Iran, Trump: 'I consider scaling back operation'. London clears US to use British bases. Iranian oil sanctions suspended. Two missiles launched towards Diego Garcia

Iran claims to have struck the logistics base of the US Embassy in Baghdad three times on Friday alone, state broadcaster IRIB reported. CNN contacted the diplomatic office, but no comment was provided. The US Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert yesterday urging US citizens to leave the country immediately. "Terrorist militias allied with Iran have been encouraging and conducting widespread attacks against US citizens and US-associated targets throughout Iraq," the warning read.

"The Strait of Hormuz will have to be monitored and controlled, if necessary, by other nations using it, the United States will not!" Stating this in a post on 'Truth Social' is US President Donald Trump stressing that "if requested, we will assist these countries in their efforts in Hormuz, but it should not be necessary once the threat of Iran has been eradicated. Importantly, it will be an easy military operation for them'.

The war in the Middle East has confronted us with the 'greatest threat to global energy security in history', with risks to the economy and public accounts that in emerging countries could even trigger 'a death spiral'. But 'the gravity of the situation does not seem to be well understood by policymakers around the world'.

The director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, interviewed by Il Sole 24 Ore, makes no secret of his concern. Perhaps also because of the lack of efficacy shown by the remedies put in place so far, including the initiatives of the body he heads, which - after the maxi release of strategic stocks decided last week - on Friday 20 released a vademecum of advice on how to save energy: suggestions that bring back memories of the 1970s, such as alternate number plates and Sunday walks, but also the Covid period, when they encouraged smart working and the renunciation of air travel.

An Al Jazeera crew on the ground reports hearing explosions near Baghdad International Airport. An Iraqi security source claims that a US logistical support camp near the airport was allegedly attacked with rockets.

Donald Trump wrote in a lengthy post on Truth that the US is close to the goals of the Iran war and is therefore considering a 'scaling back' of the military operation.

Iran has declared that it has no surplus crude oil to offer to international markets, after the US Treasury Secretary said Washington could lift sanctions on Iranian oil in transit at sea. "Currently, Iran has virtually no surplus crude oil at sea or to supply to other international markets, and the US Treasury Secretary's statement is only meant to give hope to buyers," Iranian Oil Ministry spokesman Saman Ghoddoosi wrote on X.

Two hundred and thirty-two US military personnel have been wounded since the start of the war against Iran that began on 28 February. A spokesman for the US Central Command told CBS News that 207 military personnel have returned to duty and 10 were seriously wounded.

Iraq has reduced its oil production by about 70% compared to pre-war levels between the US and Israel against Iran, according to a source in the country's oil ministry told Al Jazeera. The closure affects six oil fields in Basra, in the south of the country, the source added.

Donald Trump ruled out the possibility of reaching a ceasefire agreement with Iran, saying that Washington controls the war, now in its third week. "I don't want a ceasefire. You know very well that you don't do a ceasefire when you are literally annihilating the other side," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Turkey has harshly criticised Israel for attacks against military camps in southern Syria, urging the international community to intervene. 'We consider the Israeli attack against military infrastructure in southern Syria a dangerous escalation and strongly condemn it,' reads a Foreign Ministry statement, urging the international community 'to stop the Israeli attacks'.

The UK has approved the US use of its bases in the 'collective defence' of the Middle East region, including 'defensive operations' to neutralise Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Britain will not be directly involved in the attacks, however, and Downing Street stated that 'the principles underpinning the British approach to the conflict remain the same'.
A Downing Street spokesman said ministers had agreed thatthe bases could now be used for "US defensive operations" to strike "capabilities used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz". He added that "the ministers emphasised the need for urgent de-escalation and a speedy resolution of the war". Furthermore, they 'agreed that reckless attacks by Iran, including against British-flagged ships (Red Ensign) and those of its close Gulf allies and partners, risk pushing the region further into a crisis and exacerbating the economic impact already being felt in the UK and the rest of the world'.

Iraq declared a state of force majeure on all oil fields developed by foreign oil companies as the war in the Middle East disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera reports this.

According to energy officials, 'the joint US-Israeli attack and subsequent reaction by Iran have blocked most Iraqi crude oil exports. Iraq exports between 3.3 and 3.5 million barrels of crude oil per day. Oil sales account for almost 90 per cent of Iraq's budget revenue'.
The state of major frost is an external event that makes it impossible to fulfil a contractual obligation by exempting the party from liability.

"The vast majority of British citizens do not want to be involved in the war that Israel and the US have decided to wage against Iran. By ignoring its own people, Starmer is putting the lives of British citizens at risk by allowingUK bases to be used for an aggression against Iran.
Iran will exercise its right to self-defence'. This is what Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi writes in a post on social X.

Crude oil closed higher on Wall Street. Wti was up 2.27 percent at $98.32 a barrel. Brent oil futures, the international benchmark, rose 3.3 percent to $112.19 a barrel. On a weekly basis, the increase was 8.8%, whileon a monthly basis it was 55%. Since the beginning of the year, they have surged 84%. 
Heavy on the rises, on a day that had seen prices slow on speculation of a possible easing of US sanctions on Iranian oil already in place, were Iran's attacks on the energy infrastructure of some Gulf countries.

The number one at the IEA, Fatih Birol, reiterated today how the gravity of the situation for the oil and gas market is unprecedented and how it will take at least six months for flows to be restored.

US officials say the White House is sending hundreds of marines to the Middle East as it considers a plan to seize Iran's oil export hub of Kharg Island. Deploying even a small number of troops on the ground in Iran poses enormous risks for President Donald Trump.

The US could 'take over' the Iranian island of Kharg at any time. This was stated by the White House - with deputy spokeswoman Anna Kelly - after the Axios article that the Trump administration was considering plans to occupy the important oil hub.

"Italia is not at war with Iran, Sicily is! In recent days, in fact, the US Navy has advertised via social media exercises between Mount Etna and the Sicilian valleys with its military helicopters. Now a drone from the Sicilian base of Sigonella has been used to survey the Iranian island of Kharg, in view of a forthcoming American attack.
This makes Sicily a logistics base for all intents and purposes of war operations with all the consequences. But where is Meloni? Faced with the actions of the US and Israel she does not see, does not hear and does not speak. She thus makes herself an accomplice to very serious actions. We will immediately ask her to report to parliament to clarify the position of the Italia government with respect to the US actions at Sigonella'. This was stated by the regional secretary of the Pd Sicilia, Anthony Barbagallo, at the closing event of the referendum campaign for the NO in Messina.

