Donald Trump has told allies that the US “won’t be there to help you anymore” in a scathing attack, suggesting he may abandon the war in Iran without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president wrote on Truth Social that countries like the UK, “which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran”, would have to learn to “fight for yourself” and “go get your own oil!”
“I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” he wrote.
The latest attack on America’s allies comes after Trump reportedly told aides that he was willing to end the US military campaign against Iran even if the vital strait remains largely closed, according to administration officials.
Trump insists the US is working on a peace deal to end the war and reopen the strait, but senior Iranian officials say his proposals are “unrealistic, illogical and excessive”.
US military pounds Iranian ammo depot with 900kg ‘bunker buster’ bombs in dramatic footage
How countries are responding to oil price surge due to Iran war
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Oil prices fall after report says Trump open to ending US-Israeli war against Iran
Key Points
- Fire extinguished on Kuwaiti tanker hit by Iranian attack
- Spain says it has closed its airspace to US planes involved in Iran war
- Oil down 1% at $111 a barrel
- 'No oil leakage' from Kuwait tanker hit by Iran
- Indonesia condemns ‘heinous’ attacks on its peacekeepers
- US military shares photo of amphibious assault ship sailing the Indian Ocean
- Trump tells aides he's willing to end Iran war without reopening Strait of Hormuz: report
'We have to prepare and think' about long-term displacement, Lebanese social affairs minister says
17:40 , Rebecca WhittakerLebanon is preparing for the possibility that hundreds of thousands displaced by Israeli strikes and evacuation orders will not return home in the long term, Lebanese social affairs minister Haneen Sayed said.
Israel's defence minister Israel Katz said the military would destroy all homes along Lebanon's border with Israel and bar 600,000 residents who fled southern Lebanon from returning to their villages.
More than one million people have fled their homes and another 1,200 have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2, when Lebanese armed group Hezbollah pulled Lebanon into the regional conflict by firing into Israel.
"Long-term displacement is something we are concerned about, of course. We hope it does not happen, but as a government, we have to prepare and think about it," Sayed told Reuters.
The Lebanese government is considering options, including cash-for-rent programs and "physical places where people might go", but is not planning to construct camps at this stage, she said.
Healey announced UK to send more troops to Middle East
17:20 , Rebecca WhittakerExtra UK troops are being sent to the Middle East to help the UK’s allies defend their skies from Iranian attacks.
On a trip to Gulf nations, Defence Secretary John Healey announced the UK will deploy the Sky Sabre air defence missile system in Saudi Arabia and extend UK Typhoon jets’ action in Qatar.
Mr Healey said: “Iran’s aggressive attacks continue to threaten our allies and interests in the Middle East.
“That’s why the UK has been flying defensive missions since day one of this conflict to protect British interests and allies – and today we’re delivering further support by extending our UK jets in Qatar and deploying extra air defence teams and systems to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.
“I am proud of the courage and professionalism our armed forces have shown since the start of the war and my message to Gulf partners is: Britain’s best will help you defend your skies.
“I pay tribute to the heroic efforts of our partners across the Gulf in protecting their nations.
“We will stand by our long-term partners in the Middle East and continue to push for a swift resolution to this conflict.”
Four million people across the Gulf could be pushed into poverty by war in Iran, UN warns
17:00 , Jessie WilliamsFour million people in the Gulf could be pushed into poverty by the war in Iran, says the UN, as the conflict enters its second month.
A report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the economic and social repercussions of the war found that Arab nations stand to lose between $120 billion and $194 billion from gross domestic product as a result of disruptions to energy supply chains.
“The number of poor people will increase by about four million people in our region in one month,” said Abdullah Al-Dardari, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States.
Read the full story:
UN: 4 million people in the Gulf could be pushed into poverty by war in Iran
Watch: General Caine says US always hits lawful targets after Trump threats to attack Iran energy infrastructure
16:26 , James ReynoldsUK sends more troops to Middle East to defend Gulf allies against Iran’s ‘aggressive’ attacks
16:03 , Athena StavrouThe UK is set to deploy extra troops to the Middle East in an effort to bolster defences for UK allies facing Iranian attacks from the skies.
