Donald Trump said Iran are "lousy fighters, but great negotiators” and claimed they were “begging to make a deal” to end the war.
The US president spoke at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, in which he said the US is “absolutely obliterating” Iran and claimed to have “wiped out” its air force and navy.
Mr Trump had on Wednesday claimed the US was negotiating peace with Iran's leadership but that Tehran was afraid to admit as much due to fears of being “killed by their own people”.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview on state television, however, that his government had not engaged in talks to end the war, adding “we do not plan on any negotiations”.
Using Pakistan as an intermediary, Washington DC has delivered to Iran a 15-point ceasefire proposal, which includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports.
Mr Trump’s 15-point proposal, sent through Pakistan, calls for removing Iran’s stocks of highly enriched uranium, halting enrichment, curbing its ballistic missile programme and cutting off funding for regional allies, according to three Israeli cabinet sources.
Key Points
- Trump says Iran wants peace deal 'badly'
- Two killed in Abu Dhabi after missile interception
- Israel says it has killed Iranian navy chief key to Hormuz blockade
- Blast heard in Dubai
- White House staffers ‘baffled’ over Trump claiming Iran gave him a prize
- Israel launches heavy strikes on Isfahan
US confirm 15 point ceasefire proposal
15:10 , Dan HaygarthAfter days of reports, the cabinet meeting has confirmed the US has a 15-point proposal to end the conflict, including demands ranging from dismantling Iran's nuclear programme and curbing its missiles, as well as effectively handing over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran 'begging to make a deal', says Trump
15:06 , Daniel HaygarthThe president told the cabinet meeting: “They are begging to work out a deal. I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that.
“I don’t know if we’re willing to do that. They should have done that four weeks ago. They should have done it two years ago.”
Trump criticises the UK
15:03 , Dan HaygarthThe president said: "We had the UK say - this is three weeks ago - we'll send our aircraft carriers, which aren't the best aircraft carriers, by the way. They're toys compared to what we have."
It is yet another criticism of the UK’s response to his war with Iran.
‘It’s really Orwellian’: Has Dubai’s social media crackdown killed the influencer dream for good?
15:00 , Dan HaygarthAs Iranian missiles strike Dubai, the UAE’s most glamorous city, residents face arrest for sharing or sending photos on social media. even to family Katie Rosseinsky speaks with Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, to uncover the reality behind the influencer paradise.
Has Dubai’s ‘Orwellian’ social media crackdown killed the influencer dream for good?
Trump calls Iran great negotiators
14:50 , Dan HaygarthTrump said the Iranians are great negotiators, but that he's not sure he's willing to make a deal with them to end the war.
"Lousy fighters, but great negotiators”, he says of Iran.
Iran 'begging to make deal', says Trump
14:47 , Dan Haygarth
“They are begging to make a deal, not me”, Donald Trump says about Iran.
“Anybody that saw what’s happening out there would understand why they want to make a deal.
“They say ‘oh we’re not talking to them’, but anybody would know they’re talking.”
Trump on Wednesday claimed the US was negotiating peace with Iran's leadership but that Tehran was afraid to admit as much due to fears of being “killed by their own people”.
US confirm death of Iran navy commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri
14:44 , Dan HaygarthThe United States on Thursday confirmed the death of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - Navy commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri from an Israeli airstrike, according to a post on X from US Central Command.
Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander: pic.twitter.com/oVqhVjgIDL
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 26, 2026
Trump: 'We’ve wiped out their navy completely, their air force completely'
14:43 , Dan HaygarthAbout his strikes on Iran, Trump said at a cabinet meeting today: “We’re crushing their missiles and drone stockpiles and their defence industrial base.
“We’ve wiped out their navy completely, their air force completely, we’ve wiped out a large percentage of their missiles and their missile launchers.”
Trump: 'We are absolutely obliterating them'
14:41 , Daniel HaygarthSpeaking about his war with Iran at a cabinet meeting this afternoon, Donald Trump has just said: “We are absolutely obliterating them, over the past three weeks we have been hitting Iran’s military capabilities at a level that few people have ever seen before.”
He added: “We have the strongest military anywhere in the world by far.”
Iranian official says US proposal to end war is 'one-sided', but door to diplomacy still open
14:27 , Daniel HaygarthIran’s initial response to the US proposal to end the war, which was conveyed to Pakistan, was that it was "one-sided and unfair", a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday, adding that a path forward might still be found if realism prevailed in Washington.