US President Donald Trump said the US is "doing very well in Iran" during an awards ceremony for the Naval Academy football team. "The difference between them and us is that until a few weeks ago they had a Navy, and now they don't," he added. He also signed a presidential decree reserving the second Saturday in December for the football match between the Army and the Navy, which will pit the Naval Academy against the Military Academy.

It is all at the bottom of the sea, 58 ships sunk in two days. And we have the most powerful navy in the world, without any comparison, so we are doing really well. We will not allow them to have nuclear weapons because if they had them, they would use them and we will not allow that. They should have done it a long time ago, other presidents,' Trump said.

Wti oil closed 2.27% higher at the Nymex at $98.32 a barrel. The session had started lower after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said sanctions on Iranian crude oil stored aboard tankers could be lifted to help ease price pressures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is assisting the US 'with information and other means' to try to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Also weighing on the rises were Iranian attacks on the energy infrastructure of some Gulf countries.

Wall Street deteriorated as rumours of thousands of marines being sent to the Middle East and the possibility of ground troops being deployed continued. The Dow Jones lost 1.10 per cent to 45,517.07 points, the Nasdaq gave up 2.05 per cent to 21,638.82 points, and the S&P 500 dropped 1.52 per cent to 6,506.12 points.

"I read that Trump called all Nato allies cowards. I didn't understand why though. I don't think there was any act of cowardice on anyone's part. On the contrary, I think that the attitude held by many NATO allies is one that helps the Americans even at a time of difficulty, not for the Americans, but of difficulty in coming out of a complex situation like that of Hormuz'. Thus Defence Minister Guido Crosetto to Dieci Minuti, commenting on the statements by US President Donald Trump.

The Pentagon has started 'meticulous preparations' for a possible deployment of ground forces in Iran. This was reported by broadcaster CBS, citing several sources familiar with the discussions, according to which senior military commanders have made specific requests to prepare for such an eventuality.

"No, I'm not sending troops anywhere," President Donald Trump said yesterday, responding to a direct question, later adding: "If I did, I certainly wouldn't tell you."

The British government has given the US the green light to use its military bases to launch attacks against Iranian targets threatening the Strait of Hormuz. Previously, the use of the bases had only been authorised for defensive operations to prevent the launch of missiles against British interests or lives. However, Premier Keir Starmer's executive decided at a meeting today to extend the range of air operations.

Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin's Russian envoy, called "a hoax" the Politico newspaper's indiscretions depicting a proposal from him in which he would propose to the United States a pact under which the Kremlin would be prepared to share intelligence information with Iran, such as the precise coordinates of US military bases in the Middle East, if Washington ceases to provide Ukraine with intelligence information on Russia. According to Politico, this proposal was reportedly conveyed to Trump administration envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner during their meeting last week in Miami.

US President Donald Trump downplayed one of the possible targets of the war against Iran, stressing that regime change in Tehran is not the priority of the military offensive that has been underway for three weeks. In an interview with Msn Now, the White House chief explained that the US could "possibly" influence who governs the Islamic Republic, but clarified that "that's not the main point". "The central point is that they cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump sounded off.

Russia has reportedly proposed to the United States a pact under which the Kremlin would be prepared to grant the sharing of intelligence information with Iran, such as the precise coordinates of US military bases in the Middle East, should Washington agree to do the same with Ukraine. According to Politico newspaper reports, this proposal was allegedly made by the Russian envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, to the Trump administration envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, during their meeting last week in Miami. The US rejected the proposal, sources specified to Politico. Reactions from Brussels were not long in coming, with one EU diplomat calling the Russian proposal 'outrageous', while another European diplomat sought to play down the risk of the Russian proposal, recalling that French President Emmanuel Macron said last January that 'two-thirds' of military intelligence information for Ukraine is now provided by France.

"This year, our Iran has lost dozens of its best sons and daughters in the battle against this tyrannical regime. We pay homage to their pure souls, stand by their families and make a solemn pact, with these valiant spirits and with each other, so that this year will become the year of victory for the Lion Revolution and the Sun in Iran." So says the son of the late exiled Shah Reza Pahlavi in an Iranian New Year message posted on his X profile. "Today, we welcome the New Year in the midst of a patriotic struggle against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in remembrance of all the brave and immortal sons and daughters of Iran," Pahlavi says, claiming that the year just past "has been a year of preparation for the final feat: a year of magnificent national solidarity, extraordinary courage and great sacrifice; a year that brought us one step closer to ultimate victory; a year that proved that the determination of the Iranian nation to build a free and prosperous future is stronger than ever." "This year, the Zahhak (evil figure in Persian mythology, ed.) of our era was killed, yet his guards have not yet managed to bury him. In the year ahead of us, together we will bury this bloodthirsty regime once and for all,' Pahlavi added: 'In these first moments of the New Year, let us make our hearts burn with greater intensity, strengthen our unity and march with ever more determined steps towards a free and prosperous Iran.

The ten-year bund yield jumped to its highest level since 2011, at 3.03%, with the energy shock due to the Iranian war portending high inflation and consequently monetary tightening. Debt prices are falling across the board: 10-year treasury yields are at their highest since July 2025, at 4.36%, with investors now putting the probability of a Fed rate hike in 2026 at 50%, rather than a cut as expected so far. In the eurozone, swap rates are giving three rate hikes in 2026 as likely and in response the Btp-bund spread rose to over 91 basis points, reaching its highest level since June 2025. The yield on the 10-year Italia bond, at 3.93%, is at its highest level since December 2024.

