The Indian government has said alternative fuel options are being activated as global energy markets remain volatile amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Officials say the move is aimed at ensuring stable fuel supplies and protecting the country from potential disruptions to oil shipments, especially through key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. India imports a large share of its crude oil from the Middle East, and authorities say contingency plans are in place to maintain energy security and prevent major supply shocks for consumers.


Indian Govt: Alternative Fuel Options Are Being Activated

Iran has reiterated that the ongoing war must not damage its relations with neighbouring countries, even though it says attacks against it have been launched from some US bases located in those nations. In a statement read on state television, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, called for national unity and urged citizens to participate in Quds Day events. Khamenei also said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz should continue as a means of pressuring Iran’s adversaries. He warned that all US bases in the region must be shut down immediately, adding that those facilities would be targeted.&nbsp;While stressing that Iran believes in maintaining friendly relations with neighboring countries, he said Tehran would focus its retaliation on the bases themselves and vowed that the campaign would continue. Khamenei further declared that Iran would not refrain from avenging the blood of what he called its “martyrs.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="http://wionews.com/world/-will-abandon-all-restraint-iran-issues-chilling-warning-to-us-israel-over-persian-gulf-islands-1773309968082">‘Blood of American soldiers...’: Iran issues chilling warning to US, Israel over Persian Gulf islands</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">رهبرا! ما با شما عهد می‌بندیم که برای اعتلاء این پرچم که پرچم اصلی جبهه حق است و برای وصول به مقاصد مقدس جنابتان با تمام وجود تلاش کنیم.&mdash; رسانه رهبر انقلاب اسلامی (@Rahbarenghelab_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rahbarenghelab_/status/2032088635831464174?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I, Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, your servant, along with you and through the Islamic Republic Broadcasting, became aware of the result of the vote of the esteemed Assembly of Experts. For me, leaning upon a place that has been the seat of two great leaders, the great Khomeini and the martyred Khamenei, is a difficult task. I had the honor of visiting their body after martyrdom; what I saw was a mountain of steadfastness, and I heard that he had clenched the fist of his healthy hand.”&nbsp;“The insight and wisdom of the great Iranian nation in the recent event, along with its steadfastness, courage, and presence, compelled friends to admiration and foes to astonishment. It was you, the people, who led the country and guaranteed its authority. If that supreme blessing was taken from us, in its place, the Ammar-like presence of the Iranian nation was once again bestowed upon this system,” a post read from his newly made X account.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-govt-alternative-fuel-options-are-being-activated-1773322206422/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-govt-alternative-fuel-options-are-being-activated-1773322206422/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

'Strait of Hormuz closure should be continued as a tool to pressure enemy': Iran's Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei's first statement

Iran has reiterated that the ongoing war must not damage its relations with neighbouring countries, even though it says attacks against it have been launched from some US bases located in those nations. In a statement read on state television, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, called for national unity and urged citizens to participate in Quds Day events. Khamenei also said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz should continue as a means of pressuring Iran’s adversaries. He warned that all US bases in the region must be shut down immediately, adding that those facilities would be targeted. While stressing that Iran believes in maintaining friendly relations with neighboring countries, he said Tehran would focus its retaliation on the bases themselves and vowed that the campaign would continue. Khamenei further declared that Iran would not refrain from avenging the blood of what he called its “martyrs.” Also Read: ‘Blood of American soldiers...’: Iran issues chilling warning to US, Israel over Persian Gulf islands

Iran's Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei in a statement read on TV said all US bases should immediately be closed in the region and those bases will be attacked

The video was ten seconds long. It showed Tel Aviv's skyline convulsing under missile fire, towers disappearing into smoke, sirens tearing across a city already half-destroyed. The captions said Iranian ballistic missiles had overwhelmed Israel’s air defences. Within hours, it had millions of views. One major Indian newspaper published it as fact. It was entirely fabricated. That was March 2026. But the machinery behind it had been running for over a year. A review of documented cases by several international news agencies and a range of fact-checking organisations across three war zones has identified more than twelve incidents between January 2025 and March 2026 in which AI-generated video was used to reshape public understanding of active conflicts, in Gaza, Ukraine and the Iran-Israel theatre.<h2>The same playbook, three war zones</h2>The method is consistent. A synthetic clip, often posted openly on a TikTok or Instagram account that labels its content as AI-generated, gets stripped of that label, fitted with a breaking-news caption timed to a real event, and released. By the time a fact-checker responds, the damage is done.<h3>Gaza</h3>In Gaza, a dramatic explosion video captioned as an Israeli air strike on civilians was traced by The Real Fact Hunter to a TikTok account called @everythingai97, which had clearly marked the clip as AI-generated. An October 2025 video of a so-called Gaza Martyrs Museum, complete with statues of well-known victims, was tracked by Misbar to an Instagram account that openly identifies as an AI content creator. In December, two separate clips of children and tents submerged in floodwater went viral as humanitarian evidence. AFP Fact Check found one scored 99.9 percent on AI-detection platform Hive Moderation.<h3>Ukraine-Russia</h3>Ukraine saw a different operation. In November 2025, DW Fact Check identified a wave of videos showing tearful young men in Ukrainian uniforms pleading not to be sent to the front, shared by pro-Russian accounts as proof of forced conscription. Several carried visible Sora watermarks, the logo of OpenA’s video tool. Around the same time, dozens of clips claimed to show mass Ukrainian surrenders near Pokrovsk. Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation issued a formal warning, calling it a coordinated information attack. Independent fact-checkers found faceless soldiers, fused fingers and no corroborating battlefield evidence.<h3>Iran war</h3>The Iran-Israel escalation produced the most extreme material. Reuters Fact Check consulted three forensics experts on the March 2026 Tel Aviv footage, all confirmed AI origin, citing warped solar panels, a flag that changed design mid-zoom and audio that lacked real-world reverberation. An Indian outlet, BOOM ran the same clips through two detection tools; both returned approximately 99 percent synthetic probability.<h3>Virality outperforms fact-check</h3>Vineet Khunger, Co-founder of IndieVisual, a leading AI technology-led video production company, says the barrier to creating convincing synthetic news footage has collapsed entirely. “It’s become a bit too easy for a bad actor sitting alone at home to use foundational AI video models to create clips that look like real news,” he told WION. “Someone with nefarious intent can figure out ways to easily fool people on social media. We’ve already got issues from both angles, some people believing footage that’s fake, and on the flip side, other people doubting what they see even if it’s real.” Vineet says trained professionals can spot the tells, faked CCTV footage that cuts every seven to eight seconds, the current generation limit for consumer AI video models, along with glitchy artefacts and unnatural visual clarity. But he is candid about the limits of that expertise at scale.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Given that we’re scrolling past so much video, it’s not humanly possible to go deep into the authenticity of every clip we see. Social media rewards engagement, a fake clip designed for virality will almost always outperform a post pointing out that it was fake.”<h2>When institutions fell for it</h2>The fakes did not stay on the fringes. Just days ago, a sitting UK Member of Parliament shared an AI-generated image depicting rows of shrouded bodies said to be schoolgirls killed in an airstrike on a school in Minab, Iran. Five separate fact-checking organisations identified it as synthetic. A leading Indian newspaper article briefly treated an AI missile-strike clip as real footage before issuing a correction.&nbsp;The structural problem is not that detection tools are inadequate. It is that the strip-and-amplify pipeline moves faster than any newsroom can respond. The label proving a video is fake is removed before the video goes viral. The correction arrives after the damage is complete. On the question of who bears responsibility, Vineet is direct. “Everyone, the production industry, the media industry, the government, that should be pressurising the tech companies to include clear safeguards around what can be generated,” he said. “The government should step in with context-specific policies. AI video in the news space should be heavily regulated. AI video on social media should be clearly labelled as such. AI has many positive use cases, but these safeguards can give us a more trustworthy, transparent and safer environment for everyone.”&nbsp;Fourteen months of documented fakes across three conflict zones have exposed a gap that technology alone cannot close. To put it simply, AI has not changed what information warfare is for. It has changed who can wage it, how fast, and with what degree of plausibility. For the millions who never saw the fact-check, the fake was simply the news.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Faking the front line: How artificial intelligence is overriding war perceptions

The video was ten seconds long. It showed Tel Aviv's skyline convulsing under missile fire, towers disappearing into smoke, sirens tearing across a city already half-destroyed. The captions said Iranian ballistic missiles had overwhelmed Israel’s air defences. Within hours, it had millions of views. One major Indian newspaper published it as fact. It was entirely fabricated. That was March 2026. But the machinery behind it had been running for over a year. A review of documented cases by several international news agencies and a range of fact-checking organisations across three war zones has identified more than twelve incidents between January 2025 and March 2026 in which AI-generated video was used to reshape public understanding of active conflicts, in Gaza, Ukraine and the Iran-Israel theatre. The same playbook, three war zones The method is consistent. A synthetic clip, often posted openly on a TikTok or Instagram account that labels its content as AI-generated, gets stripped of that label, fitted with a breaking-news caption timed to a real event, and released. By the time a fact-checker responds, the damage is done. Gaza In Gaza, a dramatic explosion video captioned as an Israeli air strike on civilians was traced by The Real Fact Hunter to a TikTok account called @everythingai97, which had clearly marked the clip as AI-generated. An October 2025 video of a so-called Gaza Martyrs Museum, complete with statues of well-known victims, was tracked by Misbar to an Instagram account that openly identifies as an AI content creator. In December, two separate clips of children and tents submerged in floodwater went viral as humanitarian evidence. AFP Fact Check found one scored 99.9 percent on AI-detection platform Hive Moderation. Ukraine-Russia Ukraine saw a different operation. In November 2025, DW Fact Check identified a wave of videos showing tearful young men in Ukrainian uniforms pleading not to be sent to the front, shared by pro-Russian accounts as proof of forced conscription. Several carried visible Sora watermarks, the logo of OpenA’s video tool. Around the same time, dozens of clips claimed to show mass Ukrainian surrenders near Pokrovsk. Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation issued a formal warning, calling it a coordinated information attack. Independent fact-checkers found faceless soldiers, fused fingers and no corroborating battlefield evidence. Iran war The Iran-Israel escalation produced the most extreme material. Reuters Fact Check consulted three forensics experts on the March 2026 Tel Aviv footage, all confirmed AI origin, citing warped solar panels, a flag that changed design mid-zoom and audio that lacked real-world reverberation. An Indian outlet, BOOM ran the same clips through two detection tools; both returned approximately 99 percent synthetic probability. Virality outperforms fact-check Vineet Khunger, Co-founder of IndieVisual, a leading AI technology-led video production company, says the barrier to creating convincing synthetic news footage has collapsed entirely. “It’s become a bit too easy for a bad actor sitting alone at home to use foundational AI video models to create clips that look like real news,” he told WION. “Someone with nefarious intent can figure out ways to easily fool people on social media. We’ve already got issues from both angles, some people believing footage that’s fake, and on the flip side, other people doubting what they see even if it’s real.” Vineet says trained professionals can spot the tells, faked CCTV footage that cuts every seven to eight seconds, the current generation limit for consumer AI video models, along with glitchy artefacts and unnatural visual clarity. But he is candid about the limits of that expertise at scale. “Given that we’re scrolling past so much video, it’s not humanly possible to go deep into the authenticity of every clip we see. Social media rewards engagement, a fake clip designed for virality will almost always outperform a post pointing out that it was fake.” When institutions fell for it The fakes did not stay on the fringes. Just days ago, a sitting UK Member of Parliament shared an AI-generated image depicting rows of shrouded bodies said to be schoolgirls killed in an airstrike on a school in Minab, Iran. Five separate fact-checking organisations identified it as synthetic. A leading Indian newspaper article briefly treated an AI missile-strike clip as real footage before issuing a correction. The structural problem is not that detection tools are inadequate. It is that the strip-and-amplify pipeline moves faster than any newsroom can respond. The label proving a video is fake is removed before the video goes viral. The correction arrives after the damage is complete. On the question of who bears responsibility, Vineet is direct. “Everyone, the production industry, the media industry, the government, that should be pressurising the tech companies to include clear safeguards around what can be generated,” he said. “The government should step in with context-specific policies. AI video in the news space should be heavily regulated. AI video on social media should be clearly labelled as such. AI has many positive use cases, but these safeguards can give us a more trustworthy, transparent and safer environment for everyone.” Fourteen months of documented fakes across three conflict zones have exposed a gap that technology alone cannot close. To put it simply, AI has not changed what information warfare is for. It has changed who can wage it, how fast, and with what degree of plausibility. For the millions who never saw the fact-check, the fake was simply the news. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