Trump’s 15-point proposal, sent through Pakistan, calls for removing Iran’s stocks of highly enriched uranium, halting enrichment, curbing its ballistic missile programme and cutting off funding for regional allies, according to three Israeli cabinet sources.
The official said the proposal "was reviewed in detail on Wednesday night by senior Iranian officials and the representative of Iran’s supreme leader", Reuters reports.
"In brief, the proposal suggests that Iran would relinquish its ability to defend itself in exchange for a vague plan to lift sanctions," he said, adding that the proposal lacked the minimum requirements for success.
He said there was "still no arrangement for negotiations, and no plan for talks appears realistic at this stage", while Turkey and Pakistan were trying to help "establish common ground between Iran and the United States and reduce differences".
Watch live: Trump holds cabinet meeting
14:20 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump will host a cabinet meeting shortly. We will bring you the updates here and you can watch live on our YouTube page.
Cost of Trump’s war, from energy bills to interest rates
14:20 , Jane Dalton
Cost of Trump’s war: How Middle East conflict is hitting Britons
Iran imposes ‘toll booth regime’ to allow Strait of Hormuz passage
14:05 , Dan HaygarthIran imposed a “de facto toll booth regime” in the Strait of Hormuz even before its parliament unveiled plans to formally charge ships transiting the critical maritime route, Lloyd's List said.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) already required ships to submit full documentation, obtain clearance codes, and accept escorted passage through a controlled corridor of the strait, it said.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints as a fifth of the global oil supply typically passes through it.
Iran’s parliament is pursuing legislation to “formally codify Iran’s sovereignty, control and oversight over the Strait of Hormuz, while also creating a source of revenue through the collection of fees", lawmaker Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi said, according to Fars and Tasnim news agencies. The arrangement was "entirely natural”, he said.
"We provide its security and it is natural that ships and oil tankers should pay such fees," Mr Kouchi added.
China calls on international community to encourage US and Iran return to negotiating table
13:53 , Dan HaygarthThe international community should encourage the US and Iran to return to the negotiating table and seek effective political settlement, China's foreign minister Wang Yi said on Thursday, Reuters reports.
Wang made the remarks during a phone call with Canadian counterpart Anita Anand, in which he also called on Beijing and Ottawa to jointly play a constructive role in this regard, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Houthis vow to join Iran war if needed
13:40 , Jane DaltonYemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement, whose attacks on the Red Sea caused international shipping and trade chaos in the Gaza war, stands ready to strike the key waterway again in solidarity with Tehran, one Houthi leader has told Reuters.
Iran's Shi'ite allies in Lebanon and Iraq have joined the war. But Yemen's Houthi rebels, heavily armed and capable of striking Gulf neighbours and causing major disruption to maritime navigation around the Arabian Peninsula, have not yet entered the fray.
"We stand fully militarily ready with all options,” said the Houthi leader.
“As for other details having to do with determining zero hour they are left to leadership and we are monitoring and following up with the developments and will know when is the suitable time to move.”
If the Houthis open a new front in the conflict, one obvious target would be the Bab al-Mandab Strait off the coast of Yemen, a key shipping chokepoint and narrow passageway that controls sea traffic towards the Suez Canal after Iran effectively shut the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Nationalities of two killed in Abu Dhabi released
13:01 , Dan HaygarthThe people who died after being hit by falling debris during a missile interception in Abu Dhabi were of Pakistani and Indian nationality, the media office of the UAE’s capital has said.
As part of the ongoing follow-up to the previously reported incident caused by falling debris following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems, the incident has resulted in the deaths of two individuals of Pakistani and Indian nationality, and…
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) March 26, 2026
White House staffers ‘baffled’ over Trump claiming Iran gave him a prize related to Strait of Hormuz: report
13:00 , Dan HaygarthWhite House staffers were reportedly left “baffled” by President Donald Trump’s claim Tuesday that he had received a gift from Iran, about which he then refused to disclose anything further.
“They’re gonna make a deal,” the president said of Tehran in the Oval Office as he swore in Markwayne Mullin as his new Homeland Security secretary, replacing Kristi Noem.
“They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually. They gave us a present and the present arrived today. It was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money,” he added.
“I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize, and they gave it to us.”
“That meant one thing to me. We’re dealing with the right people,” he concluded.