Iran has allowed a limited number of containers to cross the Strait of Hormuz, eight according to the Financial Times, nine according to Lloyd's List. In addition to Iranian ships, cargo ships from India, Pakistan and Greece have travelled the 167 kilometres of the strait (Greeks account for 18 per cent of those that have made the crossing in recent days, explained Bridget Diakun, an analyst at Lloyd's List Intelligence to Afp). These are freighters that in recent days have travelled an unusual corridor around Larak Island, where they were supposed to undergo inspections by the Iranians. Nine Chinese oil tankers associated with Cosco are piled up off Abu Dhabi waiting for the go-ahead to cross the strait. "Several governments, including China, but also India, Pakistan, Iran and Malaysia, have initiated direct contacts with Tehran, with the Guardians of the Revolution, to coordinate the transit of ships," Richard Meade, of Lloyds List explained to Afp. A total of 3,200 ships are blocked in the area. From 1 to 19 March there were only 116 passages, a 95 per cent drop in traffic compared to peacetime, according to data analysed by the global energy analysis company Kpler. Of these, 71 were made by tankers, more than half of them loaded and heading eastwards, i.e. towards the exit. Last week saw a slight increase in LNG tankers, Richard Meade, editor of Lloyd's List, a magazine specialising in maritime traffic information, told Afp. An analysis by JP Morgan indicates that most of the oil transiting the strait is destined for Asia, mainly China.

In a message broadcast today on the occasion of the Iranian New Year, Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said: 'At the moment, the enemy has been defeated, thanks to the special unity that unites you, our compatriots, despite all differences of religious, intellectual, cultural and political origin'. The message attributed to Khamenei was broadcast on state television in written form, as he has not yet appeared in public or on television since he was elected leader.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, denied that the Islamic Republic had attacked Turkey and Oman, claiming that it was Israel's "plan". "I would like to remind you that the attacks on Turkey and Oman - both countries that have good relations with us - against certain points in these countries were not carried out in any way by the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic or other forces of the resistance front," Khamenei said in a message attributed to him by Fars, adding that it was "a plan that the Zionist enemy implements" to sow discord between neighbours.

Una foto, tratta da X, di Mojtaba Khamenei, eletto nuova Guida Suprema in Iran, 4 marzo 2026. X@KhameneiMojtba

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, praised the Iranians' steadfastness in the face of war, saying that the US and Israeli attacks were based on the illusion that killing top leaders could topple the government. Khamenei's written statement on the occasion of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, was read out on Iranian television. Khamenei praised the Iranians for having 'built a nationwide defensive front and strongholds in cities, neighbourhoods and mosques, dealing such a devastating blow that the enemy has fallen into contradictions and irrational statements'.

"The leaders of Iran are gone, the next leaders are gone and nobody wants to be the leader of Iran anymore." Donald Trump said this, referring to the killing of the Iranian regime's top leaders. "We want to talk" with Tehran but "there's nobody to talk to. We have no one. And you know what? We like it that way,' the president added, reiterating that Iran wants to take control of the Middle East.

An increase in airline ticket fares is 'inevitable' given the hydrocarbon price hike linked to the war in the Middle East, says Willie Walsh, director general of Iata, the world's leading airline association. According to Walsh, the price of a barrel of paraffin has doubled since 28 February, the day Israel and the United States attacked Iran. An even greater progression than that of crude oil. Speaking before the Association des journalistes professionnels de l'aéronautique et de l'espace (AJPAE), the director of IATA reported that airlines had planned to devote an average of 26% of their expenses to fuel, based on a barrel of paraffin at $88. A rate that jumped to $216 today. "You don't have to be a genius to deduce that the additional costs that airlines will have to face, if the situation continues, will be much higher than what they are able to absorb," he pointed out. Iata unites 360 airlines, 85% of world traffic.

Ukrainian officials are helping five countries in the Middle East and Gulf region to counter attacks on their territory by Iranian drones. "Our teams are already cooperating with five countries to counter "Shahed" (Iranian) drones: we have provided expert assessments and are helping to build a defence system," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote in a post on Social X. Ukraine is also considering whether it can play a role in restoring security in the Strait of Hormuz in the context of the war with Iran, he added. Ukrainian military specialists are operating in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.

The Pentagon is sending three warships and thousands of marines to the Middle East. This is reported by the Wall Street Journal citing sources, according to which 2,200-2,500 marines are headed to the Us Central Command, responsible for the US armed forces in the Middle East.

Donald Trump on the attack on Nato allies. "Without the US" the alliance "is a paper tiger. They do not want to join the battle to stop a nuclear Iran. Now that the battle is won militarily, with very little danger to them, they complain about the other oil prices they have to pay but don't want to help open the Strait of Hormuz. Cowards, we will remember this." This is stated by Donald Trump on his social Truth.

"Operation Blind Fury". This is the headline on the cover of The Economist along the lines of Operation Epic Fury, launched by Donald Trump in Iran. According to the magazine, the war in the Middle East is making the "president weaker and angrier. By reducing the president's political superpowers, his reckless campaign could make him more dangerous'. The Economist speaks of a 'reckless and reckless war. Even a short-lived conflict would alter the course of his second term. One that drags on for months could send him crashing ruinously to the ground,' says the magazine.

La copertina dell’articolo del The Economist, “War in Iran is making Donald Trump weaker—and angrier”.

The IDF spokesman reports that Esmail Ahmadi, head of the intelligence division of the Basij Force, was eliminated during the Tuesday night attack in Tehran in which Basij Force commander Gholamreza Soleimani was killed along with other officers. "Ahmadi played a central role in the organisation and execution of terrorist attacks perpetrated by the Basij Force and played a key role in the repression of recent internal protests in Iran, resorting to extreme violence, mass arrests and the use of force against civilian protesters," the IDF memo read.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot today mentioned the 'efforts initiated by France to work on an international defence mission' in order to 'restore maritime freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz'.

"Yesterday, European and Asian leaders expressed a similar intention," he added during a press conference at the end of a meeting in Israel with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that in the comprehensive plan of rresponse to the crisis in the Middle East, approved in the Council of Ministers, there is a 'drastic reduction of all energy taxation'. Among the measures is the lowering of the 10 per cent VAT on petrol and diesel prices. The measure 'translates into a reduction of 30 cents per litre depending on the fuel,' Sanchez explained. 'To give you an idea, about 20 euros of savings per full tank for an average car,' he added.

The NATO mission in Iraq has temporarily withdrawn from the country. Two Iraqi security officials told Afp, citing the impact of the war in the Middle East. "There is no disagreement" with the Iraqi government, he told Afp, pointing out that it is "a temporary withdrawal, they are concerned about the situation". Another official stated that 'the entire NATO mission has withdrawn', except for a small number of personnel. The Alliance mission is headquartered at an Iraqi military base in Baghdad's Green Zone, near the US embassy, which has been the target of attacks several times since the beginning of the war.

