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Tuesday marked the 18th day of the US, Israel-Iran conflict and no indication of de-escalation is visible from either ends.
US President Donald Trump said hostile rhetoric directed at the United States should be taken seriously, asserting that Iran would have used nuclear weapons if it already possessed them. He described Iran as significantly weakened, saying the country was no longer a bully after sustaining major setbacks.
According to Trump, US and allied actions have destroyed most of Iran's missile and drone capabilities and eliminated multiple layers of its leadership. He also referenced Iran's historical leverage over the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that its strategic importance would be diminished if energy-dependent countries, many of which rely on the strait for the majority of their oil and gas supplies, were affected.
Trump further warned that allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons would pose an immediate and catastrophic threat, claiming that a large portion of the world could face destruction if such weapons were used.
Bahrain: +973 39418071, Iran: +98 9128109115 / +98 9128109102 / +98 9128109109 / +98 9932179359, Iraq: +964 771 651 1185 / +964 770444 4899, Israel: +972 54 7520711 / +972 54 2428378, Jordan: +962 770 422 276, Kuwait: +965 65501946
Lebanon: +961 76860128, Oman: +968 98282270 (WhatsApp) / 80071234 (Toll free) Qatar: +974 55647502, Ramallah, Palestine: +970 592916418, Saudi Arabia (Riyadh): +966 11 4884697 / 800 247 1234 (Toll free), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah): +966 126648660 / +966 12 2614093, United Arab Emirates: +971 543090571 (WhatsApp) / 800 46342 (Toll free)
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US President Donald Trump said that petrol prices will drop as soon as the war fought against Iran ends, adding that it would end soon.
“As soon as that war’s over – which will be soon – your prices are gonna drop like a rock,” Trump said. “You watch," he added.
US President Donald Trump said that "it won't be long" before cargo ship will be able to pass through the 'Strait of Hormuz' in a press interaction at the White House.
US President Donald Trump said that he considers the country's war with Iran as "just a military operation".
"It was largely over in two or three days," Trump said.
He futher said that the US could "take out Iran's elecritic capacity in one hour. He also said that the US could "knock out" the oil supplies in Iran's Kharg Island.
US President Donald Trump praised Middle East countries like Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia for support on Strait Of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump said that French President Emmanuel Macron will be out of office soon.
US President Donald Trump said that NATO countries are making a foolish mistakes.
US President Donald Trump said that the US "no longer needs or desires" the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) help in its war with Iran after asking the member countries' help to join up against Iran in a bid to stop the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
"I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," Trump said in a post on his social media platform 'Truth Social'.
Israel's Air Force made a post on 'X' claiming that it struck the headquarters of militant Iran-backed organisation Hezbollah in Beirut.
"The Air Force struck a short time ago at the headquarters of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in Beirut. This, in addition to a number of additional headquarters that were attacked overnight in Beirut.
In addition, three launch sites in the Bekaa Valley area deep in Lebanon were struck, from which terrorists of the terrorist organization launch rockets toward the State of Israel," the post said.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he spoke to US President Donald Trump over cooperation regarding military operations again Iran.
"At the same time, we are helping our American friends in the Gulf. I spoke at length with President Trump on this matter yesterday. There is cooperation between our air forces and navies, between myself and President Trump and his staff. We will assist both through indirect attacks, which create immense pressure on the Iranian regime, and through direct actions. There are many more surprises." Netanyahu said in a public statement.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated the country's claim that they had assasinated Iran's Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, he further said that Israel's action are due to its desire to give Iranians the "opportunity to remove" their current government in a statement.
"We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it. It will not happen all at once, and it will not happen easily. But if we persist, we will give them the chance to take their destiny into their own hands," Netanyahu said.
Joseph Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (who will be stepping down over the Iran war) said that US President Donald Trump was swayed by a misinformation campaign orchestrated by high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media to start a war with Iran in his resignation letter to Trump.
"This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory," Kent said.
