The Iraqi air defences intercepted a wave of drones and rockets over the US embassy in Baghdad, while a prominent hotel in the heavily fortified Green Zone was struck in what has been described as "the most intense assault since the attacks began".
The strike hit the top floor of Al-Rasheed Hotel, causing damage but no casualties, two Iraqi security officials told the Associated Press. Security sources said that two Katyusha rockets had been intercepted that evening near the US embassy in the Green Zone.
The attack comes as US president Donald Trump lashed out at the UK for not actively supporting America’s mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The US leader said Monday he was “not happy” with Britain and was left “very surprised” by Sir Keir Starmer’s unwillingness to involve Nato in the conflict against Iran. “I was not happy with the UK”, he said. “I think they'll be involved maybe, but they should be involved enthusiastically”.
Sir Keir Starmer had said that the battle for the Strait of Hormuz “won’t be and it's never been envisioned to be a Nato mission.”
Key Points
- US embassy in Iraq hit by drone strikes
- Iranian media publishes new message by new supreme leader
- Israel says it still has ‘thousands of targets’ left to hit in Iran
- We will not be drawn into the wider war, Starmer warns
- European leaders are 'gravely concerned' by Israel-Hezbollah conflict
A plume of smoke rises over the Iraqi capital Baghdad
03:42 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Asked about high gas prices, US lawmaker says America has to destroy Iran's 'ability to kill us'
03:30 , Rachel DobkinWhen asked by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins about high gas prices, US Senator Rick Scott said Monday night local time that America has to destroy Iran's “ability to kill us”.
“I want oil prices to come down, but guess what? I want this country to be safe”, the Florida Republican said.
When asked how long Americans should be prepared to pay high gas prices amid the Iran war, Scott said, “I have no idea how long this is gonna take, but the most important thing is we’ve got to destroy their ability to kill us”.
US President Trump claimed after the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran began more than two weeks ago that Iran posed an “imminent” threat to the American people because of its “nuclear ambitions” and pursuit of “developing the long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland”.
US embassy in Iraq hit by drone strikes
03:28 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIraqi air defences reportedly intercepted a wave of drones over the US embassy in Baghdad, while a prominent hotel in the heavily fortified Green Zone was struck by a drone.
Iraqi security sources said that it was "the most intense assault since the attacks began".The strike on Monday evening hit the top floor of Al-Rasheed Hotel, causing damage but no casualties, two Iraqi security officials told the Associated Press.
Security sources said that two Katyusha rockets had been intercepted that evening near the US embassy in the Green Zone.
Prior to the attack, the embassy had issued a fresh security alert to US citizens in Iraq, warning that "Iran-aligned terrorist militias have repeatedly attacked the International Zone" in central Baghdad.
EU meetings will resume in Cyprus after drone strike: report
03:15 , Rachel DobkinEuropean Union informal councils will resume in Cyprus in April and June, Cyprus Energy Minister Michael Damianos said Monday, according to Reuters.
Early on in the Iran war, a drone hit a British air base in Cyprus. The drone was reportedly believed by officials to be Iranian-made and launched by Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group backed by Iran.
EU meetings in March were either moved online or postponed after the attack in the Mediterranean country.
"Things are all back to normal”, Damianos said, per Reuters. “All informal councils to be held in Cyprus between April and June will be held in the normal way”.
WATCH: Before and after images shows destruction of US bombing campaign in Iran
02:55 , Rachel DobkinUAE says drone strike caused fire at Fujairah oil zone
02:30 , Rachel DobkinThe United Arab Emirates’ Fujairah government media office announced early Tuesday morning local time that a drone strike caused a fire in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone,
The office confirmed there were no injuries reported and that officials are working to control the fire.
Afghan cricket player reacts to reported civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes: 'Deeply concerning'
02:00 , Rachel DobkinAfghan cricket player Rashid Khan has reacted to reported civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes.
“I am deeply saddened by the latest reports of civilian casualties as a result of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul. Targeting civilian homes, educational facilities or medical infrastructure, either intentional or by mistake, is a war crime.
“The sheer disregard for human lives, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, is sickening and deeply concerning. It will only fuel division and hatred.
“I call upon the UN and other human rights agencies to thoroughly investigate this latest atrocity and hold the perpetrators to account. I stand with my Afghan people in this difficult time. We shall heal, and we will rise as a nation. We always do. Inshallah!”, Khan wrote on X.
Hamdullah Fitrat, Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesman, claimed on X early Tuesday morning local time the Pakistani military had killed at least 400 people in an airstrike on a drug addiction hospital.
Pakistan has insisted its strikes against Afghanistan did not hit any civilian areas, per the Associated Press.
UAE lifts airspace closure: report
01:34 , Rachel DobkinThe United Arab Emirates has lifted its airspace closure following Iranian missile and drone attacks, per the Associated Press.
The UAE’s defence ministry wrote on X early Tuesday morning local time the country’s air defences are “currently dealing with missile attacks and incoming drones from Iran.”
“The sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, and fighter jets intercepting drones and loitering munitions,” the defence ministry said.
UAE Emirates closes airspace amid treats from Iran: report
01:22 , Rachel DobkinThe United Arab Emirates has closed its airspace amid missile and drone threats from Iran, according to the Associated Press.
The UAE’s defence ministry wrote on X early Tuesday morning local time the country’s air defences are “currently dealing with missile attacks and incoming drones from Iran.”
“The sounds heard in scattered areas of the country are the result of the air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles, and fighter jets intercepting drones and loitering munitions,” the defence ministry said.
The decision to close the airspace was “an exceptional precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of flights and air crews, and safeguarding the UAE’s territory,” the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said, per the AP.
European leaders say they are 'gravely concerned' by Israel-Hezbollah conflict
01:00 , Rachel DobkinSeveral European leaders said in a joint statement Monday they are “gravely concerned” by the growing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah amid the Iran war.
“We strongly support initiatives to facilitate talks and urge for immediate de-escalation”, the statement from the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the UK read. Canadian leadership was also included in the statement release.
The leaders said, “Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel and the targeting of civilians must cease and they must disarm. We condemn Hezbollah’s decision to join Iran in hostilities, which further jeopardises regional peace and security.
