US-Israel-Iran War News Highlights: Iran FM Araghchi says US ‘begging’ nations, including India, to buy Russian oil

Iran allows India-flagged LPG carriers through Strait of Hormuz: Report

Iran has permitted two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Reuters citing four sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

The report also cited two sources and shipping data from Lloyd's List Intelligence, stating that a crude oil tanker transporting Saudi Arabian oil is expected to reach India on Saturday after passing through the Strait of Hormuz around March 1.

US Iran war: Iran FM Araghchi says US ‘begging’ nations, including India, to buy Russian oil

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of Iran, criticised the United States over its position on Russian oil, alleging that Washington is now urging countries around the world—including India—to purchase Russian crude after previously pressuring them to halt such imports.

In a post on X, Araghchi wrote that the US had spent months pressuring India to stop buying oil from Russia, but was now asking the global community to continue purchasing Russian crude following two weeks of conflict with Iran.

He also took aim at European nations, claiming they supported what he described as an “illegal war” against Iran in the expectation that Washington would back them against Russia.

Araghchi dismissed that approach, saying Europe believed supporting the war would secure US support in its confrontation with Russia.

Explosions heard in Baghdad: AFP

US Iran war: Iran releases coffin images of sailors killed in IRIS Dena attack

US Iran war: Trump US 'totally obliterated' military targets on Kharg Island

US President Donald Trump said the United States carried out a major bombing raid on Iran’s Kharg Island, claiming that American forces “totally obliterated” military targets there while choosing not to destroy the island’s oil infrastructure.

Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, is the primary terminal through which Iran’s oil exports pass, making it a key part of the country’s energy sector.

Trump announced the operation in a social media post late Friday (US local time).

US Iran war: Explosions rock Tehran after US warns of heavier attacks

Heavy blasts shook Tehran late Friday, hours after the United States vowed intensified air strikes against Iran and reportedly sent Marines and additional ships to the Middle East.

The explosions came as the war between Iran and the United States and its allies continued to escalate across the region.

US Iran war: Trump says US to escort tankers through Hormuz 'very soon'

US Iran war: Explosions heard in central Doha

Blasts were heard in Doha early Saturday, AFP journalists reported, shortly after Qatar’s interior ministry announced it was evacuating several key areas.

Interceptors were seen over the Qatari capital’s downtown area shooting down two projectiles, an AFP journalist said, as Iran continued its retaliatory air campaign against Gulf states.

Israel Iran war: Qatar orders evacuations in Doha as Iran retaliatory attacks continue

Qatar’s interior ministry said it was evacuating several areas as Iran continued its retaliatory air campaign against Gulf countries.

The ministry said in a statement it was "evacuating several key areas as a temporary precautionary measure, within the framework of ensuring public safety until the danger has passed".

In Doha’s central Musheireb district, some residents received phone alerts telling them to "evacuate the area immediately... to the nearest safest place as a temporary precaution".

12 killed in Israeli strike on health centre in south Lebanon, says ministry

US Iran war: Trump vows to intensify strikes on Iran, claims 90% of missiles destroyed

US President Donald Trump vowed to intensify military strikes against Iran in the coming days, saying American forces have already destroyed about 90 per cent of the country’s missiles.

Speaking in an interview that aired on the "Brian Kilmeade Show", Trump said the military campaign was progressing faster than expected.

"We had no idea it would be this far ahead. We've knocked out close to 90 per cent of their missiles," Trump said.

The US president said American forces have targeted the majority of Iran's missile and drone manufacturing sites.

"We're hitting them harder than anybody's been hit since World War II," he said.

While Trump did not give a specific timeline for the end of the operation, he said the United States had significant military resources available.

The president also said Washington was prepared to escort oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz if necessary amid disruptions to shipping.

"If we needed to," the US would escort vessels to protect oil shipments, he said.

Trump added that the pressure on Iran would intensify in the coming days.

"We've already damaged them so badly it would take years for them to ever rebuild," he said, adding, "We're going to be hitting them very hard over the next week."

In a post on Truth Social, Trump also hinted at further military action.

"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," he wrote.

"We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time. Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today."

US Iran war: Building in Dubai’s DIFC damaged by debris after intercepted attack

A building in Dubai’s financial district was hit by debris from an intercepted attack on Friday, witnesses and an AFP journalist said, days after companies evacuated the area as Iran threatened US and Israeli-linked economic targets.

On Wednesday, US banking giant Citi, consultancies Deloitte and PwC, along with other firms, closed their offices or told employees to leave, mainly in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), sources told AFP.

Iran’s threats sparked concern at the heart of the Middle East’s leading financial hub, home to international companies and multi-billion dollar businesses.

Two witnesses said they saw damage to a building in DIFC after hearing loud bangs. Dubai’s media office later confirmed that the facade of a building in "central Dubai" had been hit by debris from a successful interception.