AI-generated war videos, depicting missile strikes, mass surrenders and civilian massacres, flooded three conflict zones in fourteen months. Some fooled a leading newspaper. A lawmaker shared the image publicly.

The escalating US-Israel war with Iran is now disrupting global fertiliser trade as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz choke one of the world’s most critical shipping routes. Around one-third of global seaborne fertiliser trade passes through the narrow waterway, and disruptions are already pushing prices higher.


US-Israel War With Iran: Hormuz Tensions Disrupt Global Fertiliser Trade

The economic cost of the US-Iran war is going far beyond rising oil and gas prices. Analysts warn that the conflict could fuel inflation, slow economic growth, disrupt global trade and shake financial markets in the United States. Rising fuel costs are already pushing up transportation, farming and manufacturing expenses, while investors worry about prolonged instability in global supply chains.


US-Iran War: Cost of Iran War Goes Beyond Oil and Gas Price for the US

Amid the escalating US-Iran war, Iranian officials say the country is prepared for a prolonged conflict that could severely damage the global economy. A senior adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that a long war of attrition with the United States and Israel could “destroy” both the American and world economies.


US-Iran War: Iran Says Ready for Long War That May Destroy World Economy 

Amid the escalating US-Iran war, Donald Trump sparked controversy after joking about the destruction of Iranian naval vessels. Speaking to Republican lawmakers, Trump said he had asked U.S. military officials why Iranian ships were sunk instead of captured. According to him, an official replied that it was “more fun to sink them,” prompting laughter in the room. The remarks came as the United States Navy continues operations against Iranian naval assets during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The comments have triggered criticism from analysts and officials, who say the rhetoric risks escalating tensions further.


US-Iran War: Trump Jokes US Military Sunk Iranian Ships Because it Was Fun

Amid rising tensions across West Asia, the India government has intensified evacuation efforts to bring its citizens home safely. The first batch of Indian nationals stranded in Lebanon has already returned, while more than 500 Indians have been evacuated from Qatar.

Authorities issued urgent advisories to Indian nationals in the region as additional flights, including services by Qatar Airways, are scheduled to bring more evacuees back to New Delhi and other destinations.

US-Iran War: India Expands Evacuation Operations Amid West Asia Conflict 

Amid the escalating US-Israel war with Iran, Tehran has claimed a new wave of missile and drone attacks targeting Jordan and Saudi Arabia, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Iranian officials say the strikes are part of retaliatory operations against countries hosting or supporting U.S. military assets in the region. Air defence systems in both countries reportedly intercepted several incoming projectiles.


US-Iran War: Iran Claims New Wave of Attacks on Jordan And Saudi Arabia 

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has addressed the escalating US-Israel war with Iran during its weekly media briefing, expressing deep concern over the worsening security situation in West Asia. The MEA urged all parties to exercise restraint, avoid further escalation, and prioritize the safety of civilians. New Delhi also highlighted concerns about maritime security and energy supplies, as the region is critical for India’s oil imports and global shipping routes. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held talks with Iranian officials while the government continues to monitor the safety of Indian nationals in the conflict zone.


US-Israel War With Iran: India's Ministry of External Affairs Briefing on West Asia War 

Amid the escalating US-Israel war with Iran, India has intensified diplomatic outreach to Tehran. According to reports, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have spoken three times in the past few days to discuss the rapidly evolving crisis in West Asia. The conversations focused on regional stability, energy security, and the safety of maritime shipping routes critical for global trade and India’s oil imports.


US-Israel War with Iran: 'Jaishankar & Araghchi Held Talks Thrice in Last Few Days'

A deadly missile strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab, southern Iran, has sparked global outrage amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Preliminary findings from a US military investigation indicate that American forces were likely responsible for the strike, which reportedly killed more than 160 people, many of them children.


US-Iran War: US Forces Responsible for Strike on Iranian School | Report 

The sophistication of cartel drone warfare has accelerated at a terrifying pace. Security analysts have recently tracked Mexican cartel operatives traveling directly to the frontlines of the Ukraine war to study advanced drone tactics.

The sophistication of cartel drone warfare has accelerated at a terrifying pace. Security analysts have recently tracked Mexican cartel operatives traveling directly to the frontlines of the Ukraine war to study advanced drone tactics.

'California on alert': Can Mexican cartels help Iran attack US mainland to avenge El Mencho?

According to three US intelligence sources, several reports indicate Iran’s leadership still holds authority and faces no immediate risk of collapse.

According to three US intelligence sources, several reports indicate Iran’s leadership still holds authority and faces no immediate risk of collapse.

‘Still largely intact’: Despite war and strikes, Iran’s government not close to collapse, US intelligence says

United States President Donald Trump, on Wednesday (March 11), while speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, said that the US is in very good shape and said that the US has eyes on all of them. “We know where the 'Iranian sleeper cells' are, and we are going to look very strongly at the Straits,” he claimed. Speaking in Kentucky earlier on Wednesday, Trump told supporters, “We won. We won, in the first hour it was over, but we won,” in Iran, without offering substantial evidence to support the claim. However, his administration has delivered mixed messages regarding the timeline for US military operations in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;During the speech in Kentucky, the president also explained how he selected the name Operation Epic Fury for the campaign. “They gave me, like, 20 names. And I’m like, falling asleep. I didn’t like any of them. Then I see Epic Fury. I said, ‘I like that name," the president was quoted as saying.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-we-have-won-in-iran-trump-claims-victory-but-offers-no-evidence-1773266296406">'We have won in Iran': Trump claims victory but offers no evidence</a><h2>FBI issues alert in California</h2>The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned police departments across California about a possible security threat involving drones that could be launched from offshore vessels. According to an alert reviewed by ABC News, the drones could potentially be used in retaliation for the United States military actions against Iran. The warning was circulated in late February, shortly before the Trump administration started its ongoing military campaign against the Islamic Republic. Officials said the alert was intended to help state and local law enforcement prepare for potential unconventional threats.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-india-lpg-prices-surge-amid-west-asia-war-pm-modi-says-no-need-to-panic-wion-1773272652276/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-india-lpg-prices-surge-amid-west-asia-war-pm-modi-says-no-need-to-panic-wion-1773272652276/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

'We know where Iranian 'sleeper cells' are', claims Trump as FBI issues alert in California for likely drone attack

United States President Donald Trump, on Wednesday (March 11), while speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, said that the US is in very good shape and said that the US has eyes on all of them. “We know where the 'Iranian sleeper cells' are, and we are going to look very strongly at the Straits,” he claimed. Speaking in Kentucky earlier on Wednesday, Trump told supporters, “We won. We won, in the first hour it was over, but we won,” in Iran, without offering substantial evidence to support the claim. However, his administration has delivered mixed messages regarding the timeline for US military operations in the country. During the speech in Kentucky, the president also explained how he selected the name Operation Epic Fury for the campaign. “They gave me, like, 20 names. And I’m like, falling asleep. I didn’t like any of them. Then I see Epic Fury. I said, ‘I like that name," the president was quoted as saying. Also Read: 'We have won in Iran': Trump claims victory but offers no evidence FBI issues alert in California The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned police departments across California about a possible security threat involving drones that could be launched from offshore vessels. According to an alert reviewed by ABC News, the drones could potentially be used in retaliation for the United States military actions against Iran. The warning was circulated in late February, shortly before the Trump administration started its ongoing military campaign against the Islamic Republic. Officials said the alert was intended to help state and local law enforcement prepare for potential unconventional threats. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-india-lpg-prices-surge-amid-west-asia-war-pm-modi-says-no-need-to-panic-wion-1773272652276/embed Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Donald Trump claims US victory in Iran, warns of Iranian sleeper cells, and explains how the campaign was named ‘Operation Epic Fury’

If an Iran-linked drone is launched at California, even if it is successfully intercepted and shot down by the US Navy over the Pacific, it fundamentally rewrites the rules of engagement

If an Iran-linked drone is launched at California, even if it is successfully intercepted and shot down by the US Navy over the Pacific, it fundamentally rewrites the rules of engagement

'ALERT in California': FBI warns Iran can attack mainland US using drones onboard a ghost ship

A fire broke out aboard an oil tanker in the northern waters of the Persian Gulf near the coast of Basra, according to initial reports from Iraqi media. The tanker reportedly caught fire close to the port area of the Port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. Some regional media outlets suggested the vessel may have been targeted in an attack, though officials have not confirmed the cause of the fire.&nbsp;Iraq’s port authorities said at least 20 crew members were rescued after the tanker came under what they described as an unspecified attack in Iraq’s territorial waters. Farhan Al-Fartousi of Iraq’s General Company for Ports told the national news agency INA that Iraqi port personnel rescued the crew of a foreign oil tanker following the incident, but he did not provide further details about the nature of the attack.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-security-council-passes-resolution-urging-iran-to-stop-gulf-attacks-china-russia-abstain-1773267627332">UN Security Council passes resolution urging Iran to stop Gulf attacks; China, Russia abstain</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Iraqi tanker, this video is real <a href="https://t.co/h83FGcmjSt">pic.twitter.com/h83FGcmjSt</a>&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osint613/status/2031856121208525170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Trump vows great safety for oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz</h2>US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (March 11) assured “great safety” for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, even as Tehran tightened its grip on the crucial shipping route during the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran. "I think you're going to see great safety, and it's going to be very, very quickly," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked how he was going to ensure security in the crucial waterway for the global oil trade.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-did-trump-miscalculate-iran-s-response-senator-says-no-strait-of-hormuz-plan-wion-1773265502288/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-did-trump-miscalculate-iran-s-response-senator-says-no-strait-of-hormuz-plan-wion-1773265502288/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

