President Trump has said Iran will soon find out what will happen with the 48-hour ultimatum he issued, demanding it open the Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its power plants.
The president told Israel’s Channel 13 on Saturday night “there will be the total destruction of Iran and it is going to work great.”
It comes after Trump issued the ultimatum to Tehran to fully reopen the waterway - important for the transit of a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) - or face having its power plants destroyed.
On Sunday, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian hit back, saying the key shipping route remained open to “all except those who violate our soil”.
The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, added that vital energy infrastructure in the region would be considered a legitimate target and would be “irreversibly destroyed” if his country’s own infrastructure was attacked.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also said it would mean the Strait of Hormuz would be closed. In a statement, it said: "The Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and will not be opened until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt.”
Tanker traffic through the waterway has ground to a halt amid Iran’s de facto blockade. As a result, oil prices have surged and global markets have come under severe strain.
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How Trump’s Iran war could derail the economy – and the Labour government
Key Points
- UK has 'systems and defences' in place to keep country safe, minister says
- Trump: Final result of ultimatum will be 'very good'
- Iran warns of 'irreversible damage' to regional infrastructure if power plants attacked
- IRGC: Strait of Hormuz will be 'closed' if power plants targeted
- Trump gives 48-hour ultimatum to Iran
- Minister insists UK has a 'contingency plan' over fuel
- Iranian missiles 'can reach London, Paris or Berlin'
Israel launches wave of strikes on Tehran as explosions heard across Iranian capital
04:20 , Stuti MishraThe Israeli military just said it has begun a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure in Tehran, as Iran's state-run Mizan News Agency reports explosions across several parts of the capital.
An airstrike flattened residential buildings in Urmia in northwest Iran, with rescuers searching for survivors under the rubble, state-affiliated Nour News reported.
At least one person was killed in a separate strike on a radio station in the Gulf port of Bandar Abbas, semi-official Mehr News Agency said.
The strikes come as US president Donald Trump's 48-hour deadline for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz — or face US strikes on its power plants — approaches its evening deadline today. Iran had warned it would target energy and water infrastructure across the Gulf, including desalination plants, if its power grid was attacked.
Trump claims 'death of Iran' on Truth Social
04:00 , Andrea CavallierIn a post on Truth Social Sunday, Donald Trump claimed the “death of Iran” while taking aim at the Democrats.
From his Florida golf retreat, he wrote: “Now with the death of Iran, the greatest enemy America has is the Radical Left, Highly Incompetent, Democrat Party! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The president claimed victory over Tehran on Friday as the war enters its fourth week, with strikes continuing. Despite this, there has been no regime change and Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz with a significant knock-on effect to global trade.
IEA chief warns global economy facing 'major, major threat' worse than 1970s oil crises
04:00 , Stuti MishraThe head of the International Energy Agency has warned the world is facing an energy crisis more severe than any in living memory, saying the current disruption is the equivalent of "two oil crises and one gas crash put all together."
Speaking at Australia's National Press Club in Canberra, IEA director Fatih Birol said the world had already lost 11 million barrels of oil a day — more than the combined loss from the 1973 and 1979 oil shocks. Gas losses from the current crisis, at 140 billion cubic metres, were nearly double those caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he said.
"The global economy is facing a major, major threat today," Mr Birol said. "No country will be immune to the effects of this crisis if it continues to go in this direction."
He said at least 40 energy assets across the region had been "severely or very severely damaged" and that the IEA was consulting with governments in Asia and Europe about releasing further stockpiled oil, on top of the record 400 million barrels already agreed this month. Mr Birol added that the crisis was also severely affecting petrochemicals and fertilisers, with lasting impacts to follow.
Goldman Sachs raises oil price forecast as Hormuz disruptions expected to persist
03:40 , Stuti MishraGoldman Sachs has raised its 2026 average price forecast for Brent crude to $85 a barrel from $77, and its West Texas Intermediate forecast to $79 from $72, citing extended disruptions to crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and increased strategic stockpiling.
The bank expects Brent to average $110 a barrel in March and April, up from a prior forecast of $98, as traders attach a growing risk premium amid uncertainty over how long supply disruptions will last.
In a worst-case scenario, Goldman warned oil could hit $135 a barrel "if the market required a risk premium to generate precautionary demand destruction offsetting supply destruction over six months in a risk scenario of 10 weeks of very low flows and two million barrels a day of persistent production losses."
Poll: Americans are more confused about the goals of Iran war now than when it began
03:15 , Andrea CavallierAmericans are more confused about the Trump administration’s goals in launching a war with Iran now than when President Donald Trump initiated the military strikes in February, a new survey from CBS News and YouGov found.
In a survey conducted between March 17 and March 20, approximately 68 percent of the 3,300 respondents said the administration had yet to clearly explain the goals of attacking Iran.
That’s six percentage points higher than when the same question was asked in a similar survey conducted between March 2 and March 4 – shortly after the U.S. and Israel launched missiles against Iran.
Ariana Baio reports:
Americans are more confused about goals of Iran war now than when it began: poll
Expert says gas prices to stay high until the summer
03:00 , Andrea CavallierGas prices could remain high until summer, Patrick de Haan, head of petroleum analysis at online price tracker GasBuddy, told CNN on Sunday.
