdistan region, calling it a clear violation of international law. The UAE had also denounced the incident, which caused material damage but no casualties, and urged an investigation. The attack is seen as a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which ensures the protection of diplomatic premises and staff. The rest of the Iranian women’s team have now left the hotel. The coach sat on the tarmac outside reception for well over an hour as police blocked off the roads and Australian Federal Police organised the escort. When the coach finally left, local Iranian activists chanted Save Our Girls, with some lying in front of the bus to stop it moving forward. You could see inside that some team members had their hands over their ears, while others were watching intently as the drama played out in front of them. It felt like a replay of Sunday, people pleading with the players through the glass. Eventually though the police cleared the way and the coach continued to the airport. Kamal Kharrazi, foreign policy advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, says there is no longer room for diplomacy with the US and that the Iranian army is ready for a long war. Iran launched new attacks Tuesday at Gulf Arab countries as it keeps up pressure on the region. Incoming missile sirens sounded early in the morning in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, while Saudi Arabia said it had destroyed two drones over its oil-rich eastern region and Kuwait's National Guard said it had show down six drones. Israeli strikes also hit southern and eastern Lebanon overnight, state media reported Tuesday, as Israel targets the Lebanese group Hezbollah, a powerful Iran proxy. In addition to firing missiles and drones at Israel and American bases in the region, Iran has been targeting energy infrastructure which, combined with its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, has sent oil prices soaring. (With inputs from agencies) Here's what you all need to know. • Bahrain says a 29-year-old woman has been killed in an Iranian attack on a residential building, as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE reported intercepting more missiles and drones. • Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps says Tehran, not the US, will decide when the war will end, after Trump said the conflict could end very soon. • Trump issues a new warning, threatening to strike Iran “twenty times harder” if it stops oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. • Tehran experienced “some of the most intense bombardment” of the war overnight, our correspondent Mohamed Vall says, with at least 40 people killed near the city’s Risalat Square. • Hezbollah claims an ambush on Israeli forces, as Israeli forces continue their deadly bombardment in southern Lebanon. (With inputs from agencies) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has said that the possible redeployment of US weapons from his country to the Middle East "does not hinder" its deterrence stragegy against North Korea. Lee said that while Seoul has "expressed opposition" to the US shifting air assets out of South Korea, "it is also the clear reality that we cannot fully have things carried out according to our position". The South Korean leader was speaking at a cabinet meeting in Seoul, where official discussed contigency measures regarding the conflict in the Middle East. Iraq has deployed additional security forces to its border with Iran, aiming to curb Iranian Kurdish opposition groups from launching operations into Iran. This move reinforces Iraq's commitment to the 2023 security agreement, where Baghdad pledged to clamp down on these groups. The deployment also signals to Iranian Kurdish armed opposition groups that moving into Iran will become increasingly difficult, addressing Iran's concerns about their activities. Protesters attempt to block the progress of a bus believed to be carrying the Iranian women's soccer team as it attempts to leave a hotel on the Gold Coast, Australia, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Russell Freeman/AAPImage via AP) US Senator Lindsey Graham has slammed Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, for not joining the US and Israel's war on Iran. He expressed disappointment, saying, "We need partners that will step forward in a fight that we can’t afford to lose". Graham urged Arab friends to "step forward and say 'This is my fight, too'", adding that they've needed to "up their game" in constructing a new Middle East. Australia’s government confirmed earlier today that it has offered humanitarian visas to five Iranian football players who have been in the country for the Asian Cup. Now protesters have briefly blocked a bus taking the Iranian women’s football team out of their hotel on Australia’s Gold Coast. Andrew Messenger reports: "The group of a few dozen physically sat in front of the vehicle to block it. They chanted “save our girls” as the