US, Israel strike Iran Highlights| Dubai residents get 'potential missile threats' alert on phones

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | We have unlimited ammunition supply: Trump

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 2,000 targets hit, 17 ships destroyed in Iran: US Military

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, emerges as leading choice for successor

The senior clerics responsible for selecting Iran’s next supreme leader met Tuesday to deliberate, and the son of the slain former leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, emerged as the clear front-runner, according to three Iranian officials familiar with the deliberations, stated the New York Times in a recent report.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Khamenei to be buried in holy city of Mashhad, say reports

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be buried in the holy city of Mashhad, the Fars news agency said Tuesday.

Before the burial, a "large farewell ceremony" will be held in Tehran, the Revolutionary Guards said on their Telegram account.

No date for the burial was disclosed.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Several killed in Israeli strike on building in Lebanon's Baalbek

Several people were ⁠killed in ⁠an Israeli ‌airstrike ​on a four-storey residential ​building ⁠in the eastern Lebanese city of ⁠Baalbek, ‌the state news ‌agency ⁠NNA reported early on ‌Wednesday.

Rescue ‌teams were ‌working ‌to pull families ⁠from ⁠beneath the rubble, NNA said.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israeli strike hits hotel in Beirut suburb of Hazmieh

An Israeli strike hit a hotel in the Beirut suburb of Hazmieh on Wednesday, Lebanese state media reported, the first recent such attack on the predominantly Christian area.

The state-run National News Agency said that "an Israeli airstrike targeted a hotel in Hazmieh" adding that "ambulances were dispatched to the scene".

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Mojtaba Khamenei set to be Iran's new Supreme Leader: Reports

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been chosen as the next Supreme Leader of Iran. Media reports suggest that he was elected by the country's Assembly of Experts.

Read more

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Fire near US consulate in Dubai; fully extinguished with no injuries reported

"The fire near the US Consulate in Dubai has been fully extinguished, with no injuries reported. Dubai authorities reaffirm their commitment to ensuring everyone's safety and security,' the official X handle of the Dubai Media Office informed.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Two cruise missiles intercepted, says Saudi Arabia

The Saudi defence ministry said two cruise missiles were intercepted Wednesday over an area south of the capital Riyadh, and state media reported a separate drone attack was thwarted.

"Two cruise missiles were intercepted and destroyed in Al-Kharj" district, a defence ministry statement said, while the official Saudi Press Agency cited a ministry spokesman as saying "nine drones were intercepted and destroyed immediately upon entering the Kingdom's airspace". The statements did not say who may be behind the attacks.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | US says non-emergency staff granted permission to leave Saudi Arabia, Oman

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | MEA sets up special control room amid West Asia conflict

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) set up a special control room "in view of the current situation in West Asia and the Gulf region."

Read more

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | US assault on Iran ahead of schedule, says US Middle East Commander

The US assault on Iran was ahead of schedule, said the top American commander for the Middle East.

US Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads US forces in the Middle East as the head of Central Command, said the first 24 hours of the 'Operation Epic Fury' bombardment of Iran were "nearly double the scale" of the first 24 hours of the 'Shock and Awe' campaign ​that opened the Iraq War in 2003.

"We ⁠are seeing that Iran's ability to hit us, and our partners, is declining, while our combat power, on the other hand, is building," Cooper said in a video briefing released on Tuesday evening. "My overall operational assessment is that we are ahead of our game plan."

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran missile attack triggers sirens, sends Israelis to shelters

Missiles launched from Iran early Wednesday triggered air raid sirens across large parts of Israel, with the military saying it was "operating to intercept the threat".

The order to seek shelter covered Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other areas across the country.

It was lifted after several minutes, with no immediate reports of any direct impact.

Israel's emergency medical service Magen David Adom said it had received no reports of casualties.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 4 killed in Israeli strike on east Lebanon building: Reports

Lebanese state media said that four people were killed and six more were wounded in an Israeli strike on a building in Baalbek in eastern Lebanon on Wednesday.

"The initial toll is four killed and six wounded, and work is underway to rescue families from under the rubble,"

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran Guards say have 'complete control' of Strait of Hormuz

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they control the Strait of Hormuz, and any vessels seeking to pass through the waterway risk damage from stray drones or missiles.

"Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is under the complete control of the Islamic Republic's Navy," said Guards Navy official Mohammad Akbarzadeh in a statement issued on Fars news agency.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Struck 'dozens' of Iran targets including Tehran security sites, says Israel

The Israeli military said it struck "dozens" of Iranian security command centres on Wednesday, hitting sites across the capital Tehran.

"The Israeli Air Force... completed an additional wave of strikes targeting the Iranian terror regime's command centres throughout Tehran," including internal security and paramilitary Basij sites, a military statement said.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Drone downed near Baghdad airport: Reports

A drone was shot down near Baghdad's international airport, a day after a similar attack on the facility, two security sources told AFP.

"A drone was downed near Baghdad airport, with no casualties or material damage reported," an Iraqi security source said.

Another security source in Baghdad confirmed the incident.

The airport includes a military base that hosts a US diplomatic facility and previously housed US-led coalition troops.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Air strike hits Hezbollah bastion in south Beirut after Israel warning

An air strike hit Hezbollah's bastion in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Wednesday, AFPTV footage showed, after an evacuation order from the Israeli army.

The strike follows a series of deadly raids that, for the first time, targeted a Beirut neighbourhood near the presidential palace, as well as areas south of the Lebanese capital and the ancient city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, leaving 11 people dead.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iranians to bid farewell to late Supreme Leader Khamenei

Iranians are to ⁠bid farewell to ⁠late ‌Supreme Leader ​Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in ​a ⁠ceremony on Wednesday at 10 p.m. (1830 ⁠GMT) ‌at Tehran's Imam Khomeini ‌prayer ground, ⁠state media reported.

The ceremony ‌will ‌last for ‌three ‌days and the funeral procession ⁠will ⁠be announced when it is finalized, it ​said.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Any successor to Khamenei 'target for assassination': Israel

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened on Wednesday to assassinate any Iranian leader picked to succeed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

"Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel's destruction, threatening the United States, the free world and countries in the region, and suppressing the Iranian people, will be a certain target for assassination, no matter his name or where he hides," Katz said in a post on X.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Kuwait says 11-year-old girl killed as Iran targets Gulf

Kuwait's health ministry said Wednesday an 11-year-old girl was killed after being hit by falling shrapnel following waves of Iranian attacks across the Gulf.