Read more below:
White House staffers ‘baffled’ over Trump’s claim Iran gave him a mystery gift
Rutte says European nations coming together over issue of Strait of Hormuz
12:57 , Dan HaygarthMany European nations are willing to “come together to discuss” what they can do to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said.
It came after Donald Trump again criticised Nato countries, accusing them of doing “absolutely nothing” to help his war with Iran.
In a post on Truth Social on Thursday morning, Trump said Iran had been “militarily decimated”, but added that the US “needs nothing from Nato”.
Netanyahu: 'We continue to forcefully strike the targets of the Iranian terrorist regime'
12:49 , Dan Haygarth
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel continues “to forcefully strike the targets of the Iranian terrorist regime" in a brief video statement, as he once again praised cooperation with the US.
Israel announced on Thursday that it had killed Commodore Alireza Tangsiri, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s navy and key to its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which Netanyahu mentioned in the video.
According to the translation of the video, the Israeli leader said: “Last night, we eliminated the commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps navy. This man had a great deal of blood on his hands, he was also the one who led the closure of the strait of Hormuz.
“This is yet another example of the cooperation between us and our friend, the United States, toward the common goal of achieving the objectives of the war.”
In pictures: First aid responders at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon
12:45 , Daniel HaygarthFirst aid responders at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Roummane on 26 March.
An Israeli soldier was killed in fighting in south Lebanon on March 26, the military said, after the army announced it was conducting ground operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Nato's Rutte holds press conference
12:43 , Dan Haygarth
Earlier on Thursday, Trump wrote on Truth social: “NATO NATIONS HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP WITH THE LUNATIC NATION, NOW MILITARILY DECIMATED, OF IRAN. THE U.S.A. NEEDS NOTHING FROM NATO, BUT “NEVER FORGET” THIS VERY IMPORTANT POINT IN TIME!”
Rutte: 'Seeing some frustrations' with Trump
12:35 , Dan HaygarthAsked by the BBC about Trump’s comments about Nato, Mark Rutte said: “What I have been seeing is some frustrations with him about the Europeans needing to take to react to his requests.”
He added: “For good reasons, the US was not able to consult with allies because they wanted to keep the campaign secret.”
Rutte: 'Nato stands firmly with all of our allies'
12:31 , Dan HaygarthIn a press conference this afternoon, Mark Rutte, Nato secretary general, has been asked about Donald Trump’s criticism of its nations.
Trump on Thursday, wrote in a Truth Social post that Nato nations have done "absolutely nothing" to help with Iran.
"THE U.S.A. NEEDS NOTHING FROM NATO, BUT "NEVER FORGET" THIS VERY IMPORTANT POINT IN TIME!" he stated.
Asked about Trump’s criticism of Nato, Rutte said: “Nato stands firmly with our allies.”
He also said that countries, mostly from Nato are coming together, to ensure that sea links stay open.
Comment: Why is Donald Trump really playing for time in Iran?
12:30 , James ReynoldsAs Iran rejects outright Donald Trump’s 15-point plan to end the war – following wild claims that Tehran offered him a ‘very big present’ – Mary Dejevsky asks why the once gung-ho president is keen to tread diplomatic water:
Watch: AI video from Iran state media shows Statue of Liberty being 'blown up'
12:15 , Dan HaygarthUK faces biggest hit to growth from Iran war of all major economies, OECD warns as inflation set to surge
12:00 , Dan HaygarthWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Britain faces the biggest hit to growth from the Middle East conflict of all major global economies, according to an influential global policy group, which also warns inflation is set to surge to four per cent this year.
The Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned the conflict has worsened the outlook for many of the world's largest economies but the UK looks set to be hit particularly hard, with the 2026 growth forecast downgraded to 0.7 per cent from a previous estimate of 1.2 per cent – the largest cut of all major economies.
The UK is also on course to have the second-highest inflation in the G7, behind only the US, and the second lowest growth, behind Italy.
As well as oil and gas supply disruption caused by the Iran war, fertiliser shortages could send food prices soaring if the conflict is long-lasting, the OECD warned.
It is now expecting UK inflation to average 4 per cent in 2026, up from the 2.5 per cent forecast in its last report in December.
Two dead in Abu Dhabi as US-Iran war intensifies despite peace talk claims
11:54 , Dan HaygarthTwo people have been killed in Abu Dhabi after Iran launched a fresh barrage of missiles during its ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.
