US-Israel vs Iran War News Highlights: Trump says US has carried out attacks on Iran’s Kharg island

US-Israel vs Iran War Highlights: The Middle East conflict entered a new phase on March 13 as Israeli airstrikes hit over 200 targets in Iran, while the Pentagon claimed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded during the bombardment. The US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice programme has called for information on “Iranian terrorist leaders”, including Mojtaba Khamenei. The State Department has set the reward for up to $10 million and said information could make people eligible for “reward and relocation”. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “wounded and likely disfigured”, following nearly two weeks of US and Israeli bombardment. Hegseth dismissed a recent written statement from Khamenei as “weak”, noting the conspicuous absence of video or audio proof of life. “He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run,” Hegseth added, heightening questions over who is currently in control of the Islamic Republic. On the ground in Iraq, US Central Command is investigating a fatal mid-air incident involving two KC-135 Stratotankers that left four crew members dead. While local militias claim credit for the crash, the Pentagon maintains it was an accident in “friendly airspace”. Meanwhile, despite threats from Tehran to shutter the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon confirmed there is currently “no clear evidence” that Iran has successfully mined the vital oil corridor. ## Here are 5 key developments: • Status of Mojtaba Khamenei: The US defence secretary claims the leader is “disfigured” and lacks legitimacy; Iranian state media continues to describe him only as “war-wounded”. • Massive air campaign: Israel’s IAF reports striking 200+ targets in 24 hours, focusing on ballistic missile sites and air defence infrastructure in central Iran. • Tanker crash: Four US airmen killed in a refueling aircraft collision in western Iraq; a second aircraft landed safely in Israel. • Strait of Hormuz: Pentagon downplays reports of Iranian sea mines, providing some relief to energy markets even as Brent crude remains volatile at $101. • European toll: A French soldier has been killed in northern Iraq amid escalating regional instability. ## Our analysis: A leadership vacuum in Tehran? The Pentagon’s assessment of Mojtaba Khamenei suggests a deliberate effort to undermine the morale of Iranian forces. By highlighting his absence from the camera, Washington is signalling that the transition of power following his father’s death has been crippled by the ongoing kinetic campaign. 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. As US-Israel and Iran tensions entered their 15th day, President Donald Trump said American forces carried out strikes on military targets on Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, saying the attacks destroyed all military sites on the island while leaving its oil facilities intact. Trump announced the operation in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying the United States Central Command carried out a major bombing raid. Read all the latest developments here. 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.” The UAE has ordered the arrest of 10 people for publishing clips of the country's air defence systems intercepting aerial attacks, as well as fabricated clips of explosions and strikes, UAE state media reports. According to state media, the individuals published real footage of attacks, as well as other AI videos and images on sites in the UAE. They have been referred to an "expedited trial", it adds. Separately, Abu Dhabi Police says it has arrested 45 individuals of "various nationalities" for filming and "spreading misinformation" during attacks on the country. (With inputs from BBC) A loud explosion was heard in Baghdad's Zayouna district, shaking houses, hours after a missile struck a house used by the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah group, killing a key figure and wounding two others. The blast is likely linked to the ongoing conflict between Iran-backed groups and US-Israeli forces. (The Guardian) The Iranian armed forces said Saturday that any attack on Iran's oil ⁠and ​energy infrastructure will lead to attacks on ​energy ​infrastructure owned by ⁠oil companies cooperating with the ‌United States in the region, Iranian media reported. The warning came after ⁠President ⁠Donald Trump said that ⁠the United ‌States ​destroyed military ‌targets on Iran's main oil ‌hub of ​Kharg ​Island. ​The island serves ​as the export ⁠terminal for 90% of Iran's oil ‌shipments. On Thursday, President Trump rebuffed questions about the US potentially seizing Kharg Island. In an interview with Fox News radio, Trump was asked if he had any plans to take the island given its vital role in Iranian oil exports. "It's not high on the list," Trump said. "It's one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds." The question seemed to annoy Trump, who chided Fox reporter Brian Kilmeade. "Who would ask a question like that and what fool would answer it?" the president said. "Let's say I was gonna do it or let's say I wasn't gonna do it, why would I tell you?" US law enforcement officials are on heightened alert as the Iran war enters its third week, but the limits of their vigilance were on display as seeming lone-wolf attacks unfolded more than 500 miles apart in Virginia and Michigan on Thursday alone. In Michigan, where a Lebanon-born gunman rammed a pickup truck laden with fireworks and jugs of gasoline into a synagogue, sparking a fire, it appeared to be one of the first known instances of a specific bombing in the Iran war leading to retaliatory violence on American soil since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28. President Donald Trump said Friday that US forces have "obliterated" military targets on Iran's Kharg Island and warned that the oil infrastructure there could be next. The small island in the Persian Gulf is the primary terminal through which Iran's oil exports pass. President Donald Trump said on Friday the US would soon begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz to protect them from Iranian attack, as his administration searches for ways to ease high oil prices fuelled by the US-Israeli war on Iran. Trump issued a temporary waiver for some purchases of sanctioned Russian oil, a move that drew criticism from US allies in Europe for potentially helping Russia fund its war with Ukraine. Prices have been whipsawing on Trump's changing comments on the likely duration of the Iran war, which has prompted Iran to attack vessels in the strait, the conduit for a fifth of the world's oil. The Lebanese group says it fired suicide drones against Israeli troops in the northern town of Ya’ara inside Israel. It was the 24th military operation announced by the group today. An Israeli strike on a health centre in southern Lebanon has killed 12 medical workers, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported. Trump just announced that the US has bombed "every military target" on Iran's Kharg Island. But where is the island and why is it important? Kharg Island is a small, five-mile long outcropping located about 15 nautical miles off the coast of Iran. It's considered Iran's "oil lifeline". While there are few residents, 90% of Iran's export crude oil passes through there. Large tankers carry oil to the island, then through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, and then often to China, the largest consumer of Iranian oil. If access to the island is cut off, it would seriously cripple the economy of the Islamic Republic. Earlier this month, Axios reported that Trump was weighing sending special forces to seize the Island. US President Donald Trump ​on Friday Said ‌on Friday that the United States carried ​out strikes against "every military ​target" on Iran's Kharg Island ⁠export hub. "For ​reasons of decency, I ​have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil ​Infrastructure on ​the Island," Trump wrote on ‌Truth ⁠Social. "However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to ​interfere ​with ⁠the Free and Safe Passage ​of Ships through ​the ⁠Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately ⁠reconsider ​this decision." The US is deploying a Marine Expeditionary Unit and an amphibious assault ship to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran. This move doesn't necessarily indicate an imminent ground operation. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "wounded and likely disfigured", though evidence isn't publicly available. Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz are seen as "sheer desperation", with Hegseth assuring the US is handling the situation. (With inputs from AP) Turkey's advising its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iraq due to the escalating Israeli-US war on Iran. The Turkish embassy in Baghdad recommends staying away from crowded areas, the Green Zone, airports, and locations near military sites and oil facilities. The Turkiye-Iraq land border remains open, but recent attacks have targeted US-linked positions and infrastructure, with the US and Israel bombing sites linked to Iran-allied groups. US President Donald Trump has announced that the country’s military has bombed military installations on Iran’s Kharg Island, close to the Strait of Hormuz, as the war escalates — and as constraints on energy flows have deepened a global economic crisis. “The United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. Trump, however, said that the US had so far avoided hitting Iran’s oil infrastructure on the island. Bahrain’s interior ministry says sirens have been sounded and called on citizens and residents to remain calm and go to their nearest safe place. > The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) March 13, 2026 The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place US ⁠President ​Donald ​Trump ​told reporters ⁠on ‌Friday ⁠that ⁠US ⁠and Israeli ‌objectives ​in ‌the ‌Iran war ​might ​be ​a ​little ⁠different, as reported by the Reuters. Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has condemned an Israeli strike on a primary healthcare centre in Burj Qalawiya in southern Lebanon that killed 12 medical staff. In a statement, the ministry denounced the continued pattern Israeli of attacks on health workers, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has blamed “egos” for the failure of peace talks. He did not refer to any particular conflict, but his comments came as the US-Israel war on Iran completed two weeks, with its impact spreading globally, amid surging oil prices and energy shortages. “Peace talks don’t fail because the issues are too big. They fail because the egos are too big,” the WHO chief said in a post on X. Qatar’s Interior Minister Sheikh Khalifa says responded to reports of falls of missile fragments at more than 600 sites in various areas. Sheikh Khalifa said the early warning system has been effective. He added that the alarms may be loud and disruptive, but they work to keep the population safe. (Al Jazeera) As the conflict in West Asia continues, Qatar's interior minister has said that strategic water reserves are sufficient for four months, food security reserves for 18 months, news agency Reuters reported. As several India-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Friday said that "we will try our best" to resolve the issue. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event, Fathali said, "We believe that Iran and India are friends. We have common interests, we have common faith." The US military said it has elevated the investigation into a February 28 strike on an Iranian girls' school after media reports revealed the probe shows US forces were likely responsible. Iran has said the strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh School killed 168 children. Citing the seriousness of the matter, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to comment on the preliminary finding of the investigation, saying: "We're not going to let reporting lead us or force our hand into indicating ⁠what happened." US President Trump in an interview with YouTuber Jake Paul spoke of the ongoing conflict with Iran. He said, "We did this excursion. We had to do it -- wipe out evil... they've been killing people in the most violent way. The roadside bombs all over the place, 95% of them are from Iran... people have waited for 47 years for it to happen, so we have to do it right." > .@POTUS on Iran: "We did this excursion. We had to do it—wipe out evil... they've been killing people in the most violent way. The roadside bombs all over the place, 95% of them are from Iran... people have waited for 47 years for it to happen, so we have to do it right." pic.twitter.com/jtAbYstePN— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 13, 2026 .@POTUS on Iran: "We did this excursion. We had to do it—wipe out evil... they've been killing people in the most violent way. The roadside bombs all over the place, 95% of them are from Iran... people have waited for 47 years for it to happen, so we have to do it right." pic.twitter.com/jtAbYstePN The US government posted an update on Operation Epic Fury on X. It read, " OPERATION EPIC FURY: -Ballistic missile attacks down 90%. -Drone attacks down 95%. - 6,000+ targets struck. - 90+ Iranian vessels destroyed. - Iran's entire ballistic missile capacity functionally destroyed. - Iranian navy assessed as combat ineffective. - Overwhelming air dominance over Iran." > OPERATION EPIC FURY:— Ballistic missile attacks down 90%.— Drone attacks down 95%.— 6,000+ targets struck.— 90+ Iranian vessels destroyed.— Iran's entire ballistic missile capacity functionally destroyed.— Iranian navy assessed as combat ineffective.— Overwhelming…— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 13, 2026 OPERATION EPIC FURY:— Ballistic missile attacks down 90%.— Drone attacks down 95%.— 6,000+ targets struck.— 90+ Iranian vessels destroyed.— Iran's entire ballistic missile capacity functionally destroyed.— Iranian navy assessed as combat ineffective.— Overwhelming… The US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice programme has called for information on "Iranian terrorist leaders", including Mojtaba Khamenei. The State Department set the reward at up to $10 million and said information could make people eligible for "relocation". "These individuals command and direct various elements of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which plans, organises and executes terrorism around the world," the poster read. > Got information on these Iranian terrorist leaders?Send us a tip. It could make you eligible for a reward and relocation. pic.twitter.com/y7avkqdGWw— Rewards for Justice (@RFJ_USA) March 13, 2026 Got information on these Iranian terrorist leaders?Send us a tip. It could make you eligible for a reward and relocation. pic.twitter.com/y7avkqdGWw The United States has deployed 10,000 interceptor drones to West Asia to counter Iranian drone attacks, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll says. The drones were shipped to the region within five days of the start of the Israeli-US war on Iran on February 28. Officials say the drones offer a cheaper way to intercept incoming threats without relying on expensive missile defence systems. Driscoll said each Merops interceptor currently costs $14,000–$15,000. (Al Jazeera) Israel Defence Forces (IDF) posted on X saying, "90+ Israeli Air Force fighter jets used, 200 munitions targeting Iranian terror regime infrastructure including: - A regional headquarters of the IRGC and the Basij Forces - Key headquarters of the Basij Forces - Headquarters of the Iranian terror regime’s Internal Security Forces - Air defense systems and infrastructure & a site used for research and development testing of ballistic missiles." > 🛩️🎯IAF STRIKES IN TEHRAN:90+ Israeli Air Force fighter jets used ~200 munitions targeting Iranian terror regime infrastructure including: • A regional headquarters of the IRGC and the Basij Forces • Key headquarters of the Basij Forces• Headquarters of the Iranian…— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 13, 2026 🛩️🎯IAF STRIKES IN TEHRAN:90+ Israeli Air Force fighter jets used ~200 munitions targeting Iranian terror regime infrastructure including: • A regional headquarters of the IRGC and the Basij Forces • Key headquarters of the Basij Forces• Headquarters of the Iranian… Israel says it has targeted 150 sites in Iran today so far. “Among the targets, many sites used to store dozens of ballistic missiles and additional missile launchers were attacked,” the Israeli military said in a statement. (Al Jazeera) Two Indians were killed and 10 injured during an attack in Sohar city in Oman, the government said on Friday. This raised the death toll of Indians to five in the war raging in West Asia – three seafarers died earlier. There are about one crore Indians living and working in West Asia. Read the full report. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announces that the Iranian military launched missiles and drones at Israel in coordination with Tehran’s Lebanese ally Hezbollah. “The operation…targeted American-Zionist enemy objectives using a large number of precision-guided, solid-fuel ‘Kheibar Shekan’ missiles,” said the Guards in a statement. The Guards added that the operation was part of its annual al-Quds Day, which is intended to show support for the Palestinian cause. (Al Jazeera) Tehran will give safe passage to vessels bound for India via Hormuz, Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali told reporters today. Iran has allowed two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) ⁠carriers ​to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, four ​sources ​with direct ⁠knowledge of the matter, a move ‌that could help ease some of the cooking gas crisis in the country. Separately, ⁠a ⁠crude tanker is expected ⁠to arrive ‌in ​India on Saturday ‌carrying Saudi Arabian oil after ‌sailing ​through ​the Strait ​around March 1, according to ​two of ⁠the sources and data from Lloyd's List ‌Intelligence. US President Donald Trump said he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin may be helping Iran a “little bit” in an interview with Fox News Radio. “I think he might be helping him (Iran) a little bit, yeah, I guess. And he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” Trump told “The Brian Kilmeade Show". US President Donald Trump has voiced confidence that the Iranian people would rise up to replace their government following US and Israeli military strikes, but added in an interview aired today that it may not happen straight away. “I really think that’s a big hurdle to climb for people that don’t have weapons. I think it’s a very big hurdle … It’ll happen, but it probably will be, maybe not immediately,” Trump told Fox News Radio. There have been no signs of significant protests or any major defections against the Iranian ruling system since the US and Israel launched the war, which has killed more than 1,300 people. (Al Jazeera) IndiGo will start levying fuel charges ranging from Rs 425 to Rs 2,300 on domestic and international flight tickets from March 14 amid the steep surge in jet fuel prices due to the ongoing war between the US, Israel and Iran. The move will increase the airfares. For domestic flights and those within the Indian subcontinent, the fuel charge will be Rs 425, while it will be Rs 900 for the Middle East services, the airline said in a statement on Friday. The fuel charge will be Rs 1,800 for South East Asia and China, Africa and West Asia flights, and Rs 2,300 for Europe flights. Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) accounts for nearly 40 per cent of an airline's operational costs. While announcing the introduction of the fuel charge, the airline said the measure has been taken due to the significant surge in fuel prices following the ongoing geopolitical issues in the Middle East. "While offsetting the entire impact of this fuel price surge requires a very substantial adjustment to fares, IndiGo has introduced a relatively smaller amount as a fuel charge, keeping in mind the consequential burden on customers," the airline said. On March 10, Air India and Air India Express announced fuel surcharges on tickets. US President Donald Trump said, “No, not at all,” when asked if the US would attempt to retrieve the material, which is believed to be buried underground in Iran. “We are not focused on that,” Trump said. “But at some point, we might be.” Asked if he would consider suspending the 1920s Jones Act that aims to protect US jobs, Trump said “we’ll take a look at everything.” The Jones Act requires goods shipped between US ports to be moved on US-flagged vessels. It’s often blamed for making gas more expensive. In an interview on Fox News Radio that aired Friday, Trump called it a “restrictive act” but also acknowledged it has “tremendous support” in Congress. The United Arab Emirates said the strikes were launched from Iran on Friday amid continuous air attacks targeting US bases in the Gulf. The UAE’s Defense Ministry said on X that since “blatant Iranian aggression” began in the ongoing war with the US and Israel, its defense systems have “engaged” with 285 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,567 drones. The United States has designated an officer outside of US Central Command ⁠to complete ​an investigation on a strike on an Iranian school, US Defense Secretary ​Pete ​Hegseth said ⁠Friday. "I can report that CENTCOM has designated ‌an investigating officer to complete a command investigation," Hegseth told a press briefing News agency Reuters first reported last week that an ⁠ongoing, ⁠internal US military investigation showed US forces ⁠were likely responsible ‌for the ​strike on the ‌girls' school in southern Iran. "The command investigation will ‌take ​as ​long as ​necessary to address all the matters surrounding ​this incident. And ⁠the investigating officer is from outside CENTCOM and is ‌a ⁠general officer," Hegseth said. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said ending Iran’s nuclear weapons program remains a “core mission” as US and Israeli strikes on the country continue. Speaking at a media briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth said President Donald Trump is focused on ending Iran’s ability to manufacture nuclear weapons for good. Hegseth would not say whether ground forces will be needed to secure Iran’s supply of enriched uranium or its nuclear facilities, but said the US is considering a range of options. He said he would welcome a decision by Iran’s leaders to voluntarily give up their program. “We’ve said from the beginning: deny Iran nuclear weapons,” Hegseth said. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told reporters that Iran is “exercising sheer desperation” in the Strait of Hormuz, which the Iran war has closed, blocking a significant portion of the world’s oil. He told reporters at a Friday news conference from the Pentagon that “we’re dealing with it.” He did not give details. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, added that the US military has “made it a priority to target Iran’s minelaying enterprise” impacting the strategic waterway. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth offered new details on the operation against Iran at a Friday news conference from the Pentagon, noting the impact of US and Israeli airstrikes on the Islamic Republic. Hegseth said that over 15,000 enemy targets have been struck, which is more than 1,000 a day since the war began on February 28. Iran’s drone attacks in retaliation of the operation have been deadly and include a fatal attack in Kuwait that killed six American soldiers. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has shared an update on what the US knows about the health of Iran's New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. "We know the new so-called, not so supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured," the US defence secretary said. Khamenei, who was appointed to succeed his father, had released his first statement yesterday, but did not appear in person and did not read it out himself. Hegseth called the statement "a weak one". "There was no voice and there was no video. It was a written statement," he said. "Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. "His father is dead. He's scared; he's injured; he's on the run and he lacks legitimacy. It's a mess for them. Who's in charge? Iran may not even know. With every passing hour, we know and they know that the military capabilities of their evil regime are crumbling." (SKY News) President Donald Trump said the United ⁠States ​would escort vessels ​through the ​Strait of ⁠Hormuz if needed ‌but added that he hoped the ⁠US-led ⁠war efforts would ⁠go ‌well, ​vowing ‌in a Fox ‌News ​interview ​that ​aired Friday ​to strike ⁠Iran "very hard over ‌the ⁠next week". Rajesh Kumar Sinha of the Union Shipping Ministry said, "LPG carrier vessels have been accorded priority berthing at major ports...Regarding the ongoing crisis and the prevailing situation in the Gulf region, unfortunately, as I mentioned yesterday, three casualties involving Indian seafarers have been reported. One seafarer remains missing. Additionally, four seafarers sustained minor injuries; however, all those who sustained injuries have been brought out and are currently receiving medical treatment... The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways continues to closely monitor the prevailing maritime situation in the Persian Gulf region, which remains continuously evolving." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Friday criticised the US decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil. “Six members of the G7 expressed a very clear view that this is not the right signal to send,” Merz said during a press conference with his Norwegian counterpart in Andenes, Norway. “We learned this morning that the US government has apparently decided otherwise. Once again, we believe this is the wrong decision,” Merz said. Merz said there was “a price problem, but not a supply problem", adding that he wished to know what additional motives led to the US decision. At least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured by US-Israeli attacks on Iran since February 28, Iran’s Health Ministry said. (Al Jazeera) Indian shares extended losses for a third session Friday, with benchmark indexes recording their biggest weekly drop in years, as a raging war in the Middle East kept crude oil prices above $100 a barrel, stoking inflation and growth jitters for the world's third-largest crude importing country. The Nifty 50 shed 2.06% to 23,151.1, and ⁠the ​BSE Sensex lost 1.93% to 74,563.92 on Friday. The Nifty 50 has dropped 5.3% this week, marking its biggest drop since June 2022, while the 30-stock Sensex slid 5.5% in its worst week since May 2020. "India faces a ​material terms-of-trade ​shock from rising energy prices amid the ⁠ongoing Middle East conflict," as per Goldman Sachs. The conflict, which began with joint Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran in late ‌February, has killed more than 2,000 people, disrupted millions of lives and shaken global energy and financial markets. Iran and its proxies have targeted a host of US sites in the Middle East since the American and Israeli militaries jointly launched attacks on Tehran and other cities on February 28. As the Middle East conflict entered its 14th day on Friday, reported casualties include seven US military personnel dead and 18 wounded. Read the full article here NATO defences Friday intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran over Turkey, the third such incident since the start of the war. Turkey’s Defence Ministry said the missile was destroyed by NATO air defences deployed in the eastern Mediterranean. Residents in the southern city of Adana reported hearing a loud explosion and sirens sounding at Incirlik Air Base, which is used by US forces, in the early hours of Friday. No casualties were reported. Four of six crew aboard the US KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq have been confirmed dead, the US military said. Four of the six crew abroad a US military KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq have been found dead, the American military said. The US military’s Central Command made the announcement in a statement. “Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue,” the statement said. “The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” it said. > Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over IraqTAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.The…— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 13, 2026 Four Confirmed Deceased in Loss of U.S. KC-135 Over IraqTAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2 pm ET on March 12, a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue.The… US President Trump told G7 leaders ⁠in ​a ​virtual meeting ​Wednesday ⁠that Iran is "about ‌to surrender", Axios reported ⁠on ⁠Friday, citing ⁠three ‌officials ​from G7 ‌countries briefed ‌on ​the ​contents ​of the ​call. Trump said "nobody knows who is the leader, so ⁠there ⁠is no one that can announce surrender," Axios reported. The ⁠White ‌House did not ​immediately respond to a ‌request for comment outside regular business hours. Trump Friday ‌derided Iran's ​leaders ​as "deranged scumbags" ​and said it was his great honour to ​kill them as the war ⁠in the Middle East approached the two-week mark with ‌heavy exchanges ⁠of drone and missile strikes across the region. Cybersecurity watchdog Netblocks said a near-total internet blackout in Iran is continuing for a 14th day. Connectivity to the global internet remains at 1 percent of its usual level, it said. “As authentic voices are silenced and civilians are left without vital updates, a steady flow of regime-approved content fills the void,” Netblocks said (Al Jazeera) A large explosion struck Iran’s capital Tehran Friday at a square filled with demonstrators, Iranian state television reported. The explosion hit Ferdowsi Square, just down Enghelab Street from Tehran University, the epicentre of ongoing Quds, or Jerusalem, Day demonstrations. The cause of the blast was not immediately known. Israel had warned it could strike in the area just before the blast. