Iran has elected Mojtaba Khamenei as its new leader, more than a week after his father was killed in an airstrike.
The 56-year-old was chosen to become the next supreme leader on Sunday evening, despite Donald Trump’s insistence that he should have a say in the appointment.
"By a decisive vote, the Assembly of Experts appointed Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the third Leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the assembly said.
Khamenei will step into the role having never held a position in Iran’s government. He represents a continuation of his father’s hardline policies, having opposed reformers and dialogue with the West.
The decision was announced shortly after the US confirmed that a seventh military service member has died from wounds sustained during Iran’s initial counterattack a week ago. They have not been named.
"Last night, a U.S. service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East. The service member was seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on U.S. troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1," U.S. Central Command said in a statement.
Trump-Iran latest: Key Points
- Mojtaba Khamenei to replace father as supreme leader
- Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader?
- Crude oil prices surpass $100 a barrel
- Trump claims Iran responsible for strike that killed scores of Iranian school children
- Bahrain says dozens injured in new drone attack
Bahrain says dozens injured in drone attack
03:51 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarBahrain this morning said at least 32 citizens have sustained injuries in an alleged Iranian drone attack on the island of Sitra.
The health ministry of Bahrain said all the wounded were Bahraini citizens and there were four “serious cases”, including children.
The wounded included a 17-year-old girl who suffered severe head and eye injuries and a two-month-old baby, according to the ministry.
Crude oil prices surpass $100 a barrel
03:39 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices eclipsed $114 per barrel for the first time since 2022 this morning as the Iran war intensified, threatening production and shipping in the Middle East.
The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, surged past $114 after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. That was up 23 per cent from its Friday closing price of $92.69.
West Texas Intermediate, the light, sweet crude oil produced in the United States, also was selling for about $114 a barrel. That’s 25 per cent higher than its close Friday at $90.90.
More here.
Crude oil prices surpass $100 a barrel as the Iran war impedes production and shipping
South Korea to impose fuel price cap
03:25 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSouth Korean president Lee Jae Myung said this morning that authorities would cap domestic fuel prices for the first time in nearly 30 years to contain a spike after the conflict in the Middle East sent global crude prices sharply higher.
Speaking at an emergency meeting on the impact of the Middle East crisis, Mr Lee said the government would “swiftly introduce and boldly implement” a maximum price system on petroleum products that have recently seen excessive price increases.
The current crisis “is a significant burden on our economy, which is highly dependent on global trade and energy imports from the Middle East,” he said in opening remarks.
He added that South Korea will also look for energy sources beyond supplies shipped via the Strait of Hormuz.
Mr Lee said a 100 trillion won ($66.94bn) market stabilisation programme could be expanded if needed, and called on the government and the central bank to prepare additional measures to respond to volatility in financial and foreign exchange markets.
EXCL: Emirates pledges to resume all flights despite Dubai airport attack
03:00 , James ReynoldsThe biggest airline in the Gulf, Emirates, is resuming flights at scale – despite its hub at Dubai airport being the target of an Iranian attack.
Following fresh drone strikes in the UAE city, flights were briefly suspended on Saturday and passengers were taken into tunnels at the airport, which is normally the busiest global hub in the world.
But Emirates said it would continue to ramp up its operations to and from its hub at Dubai.
Emirates pledges to resume all flights despite Dubai airport attack
Iran war ‘could bring down global economy’ after warning oil could reach $150 a barrel
02:00 , James ReynoldsThe widening Iran crisis could “bring down the economies of the world” and send oil prices soaring, Qatar’s energy minister warned as US and Israeli bombs pounded energy facilities in Tehran.
The Gulf state’s energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, said it would take his country “weeks to months” to return to its normal delivery pattern after an Iranian drone strike at its largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant – with Europe likely to suffer a price spike as a result.
His prediction came as Goldman Sachs bank warned the price of oil could jump to as much as $150 per barrel by the end of March, hitting British consumers and businesses hard.
Iran war ‘could bring down global economy’ after warning of oil price crisis
Who is Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei?
01:30 , James ReynoldsMojtaba Khamenei will replace his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader, it has been confirmed.