He further said that it was "clear" that the US started this war with Iran due to pressure from Israel and " its powerful American lobby", saying that Israel had used similar tactics to draw the US into its war with Iraq in 2003
"This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again," he said.
Kent praised Trump's first administration and said that he understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting drawn into never-ending wars.
"You demonstrated this by killing Qasam Solamani and by defeating ISIS," he stated.
"I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.
It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation," Kent added.
Joseph Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center announced that he would be stepping down from his position citing his objection to the US's war on Iran in his resignation letter to US President Donald Trump. Kent said that Iran posed "no imminent threat" to the US and that Israel's misinformation campaign lead to Trump starting the war with Iran, stating that the country had done the same previously, holding it responsible for US's Iraq war.
"As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives," Kent said.
Iranian-backed militant organisation Hezbollah said that it has fired a volley of rockets at Israeli soldiers in Lebanon's Khiam, via an 'X' post cited by Al Jazeera.
A projectile hit a tanker near the Fujairah port in the UAE, according to NDTV reports.
Canada Foreign Minister Anita Anand said that Canada has no intention of joining iran operations as per a Bloomberg interview. Anand added that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is designed for defence and deterrence, possibly implying that Canada does not see the Iran conflict meeting these criteria.
The IDF said it has detected missiles launched from Iran and is working to intercept them according to Bloomberg.
Qatar has sent out 'Elevated Security Threat' alerts to its residents, asking them to remain in safe spaces indoors, as per NDTV.
Iran's IRGC said that it is undertaking “impact-oriented and targeted” with “multiple warheads with solid and liquid fuel” along with drones across the Middle East since dawn according to news reports cited by AL Jazeera.
UAE said that it was target by 10 missiles and 45 drones on Tuesday as per Bloomberg.
Ministry of External Affairs officials will brief a Parliamentary panel on safety and repatriation of the Indian diaspora in the Middle-East.
Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that Lebanon is "doing nothing" to stop the militant group Hezbollah, backed by Iran that Israel is at war with, in a press conference cited by Bloomberg.
The Israeli Defence Forces have commenced a large wave of strikes against Iran as per Bloomberg.
Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that 2,000 projectiles and drones were launched from Lebanon at Israel, in a press conference cited by Bloomberg.
Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that Europe won't join military operations near Iran, as per Bloomberg.
Mitsotakis said that Europe needs to focus on economic impact of the Middle-East crisis. The Greek PM said that price of gasoline, diesel is an area of concern, saying that Greece would open to consider nuclear energy. He further stated that he hopes the Iran conflict will not last long.
Two were killed by Israeli air strikes in Lebanon's al-Jumayjimah according to a National News Agency report cited by Al Jazeera. This development comes after reports of three Lebanon residents were reported killed in Israel's air attacks in Bint Jbeil, a town closeby al-Jumayjimah.
"We are profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of a Pakistani national in Abu Dhabi’s Baniyas area due to falling debris following the interception of a missile," The Pakistani Embassy in UAE said via an 'X' post.
A Pakistani national was killed in Abu Dhabi's Bani Yas area after being struck by falling debris from an intercepted missile, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
The Embassy said that it is in "close coordination with local authorities to extend all possible support to the bereaved family" and will undertake the repatriation process as soon as possible.
"This hour of grief, we share in the family’s pain and offer our deepest condolences and prayers," the embassy said.
We are profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of a Pakistani national in Abu Dhabi’s Baniyas area due to falling debris following the interception of a missile. The Embassy is in close coordination with local authorities to extend all possible support to the bereaved family and…
— Pakistan Embassy UAE (@PakinUAE_) March 17, 2026
Dashcam video shows the moment of a US-Israeli strike on police headquarters in Hamadan province, western Iran, on March 7. The footage, posted on March 16, captures a massive explosion and debris flying through the air
Dashcam video shows the moment of a US-Israeli strike on police headquarters in Hamadan province, western Iran, on March 7. The footage, posted on 16 March, captures a massive explosion and debris flying through the air pic.twitter.com/60hzg7BhxG
— TRT World (@trtworld) March 17, 2026
Ali Larijani’s Telegram account has shared a handwritten note attributed to him, written in connection with the funeral of Iranian Navy personnel who were killed.