WATCH | Oil tanker erupts in flames near Basra coast in Northern Persian Gulf as Middle East war escalates; 20 crew members rescued

A fire broke out aboard an oil tanker in the northern waters of the Persian Gulf near the coast of Basra, according to initial reports from Iraqi media. The tanker reportedly caught fire close to the port area of the Port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. Some regional media outlets suggested the vessel may have been targeted in an attack, though officials have not confirmed the cause of the fire. Iraq’s port authorities said at least 20 crew members were rescued after the tanker came under what they described as an unspecified attack in Iraq’s territorial waters. Farhan Al-Fartousi of Iraq’s General Company for Ports told the national news agency INA that Iraqi port personnel rescued the crew of a foreign oil tanker following the incident, but he did not provide further details about the nature of the attack. Also Read: UN Security Council passes resolution urging Iran to stop Gulf attacks; China, Russia abstain

Fire broke out on an oil tanker near Basra in Iraq’s territorial waters. At least 20 crew members were rescued as officials investigate reports of a possible attack

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday (March 11) adopted a resolution urging Iran to stop its attacks on Gulf nations, but the text avoided mentioning recent US or Israeli strikes on Iran, drawing sharp criticism from Tehran.The resolution passed with 13 votes in favour, while veto-holding members China and Russia abstained. It “demands the immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.”&nbsp;The measure also “condemns any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.” Iran has launched repeated strikes on Gulf states following US-Israeli attacks that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and targeted Iranian facilities. Tehran has also fired at commercial vessels traveling through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, in what it says is retaliation meant to pressure the world economy.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-we-have-won-in-iran-trump-claims-victory-but-offers-no-evidence-1773266296406">'We have won in Iran': Trump claims victory but offers no evidence</a>&nbsp;Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Bahrain’s ambassador to the UN, introduced the resolution backed by 135 countries. He said the vote highlighted the Gulf region’s importance to global stability. "This is why ensuring the security of this region is not merely a regional matter; it is a common international responsibility that is closely linked to the stability of the global economy and energy security," Alrowaiei told the council.&nbsp;Both China and Russia chose to abstain, criticizing the resolution for failing to acknowledge US-Israeli actions against Iran. Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani condemned the vote, saying adoption of the measure represented a "blatant misuse of the Security Council mandate in pursuit of the political agendas" of the United States and Israel."Let me make it clear, this resolution is a manifest injustice against my country, the main victim of a clear act of aggression," he said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-un-security-council-condemns-iran-strikes-on-gulf-states-china-russia-abstain-wion-1773265486396/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-un-security-council-condemns-iran-strikes-on-gulf-states-china-russia-abstain-wion-1773265486396/embed</a>&nbsp;The United States supported the resolution and said it showed broad international opposition to Iran’s military actions.US ambassador Mike Waltz said, "Iran's strategy of sowing chaos, of trying to hold their neighbors hostage, trying to shake the resolve of the region, has clearly backfired, as shown by this vote today."&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

UN Security Council passes resolution urging Iran to stop Gulf attacks; China, Russia abstain

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday (March 11) adopted a resolution urging Iran to stop its attacks on Gulf nations, but the text avoided mentioning recent US or Israeli strikes on Iran, drawing sharp criticism from Tehran. The resolution passed with 13 votes in favour, while veto-holding members China and Russia abstained. It “demands the immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.” The measure also “condemns any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.” Iran has launched repeated strikes on Gulf states following US-Israeli attacks that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and targeted Iranian facilities. Tehran has also fired at commercial vessels traveling through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, in what it says is retaliation meant to pressure the world economy. Also Read: 'We have won in Iran': Trump claims victory but offers no evidence Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Bahrain’s ambassador to the UN, introduced the resolution backed by 135 countries. He said the vote highlighted the Gulf region’s importance to global stability. "This is why ensuring the security of this region is not merely a regional matter; it is a common international responsibility that is closely linked to the stability of the global economy and energy security," Alrowaiei told the council. Both China and Russia chose to abstain, criticizing the resolution for failing to acknowledge US-Israeli actions against Iran. Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani condemned the vote, saying adoption of the measure represented a "blatant misuse of the Security Council mandate in pursuit of the political agendas" of the United States and Israel. "Let me make it clear, this resolution is a manifest injustice against my country, the main victim of a clear act of aggression," he said. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-un-security-council-condemns-iran-strikes-on-gulf-states-china-russia-abstain-wion-1773265486396/embed The United States supported the resolution and said it showed broad international opposition to Iran’s military actions. US ambassador Mike Waltz said, "Iran's strategy of sowing chaos, of trying to hold their neighbors hostage, trying to shake the resolve of the region, has clearly backfired, as shown by this vote today." Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states; China and Russia abstain as Tehran calls the resolution politically motivated

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (March 11) that the United States had already won the war with Iran, though he did not present clear evidence to support the claim. “Let me say we’ve won. You know, you never like to say too early that you won. We won. We won, in the first hour it was over, but we won,” the president said. Trump’s description of the conflict’s timeline has shifted in recent days. At different points, he has suggested the war was ahead of schedule, could take four to six weeks, or had effectively already been won but still required further action. He has also referred to the strikes as both a war and a “short excursion.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-hezbollah-fires-100-rockets-toward-northern-israel-as-tel-aviv-carries-out-strike-in-lebanon-1773261979579">WATCH | Hezbollah fires 100 rockets toward northern Israel as Tel Aviv carries out strike in Lebanon</a><h2>Trump explains how the name ‘Operation Epic Fury’ was selected</h2>During a speech in Kentucky, Trump also explained how he selected the name Operation Epic Fury for the campaign.“They gave me, like, 20 names. And I’m like, falling asleep. I didn’t like any of them. Then I see Epic Fury. I said, ‘I like that name," the president said.&nbsp;<h2>Trump turns to oil reserves in bid to cool energy price surge</h2>Trump also highlighted an agreement among members of the International Energy Agency to release large quantities of stored oil to ease pressure on global energy markets. The deal would release an additional 400 million barrels of oil, a move Trump said would help stabilize prices during the conflict. “The pact by the International Energy Agency’s member countries to pump an extra 400 million barrels into the market will substantially reduce the oil prices as we end this threat to America and this threat to the world,” Trump said during the Kentucky speech.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-says-iran-war-will-end-anytime-i-want-as-he-claims-nothing-left-to-target-wion-1773256482710/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-says-iran-war-will-end-anytime-i-want-as-he-claims-nothing-left-to-target-wion-1773256482710/embed</a>&nbsp;In a separate interview with a local news outlet, Trump said the US could also draw from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to manage supply disruptions following a halt in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about whether the reserve release would be part of the IEA agreement or handled through a separate action.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Donald Trump claims early victory in Iran conflict, touts global oil reserve release to stabilise prices as uncertainty remains over war’s timeline

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (March 11) that the United States had already won the war with Iran, though he did not present clear evidence to support the claim. “Let me say we’ve won. You know, you never like to say too early that you won. We won. We won, in the first hour it was over, but we won,” the president said. Trump’s description of the conflict’s timeline has shifted in recent days. At different points, he has suggested the war was ahead of schedule, could take four to six weeks, or had effectively already been won but still required further action. He has also referred to the strikes as both a war and a “short excursion.” Also Read: WATCH | Hezbollah fires 100 rockets toward northern Israel as Tel Aviv carries out strike in Lebanon Trump explains how the name ‘Operation Epic Fury’ was selected During a speech in Kentucky, Trump also explained how he selected the name Operation Epic Fury for the campaign. “They gave me, like, 20 names. And I’m like, falling asleep. I didn’t like any of them. Then I see Epic Fury. I said, ‘I like that name," the president said. Trump turns to oil reserves in bid to cool energy price surge Trump also highlighted an agreement among members of the International Energy Agency to release large quantities of stored oil to ease pressure on global energy markets. The deal would release an additional 400 million barrels of oil, a move Trump said would help stabilize prices during the conflict. “The pact by the International Energy Agency’s member countries to pump an extra 400 million barrels into the market will substantially reduce the oil prices as we end this threat to America and this threat to the world,” Trump said during the Kentucky speech. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-says-iran-war-will-end-anytime-i-want-as-he-claims-nothing-left-to-target-wion-1773256482710/embed In a separate interview with a local news outlet, Trump said the US could also draw from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to manage supply disruptions following a halt in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about whether the reserve release would be part of the IEA agreement or handled through a separate action. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Donald Trump claims early victory in Iran conflict, touts global oil reserve release to stabilise prices as uncertainty remains over war’s timeline

'We have won in Iran': Trump claims victory but offers no evidence

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday evening (March 11) condemned the attack on the Thai-flagged vessel Mayuree Naree, which was sailing toward Kandla Port through the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, the bulk carrier was struck by “two projectiles of unknown origin”, causing a fire and damaging the engine room. The ship’s Thai-listed operator, Precious Shipping, confirmed the incident in a statement. "Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room," Precious Shipping was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;Later, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that it had fired projectiles at the vessel. The Guards confirmed that they targeted the Thai-flagged bulk carrier in the Strait of Hormuz. In its statement, the MEA said, “India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Precious lives, including those of Indian citizens, have already been lost in multiple such attacks in the earlier phase of this conflict, and the intensity and lethality of the attacks only seem to be increasing.” The ministry also reiterated that targeting commercial vessels and putting civilian crew members at risk must be avoided.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-warns-of-possible-iranian-drone-threat-to-california-from-offshore-vessels-1773260018833">FBI warns of possible Iranian drone threat to California from offshore vessels</a><h2>Thai ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz</h2>The Thai-registered vessel Mayuree Naree was struck by Iranian projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on its way to Kandla Port. The ship had departed from Khalifa Port and was moving through the narrow shipping corridor, considered the world’s most important oil chokepoint, when the projectile hit.&nbsp;The Royal Thai Navy reported that thick smoke was seen rising from the vessel’s hull and superstructure after the strike. Mayuree Naree is a 178-metre bulk carrier with a displacement of around 30,000 tonnes. Officials said that 20 crew members were rescued after abandoning the vessel, while search operations continued for three missing crew members. “The specific details and cause of the attack are currently under investigation,” the Thai navy said in a statement.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-lpg-shortage-fears-grip-india-panic-buying-sparks-long-queues-1773257356669/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-lpg-shortage-fears-grip-india-panic-buying-sparks-long-queues-1773257356669/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