Israeli shells hit UN peacekeeping base in south Lebanon

Israeli shells hit a United Nations peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon, state media reported, as Israel and Hezbollah continued fighting in their latest war.

"Israeli shells fell inside the headquarters of UNIFIL forces' Nepalese battalion, in the town of Mays al-Jabal," Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported, referring to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, as cited by AFP.

UNIFIL and the Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident.

The international UN peacekeeping force has been deployed in the area since 1978 to act as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon.

Last week, UNIFIL said an attack on its position in Qawzah in southern Lebanon wounded three Ghanaian peacekeepers, without naming a culprit, though Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accused Israel of being responsible.

Iran launches new round of missiles at Israel: state media

US Iran war: 45 arrested in Abu Dhabi for 'spreading misleading information' during Iran attacks

Police in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi said they had arrested 45 people, including foreigners, for "spreading misinformation and filming and sharing event locations" as Iran continued to strike the Gulf.

"The Abu Dhabi Police Criminal Investigation Department arrested 45 individuals of various nationalities for filming different locations during ongoing events and posting them on social media platforms," police said in a statement, as quoted by AFP.

"They were also accused of spreading inaccurate and misleading information, which could incite public opinion and spread rumours within the community," they added.

Israel destroys bridge in south Lebanon, warns of Gaza-scale devastation

Israel destroyed a bridge in southern Lebanon and dropped leaflets in Beirut warning of Gaza-scale devastation as it deployed more troops to fight Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Israel also warned of further attacks on Lebanon’s infrastructure as the conflict escalated.

Israeli warplanes pounded Beirut’s suburbs with air strikes during the fighting.

Lebanon’s interior minister said authorities were unable to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of people who have sought refuge in the capital.

US Iran war: Bahrain urges residents to head to safe spaces after sirens sound

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry urged residents to move to safe spaces after sirens were sounded warning of a possible incoming attack.

“Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the ministry said in a social media post.

Bahrain, home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has faced dozens of Iranian missile and drone launches since the start of the war.

Israel Iran war: Israeli strike on south Lebanon home leaves six dead, including child

An Israeli strike in south Lebanon killed six people, including a child, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported, as cited by Al Jazeera.

The attack targeted a home in the city of Nabatieh, the agency said.

According to the report, six people were killed in the strike, including a girl.

The agency described the incident as a “massacre”.

Hezbollah leader says will not allow Israel to eliminate group; warns Lebanese government against ‘free concessions’

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said that his group would not allow Israel to eliminate it, as he urged the Lebanese government to stop making what he described as "free concessions".

"We will not allow the enemy to achieve its goal of eliminating our existence," he said in a televised address.

Qassem also called on the government to "stop making free concessions, as this makes the enemy more greedy and prolongs the war".

He urged authorities to reverse their latest decisions, in an apparent reference to Beirut's commitment to disarm Hezbollah and ban its military and security activities.

Turkey says avoiding Middle East war is ‘top priority’ after Nato downs Iran missile

Turkey said its "top priority" was to avoid being dragged into the Middle East war, hours after Nato shot down a third ballistic missile from Iran.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was acting cautiously amid rising tensions in the region. "We are acting very cautiously against plots, traps and provocations that seek to drag our country into war," Erdogan said, pledging an "appropriate and measured" response after the defence ministry said another missile was intercepted.

"Keeping our country out of this fire pit is our top priority," he said, as quoted by AFP.

The missile set off sirens at Turkey's Incirlik air base, a Nato facility where US troops are stationed near the southern city of Adana. The defence ministry said the missile "was neutralised by Nato air and missile defence assets."

Iran Israel war: Hezbollah chief says group ready for 'long confrontation' with Israel

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said that his group was prepared for a prolonged confrontation with Israel as fighting between the two sides continues in Lebanon.

"We have prepared ourselves for a long confrontation, and God willing, they (Israelis) will be surprised on the battlefield," Qassem said in a televised address.

He added that "the enemy's threats do not frighten us".

"This is an existential battle, not a limited or simple battle.

US Iran war: JD Vance says US military action aimed at ensuring Iran never gets nuclear weapon

US Vice President JD Vance said, "Right now, we are engaged in a military operation to ensure, as the president has said repeatedly, that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. That is a simple, simple principle and standard."

Vance also called for prayers for American troops serving the country.

"I want all of us to say a prayer, not just for the North Carolinians, but for the people of all of our 50 states who put on the uniform and are willing to sacrifice for the safety and security and freedom of the United States of America..." he added.

US says B-2 bombers launched against Iranian regime

US Central Command in a post on X said, "B-2 stealth bombers takeoff to conduct a mission during Operation Epic Fury, delivering long-range fire to not only eliminate the threat from the Iranian regime today, but also eliminate their ability to rebuild in the future."

