The Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to "Iran's enemies", a top Iranian official said Sunday, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “obliterate” the Islamic Republic’s power grid if the waterway was not "fully open" within 48 hours.
“If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST,” the president wrote on Truth Social on Saturday evening.
Tanker traffic through the waterway — a vital artery of global commerce — has ground to a halt amid Iran’s de facto blockade. As a result, oil prices have surged beyond the $100-a-barrel threshold and the average cost for a gallon of diesel has risen above $5.
Iran's representative to the International Maritime Organisation, Ali Mousavi, said Tehran was ready to cooperate to improve maritime safety in the Gulf, adding that ships not linked to "Iran's enemies" could pass through.
On Friday, Trump criticized NATO allies for refusing to help secure the strait, though he later claimed it would soon “open itself” and dismissed the waterway as being of little importance to the U.S.
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Key Points
- Trump gives 48-hour ultimatum to Iran
- Iranian missiles 'can reach London, Paris or Berlin'
- New Iranian tactics and launch systems will shock US and Israel, says IRGC commander
- Ministry of Defence condemns Iran's attempted attack on Diego Garcia
- Trump hits back at critics over Iran war: 'the US has blown Iran off of the map'
Japan could consider Hormuz minesweeping if ceasefire reached, minister says
09:13 , Holly EvansJapan could consider deploying its military for minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, if a ceasefire is reached in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Sunday.
"If there were to be a complete ceasefire, hypothetically speaking, then things like minesweeping could come up," Motegi said during a Fuji TV programme. "This is purely hypothetical, but if a ceasefire were established and naval mines were creating an obstacle, then I think that would be something to consider."
Japan's military actions are limited under its postwar pacifist constitution, but 2015 security legislation allows Japan to use its Self-Defence Forces overseas if an attack, including on a close security partner, threatens Japan's survival and no other means are available to address it.
Tokyo has no immediate plans to seek arrangements to allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz for stranded Japanese vessels, Motegi said, adding it was "extremely important" to create conditions that allow all ships to navigate through the narrow waterway, the conduit for a fifth of the world's oil shipments.
Minister won't confirm if UK supports Trump's 48 hour deadline
09:00 , Holly EvansSteve Reed would not be drawn on whether the Government backs President Donald Trump's 48-hour deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.
He was repeatedly asked about his position appearing on Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme but only said the UK will not be drawn into a wider conflict.
"I think you need to ask President Trump about the things that President Trump is talking about," the Housing Secretary said.
Early on Sunday, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iran had 48 hours to "FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz", or the US would "obliterate" Iran's power plants.
UK has 'systems and defences' in place to keep country safe, minister says
08:52 , Holly EvansHousing secretary Steve Reed insisted that the UK was safe and will not be dragged into the Iran conflict.
Despite warnings Iran has developed long-range missiles capable of reaching major European cities, he said the UK had strong defensive capabilities.
He told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: “We have systems and defences in place that keep the United Kingdom safe, and that will continue to happen, but the Prime Minister has been crystal clear about this war.
“We didn’t join the war, we’re not going to be dragged into this war, but we will take necessary defensive action to protect British interests, British people, or our allies across the region.
Mr Reed said the fact that one of the missiles fired at Diego Garcia was intercepted, and the other failed, shows shows “that our defensive capabilities are correct”.
Starmer to hold cost-of-living Cobra meeting
08:41 , Holly EvansThe Prime Minister will hold a Cobra meeting next week to discuss plans to help households with cost of living issues caused by the war, it is understood.
Lord Richard Walker, the cost-of-living tsar, said he has “asked the government to consider a temporary profit cap, if required, to stop producers and retailers exploiting the crisis to make windfall profits at the expense of consumers”.
Read: Britain cannot ‘stay out’ of war in the Middle East
08:12 , Holly EvansThe desire to stay out of other people’s wars is understandable, and there is no dishonour in John McDonnell, a Labour neutralist, seeking Liberal Democrat and Green support in parliament to try to block the United States using British bases for attacks on Iran.
But it is not possible for Britain to have nothing to do with the conflict in the Middle East. Our citizens’ standard of living is affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. British expatriates are vulnerable to Iranian missiles in several Gulf countries, which are allies. And British bases, including Cyprus and Diego Garcia, are also within range.
Mr McDonnell would no doubt want to give up British military bases around the world, and thinks that British expats and the allied nations that accommodate them should look after themselves. But even then he ought to recognise that Britain has an economic interest in the free passage of ships in international waters – at least until such a time, some decades in the future, when we can function without petroleum products at all.
Read the full editorial here:
One killed after fire in vehicles near Israel's Galilee
07:42 , Holly EvansOne person was killed after a fire broke out in two vehicles near Israel's northern Galilee, the Israeli emergency service said on Sunday, after the Israeli military reported strikes from Lebanon toward a community along the north border.
Damage and wounded were reported, the Israeli military said, without further elaborating.
IDF say Tehran are a 'global threat' with long range missiles
07:22 , Holly EvansThe Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said the attempted attack on Diego Garcia was the first time Tehran had launched a long-range missile since the start of the war, and showed it is now capable of reaching cities like London, Paris or Berlin.
“We have been saying it: The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat,” the IDF said in a statement.
The Israeli military claimed the missiles could reach a distance of around 4,000km, posing a danger to dozens of countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Iran ready to cooperate for Gulf maritime safety, IMO representative says
07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran is ready to cooperate with the International Maritime Organisation to improve maritime safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf, the Iranian representative to the UN
maritime agency said, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.Ali Mousavi said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to "Iran's enemies", adding that passage through the narrow waterway was possible by coordinating security and safety arrangements with Tehran."
Diplomacy remains Iran's priority. However, a complete cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important," Mousavi said, adding that Israeli and U.S. attacks against Iran were at the "root of current situation in Strait of Hormuz"
Teachers, athletes and students arrested in new Iran crackdown during US-Israel war
06:30 , Rituparna ChatterjeeWhile the fate of many detainees arrested during the nationwide protests in January – which many consider to have been a “national uprising” – remains unclear, reports received by Independent Persian indicate that a new wave of arrests has begun across various cities in Iran.
Informed sources say that since the start of US and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic on 28 February, the scale of arrests has expanded, with thousands detained on security-related charges.
Amirhossein Miresmaeili reports on an increase in security-related arrests in Iran during its conflict with the US and Israel.
Read more here.
Iran’s missiles are a threat to London, Israel warns
06:10 , Rituparna ChatterjeeIran’s missiles are a threat to European cities – including London, Paris and Berlin – after the attack on the UK-US Diego Garcia military base on the Chagos Islands, Israel has warned.
Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper hit out at “reckless Iranian threats” after two ballistic missiles were fired towards the military base. Both were unsuccessful, with one shot down by a US warship and the other failing in flight.
However, The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was the first time Tehran had launched a long-range missile since the start of the war, and showed it was now capable of reaching cities like London, Paris or Berlin.
Japanese national detained in Iran released
06:00 , Rituparna ChatterjeeOne of two Japanese nationals detained in Iran has been released and will be returning to Japan, foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, said on Sunday.
Mr Motegi, speaking on a Fuji Television talk show, said the person had been detained since last year and was released on Wednesday.