A direct warning against possible civilian targets, including tourist sites, comes from the Iranian army. Spokesman Sardar Shekarchi stated that 'from now ontourist and recreational centres around the world will be unsafe for enemies'. The statement is reported on X by Iranian agencies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy, after a discussion with the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, stated that 'there are requests from the United States for specialised support for their military personnel in two areas of the region' as well as further talks with 'European partners whose forces are deployed in the region' in the Gulf.

"Ukraine is committed to rapid and reliable stabilisation around Iran, which has global significance for oil and gas markets and thus for prices, particularly in Europe and Ukraine. We also maintain a principled stance on the unacceptability of any successful terrorist campaign by the Iranian regime, which has long been complicit with Russia. Nowhere in the world can terrorists be allowed to determine the fate of people and countries,' Zelensky specified on his social media.

Switzerland has decided not to allow the export of war material to the United States during the Middle East conflict, in line with its long-standing principle of military neutrality. "The export of war material to countries involved in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict," the government said in a statement. "Exports of war materiel to the United States cannot be authorised at the moment", and existing US licences will now be subject to periodic review, it added, pointing out that Switzerland has not issued export licences for war materiel to Israel or Iran for years.

Ukraine has deployed interception units to protect critical and civilian infrastructure in five Gulf countries. This was announced in a post on X Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the Kiev Security Council. "Work is also being done to expand the areas of coverage," he added, explaining that Ukraine "defends life and sovereignty alongside those who support us in preserving our independence"

The US Justice Department said it had seized four internet domains used by an Iranian-backed hacking group that had previously leaked data stolen from former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the Department of Justice, the Justicehomeland, Handala-Hack, Karmabelow80 and Handala-Redwanted accounts were used by Iran for "attempts at psychological operations against regime opponents, claiming credit for hacking activities, publishing sensitive data stolen during such attacks, and inciting the killing of journalists, regime dissidents, and Israeli citizens". According to US authorities, in recent weeks the Handala group allegedly claimed to have leaked personal information of members of the Israel Defence Forces or other persons associated with the army. It also allegedly claimed to have stolen nearly a terabyte of information from the Sanzer Chassidic sect, including, according to the group, 'documents of financial cooperation, witchcraft ceremonies and secret correspondence with Netanyahu'. Last week, the group claimed responsibility for a vast cyber attack against the US medical technology giant Stryker, saying it had wiped over 200,000 systems and extracted 50 terabytes of data in retaliation for military attacks against Iran. In December, the Handala group claimed to have hacked the phone of Bennett, considered the most credible candidate to challenge Netanyahu in this year's election. Bennett confirmed the data breach, but claimed his phone was not hacked. Handala also claimed to have hacked the phones of former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Netanyahu's chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, by posting details on a now-seized domain. "Iran thought it could hide behind fake websites and online threats to terrorize Americans and silence dissidents," said FBI Director Kash Patel - We have dismantled four pillars of their operation and we are not done. The FBI will hunt down every person responsible for these cowardly death threats and cyber attacks and will bring the full might of American law enforcement to bear against them'.

More than one hundred people were arrested in the United Arab Emirates on charges of making videos and spreading 'false information' in the midst of the Middle East ecalation. On X the Abu Dhabi Police 'announces the arrest of 109 people of different nationalities'. They are all accused of 'filming locations and events and spreading false information on social media'. According to the Abu Dhabi Police, they aimed to 'foment public opinion and spread rumours'.

The International Energy Agency today presented on its official website a series of demand-side actions to mitigate the economic impacts on consumers resulting from disruptions in oil markets caused by the war in the Middle East.

The conflict triggered the "largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market", with transit through the Strait of Hormuz reduced to a minimum.

The Russian Foreign Ministry today condemned Wednesday's Israeli attack on Iranian naval vessels in the Caspian Sea port of Bandar-e-Anzali, reiterating its call for an "immediate cessation of hostilities." "The economic interests of Russia and the other states bordering the Caspian Sea, which maintain transport links with Iran through this port, have been affected," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, according to the ministry's Telegram report.

"We observe with growing concern the geographical expansion of missile and bombing attacks by Israel and the United States in Iran," he added, denouncing the "reckless and irresponsible actions" of Israel.

The Hellenic Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, described the interception on Thursday 19 March of two ballistic missiles from Iran by the Greek Patriot air defence system battery, currently deployed in Saudi Arabia, as "a strictly defensive action within the framework of the agreement" between the two countries. The Greek Patriot battery has been in Saudi Arabia since 2021, as part of an international air and missile defence initiative in support of the Kingdom. The interception was called 'a source of pride' by the Hellenic Defence Minister, Nikos Dendias, but triggered strong political reactions domestically, despite the fact that the government spokesman, Pavlos Marinakis, reiterated that the action does not imply Greek participation in the ongoing war. These statements "constitute a blatant admission of Greece's involvement" in the conflict, the left-wing Syriza party denounced in a statement, recalling that it had opposed the deployment of the Patriots in Saudi Arabia as early as 2021 and called for their withdrawal. Even Michalis Katrinis, head of the defence sector of the Pasok Socialist Party, reiterated: 'The government does not seem to understand at all that both the incident and Dendias' statement amount to a involvement of Greece in the conflict, something the prime minister had ruled out'. The anxieties of the opposition seem to echo those of the majority of Greek citizens, writes To Vima: according to a poll conducted by Metron Analysis, 72% of Greeks surveyed believe that the attack on Iran is not justified.

In a post on X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to clarify that he "did not denigrate Jesus Christ" in his televised speech on Thursday night. The controversy arose after Netanyahu, quoting historian Will Durant, had said that "history shows that, unfortunately, Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Khan. For if one is strong, ruthless and powerful enough, evil will triumph over good. Aggression will prevail over moderation'. "I did not mean to offend anyone," Netanyahu declared.