On a trip to Gulf nations, defence secretary John Healey said additional air defence teams and systems have arrived in Bahrain and Kuwait.
He also outlined plans to deploy an air defence missile system in Saudi Arabia and extend UK Typhoon jets’ action in Qatar – despite the prime minister’s repeated insistence that the UK will not be dragged into the wider war.
News of the bolstered defence capabilities comes just hours after US President Donald Trump warned Sir Keir Starmer and other allies that the “US won’t be there to help you any more, just like you weren’t there for us”, after they refused to join US strikes on Iran.
Read the full story:
UK sends more troops to Middle East to defend allies against Iran’s attacks
Analysis: Trump will ‘negotiate with bombs’ and lead the free world — whether it likes it or not, Hegseth vows
15:59 , James ReynoldsNobody will say for sure whether civilians will suffer and ungrateful allies should be careful, reports Holly Baxter on a Pete Hegseth war briefing that played fast and loose with the English language:
Trump will ‘negotiate with bombs’ and lead the free world whether it likes it or not
Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive and in Iran, says Russia
15:45 , James ReynoldsIranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in Iran but avoiding making public appearances “for understandable reasons”, Russia’s ambassador to Iran said on Tuesday, per the RTVI news outlet.
Iran recruiting children as young as 12 to ‘defend the homeland’ in new campaign
15:41 , James ReynoldsIran is recruiting children as young as 12 into military-aligned roles in a desperate effort to mobilise the population and bolster its war effort, human rights groups have warned.
Rahim Nadali, the deputy director of culture and arts at the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), called for members of the general public to step up and “defend the homeland” in comments to Iran’s state news agency Defa Press.
Mr Nadali said the IRGC, which played a central role in the crackdown on Iranian protesters in January, would offer opportunities to the Iranian public to “play a role” in the conflict.
Read the full story:
Iran recruits children as young as 12 to ‘defend the homeland’ in new campaign
UN says initial findings show roadside blast killed Lebanon peacekeepers
15:25 , James ReynoldsInitial findings in a probe into the deaths of two Indonesian peacekeepers in southern Lebanon on 30 March point to a roadside explosion striking their convoy, United Nations peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
Recap: Trump slams Britain and France in scathing online tirade
14:45 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump has told allies that the US “won’t be there to help you anymore” in a scathing attack suggesting he may abandon the war in Iran without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president wrote on Truth Social that countries like the UK, “which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran”, would have to learn to “fight for yourself” and “go get your own oil!”
“I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” he wrote.
He also said France had been “very unhelpful” and that “the U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!! President DJT”
King and Queen to visit Trump in late April, says Trump
14:30 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump says the King and Queen of the UK will visit the US between 27 and 30 April, as Trump’s relationship with the government has soured amid the Iran war.
He writes on his Truth Social platform: “Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th.
“This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!”
Recap: Hegseth says US knows 'exactly' what Russia and China are doing to help Iran
14:30 , James ReynoldsThe United States is well aware of what China and Russia are doing to help Iran and are confronting those efforts where necessary, US defense secretary Pete Hegseth told a briefing on Tuesday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia has been supplying Iran with drones and intelligence to help Tehran.
Asked about reports of Russia and China aiding Iran, Hegseth said: "As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they're doing, what they are or are not doing.
“We don't have to air publicly what all of that is, but where necessary, we're addressing it, we're mitigating it or we're confronting it head-on."
Pakistan and China offer their own plan for peace
14:22 , James ReynoldsThe government of Pakistan says in a statement that it and China have produced a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf region.
Islamabad and Beijing both call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for peace talks to start asap. They call to protect the security of shipping lanes at an early date.
Trump says other countries will have to 'come and take care' of Strait of Hormuz
14:03 , James ReynoldsCBS reporter Weijia Jiang says she called Trump for clarity on his post today about the Strait of Hormuz.
The president said he was not pulling assets in and around the strait yet, but could.