Another three people were injured in the attacks on the Emirati capital when debris from an intercepted missile fell, the emirate’s media office said.
The death toll from the war has continued to mount amid conflicting reports of peace talks.
Israeli media reported that two people were injured in a blast north of Tel Aviv in Kfar Qasim on Thursday morning, and two teenagers were killed in Shiraz in the southwest of Iran on Wednesday evening during Israeli strikes on a residential area.
Read more below:
Two dead in Abu Dhabi as US-Iran war intensifies despite peace talk claims
The shocking rise of mortgage costs since Iran war - and when they might go down again
11:45 , Dan HaygarthThe Middle East conflict has had a string of knock-on effects in the UK, including for homeowners who are now facing higher bills.
Those who were closing in on a new house purchase, or renewing their deals on current property, would have been hoping for an interest rates cut by the Bank of England (BoE) in March or April, as was widely expected. Instead, a hold for now is on the cards - and swap rates, which mortgage deals are actually priced on, have soared.
The Independent has been shown data comparing the best rates on offer from one major high street bank on the 27 February, the day before the war started, to their best rate on offer today. The difference highlights the rapid rise - and the associated extra cost - for homeowners.
Read more:
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The shocking rise of mortgage costs since Iran war - and when they might go down
Is it safe to travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Latest UAE travel advice after two killed in missile attack
11:30 , Dan HaygarthTwo people were killed in a missile attack in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, 26 March as the UAE said it was responding to an active missile threat from Iran.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office said that authorities responded to “an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan street, following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems.”
The country continues to recover from the temporary closure of airspace earlier this month, which grounded flights and severely disrupted travel plans in the UAE.
Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi say they are gradually resuming some flights to and from its airports.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE as the regional escalation poses “significant security risks”.
Is it safe to travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Latest UAE travel advice
Pentagon ‘may divert crucial Ukraine weapons to Middle East’
11:15 , Dan HaygarthThe Pentagon is reportedly considering diverting crucial weaponry initially earmarked for Ukraine towards the Middle East.
It comes as the escalating Iran conflict places significant strain on the United States military's critical munition supplies.
The potential redirection of weapons, including air defence interceptor missiles, was reported by the Washington Post, which cited three informed sources.
The missiles were acquired through a Nato initiative launched in 2025, designed for partner nations to purchase US arms for Kyiv.
The potential move coincides with a marked intensification of U.S. military operations across the Middle East.
Read more:
Pentagon ‘may divert crucial Ukraine weapons to Middle East’
Pakistan claims 'indirect talks' between US and Iran are taking place
11:09 , Dan HaygarthPakistan’s deputy prime minister said on X on Thursday morning: “In reality, US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan.
“In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being deliberated upon by Iran.”
There has been unnecessary speculation in the media regarding peace talks to end ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In reality, US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan. In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) March 26, 2026
Russia sending drones to Iran to help war effort, western intelligence says
11:00 , Dan HaygarthRussia is close to completing a phased shipment of drones, medicine and food to Iran to bolster its war effort against the US and Israel, according to a report.
Senior Iranian and Russian officials began secretly discussing the delivery of drones days after Israel and the US launched their first attack on Tehran last month, two officials briefed on the intelligence told the Financial Times.
Read more below:
Russia sending drones to Iran to help war effort, western intelligence says
Iran allowing Malaysian vessels to pass in Strait, PM says
10:59 , Dan HaygarthMalaysia's prime minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday he had spoken to the leaders of Iran, Egypt, Turkey and other regional countries and said Malaysian vessels were now being allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Anwar in a televised address thanked Iran's president for allowing the passage of the vessels.
He also said Malaysia's government would maintain the price of subsidised oil.
Trump claims Iran 'begging to make a deal'
10:48 , Daniel HaygarthIn a further Truth Social post this morning, the US president said: “The Iranian negotiators are very different and “strange.”
“They are “begging” us to make a deal, which they should be doing since they have been militarily obliterated, with zero chance of a comeback, and yet they publicly state that they are only “looking at our proposal.” WRONG!!! They better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”
Watch: Russia 'almost certainly' trained and gave intelligence to Iran ahead of conflict, says UK defence secretary
10:45 , Dan HaygarthIsrael says it has killed the head of Iranian Revolutionary Guard's navy
10:43 , Dan HaygarthIsrael said on Thursday it had killed Commodore Alireza Tangsiri, the head of Iranian Revolutionary Guard's navy, the key official overseeing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said he had been killed with other senior naval commanders in a strike overnight. Iran did not immediately acknowledge Tangsiri's killing.