'India deplores the fact': MEA condemns attack on Thai ship bound for Gujarat in Strait of Hormuz

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday evening (March 11) condemned the attack on the Thai-flagged vessel Mayuree Naree, which was sailing toward Kandla Port through the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports, the bulk carrier was struck by “two projectiles of unknown origin”, causing a fire and damaging the engine room. The ship’s Thai-listed operator, Precious Shipping, confirmed the incident in a statement. "Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room," Precious Shipping was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters. Later, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that it had fired projectiles at the vessel. The Guards confirmed that they targeted the Thai-flagged bulk carrier in the Strait of Hormuz. In its statement, the MEA said, “India deplores the fact that commercial shipping is being made a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Precious lives, including those of Indian citizens, have already been lost in multiple such attacks in the earlier phase of this conflict, and the intensity and lethality of the attacks only seem to be increasing.” The ministry also reiterated that targeting commercial vessels and putting civilian crew members at risk must be avoided. Also Read: FBI warns of possible Iranian drone threat to California from offshore vessels Thai ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz The Thai-registered vessel Mayuree Naree was struck by Iranian projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on its way to Kandla Port. The ship had departed from Khalifa Port and was moving through the narrow shipping corridor, considered the world’s most important oil chokepoint, when the projectile hit. The Royal Thai Navy reported that thick smoke was seen rising from the vessel’s hull and superstructure after the strike. Mayuree Naree is a 178-metre bulk carrier with a displacement of around 30,000 tonnes. Officials said that 20 crew members were rescued after abandoning the vessel, while search operations continued for three missing crew members. “The specific details and cause of the attack are currently under investigation,” the Thai navy said in a statement. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-lpg-shortage-fears-grip-india-panic-buying-sparks-long-queues-1773257356669/embed Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

India condemns attack on Thai ship Mayuree Naree in Strait of Hormuz after Iranian strike; 20 crew rescued while three remain missing

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently alerted police departments across California about a potential security threat involving drones that could be launched from offshore vessels in retaliation for US military actions against Iran, according to an alert reviewed by ABC News. The warning was distributed in late February, shortly before the Trump administration began its ongoing military campaign against the Islamic Republic. Officials say the alert was meant to prepare state and local law enforcement for possible unconventional threats.&nbsp;“We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, if the US conducted strikes against Iran,” according to the alert distributed at the end of February. “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”&nbsp;The alert raised concerns about the possibility of drones being launched from ships positioned off the US West Coast. However, it did not specify how such vessels might approach the mainland undetected. A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation office in Los Angeles declined to comment, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, US intelligence officials are also monitoring the increasing use of drones by Mexican criminal organizations. Authorities are concerned the technology could potentially be used against US personnel stationed along the southern border.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-hormuz-in-its-grip-iran-ships-more-oil-even-as-war-halts-others-1773255260129">With Hormuz in its grip, Iran ships more oil even as war halts others</a>&nbsp;“An uncorroborated report suggested that unidentified Mexican cartel leaders had authorized attacks using UAS (drones) carrying explosives against US law enforcement and US military personnel along the US-Mexico border,” according to a September 2025 bulletin reviewed by ABC News. “This type of attack against US personnel or interests inside the United States would be unprecedented but exemplifies a plausible scenario, although (cartels) typically avoid actions that would result in unwanted attention or responses from US authorities.”&nbsp;Security analysts say the overlapping concerns, from Iranian retaliation to cartel drone activity, highlight the evolving risks posed by unmanned aerial systems. John Cohen, a former intelligence chief at the US Department of Homeland Security and now an analyst for ABC News, said the threat landscape is expanding.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-hezbollah-escalates-attacks-on-israel-as-cluster-bomb-strikes-raise-security-fears-1773260062128/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-hezbollah-escalates-attacks-on-israel-as-cluster-bomb-strikes-raise-security-fears-1773260062128/embed</a>&nbsp;“We know Iran has an extensive presence in Mexico and South America; they have relationships, they have the drones, and now they have the incentive to conduct attacks,” Cohen said. “The FBI is smart for putting this warning out so that state and local officials can be better able to prepare and respond to these types of threats. Information like this is critically important for law enforcement." Officials have long worried that equipment for potential attacks could be staged ahead of time, either on land or aboard ships, ready to be used if the US or Israel were to strike Iran. While authorities say the threat remains unconfirmed, the warning underscores growing concerns about drone warfare reaching the US mainland.<h2>White House issues clarification</h2>White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took it to X to respond to the news. She said, “This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people. They wrote this based on one email that was sent to local law enforcement in California about a single, unverified tip. The email even states the tip was based on *unverified* intelligence. Yet ABC News left out this critical fact in their story! WHY? TO BE CLEAR: No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did.”&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

FBI warns of possible Iranian drone threat to California from offshore vessels

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently alerted police departments across California about a potential security threat involving drones that could be launched from offshore vessels in retaliation for US military actions against Iran, according to an alert reviewed by ABC News. The warning was distributed in late February, shortly before the Trump administration began its ongoing military campaign against the Islamic Republic. Officials say the alert was meant to prepare state and local law enforcement for possible unconventional threats. “We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, if the US conducted strikes against Iran,” according to the alert distributed at the end of February. “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.” The alert raised concerns about the possibility of drones being launched from ships positioned off the US West Coast. However, it did not specify how such vessels might approach the mainland undetected. A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation office in Los Angeles declined to comment, and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, US intelligence officials are also monitoring the increasing use of drones by Mexican criminal organizations. Authorities are concerned the technology could potentially be used against US personnel stationed along the southern border. Also Read: With Hormuz in its grip, Iran ships more oil even as war halts others “An uncorroborated report suggested that unidentified Mexican cartel leaders had authorized attacks using UAS (drones) carrying explosives against US law enforcement and US military personnel along the US-Mexico border,” according to a September 2025 bulletin reviewed by ABC News. “This type of attack against US personnel or interests inside the United States would be unprecedented but exemplifies a plausible scenario, although (cartels) typically avoid actions that would result in unwanted attention or responses from US authorities.” Security analysts say the overlapping concerns, from Iranian retaliation to cartel drone activity, highlight the evolving risks posed by unmanned aerial systems. John Cohen, a former intelligence chief at the US Department of Homeland Security and now an analyst for ABC News, said the threat landscape is expanding. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-hezbollah-escalates-attacks-on-israel-as-cluster-bomb-strikes-raise-security-fears-1773260062128/embed “We know Iran has an extensive presence in Mexico and South America; they have relationships, they have the drones, and now they have the incentive to conduct attacks,” Cohen said. “The FBI is smart for putting this warning out so that state and local officials can be better able to prepare and respond to these types of threats. Information like this is critically important for law enforcement." Officials have long worried that equipment for potential attacks could be staged ahead of time, either on land or aboard ships, ready to be used if the US or Israel were to strike Iran. While authorities say the threat remains unconfirmed, the warning underscores growing concerns about drone warfare reaching the US mainland. White House issues clarification White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took it to X to respond to the news. She said, “This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people. They wrote this based on one email that was sent to local law enforcement in California about a single, unverified tip. The email even states the tip was based on *unverified* intelligence. Yet ABC News left out this critical fact in their story! WHY? TO BE CLEAR: No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

FBI warns California police of possible Iranian drone retaliation from offshore vessels as the US strikes escalate, while cartel drone threats also raise concern

FBI warns of possible Iranian drone threat to California from offshore vessels; White House issues clarification

Iran is exporting more oil through the Strait of Hormuz than it did before the war started, underscoring Tehran’s control over the strategic waterway that it has effectively shut to most other regional oil producers. While Gulf Arab producers from Saudi Arabia to Iraq are cutting output and searching for alternative routes to bypass the strait, Iran has continued exporting crude largely without disruption. Data from tanker-tracking firm Kpler shows Tehran maintaining and even slightly increasing shipments despite the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.&nbsp;Since the war started on February 28, seven tankers have loaded Iranian oil, according to Kpler. At least two of the latest loadings originated inside the Persian Gulf. Over the past six days, tankers have taken on an average of 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude per day, higher than the roughly 2 million barrels per day exported in February. Although Iran’s weekly exports fluctuate, the recent rise suggests that its shipments are moving largely unhindered. It also indicates that China continues to purchase Iranian crude, providing a crucial financial lifeline to Tehran as it faces intense military pressure.&nbsp;The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned it would attack vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli airstrikes triggered the conflict. The threats have discouraged many commercial ships from using the passage, which links the Persian Gulf to global markets and handles roughly a third of the world’s oil trade. Iran has also launched drones and missiles at Gulf Arab oil infrastructure and warned it could set ships ablaze if they attempted to pass through the strait.&nbsp;The escalating crisis has fueled fears that a worst-case scenario for global energy markets could be unfolding, potentially removing millions of barrels of oil from the market each day. Oil prices swung sharply in recent sessions, surging close to $120 a barrel on Monday before falling below $80 on Tuesday after President Donald Trump said the war would end “very soon.” Analysts at JPMorgan estimate that if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked for two weeks, global oil supplies could fall by about 3.8 million barrels per day, more than 3% of worldwide production.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iea-to-release-record-400-million-barrels-of-oil-as-middle-east-war-disrupts-markets-1773251043388">IEA to release record 400 million barrels of oil as Middle East war disrupts markets</a>&nbsp;Much of the Iranian oil currently moving across or toward the strait appears to be headed for China aboard vessels belonging to the so-called shadow fleet, according to Kpler. These older tankers, often sanctioned by the United States, are used by Iran and Russia to transport crude covertly. “Almost all ships crossing the Strait are linked to Iran or China,” said Christopher Long, head of intelligence at UK maritime-security firm Neptune P2P Group. “We are advising all shippers not to cross.”&nbsp;Homayoun Falakshahi, head of crude-oil analysis at Kpler, said normal shipping traffic would likely resume only under limited conditions. “Only military escorts, a US-Israeli cease-fire or an Iranian capitulation would prompt shippers to resume transits,” Falakshahi said. He added that exports would likely restart gradually and “often while still dark.”&nbsp;Last week, Trump announced plans to provide naval escorts for ships traveling through the strait, though such protection has not yet materialized. Ali Reza Tangsiri, commander of the Revolutionary Guard Navy, warned against any attempt to escort vessels through the waterway. “Any passage of the US fleet and its allies will be halted by the net of Iranian missiles and suicide drones,” he said in a post on X. Shipping data suggests that only a small number of vessels have crossed the strait since the war began. Around 15 ships have transited the passage, most of them shadow-fleet tankers carrying Iranian crude to China and India, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.&nbsp;Many of the ships are small Chinese tankers that attempt to signal their friendly status to Iranian forces while transiting the strait. “We are a Chinese ship. We are coming through; we are friendly,” the Chinese ships transmit in English to the Revolutionary Guard via loudspeakers and shortwave radio. The messages can be monitored by other vessels and were heard by The Wall Street Journal. Kpler said one tanker, Skywave, loaded oil last week from Kharg Island, the main Iranian export hub in the Persian Gulf’s northwest.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-says-iran-war-will-end-anytime-i-want-as-he-claims-nothing-left-to-target-wion-1773256482710/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-says-iran-war-will-end-anytime-i-want-as-he-claims-nothing-left-to-target-wion-1773256482710/embed</a>&nbsp;The vessel is owned by an Indian shell company that was sanctioned by the United States last year for allegedly funding Iran’s armed forces through billions of dollars in crude allocations. As of Tuesday, the ship, sailing under a reportedly false Comoros flag, was approaching the Strait of Hormuz, according to MarineTraffic. Another vessel, Cume, which is bound for China, is owned by a Dubai-based entity sanctioned by the US and sails under a reportedly false Guyana flag, according to the European Union database Equasis. It loaded 2 million barrels of Iranian crude on Feb. 19, crossed the strait last week, and is now in the Gulf of Oman, Kpler data shows.&nbsp;A third tanker, Ping Shun, owned by a Shandong-based company that typically exports to China, loaded 600,000 barrels from Kharg Island and is also in the Gulf of Oman. Despite their willingness to transit the strait, shadow-fleet tankers still face significant risks. At least two such vessels have already been hit by Iran since the conflict began. Meanwhile, many global shipping companies are struggling with disruptions.&nbsp;Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk has about 10 vessels trapped inside the Persian Gulf. The company says it could take one to ten days to resume normal operations after a cease-fire is reached. “We won’t put our colleagues in harm’s way,” Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc told the Journal.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