“At some point I will, not quite yet, but countries have to come in and take care of it,” Trump said, per the report. “Iran has been decimated, but they're going to have to come in and do their own work.”
Trump has been calling on US allies to wade into the war against Iran, with no clear end to the conflict in sight. He and his defence secretary both berated the UK and called on the Royal Navy to help reopen the strait.
Hegseth takes aim at Royal Navy after Trump jibe
13:48 , James ReynoldsAsked about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth points to Donald Trump’s comments earlier today that other countries should be ready to step up and help reopen it, too.
“Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well,” he said.
“This is an international waterway that we use less than most, in fact, dramatically less than most,” he adds, saying the reopening is not just America’s “problem set”.
How long until the objectives are achieved?
13:37 , James ReynoldsHegseth is asked how long it will take before the US objectives are achieved.
After stressing the importance of unpredictability in strategy and tactics, he says it could be “four, six, eight weeks - or any number”.
Hegseth says talks 'very real and ongoing'
13:32 , James ReynoldsHegseth is asked to clear up the confusion around whether negotiations are ongoing, and if the US will strike energy targets in Iran if not.
Is there a way to do it without harming civilians, he’s asked.
Hegseth says the talks are “very real”, “active”, “ongoing” and “gaining strength”.
He says the US would much prefer a deal to military action.
Hegseth concludes before answering the second question.
Hegseth says US knows 'exactly what Russia and China are doing' to help Iran
13:28 , James ReynoldsHegseth is asked how the US will keep the Strait of Hormuz open and ensure dominance in the region.
He’s also asked how Russia and China are working with Iran and what the US will do to punish Iran’s backers.
Hegseth says more vessels are now flowing through the region. He says the navy is focused on limiting their options.
“We know exactly what they are doing,” he says of Russia and China.
He says the US does not need to divulge details publicly but that they are “confronting it head on”.
Summarised: Hegseth's update on the war in Iran
13:24 , James ReynoldsUS defence secretary Pete Hegseth gave an update on the war in Iran on Tuesday.
He claimed the last 24 hours had seen the fewest number of missiles fired from Iran since the war erupted.
He said that the US’s options were still growing as Iran’s narrowed. The US continued to strike Iran hard, he said, confirming that strikes in Isfahan occurred last night, as reported.
Hegseth said that Iran would be wise to cut a deal and insisted that Donald Trump is ready to find a way to end the war.
If Iran does not make a deal, the US will continue with more intensity, he threatened.
US buildup in Middle East suggests planning for 'much, much bigger' operation, says former US intelligence officer
13:20 , James ReynoldsRetired US Navy Intelligence officer Malcolm Nance told CNN’s Early Start on Tuesday that the US buildup in the Middle East signals a “much, much bigger” operation beyond island targets.
“Even though the war looks like it's happening in a massive aerial campaign, we've noticed just over the last two weeks ... a series of flights started to move from the United States, which started to spell out that there was a much bigger picture going on,” he said.
“The numbers that they are having there are far bigger than anything you would need for Kharg Island. I was in the Navy. I served off Kharg Island and had naval battles with the Iranians in the 1980s and hit mines. Let me tell you, Kharg and the southern Strait of Hormuz islands are a task in themselves. The Marines could handle that. But that, combined with the 82nd Airborne, we are looking at something much, much bigger than taking those islands.”
Such buildup suggests “they are probably planning a combat jump into Iran itself,” he assessed.
Watch live: Pete Hegseth holds Pentagon briefing on Iran war
13:13 , James ReynoldsUS soldiers keen to keep fighting Iran, Hegseth says
13:12 , James ReynoldsHegseth says that he visited US troops at an unspecified location in the Middle East on Saturday.
He reports American soldiers wanted to ‘finish the mission’ with ‘more targets’ and ‘bigger bombs’.
The suggestion of continuing the war comes despite concern diplomacy is failing and that Trump is reportedly considering walking away without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Pete Hegseth gives update on Iran War
13:07 , James ReynoldsSpeaking at the Pentagon, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth is giving an update on the Iran War.