He said he thinks the national average for gas prices will likely hit $4 per gallon tomorrow – and that “may just be the tip of the iceberg.”
“Gas prices are not done climbing yet,” de Haan added.
Gas prices have soared to an average of $3.91 nationwide as of Friday, up 93 cents from February 28, when the US-Israeli conflict with Iran began.
Iran is charging tankers $2m to pass through Strait: reports
02:00 , Andrea CavallierIran is charging some tankers $2 million to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Fox News is reporting.
Iranian lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi told state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Sunday that the massive toll marks the start of a new approach to controlling the waterway, Iran International reported.
"Collecting $2 million as transit fees from some vessels crossing the strait reflects Iran’s strength," Boroujerdi said during a TV program cited by Iranian media.
At least one person killed in airstrike: reports
01:30 , Andrea CavallierAt least one person has been killed and another injured in an airstrike in the Iranian gulf port of Bandar Abbas, the New York Times and the Guardian are reporting citing Tasnim, a semiofficial Iranian news agency affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
A state broadcaster’s radio transmitter was struck in a U.S.-Israeli attack. The port city is on Iran’s southern coast on the strait of Hormuz.
State Dept warns Americans worldwide, especially in the Middle East,to ‘exercise increased caution’
01:00 , Andrea CavallierThe State Department issued a warning to Americans worldwide, especially in the Middle East, to “exercise increased caution.”
Worldwide Caution: The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution. Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Periodic airspace closures… pic.twitter.com/mX0ULIEzLv
— TravelGov (@TravelGov) March 22, 2026
Trump: End result of ultimatum will be 'very good'
00:00 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump has said Iran will soon find out what will happen with the 48-hour deadline he issued for Iran, saying the result will be “very good”.
The US president told Israel’s Channel 13 “there will be the total destruction of Iran and it is going to work great.”
It comes after President Trump issued a ultimatum for Iran on Saturday, demanding it opens the Strait of Hormuz or faces the destruction of its power plants.
“Iran has been very bad for 47 years. Now it is getting its due punishment.”
In the interview, President Trump also hit out against the Nato alliance, saying “Nato countries are doing nothing, it's a great shame”.
Israeli airstrike destroys key bridge in southern Lebanon
Sunday 22 March 2026 23:43 , Harriette BoucherUAE responding to missile threat
Sunday 22 March 2026 23:21 , Harriette BoucherThe UAE's emergency services has said it is responding to a missile threat.
Citizens have been told to remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates.
Nato chief says Iran 'very close' to having capability to strike European cities
Sunday 22 March 2026 23:01 , Harriette BoucherThe chief of Nato said Iran is very close to having the capability to strike European cities, and cannot confirm Israel’s claims that Iranian ballistic missiles could hit London, Paris, Berlin, and other European cities.
Asked whether Nato shares the Israeli assessment, Mark Rutte told CBS News' Face The Nation: “We cannot confirm that at the moment, so we're looking into that.
“But if this would be true, it is the more evidence that what the President is doing here, taking out the ballistic missile capability, taking out the nuclear capability from Iran, is crucial.”
Asked again whether he believes the cities were within direct threat range, he said: “What we know for sure is that they are very close to having that capability, whether this case with the UK base, Diego Garcia, we are still assessing. But if it is true, it means they already have that capability. If it is not true, we know they are very close to having that capability.”
Iranian missile hits Israeli city near nuclear facility after failed interception
Sunday 22 March 2026 22:17 , Harriette BoucherStarmer holds phone call with Trump to discuss Strait of Hormuz
Sunday 22 March 2026 21:58 , Harriette BoucherKeir Starmer spoke with Donald Trump about the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday evening, No 10 said.
“The leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East, and in particular, the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to resume global shipping,” a No 10 spokesperson said.
“They agreed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was essential to ensure stability in the global energy market.
“They agreed to speak again soon.”
Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, demanding it reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face having its power plants destroyed.
UK has ‘nothing’ to stop ballistic missiles fired from Iran claim military experts
Sunday 22 March 2026 21:49 , Harriette BoucherThe UK has no way to stop ballistic missiles fired from Iran, military experts have warned - although they have also voiced doubts over Iran’s capability and its desire to carry out such a strike.
British defences lack the ability to shoot down ballistic missiles, they have claimed, and the systems that they do have are out at sea, and in numbers too small to be fully effective.
It follows a warning from Israel’s military that Iranian missiles were a threat to European cities - including London, Paris, and Berlin - after the failed attack on the British military base of Diego Garcia.
The base on the Chagos Islands is 3,800km (2,360 miles) away from Iran, further than previous estimates on the range of Iran’s missiles.
On Sunday morning, senior government minister Steve Reed stressed that Britain was safe, as he called Israel’s threat exaggerated and an attempt to garner support for the war. Hours later, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson doubled down on Mr Reed’s comments, stating that the country had the resources to “keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks”.
UK has ‘nothing’ to stop ballistic missiles fired from Iran claim military experts
Israeli ambassador to U.S. says war with Iran will continue until Tehran’s on its knees’
Sunday 22 March 2026 21:40 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s Washington DC Correspondent John Bowden reports:
The U.S.’s exit ramp from the ongoing war with Iran seemed much further away on Sunday as Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. proclaimed that the war would continue in the wake of a new round of devastating attacks in Israel.