vehicle attempted to make its exit. Protesters say they believe the bus is heading to the Gold Coast airport.A group of Queensland police officers moved them on. Protesters block the progress of a bus believed to be carrying the Iranian women's soccer team as it attempts to leave a hotel on the Gold Coast, Australia, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (Russell Freeman/AAPImage via AP) The UAE’s ministries of defence and interior have warned people to “remain in a safe place” and heed “warnings and updates” on official websites as air defences work to neutralise threats from Iranian drones and missiles. The Ministry of Defence confirms that the sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, and fighter jets intercepting drones and loitering munitions,” the ministry said in a statement. Iran could stop the export of crude oil from the region if the US and Israel continue their attacks, a spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guard said today. "If aggression by the US military and the Zionist regime against Iran and its infrastructure continues, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow the export of even one liter of oil from the region to the hostile side and its partners until further notice," Gen. Ali-Mohammed Naeini said, according to the semiofficial news agency Tasnim. Kuwait has shot down six drones, the country’s national guard confirmed today. The drones, which were attacking the country’s northern and southern parts, were struck down as part of “ongoing efforts to enhance security, protect vital sites, and counter any potential threats,” a spokesperson for the country's national guard said in a statement posted on X. It did not provide any further information on who was responsible for the latest attacks, though Kuwait has been targeted by Iranian strikes since the start of the war. > الحرس الوطني : قوة الواجب تسقط 6 طائرات "درون "أعلن المتحدث الرسمي باسم الحرس الوطني العميد د. جدعان فاضل جدعان فجر اليوم عن إسقاط 6 طائرات " درون" في مواقع المسؤولية التي تتولى ( قوة الواجب ) تأمينها شمال وجنوب البلاد. واضاف المتحدث الرسمي باسم الحرس الوطني في بيان صحفي ان… pic.twitter.com/MRipjS1qMH— الحرس الوطني الكويتي (@kng_kw) March 10, 2026 الحرس الوطني : قوة الواجب تسقط 6 طائرات "درون "أعلن المتحدث الرسمي باسم الحرس الوطني العميد د. جدعان فاضل جدعان فجر اليوم عن إسقاط 6 طائرات " درون" في مواقع المسؤولية التي تتولى ( قوة الواجب ) تأمينها شمال وجنوب البلاد. واضاف المتحدث الرسمي باسم الحرس الوطني في بيان صحفي ان… pic.twitter.com/MRipjS1qMH The Iranian Mehr news agency says the body of a one-year-old girl has been recovered from the rubble of a residential building in Tehran after it was hit by US and Israeli missiles. (Aljazeera) Operation Epic Fury: The first 10 days > Operation Epic Fury: The first 10 days pic.twitter.com/pGL1Scu4hG— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 9, 2026 Operation Epic Fury: The first 10 days pic.twitter.com/pGL1Scu4hG Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has warned people to head to their nearest “safe place” and remain calm amid the latest air raid siren. CENTCOM has said that US forces won’t stop looking for Iranian missile launchers. “When we find them, we’re taking them out,” it said in a post on X. > The Iranian regime can try to hide their missile launchers, but U.S. forces won’t stop looking. When we find them, we’re taking them out. pic.twitter.com/urq3LWwARC— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026 The Iranian regime can try to hide their missile launchers, but U.S. forces won’t stop looking. When we find them, we’re taking them out. pic.twitter.com/urq3LWwARC Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women's footballers who sought asylum after facing backlash for refusing to sing their national anthem. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the players, saying, "Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women. They're safe here, and they should feel at home here". > Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian Women’s Soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, to be safe and have a home here. pic.twitter.com/2JQp9q9Z8W— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) March 9, 2026 Last night I was able to tell five women from the Iranian Women’s Soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, to be safe and have a home here. pic.twitter.com/2JQp9q9Z8W Here's what's happening today: • Global oil prices dropped over 6% in early Asian trading after US President Donald Trump suggested the Iran war could end soon, easing fears of prolonged supply disruptions. • Trump stated the conflict is "very complete" and the US is ahead of its initial timeline, despite ongoing tensions. • The US has warned Iran of "death, fire, and fury" if it disrupts shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route. • Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to halt regional oil exports if US and Israeli attacks continue.