He said the person took a flight from Azerbaijan which was scheduled to arrive in Japan on Sunday.
Mr Motegi said another Japanese national who was arrested earlier this year is still in custody.
Mr Motegi said the release came after his repeated demands to Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and that he is "working to win an early release" of the other detainee while communicating with his family and other concerned parties.
The Committee to Protect Journalists has named the person detained in Iran in January as a journalist at Japan's public broadcaster NHK.
The CPJ said the NHK journalist was arrested on 20 Jan by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and was transferred 23 Feb to Evin Prison, quoting unidentified sources citing fear of persecution.
Mr Motegi did not identify either of the people detained and said the released Japanese national was detained in 2025.
Israeli military conducting strikes in Tehran
04:38 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Israeli military said on Sunday that it is conducting strikes in Tehran, hours after attacks on southern Israel.
Late on Saturday, Iranian missiles hit the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, injuring dozens of people, including children, in separate strikes. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement early Sunday that they targeted “military installations” and security centres in southern Israel.
Israeli military spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, said in a post on X that the country’s air defences were functioning but did not intercept the strikes. “We will investigate the incident and learn from it,” he said.
Israel’s secretive nuclear reactor is about 13km southeast of Dimona. Both cities lie near several military sites, including Nevatim Air Base, one of the country’s largest.
“This has been a very difficult evening in the battle for our future,” Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said in a statement released by his office following the strike on Arad.
“We are determined to continue striking our enemies on all fronts,” the statement said.
Minister says Japan could consider Hormuz minesweeping if ceasefire reached
04:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarJapan could consider deploying its military for minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, if a ceasefire is reached in the US-Israeli war with Iran, foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi said.
“If there were to be a complete ceasefire, hypothetically speaking, then things like minesweeping could come up,” Motegi said during a Fuji TV programme.
“This is purely hypothetical, but if a ceasefire were established and naval mines were creating an obstacle, then I think that would be something to consider.”
Japan’s military actions are limited under its postwar pacifist constitution, but 2015 security legislation allows the country to use its Self-Defense Forces overseas if an attack — including on a close security partner — threatens Japan’s survival and no other means are available to address it.
Tokyo has no immediate plans to seek arrangements to allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz for stranded Japanese vessels, Motegi said, adding it was “extremely important” to create conditions that allow all ships to navigate the narrow waterway, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil shipments.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi told Japan’s Kyodo news agency on Friday that he had spoken to Motegi about potentially allowing Japanese-linked vessels to pass through the strait.
Israel cancels in-person classes for two days as a result of missile strikes
03:30 , Brendan RasciusIsraeli officials have canceled all in-person classes scheduled for Sunday and Monday.
On Saturday, Yoav Kisch, Israel’s minister of education, said that “frontal learning” will not take place for the next two days as a result of ongoing missile strikes.
Search and rescue underway for crashed Qatari helicopter
03:00 , Brendan RasciusThe Qatari Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that a helicopter crashed off the coast following a technical malfunction during a routine operation.
A search and rescue operation is underway, officials said.
In photos: Building left in ruins after strikes on Tehran
02:30 , Brendan RasciusPhotos show civilians and rescue workers standing near the remains of a commercial and residential building in Tehran, which was damaged by strikes.
Israel unleashes barrage of strikes against Tehran
02:15 , Brendan RasciusIsrael’s military said it launched a barrage of strikes against Tehran on Saturday evening.
In a statement obtained by The Guardian, Israel’s armed forces said they are “currently conducting strikes on Iranian terror regime targets in the heart of Tehran.”
Explosion reported near vessel off the coast of the UAE
01:58 , Brendan RasciusAn explosion occurred near a vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a statement on Saturday evening.
“The Master of a Bulk Carrier reported an explosion from an unknown projectile in close proximity to the vessel,” UKMTO said. “All crew are reported safe.”
Iran responds to Trump's threat, vowing retaliatory strikes on US energy infrastructure
01:47 , Brendan RasciusIran appears to have responded to President Trump’s threat to “obliterate” the country’s power plants if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz.
State news agencies reported on Saturday evening that any attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure would be met with retaliatory strikes on U.S. and Israeli energy assets in the region, according to The New York Times.
US military releases footage of military strikes in Iran
01:15 , Brendan RasciusU.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, released video footage showing strikes against Iran.
The video, shared on X on Saturday evening, appears to show an aerial view of several vehicles moments before they’re destroyed.
“U.S. forces remain centered on very clear military objectives in eliminating Iran’s ability to project power against Americans, and against its neighbors,” Central Command said.
U.S. forces remain centered on very clear military objectives in eliminating Iran’s ability to project power against Americans, and against its neighbors. pic.twitter.com/OXIKUjukHj
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 21, 2026
Brazil's president delivers blunt appraisal of Iran war, comparing it to US invasion of Iraq
00:47 , Brendan RasciusBrazil’s president delivered a blunt appraisal of the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran while speaking at a forum in Columbia on Saturday.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva compared the military campaign, which has gone on for 21 days, to the Iraq war.
“Iran has been invaded under the pretext that Iran was building a nuclear bomb,” the president said. “Where are Saddam Hussein’s chemical weapons? Where are they? Who found them?”
In pictures: Iranian missile barrages strike residential buildings in Arad
00:05 , Harriette Boucher
Trump gives 48-hour ultimatum to Iran
Saturday 21 March 2026 23:50 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump has threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if it doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
The US president wrote on Truth Social: “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine reportedly arrives in Arabian Sea
Saturday 21 March 2026 23:47 , Harriette BoucherA nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine has reportedly arrived in the Arabian Sea.
Military sources told the Daily Mail that the HMS Anson, which has capacity to launch cruise missile attacks, left Perth on 6 March and is believed to be taking up position in the northern Arabian Sea.
The reports have not yet been verified and the Ministry of Defence told The Independent it was not providing comment.
Iran’s missiles are a threat to London, Israel warns after attack on Diego Garcia
Saturday 21 March 2026 23:39 , Harriette BoucherIran’s missiles are a threat to European cities - including London, Paris and Berlin - after the attack on the UK-US Diego Garcia military base on the Chagos Islands, Israel has warned.
The attempted strike involving two ballistic missiles was unsuccessful, with one shot down by a US warship and the other failing in flight.
The exact timing of the attack is still not clear, but it is understood to have taken place before the UK government gave the US permission to use its bases to strike Strait of Hormuz targets on Friday.
In response, the Ministry of Defence condemned the attack, calling it “a threat to British interests and British allies”.
Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper insisted ministers were supporting defensive action only and wanted to see a swift resolution to the war - but Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed the UK was being “dragged into” the Iran conflict.
Iran’s missiles are a threat to London, Israel warns after attack on Diego Garcia
Iranian missile strike injures 75 in Arad
Saturday 21 March 2026 23:31 , Harriette BoucherSome 75 people were reportedly injured after an Iranian missile strike on Arad.
The Magen David Adom ambulance service said it was treating 10 people who had been severely wounded.
