Azernews.Az

The United States Senate has blocked a resolution that sought to limit the authority of Donald Trump to carry out military action against Iran without congressional approval, AzerNEWS reports.

The bipartisan measure failed to pass in the Senate with a 53–47 vote, preventing it from advancing.

The proposed resolution would have required explicit authorization from Congress for any additional military strikes on Iran. Supporters argued that such action should fall under the constitutional war-powers authority of the legislative branch.

However, most Republicans opposed the initiative, maintaining that the president retains the authority to direct military operations as commander-in-chief.

Rand Paul, a Republican senator from Kentucky, was the only member of his party to support the resolution.

Meanwhile, Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voiced concerns about the scale of the ongoing conflict but ultimately voted against the measure.

US-Israeli forces continue attacks on Iran as the conflict entered its sixth day. Iran reported the casualties have risen to nearly 1200.

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Explosions in Tehran and Karaj

Explosions are being heard in Tehran and Karaj, Iranian state media report.

This comes after Israel announced it was launching a “broad wave of attacks” on the Iranian capital.

The Israeli army has also issued another evacuation threat for residents of southern Lebanon, warning them to “continue evacuating to the north of the Litani River”.

“Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities, or combat means endangers their life,” it said. “Any home used by Hezbollah for military purposes may be subject to targeting.”

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The UK Ministry of Defence has clarified the recent drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Officials confirmed in a post on X that the Shahed-like UAV which hit the British sovereign base shortly after midnight on March 2 was not launched from Iran, though it is Iranian-designed.

RAF Akrotiri, Britain’s primary regional military hub, hosts F-35 and Typhoon fighter jets, along with the Cyprus Operations Support Unit, which supports UK missions across the region.

To reinforce air defences, the Ministry announced that Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters armed with Martlet missiles will be deployed to Cyprus in the coming days to counter aerial threats.

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Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that a ballistic missile launched from Iran and headed towards Turkiye was neutralized by NATO forces stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean.

"The fragments that fell to the ground in the Dordyol district of Hatay province were identified as belonging to air defense ammunition. No casualties or injuries were reported as a result of the incident," the statement noted.

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The Israeli side asserts that military operations in Iran will continue for at least two weeks with the goal of undermining the regime.

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Khamenei ceremony postponed

A ceremony commemorating Iran’s late leader Khamenei in Tehran, originally scheduled to start at 10pm today, has been postponed, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

It quoted an official citing logistical issues for the delay, including requests from people in different provinces to attend the ceremony.

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The Iranian warship that the U.S. targeted off the coast of Sri Lanka was the IRIS Dena, which had approximately 180 crew members on board.

The ship was struck about 40 kilometers south of the Sri Lankan coast. Reports indicated that the vessel was en route to Sri Lanka to participate in the international naval exercises "MILAN 2026," scheduled for February.

The Sri Lankan Navy rescued about 30 crew members and transported them to Karapitiya Hospital.

An Iranian ship was attacked by a submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka.

At least 101 people were missing and 78 were injured in the attack.

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Iran's ISNA Telegram channel has published footage of the downing of a US-Israeli fighter jet north of Tehran by Iranian air defence forces.

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Israeli army is expanding the scope of its attacks in Lebanon

Earlier today, we saw air strikes level at least five residential buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs. While those strikes came with prior warning, Israel also carried out strikes without warning, including on a hotel in the Beirut suburb of Hazmieh.

In addition, the Israeli defence minister yesterday authorised the army to take control of additional positions inside Lebanon. I can confirm that the Israeli army has advanced at least a kilometre (half a mile) from seven positions.

So, there’s pressure coming from the ground and from the sky. There are Israeli warplanes, the constant buzzing of Israeli drones and people receiving phone calls telling them to evacuate their buildings.

There is chaos and a lot of panic in Lebanon about where this conflict is heading.

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The IRGC reported that its Navy targeted a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean while it was refueling. Both the tanker ship and destroyer were attacked, resulting in smoke and fire rising from their decks.

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Israeli military announces new wave of strikes on Tehran and Beirut

Israel’s army says it has begun a “broad wave of strikes” targeting government infrastructure in Tehran.