Breaking: King Charles to meet Trump on US state visit
13:05 , James ReynoldsBritain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet with US president Donald Trump in April, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Tuesday.
The King has been expected to travel to the US for some time. The official announcement came at a nadir in UK-US relations over the war in Iran.
Just minutes earlier, Trump had launched a scathing attack on the UK and France.
Watch: US military pounds Iranian ammo depot with 900kg ‘bunker buster’ bombs in dramatic footage
13:00 , James ReynoldsDramatic footage shared by Donald Trump shows the moment that US forces struck a large ammunition depot in Iran with 2,000lb bunker buster bombs, triggering a huge explosion.
A clip shared by the US president on Truth Social showed the moment the bombs struck a target in the Iranian city of Isfahan with “penetrator munitions” designed to tear into targets deep underground, a US official told the Wall Street Journal.
Thick black smoke billowed above the city in the footage shared by the US president on Tuesday.
Farage insists relationship with unpopular Trump won’t damage chances at the polls
12:44 , Athena StavrouReform UK leader Nigel Farage has insisted his long-standing friendship with Donald Trump won’t hinder his chances at the next election, despite the US president growing more unpopular amongst voters amid his war on Iran.
Speaking on Tuesday about their relationship, and the UK’s response to the outbreak of war, Mr Farage said Britain is “utterly defenceless” without the US, and repeated his stance that Sir Keir Starmer should have allowed American forces to use British bases for their initial attacks on Tehran.
Asked about whether he thought their friendship could affect his standing with UK voters he said: “No, I don't believe I will for a moment.”
He added: “I’ve known Trump for a long time, and over the years, we've agreed on many things, and over the years, we've disagreed quite strongly on others. Ultimately, I want an independent United Kingdom.”
Pictured: New angles show aftermath of strikes on Isfahan
12:30 , James Reynolds
Breaking: Trump criticises France for not letting planes heading to Israel fly over their territory
12:26 , Bryony GoochUS president Donald Trump said his country “will REMEMBER” as France reportedly wouldn’t let military planes fly over their territory.
He said: “The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the ‘Butcher of Iran,’ who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!! President DJT”
Breaking: Trump calls on countries to either buy oil from the US or get their own
12:18 , Bryony GoochUS president Donald Trump has just posted on Truth Social, calling on countries to either buy from the US or take oil from the Middle East themselves.
He said: “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.
“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT”
Food prices set to spike amid Iran war – but not for the reason you might expect
12:10 , James ReynoldsHouseholds in the UK could soon be paying more for groceries, experts have warned, as the economic fallout from war in Iran hits economies around the globe.
Fuel prices have already started to rise across the country as the cost of oil reaches highs not seen since 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. An energy bill shock is also anticipated in July, when Ofgem’s price cap is forecast to rise by as much as £300, according to one consultancy.
But a more unlikely knock-on effect on food prices could be expected as soon as summer, households have been warned, as pressures on natural gas trade drive up the price of synthetic fertiliser.
Read the full story:
Food prices set to spike amid Iran war – but not for the reason you might expect
Special relationship under strain following public clashes over Iran, officials say
11:50 , James ReynoldsSecurity cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom has come under strain in the wake of the public spat between Donald Trump and Keir Starmer over the war in Iran, according to a report.
Sources privy to the situation told the Financial Times that Trump’s recent criticism of Starmer is having an impact on working relationships behind the scenes.
One person familiar with the exchanges said that under the Trump administration, British diplomats have seen their access to senior political decision makers diminishing, “because the people we have access to are having their own access curtailed”.
A former senior British official told the FT: “Starmer is getting singled out among European leaders for a particular battering by Trump over Iran. You can see why things might get a bit tense.”
Will Donald Trump deploy troops to take Kharg Island?
11:21 , James ReynoldsTrump told the Financial Times in an interview published on Sunday that he wanted to "take the oil in Iran" and could seize the export hub of Kharg Island.
Taking control of Kharg would require ground troops, which the US has rushed to the region in recent days. But most Americans are still opposed to the war and a new escalation, which would likely weigh on Trump’s already low approval ratings ahead of November midterm elections for Congress.