At least 880 people have been killed in Lebanon and 12 killed in Israel since the start of the Iran war, according to the Associated Press, which cited local officials.
“We condemn attacks directed at civilians, civilian infrastructure, health workers and infrastructure, as well as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. These actions are unacceptable, and we call on all parties to act in accordance with international humanitarian law”, the statement continued.
The leaders also warned against an Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon and voiced their support for the Lebanese government’s disarmament of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan claims Pakistani military killed 400 in airstrike
00:30 , Rachel DobkinHamdullah Fitrat, Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesman, has claimed the Pakistani military killed at least 400 people in an airstrike on a drug addiction hospital.
The attack on the hospital in Kabul also reportedly injured 250 others, the spokesman said.
The Pakistani military regime carried out an airstrike at approximately 9:00 PM this evening on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a 2,000-bed facility dedicated to the treatment of drug addiction. As a result of the attack, large sections of the hospital have been destroyed,…
— Hamdullah Fitratحمدالله فطرت (@FitratHamd) March 16, 2026
Pakistan has insisted its strikes against Afghanistan did not hit any civilian areas, per the Associated Press.
Full story: ‘Not Nato’s war’: Germany and UK reject Trump’s call for help in Strait of Hormuz
00:05 , Maira ButtLeading members of Nato have dismissed Donald Trump’s demands for assistance in the war against Iran, with Germany insisting that the conflict has “nothing to do” with the military bloc.
Mr Trump had called on allies to help the US police the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blockaded by Iranian forces in response to the intense US-Israeli bombardment that began on 28 February.
“It is not Nato’s war,” said a spokesperson for German chancellor Friedrich Merz. “Nato is an alliance to defend the alliance area. The United States did not consult us before this war, and so we believe this is not a matter for Nato or the German government.”
Sir Keir Starmer also went on the record to warn that Britain “will not be drawn into the wider war”.
Alex Croft and David Maddox report:
‘Not Nato’s war’: Germany and UK reject Trump’s call for help in Strait of Hormuz
In numbers: Casualties of the US-Iran war
Monday 16 March 2026 23:50 , Maira ButtUS intelligence assessments suggest Iranian regime to stay in place with greater control in hands of IRGC security forces
Monday 16 March 2026 23:35 , Maira ButtUS intelligence assessments say that Iran’s regime is likely to remain in place, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps security forces exerting greater control, according to the Washington Post.
As the US-Israeli war enters its third week, White House officials and analysts cited by the newspaper suggest the regime has been weakened but has become more hard-line after the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The assessments predict that the Iranian regime will remain intact, possibly emboldened, but that a “regime change” will not occur.
President Donald Trump has been receiving “sobering briefings” on the situation, the reports said.
Secretary of state Marco Rubio calls South Korean foreign minister over Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 23:20 , Maira ButtUS secretary of state Marco Rubio and South Korea’s foreign minister Cho Hyun held a call on Monday regarding the oil supply crisis caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The politicians agreed that the shipping route is key to the global economy. Around a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the waterway.
President Donald Trump repeated his call on Monday to countries including South Korea, Japan and China to deploy navy ships to the Middle East to form a coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Millions of barrels of oil are reportedly being held up due to the ongoing conflict.
Mapped: US-Israeli strikes on Iran
Monday 16 March 2026 23:05 , Maira ButtWatch: rump says Britain no longer ‘Rolls Royce of allies’ as Starmer refuses to be drawn into wider war
Monday 16 March 2026 22:50 , Maira ButtNumber of US troops wounded in Iran war rises to 200
Monday 16 March 2026 22:35 , Maira ButtThe number of US troops wounded in the war against Iran has risen to about 200, the military said on Monday, as the conflict entered its third week.
US Central Command said the vast majority of those wounded had suffered minor injuries and that 180 troops had already returned to duty. Ten of the injuries are serious, it said.
Troops had been injured in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, and Israel, Central Command added.
At least 13 American service members have been killed since the outbreak of war on 28 February.
In pictures: Aftermath of Israeli strikes on Lebanon
Monday 16 March 2026 22:20 , Maira Butt
Watch: 'I know what you're trying to do' - Vance attacks reporter over stance on Iran war
Monday 16 March 2026 22:10 , Maira ButtDrone attacks hits hotel in Baghdad
Monday 16 March 2026 22:00 , Maira ButtA hotel in Baghdad has been hit in a drone attack on Monday, according to security sources.
The Al-Rasheed hotel in the Green Zone, which houses governmental buildings and the US embassy, was targeted in the strike as fire and smoke were seen rising.
No casualties or material damage was reported.
After examination, it was determined a drone had collided with the hotel's upper fence, the ministry said, condemning any attempts to target diplomatic envoys in the country.
It comes shortly after reports of two Katyusha rockets being fired at the US embassy in Baghdad.
Iranian foreign minister denies reports he texted US envoy Witkoff
Monday 16 March 2026 21:49 , Maira ButtIran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has denied claims that he texted US special envoy Steve Witkoff after Axios reported on Monday that he had contacted the American politician to open the lines of communication amid the raging conflict.
Axios cited its sources as saying Araghchi had sent text messages to Witkoff. It reported the US official said Washington was “not talking” to Tehran.
Araghchi said: “My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer's decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran.
“Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public.”
Debunked: Is the Netanyahu café video an AI deepfake after claims he died?
Monday 16 March 2026 21:36 , Maira ButtHebe Campbell reports:
A video of Benjamin Netanyahu buying coffee at a Jerusalem café sparked claims it was a deepfake after rumours spread that the Israeli prime minister had been killed or injured in an Iranian strike.
However, The Independent verified the clip by geolocating it to The Sataf in Jerusalem, reviewing the café’s Instagram stories, which showed Netanyahu arriving on Sunday afternoon.
Roughly two hours later, Netanyahu posted the same footage on his own social media channels, matching the timeline in the café’s posts.
There is no evidence the video was AI-generated.
Donald Trump is learning the hard way that even America needs allies
Monday 16 March 2026 21:16 , Maira ButtOn paper – and most likely, until recently, in the mind of Donald Trump – a conflict between Iran on one side and Israel and the United States on the other should have a predictable outcome.