Recap: Iran denies engaging in talks to end war
10:40 , Dan HaygarthUsing Pakistan as an intermediary, Washington has delivered to Iran a 15-point ceasefire proposal, which includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Donald Trump, speaking at a fundraiser on Wednesday night in Washington, insisted that Iran still wants to make a deal to halt the conflict.
"They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they're afraid to say it because they figure they'll be killed by their own people," Trump said.
However, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview on state television that his government has not engaged in talks to end the war, "and we do not plan on any negotiations."
Araghchi said the US had tried to send messages to Iran through other nations, "but that is not a conversation nor a negotiation."
Trump confirms May visit to China after Iran war forces delay to landmark trip
10:30 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on 14-15 May, more than a month later than initially planned.
The US president was scheduled to visit China on 31 March but postponed the trip after launching a war against Iran jointly with Israel.
The forthcoming visit will be the first to China by a US president in almost a decade.
“I look very much forward to spending time with President Xi in what will be, I’m sure, a Monumental Event,” Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform after announcing the new dates.
Read the full story:
Trump confirms May visit to China after Iran war forces delay to landmark trip
Trump slams Nato nations again
10:21 , Daniel Haygarth
The president has said Nato countries have “done nothing” to help the US in this war.
Trump wrote on Truth Social this morning: “NATO NATIONS HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP WITH THE LUNATIC NATION, NOW MILITARILY DECIMATED, OF IRAN. THE U.S.A. NEEDS NOTHING FROM NATO, BUT “NEVER FORGET” THIS VERY IMPORTANT POINT IN TIME!”
UK to urge Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz
10:20 , Dan Haygarth
On Thursday, UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper will urge Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as she travels to the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in France.
She will make clear that the UK will help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait and provide an additional £2m in humanitarian aid to Lebanon.
Cooper is expected to hold talks with counterparts including US secretary of state Marco Rubio, France’s Jean-Noel Barrot, and Germany’s Johann Wadephul.
The Strait remained closed on Wednesday, despite Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi claiming it was open to “non-hostile” shipping.
John Healey: Government does not believe Iran has any plans to attack the UK
10:15 , Dan Haygarth
Britain’s defence secretary said that the government does not believe Iran has any plans to attack the UK, but declined to rule out that the country has the capability to do so.
Asked repeatedly on Sky News whether Iran could reach London with missile strikes, John Healey said: “We have no assessment of Iranian plans to strike London.”
Pressed further on whether the country has the capability to do so, he said: “What I’m saying, and trying to reassure people is, that we’ve got no assessment that Iran has any plans to attack.
“But we have the resources, we have the alliance in place to be able to defend Britain, and we do that with allies, and we do that with Nato.
“As far as Iran goes, they’re demonstrating a capacity to hit across the Middle East, we see the same tactics and technologies that we see employed by Russia in Ukraine, and this is the hidden hand of Putin in both conflicts.
“I’m releasing today our latest defence intelligence assessment, which says that Russia was almost certainly providing training, sharing intelligence with Iran ahead of this conflict, including on types of drones, including on electronic warfare, and whilst Putin may want us to be distracted by the Middle East, we’re determined that we won’t be.”
Watch: Trump says Iran negotiating but 'afraid to say it'
10:00 , James ReynoldsThe Longer Read: As a nuclear expert, this is what I find most worrying about Iran’s weapon capabilities
09:28 , James ReynoldsAs the war in Iran fuels speculation over how close it is to developing weapons of mass destruction, nuclear physicist Patricia Lewis, formerly of Chatham House and the UN, tells Radhika Sanghani why there is an even greater concern:
As a nuclear expert, this is what worries me most about Iran’s weapon capabilities
IDF publishes footage of 'demolition of Hezbollah command centre'
09:15 , Dan HaygarthThe IDF has published footage that it claims shows the demolition of a Hezbollah command centre and weapons depot in southern Lebanon.
Pentagon considers diverting Ukraine military aid to the Middle East, reports
09:14 , Dan HaygarthThe Pentagon is considering whether to divert weapons intended for Ukraine to the Middle East, according to a report.
The Washington Post reported on Thursday that, as the war in Iran depletes some of the US military's most critical munitions, the US is weighing up whether to bolster using those originally meant for Ukraine, citing three people familiar with the matter.