Officials have told Reuters the administration is still weighing whether to send ground forces to the island.
Why Kharg Island?
The island handles 90% of Iran's oil exports, and seizing it would give the United States the ability to disrupt Iran's energy trade, placing enormous pressure on Tehran's economy.
Trump would also hope that taking Kharg Island would force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and provide him with potential leverage in future negotiations, analysts say.
How could the US seize the island?
Two contingents of Marines could arrive in the region around the end of the month, and sources say the Pentagon is planning to send thousands of airborne troops as well to give Trump more options if he were to order a ground assault.
A former commander of the U.S. Central Command, Joseph Votel, told TWZ.com last week that while only 800 to 1,000 troops would be needed on Kharg Island, they would require logistical backup that would need protection as well.
How would Iran respond?
Tehran has already sent extra surface to air missiles to the island and has laid traps including anti-personnel and anti-armour mines in the waters surrounding it, CNN reported, citing people familiar with US intelligence. US troops landing on the island would also be exposed to missile and drone attacks.
Tehran could opt to lay more mines to target shipping, including floating mines deployed from the coast, which would make the region even more hazardous for shipping, which has already been significantly disrupted by the conflict.
Breaking: Israel to establish buffer zone inside southern Lebanon
10:50 , James ReynoldsIsrael will establish a buffer zone inside southern Lebanon and maintain control over the entire area up to the Litani River, Israel's defence minister said on Tuesday.
Israel Katz said that the IDF would position itself in a ‘security zone’ inside the country, where the military has been battling Hezbollah and striking buildings and infrastructure for weeks.
He said Israel would ban the return of 600,000 residents displaced north from returning to their homes south of the Litani River until security in northern Israel is “ensured”.
All the houses in villages next to the border in Lebanon will be destroyed “according to the Rafah and Beit Hanoun model in Gaza”, he said.
Iranian desalination plant out of action following airstrike
10:48 , James ReynoldsOne of the desalination plants on Iran's Qeshm Island has been out of service since being hit by an air strike, an official from the Health Ministry told Iranian media on Tuesday, without saying when the strike occurred.
"Drinking water on Qeshm Island is provided by desalination plants. One of the desalination plants on Qeshm Island was targeted and is completely out of service as it is not possible to repair it in the short term," the Health Ministry's head of the Environmental and Occupational Health Centre said, according to the news outlet Borna.
Iran said earlier in March that a desalination plant on Qeshm Island was targeted in air strikes. Trump said this week the US has “purposefully not yet ‘touched’” energy infrastructure and desalinisation plants.
Russia says Iran war aimed at stealing energy resources and risks wider war
10:44 , James ReynoldsRussia’s veteran foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Tuesday that the Middle East crisis could spill over into a wider conflict.
He assessed that regime changes in Iran were aimed at gaining more control over oil and gas resources.
Russia has been embroiled in a four year conflict with Ukraine, claiming its mineral rich regions in the east and clashing with European neighbours over intrusions across borders.
Pictured: Damage to Al-Salmi oil tanker following reported strike
10:35 , James Reynolds
Trump shares video of huge explosion after bunker buster bombs rip through Iranian ammunition depot
10:15 , James ReynoldsDramatic footage shared by Donald Trump shows the moment that US forces struck a large ammunition depot in Iran with 2,000lb bunker buster bombs, triggering a huge explosion.
A clip shared by the US president on Truth Social showed the moment the bombs struck a target in the Iranian city of Isfahan with “penetrator munitions” designed to tear into targets deep underground, a US official told the Wall Street Journal.
Thick black smoke billowed above the city in the footage shared by the US president on Tuesday.
Read the full story:
Huge explosion after bunker buster bombs rip through Iranian ammunition depot
Israel ready to fight for weeks to come, says military
09:58 , James ReynoldsA spokesperson for Israel’s military says its forces are prepared to keep operating for weeks to come.