With Hormuz in its grip, Iran ships more oil even as war halts others

Iran is exporting more oil through the Strait of Hormuz than it did before the war started, underscoring Tehran’s control over the strategic waterway that it has effectively shut to most other regional oil producers. While Gulf Arab producers from Saudi Arabia to Iraq are cutting output and searching for alternative routes to bypass the strait, Iran has continued exporting crude largely without disruption. Data from tanker-tracking firm Kpler shows Tehran maintaining and even slightly increasing shipments despite the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Since the war started on February 28, seven tankers have loaded Iranian oil, according to Kpler. At least two of the latest loadings originated inside the Persian Gulf. Over the past six days, tankers have taken on an average of 2.1 million barrels of Iranian crude per day, higher than the roughly 2 million barrels per day exported in February. Although Iran’s weekly exports fluctuate, the recent rise suggests that its shipments are moving largely unhindered. It also indicates that China continues to purchase Iranian crude, providing a crucial financial lifeline to Tehran as it faces intense military pressure. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned it would attack vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli airstrikes triggered the conflict. The threats have discouraged many commercial ships from using the passage, which links the Persian Gulf to global markets and handles roughly a third of the world’s oil trade. Iran has also launched drones and missiles at Gulf Arab oil infrastructure and warned it could set ships ablaze if they attempted to pass through the strait. The escalating crisis has fueled fears that a worst-case scenario for global energy markets could be unfolding, potentially removing millions of barrels of oil from the market each day. Oil prices swung sharply in recent sessions, surging close to $120 a barrel on Monday before falling below $80 on Tuesday after President Donald Trump said the war would end “very soon.” Analysts at JPMorgan estimate that if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked for two weeks, global oil supplies could fall by about 3.8 million barrels per day, more than 3% of worldwide production. Also Read: IEA to release record 400 million barrels of oil as Middle East war disrupts markets Much of the Iranian oil currently moving across or toward the strait appears to be headed for China aboard vessels belonging to the so-called shadow fleet, according to Kpler. These older tankers, often sanctioned by the United States, are used by Iran and Russia to transport crude covertly. “Almost all ships crossing the Strait are linked to Iran or China,” said Christopher Long, head of intelligence at UK maritime-security firm Neptune P2P Group. “We are advising all shippers not to cross.” Homayoun Falakshahi, head of crude-oil analysis at Kpler, said normal shipping traffic would likely resume only under limited conditions. “Only military escorts, a US-Israeli cease-fire or an Iranian capitulation would prompt shippers to resume transits,” Falakshahi said. He added that exports would likely restart gradually and “often while still dark.” Last week, Trump announced plans to provide naval escorts for ships traveling through the strait, though such protection has not yet materialized. Ali Reza Tangsiri, commander of the Revolutionary Guard Navy, warned against any attempt to escort vessels through the waterway. “Any passage of the US fleet and its allies will be halted by the net of Iranian missiles and suicide drones,” he said in a post on X. Shipping data suggests that only a small number of vessels have crossed the strait since the war began. Around 15 ships have transited the passage, most of them shadow-fleet tankers carrying Iranian crude to China and India, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Many of the ships are small Chinese tankers that attempt to signal their friendly status to Iranian forces while transiting the strait. “We are a Chinese ship. We are coming through; we are friendly,” the Chinese ships transmit in English to the Revolutionary Guard via loudspeakers and shortwave radio. The messages can be monitored by other vessels and were heard by The Wall Street Journal. Kpler said one tanker, Skywave, loaded oil last week from Kharg Island, the main Iranian export hub in the Persian Gulf’s northwest. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-says-iran-war-will-end-anytime-i-want-as-he-claims-nothing-left-to-target-wion-1773256482710/embed The vessel is owned by an Indian shell company that was sanctioned by the United States last year for allegedly funding Iran’s armed forces through billions of dollars in crude allocations. As of Tuesday, the ship, sailing under a reportedly false Comoros flag, was approaching the Strait of Hormuz, according to MarineTraffic. Another vessel, Cume, which is bound for China, is owned by a Dubai-based entity sanctioned by the US and sails under a reportedly false Guyana flag, according to the European Union database Equasis. It loaded 2 million barrels of Iranian crude on Feb. 19, crossed the strait last week, and is now in the Gulf of Oman, Kpler data shows. A third tanker, Ping Shun, owned by a Shandong-based company that typically exports to China, loaded 600,000 barrels from Kharg Island and is also in the Gulf of Oman. Despite their willingness to transit the strait, shadow-fleet tankers still face significant risks. At least two such vessels have already been hit by Iran since the conflict began. Meanwhile, many global shipping companies are struggling with disruptions. Danish shipping giant AP Moller-Maersk has about 10 vessels trapped inside the Persian Gulf. The company says it could take one to ten days to resume normal operations after a cease-fire is reached. “We won’t put our colleagues in harm’s way,” Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc told the Journal. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Iran is exporting more oil through the Strait of Hormuz during the war, while Gulf producers halt shipments and global shippers avoid the strategic waterway

An ongoing US military investigation has determined that the United States was responsible for a deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school, according to the US officials and others familiar with the preliminary findings. The strike, which occurred on February 28, hit the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building in the town of Minab. Investigators say the attack was the result of a targeting error by the US military. At the time, the military was conducting strikes on an adjacent Iranian base that had previously included the school building as part of its complex.&nbsp;According to officials briefed on the investigation, officers at US Central Command conducted the strike coordinates using outdated targeting data supplied by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The preliminary findings suggest that the building was mistakenly labeled as a military target based on old intelligence. Officials emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that several critical questions remain unanswered, including why the outdated data was not verified before the strike.&nbsp;The attack on a school filled with children is expected to be remembered as one of the most devastating military errors in recent decades. Iranian authorities have reported that at least 175 people were killed, most of them children. Although the conclusion that the United States carried out the strike was largely anticipated, because the US is the only country involved in the conflict that uses Tomahawk missiles, the incident has already cast a shadow over the broader US military operation in Iran.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/25-of-india-s-gas-imports-hit-by-strait-of-hormuz-disruption-government-reroutes-energy-supplies-as-west-asia-conflict-escalates-1773244395523">25% of India’s gas imports hit by Strait of Hormuz disruption; government reroutes energy supplies as West Asia conflict escalates</a>&nbsp;President Donald Trump’s attempts to deflect blame for the strike have further complicated the inquiry. Officials familiar with the findings have expressed concern about his public statements suggesting that Iran might have been responsible. “As The New York Times acknowledges in its own reporting, the investigation is still ongoing,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Sources briefed on the investigation say many questions remain about how the outdated information was used and who failed to verify the targeting data.&nbsp;However, some current and former officials say the error is not entirely surprising. The school in Minab is located on the same block as facilities used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy, which was a primary target of the US military strikes. The building that housed the school was originally part of the military base, though it is unclear exactly when it was converted into a school. A visual investigation conducted by The New York Times found that the building had been separated from the military base between 2013 and 2016.&nbsp;Satellite imagery reviewed by the newspaper showed that watchtowers previously located near the building had been removed. Three public entrances had been added, the grounds had been cleared, and recreational areas—including a sports field painted on asphalt- had been created. The walls were also repainted in bright colors such as blue and pink, consistent with a school environment. Despite these changes, the targeting data provided by the DIA still classified the building as a military facility when it was passed to US Central Command, according to people familiar with the investigation. Investigators have not yet determined how the outdated information was transmitted or whether the DIA had more recent intelligence available.&nbsp;Military targeting operations are highly complex and involve several agencies. Numerous officers are responsible for verifying target data. While the DIA provides intelligence assessments, Central Command is responsible for confirming the accuracy of that information before authorizing strikes. In fast-moving wartime situations, however, verification procedures may sometimes be rushed or overlooked. Investigators are also reviewing the role of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), which analyzes satellite imagery and supports military targeting operations.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/minab-school-bombing-did-ai-error-lead-to-bombing-of-iran-school-1773246548175/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/minab-school-bombing-did-ai-error-lead-to-bombing-of-iran-school-1773246548175/embed</a>&nbsp;Both the DIA and NGA have numerous analysts assigned to combatant commands, where they work alongside operational planners and intelligence officers to develop potential targets. When targeting data from the DIA is older, intelligence officers are expected to update and verify it using imagery and analysis provided by the NGA. Historically, the Defense Intelligence Agency has focused primarily on Iran’s missile capabilities and other strategic priorities such as China and North Korea. Iran’s naval forces have not traditionally been a major intelligence priority.&nbsp;Investigators are also examining whether artificial intelligence tools or automated intelligence systems played any role in the targeting mistake. One system under scrutiny is the Maven Smart System used by the NGA. While large language models such as Claude—developed by Anthropic—do not directly generate military targets, they can assist in identifying potential points of interest for analysts. However, officials believe that new technology was unlikely to be the cause of the error. Instead, they suspect the strike resulted from a more traditional wartime mistake: human error.&nbsp;The preliminary findings of the internal investigation align with growing public evidence suggesting US responsibility.Satellite imagery, social media posts, and verified videos analyzed by The New York Times indicate that the school was severely damaged by a precision strike around the same time that nearby Iranian naval facilities were targeted. The newspaper’s analysis also showed that the base was struck again approximately two hours after the initial attack.A video released by Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency and verified by The New York Times shows a Tomahawk cruise missile striking the naval base next to the school on February 28.&nbsp;Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other administration officials have declined to comment in detail on the incident, stating only that the matter remains under investigation. Nevertheless, President Trump has at times suggested that Iran may have been responsible. “In my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, while Defense Secretary Hegseth stood beside him. He added that Iranian munitions are often inaccurate.&nbsp;When asked on Monday why he was the only official in his administration attributing the strike to Iran, Trump responded: “Because I just don’t know enough about it.” He also incorrectly suggested that Iran might possess Tomahawk missiles, though he said he would ultimately accept the results of the investigation. While many presidents might avoid commenting on such incidents while investigations are ongoing, Mr. Trump has repeatedly spoken publicly about the strike and has not fully withdrawn his earlier claims, even as evidence pointing to U.S. responsibility has grown. On Tuesday, Press Secretary Leavitt reiterated that the president would accept the final findings of the investigation. Although the inquiry is not yet complete, the reported use of outdated intelligence has drawn comparisons to a major mistake during the Kosovo War.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Initial military inquiry finds US forces responsible for strike on Iran school; cites outdated intelligence