A Pentagon spokesperson told the newspaper that it would "ensure that U.S. forces and those of our allies and partners have what they need to fight and win."
Mapped: Two killed as UAE responds to missile attack
08:57 , James ReynoldsHow Iran is preparing for invasion of Kharg Island
08:05 , James ReynoldsIran has been laying traps, and moving troops and air defences to Kharg Island in preparation for a US push to take the island, vital for its oil exports, according to a report.
Several sources familiar with recent US intelligence reports told CNN that there would be real risks involved in a ground operation, including significant US casualties.
They said Kharg Island has been fortified with ‘layered’ defences, including surface-to-air guided missile systems and anti-personnel and anti-armour mines.
Those mines extend to the shoreline, where US troops could stage a D-Day-style amphibious landing.
Israel 'takes Araghchi off hit list following intervention from Pakistan'
07:52 , James ReynoldsIsrael has taken Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi off its list of assassination targets after Pakistan warned that killing him would leave them with nobody to talk to, a Pakistani official told Reuters.
"The Israelis had their ... coordinates and wanted to take them out, we told the U.S. if they are also eliminated then there is no one else to talk to, hence the U.S. asked the Israelis to back off," the official said.
Israeli soldier killed in Lebanon: IDF
07:37 , James ReynoldsThe Israeli military says that one soldier was killed during combat in southern Lebanon.
A statement published on Thursday reads: “Sergeant Ori Greenberg, 21 years old, Petah Tikva, fighter in the Golani Patrol, Golani Brigade, fell in battle in southern Lebanon.”
Iran allowing 'friendly nations' to cross Strait of Hormuz
07:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran has allowed "friendly nations" including India, China and Russia to use the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said.
"There's no reason to allow the enemy to pass through the strait. We have permitted certain countries that we consider friendly to pass through; we allowed China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan to transit,” Mr Araghchi was quoted as saying by Iran’s official news agency.
Two killed in Abu Dhabi after missile interception
07:12 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTwo people were killed in Abu Dhabi after debris from an intercepted missile fell on Sweihan Road, the emirate’s media office said this morning, adding that three others were injured and several vehicles were damaged.
Asia braces for ‘Covid-like’ crisis as impact from Iran war fuel shortage widens
07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUS president Donald Trump's war on Iran and the ongoing oil crisis have unilaterally impacted Asia and pushed nations to impose drastic Covid-19-era measures to conserve energy.
Asia has been at the frontline of the crisis, with almost 90 per cent of its purchased crude oil transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been shut by Tehran after strikes by the US and Israel last month. The strait, which links the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, is pivotal for the flow of roughly a fifth of the world’s energy supply.
More here.
Asia braces for ‘Covid-like’ crisis as impacts from Iran war fuel shortage widen
Philippines suspends electricity market
06:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Philippines’ energy market regulator said this morning that it had suspended the country’s wholesale electricity spot market across all three grids until further notice, citing fuel supply risks and price volatility linked to the Middle East conflict.
The Energy Regulatory Commission said it has proposed a modified administered pricing scheme, which it expects to finalise by 1 April.
“Under the proposed scheme, coal plants may be paid at a fixed rate, natural gas plants based on contracted prices, and renewable energy sources such as hydro and geothermal under administered pricing with preferential dispatch,” it said in a statement.
UAE responding to missile threat
06:37 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe UAE says its air defence systems are currently dealing with a missile threat.
Iran running a ‘toll booth’ regime in Strait of Hormuz
06:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran is running a “de facto ‘toll booth’ regime” in the Strait of Hormuz, controlling which ships come through and getting payment for their safe passage, a leading shipping intelligence firm said.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence published an analysis highlighting Iran’s practices through the strait. It described vessels having to provide manifests, crew details and their destination to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
The information goes to the Guard’s “Hormozgan Provincial Command for sanctions screening, cargo alignment checks that currently prioritise oil over all other commodities, and for what is described as ‘geopolitical vetting,’” Lloyd’s List said.
“While not all ships are paying a direct toll at least two vessels have and the payment is settled in yuan,” Lloyd’s List said, referring to China’s national currency.
Iran has not directly explained the process for ships to go through the strait, though a foreign ministry spokesperson appeared to acknowledge Tehran was receiving payments for some ships.
Israel says two people hurt in blast north of Tel Aviv
06:24 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAn Israeli ambulance service said it was providing aid to two people hurt in a blast after the missile barrage north of Tel Aviv in Kfar Qasim.