The German government does not rule out any options regarding a possible German participation in security measures in the Strait of Hormuz. "Of course, this is the aspect that we will consider in due course, and I cannot and will not speculate about it from now on," a German Defence Ministry spokeswoman told a press conference. The German armed forces "possess various capabilities that can be exploited in the various branches to determine how to provide support or intervene," the spokeswoman explained. "This applies in general and not only to a potential deployment in the Middle East," the spokeswoman further said, adding that discussions are ongoing and that how to provide the best possible support with the specific capabilities will be evaluated, "should the need arise". The German government spokeswoman then recalled what the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, had said about a possible German participation for the security of the Strait of Hormuz, which could be considered, "only on the condition that hostilities cease first".

In a post on its X profile, the Iranian embassy in Rome rejected the "recent statements by a high Italian authority, which attribute an alleged "risk of terrorism" to Iranians living abroad, are not only unfounded and lacking any concrete evidence, but also represent a grave offence against a community recognised globally for its cultural level, respect for the law and significant contribution to the societies in which it is embedded". "Statements of this kind, which with excessive superficiality cast a shadow of suspicion over an entire nation and its diaspora, are not only unjust and hurtful: they are deeply undeserved and detrimental to human dignity," it further reads.

The hanging in Iran of 19-year-old wrestler Saleh Mohammadi on Thursday 19 March has intensified concerns over the fate of other detained athletes, fuelling fears of further executions in cases related to the protests earlier this year. This was written by Iran International. Mohammadi had represented Iran in international wrestling competitions, including the 2024 Saitiev Cup in Russia, where he won a bronze medal. His execution drew comparisons with the case of wrestler Navid Afkari, who became a symbol of the use of capital punishment following protests. Afkari was sentenced to death and executed in Shiraz after being accused and found guilty of murdering a security guard during the 2018 Iranian protests. A growing number of athletes, coaches and referees remain detained, many of them linked to the recent wave of protests and previous unrest. Some of the names mentioned include footballer Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, water polo goalkeeper Ali Pishevarzadeh, marathon runner Niloufar Pas, kickboxing champion Benjamin Naghdi, young footballer Abolfazl Dokht and fighter Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani. Other names include b>basketball coach Payam Vahidi, snooker coach Hamzeh Kazemi, aerobics coach Narges Heidari and former footballer Amir Reza Nasr Azadani, whose previous arrest had already caused international concern. Many of the detainees are young athletes, including Amirhossein Ghaderzadeh, 19, and Abolfazl Dokht, who face similar charges and prosecutions by activists. The fighter Mohammad Mahshari, bronze medallist at the 2024 Asian Youth and Under-23 Championships, is also reportedly in custody. By contrast, there is no single, definitive number of athletes killed during the January 2026 protests. However, according to lists compiled by activists and sports networks, at least 65 athletes, coaches and referees have been identified among the victims of the January crackdown. Earlier, more than 200 athletes had signed open letters urging the IOC to take stronger measures and questioning its continued involvement with officials they say are linked to the Iranian security apparatus.

The IDF reports that a new missile launch from Iran has been identified against Tel Aviv and central Israel. Alarms have gone off. Millions of people are reaching the shelters.

The UAE air defences announced today that they had intercepted four ballistic missiles and 26 drones launched from Iran, according to a statement on their social accounts.

The Ministry of Defence 'remains fully prepared and ready to face any threat', he said, adding that it 'will firmly counter any attempt to undermine state security'.

Democratic MP Lia Quartapelle is promoting a campaign of "political adoption" of prisoners and death row in Iran, joined by 28 parliamentarians from different parties, with the aim of keeping international attention high on the serious human rights violations in the country. The initiative was launched in the context of the worsening situation in Iran, which is marked by arbitrary arrests, trials without guarantees and a growing use of the death penalty, even against minors," a statement reads. Each participating parliamentarian pledges to follow an individual case, monitor its developments and promote institutional and diplomatic initiatives for the protection of fundamental rights. The campaign was also defined through discussions with Amnesty International and Hrana, organisations involved in monitoring the situation of political prisoners in Iran. Initiated after the January protests, it now takes on even greater urgency in light of the ongoing war and recent executions. 'The international community,' said Lia Quartapelle, 'cannot remain silent in the face of such serious and systematic violations. Giving a name and a face to these people means being on the side of those who risk paying the highest price'.

Russia lodged a formal protest with the Israeli ambassador in Moscow, Oded Joseph, in connection with the attack on a crew of the RT broadcaster in southern Lebanon, which left two people injured.

"Russia lodged a protest in connection with the attack against members of the RT television team who were injured in a missile attack by the Israeli Air Force in southern Lebanon," the Foreign Ministry reported in a note released after a meeting between Deputy Minister Gueorgui Borisenko and the head of the Israeli diplomatic mission.

President Donald Trump's war in Iran is testing the limits of his 'America First' agenda, but so far his supporters remain loyal to him. This is according to the results of the new Politico poll, which snapshot a general support for the conflict even if, for some voters, it violates the principles of the Maga or breaks the election promise not to start new wars. According to the poll (conducted 13-18 March by London-based Public First) 70% of those who voted for Trump in the 2024 election support the attacks. Both voters who identify as Maga (81%) and those who voted for Trump but do not identify with the movement (61%) support the wars. This support is largely motivated by unwavering confidence in the president and his assurances that the US will only be involved 'in the short term'. However, the loss of life looms as a front-breaking line. For 58% of Trump's Maga voters, the US must achieve its goals in Iran even if it means losing more American lives. Non-Maga voters, on the other hand, are sharply divided: only 44% agree that more lives can be lost, while as many as 41% call for no more American lives to be lost, even if it means military objectives will remain unfulfilled.

"There are too many elements that lead us today to think that we are involved, even formally,in a war that we did not choose, that is unjust, that is profoundly unjust and above all that will have dramatic effects not only on the populations, the thousands of dead in Lebanon today are another of the dramatic effects of this whole affair, but also on our economy. The war really must end as soon as possible'. Thus Enrico Letta, president of the Jacques Delors Institute, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an event in Palermo.

The message broadcast on Iranian national TV.

The Israeli military has announced that it has begun striking the Iranian region of Nour, on the Caspian Sea. "The air force has started attacking targets of the Iranian terrorist regime in the Nour region, east of Tehran," the Israeli air force stated on X.