The note read, "On the occasion of the funeral ceremony for the valiant martyrs of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Navy: Their memory will forever remain in the heart of the Iranian nation, and these martyrdoms will strengthen the foundation of the Islamic Republic's Army for years to come within the structure of the armed forces. I beseech the Almighty God for the highest ranks for these dear martyrs." [sic]
به مناسبت مراسم تشییع سلحشوران نیروی دریایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران: یاد آنان همواره در قلب ملت ایران خواهد بود و این شهادتها بنیان ارتش جمهوری اسلامی را برای سالها در ساختار نیروهای مسلح استوار مینماید. ازخداوند متعال علو درجات برای این شهدای عزیز خواستارم. pic.twitter.com/dvTdhyDYbY
— Ali Larijani | علی لاریجانی (@alilarijani_ir) March 17, 2026
Photo: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering the elimination of senior Iranian regime officials.
Photo: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering the elimination of senior Iranian regime officials. pic.twitter.com/av6rIqNOFt
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 17, 2026
Israel's Defence Minister Katz claims that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani has been killed, Al Jazeera reported. Iran, has however, not responded to the claims.
The government on Tuesday extended a relief programme for export cargo till March 31 amid the disruption at the Strait of Hormuz caused due to the Iran war. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs issued fresh SOP under the Customs Act given the prolonged conflict in the Gulf region.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy is revealing how Russia's initial missile attacks on Ukraine led to a shift in strategy, with Ukraine finding ways to intercept missiles.
He wrote in a post, "The first night of the full-scale war began with missile attacks. Russia used everything it had: cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and all sorts of other missiles. They attacked us from Russian soil as well as from Belarus. It was utterly terrifying, but later we found a way to intercept the missiles and protect the people, the energy system, and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Iranian regime delivered the first shipment of Shahed drones to Russia—1,000 drones. We reached out to the Iranians at the intelligence agency level. We asked them not to supply weapons to Russia. Because if Shahed drones were killing our civilians, the Iranian regime would become an ally of Russia—we told them that. They replied: “No, no, we’re not allies on this. We just sold one shipment of Shahed drones to the Russians. That’ll be about 1,200 or 1,300 drones, and that’s it. There won’t be any more deliveries.” But they lied.
They not only handed over thousands of drones to the Russians but also transferred the license to produce the Shahed-type drones. They helped Russia build two factories to manufacture the drones and, at first, even piloted them themselves and trained the Russians." [sic]
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy says they are not intimidated by Iran's warnings, instead offering their expertise in air defense to the US and Gulf countries.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "In response to a question about threats from the Iranian regime against Ukraine due to our support for Gulf countries: Nothing new here. Over the past four years, I’ve heard various statements like this. What matters to us is that the United States and leaders of Middle Eastern countries have approached us for assistance with interceptor drones. They’ve turned to us to leverage our expertise in air defense. Air defense does not mean offensive capabilities. That’s why I said we are ready to provide this expertise and these defensive systems. We are not afraid of such statements. Over the past four years—and in fact over the past 12 years—we hear statements like this every day. For us, this is nothing new." [sic]
در پاسخ به سؤالی درباره تهدیدهای رژیم ایران نسبت به اوکراین بدلیل حمایت ما از کشورهای خلیج فارس:
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 17, 2026
هیچ چیز تازهای نیست. در چهار سال گذشته من اظهارات مختلف شنیدهام. برای ما مهم است که ایالات متحده و رهبران کشورهای خاورمیانه برای دریافت کمک در زمینه پهپاد های رهگیر به ما مراجعه…
Australian and New Zealand government ministers agree the Middle East war should end as quickly as possible. Australian and New Zealand foreign and defence ministers met for annual talks on Tuesday in Australia's capital, Canberra.