Israeli and U.S. forces launched strikes targeting Iranian installations and commanders on February 28, succeeding in the initial hours of the attack in killing the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Since then, progress has stalled. The Iranian government appears little closer to collapse under a barrage of munitions and threats from the West, the latest of which escalated on Saturday with the U.S. president’s threat to begin targeting civilian infrastructure in the country (which would be a war crime unless directly associated with military assets). The Strait of Hormuz, blocked by Iranian forces, has become a major strategic goal for the Trump administration as it struggles to show evidence of making progress towards victory in a war it claims to have already won.
On Sunday, Israel’s ambassador to Washington said that the end of the war could be much further away than Donald Trump and his allies in the administration have let on, telling CNN that his country would “continue with this campaign until we bring this regime to its knees”.
“We cannot live any more with a country that is malign, that is intent on destroying us,” Michael Leiter told CNN’s Dana Bash.
Israeli ambassador to U.S. says war with Iran won’t end until Tehran’s ‘on its knees’
Trump's ambassador to UN 'would not take bombing Iran's nuclear power plants off table'
Sunday 22 March 2026 21:34 , Harriette BoucherThe US Ambassador to the United Nations said he would “never take anything off the table” when it comes to Iran, including bombing its power plants.
Asked by CBS's Face the Nation if the president was planning to bomb a nuclear power plant, Mike Waltz said that "the important point here is to understand the IRGC, a declared terrorist organisation, not only by us but a number of European countries, controls a huge swath of Iran's critical infrastructure, their economy, and certainly many of their governing institutions."
"And so to the extent we're degrading their military capability and their defence industrial base, all options should be on the table, and the president's made that very clear," he said.
Macron calls for responsibility and restraint amid escalating crisis
Sunday 22 March 2026 20:47 , Alex RossFrench president Emmanuel Macron has posted on social media after holding talks with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.
As a representative of one of the G7 nations, that on Saturday night said they were ready to act to protect global energy supplies, Mr Macron wrote on X that it had become “more necessary than ever” for warring parties to agree to a temporary halt to attacks on energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.
He also said Iran must also restore the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
He said: “The current phase calls for responsibility and restraint, in order to create the conditions for resuming dialogue, which alone can guarantee peace and security for all.”
Exiled former crown prince of Iran issues plea to Trump
Sunday 22 March 2026 20:25 , Alex RossAs we’ve been reporting heavily today, Donald Trump has warned the US will target power plants if Iran does not fully open the Strait of Hormuz.
In response, Iran has threatened to target energy infrastructure if its facilities come under attack.
Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran who has encouraged an uprising to overthrow the government, has now posted on social media, calling on Mr Trump to preserve civilian and vital infrastructure.
He wrote on X: "Iran's civilian infrastructure belongs to the Iranian nation and is the asset of a free Iran's future. The Islamic Republic's infrastructure is a machine of repression and terror, deployed to prevent that future from being realised.
"I ask President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu to continue targeting the regime and its apparatus of repression, while at the same time preserving Iran's civilian and vital infrastructure, which our people need to rebuild the country."
EU's foreign policy chief spoke with Iran's foreign minister on Sunday, official says
Sunday 22 March 2026 19:41 , Alex RossEuropean Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas held a phone call with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi on Sunday, an EU official has said.
Ms Kallas also held separate calls with counterparts from Turkey, Qatar and South Korea "on the war in theMiddle East, attacks on energy infrastructure, and the urgent need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz," the official said.
"These engagements were part of the EU’s ongoing efforts to explore diplomatic avenues forward," the official said, adding that "fresh threats to attack critical civilian infrastructure risk impacting millions of people across the Middle East and beyond".
Ms Kallas last spoke to Mr Araqchi on Wednesday, whenshe said safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz was a priority for Europe, according to an EU official.
Strait of Hormuz 'not closed' - says Iran's foreign minister
Sunday 22 March 2026 19:22 , Alex RossAlmost 24 hours into Trump’s two-day ultimatum to Iran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz, which is used to transport a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, Iran’s foreign minister has become the latest country official to respond.
In a post on X, Seyed Abbas Araghchi said: “Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated—not Iran.”
Trump shares Saturday Night Live UK spoof mocking Starmer
Sunday 22 March 2026 19:08 , Alex RossThe relationship between Keir Starmer and Donald Trump has suffered another blow after the US president posted a television skit mocking the prime minister.
In the sketch, from the new Saturday Night Live UK programme, Sir Keir panics as he tries to dodge a phone call from Trump and asks his deputy: “Oh golly – what if Donald shouts at me? What do I say, Lammy?”
Mr Trump did not include any comment when he shared the video on his Truth Social platform on Sunday.
Full story:
Trump shares Saturday Night Live UK spoof mocking Starmer in swipe at prime minister
How many people have been killed in the US-Israeli war on Iran?
Sunday 22 March 2026 18:48 , Alex RossThousands of people have been killed across the Middle East since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 and Iran launched strikes against Israel, US bases and Gulf states.
Here are the death tolls reported as of March 22 provided by news agency Reuters
IRAN
US-based rights group HRANA said on March 21 that 3,230 people have been killed. It said 1,406 of those were civilians, including at least 210 children.