As with Operation Midnight Hammer’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in the 12-day war last summer, and again in Venezuela, it would all be over swiftly, and relatively cleanly, with the minimum of fuss. By now, roughly speaking, Iran would be under the control of a new Trump-approved ruler and, handily, another oil-rich nation would be under American tutelage.
Donald Trump is learning the hard way that even the US needs allies
Vance says he trusts Trump on Iran war
Monday 16 March 2026 21:00 , Maira ButtUS vice president JD Vance said on Monday that he trusts President Donald Trump when it comes to his handling of the war on Iran.
“We have a smart president, whereas in the past we have had dumb presidents, and I trust President Trump to get the job done,” Vance told reporters at the White House.
Trump has expressed his disappointment at Nato allies, including the UK, for not rushing to provide military support at the Strait of Hormuz, which is mostly closed due to an Iranian blockade amid the ongoing conflict.
Air defences shoot down drone near Erbil Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan
Monday 16 March 2026 20:50 , Maira ButtA drone has been shot down near Erbil Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan, security sources told Reuters on Monday.
It comes shortly after reports that the US embassy in Baghdad had been targeted by two Katyusha rockets.
Trump says he rejected Starmer offer of aircraft carriers
Monday 16 March 2026 20:39 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has claimed on Monday that he has rejected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s offer to send aircraft carriers to aid with America’s war against Iran.
“I told him we don’t want your aircraft carriers,” he said.
It comes shortly after Trump said he was “not happy” with the UK for refusing to getting involved in the Strait of Hormuz blockade, which is currently disrupting global oil supply.
US and Iran have been in contact in recent days, reports Axios
Monday 16 March 2026 20:25 , Maira ButtIran and the US have been in contact in recent days, according to a new report in Axios.
The countries have publicly denounced each other and denied any attempt at reconciliation amid the ongoing conflict. President Donald Trump said that he was “not ready” to make a deal while Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said they were ready to fight “as long as it takes” and denied the country had asked for a ceasefire or a discussion.
But, a direct communications channel between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Araghchi has been reactivated in recent days, Axios reported on Monday, citing a US official and a source with knowledge of the matter.
It is not clear how substantive the communication was but is the first known direct contact between the parties since the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran.
Axios cited its sources as saying Araghchi had sent text messages to Witkoff. It reported the US official said Washington was “not talking” to Tehran.
Israel attacks IRGC naval headquarters, says military
Monday 16 March 2026 20:10 , Maira ButtThe Israeli military has claimed that it has attacked the navy headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Monday.
“The Air Force struck, with precise guidance from Military Intelligence and the Naval Intelligence Unit of the Navy, the main headquarters of the Navy in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” it wrote in a statement on X on Monday.
“The headquarters was established within a vast military complex of the regime in eastern Tehran, and for years served senior commanders in managing the force's activities and advancing terrorist operations against the State of Israel and additional countries in the maritime arena in the Middle East.”
דובר צה״ל בהצהרתו: הותקפה המפקדה הראשית של חיל הים במשמרות המהפכה
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 16, 2026
חיל האוויר תקף בהכוונה מדויקת של אמ"ן ומספן המודיעין של חיל הים, את המפקדה הראשית של חיל הים במשמרות המהפכה.
המפקדה הוקמה בתוך מתחם צבאי רחב של המשטר במזרח טהרן, ושימשה לאורך שנים מפקדים בכירים לניהול פעילות החיל… pic.twitter.com/ADzS4cXJQb
UK, Canada, France and others warn against Israeli ground invasion of Lebanon
Monday 16 March 2026 19:54 , Maira ButtThe leaders of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy have released a statement on the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The statement warns that a ground offensive would have “devastating humanitarian consequences” and that the situation is already “deeply alarming” with over one million people displaced.
“We are gravely concerned by the escalating violence in Lebanon and call for meaningful engagement by Israeli and Lebanese representatives to negotiate a sustainable political solution,” the statement released on Monday reads.
“We strongly support initiatives to facilitate talks and urge for immediate de-escalation.”
The countries condemned Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel and on its decision to join Iran in ongoing war.
However, the statement added: “A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict. It must be averted. The humanitarian situation in Lebanon, including ongoing mass displacement, is already deeply alarming.”
From Dubai to the Strait of Hormuz, World War Drone is upon us
Monday 16 March 2026 19:36 , Maira ButtThe presence of a drone used to be an irritant, just like an insect’s buzzing was an irritant. Even the stinging types were not a matter of life and death.
Nowadays, around the world, people find themselves living beneath the whine of these unmanned aerial vehicles, which have rapidly transformed warfare, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Whether state-of-the-art or assembled from bootleg kits, they can be piloted from hundreds of miles away. In this new arena of remote-control conflict, far-flung front lines have begun to knit together ominously.
From Dubai to the Strait of Hormuz, World War Drone is upon us
Rockets fired towards US embassy in Baghdad
Monday 16 March 2026 19:21 , Maira ButtExplosions have been heard near the US embassy in Baghdad as sirens were heard ringing out, sources told Reuters.
Security sources said that Katyusha rockets were forward towards the building on Monday.
New supreme leader escaped death by seconds, according to leaked audio
Monday 16 March 2026 19:16 , Maira ButtIran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei escaped death by seconds because he went into the garden when his home was struck by a US missile, according to audio leaked to the Telegraph.
Khamenei was previously reported as not being in the compound where his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, mother and wife were killed in a US-Israeli attack on 28 February.
”God’s will was that Mojtaba had to go out to the yard to do something and then return,” said Mazaher Hosseini, head of protocol for Ali Khamenei’s office, in an address to senior clerics and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders according to the audio.
“He was outside and was heading upstairs when they struck the building with a missile. His wife, Ms [Zahra] Haddad, was martyred instantly.”
Israel warns displaced Lebanese not to return amid operation against Hezbollah
Monday 16 March 2026 19:00 , Maira ButtThe IDF said on Monday that it is “operating in evacuated areas that were used by Hezbollah terrorists to exploit civilian infrastructure for terrorist activity” and advised residents not to return.