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French fighter jets have neutralized Iranian drones targeting the UAE, according to France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. He stated that the French Rafale fighter jets, stationed at the Dhafra base near Abu Dhabi, were deployed to safeguard the bases from potential Iranian attacks.

On Tuesday, Barrot confirmed the deployment of these jets, highlighting the presence of hundreds of French military personnel from the navy, air force, and army in the UAE.

Additionally, President Macron announced on the same day that France would send its flagship aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean in response to the escalating conflict.

Israeli defence minister pledges to ‘eliminate’ any successor to Khamenei

Israel Katz says the Israeli military will attempt to kill any Iranian leader appointed to succeed Khamenei.

“Any leader appointed by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan to destroy Israel, threaten the US and the free world and the countries of the region, and oppress the Iranian people, will be an unequivocal target for elimination,” Katz said in a statement.

“It does not matter what his name is or where he hides,” he said.

Katz went on to say that Israel will continue to act with the US to destroy Iran’s capabilities and “create the conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow” their government.

Iran's Assembly of Experts elected Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba as the next Supreme Leader under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards, AzerNEWS reports.

He was selected as Khamenei's successor by Iran's Assembly of Experts, according to reports. Khamenei, who ruled the country for 36 years, was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28 while he was in his compound. Along with him, his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter also lost their lives. Khamenei's wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, died later from injuries sustained during the strikes.

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The United States has successfully destroyed 17 Iranian warships, including one submarine, and has struck nearly 2,000 targets across Iran in less than four days, according to Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, in a statement made on March 3.

In a video address on Platform X, he stated, “There is not a single Iranian ship operating in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, or the Gulf of Oman today.”

A significant military force has been mobilized for "Operation Epic Fury," which involves over 50,000 U.S. troops, more than 200 fighter jets, two aircraft carrier strike groups, and long-range bombers. The admiral noted that the initial phase of this operation is nearly twice the scale of the "shock and awe" campaign conducted in Iraq in 2003.

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IRGC claims ‘complete control’ of Strait of Hormuz

The IRGC, which has pledged to close the Strait of Hormuz, maintains it has full control of the waterway, where Trump has said he is prepared to deploy the navy to escort tankers.

“Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is under the complete control of the Islamic Republic’s Navy,” IRGC navy official Mohammad Akbarzadeh said in a statement carried by Iran’s Fars news agency.

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Israeli military issues orders to flee Beirut buildings targeted for attacks

The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson has issued new forced displacement orders for residents of the Haret Hreik neighbourhood in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

The spokesperson released a map of the Lebanese capital with buildings marked in red and warned that people should flee the site, claiming it was “affiliated with Hezbollah”.

“For your safety and the safety of your family members, you are required to evacuate these buildings immediately and stay away from them for a distance of at least 300 metres as shown on the map,” the spokesperson said.

Last nights recap

The bombardment of Iran and Lebanon by the US and Israel is ongoing, with recent strikes hitting a hotel near Beirut and the Assembly of Experts building in Qom, Iran. The death toll in both countries has now exceeded 800.

Tehran is conducting retaliatory attacks on Israeli and US targets in the Middle East for the fourth consecutive night. Reports indicate that strikes have occurred on Washington’s consulate in Dubai and at a port in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

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04.03.2026

US President Donald Trump stated that it is "too late" for discussions with Iran. In a social media message, he claimed that Iran had requested negotiations only after the US-Israeli attacks had begun.

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Iran’s president says country ‘has not come to a halt’

Iran’s President Pezeshkian says the government remains operational despite the escalating war on the country, insisting that state functions continue across the country.

In a post on X, Pezeshkian said authorities are coordinating closely with provincial leadership as the situation unfolds.

“We are in direct contact with the governors. The situation is exceptional, but the country has not come to a halt,” he wrote.

“Ongoing activities are continuing across the country.”

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Israel claims strike on senior Iranian commander

The Israeli army says it has carried out a strike in Tehran targeting a senior Iranian commander.

The army said the attack took place a short time earlier but did not immediately provide further details about the identity of the target or the outcome of the operation.

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A significant blow to Tehran has just occurred. A powerful missile strike has been launched against the city, though the specific target has not yet been revealed.

Ballistic missile bases located in the western mountains of Iran are currently under attack.

Israel has released footage of the assault on the office of Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian.