At least four US soldiers have also been killed in Kuwait and the US embassy there was targeted by drones, while its energy infrastructure has also been hit in recent days.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran won't negotiate with US, can 'continue the war': senior adviser to Khamenei

Iran has no intention of negotiating with the United States and can continue the Middle East war for as long as needed, Mohammad Mokhber, a senior aide to the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told state TV.

He told the broadcaster that Iran had "no trust in the Americans and we have no basis for any negotiations with them", adding that: "We can continue the war as long as we want."

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel army says begun 'broad scale strikes' in Tehran

The Israeli military said it had begun a fresh wave of strikes on Tehran on Wednesday, as AFP reported an explosion in the northeast of the Iranian capital.

"The Israeli Air Force has begun a broad scale strikes targeting Iranian terror regime targets in Tehran, details to follow," a brief army statement said.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel army says shot down Iranian fighter jet over Tehran

"An Israeli Air Force F-35I fighter jet ('Adir') shot down an Iranian Air Force YAK-130 fighter jet a short while ago over the skies of Tehran," a military statement said.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 'No to war,' Spanish PM Sanchez tells Trump

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hit back at US President Donald Trump's criticisms of Madrid's refusal to let US planes use its bases to attack Iran.

"The position of the government of Spain can be summed up in four words: no to war," he said in a televised address, a day after Trump threatened to sever all trade with Spain.

"We will not be complicit in something that is harmful to the world and contrary to our values and interests, simply out of fear of retaliation."

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran's judiciary chief threatens those who say or do anything' in support of US-Israeli airstrikes

Iran's judiciary chief Gholam Hosseini Mohseni Ejehei threatened "those who say or do anything" in support of the US-Israeli airstrike campaign now targeting the Islamic Republic.

"As we said during the unrest, riot cases are a priority," Ejehei said, referring to January's nationwide protests that Iran violently suppressed. "We have now also announced that those who cooperate with the enemy in any way will be considered an enemy."

He added, "Those who say or do anything in line with the will of America and the Zionist regime are on the enemy's side and must be dealt with on revolutionary, Islamic principles and in accordance with the time of war."

His remarks raised the possibility of those detained facing death-penalty charges, as cooperating with an enemy can carry execution if convicted.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | IDF claims Isarel's F-35I shot down Iranian YAK-130 in ‘historic first’

An IAF F-35I “Adir” fighter jet shot down an Iranian Air Force YAK-130 fighter jet. This is the first shootdown in history of a manned fighter aircraft by an F-35 “Adir” fighter jet.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | EU says 'ready' to defend interests after Trump's threat to Spain

The European Commission said Wednesday it was "ready" to defend EU interests after President Donald Trump threatened to sever trade with Spain for refusing to allow US use of its bases to attack Iran.

"We stand in full solidarity with all member states and all its citizens and, through our common trade policy, stand ready to act if necessary to safeguard EU interests," said commission spokesman Olof Gill in a statement issued in response to Trump's threats.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran close to choosing new Supreme Leader, official says

Iran is close to ⁠choosing a new ⁠Supreme Leader ‌to replace ​Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a member of Iran's ​Assembly ⁠of Experts, tasked with choosing the ⁠new leader, ‌told state TV on ‌Wednesday.

"The Supreme ⁠Leader will be identified ‌in ‌the closest opportunity, we ‌are ‌close to a conclusion, however the ⁠situation in ⁠the country is a war situation," Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami ​told state TV.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Sri Lanka Navy reports submarine attack on Iranian ship; over 100 missing

"At least 101 people missing, 78 injured after submarine attack on Iranian ship off Sri Lanka's coast, the Sri Lankan Navy and Defence Ministry sources said.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israeli army enters south Lebanon town Khiam

Lebanese state media reported on Wednesday that the Israeli army entered the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, about six kilometres from the Lebanon-Israel border.

"The town of Khiam is witnessing continuous artillery shelling, while the Israeli enemy army penetrated into the town," state media said.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Drone attack attempted at Saudi Aramco's refinery

Saudi defense ministry said that an attack was carried out at Saudi Aramco's refinery in Ras Tanura. "Initial evaluation shows it was carried out by a drone. No damage reported," the ministry said.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Sri Lanka stands firmly with UAE: President Dissanayake

"I telephoned His Highness Mohamed Bin Zayed, President of the UAE, to express my sadness over the recent attacks suffered by the UAE. I assured him of Sri Lanka’s solidarity while condemning all forms of violence and terrorism. Sri Lanka stands firmly with the UAE and is ready to assist in any way it can," Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake posted on X.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Syria closes its border crossing with Lebanon after Israel's warning

The Syrian land and ⁠sea ports authority said ⁠on Wednesday ‌it ​has closed its border crossing with Lebanon ​for ⁠departures after it received a warning ⁠from ‌Israel that Israeli ‌forces may ⁠target the crossing.

Arrivals remain ‌open ‌as long ‌as Syrians ‌are fleeing from Lebanon, according to ⁠the ⁠media official at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | British tanker struck off Emirati coast by 'unknown projectile' debris

A tanker was hit off the coast of the United Arab Emirates by "debris from an unknown projectile", a British maritime security agency reported Wednesday.

The incident occurred early Wednesday, 10 nautical miles east of the Emirati city of Fujairah, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

"The tanker experienced a loud blast and debris from an unknown projectile was found on the deck. The funnel of the tanker sustained minor damage but no major damage has been observed," it said, adding that all crew were safe and accounted for.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Kurdish-Iranian fighter killed in Iraq

A Kurdish-Iranian fighter was killed on Wednesday in a rocket attack on the exiled Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) in northern Iraq, a party source told AFP, requesting anonymity.

"The rocket hit a PAK position" in the northern autonomous Kurdistan region, which hosts camps and rear bases operated by several Iranian Kurdish rebel groups.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Sri Lanka Navy rescue 32 injured people in submarine attack

The Sri Lankan Navy has rescued 32 injured people in the submarine attack on an Iranian ship. It also said that information of over 100 people missing is incorrect and that rescue operations are underway.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 'Supreme leader will be appointed at the earliest opportunity': Iran

Iran said on Wednesday it was trying to swiftly appoint a new supreme leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on the weekend.

"We are all trying," said Ahmad Khatami, a member of the Assembly of Experts for Leadership which is responsible for selecting a new leader.

"God willing, the leader will be appointed at the earliest opportunity. We are close, but the situation is a war situation," he told state TV.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel destroys missile storage in Isfahan, Iran

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israeli Army asks southern Lebanon residents to evacuate homes

The Israeli army has directed residents living south of Lebanon's Litani river to immediately head north on Wednesday, ahead of military action against Hezbollah in the area.