Here’s who he is and why it matters:
British couple held in Tehran prison caught in US-Iran war crossfire as bombs shatter windows
01:00 , James ReynoldsThe British couple jailed in Tehran told how bombs exploding next to their prison shattered windows and caused plaster to rain down from the ceiling.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were sentenced last month to 10 years in prison on disputed espionage charges after being arrested while travelling through Iran on a global motorcycle tour in January 2025.
Now living through the Israeli-US bombardment of Iran, they recounted how last Saturday afternoon a bomb exploded so close to Evin Prison that the blast blew out the windows.
Recap: Blair sparks row with Starmer after claiming UK ‘should have backed Trump from the beginning’ in Iran
00:30 , James ReynoldsSir Tony Blair criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s slow support for Donald Trump’s war on Iran, reportedly telling an event: “We should have backed America from the very beginning”.
The former prime minister told a private Jewish News event on Friday that Sir Keir should have let the Trump administration use British airbases to strike Iran.
He reportedly added: “If they are your ally and they are an indispensable cornerstone for your security ... you had better show up”.
Read the full story:
Blair sparks row with Starmer after claiming UK ‘should have backed Trump’ in Iran
US orders staff out of Saudi Arabia over safety risks
00:01 , James ReynoldsThe US has ordered non-essential US diplomats and government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks.
The United States began to pull out non-essential staff from Gulf Arab countries last Monday, three days into the war.
The US embassy in Riyadh on Tuesday approved voluntary departures, four days into the war and on the same day that it was struck by Iranian drones that led to a fire that damaged the mission's facilities.
Watch: Qatar PM says Iran strikes feel like ‘a big sense of betrayal’
00:01 , James ReynoldsRecap: Trump calls Starmer amid public row over UK support for war
Sunday 8 March 2026 23:30 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump held a phone call with Keir Starmer on Sunday amid a growing row over Britain’s hesitation to grant the US access to its airbases amid the widening conflict in the Middle East.
The prime minister’s office said the leaders discussed the ongoing situation and the military cooperation between the two countries through the use of RAF bases.
"The Prime Minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with President Trump and the American people following the deaths of six U.S. soldiers,” a spokesperson said, adding: "They looked forward to speaking again soon."
The president on Saturday attacked the prime minister in a post on his Truth Social platform, accusing Sir Keir of trying to “join wars after we’ve already won”, amid reports Britain was preparing naval assets for possible deployment.
Crude prices pass $100/b
Sunday 8 March 2026 23:03 , James ReynoldsCrude oil prices spiked past $100 per barrel on Sunday, after major Middle East producers cut output due to the blockade of the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway.
New appointment made despite Trump's insistence he must have a say
Sunday 8 March 2026 23:00 , James ReynoldsTonight’s appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader comes comes despite Donald Trump’s insistence this week that he would have to have a say in the appointment, following Iran’s “unconditional surrender” to the United States.
Trump suggested Iran should follow the path of Venezuela, where the replacement for deposed leader Nicolas Maduro is now working with the US. The US president also said Khamenei’s son was “unacceptable to me”.
He also threatened that a new leader would not “last long” if they did not have US approval.
“We want to make sure that we don’t have to go back every 10 years, when you don’t have a president like me that’s not going to do it,” Trump told ABC News.
Qatar PM urges de‑escalation amid Iran conflict
Sunday 8 March 2026 22:25 , James ReynoldsQatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani urged all sides involved in the Iran conflict to de-escalate on Sunday.
"We will continue talking to the Iranians, we will continue trying to seek de-escalation," the prime minister told Sky News.
He said that the latest events had delivered “a huge shake‑up” to the trust underpinning their relationship with Iran.
"For the U.S., we would like to see a de-escalation, we would like to see ... a diplomatic solution that addresses our concerns as well as their concerns," he added.
"We need to ensure, first, that Iran should stop all attacks against Gulf countries and other countries that they are attacking and are not party of this war," he said.