The primary targets of this attack included the office of President Pezeshkian, the building of the Supreme National Security Council, meeting locations for the High-Level Forum on Security Issues, a military officer training facility, and other critical infrastructure.

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UAE Defence Ministry says 186 missiles, 812 drones launched from Iran. Three people have been killed and 68 injured across the UAE by Iranian attacks, the UAE’s Defence Ministry spokesperson has said.

UAE Defence Ministry spokesperson says:

186 missiles were launched against our country
172 of them were destroyed, 13 of them in the sea
One missile landed on our territories
812 Iranian drones were monitored, and 755 of them were intercepted

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has cautioned that military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran might push not just Tehran but also neighbouring countries toward seeking nuclear weapons. He said the expanding conflict in the Middle East increases the danger of more nations pursuing atomic arms.

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Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the government is focused on “defence” following attempts at negotiations.

“Eternal disgrace will remain upon those who claimed to pursue diplomacy but, in the face of Iran’s logic, bowed down and turned to the military option,” said spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.

On escalating tensions with regional neighbours by attacking their energy infrastructure, he only emphasised that Tehran considers itself “committed to humanitarian principles”.

“The Zionist regime refrains from no act of malice. I ask my Arab friends to reflect carefully. The regime has no hesitation in expanding the scope of the war, smearing Iran’s reputation, and committing crimes in other countries.”

Baghaei also said that “Iran is currently the only remaining force standing against evil”, also appearing to refer to the US as “the devil”.

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IAEA confirms ‘recent damage to entrance buildings’ of Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility

The International Atomic Energy Agency has said it can confirm, based on the latest available satellite imagery, “some recent damage to entrance buildings” of Iran’s underground Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP).

“No radiological consequence expected and no additional impact detected at FEP itself, which was severely damaged in the June conflict,” it added, referring to the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran last year that also included US attacks on the Natanz facility alongside two others.

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The United States Department of Defense has significantly reinforced its military presence in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, deploying additional air, naval and ground resources, AzerNEWS reports via Flightradar data.

This buildup includes aircraft, strike groups and support forces positioned in the region as part of preparations for sustained operations.

While there is no full-scale ground invasion reported so far, U.S. commanders have not ruled out the possibility of deploying troops inside Iranian territory if required.

President Donald Trump has publicly stated that military operations against Iran may last weeks rather than days. In recent remarks he said the campaign was planned to span roughly four to five weeks but could extend “far longer” if necessary, framing the effort as part of achieving strategic objectives in the region.

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France ready to defend partners, its foreign minister says

France is ready ⁠to ⁠defend its partners if they request support and reserves its right to intervene, Foreign Minister ⁠Jean-Noel Barrot says.

In comments to French broadcaster BFM TV, he said fighting was “dragging a number of countries in the region into the ‌conflict with which we have relations, defence agreements and interests, including military bases”.

He said about 400,000 French nationals were in affected countries in the region and France was ready to repatriate those most at risk with commercial and military flights.

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A member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, which will elect a new Supreme Leader, says the process “will not be lengthy”, according to the ISNA agency.

Ali Moalemi said the members of the Assembly of Experts have sworn that in choosing the new leader, “personal preferences” for individuals or political and party factions would “not be a factor” and that they will vote based on their judgement and in accordance with religious principles.

“The Assembly of Experts will, as in the past, select a personality like the martyred Leader of the Revolution,” he said, referring to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israel strike on Saturday morning.

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China imports about 70 percent of its oil and about half of that comes through the Strait of Hormuz. Much of it is from Iran, but also from other countries in the region, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

China has been watching the situation escalate with much concern.

It has strongly condemned the actions of the US and Israel, saying that the recent nuclear negotiations [with Iran] did seem to be on track. China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, spoke on Monday to the foreign ministers of Oman, Iran, and France, and his conclusion is that the US and Israel intentionally derailed this diplomacy, sending the region into what he called an irreversible state.

China continues to call for a ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table.

Let’s not forget China is one of the major economies that supports Iran, at least economically. Beijing has called the Iranian government a friend and has made it clear that it supports Iran’s right to defend its territory, to defend its interests. However, Wang Yi did not endorse any retaliation from Iran, and when asked about it, China’s foreign ministry denied supplying weapons or helping Iran militarily. It says its support only comes down to political and moral backing.