"To ensure your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move north beyond the Litani River. Any movement southward may put your lives at risk," the Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee posted on X.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | More than 9000 Americans returned home since start of Operation Epic Fury: US State Department

"Since the start of Operation "Epic Fury," more than 9,000 Americans have safely returned from the Middle East to their homes," the US state department said.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Leave Qatar now: US to its citizens

The Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and their family members to leave Qatar due to the threat of armed conflict. If safe to do so, Americans should leave Qatar now," the US Embassy in Doha posted on X.

"The U.S. Embassy in Doha continues to maintain shelter-in-place for all remaining emergency personnel. We recommend all Americans in Qatar do the same until further notice. To the extent possible, remain inside your residence, hotel, or another structure, and stay away from windows. The U.S. Embassy in Doha has suspended all routine consular services until further notice."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | UAE intercepts 3 ballistic missiles and 129 drones: Defence ministry

UAE's defence ministry said that the its air defenses successfully engaged with 3 ballistic missiles and detected 129 drones, of which 121 drones were intercepted while 8 fell on state territory on March 4.

"Since the start of the brazen Iranian aggression, 189 ballistic missiles launched toward the state have been detected, with 175 missiles destroyed, while 13 of them fell into the sea, and 1 missile fell on state territory. Additionally, 941 Iranian drones were detected and 876 were intercepted, while 65 of them fell within state territory," it posted on X.

"Furthermore, 8 cruise missiles were detected and destroyed, causing some collateral damage, and resulting in 3 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationalities, as well as 78 cases of minor injuries among Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, and Afghan nationalities."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Qatar intercepts 10 drones and 2 cruise missiles launched from Iran, per Defence Ministry

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Cyprus calls off alert after suspect object spotted close to Lebanon

Cyprus said a suspect object had been detected close to Lebanese ⁠airspace on Wednesday, and a government source ⁠said two Greek F-16 fighter jets ‌had been ​scrambled to intercept it.

The alert was called off more than an hour later.

"The incident for which there was ​relevant information has been ⁠investigated and is considered closed. The competent authorities are monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis and all ⁠appropriate ‌measures are being taken by the available means within the framework ‌of established procedures," Cyprus government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis posted on X.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Sri Lankan Navy recovers bodies after submarine attack

Sri Lanka Navy has recovered several bodies from the Iranian ship struck by a submarine, said Navy spokesperson. The deceased are suspected to be part of the crew. Confirmation is awaited.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iraq's top Shiite cleric denounces 'unjust war' on Iran

Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, denounced "in the strongest terms the unjust war" on Iran.

Sistani, himself born in Iran, called "on all Muslims and free people around the world to denounce" the war and "stand in solidarity with the Iranian people."

He urged "all countries, particularly Islamic nations, to make every possible effort to end it immediately and to reach a just and peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue."

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | No damage to Iran's facilities containing nuclear material, no radiation detected: IAEA

"Based on analysis of latest available satellite imagery, IAEA sees no damage to facilities containing nuclear material in Iran and therefore no radiological release risk at this time. Near Isfahan nuclear site, damage is visible at two buildings. No additional impact detected at Natanz after previously reported damage at entrances, and no impact at other nuclear sites, including Bushehr NPP," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) posted on X.

"IAEA remains in constant contact with national nuclear safety regulators in the Middle East. So far, no elevation of radiation detected. The nuclear power plant in UAE and research reactors in Jordan and Syria continue to operate normally," it further said.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran postpones state funeral for Khamenei: state TV

Iran announced that a state funeral for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which had been planned for Wednesday evening in Tehran, was postponed "in anticipation of unprecedented turnout," state television reported.

"The farewell ceremony for the martyred Imam has been postponed. The new date will be announced later," Iranian television reported on Wednesday.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | New Zealand condemns 'Iran’s terrible attacks' on the UAE

"Tonight, I spoke with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates," New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon posted on X.

"We discussed Iran’s terrible attacks on the UAE. We agreed on the importance of the Iranian leadership seeking a negotiated solution rather than continuing to escalate the crisis. I thanked the President for the way his country is caring for stranded foreign nationals - especially New Zealanders."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iranian warship sinks off Sri Lanka, bodies recovered at sea

An Iranian warship has sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka, with the Sri ⁠Lankan authorities saying on Wednesday they had rescued 32 people ⁠who were on board and recovered several ‌bodies from the ​sea. Sri Lankan Foreign minister Vijitha Herath told parliament that the ship, identified as IRIS Dena, had sunk.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel army says identified missiles launched from Iran

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Turkey destroys Iranian missile launched toward Ankara

The Turkish defence ministry said that a missile launched from Iran, heading towards Turkish airspace through Iraq and Syria, has been destroyed by NATO air defence systems.

"A ballistic munition launched from Iran, which was detected passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and heading towards Turkish airspace, was engaged in a timely manner by NATO air and missile defence assets stationed in the eastern Mediterranean and rendered inactive," the defence ministry said in a statement.

"The munitions fragment that fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay province was identified as belonging to the air defence munitions that intercepted the threat after it was destroyed in the air," the ministry said, adding there were no casualties.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | NATO condemns Iranian attack on Turkey (Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Death toll in Iran crosses 1,000

Iranian government agency says at least 1,045 people have been killed in war so far.

(AP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Kuwait allows one-month extension of visit visas amid Iran war

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait announced - "Due to the current exceptional circumstances, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has today announced the following automatic relief measures implemented electronically and exempt from related fees and fines: 1. a one-month extension of visit visas; and 2. ⁠a three-month additional absence period for residents currently outside Kuwait."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israeli Air Force begins new wave of strikes in Southern Lebanon

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Missiles launched from Iran are being intercepted: IAF

"The IDF identified that a short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat," the Israeli Air Force posted on X.

"In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command issued a preliminary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas. The public is requested to exercise responsibility and act in accordance with the directives - they save lives."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Hezbollah strikes two Israeli army vehicles in south Lebanon

Hezbollah said on Wednesday it had struck two Israeli military vehicles in the southern Lebanese village of Houla, as Israel's army reportedly advances over the border.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it struck an armoured personnel carrier in Houla with "appropriate weapons, achieving a direct hit".

In a separate statement, Hezbollah said it had also struck a Merkava tank in Houla "achieving a direct hit".

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | US confirms sinking Iranian warship off Sri Lanka coast

The US military carried ⁠out a strike ⁠that hit ‌an ​Iranian warship off Sri Lanka's coast, three U.S. officials ​told ⁠Reuters on Wednesday.