Editorial: Britain cannot ‘stay out’ of war in the Middle East
Saturday 21 March 2026 23:18 , Harriette BoucherTrump hits back at critics over Iran war: 'the US has blown Iran off of the map'
Saturday 21 March 2026 22:58 , Harriette BoucherDonald Trump says the US has “blown Iran off of the map” and rejects suggestions he hasn’t met his own goals.
The president said that although Iran wanted a deal with America, he did not want to reach any agreement.
In a post on Truth Social, he said: “The United States has blown Iran off of the map, and yet their lightweight analyst, David Sanger, says that I haven’t met my own goals.
“Yes I have, and weeks ahead of schedule! Their leadership is gone, their navy and air force are dead, they have absolutely no defense, and they want to make a deal. I don’t!
“We are weeks ahead of schedule. Just like their incompetent Election coverage of me, The Failing New York Times always gets it wrong! President DJT”
How much has Trump really weakened Iran?
Saturday 21 March 2026 22:49 , Harriette BoucherUAE says it intercepted missiles and drones from Iran on Saturday
Saturday 21 March 2026 22:20 , Alex RossThe UAE says it intercepted three ballistic missiles and eight drones launched from Iran on Saturday.
Posting on X, the Defense Ministry of the United Arab Emirates said that since the “onset of the blatent Iranian aggression”, it had engaged with 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,748 drones.
It said: “The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats, and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine State security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities.
Iranian missiles 'can reach London, Paris or Berlin'
Saturday 21 March 2026 21:22 , Alex RossIran launched a long-range missile that could reach a distance of 2,500 miles, Israel’s military said, following the attempted attack on the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
It’s not known when the unsuccessful attack took place, but it is believed to be before the UK gave the US permission to use its military bases to carry out strikes on Iranian missile sites on Friday.
One of the missiles was shot down by a US warship while the other failed in flight, the Wall Street Journal reported.
In a post on X, Israel Defense Forces said: "The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin.”
The Israeli military said it was the "first time" Iran had used long-range missiles in the conflict, marking its first expansion beyond the Middle East since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28.
Saudi Arabia orders Iranian military attache to leave
Saturday 21 March 2026 20:45 , Alex RossSaudi Arabia has ordered Iran’s military attache and four other embassy staff to leave the kingdom within 24 hours after declaring them persona non grata, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement, citing what it described as continued Iranian attacks against Saudi territory.
'No indication of damage at Iran nuclear site', says International Atomic Energy Agency
Saturday 21 March 2026 20:34 , Alex RossEarlier, it was reported that Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility had been struck with the country’s official news agency, Mizan, saying there had been no leakage after the apparent strike on the Natanz nuclear facility.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was informed by Tehran and was looking into the incident.
Israel's military said it was "not aware" of a strike there by its own military.
Tonight, the agency said it had received no indication of damage to the site, adding regional authorities had reported no abnormal radiation levels following the incident and that it was closely monitoring the situation and would continue to seek further information.
Divided opinion: What Americans and Brits think about Trump’s Iran war
Saturday 21 March 2026 20:22 , Harriette BoucherNew Iranian tactics and launch systems will shock US and Israel, says IRGC commander
Saturday 21 March 2026 19:52 , Harriette BoucherThe commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has said Iran’s new tactics and launch systems will leave the US and Israel “dumbfounded”.
In a post on X, Seyed Majid Mousavi said: “From this moment, I declare the missile dominance of Iran's sons [forces] over the skies of the occupied territories.
“The new tactics and launch systems employed in the upcoming waves will leave the American-Zionist commanders dumbfounded. Tonight, the skies over the south of the occupied territories will remain illuminated for hours.”
When translated on Google, the post reads that the US and Israel will be “speechless”, while another translation shows Mousavi to say they would be “astonished”.
G7 ready to act to protect global energy supplies
Saturday 21 March 2026 19:16 , Harriette BoucheThe foreign ministers of the G7 have said they are prepared to take necessary measures to support global energy as they condemned Iran’s “unjustifiable attacks” against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
In a statement, they said: “We ... express support to our partners in the region in the face of the unjustifiable attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the regime reckless attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure,” they added.
Ministers reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime routes, including in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Group of Seven includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Iranian attacks injures 39 in Israel
Saturday 21 March 2026 18:49 , Harriette BoucherSome 39 people have been left injured after an Iranian drone attack in Dimona, Israel.
Magen David Adom said casualties included a 10 year old boy in serious conditions, a woman in her 30s in moderate conditions, and 37 people left with mild injuries.
Why is the US-UK Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands a target for Iran?
Saturday 21 March 2026 18:41 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s Holly Evans reports:
Iran has fired missiles at a joint US-UK base in the Indian Ocean as it warned British lives were “in danger” after prime minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the US to carry out further strikes.
Tehran directed two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands but neither hit. One of the missiles wasreportedly shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight.
It is undertood that the attack took place before Downing Street said on Friday that UK bases will now be used for US “defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships”.
On Saturday, the minitry of Defence condemned the attack as “reckless”.
Diego Garcia is around 2,360 miles away from Iran and home to an airbase capable of accommodating long-range US bombers, with around 2,500 American troops based on the island.
The UK has agreed to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back the base, in a move that has strained relations with Washington in recent months.
Diego Garcia is strategically valuable to the US, and has been used as a launchpad for operations in the Middle East for years, with Donald Trump describing the deal as a “big mistake”.
Why is the US-UK Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands a target for Iran?
What is the death toll in the Middle East?
Saturday 21 March 2026 18:08 , Harriette BoucherIran
US-based rights group HRANA said on Friday that 3,220 people have been killed. It said 1,398 of those were civilians, including at least 210 children.
The latest figures reported by state media put the toll at 1,270 people.
Lebanon
Lebanese authorities claim that around 1,024 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since 2 March. The World Health Organisation and Lebanese health authorities said more than 100 of those killed were children.
Iraq
In Iraq, at least 60 people have been killed, according to authorities.
Israel
Fifteen civilians have been killed, including nine people in an Iranian missile strike on Beit Shemesh near Jerusalem on 1 March 1, according to Israel's ambulance service.
The Israeli military said two of its soldiers were also killed in southern Lebanon.
Four Palestinian women were also killed in an Iranian missile attack in the occupied West Bank.
United States
There have been 13 service members killed since the US launched an attack on Iran.
Six were confirmed dead after a US. military refuelling aircraft crashed over Iraq, the US military said, while seven others have been killed in action during operations against Iran.
UAE
Eight people have been killed in Iranian attacks, including two army soldiers, according to the UAE defence ministry.
Kuwait
Authorities have reported six deaths, including two people killed in Iranian attacks, two interior ministry officers and two army soldiers.
Syria
Four people were killed when an Iranian missile struck a building in the southern Syrian city of Sweida on February 28, state news agency SANA said.
Oman
Two people were reported killed on 13 March in a drone strike on an industrial zone in Sohar province, marking the first fatalities inside the country, which had been hosting mediation talks between the U.S. and Iran. One person died earlier when a projectile hit a tanker off the coast of Muscat, the vessel's manager said.
Saudi Arabia
Two people were killed when a projectile fell on a residential location in Al-Kharj city, southeast of the capital Riyadh.
Bahrain
Two people were killed in two separate Iranian attacks, with the most recent hitting a residential building in the capital Manama, according to the interior ministry.