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Fire at US embassy in Riyadh after drone strike

Saudis confirm US embassy in Riyadh hit by two drones, sparking fire

Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry has confirmed on social media that the US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones, according to initial estimates, and caused a limited fire and minor material damage to the building.

A loud blast was heard and flames seen at the embassy early on Tuesday morning, reports said. Black smoke was seen rising over Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter, which houses foreign missions.

Reuters quoted two people as saying there were no reported injuries, given the building was empty in the early morning hours.

US cancels all consular services in Saudi Arabia following attack on embassy

The US Embassy in Riyadh has announced the cancellation of all its services across several missions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

All routine and emergency appointments are cancelled on Tuesday, adding that a “shelter in place” are in effect at its several missions in the kingdom including Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahram, according to the embassy statement posted on X.

“Avoid the Embassy until further notice due to an attack on the facility,” it added.

“We advise all US citizens to maintain a personal safety plan,” the embassy said.

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An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps senior official said on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, threatening that if any vessels pass through it, Iran “will set those ships ablaze,” state media reported.

Choking off the Persian Gulf waterway, the world’s most vital oil export route, threatens to send crude prices soaring. However, Fox News cited the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) as saying the strait was still open.

In remarks carried by Iran’s state media, Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the Guards commander-in-chief, said: “The Strait [of Hormuz] is closed. If anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guards and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze.”

It was the most explicit threat to Hormuz shipping by Iran’s Guards since the force told ships on Saturday that the export route was closed.

Earlier Monday, the Revolutionary Guards claimed to have attacked an allegedly US-linked oil tanker in the Hormuz Strait as part of a wave of strikes retaliating against the US-Israeli attack.

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US General Dan Caine says ‘this is not a single overnight mission’

Speaking at a news conference at the Pentagon, US Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said that the joint US-Israeli operation on Iran is “not a single overnight mission”.

“We expect to take additional losses, as always we will work to minimise US losses but as the secretary general said this is major combat operations.”

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Hegseth urges Iranians to seize ‘opportunity’

The US defence secretary says Washington hopes the Iranian people will take advantage of what he described as an “incredible opportunity”.

He pointed to previous remarks by Donald Trump, saying the president has made clear that “now is your time”, in an apparent message directed at the Iranian public.

Hegseth also addressed Iran’s security forces, warning they should carefully consider their next steps.

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Ali Khamenei's wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, has died from her injuries, a few days after missile strikes.

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European gas prices have skyrocketed by nearly 50% after Qatar announced a halt in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production in response to attacks in the Middle East. This disruption is likely to intensify competition for available cargoes between Asia and Europe.

Massimo Di Odoardo, vice president of gas and LNG research at Wood Mackenzie, stated, "Disruptions to LNG flows will reignite competition."

As of 12:55 GMT, the Dutch front-month contract at the TTF hub, which is a key benchmark for European gas pricing, rose by 14.56 euros, reaching 46.52 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), or about $15.92 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), according to ICE data. Prices had already increased by around 25% earlier in the day but surged further after Qatar Energy's announcement.

In Asia, benchmark LNG prices also experienced a significant increase, with a nearly 39% jump on Monday morning. The S&P Global Energy Japan-Korea-Marker (JKM), used as an Asian LNG benchmark, reported prices at $15.068 per mmBtu, as per Platts data.

Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING, suggested that if the market begins to factor in an extended reduction in Qatari LNG supply, the TTF could potentially spike to between 80 and 100 euros/MWh (approximately $28 to $35/mmBtu). Additionally, the British April contract increased by 40.83 pence, reaching 119.40 pence per therm, according to ICE data.

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Israeli army says it killed Hezbollah intelligence commander

Israeli army says it killed overnight Hussein Makled, who served as the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters.

The military said he was killed in a precise strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

There was no immediate comment from the group.

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Israel-US joint strikes on Tehran intensifies

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Iran's president names Majid Ebnelreza as acting defence minister

Iran’s president has appointed Revolutionary Guards general Majid Ebnelreza as acting defence minister after his predecessor was killed in Israeli-US strikes.

“By order of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Revolutionary Guards general Majid Ebnelreza has been appointed as acting defence minister,” said deputy for presidential communications Mehdi Tabatabaei on X.