Iranians will be executed for filming war aftermath, says Tehran
09:36 , James ReynoldsIran has warned its citizens that they may face the death penalty for taking photographs of the war devastation
Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said that taking photos of damaged areas could tip off the coalition forces with useful targeting information, according to the Fars news agency.
"For people who give information to the enemy by taking photos or filming, the law on the intensification of espionage punishments provides for the punishment of espionage, which is execution and confiscation of all property,” he said.
"When photographs are taken of damaged areas, the enemy is informed that the target was located correctly; giving information to the enemy in this way is the same as cooperating with the enemy in intelligence, for which the legislator has provided the death penalty and confiscation of all property."
EU tells members to prepare for 'prolonged disruption' from war in Iran
09:08 , James ReynoldsEurope should prepare for a "prolonged disruption" to energy markets as a result of the Iran war, the bloc's energy chief has warned.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said in a letter to ministers that while the fallout on Europe's energy supplies is currently contained, governments are "encouraged to make timely preparations in anticipation of a potentially prolonged disruption".
Chinese ships passing through Strait of Hormuz despite disruption
08:41 , James ReynoldsThree Chinese ships have recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry revealed on Tuesday as global transit remains heavily disrupted.
The spokesperson added that China appreciates the assistance provided by the relevant parties.
UAE battling fresh missile attacks from Iran
08:33 , James ReynoldsThe UAE is reporting that its defence systems are dealing with new missile and drone threats from Iran.
This news is breaking: more to follow.
Watch: US drops bunker buster bomb on 'Iranian ammunition depot'
08:09 , James ReynoldsIran destroyed critical US radar plane in strike on airbase. Experts fear it’s a ‘serious blow’ to the battlefield
07:40 , James ReynoldsIran’s destruction of a critical American spy plane has raised concerns among military analysts who fear the damage could impact U.S. abilities to spot incoming threats.
Images of the wrecked U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft show a broken tail that appears to have been severed entirely from the body of the plane.
The Boeing aircraft — a key part of the military’s airborne warning and control system, or AWACS — is capable of tracking hundreds of targets at a time while monitoring thousands of square miles. The plane itself serves as an airborne command post with a distinctive rotating radar dome above the fuselage.
Read our full story below.
Iran destroyed critical US radar plane in strike on airbase, images show
Experts say seizing Kharg Island may not end Iran war
07:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump is threatening to deploy ground troops to seize critical oil infrastructure on Iran's Kharg Island, a military gambit that experts say would risk American lives and could still fail to end the war.
If Trump wants to hobble Iran's oil industry for leverage in negotiations, a better option might be setting up a blockade at sea against ships that have filled up at Kharg Island's oil terminals, the experts said.
"Putting people on the ground might be the most psychologically compelling way of striking a blow at Iran," said Michael Eisenstadt, a former US military analyst who now directs the Military and Security Studies Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
"On the other hand, you're putting your own troops at jeopardy," said Eisenstadt, a retired Army reserve officer who served in Iraq. "It's not far from the mainland. So they can potentially rain a lot of destruction on the island, if they're willing to inflict damage on their own infrastructure.
"Seizing Kharg Island could escalate the conflict, said Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies.
He said Iran and its proxies — including Yemen's Houthi rebels — could intensify their retaliation, including by laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and striking targets with drones across the Arabian Peninsula, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea.
South Korea proposes $17.3bn extra budget to tackle energy crisis
07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSouth Korea proposed a supplementary government budget of $17.3bn this morning to support consumers and companies hit by the war in the Middle East.
A surge in oil prices sparked by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has raised growth and inflation risks for Asia's fourth-largest economy, which is also the world's fourth-largest importer of oil, with 70 per cent of its purchases coming from the Middle East.
It is the second extra budget in less than a year under the administration of president Lee Jae Myung, who has pledged to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy to spur economic growth since taking office last June."Beyond economic data, difficulties and anxiety felt by our people and companies are deepening more than ever," said budget minister Park Hong Keun.