France
One French soldier was killed and six others were wounded after a drone attack in northern Iraq, where they were providing counterterrorism training.
Foreign secretary: UK supporting defensive action on Iran but will not be drawn into wider conflict
Saturday 21 March 2026 17:36 , Harriette BoucherUK will not take offensive action against Iran, Yvette Cooper said
Saturday 21 March 2026 17:19 , Harriette BoucherThe foreign secretary has said the UK is taking “a different view from the US and Israel” will not be involved in offensive action against Iran, despite the missile attack on Diego Garcia.
Yvette Cooper said the government is supporting defensive action against “reckless Iranian threats”.
She told broadcasters: “We have continued to support defensive action to support UK interests, including defensive action against ballistic missile threats.
“But we want to see as swift as possible a resolution to this conflict.
“Our approach to this conflict has been the same throughout.
“We were not and continue not to be involved in offensive action, and we've taken a different view from the US and Israel on this.
“But we are supporting defensive action to support our interests. That includes recognising Iran's escalating threats to international shipping, as well as their threats to our Gulf partners.”
UAE and Kuwait bases 'pounded' by Iran, IRGC says
Saturday 21 March 2026 16:57 , Harriette BoucherIran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it has struck air bases in Kuwait and the UAE which it says are used by the US and Israel.
IRGC Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri said it “pounded the facilities of the two Al-Minhad and Ali Al-Salem air bases, the hangars, and the fuel depots of American-Zionist aircraft with a massive volume of ballistic missiles and suicide drones.”
He said the sites were the origin of the aggression against Iran, and they had prepared the grave of aggressor child killers”.
Starmer says bases on Cyprus will not be used in offensive military action
Saturday 21 March 2026 16:48 , Harriette BoucherKeir Starmer has spoken to the president of Cyprus to confirm that RAF Akrotiri will not be used for offensive military actions in Iran.
Downing Street said the prime minister talked to Nikos Christodoulides this morning to reiterate that the British base “would not be involved in the UK’s continuation of its agreement with the US to use UK bases in collective self defence of the region.
“Discussing the economic impact of the ongoing conflict, the leaders agreed that deescalation in the region was the priority.”
A spokesperson for the Cypriot leader said: “The British prime minister reiterated ... that the security of the Republic of Cyprus is fundamental to the United Kingdom and, to that end, a decision has been taken to enhance the means contributing to the preventive measures already in place.
“Finally, the prime minister reiterated that the British Bases in Cyprus will not be used for any offensive military operations.”
Footage claims to show Israeli attack on Iranian air base and ammunition depot
Saturday 21 March 2026 16:41 , Harriette BoucherA video appears to show an Israeli attack against an air force base and ammunition depot in Dezful, western Iran on Saturday.
The footage, uploaded to social media, shows plumes of smoke rising above the city, followed by a second explosion.
It comes after the Israeli defence minister pledged that attacks on Iran would “significantly increase” in the coming week.
It is unconfirmed whether the clip is showing an ammunition dump, or an Israeli airstrike, as stated.
'Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation is degraded', says US admiral
Saturday 21 March 2026 16:29 , Harriette BoucherAdmiral Brad Cooper from US Central Command has boasted the largest elimination of a navy in a three-week period since World War Two.
He said the US remained “zeroed-in on dismantling Iran’s decades-old threat to the freef low of commerce to the Strait of Hormuz”, adding that it had dropped multiple 5,000lb bombs earlier this week on an underground facility located along Iran’s coastline.
“Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz is degraded as a result and we will not stop pursuing these targets,” he added.
“So far, we have struck over 8,000 military targets, including 130 Iranian vessels, constituting the largest elimination of the Navy in a three-week period since World War Two”.
Iran's president says immediate cessation of US-Israeli aggression needed to end war
Saturday 21 March 2026 15:50 , Holly EvansIran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that there needs to be an "immediate cessation" of what he described as US-Israeli aggression to end the war and wider regional conflict, Iran's embassy in India said in an post on Saturday.
Pezeshkian spoke with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi by phone earlier in the day.
Pezeshkian told Modi that there should be guarantees to prevent a recurrence of such "aggression" in the future. He also called on the BRICS bloc of major emerging economies to play an independent role in halting aggression against Iran.
The Iranian president proposed a regional security framework comprising West Asian countries to ensure peace without foreign interference, according to the country's embassy in India.
In a separate post on X earlier on Saturday, Modi said he condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the Middle East in the discussion with Pezeshkian.
The Indian prime minister further reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring shipping lanes remain open and secure.
Israeli defence minister warns attacks will 'increase significantly'
Saturday 21 March 2026 15:20 , Holly EvansIsrael's defence minister Israel Katz warned of an upcoming surge in attacks on Iran as the war in the Middle East entered its fourth week.
Mr Katz said in a video statement that next week "the intensity of the attacks" by Israel and the United States against Iran's will "increase significantly".
He spoke shortly after fragments from an Iranian missile slammed into an empty kindergarten near Tel Aviv.
Israeli army spokesman Nadav Shoshani posted a video on X of the kindergarten building; no casualties were reported as the place was empty at the time.
Fragments of an Iranian missile hit a kindergarten in central Israel. This is what we are facing. pic.twitter.com/zcWLuww8IR
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) March 21, 2026
IDF says missiles launched towards Israel
Saturday 21 March 2026 15:10 , Holly EvansThe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said it's identified missiles launched towards the country on Saturday afternoon.
"Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," it says in an update on Telegram.
A "precautionary alert" has been sent to people in the relevant areas, it says, without providing details of the location.
The IDF have continued their attacks on Lebanon on Saturday, which has included killing four Hezbollah "terrorists" in a targeted ground operation and also striking "Hezbollah headquarters" in Beirut;
Explosions heard at US military base in Bahrain, reports say
Saturday 21 March 2026 14:48 , Holly EvansSeveral explosions have been reported at the US-owned Juffair military base in Bahrain, according to the Iranian state Tasnim news agency.
Several powerful explosions were also heard this afternoon, the outlet said on Telegram.
It came as Bahrain's interior ministry issued a warning on social media for its citizens to "head to the nearest safe place" as sirens warned of incoming strikes.
The siren has been sounded . Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) March 21, 2026
Trump’s war in Iran threatens to cause an economic shock – but which countries will be worst hit?
Saturday 21 March 2026 14:30 , Holly EvansDonald Trump has claimed that the economic impact of his war in Iran is “a very small price to pay” for ousting the country’s regime and stopping its nuclear programme.
But his assessment might not be shared by the dozens of countries grappling with a surge in energy prices due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
In the past fortnight, Sri Lanka has introduced a four-day working week, while the International Energy Agency (IEA) has suggested people around the world should work from home to conserve energy due to the squeeze on fuel created by the conflict.
Read the full article here:
War in Iran may cause an economic shock – but which countries will be worst hit?
Analysis: Trump remains silent on Diego Garcia attempted strike
Saturday 21 March 2026 14:29 , Holly EvansOur White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports after travelling with the US president to Florida:
President Donald Trump has not yet weighed on Iran's attempted ballistic missile strike against the American air base on Diego Garcia early Saturday, just over half a day after he declared that the U.S. was "very close to meeting our objectives" and considering "winding down" the three-week-old air campaign.