Iranian officials rally behind new Supreme Leader Mojtaba
Sunday 8 March 2026 22:09 , James ReynoldsIran’s parliament speaker confirmed the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei, saying that it was ‘religious and national duty’ to follow him.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), behind the brutal crackdowns on protesters, said they were also ready to follow the new supreme leader Mojtaba in a statement.
In full: Iran names new Supreme Leader
Sunday 8 March 2026 21:47 , James ReynoldsMojtaba Khamenei is to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Iran’s new supreme leader, according to state media.
Iran names new supreme leader after Ayatollah Khamenei killed in US-Iran war
As Iran names new leader... who is Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of slain Supreme Leader?
Sunday 8 March 2026 21:22 , James ReynoldsAyatollah Khamenei, 86, was killed in a US-Israeli strike on his personal compound on Saturday, setting off a wave of chaos in the Gulf.
His clerical leadership of the Islamic Republic had lasted over 37 years.
Iranian officials suggested this week that his son, the 56-year-old son Mojtaba Khamenei, was being eyed for the top role of Supreme Leader.
That decision comes down to a powerful collective of 88 Islamic religious scholars, who work to appoint and supervise the supreme leader.
Son of Ayatollah expected to take over father’s role as Iran’s supreme leader
Breaking: Mojtaba Khamenei to replace father as Supreme Leader - report
Sunday 8 March 2026 21:14 , James ReynoldsIran's Assembly of Experts has named Mojtaba Khamenei to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country's new supreme leader, state media reported on Sunday.
British couple held in Iran describe terror of Tehran prison collapsing as war rages around them
Sunday 8 March 2026 20:50 , James ReynoldsThe British couple held on disputed espionage charges in Tehran have shared how bombs exploding next to their prison shattered windows and caused plaster to rain down from the ceiling as their guards abandoned them.
Lindsay and Craig Foreman, from East Sussex, were sentenced last month to 10 years in prison after being arrested while travelling through Iran on a global motorcycle tour in January 2025.
Now living through the Israeli-US bombardment of Iran, they recounted how last Saturday a bomb exploded so close to Evin Prison in the capital that the blast blew out the windows.
The sudden explosion shook the facility so hard that plaster fell from the ceiling onto inmates in Mr Foreman’s cell, campaigners said.
Ms Foreman, who was on the phone to her son at the time, described a scene of mass hysteria as women dived under bunk beds for cover, awaiting the next strike.
Campaigners for the Foremans said that the legal process in Iran has “effectively collapsed”, leaving their future uncertain as the Foreign Office works for their appeal and release.
Seventh US service member killed in Iran war
Sunday 8 March 2026 20:34 , James ReynoldsA seventh US service member has died in the conflict with Iran, according to US Central Command.
"Last night, a US service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East," Centcom confirmed in a statement on Sunday.
"The service member was seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on US troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1."
The identity of the soldier will be withheld until a day after the family is notified, the post says.
Britain withdraws staff from Lebanon as clashes escalate
Sunday 8 March 2026 20:29 , James ReynoldsBritain’s Foreign Office says it has taken a precautionary measure of withdrawing some staff and dependents from Lebanon, amid the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.
It says the embassy is still operating as usual.
Analysis: Starmer may be right not to wade into Trump’s war in Iran – but has proven to be a prisoner of his own MPs
Sunday 8 March 2026 20:02 , James ReynoldsIn fighting to saving his premiership, the PM is less able to lead even when he does the right thing, writes political editor David Maddox:
Starmer may be right not to wade into Trump’s war – but he is a prisoner of his MPs
Watch: Trump blames Iran for deadly strike on girls’ school that reportedly killed 175
Sunday 8 March 2026 19:39 , James ReynoldsRecap: RAF claims successful attack on Iranian kamikaze drone
Sunday 8 March 2026 19:18 , James ReynoldsBritain’s ministry of defence says that UK forces successfully engaged a kamikaze drone fired from Iran towards Iraq last night.
“The engagement occurred as RAF Typhoons and F-35 jets continued to conduct defensive sorties across the region,” a statement read.
The latest operational update also confirmed that an awaited Merlin helicopter is due to arrive in theatre, “further strengthening our ability to detect aerial threats”.
The aircraft can fly up to a mile in height, giving advance warning of incoming drones or missiles.