One of the officials said ‌it was ⁠carried out by a submarine.

Earlier, Sri ‌Lankan ‌authorities said they had rescued 32 people ⁠who ⁠were on board the ship and recovered several bodies from the ​sea.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israeli Air Force says its destroyed defense and detection systems at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport

"The Air Force destroyed a short time ago defense and detection systems of the Iranian terror regime at the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran. During the tenth strike sortie of the Air Force, guided by Military Intelligence and the Mossad, across Tehran, fighter jets attacked infrastructure at the Mehrabad Airport in Tehran," the Israeli Air Force posted on X.

"As part of the strike, defense and detection systems used by the Iranian terror regime, which posed a threat to Air Force aircraft, were destroyed."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 'Iran is toast. We will have complete control of their skies in under a week': Hegseth

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, "US and Israel will have complete control of Iran skies in under a week."

"Iran is toast," he said adding that more forces are arriving to launch strikes on Tehran.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 'US is winning, can fight as long as needed': Hegseth

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ⁠said on ⁠Wednesday that the ‌United States ​was winning in the war against ​Iran and ⁠that the US military could fight ⁠as long ‌as needed.

"Our air defenses ‌and ⁠that of our allies have ‌plenty ‌of runway. We ‌can ‌sustain this fight easily for as ⁠long ⁠as we need to," Hegseth said.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Malta-flagged container ship hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz

The Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was damaged by a ⁠projectile as it sailed towards the ⁠top of the ‌Strait of ​Hormuz on Wednesday, prompting its crew to abandon ship, shipping sources said.

The vessel ​was hit ⁠some two nautical miles north of Oman while transiting eastbound in the ⁠Strait ‌of Hormuz at 1109 GMT, British maritime risk ‌management company Vanguard said.

"The ⁠vessel was struck by an unknown projectile ‌just above the waterline, ‌resulting in a fire ‌in the engine ‌room. No environmental impact has been reported at this time," Vanguard said.

British ⁠navy ⁠agency UKMTO reported it had received a report involving a unnamed container ship being hit by an unknown projectile and ​the crew abandoned the ​vessel with ​no reported injuries.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Several launches from Lebanon identified and intercepted: Israel Defense Forces

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | China calls for immediate halt of US-Israel military operations

"The Strait of Hormuz and its adjacent waters are an important international trade route for goods and energy. To keep the region secure and stable serves the common interests of the international community," China's foreign ministry spokesperson said.

"China urges relevant parties to immediately stop military operations, avoid further escalation of the tense situation and prevent regional turmoil from causing greater damage to global economic growth."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | There has been a decrease in the number of missiles and drones being fired by Iran: Top US General (Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran warns of targeting Israeli embassies worldwide

Iran will target Israeli embassies worldwide if Israel attacks Iranian embassy in Beirut, Iranian armed forces spokesman said per Iranian media.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Two Israeli soldiers injured by anti-tank fire in south Lebanon

The Israeli military said anti-tank fire in south Lebanon injured two of its soldiers on Wednesday, after Hezbollah said it had struck two Israeli military vehicles.

"Earlier today (Wednesday), two IDF soldiers were moderately injured as a result of an anti-tank fire toward IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon," the military said in a statement, adding they had been evacuated to hospital for treatment.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel plans on 'one or two weeks' of strikes

The Israeli military is planning "at least one or two more weeks of operations in Iran, during which it aims to hit thousands more Iranian regime targets", the Times of Israel reported after a briefing with the military.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Hezbollah targets Israeli military base near Tel Aviv with drones

Hezbollah said Wednesday it targeted an Israeli military base near Tel Aviv in central Israel and a naval base in Haifa in the north with swarms of attack drones.

The announcement came shortly after Israel activated air raid sirens following what it said were launches from Iran and Lebanon.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Department of War shares timeline of first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 111 Pune residents, including 80 students, return India from Dubai

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Ship was heading back to Iran from eastern Indian port, Sri Lanka Deputy Foreign Minister told local media about US strike on Iranian warship

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | China to send envoy to Middle East for mediation, foreign minister says

China will send a special envoy to the Middle East ⁠for mediation, Foreign Minister ⁠Wang Yi told his ‌Saudi Arabian ​and UAE counterparts on Wednesday according to statements from his ministry, as ​conflict in ⁠the region continued to escalate.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Turkey summons Iranian envoy to protest ballistic missile fire

Turkey ⁠summoned the ⁠Iranian ambassador ‌to ​Ankara to its foreign ​ministry ⁠on Wednesday to convey ⁠its ‌protest and concerns ‌over ⁠a ballistic missile ‌fired from ‌Iran ‌that ‌was heading towards ⁠its ⁠airspace, a Turkish diplomatic source said.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Department of War releases video of torpedoed Iranian ship

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | At least 87 dead after US sinks Iranian warship

A US submarine torpedoed an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka on Wednesday, killing at least 87 sailors and leaving dozens missing, officials said.

The Sri Lankan navy recovered the bodies of 87 sailors from waters near the southern city of Galle, but 61 remained missing, police and defence officials said.

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | US Forces have struck or sunk more than 20 Iranian ships: Central Command (Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Will confront Iran's aggression: Qatar PM (Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 'Leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump is killed'

"Yesterday, the leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump was hunted down and killed. Iran tried to kill President Trump, and President Trump got the last laugh," Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told reporters during a briefing.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | US forces used long-range Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) for the first time against Iran

"In a historic first, long-range Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) were used in combat during Operation Epic Fury, providing an unrivaled deep strike capability," the US Central Command posted on X.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Extensive strikes targeting Iran's vast military complex complete: IDF

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 'We respect your sovereignty': Iran's President to Gulf countries

"Your Majesties, heads of friendly and neighboring states, we have strived alongside you and through diplomacy to avoid war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has left us no choice but to defend ourselves," Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on X.

"We respect your sovereignty, and we believe that the security and stability of the region must be achieved through the collective efforts of its states."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran has targeted more than 10 ships and tankers since the war started: State media

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israeli military says it struck compound housing headquarters of all of Iran's security bodies

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Qatar rejects Iran's claims on missile attacks

"HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has rejected Iranian claims that recent missile attacks were not aimed at Qatar, saying the evidence on the ground showed otherwise," Qatar's Foreign Ministry posted on X.