An ongoing US military investigation has determined that the United States was responsible for a deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school, according to the US officials and others familiar with the preliminary findings. The strike, which occurred on February 28, hit the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building in the town of Minab. Investigators say the attack was the result of a targeting error by the US military. At the time, the military was conducting strikes on an adjacent Iranian base that had previously included the school building as part of its complex. According to officials briefed on the investigation, officers at US Central Command conducted the strike coordinates using outdated targeting data supplied by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The preliminary findings suggest that the building was mistakenly labeled as a military target based on old intelligence. Officials emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that several critical questions remain unanswered, including why the outdated data was not verified before the strike. The attack on a school filled with children is expected to be remembered as one of the most devastating military errors in recent decades. Iranian authorities have reported that at least 175 people were killed, most of them children. Although the conclusion that the United States carried out the strike was largely anticipated, because the US is the only country involved in the conflict that uses Tomahawk missiles, the incident has already cast a shadow over the broader US military operation in Iran. Also Read: 25% of India’s gas imports hit by Strait of Hormuz disruption; government reroutes energy supplies as West Asia conflict escalates President Donald Trump’s attempts to deflect blame for the strike have further complicated the inquiry. Officials familiar with the findings have expressed concern about his public statements suggesting that Iran might have been responsible. “As The New York Times acknowledges in its own reporting, the investigation is still ongoing,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Sources briefed on the investigation say many questions remain about how the outdated information was used and who failed to verify the targeting data. However, some current and former officials say the error is not entirely surprising. The school in Minab is located on the same block as facilities used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Navy, which was a primary target of the US military strikes. The building that housed the school was originally part of the military base, though it is unclear exactly when it was converted into a school. A visual investigation conducted by The New York Times found that the building had been separated from the military base between 2013 and 2016. Satellite imagery reviewed by the newspaper showed that watchtowers previously located near the building had been removed. Three public entrances had been added, the grounds had been cleared, and recreational areas—including a sports field painted on asphalt- had been created. The walls were also repainted in bright colors such as blue and pink, consistent with a school environment. Despite these changes, the targeting data provided by the DIA still classified the building as a military facility when it was passed to US Central Command, according to people familiar with the investigation. Investigators have not yet determined how the outdated information was transmitted or whether the DIA had more recent intelligence available. Military targeting operations are highly complex and involve several agencies. Numerous officers are responsible for verifying target data. While the DIA provides intelligence assessments, Central Command is responsible for confirming the accuracy of that information before authorizing strikes. In fast-moving wartime situations, however, verification procedures may sometimes be rushed or overlooked. Investigators are also reviewing the role of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), which analyzes satellite imagery and supports military targeting operations. https://www.wionews.com/videos/minab-school-bombing-did-ai-error-lead-to-bombing-of-iran-school-1773246548175/embed Both the DIA and NGA have numerous analysts assigned to combatant commands, where they work alongside operational planners and intelligence officers to develop potential targets. When targeting data from the DIA is older, intelligence officers are expected to update and verify it using imagery and analysis provided by the NGA. Historically, the Defense Intelligence Agency has focused primarily on Iran’s missile capabilities and other strategic priorities such as China and North Korea. Iran’s naval forces have not traditionally been a major intelligence priority. Investigators are also examining whether artificial intelligence tools or automated intelligence systems played any role in the targeting mistake. One system under scrutiny is the Maven Smart System used by the NGA. While large language models such as Claude—developed by Anthropic—do not directly generate military targets, they can assist in identifying potential points of interest for analysts. However, officials believe that new technology was unlikely to be the cause of the error. Instead, they suspect the strike resulted from a more traditional wartime mistake: human error. The preliminary findings of the internal investigation align with growing public evidence suggesting US responsibility. Satellite imagery, social media posts, and verified videos analyzed by The New York Times indicate that the school was severely damaged by a precision strike around the same time that nearby Iranian naval facilities were targeted. The newspaper’s analysis also showed that the base was struck again approximately two hours after the initial attack. A video released by Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency and verified by The New York Times shows a Tomahawk cruise missile striking the naval base next to the school on February 28. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other administration officials have declined to comment in detail on the incident, stating only that the matter remains under investigation. Nevertheless, President Trump has at times suggested that Iran may have been responsible. “In my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, while Defense Secretary Hegseth stood beside him. He added that Iranian munitions are often inaccurate. When asked on Monday why he was the only official in his administration attributing the strike to Iran, Trump responded: “Because I just don’t know enough about it.” He also incorrectly suggested that Iran might possess Tomahawk missiles, though he said he would ultimately accept the results of the investigation. While many presidents might avoid commenting on such incidents while investigations are ongoing, Mr. Trump has repeatedly spoken publicly about the strike and has not fully withdrawn his earlier claims, even as evidence pointing to U.S. responsibility has grown. On Tuesday, Press Secretary Leavitt reiterated that the president would accept the final findings of the investigation. Although the inquiry is not yet complete, the reported use of outdated intelligence has drawn comparisons to a major mistake during the Kosovo War. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (March 7) had blamed Iran for the devastating strike on an elementary school in southern Iran that killed at least 168 children and 14 teachers

India’s natural gas supply has taken a significant hit due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, disrupting energy flows. Government officials said nearly a quarter of the country’s natural gas requirements have been affected after foreign suppliers invoked force majeure due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Addressing a briefing on Wednesday, Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the petroleum and natural gas ministry, said the disruption has impacted a large portion of imported gas supplies.&nbsp;“Our total consumption [of natural gas] per day currently is about 189 million metric standard cubic metres a day (MMSCMD). Out of this, around 97.5 MMSCMD is produced domestically, and the rest is imported. Out of the imports, about 47.4 MMSCMD is affected due to force majeure conditions,” Sharma said. To mitigate the disruption, India has started sourcing gas through alternative routes and suppliers. Sharma said two LNG cargoes procured from new sources are currently on their way to the country. The situation has been aggravated by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly half of India’s oil imports normally pass. The waterway has effectively been shut by Iran following the escalation of its conflict with Israel and the United States.&nbsp;Despite the challenges, the government said crude oil supplies remain stable due to diversification of import sources.India’s daily crude consumption is about 5.5 million barrels, with imports coming from around 40 countries. According to Sharma, diversification has reduced dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. “Through diversified procurement, the volumes we have secured today exceed what would normally have arrived through the Strait of Hormuz during this period,” Sharma said. Oil marketing companies have increased procurement from alternate routes, significantly shifting the country’s import pattern.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-linked-hackers-suspected-in-cyberattack-on-stryker-s-cork-headquarters-1773241923292">Iranian-linked hackers suspected in cyberattack on Stryker’s Cork headquarters</a>&nbsp;“As a result of this diversification, about 70% of our crude imports are now coming from routes outside the Strait of Hormuz, compared with about 55% earlier,” Sharma added. Two additional crude cargoes are expected to reach India within the next few days. Refineries are also operating at peak capacity, with some running above 100% utilisation to maintain supply levels. To ensure adequate availability of cooking fuel and gas for priority sectors, the government invoked the Essential Commodities Act on March 9.&nbsp;India imports about 60% of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) requirements, and around 90% of these imports normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz. On March 8, authorities directed domestic refineries to increase LPG production to compensate for the disruption. According to Sharma, the measures have raised domestic LPG output by about 25%, helping meet household demand.&nbsp;For non-domestic LPG supplies, priority is being given to hospitals and educational institutions. A three-member committee of senior officials from state-run oil marketing companies has been formed to review LPG allocations to restaurants, hotels, and other commercial users. The panel is consulting state governments and industry bodies to ensure the available supplies are distributed in a “fair and transparent” manner.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/shots-fired-at-u-s-consulate-in-toronto-canada-probes-national-security-incident-1773228594492/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/shots-fired-at-u-s-consulate-in-toronto-canada-probes-national-security-incident-1773228594492/embed</a>&nbsp;Under the revised allocation plan, the tea industry and commercial users connected to the gas grid will receive about 80% of their average supply over the past six months. Meanwhile, refineries and petrochemical units will see supply cuts of around 35% so that “higher priority sectors can be protected”. The government has also stepped in to shield consumers from the full impact of rising LPG prices.&nbsp;“The current price of a domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi is ₹913, and this is after an increase of ₹60. Without intervention, the market price would have been much higher,” Sharma said. She added that the government has approved compensation of ₹30,000 crore for oil marketing companies to cover under-recoveries on LPG sales. Authorities are also working to prevent panic buying and hoarding of cooking gas. Officials from oil marketing companies and anti-adulteration cells are coordinating with local administrations to counter misinformation and ensure uninterrupted delivery.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

25% of India’s gas imports hit by Strait of Hormuz disruption; government reroutes energy supplies as West Asia conflict escalates