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was abruptly pulled out of a live interview on Sky News after being told that “the President wants you right away". When he returned shortly afterwards, his voice appeared noticeably shaken. > U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was abruptly pulled from a live interview after being told “the President wants you right away.” After returning, his voice was noticeably shaken. pic.twitter.com/jx5CamFi03— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 13, 2026 U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was abruptly pulled from a live interview after being told “the President wants you right away.” After returning, his voice was noticeably shaken. pic.twitter.com/jx5CamFi03 The Israeli military said it carried out an air strike on a bridge in southern Lebanon Friday, in what appeared to be the first time in the current campaign against Hezbollah that Israel acknowledged it had targeted civilian ⁠infrastructure. The ​Israeli military said that the Zrariyeh bridge, which spans the Litani River, was targeted because it was a key crossing used by Hezbollah ​militants ​moving between northern and southern ⁠Lebanon, but provided no evidence to support the claim. It also said Hezbollah ‌militants had positioned launchers near the bridge and carried out attacks on Israel from the area. Striking the bridge was necessary to remove a threat to Israeli civilians, the military said in a statement. Israel’s army has started a wave of strikes targeting infrastructure across Iran, reported news agency AP. Saudi Arabia's defense ministry reports that a hostile drone heading towards the embassies district in Riyadh was shot down. Additionally, three drones were intercepted in Al-Kharj governate and the Empty Quarter desert. These incidents are part of ongoing tensions amid Iran's retaliatory strikes on Gulf countries. > المتحدث الرسمي لـ #_: اعتراض وتدمير 3 مسيّرات في محافظة الخرج والربع الخالي. pic.twitter.com/NnS5QR2Kps— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 13, 2026 المتحدث الرسمي لـ #_: اعتراض وتدمير 3 مسيّرات في محافظة الخرج والربع الخالي. pic.twitter.com/NnS5QR2Kps Donald Trump has declared the US is “totally destroying” Iran’s ruling regime, adding it is his “great honour” to be killing them. In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president also lashed the New York Times, saying: "We are totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise, yet, if you read the Failing New York Times, you would incorrectly think that we are not winning. Trump went on to say: "Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth. We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time - Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today. They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do so! Sirens blared at Turkey's Incirlik Air Base, a key NATO facility housing US troops, early Friday, with no immediate official comment on the incident. The alert comes four days after NATO intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile in Turkish airspace. Iran's secretive new leader issued his first public statements Thursday, resolving to keep fighting, promising more pain for Gulf Arab states and threatening to open "other fronts" in a war that has already disrupted world energy supplies, the global economy and international travel. Early Friday, US President Donald Trump issued a new threat online to Iran, writing: "Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today." Trump tallied the damage inflicted on Iran and its leaders and called it a "great honor" to be responsible for it. The spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said that air defences have shot down eight more drones, in the central and eastern regions of the country, as well as the Al-Kharj Governorate, and west of the capital Riyadh. Earlier, the Saudi Defence Ministry reported 14 drones intercepted and destroyed in waves of attempted attacks Turkey's state-run news agency reports that NATO air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran towards Turkish airspace, with debris falling on vacant land in Gaziantep province, causing no casualties or injuries. Sirens have been heard at Incirlik air base, a key Nato facility in south Turkey, the state news agency is being quoted as saying. ( The Guardian) Five US Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill calling for the US government to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the killing in Gaza of five-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab, her family and the paramedics sent to rescue her. The five representatives, including Senator Peter Welch, said in a statement that the bill also requires the Trump administration to provide comprehensive answers on the “broader patterns of civilian harm in Gaza”. The bill follows the release of the film The Voice of Hind Rajab, which documents the phone calls Rajab made to rescuers as she waited for help from paramedics that never arrived, before she was killed by Israeli forces. > Hind Rajab should be with us still today. But more than two years after her death, there has been zero accountability for her murder—which is documented in The Voice of Hind Rajab.She’s one of more than 20,000 kids who have been killed in Gaza—more than 100 since the… pic.twitter.com/Y56w3wQm8c— Senator Peter Welch (@SenPeterWelch) March 13, 2026 Hind Rajab should be with us still today. But more than two years after her death, there has been zero accountability for her murder—which is documented in The Voice of Hind Rajab.She’s one of more than 20,000 kids who have been killed in Gaza—more than 100 since the… pic.twitter.com/Y56w3wQm8c Air freight rates have risen by 70% on some routes since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. The conflict limits flights, and blocks ocean shipments including the Strait of Hormuz resulting in high jet fuel costs. Rates on routes between South Asia and Europe have been the most affected by Middle Eastern airspace closures and security issues, industry experts said. The conflict has stranded more than 100 container ships in the area around the critical Strait of Hormuz oil export corridor. Israel’s military said it struck the Lebanese capital a short time ago in an attack targeting a Hezbollah “operative”. The military did not say if its attack was successful or in which part of the city it was launched. Areas in Beirut and other parts of the country have been under days of devastating Israeli bombing. Israel said the Iranian government was facing growing pressure as its military campaign against Iran entered its 13th day. In an update posted on X, the Israeli government said developments inside Iran suggested officials were abandoning their posts and seeking asylum abroad. “The cracks in the Iranian regime are widening: officials stationed outside Iran are abandoning their posts and asking for asylum in various countries,” the statement said. > We’re at day 13 of operation #roaringlion - here’s today’s update:- The cracks in the Iranian regime are widening: officials, stationed aoutside of Iran are abandoning their posts and asking for asylum in various countries.- ⁠One of the two American aircraft involved in the…— Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter (@yechielleiter) March 13, 2026 We’re at day 13 of operation #roaringlion - here’s today’s update:- The cracks in the Iranian regime are widening: officials, stationed aoutside of Iran are abandoning their posts and asking for asylum in various countries.- ⁠One of the two American aircraft involved in the… A woman and a child were killed overnight in an Israeli air strike targeting a residential building in Arak, western Iran, with 35 others injured, according to the city's deputy governor, as reported by Al Jazeera. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “no life insurance” for Iran’s newly chosen Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, as Israel and the United States continue their military campaign against Iran. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Netanyahu said the joint US-Israel war effort against Iran was progressing well. According to the Associated Press (AP), he also suggested that leaders of groups hostile to Israel could be targeted. Read more Panama Canal Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez said Thursday that the conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel costs could ultimately benefit the interoceanic waterway as global shippers adjust routes. In an interview with The Associated Press, Vásquez said that higher energy, fuel and navigation costs could make the Panama Canal a more attractive option for commercial traffic.“When costs increase, in general when the price of marine fuel rises, the Panama Canal becomes a more attractive route,” Vásquez said. Senator Raphael Warnock has condemned the killing of over 170 schoolchildren in Iran, saying it "should shock our conscience and cause us to recoil in horror". The Democratic senator and Pastor called for accountability, stating that a nation that disregards children's deaths needs "moral repair". Warnock, one of 40 Democratic senators, has joined a letter to the US Department of Defense seeking answers on civilian casualties in Iran, including the Minab school strike blamed on US-Israeli forces. > The killing of schoolchildren should shock our conscience and cause us to recoil in horror.A nation whose leaders can so easily shrug off the death of children, no matter the cause, is in need of moral repair. There must be accountability and lessons learned from this…— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) March 13, 2026 The killing of schoolchildren should shock our conscience and cause us to recoil in horror.A nation whose leaders can so easily shrug off the death of children, no matter the cause, is in need of moral repair. There must be accountability and lessons learned from this… A village near Nazareth, Zarzir, has been hit by an Iranian missile, wounding at least 33 people and damaging homes and vehicles. Most injuries are minor, with one woman moderately hurt by shrapnel. The attack was part of a broader night of alerts, with Israel reporting launches from Iran and rocket fire from Hezbollah in Lebanon. The sound that you can hear overhead is the Israeli surveillance drone, which has been flying very low, buzzing very loud, over the capital for constantly for almost 24 hours. These drones, of course, they’re not new to the skies above Beirut