F1 races in Bahrain, Saudi 'cancelled or postponed': AFP

Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be cancelled or rescheduled as the Middle East war engulfs the region, a source with knowledge of the matter told AFP on Friday.

"The F1 in Saudi and Bahrain won't happen at their scheduled time," the source said, requesting anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic.

Formula One will announce soon that the races "have been cancelled or postponed to a later date", the source added.

Bahrain is currently scheduled for April 10-12, with the Saudi race planned a week later.

Iraq PM vows to prevent attacks after French soldier killed

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani vowed to prevent further attacks after a French soldier was killed in an assault in the autonomous Kurdistan region.

Sudani expressed his "solidarity" with France during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron following the incident.

He said that "the necessary measures will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents", adding that an investigation would be conducted into the attack.

The president of Iraq's Kurdistan region, Nechirvan Barzani, also spoke with Macron and expressed his condolences over the killing.

Barzani called on the Iraqi government to "set limits on outlaw groups".

US deploys 2,200 Marines on three warships to Middle East

The United States is deploying at least 2,200 Marines aboard three warships to the Middle East, according to multiple media reports citing US officials. The move would allow American forces to rapidly put boots on the ground if needed and suggests the conflict with Iran could continue into April.

US offers up to $10 m for info on Mojtaba Khamenei and other key Iran leaders, offers relocation

The US State Department has offered rewards of up to $10 million for information on several Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, under its Rewards for Justice programme. The department said the appeal targets “Iranian terrorist leaders” and noted that those providing credible information could be 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, shared on X by official account of the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program, said.

Officials the US is seeking information on include Minister of Intelligence Esmail Khatib, Deputy Chief of Staff Ali Asghar Hejazi, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, Brigadier General Eskandar Momeni and Supreme Council secretary Ali Larijani.

MEA condoles loss of lives of two Indian nationals in attack in Oman

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed condolences on the loss of lives of two Indian nationals in an attack in Oman's Sohar amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

He said that the Indian Mission in Oman is in touch with the local authorities and is extending all possible assistance.

He wrote in a post on X, "We lost two Indian nationals today in an attack in Sohar, Oman in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Several other Indian nationals were also injured. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Our Mission in Oman is in touch with the local authorities as well as the employer company and is extending all possible assistance."

Iran war news: Visuals of a missile impact in central Israel minutes ago after a missile fired from Iran struck the area.

US Iran war: US stocks lose ground as war with Iran keeps pressure on oil prices

Wall Street stocks were slipping in midday trading as the ongoing war with Iran continued to push oil prices higher and weigh on the global economic outlook. The S&P 500 fell 0.4 per cent after rising as much as 0.9 per cent earlier in the session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 32 points, or 0.1 per cent, at 12:16 p.m. Eastern time, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.7 per cent.

The uneven trading comes after sharp volatility earlier in the week, leaving the major indexes on track for a third consecutive weekly loss.

Iran allows two gas tankers to sail to India: Report

Iran has allowed two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, according to four Reuters sources with direct knowledge of the matter, a development that could help ease India’s emerging cooking gas shortage.

Trump's talks about Iran's new Supreme Leader

The US president said, "I think he's damaged, but I think he's probably alive in some form... They've been doing a lot of talking, so he's going to have to put up. We'll have to see — because we are decimating them."

Iran Guards say launched missile attacks on Israel with Hezbollah

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Friday that they had launched missiles and drones at Israel in coordination with Tehran’s Lebanese ally Hezbollah. The Guards said in a statement that the strikes were carried out as part of the annual Quds Day events, which are held to demonstrate support for the Palestinian cause.

Israel Iran war: Air raid sirens in Tel Aviv after warning Iranian missiles fired

Several explosions were heard in Israel’s commercial hub Tel Aviv on Friday after air raid sirens sounded across the city, AFP journalists reported, shortly after the military warned that missiles had been launched from Iran.

“The IDF (military) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the Israeli army said.

US Iran war: Trump speaks on when he believes Iran 'govt will fall'

"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.

US Iran war: Trump says Putin may be helping Iran a bit

"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".

Dealt with 7 ballistic missiles and 27 drones: UAE's defence ministry

In a statement the UAE govt said, "UAE air defences (13 March 2026) dealt with 7 ballistic missiles and 27 drones coming from Iran.Since the start of the brazen Iranian attacks, UAE air defences have dealt with 285 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1567 drones.These attacks have resulted in 6 fatalities of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationality, and 141 cases of minor to moderate injuries among individuals of Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian, Turkish, Iraqi, Nepalese, Nigerian, Omani, Jordanian, Palestinian, Ghanaian, Indonesian, and Swedish nationality.The Ministry of Defence affirms that it is on high alert and ready to deal with any threats and to firmly counter all attempts to undermine the security of the State, thereby ensuring the protection of its sovereignty, security, and stability, and safeguarding its interests and national capabilities."