LEBANON
Around 1,029 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities. The World Health Organization and Lebanese health authorities said more than 100 of those killed were children.
IRAQ
At least 60 people have been killed, according to Iraqi authorities. Most of those were members of the Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation Forces.
ISRAEL
Fifteen civilians have been killed, including nine people in an Iranian missile strike on Beit Shemesh near Jerusalem on March 1, according to Israel's ambulance service. The Israeli military said two of its soldiers were also killed in southern Lebanon. In addition, four Palestinian women were killed in an Iranian missile attack in the occupied West Bank.
UNITED STATES
Thirteen service members have been killed.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Eight people have been killed in Iranian attacks, including two army soldiers, according to the UAE defence ministry.
QATAR
Seven people were killed on March 22 in a deadly helicopter crash in Qatar's territorial waters after a technical malfunction during a "routine duty," according to Qatar's defence ministry.
KUWAIT
Authorities have reported six deaths, including two people killed in Iranian attacks, two interior ministry officers and two army soldiers.
SYRIA
Four people were killed when an Iranian missile struck a building in the southern Syrian city of Sweida on February 28, state news agency SANA said.
OMAN
Two people were reported killed on March 13 in a drone strike on an industrial zone in Sohar province.
SAUDI ARABIA
Two people were killed when a projectile fell on a residential location in Al-Kharj city, southeast of the capital Riyadh.
BAHRAIN
Two people were killed in two separate Iranian attacks,with the most recent hitting a residential building in the capital Manama, according to the interior ministry.
Trump's power plant threat 'shows desperation' - Iran's president
Sunday 22 March 2026 18:31 , Alex RossFollowing Donald Trump’s issuing of a two-day ultimatum to Iran to enable vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has hit back on social media.
In a post on X, he said US threats to blow up Iran’s energy infrastructure “show desperation”.
He added: “The Strait of Hormuz is open to all except those who violate our soil. We firmly confront delirious threats on the battlefield.”
Israel strikes main bridge in south Lebanon
Sunday 22 March 2026 17:57 , Alex RossIsrael struck a main bridge linking Lebanon's south to the rest of the country on Sunday after ordering its military to destroy all crossings over the Litani River and to step up the demolition of homes near the southern border.
The destruction of bridges and homes marks a significant escalation in Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, which was pulled into the regional war on March 2 when armed group Hezbollah fired into Israeli territory.
International law generally prohibits militaries from attacking civilian infrastructure, and the United Nations human rights chief has criticised Israel's actions in Lebanon, particularly its use of widespread evacuation orders that have displaced more than a million people.
Sunday's strike damaged a crossing on Lebanon's coastal highway that runs through farmland and is one of the main routes linking southern and central Lebanon.
Stock markets expected to fall on Monday
Sunday 22 March 2026 17:54 , Alex RossAs uncertainty hangs over the Strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump’s ultimatium to Iran to “fully open” the strait, experts predict a fall in the stock markets when they reopen on Monday.
Oil prices jumped on Friday, ending the day at their highest in nearly four years.
"President Trump's threat has now placed a 48-hour ticking time bomb of elevated uncertainty over markets," said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore.
Markets already under severe strain from blockaded shipping were further rattled last week when Israel attacked a major gas field in Iran, and Tehran responded with strikes on neighbours Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, raising the prospect of damage hindering energy output even if tankers resume sailing.
Minister insists UK is safe despite stark warning Iran has missile firepower to hit London
Sunday 22 March 2026 17:00 , Holly EvansHousing Secretary Steve Reed has insisted the UK is safe as the government played down shock claims Iran has developed long-range firepower capable of reaching Britain.
Israel issued a stark warning that Iranian missiles are a threat to European cities – including London, Paris and Berlin – after an attack on the UK-US Diego Garcia military base on the Chagos Islands.
The UK hit out at the “reckless” Iranian action on Saturday after two ballistic missiles were fired towards the base. Both were unsuccessful, with one shot down by a US warship and the other failing in flight.
Read the full article here:
Minister insists UK is safe despite stark warning Iran has firepower to hit London
Has Donald Trump really ‘obliterated’ Iran’s military infrastructure?
Sunday 22 March 2026 16:45 , Holly Evans
Analysis: Has Donald Trump really ‘obliterated’ Iran’s military infrastructure?
Why is the US-UK Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands a target for Iran?
Sunday 22 March 2026 16:30 , Holly EvansIran has fired missiles at a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean as it warned British lives were “in danger” after prime minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the US to carry out further strikes.
Tehran directed two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands but neither hit. One of the missiles wasreportedly shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight.
It is undertood that the attack took place before Downing Street said on Friday that UK bases will now be used for US “defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships”.
Read the full analysis here:
Why is the US-UK Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands a target for Iran?
Treasury's Bessent says US has 'plenty' of funds for Iran war
Sunday 22 March 2026 16:15 , Holly EvansThe US government has "plenty of money" to fund the war against Iran, but is requesting supplemental funding from Congress to ensure the military is well supplied in the future, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday.
Bessent, speaking on NBC News' "Meet the Press" program, also ruled out pushing for any tax increases to fund the war.
The U.S. military's request for $200 billion in additional funding for the Iran war faces stiff opposition in Congress, with Democrats and even some Republicans questioning the need after large defense appropriations last year.