"This came during a phone call HE Sheikh Mohammed received on Wednesday from HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Abbas Araghchi. Araghchi said the missile strikes were directed at American interests and were not intended to target the Gulf state," it added. Al-Thani has said that such attacks "could not go unanswered."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Netherlands summons Iranian ambassador over attacks

"This afternoon, I summoned the Iranian ‌ambassador to lodge a ⁠formal protest against the ongoing ‌Iranian drone and ‌missile attacks on countries ‌in the ‌Gulf and the broader region, including Cyprus and Turkey," Berendsen said ⁠on social media platform X.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran loses internet connectivity amid war

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks pointed out that Iran has been offline now for 100 hours, i.e. for about four days amid the ongoing strike.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Trump says US is in very strong position in Iran

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Zelenskyy speaks to leaders of Bahrain, Kuwait

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he discussed the Middle East ⁠conflict on Wednesday with the ⁠king of Bahrain and ‌the crown ​prince of Kuwait, Reuters reported, adding that he also stated that his administration was in daily contact with the U.S. ​and once ⁠the security situation around Iran permitted it, trilateral talks with Moscow and Washington ⁠on ‌a settlement of the war with Moscow would resume.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Trump calls Macron about US actions in Iran conflict: Report

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran conflict may divert US weapons from Ukraine

Noting that the United States is now focused on its conflict with Iran, Ukraine may reportedly face a critical shortage of its air defence missiles at a time when Russia shows no signs of easing its campaign of striking Ukrainian cities.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Pentagon sought fresh supply of 13 critical minerals day before Iran attack

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Explosion reported near tanker off Kuwait; crew safe: United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Qatar evacuates residents near US embassy as 'precautionary measure'

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Qatar evacuates residents near US embassy as 'precautionary measure'

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Pro-American Kurdish forces are preparing possible Iran incursion

As per reports by AFP, pro-American Iranian Kurdish forces based in Iraq could act as a potential new player in the already expanding conflict as they prepare themselves to enter Iran and launch attacks on the country.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Oil prices rise as Iran conflict widens

Oil prices rose on Thursday amid growing concern over the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as the U.S.-Iran war chokes off vital Middle East oil and ⁠gas flows while production facilities limit output.

Brent crude was trading up $1.67, or 2.05%, ⁠at $83.07 per barrel by 0141 GMT. U.S. West ‌Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.94, or 2.60%, ​to $76.60.

The U.S.–Iran war widened on Wednesday after a U.S. strike hit an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka and U.S. Senate Republicans backed President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Canada PM Carney says 'can't rule out' participation in war

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Canada, Australia leaders urge war de-escalation, but agree Iran can't get nuclear weapons

The Canadian and Australian prime ministers on Thursday called for a de-escalation of the Iran war but added the Iranians must never gain a nuclear weapon.

Canada's Mark Carney and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese discussed the war during their meeting in Australia's capital, Canberra.

Source: AP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel keeps up Lebanon strikes as ground forces advance

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | New Zealand sends military planes to Middle East for evacuations

 New Zealand ordered two military aircraft to the Middle East on Thursday in preparation for evacuations of its citizens from the region.

Speaking while on a tour of South America, Foreign Minister Winston Peters urged New Zealanders to "shelter in place" and leave the region if it is safe to do so.

He said Wellington would deploy "consular staff and two Defence Force planes to the region so that they can be ready when conditions allow to assist with any civilian evacuation operations".

Source: AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Curbs on movement, assembly remain in force in Kashmir after protests against Khamenei's killing

Middle East conflict poses near-term challenges to Indian economy: RBI MPC member

Conflict in the Middle East poses some immediate-term challenges for the Indian economy but is unlikely to dent long-term economic growth momentum, an external member of the RBI's rate-setting panel has said.

Going forward, there is a need for fiscal and monetary policies to work in a coordinated manner to push GDP growth to a higher trajectory, Nagesh Kumar has said.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Oil leaps 3% on supply concerns as Iran conflict widens

Oil prices surged more than 3% on Thursday, extending a rally as ⁠the escalating U.S.-Israeli war with Iran raised fears of prolonged disruptions to vital Middle East oil and ⁠gas supplies.

Brent crude advanced $2.65, or 3.26%, to $83.99 per barrel by 0520 GMT, ‌a fifth session of gains. U.S. ​West Texas Intermediate crude rose $2.76, or 3.70%, to $77.42.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | US will bitterly regret: Iran FM after 'guest of India' frigate sunk off Sri Lanka coast

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran’s continuing drone, missile attacks pose challenge for US and allies

 If Israel and the United States hoped their attacks on Iran would quickly force the country to capitulate, those expectations appear misplaced. Despite the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior officials, Iran has managed to continue firing drones and missiles at targets across the Middle East.

This poses a challenge for the United States and its allies, including Israel and the Gulf states. The concern is that they might run out of air defence systems before Iran runs out of airborne projectiles.

The US and its allies use a number of weapons platforms to knock down incoming missiles and drones. The most important are THAAD interceptors, Patriot missile systems and Standard Missile (SM) family naval missiles, while Israel also uses longer-range Arrow interceptors. However, the supply of these interceptors has been under severe strain in recent years.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran hits Kurdish groups in Iraq as conflict widens

Fresh blasts were reported in Iran's capital on Thursday as Tehran said it had targeted Kurdish groups in Iraq and warned "separatist groups" against action in the widening war. On Thursday, Tehran said it had hit Iraq-based Kurdish groups "opposed to the revolution", as reports said the United States was looking to arm Kurdish guerillas to infiltrate Iran.

Source: AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Malaysia announces measures to safeguard its exports amid Middle East conflict

Malaysia's trade agency announced measures on Thursday to safeguard the country's exports amid rising geopolitical ⁠tensions arising from the military conflict in the ⁠Middle East. The agency is actively ‌encouraging Malaysian exporters ​to reroute and diversify trade, as well as providing support for companies to navigate maritime blockades, surging logistics costs and supply chain disruptions, ​it said in ⁠a statement.

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation said it is encouraging Malaysian exporters to reroute their shipments to alternative, ⁠low-risk ‌entry ports within the Middle East, such as the Port of Fujairah ‌in the United Arab Emirates or Salalah in ⁠Oman.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Hegseth tells Israel to press on ‘until the end’, Israeli defence ministry says

U.S. Secretary ⁠of Defense Pete ⁠Hegseth ‌told ​Israel to "keep going until the ​end", ⁠saying the U.S. stood with Israel, ⁠in ‌overnight talks with ‌Defence Minister ⁠Israel Katz, Israel's defence ‌ministry ‌said on Thursday.

Katz ‌thanked ‌Hegseth for extensive U.S. assistance ⁠in defending ⁠Israeli citizens against the Iranian missile ​threat, it said.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Passage through the strait of Hormuz during war will be under Iran's control, Revolutionary Guards say

Iran's revolutionary guards said ⁠on Thursday that ⁠they ‌have hit ​a US tanker in the northern ​part ⁠of the Gulf and the vessel ⁠is ‌on fire.