"We discussed the escalating situation in the Middle East. We want this crisis to end as quickly as possible and move to a negotiated solution," New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters told reporters at a joint press conference after the meeting.
Israel said it had killed the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' all-volunteer Basij force, a key force used to suppress demonstrations in the Islamic Republic. The Israeli military said a strike on Monday killed Gholamreza Soleimani. Iran did not immediately acknowledge Soleimani's killing.
"The Basij forces are part of the armed apparatus of the Iranian terror regime," the Israeli military said in its statement.
"During internal protests in Iran, particularly in recent periods as demonstrations intensified, Basij forces under Soleimani's command led the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests and the use of force against civilian demonstrators."
The IDF also attempted to assassinate top Iranian official Ali Larijani, considered the most significant targeted killing since the war began on Feb 28, the Jerusalem Post reported.
🔴 COMMANDER OF THE BASIJ UNIT ELIMINATED
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 17, 2026
Yesterday, the IDF targeted & eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past 6 years.
Under Soleimani, the Basij unit led the main repression operations in Iran, employing severe violence,… pic.twitter.com/aJ0dNtCFz0
According to FFFAI's letter, the freighters flagged that waivers not being fully passed on by the ports and shipping lines.
China is stepping in to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, announcing emergency aid to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq amidst the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, stated that the assistance aims to support local populations affected by the three-week war.
"China has decided to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. It is hoped this will help alleviate the humanitarian plight faced by the local populations," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference.
(Source: Middle East Eye)
The speaker of Iran's parliament told Iranian state television that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be “as it was before” as Iranian fire keeps nearly all traffic out of the strategic waterway. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the comment in an interview aired Tuesday as Iranian fire continues to target shipping in the region.
“They are flying, launching missiles, should we just sit back and do nothing in response, or not? Naturally, it is our undeniable right. We must do this,” Qalibaf said.
“Let me speak clearly, the Strait of Hormuz has always been important, one of the world's key strategic chokepoints,” Qalibaf said. “But look at this strategic mistake by the Americans and the Zionist regime, this trap they set, and the recklessness they showed, has turned this potential into an active reality. This is a high-risk opportunity.”
Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani, Iran's ambassador in Turkmenistan, says it will defend the Strait of Hormuz and calls for US forces to withdraw.
“I have a proposal for Trump: if he wants stability and passage through the Strait of Hormuz, he must ensure that his military forces withdraw from the strait,” the ambassador said in Ashgabat. "The Strait of Hormuz is not currently closed. But as a result of this aggression, no ships can pass through the strait, and we will defend its stability and security," he said.
The ambassador added that US and Israeli forces "have other targets in the region."
"They've targeted water treatment plants, fuel storage facilities, and other facilities. These ongoing threats must end," he said.
Park Il, spokesperson of South Korea's Foreign Ministry, said that officials are in close contact with port authorities in nearby countries to facilitate the provision of food and other supplies. Park said they plan to take unspecified additional steps if the situation worsens. South Korea has been cautious about discussing support for US efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump urged several governments, including Seoul, to deploy naval assets.
"The government will maintain close communication with the US side and conduct a close and careful review of the issue, taking into account various factors and the changing regional situation," Park said.
Their are reports of Israel attacking Iran's Space Research Centre.
Iranian media reported that missiles launched by Iran struck areas in occupied Jerusalem, landing only a few metres from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to these reports, Israel’s air‑defense systems intercepted just one of the incoming missiles, while the remaining projectiles evaded defensive measures and reached their intended locations.
The largest oil market shock on record triggered by the war in the Middle East is set to have a greater impact on products such as jet fuel and diesel than on crude, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
Kuwaiti security forces arrested 16 people suspected of having links with Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group allied with Iran, the state-run Kuwait News Agency reported. The interior ministry said in a statement said that the 14 Kuwaiti and two Lebanese suspects sought to 'create chaos, and disrupt public order,' during the war, the agency reported. The ministry did not identify the people arrested.