But the brazen attack by Iranian intermediate-ranged ballistic missiles appears to fly in the face of his repeated assertions that nearly a month of airstrikes by U.S. and Israeli forces has "completely degraded" Tehran's ballistic missile capabilities.
The president is currently at his West Palm Beach, Florida golf club and has no public events on his schedule.
As he left the White House for Florida on Friday, he told reporters he did not want a "ceasefire" with Iran because "you don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side."
“I think we’ve won,” he added. “We’ve knocked out their navy, their air force. We’ve knocked out their anti-aircraft, we’ve knocked out everything. We’re roaming free...From a military standpoint they’re finished.”
US treasury secretary says lifting of oil sanctions is 'short-term authorisation'
Saturday 21 March 2026 14:15 , Holly EvansThe lifting of longstanding sanctions on Iranian oil by the Trump administration has been introduced the curb the prices of oil, which have seen staggering rises across the globe since the start of the conflict.
In a post on X announcing the decision, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended it as a “narrowly tailored, short-term authorization” that applies only to Iranian petroleum that is “currently stranded at sea.”
He claimed the sanctions have permitted China to “hoard” Iranian oil “on the cheap” while also suggesting that temporarily relaxing sanctions would inject approximately 140 million barrels into global markets. He said this would help in “expanding the amount of worldwide energy” and relieving what he described as “temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran.”
“In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against Tehran to keep the price down as we continue Operation Epic Fury,” Bessent said.
UK being dragged into Iran conflict 'whether we like it or not', Kemi Badenoch says
Saturday 21 March 2026 14:00 , Amy-Clare MartinConservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said the UK is being “dragged into” the Iran conflict “whether we like it or not”.
Ms Badenoch criticised Sir Keir Starmer for not backing the US to carry out further strikes earlier.
“He’s basically sat on the fence, hoped it would go away, and then when the news looks like it’s negative, he pretends that he actually made a decision,” she told Times Radio.
“We didn’t start this war. But if there is any war between the US and Iran, we should never be on the side of Iran. It’s a hostile country that tries to carry out terror plots on UK soil.
“Today we’re hearing that they’ve been firing missiles on Diego Garcia. The sad thing is, whether we like it or not, we’re being dragged into it and what we need is a prime minister who can think ahead.”
Asked if she would have backed British planes taking part if she was prime minister, Ms Badenoch said: “I wouldn’t have joined in the initial strikes, no, but I would have expressed solidarity with the US like the Canadians and the Australians did.”
Iran war protesters wave placards saying 'stop Trump's wars'
Saturday 21 March 2026 13:45 , Amy-Clare MartinHundreds of protesters against the war in Iran have gathered at the perimeter of Russell Square in central London.
Activists waved placards that read "stop Trump's wars", "tell Starmer: stop arming Israel", "end nuclear hypocrisy" and "stop bombing Iran", as well as Iranian and Palestinian flags.
They stood around a drum circle and chanted "end illegal occupation now", "Donald Trump go to hell" and "the Middle East will be free".
Stop the War Coalition is co-organising the demonstration that will at 12.45pm see people walk to Kingsway, Aldwych, The Strand, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall before ending in Richmond Terrace for speeches.
The group said previously: "Our demonstration is calling for an end to the bombing of Iran, hands off Lebanon and freedom for Palestine."
It added: "We demand nothing short of a complete break from Trump and his criminal foreign policy."
UK joins 22 countries to condemn Iran's attacks on oil and gas facilities
Saturday 21 March 2026 13:42 , Amy-Clare MartinCountries including the UK, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea and Australia have condemned Iran's attacks on commercial vessels as well as oil and gas facilities in the Middle East.
"The effects of Iran's actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable," the 22 signatories said in a joint statement on Saturday.
Russia condemns alleged strikes on Iranian nuclear enrichment facility
Saturday 21 March 2026 13:30 , Amy-Clare MartinRussia’s foreign ministry has condemned alleged strikes on an Iranian nuclear enrichment facility as a “blatant violation of international law”.
It comes after an official Iran news agency reported that Iran's Natanz nuclear site has been hit in an air strike, saying there was no radiation leakage.
Israel’s military has said it is “unaware” of a strike on the facility.
The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), urged military restraint and said it is looking into the reports.
UN nuclear watchdog calls for restraint after Iran nuclear site reportedly struck
Saturday 21 March 2026 13:12 , Amy-Clare MartinThe United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has called for military restraint to “avoid any risk of a nuclear accident” following reports that Iran’s Natanz nuclear site was targeted in strikes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement on X it has been informed by Tehran that the site "was attacked today".
Reports have not been confirmed and Israel’s military says it's “unaware” of a strike on the facility.
The IAEA said it is looking into the report and no increase in off-site radiation levels have been reported.
Their director general Rafael Grossi "reiterates call for military restraint to avoid any risk of nuclear accident", the statement added.
The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported. IAEA is looking into the report.
— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) March 21, 2026
IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi reiterates call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear… pic.twitter.com/jDCWYbOwao
Is Donald Trump in charge of America’s war machine – or is Netanyahu?
Saturday 21 March 2026 13:00 , Holly EvansSocial media addicts across the world – Benjamin Netanyahu among them – have had a lot of sport this week over trending suggestions that the Israeli PM had somehow died in the current Iran war.
Of course, Israel’s longest-serving head of government could hardly be more alive and kicking, politically as well as literally, than he is at present. So much so that it has been increasingly accepted – and justly so, as I argued 10 days ago – that he was pivotal in Donald Trump’s decision to start a joint US-Israel war on Iran on February 28.
We have Marco Rubio’s word for it that the US joined the attack because Israel was going to strike anyway. We also know that Netanyahu has wanted to do this since at least the turn of the century, but was blocked successively by George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Read the full article here:
Is Donald Trump in charge of America’s war machine – or is Netanyahu?
No signs of war abating as US and Israel offer different rationales
Saturday 21 March 2026 12:45 , Holly EvansThe three-week-old war has shown no signs of abating, with Israel saying Iran continued to fire missiles at it early on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia said it downed 20 drones in just a couple of hours in the country's eastern region, which is home to major oil installations.
The attacks came a day after Israeli air strikes hit in Tehran as Iranians celebrated the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday that has been muted by the war.
The US and Israel have offered shifting rationales for the war, from hoping to foment an uprising that topples Iran's leadership to eliminating its nuclear and missile programmes.
There have been no public signs of any such uprising and no end to the war in sight.
Iran's supreme leader praises their steadfastness
Saturday 21 March 2026 12:30 , Holly EvansSupreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei praised Iranians' steadfastness in the face of war in a written statement read on Iranian television to mark Nowruz.
Mr Khamenei has not been seen in public since he became supreme leader following Israeli strikes that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and reportedly wounded him.
With little information coming out of Iran, it was not clear how much damage its arms, nuclear or energy facilities have sustained in the punishing US and Israeli strikes, which began on February 28 - or even who was truly in charge of the country.
Starmer speaks to Crown Prince of Bahrain
Saturday 21 March 2026 12:19 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer has spoken to the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to discuss the war in the Middle East, Downing Street said.
A spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, this morning.
“The leaders began by discussing the situation on the ground, and the Prime Minister outlined the UK’s latest support for Bahrain, including deploying a team of experts to help counter drone attacks.
“Both condemned Iran’s ongoing attacks on critical national infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz. The Prime Minister updated on the US use of UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region, including to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack shipping.
“Discussing diplomatic efforts in the region, the Prime Minister welcomed Bahrain joining the growing list of signatories to the UK-led joint statement condemning Iran’s attacks and calling for de-escalation. The Prime Minister also thanked His Highness for Bahrain’s continued leadership in the United Nations to drive forward an end to the conflict.
“The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.”
Bahrain says Patriot missile system involved in March 9 blast over residential area
Saturday 21 March 2026 12:04 , Holly EvansA Patriot air defence system was involved in the interception of an Iranian drone over a residential area of Bahrain on March, Bahrain's government said on Saturday, describing an incident that led to civilian injuries.
The interception prevented a drone strike and saved lives, the spokesperson said. The US military had previously said an Iranian drone had struck a residential neighbourhood on 9 March, injuring civilians.
US deploys three more assault ships and 2,500 marines to region
Saturday 21 March 2026 11:44 , Holly EvansThe United States is deploying three more amphibious assault ships and roughly 2,500 additional marines to the Middle East, an official told The Associated Press.
Two other US officials confirmed that ships were deploying, without saying where they were heading.
Days earlier the US redirected another group of amphibious assault ships carrying another 2,500 marines from the Pacific to the Middle East.
The marines will join more than 50,000 US troops already in the region.
Mr Trump has said he has no plans to send ground forces into Iran but has also asserted that he retains all options.
India's Modi speaks to Iranian president
Saturday 21 March 2026 11:25 , Holly EvansIndia's prime minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X on Saturday that he had spoken with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Modi condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the Middle East region, while also reiterating the importance of ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure.
"Appreciated Iran's continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran," Modi added.
Spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings. We expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2026
Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and…
More than 1,000 killed in Lebanon in Israeli strikes
Saturday 21 March 2026 11:12 , Holly EvansMore than 1,000 people have been killed in Lebanon and over 1 million displaced in the Israeli attacks.
Israel said Saturday's attacks on Iran included Tehran, Karaj, west of the capital, and the central city of Isfahan. Three members of a family were killed in a strike on a residential building in the city of Ramsar, Iranian media quoted a local governor as saying.
Before its strikes on Lebanon, the Israeli military said it had issued evacuation warnings for seven neighbourhoods in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Four Hezbollah militants were killed in southern Lebanon, one in a "ground engagement" and three using tank fire, it said.
Teachers, athletes and students arrested in new Iran crackdown during US-Israel war
Saturday 21 March 2026 10:59 , Holly EvansWhile the fate of many detainees arrested during the nationwide protests in January – which many consider to have been a “national uprising” – remains unclear, reports received by Independent Persian indicate that a new wave of arrests has begun across various cities in Iran. Informed sources say that since the start of US and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic on 28 February, the scale of arrests has expanded, with thousands detained on security-related charges.
Ahmadreza Radan, the Islamic Republic’s police chief, announced last Sunday that 500 people had been arrested on charges of “sending information to the enemy and anti-Iranian media”. He described the detainees as “spies” and claimed that half of the cases were “serious”. Without presenting any concrete evidence, Radan added that those arrested had “provided intelligence on targeting sites, maintained contact with subversive groups, and attempted to disrupt public order”.
The Ministry of Intelligence also announced on Monday the arrest and prosecution of 39 more individuals on the pretext of “recording images of the aftermath of airstrikes and sending them to Persian-language media outlets abroad”.
Read the full article here:
Teachers, athletes and students arrested in new Iran crackdown during US-Israel war
Iran informs IAEA of attack on Natanz nuclear site, watchdog says
Saturday 21 March 2026 10:46 , Holly EvansIran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that the Natanz nuclear enrichment site was attacked on Saturday, the agency said in a post on X.
No increase in off-site radiation levels was reported, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said, adding that it is looking into the report.
The IAEA has been informed by Iran that the Natanz nuclear site was attacked today. No increase in off-site radiation levels reported. IAEA is looking into the report.
— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) March 21, 2026
IAEA Director General @rafaelmgrossi reiterates call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear… pic.twitter.com/jDCWYbOwao
Ministry of Defence condemns Iran's attempted attack on Diego Garcia
Saturday 21 March 2026 10:28 , Holly EvansThe UK has condemned Iran’s “reckless attacks” after it targeted the Diego Garcia military base in the Chagos Islands.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:“Iran’s reckless attacks, lashing out across the region and holding hostage the Strait of Hormuz, are a threat to British interests and British allies.
“RAF jets and other UK military assets are continuing to defend our people and personnel in the region.
“This government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations.”
Iranian man and Romanian woman charged with submarine base incident
Saturday 21 March 2026 10:15 , Holly EvansAn Iranian man and a Romanian woman have been charged after two people tried to enter the naval base which is the home of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
A 34-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were charged following the incident at HM Naval Base Clyde, which is known as Faslane.
A statement from Police Scotland said: “Around 5pm on Thursday, March 19, 2026 we were made aware of two people attempting to enter HM Naval Base Clyde.
“A 34-year-old Iranian man and a 31-year-old Romanian woman have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
“They are due to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Monday, March 23.
“Inquiries are ongoing.”
Faslane is home to the core of the UK’s submarine fleet and the Trident nuclear deterrent.
The Royal Navy has previously said that two people unsuccessfully tried to enter the base.
Watch: What Americans and Brits think about Trump’s Iran war?
Saturday 21 March 2026 10:11 , Holly EvansOfficer killed in drone strike near Iraqi intelligence headquarters in Baghdad
Saturday 21 March 2026 09:58 , Holly EvansAn officer was killed after a drone launched by "outlaw groups" struck near the Iraqi intelligence headquarters on Baghdad on Saturday, the National Intelligence Service said in a statement.
Earlier, Saad Maan, the head of the country’s Security Media Cell, was quoted by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) as saying that “at 10:15am [07:15GMT] today, a drone crashed at the headquarters of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service in the Mansour district.”
How hard will the Middle East conflict hit flight prices? Airline bosses weigh in
Saturday 21 March 2026 09:46 , Holly EvansTwo Irishmen and an Englishman go to Brussels.
That isn’t the start of a joke: it’s what happened on Thursday this week, at the annual Airlines for Europe summit in the Belgian capital.
The Irishmen each have decades of experience in aviation: Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (Iata), and former boss of British Airways, has been in the industry for 47 years.
Michael O’Leary transformed a small and failing Irish airline called Ryanair into Europe’s biggest budget carrier, and has spent 32 years as CEO.
Read the full article from our travel correspondent Simon Calder here:
How hard will the Middle East conflict hit flight prices? Airline bosses weigh in
Watch: Trump's ex-counterterrorism chief says he 'did nothing wrong' in response to FBI probe
Saturday 21 March 2026 09:29 , Holly EvansNatanz enrichment facility targeted in US-Israeli attack, Iranian media reports
Saturday 21 March 2026 09:25 , Holly EvansThe U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack on the Natanz uranium-enrichment facility on Saturday morning, Iran's Tasnim news agency claimed.