The rebound of the European stock exchanges, which in the past few hours had gained more than a point (Milan +1.5%), turned out to be a flash in the pan, also thanks to the fact that oil, after previous falls, came back up (Wti +0.51% to 96.04 dollars a barrel and Brent +1.45% to 110.2 dollars). The indices succumbed to volatility on the day of the 'four witches' and apprehension over the conflict in Iran, which does not seem to be moving towards a quick solution, after Iran's new Supreme Guide, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in his last message read out on state TV called for his nation's enemies to be 'denied security'. In addition, Kuwait reported that Iranian drones struck the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, while loud explosions occurred in Dubai when air defence systems intercepted an attack.

Thus Milan currently yields 0.16%, Paris 0.3%, Frankfurt 0.42%, Amsterdam 0.17% and London 0.4%.

An Israeli-American air raid hit the commercial port of Bandar Lengeh in southern Iran, destroying sixteen merchant and fishing vessels, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim on Telegram.

"As a result of a Zionist-American airstrike, at least sixteen transport boats belonging to citizens of Bandar Lengeh and Bandar Kang were completely destroyed by flames," said the governor of Bandar Lengeh, in a message broadcast by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Irgc).

"We and the other countries of the world are studying a way in which, once there is a truce and when hostilities are over," ships from navies around the world can be sent in. This was stated by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, who, interviewed on Omnibus on La7, clarified Italia's position after the commitment made by six nations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"Those are six countries that signed a first will," Crosetto added, "but I hope that India, China, the whole of Asia will join in, because this is something that mainly concerns Asia as a material and concerns all of us because it affects the price of oil and gas." "When it's all over, underthe United Nations whichmaybe in this way they will regain some life because in recent years they have had none, they have been relegated to the rear."

Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesman for Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, said that according to intelligence information obtained, 'the Zionist regime could attack energy infrastructure, including Aramco facilities, to blame Iran and create regional tensions'. Tehran's media reported this.

Three men executed in Iran - including a 19-year-old boy - for protests against the regime: the announcement on state TV.

Monarchs Felipe VI and Letizia of Spain have postponed their planned state visit to Qatar in the spring because of the crisis caused by the conflict triggered by the US and Israeli intervention in Iran and the response in the region by the Ayatollah regime. This was reported by royal sources in El Pais, according to which, although it had not yet been officially announced, preparations had been underway for months for the royal state trip to the emirate, at the invitation of Emir Tamin bin Hamad al Thani, who had been on an official visit to Spain with his consort in 2022. The cancelled was supposed to be Felipe VI and Letizia's first official trip to a Persian Gulf country, apart from the Spanish king's visit to Doha in December 2022 to accompany the men's national team to the World Cup.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering occupying or blockadingthe Iranian island of Kharg to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Axios writes this, citing four sources familiar with the matter. Such an operation, however, it is explained, could expose US troops more directly to enemy fire. It would therefore only be launched after the US military has further weakened the Iranian military capability around the Strait of Hormuz. An operation that - according to the sources - would need "a month" to be implemented while three different Marine units are en route to the region.

To see the end of the war between Iran, Israel and the US, 'It will take a few more weeks'. This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, interviewed on TV. "I said immediately that it would not be immediate," he added referring to a conversation he had with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio where he spoke to him of "seven weeks".

"From what I know of Iran, I see it very difficult to achieve regime change". This was said by Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, who in a lengthy interview on live TV on La7 stressed the emerging differences in views on the conflict between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.

"There are disagreements, Trump himself admitted them, Trump himself criticised the attacks on energy infrastructure," the minister explained, "But because he knows perfectly well that it is part of a hybrid war that gives strength to Iran: Iran has nothing to lose in this war and therefore Iran's strongest ally is chaos. And it started the chaos by hitting Gulf countries that had nothing to do with the war and were against the war to create problems for the rest of the world'.

Among the three people executed yesterday by the Iranian regime was Saleh Mohammadi, 19 years old, a member of the Iranian National Wrestling Association. This was reported by sources quoted by the BBC. The executions took place in the northern province of Qom, after the Supreme Court upheld the death sentences, as reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim. The three were accused of killing police officers during anti-government protests in January, according to state media reports. According to the Tasnim agency, the three men were also convicted of 'moharebeh' - waging war on God - one of the charges Iran uses to issue death sentences against protesters and opponents of the Islamic Republic. According to human rights organisations, the three men allegedly confessed under torture and were executed without a fair trial. Their execution took place the day after Iran had executed a citizen with dual Iranian and Swedish citizenship. Kouroush Keyvani was hanged after being found guilty of spying for Israel, according to the Iranian judicial news agency Mizan Online.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said he was working to keep his country out of the Iranian conflict, emphasising that his government had good relations with all countries in the region. In a speech after the Eid al-Fitr prayer in the presidential palace in Damascus, al-Sharaa said, "We are calculating our moves with extreme precision and working to keepSyria out of any conflict. It is important to remember that Syria has always been the scene of conflicts and clashes over the past 15 years and even before, but today it is in harmony with all its neighbours regionally and internationally and in full solidarity with the Arab states'.

"The Middle East is in turmoil, we are constantly losing martyrs and veterans. May God protect us and preserve us as soon as possible from the calamity of the Zionists. May He completely destroy Israel in the name of His glorious name Al-Kahhar (the Subduer)". This was stated by Turkish President Rep Tayyip Erdogan speaking during a speech at the end of Friday prayers in Rize, a city on the Black Sea where his family is from. Anadolu reports.

The Israeli Ministry of Health reports that 150 injured people have been hospitalised in the last 24 hours as a result of the conflict with Iran, bringing the total number of hospitalisations due to the fighting to over 4,000.

Of the patients admitted to hospital in the last 24 hours, two are in serious condition, two in moderate condition and 136 in good condition. Ten people were treated for anxiety. The Times of Israel reports. The ministry says that since the start of the war with Iran, on 28 February, 4,099 people have been admitted to hospital, 80 of whom are currently hospitalised.

The alarm for a new missile launch from Iran has just gone off in Tel Aviv and central Israel after other waves of ordnance launches during the night and morning also in Jerusalem.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex was closed for the prayer of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday on which Muslims celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is the first time this has happened since the Six Day War of 1967, when Israel conquered East Jerusalem and the Old City. The mosque stands on a hill, a complex sacred to both Muslims and Jews, who believe it was the site of biblical temples. Access to the site has been a sticking point and has historically fuelled tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. Israel kept the sacred sites in the Old City closed to worshippers of all faiths during the war with Iran, citing security concerns, although the restrictions had the greatest impact on Muslims, tens of thousands of whom normally visit Al Aqsa for Friday prayers.