It said authorities found firearms, ammunition, weapons for training and assassinations, and encrypted communication devices and drones. The ministry said the suspects aimed to recruit others to join Hezbollah.
Jamshedpurt man Mithilesh Tripathy said his only son, Ansh Tripathy, who serves as the second engineer on the vessel, was responsible for monitoring the ship's technical operations during the journey through the strategically crucial maritime corridor.
Tripathy said he last spoke to his son over a WhatsApp call about four to five days ago, when the vessel was leaving Qatar.
"They were instructed to maintain a safe distance from the Strait of Hormuz until they received the green signal from headquarters. The Indian government was negotiating with Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage," Tripathy told PTI.
➡️Embassy of India in Qatar says around 1,100 Indian passengers travelled to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and other cities on Qatar Airways flights yesterday. Flights to these destinations are also planned for today.
➡️More flights are scheduled from March 18 to multiple Indian cities.
In a wide-ranging conversation with NDTV, global affairs commentator Fareed Zakaria frames the ongoing US-Iran conflict as something far more unpredictable than traditional wars. At its core, he argues, lies what he calls an "escalation trap".
Iran US Israel
Photo Credit: (Photo: NDTV Profit)
Iran kept up the pressure on the energy infrastructure of its Gulf Arab neighbours, hitting an oil facility in Fujairah, a UAE emirate on the country's east coast, with the Gulf of Oman that has been repeatedly targeted. State-run WAM news reported that no one had been injured in the blast from the drone strike. Iran's attacks on Gulf nations and its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported, have given rise to increasing concerns of a global energy crisis.
(Source: AP)
Sounds of explosions reverberated in Dubai, Doha and Qatar as air defences worked to intercept new waves of incoming Iranian fire. Dubai had briefly shut its airspace as the military said it was 'responding to incoming missile and drone threats' around the city.
The United States' neighbour Cuba's ongoing energy crisis deepened on Monday after the island nation experienced the third major blackout over the past four months. Officials said that the outage affected the entire island of about 11 million people.
Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident involving falling debris in the Baniyas area, following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems. The incident resulted in the death of a Pakistani national.
The escalating war with Iran is pushing parts of the world into energy triage, forcing governments to choose where to cut demand or absorb costs, while prioritising dwindling supplies.
Asia is the most exposed since it relies heavily on imported fuel, much of it shipped through the now-blockedStrait of Hormuz. The narrow passage offshore from Iran is the main route for shipping a fifth of global trade in crude oil and liquified natural gas.
Governments in the region are scrambling to adjust — tallying oil reserves, conserving energy, competing for supplies and trying to blunt prices. That brings difficult trade-offs: saving power may slow business activity. Prioritising cooking gas for households can hurt restaurants and other businesses.
(Source: AP)
‘Unfair’ War Risk Charges Add To Export Pain, Allege Exporters, Freight Forwarders
Source: Freight Association March 16 letter to Shipping Ministry
Qatar's Civil Defense is handling a minor fire in the Industrial Area caused by shrapnel from an intercepted missile. There are no reported injuries. The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the fire is under control and urged citizens to remain calm.
Sri Lanka announced a four-day working week with every Wednesday a public holiday as a contingency measure for possible fuel shortages in view of the war in the Middle East. "It was decided to declare every Wednesday a public holiday with effect from March 18," Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi said.
Clarifying that this would not apply to health, ports, water supplies and customs, he said, "It would be applicable to schools, universities and the judiciary." The government expects the private sector to apply the same measure, the commissioner said.
The decision was taken at a special meeting convened by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake with the participation of the full state machinery "to discuss strategies for ensuring the continuity of public services amidst the energy disruption by the Middle East conflict."
(Source: PTI)
The rules of global conflict are undergoing a radical and expensive shift. In a recent interview with NDTV's Editor-in-Chief, Rahul Kanwal, global affairs analyst Fareed Zakaria highlighted a glaring vulnerability in American military hegemony: the crippling economics of asymmetric warfare.