"A pre-emptive response is more important than anything else."The spending plan of 26.2 trillion won ($17.3bn) includes 10.1 trillion won of measures responding to high oil prices, 2.8 trillion won of support for low-income earners and young people, and 2.6 trillion won for companies affected by the Middle East conflict, according to the budget ministry.
Among major measures, the government plans to spend 5.0 trillion won to make up for oil refiners' losses incurred by nationwide price caps introduced this month for the first time in nearly 30 years.
It will also allocate 4.8 trillion won to provide financial support in the form of consumer vouchers worth 100,000 won to 600,000 won per person depending on income and region, excluding those in the top 30% nationwide by income.
Iran executes two members of exile group
06:54 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTwo more members of the Iranian exile group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq were hanged this morning in Iran, state media reported.
The two men were identified as Babak Alipour and Pouya Ghobadi.
Amnesty International has said Tehran's Revolutionary Court convicted the men on charges of armed rebellion against the state "following a grossly unfair trial in October 2024" after they were subjected to torture.
Spain closes its airspace to US planes involved in war
06:45 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSpain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in the Iran war, defence minister Margarita Robles said, marking another step in the country's opposition to the US and Israel's conflict in the Middle East.
Spain had already said the US could not use jointly operated military bases in the Iran conflict, which Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has described as illegal, reckless and unjust.
Defence minister Robles said Monday the same logic applied to the use of Spanish airspace in the conflict.
More here.
Spain says it has closed its airspace to US planes involved in the Iran war
JetBlue is raising the price of checked bags by at least $4
06:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe budget airline JetBlue has increased its checked baggage fees by at least $4 as it grapples with the spiraling price of jet fuel due to President Donald Trump's war on Iran.
JetBlue's website now shows a minimum charge of $39 for your first checked bag, including a $10 discount for pre-booking online — up $4 from its previous price of $35.
At peak times, such as during summer and on major U.S. holidays, the fee will rise from $40 to $49.
"As we experience rising operating costs, we regularly evaluate how to manage those costs while keeping base fares competitive and continuing to invest in the experience our customers value," a spokesperson told The Independent.
More here.
JetBlue raises checked bag fee by at least $4 amid higher fuel costs due to Iran war
'No oil leakage' from Kuwait tanker hit by Iran
06:36 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Dubai media office has confirmed this morning that there has been no oil leakage from the Kuwaiti crude oil tanker hit by an Iranian attack at Dubai Port's anchorage.
“Dubai authorities confirm that response teams have successfully contained the incident involving the Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters, with no oil leakage and no injuries reported,” the media office said on X.
Watch: UK forces conduct air-to-air refuelling operations near Cyprus
06:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIndonesia condemns ‘heinous’ attacks on its peacekeepers
06:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIndonesia's foreign minister condemned the "heinous" attack on its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, which the Israeli forces have incessantly targeted in recent days.
Sugiono called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting and "for a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation" into the attack after speaking with UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres.
Israel's military said early this morning that it was aware of the reports regarding the two incidents and they are being reviewed thoroughly to determine whether they resulted from Hezbollah or the military's activity.
Gulf allies privately make the case to Trump to keep fighting
06:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarGulf allies of the US are arguing that Tehran hasn't been weakened enough by the monthlong US-led bombing campaign, according to US, Gulf and Israeli officials.
Officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed in private conversations that they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership or there's a dramatic shift in Iranian behaviour, according to the officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
While regional leaders are broadly supportive now of the US efforts, one Gulf diplomat described some division, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the calls for increasing military pressure on Tehran.
The UAE has emerged as perhaps the most hawkish of the Gulf countries and is pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion, the diplomat said.
Australia condemns attack on peacekeepers in Lebanon
05:53 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAustralian foreign minister Penny Wong has condemned the attack on Indonesian peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, which has been incessantly targeted by Israeli forces in recent days.
"Attacks on UN peacekeepers are unacceptable," she said in a post on X.
"We condemn the killing of three Indonesian personnel serving with the UN in Lebanon. We extend our sincere condolences to their loved ones, colleagues and to Indonesia. We support Indonesia's calls for a thorough investigation."