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The Israeli military announced that two senior Iranian intelligence officials were killed in the initial wave of strikes on Iran.

A statement released Monday named the deceased as Sayed Yahya Hamidi and Jalal Pour Hossein. According to the military, Hamidi served as deputy minister of intelligence responsible for Israel-related affairs.

Hossein, the statement said, headed the espionage division within Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence.

The Israeli army added that several other senior operatives were also neutralized during the operation.

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Iran attacks oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia

Islamic Republic of Iran has carried out strikes against oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia as part of its response to the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, footage shows.

According to initial accounts, oil facilities including the world-leading energy hub at Aramco’s Ras Tanura terminal have been hit by drones or missiles in recent attacks.

One report cites the precautionary shutdown of the Ras Tanura refinery, one of the Middle East’s largest with a processing capacity of roughly 550,000 barrels per day, after an Iranian drone strike struck the facility.

The strikes form part of a broader wave of attacks and retaliatory operations in the region following U.S. and Israeli military action against Iranian targets, which included the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader a few days ago. Oil infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and other Gulf states has been under threat in recent days.

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France ‘ready’ to defend Gulf countries

France is “ready” to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says.

“To allied countries that have been deliberately targeted by the missiles and drones of the [Iranian] Revolutionary Guards and dragged into a war they did not choose – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan – France expresses its full support and complete solidarity,” he said.

“It stands ready … to take part in their defence,” he added.

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The Israeli military has stated that it is considering a ground invasion of Lebanon, with army spokesperson Effie Defrin announcing the deployment of nearly 100,000 reservists to the northern border.

He noted that numerous battalions are prepared for "all possibilities, both defensive and offensive." "All options are on the table," he emphasized.

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An estimated 300,000 people are currently stranded across the Gulf region, with reports of the UK sending teams to assist with evacuations.

According to flight-tracking data, over 3,400 flights have been canceled in the first few days of the conflict. Major regional airports, including Dubai International, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Hamad International Airport in Doha, have suspended operations. In total, six or seven major airports across the region are closed.

Airspace over much of the region remains shut down, significantly impacting global air travel, as Middle Eastern hubs are critical connectors between Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond. When these hubs close, the disruption cascades worldwide.

Social media is filled with posts from stranded passengers at Hamad International Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Abu Dhabi. Travelers report long queues to rebook flights, secure hotel vouchers, or receive assistance, with many sleeping inside the terminals.

As long as the airspace remains closed and the conflict continues, thousands of passengers face uncertainty.

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The United States did not request access to a British military base in Cyprus from which an overnight drone strike occurred, British Foreign Minister Cooper told Times Radio. She also confirmed that the Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri continues to operate normally.

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‘Several’ US warplanes crashed in Kuwait

Kuwait’s Defense Ministry says “several” US warplanes have crashed in the country, all the crew survived.

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A recent video shows heavy displacement in the southern Lebanese town of al-Abbassieh, where families were seen walking on the streets after leaving their homes at dawn due to the Israeli escalation in the country.

They also showed congestion in several axes, with families moving their belongings to safer areas.

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Israel declares ‘offensive campaign against Hezbollah’

The Israeli army’s chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, made the announcement in a meeting after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, according to the country’s military.

“We have launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah,” he was quoted as saying.

This comes as Lebanese authorities said that Israeli air attacks on the country have so far killed at least 31 people and wounded 149 others.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a statement condemning Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

"We condemn Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory and warn that using Lebanon as a platform to support wars that do not concern us will once again put our country at risk," President Aoun said.

He also condemned strikes on Israel launched from Lebanese territory by the Lebanese radical movement Hezbollah, noting that they undermine the government's efforts to "keep Lebanon away from dangerous military clashes."

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Only 25% of Americans support US strikes on Iran

Only one in four Americans approves ⁠of the ⁠US strikes that killed Iran’s leader while about half – including one ⁠in four Republicans – believe President Donald Trump is too willing to use military ⁠force.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, about 27 percent of respondents said they approved of the strikes, while 43 percent disapproved, and ‌29 percent were not sure.

Some 56 percent of Americans surveyed said they think Trump, who also ordered strikes on Venezuela, ⁠Syria, and Nigeria in recent months, is too willing to use military force to advance US interests.