or the skies above Lebanon. They have been a near constant companion to the people who lived here since, in fact, the last war ended in November of 2024 with that ceasefire. Since the latest escalation, and in the last couple of hours, we have again seen very heavy strikes on Beirut, a couple in the southern suburbs earlier this evening shook the whole capital. It echoed across the hills here. And that follows two strikes in downtown Beirut. The spokesperson for Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said in the past hour that the country’s air defences have intercepted and shot down 10 drones over the eastern region of the country. A strike on a building in Israel's Zarzir city has injured 30 people, with two seriously hurt by shrapnel and others suffering minor injuries from broken glass, according to Kan News. Six people, including two children aged 12 and 13, have been hospitalized. President Emanuel Macron has announced that a Chief Warrant Officer died during an attack in Iraq’s Erbil region that also injured “several” other French soldiers, and which he linked to the war with Iran. Macron said in a post on X: “To his family, to his brothers in arms, I want to express all the affection and solidarity of the Nation”. “Several of our soldiers have been wounded. France stands by their side and with their loved ones,” he added. The president said French troops were based in Iraq as part of the fight against the ISIL (ISIS) group. “The war in Iran cannot justify such attacks,” he added. > L’adjudant-chef Arnaud Frion du 7ème bataillon de chasseurs alpins de Varces est mort pour la France lors d’une attaque dans la région d’Erbil en Irak.À sa famille, à ses frères d’armes, je veux dire toute l’affection et la solidarité de la Nation.Plusieurs de nos militaires…— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 13, 2026 L’adjudant-chef Arnaud Frion du 7ème bataillon de chasseurs alpins de Varces est mort pour la France lors d’une attaque dans la région d’Erbil en Irak.À sa famille, à ses frères d’armes, je veux dire toute l’affection et la solidarité de la Nation.Plusieurs de nos militaires… Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, calling them a "blatant violation of international humanitarian law". The ministry urges the international community to pressure Israel to stop these attacks and respect international laws, stating Qatar's unwavering support for Lebanon's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. > Qatar Strongly Condemns Israeli Attacks on Southern LebanonDoha, March 13, 2026The State of Qatar strongly condemns the Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, considering them a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.The… pic.twitter.com/XUQRMr3DaD— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) March 12, 2026 Qatar Strongly Condemns Israeli Attacks on Southern LebanonDoha, March 13, 2026The State of Qatar strongly condemns the Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, considering them a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.The… pic.twitter.com/XUQRMr3DaD The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group ⁠of ​Iran-backed armed factions, ​claimed responsibility ​for downing ⁠a US military ‌refueling aircraft in western Iraq on ⁠Thursday. The ⁠group said ⁠in ‌a statement ​it ‌had shot down ‌the ​KC-135 aircraft "in ​defense ​of our ​country's sovereignty ⁠and airspace". The claim contradicts US Central Command (CENTCOM), which reported on Thursday that two aircraft were involved in an incident in “friendly airspace”. While one aircraft went down in western Iraq, the second landed safely in Israel. “This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” CENTCOM said. (With inputs from Reuters) Asserting that the joint US-Israel campaign against Iran is "going better than expected" and Israel is "stronger than ever", Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said there was "no life insurance" for Iran's newly chosen Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Responding to a question about whether Israel would target Khamenei and Hezbollah leader Naem Qassem, Netanyahu said, "I wouldn't take out a life insurance policy on any of the leaders of the terror organisations." Mojtaba's father, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in joint US-Israel strikes on February 28. (AP) An American military refuelling plane taking part in the operation against Iran crashed in Iraq and rescue efforts were underway, US Central Command said Thursday. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. A US official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the developing situation, said the KC-135 aircraft that crashed had at least five crew members aboard. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement on the war on Thursday, saying Iran should close the Strait of Hormuz and keep attacking its Gulf Arab neighbors as leverage. Khamenei also called on people in Gulf countries to “shut down” US bases, saying promised US protection is “nothing more than a lie.” An Iranian ambassador said Khamenei was injured in the war’s opening salvo, which the Iranian leader said killed his wife, one of his sisters, his niece and his father, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As American and Israeli strikes pound the Islamic Republic and Iran attacks Persian Gulf shipping and energy infrastructure with no sign of an end to the war, oil prices have soared back above $100 a barrel. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has been sending mobile phone alerts to people in affected areas, urging them to seek shelter immediately. They're emphasizing the importance of following these directives to stay safe. > צה"ל זיהה כי לפני זמן קצר שוגרו טילים מאיראן לעבר שטח מדינת ישראל. מערכות ההגנה פועלות ליירט את האיום. בדקות האחרונות פיקוד העורף הפיץ הנחייה מקדימה ישירות לטלפונים הניידים באזורים הרלוונטיים.הציבור מתבקש לגלות אחריות ולפעול על פי ההנחיות - הן מצילות חיים.יש להיכנס למרחבים…— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 12, 2026 צה"ל זיהה כי לפני זמן קצר שוגרו טילים מאיראן לעבר שטח מדינת ישראל. מערכות ההגנה פועלות ליירט את האיום. בדקות האחרונות פיקוד העורף הפיץ הנחייה מקדימה ישירות לטלפונים הניידים באזורים הרלוונטיים.הציבור מתבקש לגלות אחריות ולפעול על פי ההנחיות - הן מצילות חיים.יש להיכנס למרחבים… The US air force refuelling aircraft that went down in Iraq had six service members onboard, Reuters has quoted a US official as saying. The other aircraft involved in the crash of the US air force KC-135 aircraft was also a KC-135, the news agency quoted the official – speaking on condition of anonymity – as saying. US Central Command (Centcom) earlier said it was carrying out rescue efforts after the KC-135 aircraft went down in “friendly airspace” in western Iraq in an incident that was “not due to hostile fire or friendly fire”. The second aircraft landed safely. The KC-135, built by Boeing in the 1950s and early 1960s, has served as the backbone of the US military’s air refueling fleet and is critical to allow aircraft to carry out missions without having to land. News of the crash comes the same day as two US sailors were injured after the USS Gerald Ford suffered a non-combat-related fire onboard. We're getting some initial reaction from US lawmakers on the crash of a US refuelling aircraft in western Iraq. Democratic Congressman Jim Himes tells BBC Newsnight it is still "very early" to determine what caused the incident, adding he hopes the crew that was onboard is safe. "This is part of the inevitable cost of a conflict. Even the best military doesn't operate without accidents and that's what appeared to have occurred here," he says. "We pray for the safety of the crew, but this is the cost that is to be paid when a nation goes to war." Six french soldiers have been wounded in a drone attack in the Erbil region of Iraq, news agencies including Reuters and AFP are reporting. They have been taken to a nearby medical centre, Reuters says, citing the French army. The army statement did not provide further details about their injuries or the origins of the drone. France has hundreds of troops based in the Erbil region. They have been stationed there as part of an international coalition that has been fighting Islamic State militants. Eribil, in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, is about 115kms west of the border with Iran. Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed 70 people, including two academics, Hussein Bazzi and Murtadha Sarour, who were targeted at the Lebanese University campus. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack, calling it a "flagrant violation of international laws and norms" that prohibit attacks on educational institutions and civilians. (With inputs from The Guardian) Israeli air strikes have hit the town of Ansar in the Nabatieh District in southern Lebanon, as reported by Aljazeera. The US and their Western allies have clashed with Russia and China over Iran’s nuclear intentions at a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday. Russia and China unsuccessfully tried to block a discussion about a committee established to oversee and enforce UN sanctions on Iran. They were overruled 11-2 with two abstentions. US envoy to the United Nations Mike Waltz accused Moscow and Beijing of seeking to protect Tehran by blocking the work of the so-called 1737 Committee. “All member states of the United Nations should be implementing an arms embargo against Iran, banning the transfer and trade of missile technology, and freezing relevant financial assets,” Waltz said. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as a "tool of pressure" against its enemies, including the US and Israel. In his first statement since taking office, Khamenei called on Gulf countries to shut down US military bases, warning they would be targeted if they remain operational. He also promised to avenge those killed in the conflict, including victims of attacks on civilian sites like schools. An American military refuelling plane went down in Iraq and rescue efforts were underway, US Central Command said Thursday. The KC-135 aircraft was part of the operation against Iran, but the crash was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire, the military said in a statement. US Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said that two aircraft were involved and that one landed safely and the other went down in western Iraq. It described the latter as "a loss." A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a developing situation, said the other plane involved also was a KC-135 tanker. > U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the…— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 12, 2026 U.S. Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing. Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the… (With inputs from AP) The US and Western allies clashed with Russia and China on Thursday over Iran's nuclear intentions, as Washington sought at the United Nations to further justify the war it launched on Iran two weeks ago. At a meeting of the 15-member UN Security Council, which is chaired this month by the US, Russia and China moved unsuccessfully to block a discussion about a committee established to ⁠oversee and ​enforce UN sanctions on Iran. They were overruled 11-2 with two abstentions. (Reuters) There are nearly 9,000 Indian nationals including students, business persons, factory workers, pilgrims, seafarers, and fishermen in Iran at present, the government informed Parliament on Thursday. In a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita also said the Indian Embassy has advised Indian nationals in Iran to exercise utmost caution, maintain situational awareness, monitor local media for any developments and stay in contact with the embassy. The Ministry of External Affairs was asked the details of Indian citizens who are still in Iran, and the details of measures taken for their safety, including emergency helplines activated by the embassy, deployment of consular teams and any arrangements with Iranian authorities for protection. PM Narendra Modi on Thursday held first call with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian and expressed 'deep concern over escalation of tensions' amid US-Israel strikes on the Islamic nation. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "The safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India’s top priorities. Reiterated India’s commitment to peace and stability and urged for dialogue and diplomacy." > Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure. The safety and security of…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 12, 2026 Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure. The safety and security of… The Israeli military on Thursday said that its aircraft ⁠struck ​Basij checkpoints in Iran's capital Tehran. "The IDF (Israel ​Defence forces) ​recently identified ⁠that soldiers of the ‌Basij Unit had established roadblocks in several locations across ⁠Tehran. ⁠After identifying the ⁠deployment, ‌over the ​past day, ‌the Israeli Air ‌Force, ​acting ​on ​IDF intelligence, has targeted ​the Basij roadblocks ⁠and operatives," the military said. Many ships can still pass through the Strait of Hormuz if ⁠they ​coordinate with the Iranian navy, Iran's Foreign ​Ministry spokesperson ​Esmaeil ⁠Baghaei said as reprted by ‌Mehr news agency. "After the current events, generally we cannot ⁠return ⁠to conditions before February 28...as we have understood how ‌important the ​safety ​of ​the Strait of Hormuz ​is, and so ⁠did the others," the ‌spokesperson ⁠added. The Trump administration is considering waiving the century-old Jones Act for a limited period to ensure energy and agricultural shipments can move freely between US ports, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday, in a bid to combat Iran-related supply disruptions. "In the interest of national defense, the White House is considering waiving the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely ⁠to US ​ports," Leavitt said in a statement. "This action has not been finalized," she added. PM Narendra Modi on Thursday called out those trying to create panic on the LPG situation in India, and said they are not only exposing themselves before the people but also hurting the country. During a summit, PM Modi said, "The war has pushed the world into an energy crisis. At these times it is important as to how we handle this challenge. Some people are trying to create panic on LPG. Without making a political point, I will say they are not only exposing themselves before people but hurting the country." The Trump administration has organized nearly 50 flights to return US citizens from the Middle East since the US-Israeli war with Iran began, a State Department official said on Thursday, and officials said demand for the flights has declined. The State Department was criticized in the days after the conflict began on February 28 for ⁠its ​late preparations to relocate diplomats and offer assistance to US citizens as Iran's strikes led to airspace closures and flight cancellations across the region. US President Donald Trump said the Iranian national football team was welcome to participate in the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer, but said he believed it was not appropriate that they be there “for their own life and safety". On Wednesday, Iran’s sports minister cast doubt on the team’s participation in the tournament. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has launched an account on X, with his first post appearing just hours ago. The account follows only one profile, that of his late father and former supreme leader. His handle, @Rahbarenghelab_, translates from Persian as “Leader of the Revolution". > @Rahbarenghelab_ pic.twitter.com/exdvqlx12i— KHAMENEI.IR | فارسی (@Khamenei_fa) March 12, 2026 @Rahbarenghelab_ pic.twitter.com/exdvqlx12i The US Navy said the fire Thursday on USS Gerald R Ford originated in the carrier’s main laundry area. “The cause of the fire was not combat-related and is contained,” the Navy said in a post on X. “There is no damage to the ship’s propulsion plant, and the aircraft carrier remains fully operational.” Two sailors are receiving medical treatment “for non-life-threatening injuries and are in stable condition,” the post continued. The world’s largest aircraft carrier has been operating in the Red Sea for the last few weeks as part of U.S. operations in Iran. The US, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, had been pushing for a meeting on sanctions that were reimposed on Iran last September because of growing concerns over its nuclear program. It received support from 10 other members of the council, who voted in favour of holding the meeting amid ongoing conflict in Iran after the US and Israel launched a war on February 28. Iran’s two allies on the Security Council, Russia and China, were opposed, and Pakistan and Somalia abstained from Thursday’s vote. Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia argued that reimposing the sanctions would be a “flagrant violation". Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that Israeli attacks on the country have struck UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including some dating back to the 14th century. In a post on X, Araghchi called on the UNESCO to speak up over the attacks on the country’s heritage. “It’s natural that a regime that won’t last a century hates nations with ancient pasts. But where’s UNESCO? Its silence is unacceptable,” he wrote. > Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:Israel is bombing Iranian historical monuments dating as far back as the 14th century. Multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites have been struck.It's natural that a regime that won't last a century hates nations with ancient pasts. But… pic.twitter.com/yuz8HplnRF— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 12, 2026 Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:Israel is bombing Iranian historical monuments dating as far back as the 14th century. Multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites have been struck.It's natural that a regime that won't last a century hates nations with ancient pasts. But… pic.twitter.com/yuz8HplnRF Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani has responded to Trump’s threats to hit Iran’s electricity network, saying that “the whole region will go dark” if Washington follows through on the threats. “Trump has said ‘we can take apart Iran’s electric capacity within one hour, but we have not done it’,” Larijani said in a post on X. “Well, if they do that, the whole region will go dark in less than half an hour and darkness provides ample opportunity to hunt down US servicemen running for safety.” Trump has said Washington has so far held off on attacking electricity production sites in Iran, but was prepared to strike such targets if Tehran attempted to cut off global oil supplies. > Trump has said "we can take apart Iran's electric capacity within one hour, but we have not done it."Well, if they do that, the whole region will go dark in less than half an hour and darkness provides ample opportunity to hunt down US servicemen running for safety.— Ali Larijani | علی لاریجانی (@alilarijani_ir) March 12, 2026 Trump has said "we can take apart Iran's electric capacity within one hour, but we have not done it."Well, if they do that, the whole region will go dark in less than half an hour and darkness provides ample opportunity to hunt down US servicemen running for safety. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Thursday that the leverage of closing the Strait of Hormuz should be used and that Iran’s attacks on Gulf Arab neighbours will continue. His first statement since his appointment was read on state television by a news anchor. Khamenei did not appear on camera, and an Israeli assessment indicates he was wounded in the war’s opening salvo. Iran's unrelenting attacks on shipping traffic and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf pushed oil back above $100 a barrel on Thursday, as American and Israeli strikes pounded the Islamic Republic with no sign of an end to the war in sight. Iran is trying to inflict enough global economic pain to pressure the United States and Israel to halt their bombardment, which started the war on February 28. US President Donald Trump ⁠said ​on ​Thursday that ​rising ⁠oil prices ‌mean greater profits for ⁠the ⁠United ⁠States, ‌but his ​priority ‌is ‌stopping ​Iran from ​having ​nuclear weapons. Iranian state television on Thursday read out a message attributed to the country’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, signalling a hardline stance as tensions escalate across the Gulf. According to the broadcast, Khamenei said Iran believes in maintaining friendly relations with neighbouring countries, but insisted Tehran would continue targeting US military bases and facilities in the region. He warned that all American bases in the Middle East should be closed immediately, adding that those installations would remain targets if they continue operating. The message also stressed that attacks linked to those bases would continue, while describing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic tool to pressure Iran’s enemies. The statement marks one of the first major messages attributed to Khamenei since he assumed the role of Iran’s supreme leader following the death of his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this month amid the ongoing regional conflict. Russia has earned nearly USD 7 billion in fossil fuel exports during the Iran war. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found Russia's daily revenues have averaged 14 per cent higher than in February. The Europe-based think tank tracks Russian fossil fuel export revenues in real time. The analysis was published Thursday by Urgewald, a German nonprofit that campaigns against fossil fuel financing. The organisation is seeking tougher sanctions on Russia's fossil fuel exports as the Trump administration weighs easing them. First ⁠message ​from ​Iran's new ​supreme ⁠leader, Mojtaba ‌Khamenei, ⁠will ⁠be ⁠released ‌within minutes, ​Iranian state ‌media ‌reported ​​Thursday. Fifteen medical workers, including ambulance crew, have been killed by Israeli attacks that have intensified this month, reported Aj Jazeera, citing Lebanon’s Information Ministry. Fourty-five medical workers have also been injured. The total death toll in Lebanon from Israeli attacks since March 2 is at least 634, the report added. The United Nations refugee agency has said that up to 3.2 million people in Iran have been displaced as a result of the ongoing war, according to the Associated Press reports. The agency warned that the escalating conflict is triggering large-scale population movements and deepening the humanitarian crisis across the region. Thailand has said it is prepared to clarify its trade position if the United States initiates an investigation into alleged unfair trade practices. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas stated on Thursday that Thailand’s trade surplus with the US is largely due to investments by American companies operating in the country. Thailand is among 16 nations that Washington has indicated could face investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, according to Reuters' reports. Amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region, Indian equity markets closed sharply lower on Thursday. The benchmark BSE Sensex fell 829.29 points to settle at 76,034.42, while the Nifty 50 declined 227.70 points to end the session at 23,639.15, reflecting investor concerns over geopolitical uncertainty and its potential impact on global markets. (PTI) MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is reviewing a request from the government of Bangladesh for the supply of diesel. He said India has been a major exporter of refined petroleum products to neighbouring countries and has been supplying diesel to Bangladesh since 2017. Requests for fuel assistance have also been received from Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The government is examining these requests while considering India’s own refining capacity, domestic requirements and fuel availability. In a weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said around 9,000 Indian nationals are currently in Iran, including students, seafarers, professionals, businesspeople and pilgrims. Several Indians, mostly students, have already returned home. Authorities have also moved some citizens from Tehran to safer locations within Iran. The government is assisting those wishing to leave via land routes to Azerbaijan and Armenia, helping with visas, border crossings, and onward commercial flights to India. Indian nationals planning to exit through land borders have been advised to follow the advisory issued by the Indian embassy. > #watch | Delhi | MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "...We are also assisting Indian nationals who wish to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia and from there to take commercial flights to return home. We are assisting them with visas. We are also assisting them with land border… pic.twitter.com/aMp07QSiQu— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2026 #watch | Delhi | MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "...We are also assisting Indian nationals who wish to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia and from there to take commercial flights to return home. We are assisting them with visas. We are also assisting them with land border… pic.twitter.com/aMp07QSiQu Air India has asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to temporarily relax Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms as rising tensions in the Middle East force airlines to take longer diversionary routes. The airline has requested permission to operate some long-haul flights with two pilots instead of three and to extend flying time limits. It has sought to increase the permissible flying time by about 1 hour and 3 minutes and extend the maximum Flight Duty Period from 13 hours to 14 hours and 45 minutes. Longer routes due to restricted airspace and the continued closure of Pakistani airspace for Indian carriers are increasing flight times, fuel use, and pressure on crew duty limits. Citibank has closed its branches in the UAE, in the wake of continuous missile and drone attacks. The shutdown will remain in place till at least March 14. Citibank said the closure is a precautionary measure, reports Reuters. Tehran Governor Mohammad-Sadegh Motamedian has announced free public transport for the duration of the war, reports Al Jazeera Israel has stepped up its attack on Iran and Lebanon. On Thursday, Iranian cities of Isfahan, Kashan, Ahvaz and Saqqez woke up to noise of explosions In Lebanon, Israel struck Aramoun, killing three people. A child was also injured in the attack, reported Al Jazeera. Meanwhile, Kuwait International Airport was at the receiving end of multiple drones. The US Central Command has released videos, claiming that it has demolished at least three military aircraft. > The Iranian regime is losing air capability day by day. U.S. forces aren’t just defending against Iranian threats, we are methodically dismantling them. pic.twitter.com/CrJj2nFtHB— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 12, 2026 The Iranian regime is losing air capability day by day. U.S. forces aren’t just defending against Iranian threats, we are methodically dismantling them. pic.twitter.com/CrJj2nFtHB A drone strike hit an area close to Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq on Wednesday evening, triggering a fire at the site. According to Anadolu News Agency, loud explosions were heard after the airport’s air defence systems were activated. Shortly afterward, flames broke out and thick smoke was seen rising from the area that had been targeted.The airport complex also houses a military installation used by US. The Italian defence ministry has said that a missile struck its base in Erbil. There are no casualties or injuries among the Italian personnel. Around 300 Italian soldiers are stationed in Erbil to train Kurdish forces. Erbil also has a US military base at the Erbil International Airport. An oil tanker from the Strait of Hormuz has arrived in India. The Liberia-flagged tanker 'Shenlong' entered the Indian waters near the Mumbai port. The vessel had an Indian captain and was loaded with crude oil from the Saudi port, Ras Tanura. Iraq has shut down the operations of its oil port following big attacks on two oil tankers, reports Al Jazeera. A video released by the Bahrain government shows the oil depot in Muharraq up in flames. > बहरीन के मुहर्रक प्रांत में एक फ्यूल स्टोरेज टैंक पर हमले के बाद लगी भीषण आग📹: बहरीन आंतरिक मंत्रालय pic.twitter.com/9FpOZtK4qx— RT Hindi (@RT_hindi_) March 12, 2026 बहरीन के मुहर्रक प्रांत में एक फ्यूल स्टोरेज टैंक पर हमले के बाद लगी भीषण आग📹: बहरीन आंतरिक मंत्रालय pic.twitter.com/9FpOZtK4qx The Thai Foreign Ministry said it held a meeting with the Iranian ambassador on Thursday, the Associated Press reported. The ministry in Bangkok said it raised its concerns after a Thai cargo ship was hit near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, but did not immediately share additional details of the discussion. (AP) Israel on Thursday said it identified more missiles launched toward the country from Iran, the Associated Press reported. Missile alert alarms were sounded in Jerusalem, with explosions heard as the Israeli military sought to intercept the incoming fire, AP added. Israel’s Health Ministry Thursday said that 179 people were injured in the last 24 hours, with the majority in “mild condition," Al Jazeera quoted. The latest casualties bring the total number of people injured in Israel since the start of the war to 2,745, the ministry said. (Al Jazeera) Security force checkpoints in Iran’s capital, Tehran, came under attack for the first time on Wednesday night by suspected drones assaults, killing at least 10 people, the Associated Press reported quoting a semiofficial news source. The Fars news agency, apparently close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, reported the attacks. The checkpoints include members of the all-volunteer Basij force of the Guard and officer of Iran’s police force. (AP) Bangladesh Thursday asked the United States to allow the country to purchase oil from Russia amid supply shortages and surging crude oil prices that is putting pressure on its economy, the Associated Press reported. Bangladesh’s Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury made the