Macron speaks with Iranian counterpart in European push for diplomacy
Sunday 8 March 2026 18:59 , James ReynoldsEmmanuel Macron has spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, calling on Iran to halt strikes against other countries in the region and to end the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Macron said on Sunday.
In a post on X, Macron also reiterated France's position that a diplomatic solution was necessary to end the conflict.
Je me suis entretenu avec le président iranien Massoud Pezechkian.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 8, 2026
Je lui ai indiqué que la sécurité et le retour en France de Cécile Kohler et Jacques Paris, qui se trouvent actuellement dans l'enceinte de l'ambassade de France, restent pour nous une priorité absolue.…
Qatar says Iran war ‘could bring down global economy’ after warning oil could reach $150 a barrel
Sunday 8 March 2026 18:15 , James ReynoldsThe widening Iran crisis could “bring down the economies of the world“ and send oil prices soaring, Qatar’s energy minister warned as US and Israeli bombs pounded energy facilities in Tehran.
The Gulf state’s energy minister, Saad al-Kaabi, said it would take his country “weeks to months” to return to its normal delivery pattern after an Iranian drone strike at its largest LNG plant - with Europe likely to suffer a price spike as a result.
Oil prices ‘could reach $100 a barrel in days’ as UK warned of gas shortage crisis
Khamenei's name as Iran's leader will continue says member of Assembly of Experts
Sunday 8 March 2026 18:02 , James ReynoldsKhamenei's name as Iran's leader will continue, a member of Iran's Assembly of Experts said on Sunday, adding the new leader has been selected and will soon be announced by officials.
"With the majority of votes, the person who will continue the path of Imam Khomeini and the path of the martyr Imam Khamenei has been chosen. The name of Khamenei will continue. The vote has been cast and will be announced soon," said Hosseinali Eshkevari on a video carried by Iranian media.
Two killed after projectile falls on Saudi city
Sunday 8 March 2026 18:01 , James ReynoldsTwo people were killed and 12 injured after a projectile fell on a residential location in Saudi Arabia's Al-Kharj city on Sunday, the Saudi Civil Defense said.
The two people killed were of Indian and Bangladeshi nationalities, it added in a post on X.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said earlier on Sunday that they targeted radar systems in locations including Saudi's Al-Kharj.
Special forces raid on Iran's uranium under consideration in WH: report
Sunday 8 March 2026 17:45 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump is weighing the option of deploying special forces on the ground to seize Iran’s near-bomb-grade uranium, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing three diplomatic officials briefed on the matter.
Over 100 killed in the US attack off Sri Lanka, Iran says
Sunday 8 March 2026 17:27 , James ReynoldsThe Iranian army said on Sunday that at least 104 people were killed and 32 were wounded in an attack by the U.S. on an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka's coast last week.
A US submarine sank the frigate Dena in the Indian Ocean about 19 nautical miles off Sri Lanka's southern port city of Galle on Wednesday, killing dozens of sailors and dramatically widening the war.
US ambassador declines to back Trump over girls' school strike assessment
Sunday 8 March 2026 17:20 , James ReynoldsThe US ambassador to the UN declined to support Donald Trump’s claim that Iran was responsible for the strike on a girls’ school in Tehran that killed 165 people.
Michael Waltz told ABC on Sunday: “I’ll leave that to the investigators to determine.”
“I can tell you, as a veteran, in no uncertain terms, the United States does everything it can to avoid civilian casualties. Sometimes, of course, tragic mistakes occur,” he added.
The strike occurred last Saturday, on the first day of the war, at an elementary school in the southern town of Minab. Analysts have said so far that based on preliminary information, US forces likely conducted the strike while attacking a military facility nearby.
But the US president pointed the finger at Iran on Saturday, telling reporters on Air Force One: “In my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran.”
His defence secretary, standing behind him, noted that an investigation was ongoing.
RAF claims successful attack on Iranian kamikaze drone
Sunday 8 March 2026 17:04 , James ReynoldsBritain’s ministry of defence says that UK forces successfully engaged a kamikaze drone fired from Iran towards Iraq last night.