It said it had found weapons and “incitement materials” in southern Lebanon, and had dismantled a weapons cache.
Around one million people have been confirmed displaced in Lebanon, according to humanitarian agencies.
Fire breaks out at Abu Dhabi Shah oil field after drone attack, says media office
Monday 16 March 2026 18:51 , Maira ButtAuthorities in Abu Dhabi on Monday were dealing with a fire at the Shah oil and gas field caused by a drone attack and said that no injuries had been reported so far, the Abu Dhabi media office reported.
The Shah field is one of the world's largest of its kind and is located 180 km (111.85 miles) southwest of Abu Dhabi.
Message released by Iran's new supreme leader published in Iranian media
Monday 16 March 2026 18:36 , Maira ButtIran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly released a message, which has been read out by state media.
He advised current government officials to remain in post and continue working based on existing directives.
“I hereby announce that, for the present, none of them requires the renewal of their appointment. It is crucial that they continue their work in accordance with the directives received during the lifetime of Ayatollah Khamenei,” said the message, according to the BBC.
The leader has not been seen in public since his appointment on 8 March, and President Donald Trump has alleged he is “dead”, which Iranian officials, including the country’s foreign minister, have denied.
Missile shrapnel falls in Jerusalem's Old City holy sites, police say
Monday 16 March 2026 18:16 , Maira ButtShrapnel from ballistic missiles fired by Iran and debris from the Israeli interceptors that shot them down fell on Monday around Jerusalem's walled Old City and some of its most sacred Christian, Muslim and Jewish sites, Israeli police said.
There were no casualties or major damage reported at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the nearby hilltop plateau known to Muslims as Al-Aqsa compound and to Jews as Temple Mount, a flashpoint site that is holy to both faiths.
Photos distributed by police showed three officers carrying what appeared to be a large metal ring-shaped part of a missile off a red-tiled roof adjacent to the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial and a popular pilgrimage site.
People ‘high up’ in the White House are against war with Iran, Trump ally turned foe tells CNN
Monday 16 March 2026 18:00 , Maira ButtFormer MAGA Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said on Monday that she’d spoken to senior White House officials whom she claimed in some cases privately opposed Donald Trump’s war with Iran.
The revelation comes as Greene, formerly one of Trump’s biggest backers in Congress, has issued withering criticsm of the president over his decision to launch military strikes in Iran. A member of the GOP’s isolationist wing, Greene has consistently opposed U.S. commitments in foreign conflicts including the war in Ukraine.
Greene told The Situation Room co-anchors Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown that a generational divide increasingly exists within the president’s MAGA base, with younger voters and Gen X Republicans like herself viewing the conflict as being waged on Israel’s behalf.
MTG claims people ‘high up’ in the Trump White House are against war with Iran
Iran foreign minister accuses 'neighbouring states' of encouraging the killing of Iranians
Monday 16 March 2026 17:45 , Bryony GoochIranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday that some "neighbouring states" hosting US forces and allowing attacks on Iran were also actively encouraging the killing of Iranians.
He said hundreds of Iranian civilians, including more than 200 children, had been killed in Israel-US strikes.
"Stances should be promptly clarified," he added in a post on X.
Hundreds of Iranian civilians have been killed in Israel-U.S. bombings, including over 200 children.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 16, 2026
Reports claim that some neighboring states which host U.S. forces and permit attacks on Iran are also actively encouraging this slaughter. Stances should be promptly clarified.
Middle East exports drop 60 per cent as Hormuz remains mostly closed
Monday 16 March 2026 17:30 , Maira ButtMiddle East exports have dropped at least 60 per cent due to the Strait of Hormuz remaining mostly closed due to an Iranian blockade amid the ongoing war with the US, according to shipping data and Reuters calculations.
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, normally used to transport about a fifth of the world's oil supply, has forced exporters to cancel shipments and shut production at oilfields, creating the world's biggest ever supply disruption.
Crude oil prices have surged to the highest in four years and those of some fuels to record highs.
Watch: Trump rants against Nato allies for not helping Iran attack
Monday 16 March 2026 17:20 , Maira ButtTrump hits out at UK for not helping with Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 17:11 , Maira ButtThe United States is “not happy” with the UK, for its refusal to immediately send military reinforcements to the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump said he is “not happy” with the UK and was left “very surprised” by Keir Starmer.
“I think maybe they’ll be involved,” he added.
Iran's leaders are 'all dead', says Trump
Monday 16 March 2026 17:06 , Maira ButtDonald Trump has once again suggested that Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is dead.
“He hasn’t spoken,” he said at a press conference on Monday, comparing him to his father who he said would “spew hate”.
“Nobody’s seen him which is unusual.”
He added that he did not want to secure a deal with Iran “yet” and said that the US do not know who they are dealing with.
“All of their leaders are dead, we don’t know who we’re dealing with.”
Trump hits out at Nato: 'They won't protect us'
Monday 16 March 2026 17:00 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has hit out at Nato for refusing to support his mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
“I always felt that was a weakness of Nato,” he said on Monday.
“We were going to protect them, but, I always said, when in need they won’t protect us. Now, this is in need.
“If we need their mine boats or any piece of their apparatus that they have, they should be jumping to help us. We’ve helped them stay out of wars for years.”
Trump says US has struck 7,000 targets in Iran
Monday 16 March 2026 16:45 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump on Monday said the US military campaign against Iran had continued “in full force” over the past few days, adding that since beginning of the war Washington had struck more than 7,000 targets across the Islamic Republic.
He added that 30 mine-laying ships had been destroyed in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said “mostly” commercial and military targets had been attacked.
Numerous countries 'on their way' to Strait of Hormuz, says Trump
Monday 16 March 2026 16:35 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump is holding a press conference right now ahead of lunch at the Kennedy Centre.
He insisted about his call for states to assist in breaking the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz: “Numerous countries have told me they are on their way”.
Trump declined to specify the nations involved, saying: “Not sure countries want me to say if they are helping.”
Trump appears to react to lack of Nato support: 'Some nations are enthusiastic, some aren't'
Monday 16 March 2026 16:26 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump appeared to respond to comments made by Nato countries today about a reluctance to join the war in Iran.