Bessent defended the request without confirming the amount.
President Donald Trump has not yet sent a request for the Senate and House of Representatives to approve the sum and his administration â has made clear that the number could change.
"We have plenty of money to fund this war," Bessent said. "This is supplemental. President Trump has built up the military, as he did in his first term, as he is now doing in his second term, and he wants to make sure that the military is well supplied going forward."
Zelensky says Starmer and Trump need to 'reload the relationship'
Sunday 22 March 2026 16:00 , Holly EvansOn Friday, the US president said the UK “should have acted a lot faster” in allowing America to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.
It is not the first time the president has berated Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership over the war, including a personal attack on him for being “no Winston Churchill”.
Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelensky said the two leaders can meet and “reload” the relationship.
He told the programme: “Keir is a smart and very good partner. Absolutely.
“We know there are emotions in everyone at different times. I think that Keir, he’s in touch with President Trump, he can meet with him and reload the relationship again. It happens.
“I don’t see a big problem, to be honest. I do not see a big challenge. Your history is stronger than the emotions of two or three people. Your history is simply stronger.”
Asked if he believes Mr Trump’s actions have made the world more dangerous, he said: “I believe that any split in Nato will weaken both sides. I would really like President Trump to meet with Starmer, with the main countries, so that they have a common position.
“We want to be allies with that kind of Nato, a strong Nato, where everyone respects one another and is ready to defend.”
Watch: Netanyahu: 'Iran have the capacity to reach deep into Europe
Sunday 22 March 2026 15:43 , Holly EvansHow reliant are Gulf Arab states on desalination plants now facing Iranian threat?
Sunday 22 March 2026 15:19 , Holly EvansThe Iranian military has warned it would launch attacks on desalination plants and other infrastructure in the region if the US follows through on a threat to target its fuel and energy infrastructure over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Below are some details about how reliant Gulf Arab states are on desalination for their basic water needs:
- In the United Arab Emirates, desalinated water accounts for more than 80 per cent of drinking water.
- Bahrain became fully reliant on desalinated water in 2016, with 100 per cent of groundwater reserved for contingency plans, authorities say.
- Qatar is 100 per cent dependent on desalinated water.
- In Saudi Arabia, a much larger nation with a greater reserve of natural groundwater, about 50 per cent of the water supply came from desalinated water as of 2023, according to the General Authority for Statistics.
- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE combined produce around a third of the world's desalinated water and are home to many of its largest desalination plants.
Turkey discusses steps to end war with Iran, US, EU, Egypt in calls
Sunday 22 March 2026 14:55 , Holly EvansTurkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan discussed steps to end the war between Iran, the United States and Israel with counterparts from Iran and Egypt, as well as US officials and the European Union, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Sunday.
The source said Fidan had held separate calls with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and US officials, without elaborating further.
Iran to completely close Hormuz if Trump executes threats on Iranian energy, Revolutionary Guards say
Sunday 22 March 2026 14:30 , Holly EvansIran will completely shut the strategic Strait of Hormuz if US President Trump executes threats to target Iranian energy facilities, the country's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement on Sunday.
Trump on Saturday threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran did not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48-hours, suggesting a significant escalation barely a day after he talked about "winding down" the war, now in its fourth week.
In their Sunday statement Iran's Revolutionary Guards also said companies with U.S. shares will be 'completely destroyed', if Iranian energy facilities were targeted by Washington and energy facilitiesin countries that host US bases will be 'lawful' targets.
Starmer to hold Cobra meeting on cost of living crisis
Sunday 22 March 2026 14:14 , Holly EvansThere are increasing concerns about how the Iran conflict could affect the cost of living, with the Prime Minister due to hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to help households.
Iran has kept up its stranglehold on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to spike.
On Sunday, the chief executive of Centrica, which owns British Gas, said global oil supplies are down 20 per cent because of the conflict.
Chris O’Shea told BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “Cornwall Insight, I think, have predicted that there’s going to be an increase in prices.
“If it stays as it is then I think that’s inescapable.
“The world uses about 100 million barrels of oil a day. We’ve lost about 20 per cent of that through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Reeves warned not to raise taxes to protect UK from Iran war economic shock
Sunday 22 March 2026 14:00 , Holly EvansRachel Reeves has been urged not to raise taxes in response to the economic shock brought on by the US’s war with Iran.
Ministers will next week hold an emergency meeting with Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, to discuss plans to help households with the soaring cost of living caused by the conflict.
The average annual household energy bill alone is predicted to rise by £332 in July, according to the latest forecast from Cornwall Insights and experts have warned that further rises in the price of petrol and diesel are inevitable after attacks on energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
Read the full article here:
Reeves warned not to raise taxes to protect UK from Iran war economic shock
Israel orders destruction of bridges in Lebanon and homes near Israeli border
Sunday 22 March 2026 13:45 , Holly EvansIsrael's military has been ordered to destroy all bridges over Lebanon's Litani River and to step up the demolition of Lebanese homes near the Israeli border, the country's defence minister said on Sunday.
Earlier, an Israeli was killed in his car near the border with Lebanon after what the military described as a "launch" from Lebanese territory. It was the first Israeli civilian death linked to fire from Lebanon in the current war. Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed in fighting in southern Lebanon.