“The engagement occurred as RAF Typhoons and F-35 jets continued to conduct defensive sorties across the region,” a statement read.
The latest operational update also confirmed that an awaited Merlin helicopter is due to arrive in theatre, “further strengthening our ability to detect aerial threats”.
The aircraft can fly up to a mile in height, giving advance warning of incoming drones or missiles.
Starmer speaks to Trump after Iran disagreements
Sunday 8 March 2026 15:53 , Dan HaygarthA Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The prime minister spoke with the president of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon.
"The leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military cooperation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region.
"The prime minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with president Trump and the American people following the deaths of six US soldiers.
"They looked forward to speaking again soon."
Iran’s foreign minister says ‘no one knows’ who will be supreme leader - hours after official claimed one was chosen
Sunday 8 March 2026 15:33 , Dan HaygarthIran's foreign minister said “no one knows” who will be the country’s new supreme leader, just hours after a senior official claimed one had been chosen.
Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of the panel, had told state media on Sunday morning that a leader had been chosen after an election – without naming who had been selected.
It would be a potentially significant development as the war between Iran and the US and Israel entered its ninth day. Iran’s previous leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli strike last Saturday.
However, the country’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi later said “nobody knows” who will be the country’s next supreme leader.
Speaking on NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday, Mr Araghchi said, “There are lots of rumours around, but we have to wait for the Assembly of Experts to convene and vote for the new supreme leader.”
Oil prices ‘could reach $100 a barrel within days’ due to Iran war as UK warned of gas shortage crisis
Sunday 8 March 2026 15:30 , Dan HaygarthOil prices could exceed $100 per barrel within days if disruption through the crucial Strait of Hormuz does not ease, Goldman Sachs has warned as new data shows dwindling UK gas supplies.
The investment bank currently estimates that average daily flows through the Strait of Hormuz waterway, a strategic choke point between Iran and Oman, are down 90 per cent. As much as a quarter of the global seaborne oil shipments usually pass through the key route but traffic has ground to a halt due to the US and Israel’s war on Iran.
In a note released on Friday and reported by Reuters, Goldman Sach analysts said: “We now also think it’s likely that oil prices, especially for refined products, would exceed the 2008 and 2022 peaks, if Strait of Hormuz flows were to remain depressed throughout March.”
Read more:
Oil prices ‘could reach $100 a barrel in days’ as UK warned of gas shortage crisis
Recap: Blair criticises Starmer for stance on Iran
Sunday 8 March 2026 15:15 , Dan HaygarthSir Tony Blair has criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s slow support for Donald Trump’s war on Iran, reportedly telling an event: “We should have backed America from the very beginning”.
The former prime minister told a private Jewish News event on Friday that Sir Keir should have let the Trump administration use British airbases to strike Iran.
He reportedly added: “If they are your ally and they are an indispensable cornerstone for your security ... you had better show up”.
Sir Tony’s comments were made in private on the understanding that he would not be quoted, but they have since appeared in the Mail on Sunday and The Sunday Times.
Trump blames Iran for strike that killed school girls - as US investigators point to American bomb
Sunday 8 March 2026 15:00 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump insisted that an airstrike on a girls' school in southern Iran that killed at least 175 people, including children, was carried out by Tehran, despite analysis pointing to the US military being responsible.
“No. In my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” Trump told reporters on board Air Force One Saturday. “We think it was done by Iran because they’re very inaccurate as you know with their munitions. They have no accuracy whatsoever.”
Read the full article:
Trump blames Iran for school strike - as US investigators point to American bomb
Betting, memes and AI slop: How the smartphone era turned war in Iran into a game show
Sunday 8 March 2026 14:55 , Dan HaygarthOn the screen, the animated character cocks his gun and orders a massive nuclear airstrike using a tablet.
The game is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. Seconds later, real footage appears of US fighter jets taking off from air carriers in the Middle East and bombers striking targets in Iran set to the tune of a Childish Gambino instrumental.
The clip was not the work of an overexcited meme account, but the White House itself. By Sunday it had been viewed by more than 50 million people on X.
It was a world away from the tragic reality unfolding across the Middle East.