India’s natural gas supply has taken a significant hit due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, disrupting energy flows. Government officials said nearly a quarter of the country’s natural gas requirements have been affected after foreign suppliers invoked force majeure due to the ongoing conflict in the region. Addressing a briefing on Wednesday, Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the petroleum and natural gas ministry, said the disruption has impacted a large portion of imported gas supplies. “Our total consumption [of natural gas] per day currently is about 189 million metric standard cubic metres a day (MMSCMD). Out of this, around 97.5 MMSCMD is produced domestically, and the rest is imported. Out of the imports, about 47.4 MMSCMD is affected due to force majeure conditions,” Sharma said. To mitigate the disruption, India has started sourcing gas through alternative routes and suppliers. Sharma said two LNG cargoes procured from new sources are currently on their way to the country. The situation has been aggravated by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly half of India’s oil imports normally pass. The waterway has effectively been shut by Iran following the escalation of its conflict with Israel and the United States. Despite the challenges, the government said crude oil supplies remain stable due to diversification of import sources. India’s daily crude consumption is about 5.5 million barrels, with imports coming from around 40 countries. According to Sharma, diversification has reduced dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. “Through diversified procurement, the volumes we have secured today exceed what would normally have arrived through the Strait of Hormuz during this period,” Sharma said. Oil marketing companies have increased procurement from alternate routes, significantly shifting the country’s import pattern. Also Read: Iranian-linked hackers suspected in cyberattack on Stryker’s Cork headquarters “As a result of this diversification, about 70% of our crude imports are now coming from routes outside the Strait of Hormuz, compared with about 55% earlier,” Sharma added. Two additional crude cargoes are expected to reach India within the next few days. Refineries are also operating at peak capacity, with some running above 100% utilisation to maintain supply levels. To ensure adequate availability of cooking fuel and gas for priority sectors, the government invoked the Essential Commodities Act on March 9. India imports about 60% of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) requirements, and around 90% of these imports normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz. On March 8, authorities directed domestic refineries to increase LPG production to compensate for the disruption. According to Sharma, the measures have raised domestic LPG output by about 25%, helping meet household demand. For non-domestic LPG supplies, priority is being given to hospitals and educational institutions. A three-member committee of senior officials from state-run oil marketing companies has been formed to review LPG allocations to restaurants, hotels, and other commercial users. The panel is consulting state governments and industry bodies to ensure the available supplies are distributed in a “fair and transparent” manner. https://www.wionews.com/videos/shots-fired-at-u-s-consulate-in-toronto-canada-probes-national-security-incident-1773228594492/embed Under the revised allocation plan, the tea industry and commercial users connected to the gas grid will receive about 80% of their average supply over the past six months. Meanwhile, refineries and petrochemical units will see supply cuts of around 35% so that “higher priority sectors can be protected”. The government has also stepped in to shield consumers from the full impact of rising LPG prices. “The current price of a domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi is ₹913, and this is after an increase of ₹60. Without intervention, the market price would have been much higher,” Sharma said. She added that the government has approved compensation of ₹30,000 crore for oil marketing companies to cover under-recoveries on LPG sales. Authorities are also working to prevent panic buying and hoarding of cooking gas. Officials from oil marketing companies and anti-adulteration cells are coordinating with local administrations to counter misinformation and ensure uninterrupted delivery. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Nearly 25% of India’s gas imports face disruption due to the West Asia conflict. The government is sourcing LNG from alternative routes and boosting LPG output

This is the most terrifying aspect of Handala's operational playbook: they do not want money. Traditional Russian cyber-cartels use ransomware, locking a company's data and demanding millions in cryptocurrency to release it. Handala uses "wiper malware." 

This is the most terrifying aspect of Handala's operational playbook: they do not want money. Traditional Russian cyber-cartels use ransomware, locking a company's data and demanding millions in cryptocurrency to release it. Handala uses "wiper malware."&nbsp;

'Stryker hit': Who is Handala, the Iran-linked hacker group that attacked US medical giant?

The secondary shockwave of this cyberattack will be felt for years. Even if Stryker, working alongside Microsoft, manages to restore its global systems next week, the damage is already done. 

The secondary shockwave of this cyberattack will be felt for years. Even if Stryker, working alongside Microsoft, manages to restore its global systems next week, the damage is already done.&nbsp;

'Medical nightmare': What Stryker hit by Iran-linked cyberattack means for millions of Americans?

Cybersecurity investigators and insiders are pointing firmly at Handala, a highly sophisticated, pro-Palestinian hacker group with deep ties to Iran. 

Cybersecurity investigators and insiders are pointing firmly at Handala, a highly sophisticated, pro-Palestinian hacker group with deep ties to Iran.&nbsp;

'$100 billion medical giant': What is Stryker Corp, that got hit by Iran-linked cyberattack?

The Trump administration has not disclosed the cost of the Iran war, but a research institution in Washington says the US blew away $3.7 billion in the first few days itself. It analysed documents to estimate the expenses.

The Trump administration has not disclosed the cost of the Iran war, but a research institution in Washington says the US blew away $3.7 billion in the first few days itself. It analysed documents to estimate the expenses.

How much has the Iran war cost US? An analysis reveals monetary toll in first 100 hours

As the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran rages on in West Asia, Indians starting Thursday (Mar 12) would have to shell out extra money for Air India flight tickets as fuel prices rise. The flight operator in a press release said that since early March 2026, the price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has "escalated" due to "supply interruptions" and fliers will now face an added surcharge. How much extra would you have to pay for an Air India ticket? All you need to know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-news-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-safe-and-sound-despite-war-injuries-says-president-pezeshkian-s-son-1773210931273">Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son</a><h2>Customers have to pay as ATF prices rise</h2>Air India said that the surcharge will be applicable for both domestic and international routes, and also on the flights operated on Air India Express routes. "Since early March 2026, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), which accounts for nearly 40% of an airline's operating costs, has seen significant price escalation due to supply interruptions. In India, this pressure is amplified by high Excise Duty and VAT on ATF in major metro cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, magnifying the impact and placing substantial strain on airline operating economics," said Air India in its Tuesday (Mar 10) release.<h2>How much extra would Air India fliers pay now?</h2>According to the press release, the price increase will be imposed in multiple phases. Here's a breakdown:<h3>Phase 1: Air India fuel surcharge hike</h3>In the first phase, starting March 12, 2026, domestic air travel and flights to SAARC countries, which were previously free of any additional levies, will now attract a surcharge of INR 399.Those flying to the Middle East will have to pay a $10 surcharge. Meanwhile, travellers to Southeast Asia, who earlier paid a $40 levy, will now face an additional $20 levy, bringing the total to $60. Travel to Africa will see the levy increase to $90 from $60.<figure class="table"><table><thead><tr><th>Route</th><th>New Surcharge</th><th>Previous Surcharge</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Domestic flights</td><td>₹399</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>SAARC countries</td><td>₹399</td><td>None</td></tr><tr><td>Middle East</td><td>$10</td><td>Not specified</td></tr><tr><td>Southeast Asia</td><td>$60</td><td>$40</td></tr><tr><td>Africa</td><td>$90</td><td>$60</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-nobel-cannibal-khamenei-s-x-account-posts-ghastly-trump-cartoon-after-potus-floats-twisted-tomahawk-theory-on-minab-school-strike-1773194272348">'Nobel Cannibal': Khamenei’s X account posts ghastly Trump cartoon after POTUS floats Tomahawk theory on Iran school strike</a><h3>Phase 2: Air India fuel surcharge hike</h3>The second phase, starting March 18, will introduce higher fuel surcharges for long-haul routes. Travel to Europe will include an additional $125 levy, up from the earlier $100. Passengers flying to Australia and North America will face a $200 surcharge, compared with the previous $150.<figure class="table"><table><thead><tr><th>Route</th><th>New Surcharge</th><th>Previous Surcharge</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Europe</td><td>$125</td><td>$100</td></tr><tr><td>North America</td><td>$200</td><td>$150</td></tr><tr><td>Australia</td><td>$200</td><td>$150</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2>Phase 3: Air India fuel surcharge hike</h2>A third phase, covering routes to Far East destinations such as Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, will be announced later.<figure class="table"><table><thead><tr><th>Route</th><th>Status</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Hong Kong</td><td>To be announced</td></tr><tr><td>Japan</td><td>To be announced</td></tr><tr><td>South Korea</td><td>To be announced</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2>I have already booked my Air India tickets; will I also need to pay an additional surcharge?</h2>Air India clarified that tickets booked before the new surcharge dates will not be affected, unless passengers change their travel dates or itineraries, which would require the fare to be recalculated.

Indian fliers will face an immediate increase in Air India ticket costs starting Thursday (Mar 12). The airline has confirmed that escalating aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, exacerbated by supply interruptions from the Strait of Hormuz conflict, are forcing an increase in levy.

As the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran rages on in West Asia, Indians starting Thursday (Mar 12) would have to shell out extra money for Air India flight tickets as fuel prices rise. The flight operator in a press release said that since early March 2026, the price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has "escalated" due to "supply interruptions" and fliers will now face an added surcharge. How much extra would you have to pay for an Air India ticket? All you need to know. Also read | Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son Customers have to pay as ATF prices rise Air India said that the surcharge will be applicable for both domestic and international routes, and also on the flights operated on Air India Express routes. "Since early March 2026, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), which accounts for nearly 40% of an airline's operating costs, has seen significant price escalation due to supply interruptions. In India, this pressure is amplified by high Excise Duty and VAT on ATF in major metro cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, magnifying the impact and placing substantial strain on airline operating economics," said Air India in its Tuesday (Mar 10) release. How much extra would Air India fliers pay now? According to the press release, the price increase will be imposed in multiple phases. Here's a breakdown: Phase 1: Air India fuel surcharge hike In the first phase, starting March 12, 2026, domestic air travel and flights to SAARC countries, which were previously free of any additional levies, will now attract a surcharge of INR 399. Those flying to the Middle East will have to pay a $10 surcharge. Meanwhile, travellers to Southeast Asia, who earlier paid a $40 levy, will now face an additional $20 levy, bringing the total to $60. Travel to Africa will see the levy increase to $90 from $60. Route New Surcharge Previous Surcharge Domestic flights ₹399 None SAARC countries ₹399 None Middle East $10 Not specified Southeast Asia $60 $40 Africa $90 $60 Also read | 'Nobel Cannibal': Khamenei’s X account posts ghastly Trump cartoon after POTUS floats Tomahawk theory on Iran school strike Phase 2: Air India fuel surcharge hike The second phase, starting March 18, will introduce higher fuel surcharges for long-haul routes. Travel to Europe will include an additional $125 levy, up from the earlier $100. Passengers flying to Australia and North America will face a $200 surcharge, compared with the previous $150. Route New Surcharge Previous Surcharge Europe $125 $100 North America $200 $150 Australia $200 $150 Phase 3: Air India fuel surcharge hike A third phase, covering routes to Far East destinations such as Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, will be announced later. Route Status Hong Kong To be announced Japan To be announced South Korea To be announced I have already booked my Air India tickets; will I also need to pay an additional surcharge? Air India clarified that tickets booked before the new surcharge dates will not be affected, unless passengers change their travel dates or itineraries, which would require the fare to be recalculated.

