US-Israel-Iran War Live: Trump Demands Countries To Send Warships To Strait Of Hormuz; Fire Near Dubai International Airport

Air India and Air India Express will operate 48 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the Middle East on Monday. The two airlines will have their scheduled operations to Jeddah and Muscat, including a total of 10 flights between Indian cities and Jeddah, a release said.

Air India will operate one return service each from Delhi and Mumbai, while Air India Express will operate one flight each from Bengaluru, Kozhikode and Mangalore.

Also, Air India Express will operate 12 scheduled flights to and from Muscat, with one service each from Delhi, Kannur, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram and two services from Kochi, Air India said in the release.

Earlier in the day, IndiGo said flight operations in Dubai have been further restricted, due to which some of its scheduled services between March 15 and 17 have been affected.
 

(Source: PTI)

Dubai Airports announces the diversion of some flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC): Dubai Media Office

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's former Foreign Minister, condemned Israel's recent bombings of fuel depots in Tehran, calling them a violation of international law and ecocide. In a post on X, he wrote, "Israel's bombings of fuel depots in Tehran violate international law and constitute ecocide. Residents face long-term damage to their health and well-being. Contamination of soil and groundwater could have generational impacts. Israel must be punished for its war crimes."

Israel's bombings of fuel depots in Tehran violate international law and constitute ecocide.

Residents face long-term damage to their health and well-being. Contamination of soil and groundwater could have generational impacts.

Israel must be punished for its war crimes. pic.twitter.com/K9bU57ZBTC

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 16, 2026

Israel's military said early Monday that Iran launched missiles toward Israel. Earlier, several strikes hit central Israel and the Tel Aviv area, where they caused damage at 23 sites and sparked a small fire.

Magen David Adom, Israel's rescue service, released video showing a large crater in a street and shrapnel damage to an apartment building. Israel's military says Iran is firing cluster bombs that can evade some air defenses and scatter submunitions across multiple locations.
 

Germany indicated that it won't participate in the Strait of Hormuz mission now. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on ARD television, "Will we soon be an active part of this conflict? No." Wadephul said "we will only get security for the Strait of Hormuz … if there is a negotiated solution."

He said he is sceptical about expanding the European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea, called Operation Aspides, to the Strait of Hormuz because it hasn't been effective in its current area.

Wadephul added, "It is completely clear that Europe always gives constructive support when it comes to securing sea routes, but I see neither an immediate necessity nor above all Germany participating."
 

Dozens of Iranians crossed into northern Iraq — the first day the border had opened since war struck their country — to buy cheaper groceries, access the internet, contact relatives and find work.

Travellers said constant airstrikes and soaring food prices have made life in Iran increasingly desperate.

Trucks laden with goods snaked through the Haji Omeran crossing from Iraq's Kurdish region, offering a hoped for respite from high costs on the Iranian side.

(Source: AP)

Dubai Civil Defence teams have successfully contained the fire resulting from impact to one of the fuel tanks in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport. No injuries have been reported, the Dubai Media Office reported.

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the temporary suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff. The Dubai Media office asked travellers to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights. 

Authorities in Dubai have contained a fire that broke out near Dubai International Airport (DXB) after a drone-related incident struck a fuel tank in the area. Emergency teams were rushed to the site, and officials say the situation is now under control.

The Dubai Media Office in a post on X wrote, "A drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) affected one of the fuel tanks. Dubai Civil Defence teams are currently working to bring the fire under control. No injuries have been reported."
 

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said it “takes note” of Trump's call and that it “will closely coordinate and carefully review” the situation with the U.S.

Expectations are high that Trump will ask Japan directly when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets him on Thursday at the White House.

France previously said it is working with countries — President Emmanuel Macron mentioned partners in Europe, India and Asia — on a possible international mission to escort ships through the strait but has stressed it must be when “the circumstances permit,” when fighting has subsided.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul of Germany, which was not mentioned in Trump's call, told ARD television: “Will we soon be an active part of this conflict? No.”
 

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC earlier Sunday that he has been 'in dialogue' with some of the countries Trump had mentioned previously, and said he expected China “will be a constructive partner” in reopening the strait. But countries made no promises.

Britain said Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed with Trump the importance of reopening the strait "to end the disruption to global shipping,” and spoke with Canada's prime minister about it separately. Aboard Air Force One, Trump specifically named Starmer, who he said initially declined to put British aircraft carriers "into harm's way."

Donald Trump has accused Iran of using AI-generated disinformation to spread false narratives about their military capabilities, claiming they're "militarily ineffective and weak" but excel at manipulating media. He alleges Iran created fake images and videos, including "kamikaze boats" attacking ships and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier on fire, to make their military appear stronger.

Trump also criticised media outlets for sharing these false reports, calling them "fake news" and suggesting some should face charges for treason. He praised FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for reviewing licenses of media organisations accused of spreading misinformation.

On Strait of Hormuz, Trump says, "...It's something that we don't need, and these countries do need... For years, we've been maintaining it (Strait of Hormuz), doing a great job. Now that the war is over, now that they (Iran) have been diminished in terms of military... I think it's a good thing for other countries to come in. Now, it would have been nice, as I said to the Prime Minister of the UK, who was sort of reluctant to put his two aircraft carriers into Hormuz's way. That was two weeks ago. As soon as we pretty much demolished it. Not over yet, but pretty much we're in great shape. That's one of the ways everybody knows. He said, 'We'd like to send our aircraft carriers.' I said, 'I don't want them after we win the war. I want them before we start the war.' So, whether we get support or not, I can say this, and I said it to them: We will remember."
 

Answering the question of whether China join a coalition of countries that would police the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump says, ".. .We're talking to countries about policing the straits, because they are the ones — you know, we don't get oil, very little, 1%. China, as an example, gets about 90% of its oil from the Hormuz Strait. It'd be nice to have other countries policing with us. And we'll help, and we'll work with them..."
 

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has 'demanded' that about seven countries heavily reliant on Middle East oil join a coalition to police the Strait of Hormuz. Trump spoke while answering reporters' questions as he flew back to Washington from Florida aboard Air Force One.