International law generally prohibits militaries from attacking civilian infrastructure, and the United Nations human rights chief has criticised Israel's actions in Lebanon, particularly its use of widespread evacuation orders.
Defence minister Israel Katz said the military had been ordered to destroy all bridges over the Litani River used for "terrorist activity," to prevent Hezbollah militants and weapons from moving south. He also said the military was ordered to accelerate the demolition of Lebanese homes in "frontline villages" to neutralize threats to Israeli communities.
Trump and Netanyahu say the war will be over ‘very soon’ – but Iran is preparing for a marathon
Sunday 22 March 2026 13:30 , Holly EvansAfter three weeks of intense US attacks on Iran’s missile facilities, Donald Trump has boasted that Iran’s navy and military has been “obliterated”.
“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability,” Donald Trump declared on Truth Social earlier this week - despite failing to achieve his stated aim of instigating regime change and stopping Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The picture on the ground and the potential timeline of the war is more complex than Washington has portrayed, according to experts. Rather than a short, successful military operation, analysts suggest the conflict could drag on for weeks - or even months - if the US and Israel do not withdraw.
Read the full article here:
Trump says the war will be over ‘very soon’ – but Iran is preparing for a marathon
The tiny oil hub in Persian Gulf that Trump could seize
Sunday 22 March 2026 13:10 , Holly EvansAs the US war with Iran continues, attention has turned to a tiny island off the coast of the Middle Eastern country.
Kharg Island, whose total area is just 7.7 square miles, is situated northwest of the strategically important shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite its small size, the island holds around 94 per cent of the country’s crude oil for export, mostly bound for China, and its main oil export terminal.
It has now been reported that Donald Trump is considering putting American troops on the ground in Iran to seize the key oil terminal in the Persian Gulf.
Read the full article here:
Kharg island: A tiny Persion oil hub could be Trump’s secret weapon against Iran
Pope Leo says war in the Middle East is a 'scandal to the whole human family'
Sunday 22 March 2026 13:05 , Holly EvansPope Leo on Sunday said death and suffering caused by the war in the Middle East are a "scandal to the whole human family", renewing his plea for an immediate ceasefire.
As the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, the first US pope said that he continues to follow with "dismay" the situation in the Middle East and in other regions torn apart by war and violence.
"We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, the defenceless victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts the whole of humanity," Leo said at his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square.
"I strongly renew my appeal for us to persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and the way may finally be paved for peace," he added.
Britain must be prepared for food and fuel shortages due to Iran war, minister warns
Sunday 22 March 2026 12:55 , Holly EvansBritain must be prepared for possible food and fuel shortages due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, a minister has warned as Keir Starmer prepares to hold a Cobra meeting to discuss plans to help households.
Steve Reed said the government was monitoring the situation “hour by hour” but said there was no need for rationing yet.
Asked if the government had a plan for shortages of petrol and food, he told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “Of course, we need to be prepared for any eventuality.”
Read the full article here:
Britain must be prepared for food and fuel shortages due to Iran war, minister warns
Scores hurt after Iranian missiles hit Israeli desert towns
Sunday 22 March 2026 12:38 , Holly EvansSouthern Israeli towns woke to widespread damage on Sunday after air defences failed to intercept two Iranian missiles overnight that injured scores of civilians in one of the worst attacks of the war so far on Israeli soil.
As daylight broke, the scale of the damage in the desert town of Arad, where one of the strikes hit a multi-story apartment bloc, came into clearer view, with entire floors blown open by the blast.
Uri Shacham, the chief of staff of Israel's ambulance service, said at least eight buildings were damaged by the missile, which left a crater not far from the apartment blocks.
Footage verified by Reuters showed flames engulfing the top floor of an apartment building shortly after the strike. Search and rescue teams moved from floor to floor inside the damaged buildings.
Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said both strikes had been carried out with conventional ballistic missiles. He declined to comment when asked about the initial findings of a military investigation into the failure to intercept the missiles.
Donald Trump claims 'death of Iran' on Truth Social
Sunday 22 March 2026 12:32 , Holly EvansIn a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump has claimed the “death of Iran” while taking aim at the Democrats.
From his Florida golfing retreat, he said: “Now with the death of Iran, the greatest enemy America has is the Radical Left, Highly Incompetent, Democrat Party! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The US president claimed victory over Tehran on Friday as the war enters its fourth week, with strikes continuing. Despite this, there has been no regime change and Iran continue to block the Strait of Hormuz with a significant knock-on effect to global trade.
Former diplomat questions evidence that Iran has longer distance missiles
Sunday 22 March 2026 12:18 , Kate DevlinA top former diplomat has thrown doubt over the credibility of Israel’s claims that Iran has missiles capable of reaching “deep into Europe”.
Simon McDonald told Times Radio: “They're curious. I mean, we know that Iran has been developing a missile programme. They wanted longer and longer range missiles.
“But frankly, there's no evidence that they have missiles of this capability apart from an Israeli source. And the Israeli agenda is to get Europe more concerned, more involved, more supportive of what they're doing.
“But I note as a fact that Iran hasn't tried to use a missile with this range, and it is in a pretty desperate state.”
When questioned if the UK could be vulnerable to an attack, he said: “True. But I repeat, apart from this Israeli report, I don't see any evidence that Iran has this capability.