“Some nations are enthusiastic, some aren’t,” he said on Monday.
He insisted: “Numerous countries have told me they are on their way”.
Trump appeared to complain about a lack of support from allies saying they “should be happily helping us” and said he would “encourage other nations to come and help us”.
German chancellor Merz doubles down: 'We will not participate in this war'
Monday 16 March 2026 16:20 , Maira ButtChancellor Friedrich Merz has doubled down on Germany’s refusal to enter America’s war against Iran.
Earlier, a spokesperson for the German politician told Politico: “This war has nothing to do with Nato. It's not Nato's war.”
He has now added to these remarks, saying on Monday afternoon: “We will not participate in this war. We will not participate in securing the Strait of Hormuz and we do not know a concept for doing so.”
Donald Trump had called on Nato allies to help secure the vital shipping route and has so far met with a cold response.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards to attack US industries in region in coming hours, say local reports
Monday 16 March 2026 16:10 , Maira ButtIran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have said that they will target US industries across the Middle East in the coming hours, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The group have asked residents to evacuate nearby areas.
In pictures: US Air Force B-1 bomber is loaded with bombs at RAF Fairford as Starmer says Allies working on a plan to reopen Hormuz Strait
Monday 16 March 2026 16:00 , Bryony Gooch
Watch: White House asked why allies who weren't consulted on Iran War should help reopen Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 15:45 , Bryony GoochIran asks India to release seized tankers as part of negotiation for safe passage out of Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 15:30 , Bryony GoochIran has reportedly asked India to release three tankers seized in February as part of talks seeking the safe passage of India-flagged or India-bound vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.
Indian authorities seized the three Iran‑linked tankers near Indian waters alleging they had concealed or altered their identities and were involved in illegal ship‑to‑ship transfers at sea.
Tehran has also sought supplies of certain medicines and medical equipment, according to one of the sources, an Iranian official. Iran’s ambassador to New Delhi met Indian foreign ministry officials on Monday to discuss the issue, the source told Reuters.
WHO says six hospitals evacuated in Iran, system holding up
Monday 16 March 2026 15:15 , Bryony GoochA World Health Organisation official said on Monday that the US-Israeli war on Iran has led to the evacuation of six hospitals but that so far the system appeared to be holding up and authorities have not sought emergency relief from the global health agency.
"The primary healthcare and the health infrastructure of Iran is quite good and robust, and they're able to accommodate the casualties as of now," WHO regional director Hanan Balkhy said.
Iran's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said on Monday that over 1,300 people have been killed since the February 28 conflict began and more than 7,000 people injured.
The WHO, which has an office in Tehran and helps Iranian authorities with disease management, has verified 18 attacks on health care and the killing of eight medics.
Balkhy said the WHO has contingency plans to move in emergency supplies should the situation deteriorate further.
One risk is that "black rain" caused by leaking toxic compounds from damaged oil facilities adds an additional burden on the healthcare system because of rising respiratory infections, she added.
Trump says he'd strike Kharg Island again: 'I'll knock the hell out of it'
Monday 16 March 2026 15:00 , Bryony GoochDonald Trump has reportedly said he’d strike Iran’s Kharg Island again, according to PBS.
"Kharg Island is out of commission except for the pipes, which I left. I didn't want to hit the pipes because, you know, it's years of work to put them together,” he said.
He added, per the White House correspondent, that he would “strike it again, yeah, I told them openly, I'll knock the hell out of it."
He noted he purposefully left "100 yards" around "anything having to do with oil" there. "Didn't even come close," adding it takes a lot to rebuild infrastructure.
On Kharg Island being hit: "Kharg Island is out of commission except for the pipes, which I left. I didn't want to hit the pipes because, you know, it's years of work to put them together."
— Liz Landers (@ElizLanders) March 16, 2026
Watch: How Nato allies have responded to Trump's Strait of Hormuz threat
Monday 16 March 2026 14:46 , Bryony GoochChancellor Merz: 'This is not Nato's war'
Monday 16 March 2026 14:39 , Bryony GoochGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz has echoed his defence minister and foreign minister in rejecting claims that Nato could be pulled in to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"This war has nothing to do with Nato. It's not Nato's war," Stefan Kornelius, a spokesperson for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, per Politico.
Bessent: Iran war, not trade, may delay Trump-Xi summit
Monday 16 March 2026 14:30 , Bryony GoochA delay to a planned summit this month between the US and Chinese presidents would not stem from trade disagreements but from the possibility Donald Trump may need to remain in the United States because of the war with Iran, US treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday.
Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng led two days of talks in Paris aimed at preparing the highly anticipated meeting between Trump and China's Xi Jinping from 31 March to 2 April.
Speaking to CNBC, Bessent said the meetings had been "very good" and benefited from a "stable relationship".
However, he left open whether the leaders' summit would go ahead as scheduled after Trump told the Financial Times in an interview published on Sunday that he could also postpone as he presses Beijing to help unblock the crucial Strait of Hormuz closed by Iran.
Bessent said any delay would not be because Trump had asked China to police the strait. "The President wants to remain in DC to coordinate the war effort, and that traveling abroad at a time like this may not be optimal," Bessent said.
Analysis: Ukraine had brutal plan to bankrupt Putin with his own war dead – until Trump’s oil U-turn wrecked it
Monday 16 March 2026 14:15 , Bryony Gooch
Ukraine had a plan to bankrupt Putin with his own war dead – until Trump wrecked it
US Treasury unsure how long Iran war will last as Israel plans for three more weeks
Monday 16 March 2026 14:00 , Bryony GoochUS treasury secretary Scott Bessent has said he doesn’t know how many weeks the war in Iran will last.
It comes as Israel said on Monday it has detailed plans for a further three weeks of war as its military pounded sites across Iran overnight.
In a briefing on Monday, Israeli military spokesperson lieutenant colonel Nadav Shoshani told reporters that there are detailed operational plans for the war with Iran in place for the next three weeks, along with additional plans extending further ahead.
The military has framed its objectives as limited to weakening Iran's capacity to threaten Israel by striking ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and the security apparatus.