Israel responding to barrage of Iranian missiles
06:13 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIsrael this morning said its air defences were responding to a second barrage of missiles incoming from Iran.
Earlier in the day, sirens sounded about an hour after sunrise across a large swathe of central Israel, including areas around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as well as in the occupied West Bank.
Fuel prices hiked in Thailand
05:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarFuel prices in Thailand surged today after the government lifted a cap on diesel prices and reduced fuel subsidies.
The majority of fuel types rose by 6 baht ($0.18) per litre. Diesel prices jumped by about 18 per cent.
The increase is expected to hit the industrial and transportation sectors particularly hard and has raised concerns about a ripple effect on the cost of goods.
Videos and photos shared on social media showed long lines forming at gas stations after the price hike was announced late Wednesday night.
Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul said earlier this week the government would allow fuel prices to adjust in line with global market rates, aiming to manage demand following a surge in panic buying.
Japan begins release of oil reserves
05:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarJapan has begun releasing another portion of its strategic oil reserves as it seeks to cushion the impact of surging prices driven by the war in Iran.
“The release [of the national stockpile] started at 10.59am local time to oil refiners,” Kaname Morimoto, an official of the ministry of economy, trade and industry, told AFP news agency.
Japan is the world’s fifth-largest oil importer, sourcing more than 90 per cent of its crude from the Middle East.
China sees 'glimmer of hope'
05:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarChina’s top diplomat says Beijing sees a “glimmer of hope” for peace in the Middle East due to efforts being made to stop the war.
The Trump administration has sent Tehran a 15-point peace plan but warned it would “unleash hell” if the Islamic Republic refuses to accept.
China, an Iran ally which has been largely on the sidelines of the conflict, urged dialogue between Tehran and the Washington."With both the United States and Iran signalling a willingness to negotiate, a glimmer of hope for peace has emerged,” Wang Yi told Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty.
The statement came hours before Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said no negotiations had taken place so far, adding that Tehran’s position remained “completely principled".
White House staffers ‘baffled’ over Trump claiming Iran gave him a prize
05:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarWhite House staffers were reportedly left “baffled” by President Donald Trump’s claim Tuesday that he had received a gift from Iran, about which he then refused to disclose anything further.
“They’re gonna make a deal,” the president said of Tehran in the Oval Office as he swore in Markwayne Mullin as his new Homeland Security secretary, replacing Kristi Noem.
“They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually. They gave us a present and the present arrived today. It was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money,” he added. “I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize, and they gave it to us.”
More here.
White House staffers ‘baffled’ over Trump’s claim Iran gave him a mystery gift
Israel launches heavy strikes on Isfahan
04:59 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarActivists in Iran reported heavy strikes early this morning around Isfahan, a city some 330km south of Iran’s capital, Tehran.
The pro-reform newspaper Ham Mihan reported online about strikes in the area.Isfahan is home to a major Iranian air base and other military sites, as well as one of the nuclear sites bombed by the United States during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June.
The semiofficial Fars news agency, close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, described the attacks as targeting “two residential areas,” without elaborating.
Earlier, Israel’s military said it had completed “a wide-scale wave of strikes” across Iran, including in Isfahan.
Russia sending drones to Iran - report
04:40 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran is about to receive a phased shipment of drones, medicine and food from Russia, the Financial Times reported, citing western intelligence reports.
Iranian and Russian officials began holding secret talks on supplying drones within days of US and Israeli strikes on Tehran last month, the report said.
Preparations for the deliveries started in early March and were expected to be completed by the end of the month.
Moscow has reportedly provided its ally with critical support, including satellite imagery, targeting data and wider intelligence assistance, according to people familiar with the matter.
More here.
Russia sending drones to Iran to help war effort, western intelligence says
Oil prices rise to $103 a barrel
04:38 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices climbed this morning, recovering some of the previous day's losses as investors reexamined prospects for de-escalation in the Middle East as Iran said it was still reviewing a US proposal to end the war, which has disrupted energy flows.
Brent futures rose $1.13, or 1.1 per cent, to $103.35 a barrel by, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $1.08, or 1.2 per cent, at $91.40 a barrel.
Both benchmarks slumped more than 2 per cent yesterday. Despite reviewing the proposal, Iran has no intention of holding talks to end the widening Middle East conflict, the country's foreign minister said.