No radioactive leaks occurred and residents near the site were not at risk, Tasnim added.
Four killed as Israeli forces clash with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon
Saturday 21 March 2026 09:13 , Holly EvansThe Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it has clashed with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, killing four people.
An IDF spokesperson, Avichai Adraee, said that there were no Israeli casualties.
On Friday night, forces spotted several Hezbollah operatives with one person killed, while Israeli Air Force aircraft targeted other members who opened fire.
Three more people were killed with tank fire.
The Air Force also carried out strikes against Hezbollah headquarters in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
How Iran's IRGC rebooted Lebanon's Hezbollah to be ready for war
Saturday 21 March 2026 08:56 , Holly EvansIran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) rebuilt Hezbollah's military command after it was mauled by Israel in 2024, plugging gaps with Iranian officers before restructuring the Lebanese group and laying plans for the war it is now waging in support of Tehran, two people familiar with these IRGC activities said.
The overhaul was the first of its kind for Hezbollah, a Shi'ite Muslim group founded by the IRGC in 1982, pointing to a hands-on approach after the blows of the 2024 war, including the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top commanders.
Iran's investment paid off, getting Hezbollah back on its feet in time to enter the war in the Middle East on Tehran's side after it was attacked by the United States and Israel.
Reuters reported earlier in March that Hezbollah had seen another war as inevitable and spent months readying itself. This article sheds light on the IRGC's role in these preparations, based on accounts from six sources who spoke on condition of anonymity as well as an expert on Hezbollah.
The IRGC, deeply involved in Hezbollah since it was established, sent officers to retrain its fighters and oversee rearmament, the two sources familiar with IRGC activities said.
Missiles towards Diego Garcia show Iran 'more capable' than suspected
Saturday 21 March 2026 08:39 , Holly EvansIn a conversation with Labour MP John McDonnell and General Sir Richard Barrons, Today programme Nick Robinson said that the missiles launched towards Diego Garcia would prove Iran are “dramatically more capable” than previously suspected.
It had been believed that Iran only had ballistic missiles with 2,000km range, with the UK-US base in the Chagos Islands being 3,800km away in the Indian Ocean.
Kharg island: The tiny oil hub in Persian Gulf that Trump could seize
Saturday 21 March 2026 08:33 , Holly EvansAs the US war with Iran continues, attention has turned to a tiny island off the coast of the Middle Eastern country.
Kharg Island, whose total area is just 7.7 square miles, is situated northwest of the strategically important shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite its small size, the island holds around 94 per cent of the country’s crude oil for export, mostly bound for China, and its main oil export terminal.
It has now been reported that Donald Trump is considering putting American troops on the ground in Iran to seize the key oil terminal in the Persian Gulf.
Read the full article here:
Kharg island: A tiny Persion oil hub could be Trump’s secret weapon against Iran
Missile fired towards Diego Garcia shot down by US warship
Saturday 21 March 2026 08:26 , Holly EvansOne of the missiles fired towards Diego Garcia was shot down by a US warship, while the other failed in flight, the Wall Street Journal newspaper said, citing multiple officials.
Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Islands, is around 3,800km (2,360 miles) away from Iran and home to an airbase capable of accommodating long-range US bombers.
The UK has agreed to cede sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius and lease back the base.
11 answers travellers need as Iran war continues to bring travel chaos
Saturday 21 March 2026 08:09 , Holly EvansOn 28 February the US and Israel launched surprise air strikes on Iran. Tehran retaliated by attacking key infrastructure in the Gulf nations, including airports and hotels.
Much of the airspace in the region remains closed, disrupting the plans of millions of travellers. The Foreign Office has placed the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait on its no-go list.
Simon Calder has answered dozens of readers’ questions about the impact on their travel plans – from short-term needs to return home, to the long-term implications for travellers.
These 11 questions, some of which have been updated from previously published content, cover the main issues of concern to travellers.
Read the full article here:
Middle East flights crisis: The answers you need as Iran war brings travel chaos
Watch: Trump attacks UK again after they let him use bases
Saturday 21 March 2026 07:56 , Holly EvansDubai's property sector and safe-haven image hurt by three weeks of war
Saturday 21 March 2026 07:42 , Holly EvansDubai's property market is beginning to show early signs of weakening nearly three weeks into the US-Israeli war on Iran, with data from analysts showing tanking transaction volumes and some real estate agents pointing to price reductions.
The war, and Tehran's strikes against Israel, US bases and Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates, have pierced Dubai's image as a safe haven for the world's wealthy.
Real-estate transaction volumes in the UAE fell 37 per cent year-on-year in the first 12 days of March, and 49 per cent month-on-month, Goldman Sachs analysts estimated in a note published this week.
Some properties are already being offered at big discounts, with price cuts of 12-15 per cent according to some real estate agents and messages on social media that Reuters reviewed.
For instance, a seller was looking for a "quick sale" for a property close to the Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building - a message shared by an agent read. The seller was looking for $650,000, down about 12 per cent from a previous price of $735,000 "due to the current situation". The agent spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
An off-plan flat in Dubai's coveted Palm Jumeirah was also being offered at a 15 per cent discount to its original price to around $2 million, according to a message reviewed by Reuters on a WhatsApp group created a week into the war.
Trump considers putting US troops on the ground, reports say
Saturday 21 March 2026 07:33 , Holly EvansDonald Trump is reportedly considering putting American troops on the ground in Iran to seize a key oil terminal in the Persian Gulf.
The possibility of US troops seizing Kharg Island is a starkly different tone from the one struck by the president on Friday, who said he was considering “winding down” the war with Tehran.
Mr Trump’s top spokeswoman confirmed the details to The Telegraph but cautioned that Mr Trump had not made a final decision.
In response to questions about boots on the ground, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary said: “It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander in chief maximum optionality.”
The plans are said to include wargaming the possibility of capturing Iranian soldiers.
Putin tells Tehran: 'Russia stands by Iran'
Saturday 21 March 2026 07:19 , Holly EvansRussian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Iranian leaders on Nowruz and said Moscow remained a loyal friend and reliable partner to Tehran, the Kremlin said on Saturday.
Iran fires missiles toward US-UK base in Indian ocean, Iran's Mehr says
Saturday 21 March 2026 07:12 , Holly EvansIran fired two ballistic missiles at the US-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Saturday.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that Iran had launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward the base but that they did not hit it.
Mehr said targeting the base was a "significant step ... that shows that the range of Iran's missiles is beyond what the enemy previously imagined".
Iran warns Starmer he is putting British lives 'in danger'
Saturday 21 March 2026 07:07 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarBritish lives are "in danger" after Sir Keir Starmer gave the US permission to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz from UK bases, Tehran has warned.
Ministers agreed to the move on last afternoon, having previously limited the US to only using the bases to hit missile sites targeting British interests in the region.
US president Donald Trump said the UK "should have acted a lot faster" in giving the US permission.
He has already piled pressure on Nato allies, calling them "cowards" for refusing to offer warships to reopen the Strait.