"We want to make sure that they are as weak as possible, this regime, and that we degrade all their capabilities, all parts and all wings of their security establishment," Shoshani said.
Watch: Starmer insists UK needs 'credible viable plan' to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 13:45 , Bryony GoochIn pictures: Flydubai Boeing 737 Max aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport
Monday 16 March 2026 13:30 , Bryony Gooch
What Nato allies have responded to Trump's call for alliance involvement in Strait of Hormuz?
Monday 16 March 2026 13:15 , Bryony GoochHere are the Nato allies who have responded to Trump’s call for help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz:
- Germany has rejected calls for Nato involvement in the Strait of Hormuz
- UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said it “won't be and it's never been envisioned to be a NATO mission” to reopen the Persian waterway
- Greece has said it will not engage in any military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said on Monday.
Trump speaking with European allies about opening the Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 13:05 , Bryony GoochPresident Donald Trump is speaking with European allies and many other nations about opening the Strait of Hormuz, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during an interview with Fox News on Monday.
Iran hits Gulf neighbors and keeps stranglehold on oil shipping as concerns rise of energy crisis
Monday 16 March 2026 13:01 , Bryony Gooch
Iran hits Gulf neighbors and keeps stranglehold on oil shipping as concerns rise of energy crisis
First non-Iranian cargo transits Strait of Hormuz with AIS signal
Monday 16 March 2026 12:55 , Bryony GoochThe first non-Iranian cargo vessel is transiting the Strait of Hormuz with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) on, according to Marine Traffic.
The Aframax tanker Karachi, carrying Abu Dhabi’s Das crude, has become the first non-Iranian cargo to transit the chokepoint while broadcasting its AIS signal, suggesting that select shipments may be receiving negotiated safe passage, according to the maritime tracker.
The 237-metre crude oil tanker entered the Iranian Exclusive Economic Zone on 15 March at 11.33 UTC and crossed the Strait of Hormuz at 14.43 UTC.
The vessel is currently sailing in the Gulf of Oman at around 9.6 knots, having successfully passed through the strait with AIS active.
The transit follows weeks of significantly reduced traffic through the strategic waterway, with more than 20 long-range tankers reported to have exited the Gulf.
First non-Iranian cargo transits Strait of Hormuz with AIS on
— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) March 16, 2026
The Aframax tanker Karachi, carrying Abu Dhabi’s Das crude, has become the first non-Iranian cargo to transit the chokepoint while broadcasting its AIS signal, suggesting that select shipments may be receiving… pic.twitter.com/Q6j6W3Cxz3
Trump speaking with European allies about opening Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 12:54 , Alex CroftPresident Donald Trump is speaking with European allies and many other nations about opening the Strait of Hormuz, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during an interview with Fox News on Monday.
It comes after UK prime minister Keir Starmer said Britain would not be drawn into a wider war in Iran but would work with allies on a "viable" plan to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz.
At a press conference aimed at easing public concern over rising energy costs, Sir Keir again justified his decision not to take part in the initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran, a move Trump has criticised, going as far as calling the British leader "no Churchill".
Trump could delay China visit in effort to ramp up pressure on Beijing to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 12:44 , Bryony GoochPresident Donald Trump may delay his much-anticipated visit to China at the end of the month as he seeks to ramp up the pressure on Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz and calm oil prices that have soared during the Iran war.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Trump said China's reliance on oil from the Middle East means it ought to help with a new coalition he is trying to put together to get oil tanker traffic moving through the strait after Iran's threats have stifled global flows of oil.
The president said "we'd like to know" before the trip whether Beijing will help.
"We may delay," he said in the interview.
Booms heard in Doha - report
Monday 16 March 2026 12:34 , Alex CroftWe’re seeing an alert from Reuters news agency that booms have been heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
We’re working to bring you more.
German defence minister rejects US demands for European involvement in Iran war
Monday 16 March 2026 12:30 , Bryony GoochGerman defence minister Boris Pistorius on Monday rejected demands by US president Donald Trump for military support in the war against Iran and downplayed threats that such a stance by allies would hurt NATO.
"What does (...) Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful U.S. navy cannot do?" he said in Berlin.
"This is not our war, we have not started it."
Watch: Strait of Hormuz reopening won't be a Nato mission, Starmer says
Monday 16 March 2026 12:24 , Bryony GoochItalian foreign minister joins growing Nato voices casting doubt over military involvement over Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 12:16 , Bryony GoochItalian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday that diplomacy was the right way to solve the crisis in the Hormuz Strait and there were no naval missions Italy is involved in that could be extended to the area.
“As far as Hormuz is concerned I believe diplomacy needs to prevail," Tajani told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Brussels.
Italy is involved in defensive naval missions in the Red Sea, "but I don't see any missions that can be extended to Hormuz," he added.
In pictures: Members of Iran's women's football team arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Monday 16 March 2026 12:09 , Bryony Gooch
‘Like an earthquake’: Inside Israel’s deadly strike on medical centre
Monday 16 March 2026 12:01 , Bryony Gooch
‘It was like an earthquake’: Rescuers describe Israel’s attack on medical centre
Greece will not engage in military operations in Strait of Hormuz, says government official
Monday 16 March 2026 11:51 , Bryony GoochGreece will not engage in any military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said on Monday.
It comes as both Germany and the UK have cast doubt on Donald Trump’s calls for Nato involvement in the Strait of Hormuz.
Dubai shutdown reveals ‘asymmetric’ passengers' rights rules
Monday 16 March 2026 11:45 , Bryony GoochSimon Calder, travel correspondent, reports:
Dubai airport is now back and running a reduced service. The latest shutdown will impact UK travellers for many days as Emirates seeks to recover is schedules.
Under air passengers’ rights rules, travellers whose journeys start in the UK are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline that has seats available.
But with a sharply reduced schedule of flights between the UK and the Middle East, rebooking passengers will prove difficult. Many intercontinental flights returned to their starting points, including inbound aircraft from Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok and Hong Kong – all of which will have had significant numbers of British passengers on board.
In addition, some Emirates flights are on the ground in Europe, Africa and Asia rather than in the Middle East. Passengers from Toronto found themselves in Rome, while the flight from Dallas Fort Worth is in Milan. The Emirates flight from Accra landed in Addis Ababa.