request during a meeting with US Ambassador to Dhaka, Brent T. Christensen, on Wednesday. The US sanctioned Russian oil following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Bangladesh heavily relies on imports of fuel from the Middle East, and the government started a rationing system for the vehicles after the war began, AP noted, adding that the country has shuttered fertilizer factory to keep fuel flowing to power plants and closed universities in an effort to reduce energy consumption. The country is also making effort to bring fuel from alternative sources. India has already supplied 5,000 tons of diesel as an emergency measure through a cross-border pipeline. Bangladesh has requested India to increase the volume of fuel supply. (AP) Iraq Thursday shut down oil port operations after attacks on two foreign oil tankers, Al Jazeera reported. The closure comes after two foreign oil tankers were reportedly attacked in Iraq’s port of al-Faw this morning. The latest attack on shipping in the Gulf region takes the total number of ships struck to at least 16, with the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran showing so signs of slowing. (Al Jazeera) At least 634 people have been killed in Lebanon since the latest fighting began, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Wednesday, the Associated Press quoted. The UN refugee agency said at least 7,59,000 people have been internally displaced in Lebanon. Iranian authorities say more than 1,300 people have been killed there, and Israel has reported 12 people dead. The US has lost seven soldiers while another eight have suffered severe injuries. (AP) Iran will allow ‌India-flagged tankers to ​pass ​through the Strait ⁠of ​Hormuz, ​news agency Reuters reported quoting an Indian source ‌on Thursday. However, an Iranian source denied ​the development. (Reuters) The Embassy of India in Baghdad early Thursday said that one Indian crew member died in an attack on the US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, near Basra in Iraq. "On March 11, 2026, a US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked near Basra, Iraq, in which one Indian crew member unfortunately lost his life. The remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place," the embassy wrote in a post over X. Extending "deepest condolences" to the family of the deceases, the Embassy wrote further that it was in "regular contact with Iraqi authorities and rescued Indian sailors and is offering all possible assistance." > On March 11, 2026, a US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked near Basra, Iraq, in which one Indian crew member unfortunately lost his life. The remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place. Embassy of…— India In Iraq (@EI_Baghdad) March 12, 2026 On March 11, 2026, a US-owned crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked near Basra, Iraq, in which one Indian crew member unfortunately lost his life. The remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place. Embassy of… Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said an Iranian drone smashed into a residential building Thursday in the Mideast nation, wounding two people, the Associated Press reported. The Israeli military on Thursday said it was working to intercept a missile launched from Iran, the Associated Press reported. It was the third such announcement on Thursday, as Israel also said it was targeting Tehran with strikes. Other overnight missile launches from Iran sent Israelis hurrying to shelters in areas from the very southern tip of the country, to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, to the Galilee and the northern border with Lebanon, where sirens were also sounded to warn of drone and rocket attacks from Hezbollah, as per the report. (AP) The price of Brent crude oil -- the international standard -- spiked back over $100 after Iranian strikes hit ships in the regions waters early Thursday, with the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran showing so signs of slowing, news agency AP reported. Today's major developments include Iranian attacks against commercial ships around the Strait of Hormuz and Iraq's port of Basra, in what is being referred to as a campaign of squeezing the oil-rich Gulf region amid global energy concerns. (AP) Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said authorities have arrested four people and identified a fifth suspect in connection with an alleged espionage network linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In a statement, the ministry said the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science detained four Bahraini nationals — Murtadha Hussain Awal, 25; Ahmed Isa Al Haiki, 34; Sarah Abdulnabi Marhoon, 36; and Elias Salman Mirza, 22. A fifth suspect, Ali Mohammed Hassan Al Shaikh, 25, has been identified but is currently abroad. According to investigators, Awal was tasked with photographing and recording the coordinates of key and sensitive sites across Bahrain using high-resolution equipment. The information was allegedly sent to the IRGC through encrypted software with assistance from other members of the group. Authorities said the activities were carried out in coordination with operatives linked to Iran. The four suspects have been referred to the Public Prosecution, while legal proceedings are continuing. Bahrain says fuel tanks have been attacked "The Iranian aggression targeted fuel tanks at a facility in Muharraq Governorate, and the competent authorities are taking the required procedures," it said in a statement. The government has requested residents to stay home. "MOI urges citizens & residents in Hidd, Arad, Qalali & Samaheej to remain in their homes, close windows & ventilation openings as precaution against potential effects of smokes from the fire currently being fought. Relevant authorities will keep you updated," the Bahrain Ministry of Interior posted on X. Pentagon officials informed lawmakers during a briefing on Tuesday that the initial phase of the conflict with Iran has cost the United States more than $11.3 billion in just the first six days, according to news agency Reuters. The estimate was shared with senators in a classified briefing on Capitol Hill and appears to be the first detailed cost assessment presented to lawmakers since the United States and Israel began air strikes on Iran on February 28. UNICEF has warned that the escalating Middle East conflict is becoming "catastrophic for children". Since February 28, more than 1,100 children have reportedly been killed or injured, including 200 in Iran, 91 in Lebanon, four in Israel and one in Kuwait, with the toll expected to rise as violence spreads, the UN arm said in a statement. The fighting has disrupted education for millions and displaced hundreds of thousands amid ongoing bombardment. Hospitals, schools, and water and sanitation systems have also been damaged or destroyed. UNICEF said such grave violations may breach international law and urged all parties to halt the fighting, pursue diplomatic negotiations, and take precautions to protect civilians, especially children. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has set three conditions to end the West Asia war. In a post on X, he said: "The only way to end this war — ignited by the Zionist regime & US — is recognising Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm international guarantees against future aggression." He said he had conveyed his conditions to "leaders of Russia and Pakistan" and said Iran is commitment to peace in the region. > 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. The Oman Navy has rescued 20 crew members from a Thai-flagged ship, 'Mayuree Naree', that came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday. The vessel was located roughly 24 kilometres from Oman’s coastline, according to the country’s state news agency. The ship was reportedly headed to Kandla, India. Authorities in Iraq said 38 crew members have been rescued from two vessels following suspected attacks on two oil tankers near the country’s oil terminals in Persian Gulf. One person was confirmed dead, reported CNN, quoting the head of the General Company for Iraqi Ports. Search and rescue efforts are still underway. Data from ship-tracking platforms indicates that the two tankers believed to have been targeted are currently surrounded by several rescue boats, the news website reported. The exact cause of the explosions remains uncertain. A security source in Basra told CNN that investigators suspect an Iranian vessel carrying explosives may have struck the ships, though the source stressed that the inquiry is not over. The United Kingdom’s maritime monitoring authority said it has received similar accounts of the incident. Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organisation also issued a statement expressing “deep regret” over what happened. Following the attack, Iraqi officials confirmed that operations at the country’s oil ports have been halted. US President has said that he "figured" US would be hit, but it was hit less than he thought initially. He also said that the US has won the war and that it was won in the first hour of the war. > President Trump delivers an update on Operation Epic Fury at the Thermo Fisher Scientific facility in Cincinnati. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/LV6fWArq8w— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 11, 2026 President Trump delivers an update on Operation Epic Fury at the Thermo Fisher Scientific facility in Cincinnati. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/LV6fWArq8w "We've won. Let me tell you, we've won. You know, you never like to say too early you won. We won. We won the bet—In the first hour, it was over," Trump told his supporters at an event in Kentucky. > 🚨 Trump on Iran: "We've won. Let me tell you, we've won. You know, you never like to say too early you won. We won. We won the bet—In the first hour, it was over." pic.twitter.com/o9pD7Wh5gV— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 11, 2026 🚨 Trump on Iran: "We've won. Let me tell you, we've won. You know, you never like to say too early you won. We won. We won the bet—In the first hour, it was over." pic.twitter.com/o9pD7Wh5gV