Trump’s approval rating dips to new second-term low
05:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a second-term low, a sign of “profound problems” in the Republican’s coalition, a top pollster argues.
As of Monday, President Trump had an average of 39.9 percent approval, and a net approval rating of -16.7, according to composite measures from polling expert Nate Silver. The share of Americans who strongly disapprove of Trump also hit a second-term high, at 46.7 percent, Silver found.
The pollster attributed the president’s dismal approval rating, which has fallen by nearly 5 percent this month, to the ongoing war with Iran and the resulting spike in gas prices.
More here.
Trump approval dips to second-term low as pollster warns of ‘profound problems’
Oil down 1% at $111 a barrel
05:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices reversed course in Asian trading early this morning, paring earlier gains, following a report that US president Donald Trump told aides he is willing to end the Iran war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures for May were down $1.22, or 1.08 per cent, to $111.56 per barrel at 2am GMT after rising 2 per cent earlier in the session. The May contract expires today and the more active June contract was at $105.76.
US West Texas Intermediate futures for May fell 98 cents, or 0.95 per cent, to $101.90 a barrel after hitting their highest point since March 9 in early trading.
Analysts said the fall in prices is a temporary reaction to the idea of the war's end, but any meaningful change in prices would not materialise until flows through the Strait of Hormuz are completely reinstated.
Three UN peacekeepers killed in Lebanon as Israel strikes continue
05:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThree UN peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon after a bloody weekend in which Lebanese journalists and medics were killed in Israeli strikes.
Two peacekeepers were killed yesterday after an explosion from an unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan in south Lebanon, the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL said in a statement. Two other soldiers were wounded in the blast.
Earlier, another Indonesian soldier was killed overnight Sunday into Monday when a projectile exploded by one of the group’s positions by the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr. Another peacekeeper was critically injured at the time.
The death on Sunday was the first among the UN’s peacekeeping force in the new war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah which erupted on 2 March. “These are two separate incidents and we are investigating them as two separate incidents,” said UNIFIL’s spokesperson Kandice Ardiel.
Interception debris causes fire in Dubai
04:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarEmergency teams responded early this morning to a fire in an abandoned house in Al Badaa, a residential area in Dubai, after debris fell following an air defense interception, injuring four people, the Dubai Media Office said.
Fire extinguished on Kuwaiti tanker hit by Iranian attack
04:31 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA fire on board a fully loaded Kuwaiti crude oil tanker hit by an Iranian attack at Dubai Port's anchorage has been extinguished, after the strike damaged the vessel's hull, authorities said.
The apparent strike on the Al Salmi tanker is just the latest in a string of assaults on merchant vessels by missiles or explosive air and sea drones in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation this morning said that the Al Salmi was struck in an Iranian attack while anchored at Dubai port in the United Arab Emirates, causing damage to the vessel and a fire onboard. It warned of a possible oil spill in surrounding waters, Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA reported.
Dubai authorities said maritime firefighting teams successfully put out the blaze, which was sparked by a drone attack and continued to assess the situation, adding that no injuries were reported and all 24 crew members were safe.
Kuwaiti oil tanker catches fire after being hit by drone in Dubai's waters, officials say
01:30 , Rachel DobkinA Kuwaiti oil tanker has caught fire after being hit by a drone in Dubai's waters, according to officials.
The Dubai Media Office announced on X early Tuesday morning local time that the tanker was hit. It said maritime firefighters were working to control the fire.
أكدت الجهات المختصة في دبي تعاملها مع حادث ناجم عن طائرة مسيرة تعرضت له ناقلة نفط كويتية في مياه دبي (المخطاف E) من دون تسجيل أي إصابات. وتعمل فرق الإطفاء البحري حالياً على السيطرة على الحريق، والتعامل مع الحادث وفق الإجراءات المتبعة، وسيتم الإعلان عن المزيد من المعلومات لحظة…
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 30, 2026
In a follow-up post, the media office said no injuries were reported, and all 24 crew members are safe.
The Kuwaiti Petroleum Corporation blamed Iran for the attack, The New York Times reported.