Many departing flights have been cancelled, which will also affect passengers in the UK due to travel out to Dubai on Monday night and into Tuesday.
British travellers heading home from Asia and Australia are likely to face yet more problems. Air passengers’ rights rules are asymmetric: they do not apply for flights starting outside Europe for non-UK/EU airlines. If Emirates, Etihad or Qatar Airways cancels a flight from an Asian airport to its hub, or an onward service to the UK, the carrier merely has to offer a replacement flight at a time of its choosing – or a refund of the appropriate fare.
The Gulf crisis has revealed air passengers’ rights rules are unfit for purpose.
Citibank branches and offices will remain closed until further notice in UAE
Monday 16 March 2026 11:31 , Bryony GoochAmerican bank Citibank has said most of its branches and offices in the United Arab Emirates will continue to be closed until further notice.
It comes after Iran threatened to target the Gulf’s financial institutions last week as part of the Iran war.
Watch: Medical centre destroyed by Israeli missile in Lebanon
Monday 16 March 2026 11:23 , Bryony GoochStarmer: We cannot allow Iran war to become windfall for Putin
Monday 16 March 2026 11:12 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent, reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has warned against allowing the war in Iran to benefit Vladimir Putin.
He told a press conference in Downing Street: “It's vital we continue to focus on supporting Ukraine.
“We cannot allow the war in the gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin.”
Starmer resists call to send UK ships to Strait of Hormuz as Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad’ future
Monday 16 March 2026 11:00 , Bryony Gooch
PM resists Trump’s ships demand as US president warns Nato faces ‘very bad’ future
We will not be drawn into the wider war, Starmer warns
Monday 16 March 2026 10:52 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent, reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted that the UK will “not be drawn into the wider war” in Iran as the conflict enters its third week.
It comes as Donald Trump piles pressure on Britain and other allies to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect the shipping route.
But Sir Keir has so far resisted the calls, on Monday insisting ministers are working hard to secure de-escalation.
Iranian missile prompted evacuation in Doha residential neighbourhood, says Qatar
Monday 16 March 2026 10:43 , Bryony GoochEvacuations in parts of Doha on Saturday were prompted by an Iranian missile, launched on a residential neighbourhood, Qatar’s foreign ministry has claimed.
The missile was intercepted, a spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that Qatar was unaware of any formal mediation between the US and Iran right now.
1.7m UK homes facing soaring bills as heating oil costs doubled in a week amid Iran conflict
Monday 16 March 2026 10:32 , Bryony Gooch
1.7m UK homes facing soaring bills as heating oil costs doubled in a week
Watch: Fire and smoke seen near Dubai airport after drone attack
Monday 16 March 2026 10:23 , Bryony GoochBrent Crude Oil prices the highest they've been since July 2022
Monday 16 March 2026 10:09 , Bryony GoochThe price of Brent Crude Oil is currently past $104 per barrel, the highest they’ve been since July 2022.
How countries are responding to Trump’s call to send ships to Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 10:00 , Bryony Gooch
How countries are responding to Trump’s call to send ships to Strait of Hormuz
UK flights on 11-hour 'flights to nowhere' after Dubai airport temporarily closes
Monday 16 March 2026 09:52 , Bryony GoochSimon Calder, travel correspondent, reports:
Thousands of British travellers have endured a miserable night on a series of “flights to nowhere” after another Iranian drone strike shut down Dubai’s main airport, DXB.
The latest shutdown of the world’s busiest international airport was caused by a fresh drone attack launched by Iran against Dubai. A blaze began near the airport in the early hours of Monday.
At around 4am local time, Dubai Airports posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Flights at DXB are temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff. Please contact your airlines for the latest flight updates.”
Six Emirates flights from UK airports were en route to Dubai when news of the closure emerged. One inbound flight from Heathrow, Emirates flight EK30, diverted to Dubai World Central – the second airport serving the metropolis.
Two flights from Heathrow, and one each from Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh, turned around and flew back to their starting points.
The Emirates flight from Edinburgh to Dubai, EK24, spent 11 hours airborne before returning to the Scottish capital. It had taken off from Edinburgh shortly after 8 pm, and had reached Egypt before the crew were ordered to return to the starting point.
Those on the Sunday night Emirates flight from London Stansted to Dubai endured a similar 11-hour flight that failed to reach the UAE.
Their aircraft was close to Dubai, but was turned back and ended up in Vienna at 8.30am local time on Monday. Flight EK68 is expected to continue to Dubai later in the day.
Watch: Netanyahu denies reports he is dead
Monday 16 March 2026 09:43 , Bryony GoochGermany sees no role for the NATO in Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 09:42 , Bryony GoochGermany does not see a role for the NATO defence alliance in addressing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Brussels on Monday.
"I don't see that NATO has made any decision in this direction or could assume responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz. If that were the case, then the NATO bodies would address it accordingly," said Wadephul ahead of a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
US president Donald Trump ratcheted up pressure on European allies to help protect the strait, warning that NATO faces a "very bad" future if its members fail to come to Washington’s aid.
Former BP boss warns government ministers should prepare for 'significant shortfall' of oil in next two months
Monday 16 March 2026 09:39 , Bryony GoochNick Butler, the former head of strategy at BP and a former adviser to Gordon Brown, has warned that government ministers should be preparing for a “significant shortfall of supply over the next two months”.
He said this could involve “a form of rationing”, adding: “I think we learnt from the tanker drivers dispute in 2000 that oil and gas supplies are absolutely crucial to the running of the economy and you can’t bring on new supplies quickly.”
He told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4: “In the short-term, we have to look at what supply we have and look at the crucial sectors, the health service, food supply, hospitals, those are key elements that must be protected.
“And beyond that, it is then for the government to decide how to ration what is left if we get to that situation.”
Trump to announce coalition to lead ships through Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 09:34 , Bryony Gooch
Trump to announce Strait of Hormuz escorts this week, officials say
Attacks on Dubai airport cause diversions
Monday 16 March 2026 09:30 , Bryony GoochDrone and missile fire has regularly kept aircraft circling Dubai's busy airport, heavily affecting Middle East tourism worth about $367 billion a year. Air freight rates have also surged as much as 70 per cent on some routes.