Esmail Ahmadi, the new head of Intelligence of the Basij, who had just succeeded Gholamreza Soleimani, was killed in a raid. The Tasnim agency confirmed the death, describing him as 'one of the most important pillars of the Basij organisation' where he held key security roles.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had a telephone conversation with his British colleague Yvette Cooper, to whom he said that any granting of the bases to the Americans will be considered 'participation in aggression'. A Foreign Ministry note, which does not specify when the phone call took place, states that Araghchi warned: 'These actions will certainly be considered a participation in aggression and will be recorded in the history of relations between the two countries'.

"The nature of the Zionist regime is state terrorism. However, the US aggression against Iran and the assassination of the martyred leader set a new precedent in international disputes that will destroy global legal norms. If the world fails to resist, its flames will burn many'. Masoud Pezeshkian wrote this in a post on his X account.

China today reiterated its concern over the escalation of the Middle East conflict, calling on the parties to halt military operations. "The current conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate and the fighting is widening, affecting not only peace and stability in the region but also energy, finance, trade and transport globally," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a daily press conference in Beijing.

"History and reality repeatedly show that force is not a solution and that recourse to arms only generates new hatred," he added.

The start of the day was marked by a rebound for Piazza Affari, in line with the other European stock exchanges, after the sharp falls on the eve of trading. Twenty minutes into trading, Milan gained 1.31%, Frankfurt 1.21%, London 0.51%, Paris 0.86%, Madrid 1.42%.

The brightening of the mood comes after yesterday's high volatility on Wall Street and worries over energy prices - with the escalation in the Middle East and attacks on refineries and gas infrastructure - prompted US President Donald Trump to declare that he does not intend to deploy ground troops in Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured that Israel will suspend attacks against Iranian energy infrastructure.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States and Israel of violating international law, during a phone call withBritish counterpart Yvette Cooper dedicated to the ongoing war and the regional situation. This was reported today by the Tasnim news agency.

"For the second time, while we were engaged in diplomacy, we were subjected to military aggression. The United States and the Israeli regime attacked our country in violation of all international norms and principles," he said.

Gas price down at Ttf in Amsterdam after peaks reached yesterday. The cost of a megawatt-hour is down 3.59% at €59.630 at the start of the day. Gas prices retraced after US President Donald Trump said yesterday he would not deploy ground troops in Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured that Israel would suspend attacks against Iranian energy infrastructure.

Iran's Revolutionary Guardians announced today the death of their spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini in the Israeli-American raids on the country. Naini 'was martyred in the criminal and cowardly terrorist attack by the American-Zionist side at dawn', the Pasdaran said in a statement on the Sepah News website.

There are reasons to believe that war crimes may have been committed on both sides in the conflict in the Middle East. This was stated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.

On Wednesday, Israel attacked the South Pars natural gas field in Iran, prompting Tehran to launch a retaliatory strike against a major energy infrastructure in Qatar. "If there are attacks against Iran or from Iran against energy infrastructure, I think there are reasonable grounds to believe that they could constitute a war crime," Guterres told the Politico newspaper in an interview.

An Israeli researcher working on the Iron Dome air defence system was arrested on charges of espionage on behalf of Iran and carrying out other security-related activities for the Islamic republic. This was reported by the Jewish state authorities.

The suspect was identified as Raz Cohen, a 26-year-old resident of Jerusalem.

The new Supreme Guide of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, in his last public message called for the enemies of Iran to be dismissed from 'security'. Khamenei made these statements in a press release addressed to President Masoud Pezeshkian after the killing of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib by Israel. Khamenei has not been seen since he was appointed Supreme Guide, succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, who was killed in an Israeli air raid on the first day of the war, 28 February. According to American and Israeli officials Mojtaba Khamenei was injured during the war.

On paper, the woman in charge of US intelligence contradicts her president, Donald Trump: Iran posed no imminent nuclear threat to the US before the launch of the attacks, together with Israel, against Tehran on 28 February. However, in words, he does not admit this, referring the case back to the US president. During a parliamentary hearing, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, first avoided reading a passage from her written testimony with the excuse that time was short. Then she stated that "the only person who can determine what is or is not a threat is the president."

Israeli police attacked Palestinian worshippers who had gathered in Jerusalem, near the Al Aqsa Mosque for the celebration of Eid al Fitr, the end of the fast that marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan. This was reported today by Haaretz.

Israel closed the al Aqsa Mosque, one of the three holiest sites for Islam, after the attack on Iran began.

Thus the Israeli Prime Minister at a press conference.

The Gulf authorities have ordered that Eid al-Fitr prayers, the celebrations for the end of Ramadan, take place this year only inside mosques, suspending large outdoor gatherings because of the ongoing war between Iran, Israel and the United States. Al Jazeera writes this, explaining that Qatar, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates have ordered worshippers not to gather at traditional outdoor prayer sites. The authorities said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure, as governments across the region are reassessing public demonstrations due to the ongoing conflict and attacks by Iran.

Iranian Revolutionary Guardians claimed to have hit targets in West Jerusalem, Haifa and the US airbase at al Dhafra in the United Arab Emirates.

"During the 66th phase of Operation "True Promise 4" targets in West Jerusalem, Haifa, and the US base in Al Dhafra in the region were successfully struck," reads a statement reported by Iranian media.

Israel has struck a number of cities in southern Lebanon, causing numerous injuries. This was reported by the Lebanese state news agency Nna, speaking of dawn attacks on the towns of Bafliyeh and Hanine in the districts of Tiro and Bint Jbeil. The Beirut Ministry of Health stated that Israeli attacks have caused the death of 1,001 people in Lebanon since 2 March, including 79 women, 118 children and 40 health workers. More than 2,584 people have been injured.

Sri Lanka refused to allow two US warplanes to be deployed over its territory in the period from 4 to 8 March, to preserve its neutrality in the US and Israeli war against Iran. This was stated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake before Parliament. "They (the United States)," he said, "wanted to deploy two warplanes armed with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti to Mattala International Airport (in the south of the country) from 4 to 8 March and we said no.