Read Bryony Gooch’s full article below:
Betting, memes and AI slop: How the smartphone era turned Iran war into a game show
Israel says Iran has fired a new missile barrage
Sunday 8 March 2026 14:53 , Dan HaygarthThe Israeli military says Iran has launched a new barrage of missiles toward Israel.
It says air defenses have been activated to intercept the incoming fire.
Sirens warning of incoming missiles sounded in central Israel, including Tel Aviv and parts of Jerusalem.
Facilities hit in Iran
Sunday 8 March 2026 14:45 , Dan HaygarthIsrael on Sunday struck southern Lebanon, Beirut and oil storage facilities in Tehran as the war in the Middle East keeps escalating, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised "many surprises" for the next phase of the conflict.
Iran also hit a desalination plant in Bahrain.
Earlier Sunday, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said a US airstrike damaged an Iranian desalination plant on Qeshm Island, warning that in doing so "the U. set this precedent, not Iran."
Such infrastructure is critical for drinking water supplies in the parched deserts of the Gulf.
An Israeli attack on oil storage sites in Tehran sent up pillars of fire that could be seen in Associated Press video as a glow against the Saturday night sky.
It appeared to be the first time a civil industrial facility has been targeted in the war.
Iran attacks on Gulf countries condemned as 'grave threat to international peace and security'
Sunday 8 March 2026 14:38 , Daniel HaygarthArab foreign ministers on Sunday have strongly condemned Iran attacks on its neighbours as a "grave threat to international peace and security."
Following a virtual meeting, the ministers expressed support to Gulf states along with Jordan and Iraq in the "measure they take to deter and respond to these aggressions."
Iran has said it targets US assets in Arab countries in response to US and Israeli strikes which triggered the war on 28 February. However, Iranian attacks hit civilian facilities and disrupted life across the Gulf states.
The ministers called for Iran to immediately stop its attacks and cease "provocative acts or threats to neighbouring countries."
They urged the UN Security Council to condemn Iran and force it to "immediately and unconditionally halt its attacks" on Arab countries.
The ministers also voiced support to Lebanese government in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah, and urged the international community to pressure Israel to immediately cease its attacks on Lebanon.
The communique didn't mention U.S. and Israeli strikes, which triggered the war.
How long will Gulf flight chaos continue – and what are stranded passengers’ options?
Sunday 8 March 2026 14:30 , Dan HaygarthIn ‘The Man Who Pays His Way’, Simon Calder asks how the Middle East airlines will rebuild confidence. Read below:
How long will Gulf flight chaos continue – and what are stranded passengers’ options?
Swinney exploring banning US military flights from using Prestwick Airport
Sunday 8 March 2026 14:24 , Dan HaygarthScottish first minister John Swinney would “explore” banning American military flights from using Prestwick Airport as part of launching strikes in the Middle East.
Mr Swinney told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg there has to be a “very, very constrained use” of UK bases in the conflict.
Asked if he is allowing the Scottish government-owned airport around 30 miles from Glasgow to be used by the US military, Mr Swinney said: “We’re seeking clarity from the United Kingdom Government about the purpose of American flights that are coming in and out of Prestwick, but we don’t have the ability to scrutinise those flights.”
He said, when asked if he would ban American military flights going through the airport to be part of launching strikes: “Well, that’s something that I would explore, yes, but I need the information to enable me to take that decision.”
Explosion at US embassy in Oslo may have been deliberate attack, police say
Sunday 8 March 2026 14:15 , Dan Haygarth
The US embassy in Oslo was hit by a loud explosion early on Sunday, causing minor damage but no injuries in what may have been a deliberate attack linked to the crisis in the Middle East, Norwegian police said.
"It's natural to see this in the context of the current security situation and that this could be an attack deliberately targeting the US embassy," Frode Larsen, head of the Oslo police investigation unit told a press conference.
No suspects have been identified at present but police are searching for one or several perpetrators and are cooperating closely with the embassy, Larsen said.
"One of our hypothesis is that this is terrorism, but we are also exploring other options," Larsen later told public broadcaster NRK.