The vast ⁠majority of Democrats – 87 percent – held this view, as did ⁠23 percent of Republicans and 60 percent⁠ of people who don’t identify with either political party.

The poll, which began on Saturday after the strikes ‌got underway, gathered responses online from 1,282 US adults nationwide. It had a margin of ‌error ‌of three percentage points.

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Trump says he has agreed to talk to new Iranian leaders

The US president says the country’s new leadership wants to talk with his administration and that he plans to do so, according to an interview with The Atlantic magazine.

“They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” he was quoted as saying by the magazine.

“They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long,” he also said.

He did not comment on when the conversation will happen when asked, according to The Atlantic.

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Trump says 48 Iranian ‘leaders’ killed in US strikes

President Donald Trump says 48 Iranian leaders have been killed in the ongoing US-Israeli bombardments of the country.

“Nobody can believe the success we’re having; 48 leaders are gone in one shot. And it’s moving along rapidly,” Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with Fox News.

“We’re doing our job not just for us but for the world. And everything is ahead of schedule,” Trump was quoted as saying in a separate interview with CNBC. “Things are evolving in a very positive way right now, a very positive way.”

The interviews were conducted before the US military for the first time announced casualties in the war: three unidentified service members killed, five seriously wounded and several others lightly injured.

16:50

Here’s the latest on how many people have been killed in the Middle East since joint US-Israel attacks on Iran were launched on Saturday, AzerNEWS reports via Al-Jazeera:

15:00

Ship struck by ‘unknown projectile’ near Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says

A ship near the Strait of Hormuz has been struck by an “unknown projectile”, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) says.

A vessel north of Oman and east of the strait has been struck by an unknown projectile above the waterline, it said.

“Although the engine room was originally reported as on fire it has now been reported that the fire is under control,” read the statement published on X, adding that authorities are investigating.

It is the second incident the ⁠agency reports today after reporting ⁠an incident off Oman’s Kumzar in the Strait ‌of Hormuz.

14:40

UKMTO warns of ‘significant military activity’ around Strait of Hormuz

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says it is aware of “significant military activity” in the “Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz”.

In its latest advisory, it said the maritime security environment in the region remains highly volatile, with ongoing regional military activity
adding to elevated threat to commercial shipping.

“There is significant military presence and activity across the region. Mariners should be aware of the increased risk of miscalculation or misidentification, particularly in proximity to military units and other sensitive maritime facilities and infrastructure,” it said.

“Claims regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue to circulate via open source reporting and VHF communications. No official closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been formally communicated to the maritime industry through recognised maritime safety channels,” UKMTO added, noting that “VHF communications indicating transit restrictions do not constitute a legally recognised suspension of transit passage under international maritime law”.

UKMTO also warmed there were threats beyond the Strait of Hormuz, including in areas such as the Bab al Mandab, where, it said, tensions remain “elevated”.

14:30

Alireza Arafi appointed to Iran’s leadership council

⁠Alireza ⁠Arafi, a religious leader on the Guardian Council, has been appointed to ⁠Iran’s leadership council, the body tasked with fulfilling the ‌supreme leader’s role until the Assembly of Experts elects a new leader.

⁠Arafi will be ⁠part of the ⁠temporary leadership council alongside President Pezeshkian ‌and Supreme Court Chief Justice Mohseni-Ejei.

Arafi, a 67-year-old cleric and member of the Guardian Council—the body responsible for vetting candidates for the leadership—was confirmed to this temporary role by the Expediency Council. He joins two other high-ranking officials on the council:

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei: The hardline Judiciary Chief.

Masoud Pezeshkian: The President of Iran.

While these three hold the formal keys to governance, the true balance of power remains uncertain. Analysts are closely watching the IRGC and security veteran Ali Larijani, both of whom are expected to exert considerable influence over the transition process.

Chaos Within the IRGC

The military establishment is currently grappling with a leadership vacuum. The Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC has reportedly been assassinated—the second such high-profile killing in less than a year.

Key updates on the IRGC succession:

No formal successor has been named to lead the elite military and economic powerhouse.

Ahmad Vahidi, the current deputy chief appointed by Khamenei just two months ago, is being surfaced by IRGC-linked media as the primary candidate for the role.

Note: The dual pressure of a leadership transition and the decapitation of the IRGC’s top brass marks one of the most volatile periods in the Islamic Republic's recent history.