“And I also note that in the last three weeks, Israel and the United States have been very specifically targeting Iran's missile programme. So what capabilities Iran had three weeks ago have been significantly degraded.
Trump's 48 hour threat has caused 'elevated uncertainty' in financial markets
Sunday 22 March 2026 12:04 , Holly Evans"President Trump's threat has now placed a 48-hour ticking time bomb of elevated uncertainty over markets. If the ultimatum is not walked back, we will likely see a Black Monday reopening of global equity markets in free fall and oil prices spiking significantly higher," said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore.
Tehran would likely strike Gulf energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which "would deepen and prolong the pain of higher energy prices", Sycamore said.
Oil prices jumped on Friday and settled at their highest in nearly four years, after Iraq declared force majeure on all oilfields developed by foreign firms, Israel attacked a major gas field in Iran and Tehran responded with strikes on neighbours, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.
Netanyahu claims Iran have missile capacity to 'reach deep into Europe'
Sunday 22 March 2026 11:47 , Holly EvansIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Iran have the capacity to “reach deep into Europe” as he urged other leaders to join the war against Tehran.
He told reporters: “They fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Diego Garcia. That's 4,000 kilometers. I've been warning all the time.
“They have now the capacity to reach deep into Europe. They already have fired on European countries, Cyprus. They are putting everyone in their sights.”
He added: “What more proof do you need that this regime that threatens the entire world has to be stopped? Israel and the United States are working together for the entire world.
“And it's time to see the leaders of the rest of the countries join up. I'm happy to say that I can see some of them beginning to move in that direction, but more is needed.”
'Inevitable' that US and Israel took action in Iran, Cleverly says
Sunday 22 March 2026 11:30 , Holly EvansIt was “inevitable” that the US and Israel decided to “take action” in Iran, the shadow housing secretary has said.
Sir James Cleverly told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that Iran is now deploying “very, very long-range missiles”, but did not say if he believed them capable of hitting the UK as he is not privy to the types of intelligence reports he once was.
This came after his Government counterpart Steve Reed appeared to suggest Israel’s warning that Tehran has developed missiles that could reach Europe is exaggerated.
Sir James said: “When I was foreign secretary we were absolutely consistent that our primary focus with regard to Iran was preventing them acquiring a credible nuclear weapon, they were tiptoeing towards that with greater enrichment, so it was inevitable that Israel and the US decided they needed to take action to prevent that from happening.”
He added: “We’re relying on other countries to protect British personnel, British nationals and British interests, and that is not the position we should be in.”
Asked if Conservatives would retaliate against Iran’s attempt to strike Diego Garcia, he said: “It’s not about retaliation, it’s about making sure that – whether it is the UK directly, or our allies, or in conjunction – we degrade their ability to target us.”
Iran warns of 'irreversible damage' to regional infrastructure if power plants attacked
Sunday 22 March 2026 11:16 , Holly EvansCritical infrastructure and energy facilities in the Middle East could be "irreversibly destroyed" should Iranian power plants be targeted, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said in comments posted on X on Sunday.
His comments come after US President Donald Trump warned that Iranian power plants would be targeted if the Strait of Hormuz is not "fully open" within 48 hours.
Qalibaf said regional infrastructure would become "legitimate targets" should Iran's facilities be hit, and that its retaliation would increase the price of oil for a while.
بلافاصله پس از هدف قرار گرفتن نیروگاههای برق و زیرساخت در کشورمان، زیرساختهای حیاتی و زیرساختهای انرژی و نفت در سراسر منطقه اهداف مشروع تلقی شده و به نحو بازگشتناپذیر منهدم خواهند شد و قیمت نفت برای مدتها بالاتر خواهد رفت. وألقِ ما في يمينك تَلْقَفْ ما صَنَعوا.
— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) March 22, 2026
Zelensky says a long war in Iran is a 'plus' for Putin
Sunday 22 March 2026 11:08 , Holly EvansUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has a “very bad feeling” about how the war in the Middle East will affect Ukraine.
He told BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “I have a very bad feeling about the impact of this war on the situation in Ukraine and the focus of America, it’s more on the Middle East than on Ukraine unfortunately.
“Therefore, you see that our diplomatic meetings, trilateral meetings, are constantly postponed. There is one reason: war in Iran.”
He added that US President Donald Trump is “concentrating on Iran”.
On whether the Kremlin is benefiting from the Middle East war, Mr Zelensky said: “Putin will want a long war. For Putin, a long war in Iran is a plus.
“In addition to energy prices, it means the depletion of US reserves and the depletion of air defence manufacturers, so we have a depletion of resources.
“So, it is beneficial for Putin that the resources do not go to Ukraine against whom he has directed his army and is fighting with. He needs to weaken us and this is a long process. The Middle East is one of the ways to do that.”
He added that there will “definitely be a deficit” of Patriot missiles available to come to Ukraine’s aid if needed, saying it presents “another challenge”.
Watch: Iranian missile hits Israeli city near nuclear facility after failed interception
Sunday 22 March 2026 11:03 , Holly EvansGas executive says North Sea exploration would 'make a difference' to prices
Sunday 22 March 2026 10:58 , Holly EvansThe chief executive of British Gas owner Centrica said more exploration in the North Sea “would definitely make a difference” to energy prices as he was questioned on the impact of the war in the Middle East.