The blast at the embassy compound in western Oslo occurred at 1 a.m. (00:00 GMT), sending thick smoke into the street by the entrance of the consular section, eyewitnesses said.
Norway's government was in contact with officials at the US embassy to convey that this was "an unacceptable act that we take very seriously", foreign minister Espen Barth Eide, said in a statement.
"The security of diplomatic missions is very important to us," he said.
Australia directs dependants of officials to leave the UAE
Sunday 8 March 2026 14:05 , Daniel HaygarthAustralian minister for foreign affairs Penny Wong has said her government has directed the departure of dependants of Australian officials posted to the UAE amid escalating conflict in the region.
The Australian Government has directed the departure of dependants of Australian officials posted to the UAE, due to the deteriorating security situation. Our travel advice has been updated to reflect that direction. We continue to advise Australians not to travel to the UAE.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) March 8, 2026
In pictures: Smoke fills the Tehran air after strikes on oil facilities
Sunday 8 March 2026 13:55 , Dan Haygarth
Dark smoke fills Tehran sky after Israeli strikes on oil sites
Sunday 8 March 2026 13:45 , Dan HaygarthLabour MPs urge Starmer to ‘stick to what we believe is right’ in face of Trump fury over Iran
Sunday 8 March 2026 13:20 , Holly BancroftSenior Labour MPs are urging Keir Starmer to “hold his nerve” and “stick to what we believe is right” in the face of another furious rant by Donald Trump, write Athena Stravrou and David Maddox.
The US president launched another broadside at the prime minister overnight, writing on Truth Social that the US does not need anyone to “join wars after we’ve already won”.
Sir Tony Blair also weighed into the debate, arguing that Sir Keir had made a mistake by not joining in the war on Iran from the offset.
In a row that has been brewing for over a week, Labour MPs called on the PM to stick to his policy of defensive action.
Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper warned that Labour “needs to learn the lessons of Iraq” in a put down to Sir Tony.
Read the full story here:
Labour MPs urge Starmer to hold his nerve with Trump fury over Iran
Recap: Explosion at US embassy in Oslo ‘may have been linked to Middle East conflict’
Sunday 8 March 2026 13:08 , Holly BancroftAn explosion on Sunday outside the US embassy in Oslo, Norway, may be linked to the ongoing Middle East security situation, police have said said.
As of Sunday afternoon, no suspects had been identified, Norwegian police added.
"It's natural to see this in the context of the current security situation and that this could be an attack deliberately targeting the U.S. embassy," police spokesperson Frode Larsen told a news conference.
A “loud” explosion occurred at the entrance to the US embassy in the city in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident reportedly did not cause any deaths and resulted in minor damage at the scene.
Read the full story by Josh Marcus here:
Explosion at US embassy in Oslo ‘may have been linked to Middle East conflict’
Israel says it has carried out strike on Iranian commanders in Beirut
Sunday 8 March 2026 12:58 , Holly BancroftIsrael's military said it struck Iranian commanders in the Lebanese capital early on Sunday, expanding the scope of strikes to the heart of Beirut after days of strikes that have left nearly 400 people dead.
The drone strike was the first within the city limits of Lebanon's capital since Israel-Hezbollah hostilities resumed last week, and came amid heavy bombardment on Beirut's southern suburbs and the country's south and east.
Israel said it targeted key commanders of Iran's elite Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards but did not name them.
"The commanders of the Quds Force's Lebanon Corps operated to advance terror attacks against the state of Israel and its civilians, while operating simultaneously for the IRGC in Iran," the Israeli military said in a statement.
Drone that struck UK airbase in Cyprus 'equipped with Russian tech'
Sunday 8 March 2026 12:49 , Holly BancroftThe drone that struck a British airbase in Cyprus was reportedly equipped with Russian military hardware.
The drone that hit RAF Akrotiri contained a Russian-made Kometa-B navigation system, according to a report in The Sunday Times.
British military believe that the attack was launched by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Cyprus’s foreign minister has said that there are “questions” about the future of UK military bases on the island after the drone strike.
The strike did not result in casualties but Cypriot high commissioner to the UK has said that the country was disappointed that Britain failed to warn people on the island of the impending strike.