Two players from the Iranian women's football team have joined a practice session with a professional club in Brisbane in their first publicly-shared appearance since it emerged they had been granted asylum in Australia. Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were pictured smiling and wearing the club's colors as they posed alongside a women's elite squad.
The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar notified that armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar.
Authorities in Qatar have issued an alert, warning people to remain in their homes and other safe places amid reports of loud 'booms' being heard in the capital, Doha. The Public Safety Alert advised people to stay away from windows, glass facades and exposed areas until the threat has passed, Al Jazeera reported.
The Russian Federation is calling out the US and Israel for sparking chaos in the Persian Gulf, saying their reckless actions are causing global economic repercussions.
"Once a stable and prosperous region, the Persian Gulf is rapidly descending into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The economic repercussions of the reckless venture initiated by Washington and Tel Aviv are being felt ever more acutely far beyond the conflict zone – indeed, on a global scale. Meanwhile, instead of seeking paths to de-escalation and a return to negotiations, there is a further intensification of mutual hostility, with increasingly lethal and destructive strikes being carried out. As before, the Russian Federation stands ready, within the scope of its available capabilities, to contribute to a long-term and sustainable resolution of the conflict," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said.
(Source: ANI)
Iran's Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalili, has announced that Tehran will seek reparations from the US and Israel for the deadly attack on a girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, which killed over 160 people, mostly children, reports Al Jazeera.
The Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates said that UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones.
تتعامل حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية مع اعتداءات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة قادمة من إيران وتؤكد وزارة الدفاع أن الأصوات المسموعة في مناطق متفرقة من الدولة هي نتيجة اعتراض كل من منظومات الدفاع الجوي للصواريخ البالستية، والمقاتلات للطائرات المسيرة والجوالة.
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 17, 2026
UAE air defences are… pic.twitter.com/ARFZrh9LjG
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre reported that a tanker has been struck by an 'unknown projectile' while at anchor 23 nautical miles (42.5km) east of Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman. The tanker sustained minor structural damage, but no injuries among the crew and no environmental impact have been reported, according to the UKMTO. "Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity," it added.
UKMTO WARNING-ATTACK-023-26
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) March 17, 2026
Click here to read the full warning⤵️https://t.co/gGRwo080yv#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/lqLGd2y3lY
President Donald Trump said he'd wrangled a confession of sorts from an Oval Office predecessor who he said had expressed regret in a private conversation about not attacking Iran the way Trump has been doing for more than two weeks. But there's just a little problem: Representatives for the four living former presidents — three Democrats and one Republican — said none have been in touch with Trump recently.
Trump declined to name the former president when reporters asked who it was, saying he didn't want to "embarrass him."
(Source: AP)
The Israeli military said early on Tuesday it had begun a “wide-scale wave of strikes” across Iran's capital and was also stepping up strikes on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. It announced the new strikes as Israel reported two incoming salvos from Iran.
Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, recovering from their first decline in nearly a week, as traders recalibrated expectations around supply disruptions stemming from the ongoing Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed back towards the $102-per-barrel mark, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate hovered near $95.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, criticised the US Secretary of War's statement, saying it shows moral bankruptcy and ignorance of international law.
"When the U.S. Secretary of War declares “no quarter”, he doesn't project strength. He conveys moral bankruptcy and ignorance about law of armed conflict. We advise him to review the Hague Convention and Rome Statute of the ICC, unless he aspires to join Netanyahu as war criminal," he wrote on X.
When the U.S. Secretary of War declares “no quarter”, he doesn't project strength. He conveys moral bankruptcy and ignorance about law of armed conflict. We advise him to review the Hague Convention and Rome Statute of the ICC, unless he aspires to join Netanyahu as war criminal.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 16, 2026
United Arab Emirates lifts brief airspace closure over Iranian attacks, reports AP.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, is denying reports of recent direct communication with US envoy Steve Witkoff, stating that his last contact was before the US launched a military attack on Iran. He claims that any claims of ongoing communication are aimed at misleading oil traders and the public.