Sir Keir Starmer had previously granted the US permission only for "defensive" action against Iranian missile sites from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
EU member states urged to lower gas-storage targets - report
Saturday 21 March 2026 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe European Commission has urged EU states to lower natural gas storage targets and begin refilling reserves gradually to curb demand, after the war in Iran disrupted key suppliers and triggered a surge in energy prices, the Financial Times reported.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen instructed member states to lower the filling target for their gas storage facilities to 80 per cent of capacity, 10 percentage points below the EU’s official targets, “as early as possible in the filling season to provide certainty and reassurance to market participants”, the newspaper said, citing a letter.
Iranians gather for a rally in Tehran
Saturday 21 March 2026 06:10 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran 'prepared to allow' Japan-linked vessels through Strait of Hormuz
Saturday 21 March 2026 05:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is prepared to allow the passage of Japanese-linked vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Mr Araghchi told Kyodo News that discussions with the Japanese side had already begun, which could result in temporary lifting of the blockade.
A Japanese government official told Kyodo News that "direct negotiations with the Iranian side are the most effective way to lift the blockade."
Fire at US facility near Baghdad airport
Saturday 21 March 2026 05:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA fire broke out at a US diplomatic facility near Baghdad airport in Iraq following an attack, Shadaq news reported.
Pro-Iranian militant group Ashab al-Kahf claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.
The group said it struck the “Victoria base” in Baghdad using a drone and warned civilians to stay away from areas hosting US forces.
Israel strikes Hezbollah's civilian as well as military wings
Saturday 21 March 2026 05:15 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAn Israeli strike on a health center in southern Lebanon instantly killed 12 medical workers, seriously wounded one and left four missing under the rubble for hours.
The March 13 strike in the village of Burj Qalaouiyah, one of the single deadliest strikes in Lebanon since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2, targeted a center run by Hezbollah’s health arm, the Islamic Health Society, which has so far lost 24 members over the past two weeks.
Since the latest war began, Israel’s military has not only been targeting the group’s military assets but also its civilian institutions in an apparent attempt to weaken the Iran-backed group further and try to push its supporters away from it.
More here.
Israel strikes Hezbollah's civilian as well as military wings in an attempt to crush the group
Israel launches new strikes on Tehran
Saturday 21 March 2026 05:19 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Israel Defence Forces said they are striking "Iranian terror regime targets" in Tehran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is separate from the army, said the 70th wave of retaliatory strikes against US and Israeli interests in the Gulf region was underway.
The IRGC described the latest wave of attacks as resulting in “loud explosions, bursts of fire, and columns of smoke” throughout the targeted areas.
Sri Lanka declined ground access to two US combat aircraft
Saturday 21 March 2026 05:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSri Lanka declined permission for two US combat aircraft to land at a civilian airport earlier this month, president Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament.
The US had requested permission for the two aircraft to land at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in the southern part of the country from March 4-8, Mr Dissanayake told lawmakers.
"They wanted to bring two warplanes armed with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti," he said during a statement.
"We turned down the request to maintain Sri Lanka's neutrality," he added to applause from parliamentarians.
The US had made the request on 26 February. The same day Iran requested three of its ships to make a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka from March 9-13 after participating in an Indian naval exercise. That request was also denied.
UN chief says he is cooperating with Trump's Board of Peace on Gaza
Saturday 21 March 2026 04:45 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarUnited Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres welcomed Donald Trump's Board of Peace's aim of funding and delivering the basics of a Gaza reconstruction plan to rebuild Palestinian homes and infrastructure, he said in an interview with Politico this week.
Iran threatens to bomb tourist sites worldwide
Saturday 21 March 2026 04:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIran threatened to expand its retaliatory attacks to include recreational and tourist sites worldwide, as the US announced it was sending more warships and Marines to the region.
Following news of the deployments, US president Donald Trump said on social media that his administration in fact was considering "winding down" military operations in the region.
The mixed messages came after another climb in oil prices plunged the US stock market, and was followed by a Trump administration announcement that it will lift sanctions on Iranian oil loaded on ships, a move aimed at wrangling soaring fuel prices.
Israel said Iran continued to fire missiles at it early this morning, while Saudi Arabia said it downed 20 drones in just a couple of hours in the country's eastern region, which is home to major oil installations.
Iran's top military spokesperson, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned that "parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations" worldwide will not be safe for the country's enemies. The threat renewed concerns that Tehran may revert to using militant attacks beyond the Middle East as a pressure tactic.
US governor reacts to Trump lifting sanctions on Iranian oil: 'Blood oil'
Saturday 21 March 2026 04:00 , Rachel DobkinCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom has reacted to the Trump administration temporarily lifting sanctions on Iranian oil at sea.
“This is blood oil. Trump and [US Treasury Secretary Scott] Bessent have betrayed the American people and our soldiers”, Newsom’s press office wrote on X Friday night local time.
US ambassador to UN defends decision to lift sanctions on Iranian oil
Saturday 21 March 2026 03:30 , Rachel DobkinMike Waltz, the US ambassador to the United Nations, has defended the Trump administration’s decision to lift sanctions on Iranian oil at sea.
Waltz called the measure “very temporary” and said it will “basically defeat the Iranian strategy of driving energy prices so high, causing pain on consumers all over the world”, during a CNN town hall Friday night local time.
Oil prices have been rising as Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil.
US ambassador to UN says Iran war 'completely within America First principles'
Saturday 21 March 2026 03:15 , Rachel DobkinMike Waltz, US ambassador to the United Nations, has said the Iran war is “completely within America First principles.”
US President Donald Trump has received pushback from his base for the military strikes against Iran since he ran in the 2024 election on an “America First” platform.
“America First” has widely been understood to mean putting the interests of the American people ahead of foreign issues and typically has been associated with opposition to new wars.
Asked during a CNN town hall Friday night local time how US involvement in Iran is “America First”, Waltz said, “It’s completely within America First principles to give diplomacy a chance, to try to resolve things peacefully, but also to back up that diplomacy with real strength”.
Trump’s former counterterrorism chief Joe Kent hits back over FBI leak probe in Megyn Kelly interview: ‘I did nothing wrong’
Saturday 21 March 2026 03:00 , Brendan RasciusJoe Kent, who served as US President Donald Trump’s counterterrorism chief, has pushed back against reports that he is under FBI investigation, insisting he “did nothing wrong” and denouncing the alleged probe as a “sideshow”.
Kent resigned as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center on Tuesday over his staunch opposition to the war in Iran, which he claimed Trump had been deceived into starting. The next day, multiple news outlets reported that the FBI had opened an investigation into Kent over allegations he inappropriately shared classified material.
“As for the leak allegations, I'm not concerned because I know I did nothing wrong”, Kent told Megyn Kelly, a popular conservative podcaster, in an interview released on Friday.
“Of course, I am concerned because we’ve all seen the FBI and the full weight of the government come down on individuals who speak out”, he added. “So that has me a little concerned but I know the truth and the facts are on my side”.
Read on...
Trump’s ex-counterterrorism chief responds to FBI leak probe: ‘I did nothing wrong’
WATCH: Trump says he has no interest in a ceasefire in Iran
Saturday 21 March 2026 02:30 , Rachel DobkinClick here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