The Guards ‌said in ⁠the statement carried by ‌state ‌media that, in ‌time ‌of war, passage through the ⁠Strait ⁠of Hormuz will be under the control of the Islamic ​Republic. 

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | First Israeli repatriation flights land in Tel Aviv: transport ministry

The first two repatriation flights bringing home Israelis stranded abroad by the Middle East war landed in Tel Aviv on Thursday, the transport ministry said.

The flights landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday morning. Transport Minister Miri Regev said: "We are doing everything possible to bring every Israeli home safely."

Source: AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Sri Lanka says trying to 'safeguard lives' on another Iranian ship off its coast

Sri ⁠Lanka is trying ⁠to "safeguard lives" ‌on ​another Iranian ship off its coast, ​the ⁠country's cabinet spokesperson said on Thursday, adding ⁠that ‌the vessel was ‌in ⁠the economic zone beyond ‌the ‌South Asian island nation's ‌territorial ‌waters.

"We are doing our ⁠utmost ⁠to safeguard lives," spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa said.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Missiles, drones coming from Iran fell on airport in Azerbaijan, source says

Missiles and drones ⁠flying from the ⁠direction ‌of Iran ​fell on the territory ​of ⁠the airport in the Azerbaijani exclave ⁠of ‌Nakhchivan on Thursday, a ‌source close ⁠to the Azerbaijani government ‌told ‌Reuters.

Nakhchivan International ‌Airport ‌is located roughly 10 ⁠km (6 miles) ⁠from the border with Iran.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Aluminium rises as West Asia supply worries deepen

Aluminium prices ​rose on Thursday, driven by concerns about supply from the war-torn West Asia after Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) halted shipments, although a stronger U.S. dollar capped gains.

The most-active aluminium on the Shanghai ⁠Futures Exchange closed daytime trading 1.31% higher at 24,815 yuan ($3,598.72) a metric ton after ⁠rising as much as 4.18% earlier in the session to ‌25,520 yuan.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Italy to send air-defence aid to Gulf countries: PM

Italy will send air-defence assistance to Gulf countries hit by Iranian strikes launched in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday.

"Italy, like the UK, France and Germany, intends to send aid to the Gulf countries," she told RTL 102.5 radio.

Source: AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iranian drone hits airport in Azerbaijan: local media Source: AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Azerbaijan says two people injured by Iranian drones

Azerbaijan's foreign ministry lodged an official protest with the Iranian embassy ⁠on Thursday after a pair of Iranian drones flew ⁠across the border into Azerbaijan and ‌injured two people ​at an airport in the Nakhchivan exclave. "This attack on the territory of Azerbaijan contradicts the norms and principles of international law and contributes to increased ​tensions in ⁠the region," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Blasts echo over Qatari capital Doha: AFP journalists

Another round of explosions were heard over the Qatari capital Doha on Thursday, AFP journalists reported.

Doha has been targeted by waves of Iranian drones and missiles since Iran launched a sprawling retaliation campaign across the Gulf in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks against Iran.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Spain says to send frigate to Cyprus after drone strike, reports AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Kremlin says ally Iran has not asked Russia for military aid, reports AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Azerbaijan says Iran drone attack 'will not go unanswered'

Azerbaijan summons Iran’s envoy, reports Times of Israel

After Azerbaijan reported Iran firing two drones towards its territory injuring two civilians, the country summoned the Iranian ambassador in order to issue a strong protest, reports Times of Israel

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | France allowing US aircraft on some Mideast bases: military

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran army says carried out drone strikes on Israeli targets, radar site, reports AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | India in talks with major oil producers, traders to buy crude oil, LPG, government source says

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran has asked Sri Lanka to help repatriate bodies of sailors killed in warship attack - Sri Lanka Deputy Minister

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Second Iranian ship heading to Sri Lanka after submarine attack

A second Iranian warship was heading towards Sri Lanka's territorial waters Thursday, a day after a US submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate, killing at least 84 sailors, a minister told parliament, reports AFP.

Media minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the second Iranian warship was just outside Sri Lankan waters, but gave no further details.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Intense blasts rattle Doha in latest Iranian attacks, reports AFP

Multiple rounds of explosions echoed over the Qatari capital Doha on Thursday just hours after officials said they were evacuating residents living near the US embassy, reports AFP

Gulf countries have been targeted by repeated waves of Iranian drone and missile attacks in retaliation for the massive US-Israeli air campaign.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri offered condolences to the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran Guards say targeted Israel's Ben Gurion airport with missiles

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | First Israeli repatriation flights land in Tel Aviv

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Six injured in Abu Dhabi and blasts heard in Doha, Manama

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Jaishankar speaks with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi

Iran Denies Launching Drone towards Azerbaijan, reports Tasnim news agency

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | An Iranian government agency says at least 1,230 people have been killed in the war, reports AP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Air raid sirens, blasts in Jerusalem

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Jaishankar speaks to Oman FM

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | IRGC Downs US F-15 Fighter Jet in Southwest Iran, reports Tasnim news agency

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Modi speaks with France President over West Asia conflict

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | France says US aircraft not taking part in Iran strikes to be 'accepted' at French base, reports AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | More than 20,000 Israelis have returned since start of Iran war, 120,000 seek return - ministry

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Turkish, Azerbaijani foreign ministers discuss Iranian drone attacks in call

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | UK PM Starmer to address press conference on Middle East conflict at 1400 GMT

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel army issues evacuation warning to residents of Beirut's southern suburbs

Iran accuses US-Israel of 'deliberately targeting civilian areas'

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Iran's foreign ministry's spokesperson wrote, "This savage, unprovoked, and utterly unjustified aggression against the Islamic Republic of #Iran extends far beyond the battlefield. It reverberates through global markets, driving up energy prices, destabilizing currencies, and eroding the purchasing power of ordinary people around the world. Yet for us Iranians, the cost is immeasurably higher: our people are being brutally slaughtered as the aggressors deliberately target civilian areas and any location they believe will inflict the maximum possible suffering and loss of life."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Diplomats in Riyadh ordered to shelter in place due to potential threat, sources say

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel launches strikes at Alborz province, Tehran

Israel Defense Forces took out a statement saying, " The IDF completed its 12th wave of strikes across Tehran: The headquarters of the Iranian terror regime's special unit in the Alborz province and a base of the Basij forces in Tehran were struck."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Smoke Seen Rising Above Northern Riyadh

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel to attack Iran's underground missile sites in second phase of war, sources say

 Israel's war in Iran is entering a second phase that will see its fighter jets attacking ballistic missile sites buried deep underground, two sources familiar with Israel's military campaign said.