14:10

Pezeshkian says US, Israeli attacks an ‘open declaration of war against Muslims’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was an “open declaration of war against Muslims”, particularly Shia.

“This tragic event is the greatest trial facing the Islamic world today,” he said in a written message offering condolences over the killing of the leader.

IEA monitoring events in the region and potential impact on markets
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is “actively” monitoring events in the Middle East and the potential implications for global energy markets and trade flows, its director general Fatih Birol has said on X.

“Markets have been well supplied to date,” Birol said, adding that he is in contact with ministers from major producers in the region.

****11:35

Iran confirms killing of defence minister, army chief of staff

The official IRNA agency says the Iranian army’s chief of staff, Abdul Rahim Mousavi, and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh were killed in the US-Israeli attacks on Iran on Saturday.

As we’ve been reporting, Iran has also confirmed the killing of Khamenei and his security adviser, Ali Shamkhani, as well as IRGC commander-in-chief Mohammad Pakpour.

IRNA said more commanders of the armed forces were also killed and that their names will be announced later.

10:22

Iran to form temporary leadership council today, Larijani says

Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, says the country will set up interim leadership council today.

It comes as a temporary measure before the successor of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is selected.

10:09

Thousands of mourners have gathered in the historic Iranian city of Isfahan to pay tribute to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A video posted by Iran’s English-language state channel Press TV showed a large crowd of people protesting at the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square.

Earlier on Sunday, the government confirmed the death of Khamenei, following a joint US-Israeli strike in the capital Tehran on Saturday.

09:50

Trump warns Iran against hitting ‘very hard today’

Trump has just issued a new statement on his Truth Social media app, warning Iran against hitting back.

“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever been hit before,” the US president wrote.

“They better not do that, however, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before!”

09:00

Iranian state media have confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed at his office in the Israeli-US attacks on Iran, following earlier reports of his killing by US and Israeli officials.

A 40-day mourning period for the longtime Iranian leader has been announced.

The Sunday confirmation comes after Iran’s Tasnim and Mehr news agencies initially reported that Khamenei remained “steadfast and firm in commanding the field”.

00:15

Reuters and several Israeli media outlets, citing unnamed senior Israeli officials, have reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed.

In response, the head of public relations at the Iranian Supreme Leader’s office dismissed the reports as “psychological warfare” carried out by Iran’s adversaries, according to Iranian state media.

Follow this page for further developments.

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19:24

The Tasnim news agency claims that three Israeli “Hermes”-type drones were shot down by Iran’s air defense system near Tabriz, Khomeini, and Ahvaz. According to the report, the drones were neutralized within Iranian airspace.

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18:34

Tonight, Israel will face a true hell. Let them prepare—they will witness a brutality and vengeance unlike anything they have seen before. We will fulfill our real, genuine promise. Israel will experience a tragedy it has never seen until now.

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16:50

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Forces have placed 128 ballistic missiles on full combat alert at three military sites near Mashhad, Isfahan, and Khorramshahr. Reports indicate that the missiles are being maintained in a ready state to strike U.S. military bases in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. No precise information is yet available on when a potential fourth wave of strikes might occur, with only various claims and speculations circulating.

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16:36

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reports that sirens are sounding across the country.

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16:33

The death toll at a girls’ primary school in Minab, southern Iran, has climbed to 40, according to state media reports. Earlier statements from a local governor had put the number of fatalities at 24 following the Israeli strike. Details regarding injuries or the circumstances of the attack remain limited, while emergency responders continue their efforts at the site.

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16:16

Several leading oil firms and trading companies have temporarily halted the transport of oil and fuel through the Strait of Hormuz following a morning exchange of fire involving Israel, Iran, and the United States.

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16:06

Iran’s army has reported that a wave of attack drones was launched toward Israel, according to . The military statement described it as the first major drone offensive carried out from Iran against Israel.

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15:59

Israel’s military says it has hit “hundreds of Iranian military targets,” including missile launchers, during airstrikes on western Iran. The statement added that the Israeli Air Force is actively working to intercept any retaliatory attacks launched by Iran.

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15:43

Based on satellite images, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's residence in has sustained damage from the strikes, with several buildings reportedly destroyed. His current location is unknown.