"No one is obviously thinking of a military mission to force the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. What we are wondering about is, when the conditions are right, reasonably in a post-conflict phase, how we can offer our contribution, clearly in agreement with the parties, to guarantee and defend freedom of navigation". These were the words of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, at the press point last night at the end of the European Council, on the declaration in which Italia and five other countries (Germany, Holland, the United Kingdom, France and Japan) said they were willing "to contribute to the efforts needed to guarantee the safety of the passage through the Strait".

"I told you so. Europe must recognise its strategic mistakes in energy and geopolitics, expose its faults, change its leadership in the EU and its Russophobic approach. As expected, a devastatingenergy tsunami will soon hit Europe. As explained repeatedly, Europe needs Russia to survive. This was written on X Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Kremlin negotiator, posting an article in the Financial Times urging Europe to 'prepare' for an energy shock.

The spokesman for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, General Ali Mohammad Naeini, insisted that Tehran is still building missiles, attempting to refute Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that it is no longer capable of doing so. Referring to the fact that Iranian schools consider 20 to be the maximum score, the general said: 'The score of our missile industry is 20 and there is no reason to worry about this, because we produce missiles even under wartime conditions, which is extraordinary, and there are no particular storage problems'. As for the duration of the war. "People expect the war to continue until the enemy is completely annihilated," the general said, referring to Iranian public opinion. "This war must end when the shadow of war has faded from the country."

The air defences of Emirates and Kuwait responded in the night to missile launches from Iran, while Saudi Arabia intercepted drone attacks. And the Interior Ministry of Bahrain reported that shrapnel from an Iranian attack caused a fire in a warehouse, which was extinguished and resulted in no injuries. In Kuwait, an army communiqué stated that air defences 'responded to hostile missile and drone threats', while the Emirati state media spoke of 'missile and drone threats from Iran'. The Pasdaran, in a statement released by the Tasnim news agency, claimed to have targeted US forces at the Al-Dhafra airbase in the Emirates, as well as sites in Israel, with missiles and drones. For its part, the Saudi Defence Ministry claims that in less than two hours its forces 'intercepted and destroyed' 10 drones in the east of the country and another in the north.

Killing Ali Larijani was not easy. The powerful head of the Iranian regime's Supreme Security Council knew he was the first target on the Israeli intelligence list.

He knew they were after him. And that they were very determined, so much so that on 28 February they managed to eliminate the spiritual leader Ali Khamenei, the most influential man in the Islamic Republic. Although he knew he was being hunted, Larijani, whose death has not, however, been confirmed by Tehran, failed to take the necessary measures to survive.

The IDF detected a new ballistic missile launch from Iran, directed towards central Israel and the Jerusalem area. Warning sirens are expected to sound in the next few minutes. The Times of Israel writes this.

Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "alive and well" and is not hiding in bunkers. This was stated by the Iranian ambassador to France, Mohammad Amin-Nejad, to BFM TV.

"We are not obliged to show him behind a window, he is alive and healthy," the diplomat said in a television interview.

Saudi Arabia expects the price of oil to surge to $180 if the energy shock due to the Iran war persists beyond April. This is written in the Wall Street Journal. Such high prices, it is explained, could push consumers to adopt habits that drastically reduce oil consumption, potentially in the long run, or trigger a recession that would further damage demand. Moreover, they would risk making Saudi Arabia appear as the 'beneficiary' of a war it did not start.

The Israeli army claimed to have struck targets in Syria in response to attacks against the Druze. The army claimed to have hit infrastructure belonging to Syria in response to attacks against the Druze population in Sweida, southern Syria. The Syrian state news agency Sana did not immediately confirm the attack, which represents the first Israeli raid against Syria in the context of the war with the US against Iran. Israel has a significant Druze population. In the past, Israel has intervened in defence of the Druze in Syria, launching dozens of air raids against convoys of government fighters and even striking the headquarters of the Syrian Ministry of Defence in central Damascus.

The war against Iran has so far cost over USD 25.3 billion to US taxpayers, according to the Iran War Cost Tracker site, which monitors real-time spending on the conflict.

"The calculation is based on the information the Pentagon presented to Congress: $11.3 billion in the first six days, plus $1 billion per day on a continuous basis," explain the project initiators.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to discuss with the permanent members of the UN Security Council a proposal to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

"I have informed the UN Secretary General that France intends to discuss with key partners, in particular the permanent members of the Security Council, the feasibility of creating a framework under the auspices of the UN for what we intend to do in the Strait of Hormuz," Macron told a press conference at the end of the European Council.

The Iran women's national football team has returned to Tehran, where they were welcomed by an official ceremony and numerous supporters. The return came after some of the players had sought asylum in Australia. Two of them decided to stay and are training with a local club, while others have returned. During the reception, the athletes were celebrated with flowers and flags. "I did not expect so many people to come and welcome us, and I am happy to be a daughter of Iran," said midfielder Fatemeh Shaban.

The team had come under the spotlight during the Women's Asian Cup, when some players remained silent during the national anthem, a gesture interpreted as a protest or sign of mourning. The Iranian Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, last week dismissed speculation that the players would be in danger if they returned home, saying that the country 'welcomes its children with open arms and the government guarantees their safety'.

New drone attack on the Kuwaiti refinery in Mina Al-Ahmadi, where fires broke out while no casualties were reported. This was reported by the local Kuna news agency, according to which 'the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery suffered several hostile drone attacks this morning, which caused fires in some of its units', some of which 'have been shut down'.

The Israeli army claimed to have hit over 130 infrastructures in Iran during the course of yesterday, including missile launchers and air defence systems.

"In the past 24 hours, the Israeli Air Force, based on IDF intelligence, hit over 130 targets in western and central Iran, including ballistic missile launchers, drones and air defence systems," reads a message posted on Telegram.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said they had dismantled an operational group in the country linked to Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement. This was reported by the state news agency Wam.

The group reportedly consists of five people and is accused of undermining the economy, financing terrorism, money laundering and threatening national security.

Further reading

Crosetto: Italia mission in Hormuz only with the UN. Israel: 12,000 bombs on Iran

19 March 2026