In a post on X Araghchi wrote, "My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer's decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran. Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said there will only be a "political solution" to the war in Iran. Speaking after a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in Berlin, Merz said that he pointed out the risks of the conflict "from day one" and stressed that "there will be no military solution here; there will only be a political solution."
Responding to US President Donald Trump's calls to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, Merz said "NATO is a defensive alliance, not an interventionist one." Merz also said he hopes that NATO allies "will treat one another with the necessary respect within the alliance."
After years of being antagonis
ed by President Donald Trump, US allies in Europe and Asia are in no hurry to bow to his demand that they send ships into a war he started — and has claimed to have won already.A drone attack hit the Roya Tulip Al-Rasheed hotel in Baghdad's Green Zone, causing damage but no casualties. The hotel houses diplomatic delegations and international organisations, including the European Union Advisory Mission in Iraq. Security forces sealed off the area, and no group has claimed responsibility yet. This incident follows recent airstrikes targeting facilities linked to Iraqi militias, and the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah reported the death of a senior security figure, Abu Ali Al-Askari.
The United Arab Emirates briefly closed and then reopened its airspace Tuesday, temporarily halting flights in a crucial travel hub, as the country's military said it was facing incoming attacks from Iran, reports AP.
The temporary disruption came as war in the Middle East continued to rage. The Israeli military early Tuesday reported a salvo of Iranian missiles as sirens sounded south of the Sea of Galilee. No injuries were reported. The US and Israel had pummeled military targets in Iran's capital a day earlier, with Israel stepping up bombardments of Iran-backed militants in Lebanon.
Several large explosions have been heard in northern Tehran, near the Saadabad Palace complex, within the last few minutes.
According to Al Jazeera's correspondent in Tehran, the exact nature of the most recent blasts remains unclear, though witnesses described the sounds of blast as occurring in close proximity to the former royal palace. A security source has told Al Jazeera Arabic that air defences have responded to a drone attack targeting the US Embassy in Baghdad.
The United States' war with Iran will "be wrapped up soon" as the regime has been weakened, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, even as the conflict across the Persian Gulf intensified in its third week. "It'll (The War) be wrapped up soon. We're going to have a much safer world," the president told reporters in the White House.
Trump says, "When they say 'Death to America,' you should believe them because...if they had a nuclear weapon, they would've used it." He adds, "Iran is a shell of itself, it’s no longer a bully...it's the bully that got beat up. We beat the crap out of them—and and they deserve that."
"When they say 'Death to America,' you should believe them because...if they had a nuclear weapon, they would've used it," says @POTUS.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 16, 2026
"Iran is a shell of itself, it’s no longer a bully...it's the bully that got beat up. We beat the crap out of them—and and they deserve that." pic.twitter.com/lWRJChv7NE
US President Trump says, "We have extinguished most of their missiles and drones... We have fully extinguished two layers of leadership and probably a third. We only have one thing to have a little choke point... and they (Iran) have used it very well for years, but it doesn't work. But I think this, if some of these countries that we've been good to for years, get 90 to 95 % of their energy from the Strait of Hormuz..."
#WATCH | Washington DC | US President Donald Trump says, "We have extinguished most of their missiles and drones... We have fully extinguished two layers of leadership and probably a third. We only have one thing to have a little choke point... and they (Iran) have used it very… pic.twitter.com/yDDVuWjKtW
— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2026
US President Donald Trump said he's taking strong action to end the war quickly, making the world safer. He justified his approach as necessary and effective, suggesting a tough stance is needed to prevent escalation and protect global stability.
.@POTUS: "It'll be wrapped up soon. We're going to have a much safer world. I had an obligation to do this... you want to see a stock market go down? Start letting them hit you with nukes, okay?" pic.twitter.com/dPFLZeVO4H
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 16, 2026
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