Trump’s volte-face: US is suddenly clearing a path for Russian oil

The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran has severely disrupted global oil supplies, pushing crude prices above $100 a barrel and forcing Washington into an unexpected policy shift. To stabilise markets and ease supply shortages caused by the conflict and risks around the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump has allowed a temporary 30-day waiver enabling the sale of “stranded” Russian oil already at sea, while also preparing a major release from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The move marks a sharp reversal from earlier US pressure on countries like India to curb Russian oil purchases, reflecting growing concern that prolonged Middle East disruptions could trigger a deeper global energy shock. Read full story

US Iran war: Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India clarifies on India getting safe access to Strait of Hormuz

"Actually, there have been some discussions concerning this, and I am sure that India will benefit from oil, gas, and other resources. But I think the complete solution is that the leaders of the world have to come together. They should go to the United States and convince President Trump that this war is an unjust war against civilians and that it has to stop. They should also put pressure on the Zionist regime to stop this war. We didn't create this war, we didn't initiate this war, we didn't start this war... We are ready to share our blood on the earth, but we are not ready to sell our dignity," said Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi.

Explosion heard in Dubai

Iran war news: 'Giving safe passage to India,' says Iran envoy

Iran ambassador to India confirmed that Iran is giving safe passage through Strait of Hormuz, "Yes, because India is our friend. You will see it within two or three hours. We believe that Iran and India share common interests in the region," he said.

Iran war news: A US general is leading probe into Iran school strike, says Pentagon

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that an investigation led by a general from outside US Central Command (CENTCOM) will take as long as needed to establish the facts of the strike on an elementary school in Iran.

Tehran has accused the United States and Israel of carrying out the missile attack, which Iranian media report has killed at least 165 people, including children.

Israel Iran war: Israel warns Lebanon faces 'increasing price in damage' over Hezbollah activity

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Friday said Lebanon will suffer increasing damage to its infrastructure as Israel targets Hezbollah, after the military destroyed a bridge over the southern Litani river.

"This is just the beginning and the Lebanese government and the State of Lebanon will pay an increasing price in damage to Lebanese national infrastructure used by Hezbollah terrorists due to terrorist activity and launches at the State of Israel," Katz said at a meeting with army top brass.

He warned the Lebanese government it would incur greater damage to infrastructure "and loss of territory -- until it fulfils its central commitment of disarming Hezbollah".

Katz said the bridge over the Litani river was destroyed overnight as it served "as a crossing for Hezbollah terrorists and for the transfer of weapons to southern Lebanon".

That came after Hezbollah fired 200 rockets at Israel overnight from Wednesday to Thursday in the biggest barrage since renewed fighting started this month.

The Israeli military has been battling Tehran-backed Hezbollah since the group began firing rockets into Israel on the second day of joint US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

Israel has sent troops over the border into southern Lebanon, conducting aerial bombardments on the area as well as striking the capital city Beirut and other parts of the country.

Israel Iran war: Israeli warplanes drop leaflets over Beirut, causing panic

State media reported that the noise was caused by Israeli aircraft flying at very low altitude and dropping leaflets over several areas in western Beirut, including Verdun, Hamra, and Ain al-Mreisseh.

One of the leaflets, addressed to the Lebanese public, read: "You must disarm Hezbollah, Iran's shield," and "Lebanon is your decision, not someone else's." It referred to Hezbollah, which Israel accuses of acting as a proxy for Iran.

Iran war news: Trump to decide timing of Iran war, says Hegseth

Pete Hegseth said that President Trump will determine the 'timing' of conflict against Iran, warning that Tehran would see the 'highest volume of US strikes yet'.

Israel Iran war: US, Israel hit more than 15,000 targets in Iran war, says Pentagon

US Iran war: Pete Hegseth holds press briefing

The defence secretary claimed that the new Iran Supreme Leader is "wounded and likely disfigured".

US Iran war: Plan to hit Iran 'very hard', says Trump

"We're going to be hitting them very hard over the next week," said the US President in the interview with Fox.

'Will escort ships through Strait of Hormuz if needed,' says Trump

Asked about helping oil tankers pass through the key shipping strait, Trump said: "We would do it if we needed to. But, you know, hopefully things are going to go very well. We're going to see what happens."

Iran war news: UN chief calls on Hezbollah, Israel to 'stop the war' in Beirut visit

"My strong appeal to those parties, to Hezbollah and to Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war and... allow Lebanon to become a country independent... where its authorities have the monopoly on use of force," Guterres said in English from the presidential palace.

"This is no longer the time of armed groups," Guterres added, in reference to pro-Iran militant group Hezbollah. "This is the time of strong states."