Indian fliers will face an immediate increase in Air India ticket costs starting Thursday (Mar 12). The airline has confirmed that escalating aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, exacerbated by supply interruptions from the Strait of Hormuz conflict, are forcing an increase in levy.

Fliers to pay up to $200 extra for Air India flights amid ATF price hike during Iran war. All you need to know

US President Donald Trump has reportedly been advised to articulate an exit plan from Iran war. While the White House has quashed the reports stating that it is "full of crap", the report suggests that Trump's advisers have cautioned him that the war will eat into his support base. The advisors who were not named in the report, said that the White House should come up with an "aggressive" public messaging to sell the war."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-four-weeks-to-war-is-very-complete-to-not-won-enough-trump-contradicts-himself-about-endgame-of-iran-war-khamenei-dead-netanyahu-israel-1773117026231">From 'four weeks' to 'war is very complete' to 'not won enough': Trump contradicts himself about endgame of Iran war</a>&nbsp;The report was published by the Wall Street Journal stated that while US officials have at times offered varying lists for the war’s aims, they have generally been the destruction of Iran’s missile program, the destruction of its navy, a halt to Iran’s support for regional proxies and the blocking of Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This comes amid contradicting claims by Trump about the endgame of the war. Trump has also differed from his team about the aim of the war, with Secretary of War Pete <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-four-weeks-to-war-is-very-complete-to-not-won-enough-trump-contradicts-himself-about-endgame-of-iran-war-khamenei-dead-netanyahu-israel-1773117026231">Hegseth stating it has just started</a> and Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rubio-contradicts-trump-on-why-us-entered-iran-war-backtracks-on-israeli-plans-remark-netanyahu-smirks-is-america-confused-1772615320319/1772615320323">Marco Rubio</a> saying that the war began after knowing Israeli plans.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-threatens-tehran-with-death-fire-and-fury-1773133183231/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-threatens-tehran-with-death-fire-and-fury-1773133183231/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>White House rejects the WSJ report</h2>White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the story and said that those quoted in the story are not the ones who shares room with the US President Trump. "This story is full of crap from anonymous sources who, I can guarantee, are not in the room with President Trump. The president’s top aides are focused 24/7 on ensuring Operation Epic Fury continues to be a tremendous success, and the end of these operations will ultimately be determined by the commander in chief,” Leavitt said. “The vast majority of Americans support ending the threat posed by the Iranian regime and support killing terrorists, and that’s what President Trump is going to accomplish,” Leavitt said in a response to the story.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/is-israel-using-white-phosphorus-in-lebanon-hezbollah-amid-iran-war-alarming-allegations-surfaces-1773128944896">Is Israel using white phosphorus in Lebanon amid Iran war? Alarming allegations surfaces</a><h2>Iran-US-Israel war</h2>Ten days after the United States and Israel launched ‘pre-emptive’ attack on Iran and killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in subsequent air strikes on Mar 1, Iran has chosen its new Supreme Leader to lead the country. Khamenei's son Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen to lead the country. While Trump has said that the new leader of Iran won't last long without his approval, Israel has threatened that he is the “target.” Israel and the US say that peaceful transition from “terror regime” is their goal while Iranian leadership ahs clarified that they won't reach out to the Americans for talks. Both sides are relentlessly bombing each other, with Tehran bombing US assets in Gulf countries, and Israel expanding its offensive to target Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump had said that the operations in Iran will go on for “four weeks or so”, and also boasted about US munitions that are enough for “forever” war. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said that they can go on fighting for six months or so. The attack came amid nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

A report claims Trump’s advisers urged him to outline an exit plan for the Iran war and adopt stronger messaging to maintain public support. The White House dismissed the report as false, saying Operation Epic Fury will continue until the president decides the war’s objectives are achieved.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly been advised to articulate an exit plan from Iran war. While the White House has quashed the reports stating that it is "full of crap", the report suggests that Trump's advisers have cautioned him that the war will eat into his support base. The advisors who were not named in the report, said that the White House should come up with an "aggressive" public messaging to sell the war." Also Read: From 'four weeks' to 'war is very complete' to 'not won enough': Trump contradicts himself about endgame of Iran war The report was published by the Wall Street Journal stated that while US officials have at times offered varying lists for the war’s aims, they have generally been the destruction of Iran’s missile program, the destruction of its navy, a halt to Iran’s support for regional proxies and the blocking of Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This comes amid contradicting claims by Trump about the endgame of the war. Trump has also differed from his team about the aim of the war, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stating it has just started and Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that the war began after knowing Israeli plans. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-threatens-tehran-with-death-fire-and-fury-1773133183231/embed White House rejects the WSJ report White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed the story and said that those quoted in the story are not the ones who shares room with the US President Trump. "This story is full of crap from anonymous sources who, I can guarantee, are not in the room with President Trump. The president’s top aides are focused 24/7 on ensuring Operation Epic Fury continues to be a tremendous success, and the end of these operations will ultimately be determined by the commander in chief,” Leavitt said. “The vast majority of Americans support ending the threat posed by the Iranian regime and support killing terrorists, and that’s what President Trump is going to accomplish,” Leavitt said in a response to the story. Also Read: Is Israel using white phosphorus in Lebanon amid Iran war? Alarming allegations surfaces Iran-US-Israel war Ten days after the United States and Israel launched ‘pre-emptive’ attack on Iran and killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in subsequent air strikes on Mar 1, Iran has chosen its new Supreme Leader to lead the country. Khamenei's son Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen to lead the country. While Trump has said that the new leader of Iran won't last long without his approval, Israel has threatened that he is the “target.” Israel and the US say that peaceful transition from “terror regime” is their goal while Iranian leadership ahs clarified that they won't reach out to the Americans for talks. Both sides are relentlessly bombing each other, with Tehran bombing US assets in Gulf countries, and Israel expanding its offensive to target Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump had said that the operations in Iran will go on for “four weeks or so”, and also boasted about US munitions that are enough for “forever” war. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said that they can go on fighting for six months or so. The attack came amid nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

A report claims Trump’s advisers urged him to outline an exit plan for the Iran war and adopt stronger messaging to maintain public support. The White House dismissed the report as false, saying Operation Epic Fury will continue until the president decides the war’s objectives are achieved.

Trump advised to articulate exit plan from Iran war? White House says...

The Trump administration asked Israel on Monday not to carry out further attacks on energy facilities in Iran, particularly oil infrastructure, according to three sources familiar with the discussions. The request marks the first time since the start of the war that the United States has asked Israel to avoid targeting a specific category of Iranian assets. Recent Israeli attacks blanketed Tehran in toxic black smoke and acid rain, prompting urgent health warnings for civilians. According to an Israeli source, the messages were delivered at the senior political level and directly to Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.&nbsp;A source familiar with the matter said the Trump administration cited three main reasons for the request: attacks on energy infrastructure disproportionately harm ordinary Iranians, many of whom oppose the regime; Trump wants the possibility of cooperation with Iran’s oil sector after the war, similar to his approach toward Venezuela; and strikes on Iranian oil facilities could trigger large-scale retaliatory attacks on energy infrastructure across Gulf states.&nbsp;Earlier in the conflict, Iran launched drone attacks on energy facilities in the Gulf, though those strikes caused limited and reversible damage. US officials fear that a new wave of attacks on Iranian oil infrastructure could alter the situation and push global energy prices significantly higher. A source familiar with the details said Trump views strikes on Iran’s oil and energy infrastructure as a "doomsday option" that should be used only as a last resort if Iran deliberately attacks oil facilities in Gulf states.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-doesn-t-rule-out-troops-in-iran-as-tehran-lays-mines-in-strait-of-hormuz-says-us-targeted-iranian-mine-laying-vessels-1773175173553">Trump doesn’t rule out troops in Iran as Tehran lays mines in Strait of Hormuz; says US targeted Iranian mine-laying vessels</a>&nbsp;An Israeli senior official said Washington also asked Israel to notify the US in advance before carrying out attacks on energy or oil facilities. Trump reinforced this stance publicly on Monday, warning that Iran would be hit "20 times harder" if it disrupts global oil supplies and stressing that the United States would destroy targets that Iran “could never rebuild.” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, also criticized the Israeli strike on Iranian oil facilities in a post on X. "Please be careful in choosing the targets you attack. Our goal is to liberate the Iranian people in a way that does not harm their ability to start a new and better life after the collapse of the regime. Iran's oil economy will be vital to this effort," he wrote.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-will-us-negotiate-with-iran-s-new-leader-trump-signals-softer-tone-wion-1773188989137/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-will-us-negotiate-with-iran-s-new-leader-trump-signals-softer-tone-wion-1773188989137/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Did Trump administration ask Israel not to strike Iran’s oil facilities? Here’s what report says

The Trump administration asked Israel on Monday not to carry out further attacks on energy facilities in Iran, particularly oil infrastructure, according to three sources familiar with the discussions. The request marks the first time since the start of the war that the United States has asked Israel to avoid targeting a specific category of Iranian assets. Recent Israeli attacks blanketed Tehran in toxic black smoke and acid rain, prompting urgent health warnings for civilians. According to an Israeli source, the messages were delivered at the senior political level and directly to Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. A source familiar with the matter said the Trump administration cited three main reasons for the request: attacks on energy infrastructure disproportionately harm ordinary Iranians, many of whom oppose the regime; Trump wants the possibility of cooperation with Iran’s oil sector after the war, similar to his approach toward Venezuela; and strikes on Iranian oil facilities could trigger large-scale retaliatory attacks on energy infrastructure across Gulf states. Earlier in the conflict, Iran launched drone attacks on energy facilities in the Gulf, though those strikes caused limited and reversible damage. US officials fear that a new wave of attacks on Iranian oil infrastructure could alter the situation and push global energy prices significantly higher. A source familiar with the details said Trump views strikes on Iran’s oil and energy infrastructure as a "doomsday option" that should be used only as a last resort if Iran deliberately attacks oil facilities in Gulf states. Also Read: Trump doesn’t rule out troops in Iran as Tehran lays mines in Strait of Hormuz; says US targeted Iranian mine-laying vessels An Israeli senior official said Washington also asked Israel to notify the US in advance before carrying out attacks on energy or oil facilities. Trump reinforced this stance publicly on Monday, warning that Iran would be hit "20 times harder" if it disrupts global oil supplies and stressing that the United States would destroy targets that Iran “could never rebuild.” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, also criticized the Israeli strike on Iranian oil facilities in a post on X. "Please be careful in choosing the targets you attack. Our goal is to liberate the Iranian people in a way that does not harm their ability to start a new and better life after the collapse of the regime. Iran's oil economy will be vital to this effort," he wrote. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-will-us-negotiate-with-iran-s-new-leader-trump-signals-softer-tone-wion-1773188989137/embed Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

According to reports, the Trump administration urged Israel to halt strikes on Iran’s oil infrastructure, warning the attacks could harm civilians and trigger regional energy retaliation

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