The ⁠joint air assault with the U.S. in Iran is nearing the end of its first week after opening salvos ⁠killed the country's leaders and set off a regional war with Iranian attacks in Israel, ‌the Gulf and Iraq, and Israeli attacks ​in Lebanon.

Israel's military says it has hit hundreds of Iranian missile launchers above ground that could target Israeli cities. The second phase will include bunkers storing ballistic missiles and equipment, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | WHO says it has identified 13 Attacks on healthcare in Iran

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran targets US bases in Iraq's Erbil with drones, reports AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Qatar says it intercepted four drones launched from Iran

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | NATO says Iran missile targeted Turkey

UK PM Starmer says UK sending four more Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar, reports AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Azerbaijan closes southern airspace near Iran for 12 hours

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Launched Search and rescue to augment Sri Lanka's efforts after attack on Iranian warship

EU, Gulf states urge Iran to end attacks threatening 'global security'

Israel claims to kill Hamas commander in Tripoli, reports Al Jazeera

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran denies targeting US embassy in Riyadh: ambassador to AFP

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Repeated explosions heard in Abu Dhabi near Zayed International Airport

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates |102 people dead, 638 wounded in Israeli Strikes on Lebanon- Lebanon Health Minister

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Bahrain says Iranian missile hit state-run oil refinery, reports AP.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Trump tells Axios he must be involved in selection of Iran's next leader, calls Khamenei's son 'unacceptable' pick, reports AP

Sri Lanka evacuates crew of second Iranian ship; says will assist them in this endeavour, reports AFP

'Khamenei's son ⁠unacceptable': Trump demands to be be involved in selecting Iran's next leader

⁠US President Donald ⁠Trump told Axios ‌on ​Thursday that he needs to be ​personally involved ⁠in selecting Iran's next leader.

"Khamenei's son is ⁠unacceptable ‌to me. We want ‌someone that will ⁠bring harmony and peace ‌to ‌Iran," Axios quoted ‌Trump ‌as saying in an interview.

Sri Lanka starts offloading crew from second Iranian ship, president says

 Sri Lanka has started ⁠offloading the 208-member ⁠crew ‌of a ​second Iranian vessel off ​its ⁠coast on Thursday, President Anura Kumara ⁠Dissanayake ‌said, a day after 87 ‌people ⁠were killed in a ‌U.S. ‌submarine strike ‌on ‌an Iranian warship in the ⁠same ⁠region.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israel decided to kill Khamenei in November: Defence minister's shocking claim

Khamenei was killed ‌in the first ​hours of the U.S.-Israeli air campaign that began on Saturday in the first assassination of a country's top ruler by an airstrike. Israel took ​the decision to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in November and was planning to carry out the ⁠operation around six months later, Reuters reported quoting Defence Minister Israel Katz on Thursday.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Germany says 'no plans to send extra forces to Middle East'

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran seeking to escalate conflict, EU's Kallas says

Iran is seeking to escalate the conflict in the Middle East by ⁠attacking other countries in the region indiscriminately, EU foreign ‌policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters at a press conference with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis during a visit to Zurich. "Iran is an exporter of war," he said.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Arab foreign ministers to hold emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss Iran's attacks, WSJ reports

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Trump rules out Mojtaba Khamenei for Iran's next leader

Trump ruled out Mojtaba Khamenei, a front-runner to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening strikes of the war, reports stated adding that the US President was wanting to be involved in choosing Iran's next supreme leader as the US and Israel hammered the country for a sixth day. 

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran calling US about a deal, says Trump

"They're calling, they're saying 'how do we make a deal?' I said you're being a little bit late," said Trump, ​speaking at an event ⁠with the Inter Miami soccer team at the White House.

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Etihad airways to resume limited commercial flights from March 6

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | US not expanding military objectives in Iran, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates |UAE weighing freezing billions ​of dollars of ​Iranian ⁠assets held in the ⁠Gulf state: WSJ Report

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | US investigation points to likely US responsibility in Iran school strike, sources say

US military investigators believe it is ​likely that US forces were responsible for an apparent strike on an Iranian girls' school that killed scores of children on Saturday but have not yet reached a final conclusion or completed their investigation, two U.S. officials told Reuters.

Reuters was unable to determine ⁠more details about the investigation, including what evidence contributed to the tentative assessment, what type of munition was used, who ⁠was responsible or why the US might have struck the school.

US Defense Secretary Pete ‌Hegseth on Wednesday acknowledged the US military ​was investigating the incident.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters, did not rule out the possibility that new evidence could emerge that absolves the US of responsibility and points to another responsible party in the incident.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 'We are waiting for them': Iran FM says ground invasion would be 'disaster' for foes

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday his country was prepared for any potential ground invasion, saying such a move would spell "disaster" for the Islamic republic's foes.

"We are waiting for them," Araghchi told US broadcaster NBC News, as the United States and Israel kept up strikes on Iran. "We are confident that we can confront them and that would be a big disaster for them."

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran Guards launch missiles at Israel's Tel Aviv: Iran state media

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards announced a wave of missile launches on the Israeli commercial hub of Tel Aviv on Friday, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.

"Missiles headed toward Tel Aviv," IRNA said, reporting a Guards statement on "a combined missile and drone attack... targeting locations in the heart of Tel Aviv".

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Hezbollah claims responsibility for strikes on Israeli army (AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Lebanese state media says Israel launched air strikes on southern Lebanon (AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | 'Want to go in and clean out everything': Trump says he wants Iran's leadership structure gone

US President Donald Trump told NBC that he wants to see Iran's leadership structure fully removed and that he has some names in mind for a "good leader."

"We want to go in and clean out everything," Trump told NBC News in a phone call. "We don’t want someone who would rebuild over a 10-year period."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Trump urges Iranian Kurds to attack Iran as war widens

US President Donald Trump encouraged Iranian Kurdish forces in Iraq to launch attacks against Iran as the Middle East conflict widened, with Azerbaijan warning it would retaliate for being targeted by Iranian missiles.

Israel on Friday said it had started a "broad-scale" wave of attacks against infrastructure targets in Tehran, ⁠as Gulf cities came under renewed bombardment by Iran.

The seven-day war has now seen Iran target Israel, the Gulf states, Cyprus, Turkey and Azerbaijan, and spread to the Indian Ocean ⁠off Sri Lanka where a US submarine sank an Iranian naval ship.