In a statement on X, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority flagged a "gradual resumption" of some flights to selected destinations, the Dubai Media Office said.
Emirates airline said it expected to partially resume operations at 6am GMT after the attack, which prompted authorities to divert some flights to the smaller Al Maktoum international airport.
A Reuters reporter on board an Emirates plane from Rome to Dubai observed the disruption, as security concerns forced the aircraft to divert abruptly when it came in to land early on Monday, going instead to the inland city of Al Ain.
The airline told passengers it planned to fly them back to Dubai as the airspace had re-opened. At one point it said it would arrange a bus for the 130-km (81-miles) road trip back to the coastal city.
On its website, Emirates said it had cancelled some flights scheduled for Monday, while sister airline flydubai also halted flights temporarily.
Air India and Air India Express said in a statement flights with Dubai had been cancelled for the day.
Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since February 28, with targets including U.S. diplomatic missions and military bases but also key oil infrastructure as well as homes and offices.
The United Arab Emirates, which normalised relations with Iran's arch-foe Israel in 2020, has faced the brunt of the attacks. But all Gulf Arab states have been affected, and all have criticised Iran for the attacks.
On March 11, two drones fell near the international airport, which suffered damage on the first day of the conflict during an Iranian attack across Gulf states.
In pictures: South Beirut on Monday after an airstrike overnight
Monday 16 March 2026 09:15 , Bryony Gooch
I’m a trauma expert. This is what the Iran war is doing to our brains
Monday 16 March 2026 09:00 , Bryony Gooch
I’m a trauma expert. This is what the Iran war is doing to our brains
Iran's internet blackout intensifies as it enters 17th day
Monday 16 March 2026 08:52 , Bryony GoochAn internet blackout in Iran has intensified as it crosses over 384 hours, according to digital governance watchdog Net Blocks.
Reserved telecoms network infrastructure and VPN availability have both been hindered as the blackout enters its 17th day.
The organisation said: “The internet blackout in #Iran is entering its 17th day after 384 hours.
“Over the last day a decline has been tracked in reserved telecoms network infrastructure, further reducing VPN availability and sending some whitelisted users and NIN services offline.”
⚠️ Update: The internet blackout in #Iran is entering its 17th day after 384 hours. Over the last day a decline has been tracked in reserved telecoms network infrastructure, further reducing VPN availability and sending some whitelisted users and NIN services offline. https://t.co/xFVkYHiHDr pic.twitter.com/zxXYqX7GPO
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) March 16, 2026
UK cabinet minister calls Trump's approach to international affairs 'transactional'
Monday 16 March 2026 08:43 , Bryony GoochDonald Trump has a “transactional” approach to international affairs, a Cabinet minister said in response to the US president’s latest comments on Iran.
The US president has suggested the future of Nato is at stake if allies do not contribute to his mission to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.
Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden told Sky News: “That’s the president right there. The quote that you’ve just given has summed him up.
“It’s a very transactional presidency and our job is to navigate this, to always remember that the friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom runs very deep.
“It’s a good relationship. It’s enduring and I think it will outlast all the personalities involved.”
Watch: Trump warns Nato faces 'very bad future' if allies don't help secure Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 08:34 , Bryony GoochEU to discuss how to keep Hormuz strait open, EU's foreign chief says
Monday 16 March 2026 08:26 , Bryony GoochEU member states will discuss what can be done from the European side to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday.
"It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and that's why we are also discussing what we can do in this regard from the European side," she said, speaking to journalists ahead a EU foreign affairs meeting in Brussels.
Dubai airport resumes some flights after drone attack spotlights risks
Monday 16 March 2026 08:19 , Bryony GoochDubai's international airport was gradually resuming flights on Monday, authorities said, after a fire caused by a drone attack forced a temporary suspension, further disrupting traffic in one of the world's busiest air travel hubs.
The US-Israel war against Iran has thrown global aviation into turmoil, with flights cancelled, rescheduled and rerouted, as most Middle East airspace stays shut over fears of missile and drone attacks, while the crisis sends fuel prices soaring.
Monday's incident pointed to the challenges for UAE airlines and the wider aviation industry in the effort to ramp up capacity and return operations to normal.
It is the third attack at the Dubai international airport (DXB) since Iran launched assaults on Gulf nations on 28 February with strikes Tehran has said aim at the US presence in the region.
While the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries host US military facilities, Iran has used missiles and drones to target civilian facilities such as airports, hotels and ports.
In a statement on X, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority flagged a "gradual resumption" of some flights to selected destinations, the Dubai Media Office said.
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Trump's comments over the future of Nato dismissed as 'rhetoric' by Cabinet minister
Monday 16 March 2026 08:13 , Bryony GoochMillie Cooke, political correspondent reports:
Donald Trump’s comments about the risk to Nato if allies do not contribute to the military effort to secure the Strait of Hormuz have been played down by a Cabinet minister, who dubbed it "rhetoric" from the US president.
The UK appears unlikely to agree to the US president’s call for allies to contribute warships to a mission to protect shipping passing through the waterway from Iranian attacks.
Responding to Mr Trump's threat that Nato could face a "very bad" future if allies don't send warships to the Middle East, work and pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told Times Radio: “There’s a lot of rhetoric, always, in this presidency.
“Underneath that, there is a good and close relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States. I’m confident that will continue. We speak to one another all the time.
“But that doesn’t mean that we will always have to support every intervention and every action that the United States chooses to take.”
China says it is communicating with all sides about the Strait of Hormuz
Monday 16 March 2026 08:09 , Bryony GoochChina is in communication "with all sides" about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the foreign ministry said on Monday, reiterating the country's call for a de-escalation of the Middle East conflict.
At a regular press briefing, the ministry was asked if China had received any request from US president Donald Trump to assist in ensuring the security of the Strait, a vital artery for global energy shipments.
"We are in communication with all parties on the current situation and are committed to promoting the easing and cooling down of the situation," ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters.
Lin said China again urged all sides to cease fighting immediately to prevent escalation and broader economic fallout.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