On future-proofing the UK, Chris O’Shea told BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “I think we need to look at getting more gas storage, we need to look at getting more home renewables, we need to look at more batteries and I do think that we should look at producing the resources that we’ve got ourselves.
“Now we don’t do that in Centrica, we don’t produce in the North Sea any more, we sold that business, but it makes sense if you’ve got resources you should.
“It’s not a silver bullet … nothing in and of itself will fix this but these activities will bring prices down.”
Asked if it would make a difference if the UK Government said yes to more exploration, Mr O’Shea said: “It would definitely make a difference but it wouldn’t make a difference just in the UK, it would make a difference across Europe.”
Increase in energy bills may be 'inescapable' if war continues
Sunday 22 March 2026 10:47 , Holly EvansAn increase in energy prices may be “inescapable” if the war in the Middle East “stays as it is”, the chief executive of Centrica, which owns British Gas, has said.
Chris O’Shea told BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “There is some speculation as to where prices will go from 1 July but the reality is that we are less than one month into what’s called the observation period, so we’ve got to wait and see what happens over the next 10 weeks.
“Cornwall Insight, I think, have predicted that there’s going to be an increase in prices. If it stays as it is then I think that’s inescapable, but I don’t think it’s helpful to have speculation at the moment because we have to see what’s going to happen over the next 10 weeks.”
Mr O’Shea also told the programme: “The world uses about 100 million barrels of oil a day. We’ve lost about 20 per cent of that through the Strait of Hormuz. The loss of gas through the Strait of Hormuz being closed is about three or 4% of global gas.
“So, the impact on gas, and therefore on electricity bills, should be lower than the impact on oil. So, my gut feel is that you’ll see more of an impact of this in the petrol pumps than you will in bills.”
Asked about support to help people with bills, he said Centrica has had meetings with the Government and hopes they are looking at “targeted support”, telling the programme: “I do think targeted help is far better than blanket help.”
Mapped: What countries Iranian missiles could hit after warning they pose ‘global threat’
Sunday 22 March 2026 10:38 , Holly EvansIran has developed long-range missiles capable of reaching major European cities, Israel has warned, after the targeting of the UK-US base on Diego Garcia.
Iran took aim at the military base on the Chagos Islands before the UK government gave the US permission to strike missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, but it is not clear exactly when the two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were fired.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said it was the first time Tehran had launched a long-range missile since the start of the war, and showed it is now capable of reaching cities such as London, Paris or Berlin.
Read the full analysis here:
Analysis: UK struggling to respond as Iran war escalates
Sunday 22 March 2026 10:13 , Holly EvansOur Whitehall editor Kate Devlin writes:
The pace of the Iran war is leaving the UK scrambling to respond.
The key word ministers keep using about Iran’s behaviour is “reckless”, a sign of how difficult it is to counter.
Steve Reed, the housing secretary, today repeated that ministers believe de-escalation is needed in the region.
But he would not be drawn on what the UK is saying to the US president over his latest demand after Donald Trump issued a fresh 48-hour deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, or the US would "obliterate" Iran's power plants.
Ministers will this week meet in Whitehall to discuss how to deal with the economic crisis prompted by the war, including spiralling energy prices.
But the scale of the conflict risks making anything they decide out of date within hours.
'Dithering' Starmer may have undermined UK's standing in the world, Cleverly says
Sunday 22 March 2026 10:02 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer may have “undermined our standing in the world” by “dithering” on Iran, Sir James Cleverly has said.
The shadow housing secretary told Sky News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that Donald Trump was “deeply unfair” when he accused the UK and European allies of being cowards.
He said: “It’s inappropriate language. We know that President Trump shoots from the hip when it comes to his description of things, look, I think that’s deeply unfair.
“However, I don’t think it has been helped by the fact that our Prime Minister has sat on his hands at a time when the Canadians, a left-of-centre government, were supportive of the action against Iran.
“Australia, a left-of-centre government, supportive of the action against Iran – so it’s not a left-right split.
“The fact is Keir Starmer was equivocal, he was dithering, he was undecided and that, I fear, has undermined our standing in the world.”
Israeli military to accelerate the demolition of Lebanese homes in 'frontline villages'
Sunday 22 March 2026 09:59 , Holly EvansIsrael's defence minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that he and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the military to accelerate the demolition of Lebanese homes in "frontline villages" to end threats to Israeli communities.
The military was instructed to immediately destroy all bridges over Lebanon's Litani river which he said were used for "terrorist activity", Katz said in a statement released by his office.
Steve Reed refuses to say how close missiles came to Diego Garcia
Sunday 22 March 2026 09:46 , Holly EvansSteve Reed has refused to say how close Iran’s long-range missiles came to reaching Diego Garcia.
The housing secretary appeared to suggest Israel’s warning that Iran has developed long-range missiles capable of reaching Europe is exaggerated.
He told BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “There is no specific assessment that the Iranians are targeting the UK or even could, if they wanted to.
“We have the finest military in the world. We are perfectly capable of protecting this country.”
Mr Reed said the Israeli Defence Forces’ statement was “conditional”, adding “there is no assessment to substantiate what’s being said”.