On the possibility of the Iranian Kurdish forces entering Iran, ‌Trump told Reuters on Thursday: "I think it's wonderful that they ​want to do that, I'd be all for it."

Two Iranian drone attacks targeted an Iranian opposition camp in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday, security sources said.

Iranian Kurdish militias have consulted with the United States in recent days about whether, and how, to attack Iran's security forces in the western part of the country, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Some Gulf countries frustrated with lack of notice about Iran strikes, defence help, AP sources say

The Trump administration is confronting mounting discontent from allies in the Persian Gulf who have complained they were not given adequate time to prepare for the torrent of Iranian drones and missiles bombarding their countries in retaliation for strikes launched by the US and Israel.

Officials from two Gulf countries said their governments were disappointed in the way the US has handled the war, particularly the initial attack on Iran last Saturday. They said their countries were not given advance notice of the US-Israeli attack and complained the US had ignored their warnings that the war would have devastating consequences for the entire region.

One of the officials said that Gulf countries were frustrated and even angry that the US military has not defended them enough. He said there is a belief in the region that the operation has focused on defending Israel and American troops, while leaving Gulf countries to protect themselves and said that his country's stock of interceptors was "rapidly depleting." (AP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Trump says not currently mulling US troops in Iran

President Donald Trump said Thursday it would be a "waste of time" currently to consider sending US ground troops into Iran, NBC News reported, dismissing the Iranian foreign minister's warning that such a move would spell disaster for invaders.

"It's a waste of time. They've lost everything. They've lost their navy. They've lost everything they can lose," he told NBC by telephone, adding that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's earlier remark that Iran was ready for a US or Israeli ground invasion was a "wasted comment."

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Wars becoming new normal is worrisome: Rajnath Singh

On the impact of US-Israel's war against Iran, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said, "Strait of Hormuz or the entire Persian Gulf region is a crucial area for global energy security. When there is a disruption or interruption in this region, it directly impacts the supply of oil and gas... These uncertainties directly impact the economy and global trade. The current situation has become quite complex, and it seems it will become even more dynamic in the future. The way different countries are competing with each other on land, in the air, at sea, and now even in space is truly a matter of concern for all of us... What worries me even more is that this abnormality is becoming the new normal...."

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | India asks refiners to sell LPG to domestic customers only

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Gulf carriers resume limited flights, but missile fire fuels uncertainty

Emirates and Etihad Airways were resuming limited flight schedules to key global cities from their United ⁠Arab Emirates hubs on Friday, though the threat of missile fire piled pressure on airlines as they scramble to accommodate travellers.

With most airspace in the Middle East ⁠still closed over missile and drone concerns since the start of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, authorities have been ‌arranging charter flights and securing seats on limited commercial services ​to evacuate tens of thousands of people.

A government-chartered Air France flight to bring French nationals back from the United Arab Emirates was forced to turn back on Thursday due to missile fire in the area, French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said.

"This situation reflects the instability in the region and the complexity of repatriation operations," he said.

Britain's first repatriation flight from Oman landed at London's Stansted Airport early on Friday after being rescheduled due to operational issues, including delays in boarding passengers.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Intense Israeli strikes hit Iran, Lebanon as US warns bombardment will 'surge dramatically'

Intense Israeli airstrikes pounded the capitals of Iran and Lebanon early Friday as the US apparently struck an Iranian drone carrier at sea in its unrelenting campaign against the Islamic Republic's fleet of warships.

Iran launched new retaliatory attacks in the Middle East at the end of a full week of bombardment, which US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned was "about to surge dramatically."

Israel's military said Friday morning it had begun "a broad-scale wave of strikes" on Tehran, Iran's capital. Witnesses described the Israeli airstrikes as particularly intense, shaking homes in the area. Others reported explosions around the Iranian city of Kermanshah in an area that is home to multiple missile bases.

The Israeli military said strikes have already destroyed most of Iran's air defences and missile launchers.

(AP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iran slams US attack on 'unarmed' vessel returning from India

Two days after a US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka's coast, Iran on Friday warned that the attack on an "unarmed ship cannot go with impunity."

The Iranian frigate, IRIS Dena, was returning home after participating in the Milan multilateral naval exercise hosted by India. At least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack, which marked a major escalation in the conflict between the US and Iran outside of the Persian Gulf.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh, who is visiting India, emphasised that the IRIS Dena was in a non-combat configuration, returning from the Milan naval exercises and the US action against it was a serious violation of international law.

"This is a very sad, very unfortunate incident. That vessel was by invitation of our Indian friends, attending an international exercise. It was ceremonial. It was unloaded. It was unarmed," he said

"It is very unfortunate. Many of the young Iranian sailors who were attending these exercises lost their lives. It cannot go with impunity for those who actually did that," he told reporters on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue.

(PTI)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Israeli airstrikes pound Beirut suburb, Hezbollah warns Israelis

Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on ​the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut overnight after ordering its residents to leave, while the Iran-backed group warned Israelis to leave towns and villages at the frontier.

Explosions ⁠and flashes lit up the night sky over the Beirut southern suburbs, ⁠Reuters footage showed. The Israeli military said it had ‌carried out 26 waves ​of strikes overnight in the southern suburbs, saying targets included Hezbollah's command centres and weapons storage facilities.

On Thursday, an Israeli military spokesperson told residents of the southern suburbs to move east and north, posting a ​map showing four large districts ⁠of the capital he said they must leave, including areas adjacent to Beirut airport.

Hezbollah, in a message published in Hebrew on its Telegram channel early on Friday, warned Israelis to leave ⁠towns within ‌5 km (3 miles) of the border.

(Reuters)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Iranian official says 20 people killed in strikes on Shiraz

An Iranian official said on Friday that at least 20 people have been killed in US and Israeli strikes in the southern city of Shiraz.

AFP could not independently verify the toll.

"Twenty innocent citizens have been martyred and 30 others have been injured in this terrorist attack," said Jalil Hasani, deputy governor of Fars province, the official IRNA news agency reported.

He said the attack took place in a "residential area in the town of Zibashahr in Shiraz."

(AFP)

US, Israel strike Iran Live Updates | Dubai residents get 'potential missile threats' alert on phones

Residents of Dubai received an Emirati interior ministry alert on their phones on Friday urging them to shelter from potential missile threats, AFP correspondents reported, as Iran pressed on with its Gulf retaliation campaign.

"Due to the current situation, potential missile threats, seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building and steer away from windows, doors and open areas," the alert read. (AFP)