Britain currently has only about two days' worth of natural gas stored, sparking concerns about a potential shortage after conflict in the Middle East led to the shutdown of the world's largest gas facility and Iran blocked a key shipping channel. The new data published by Natural Gas has confirmed that the UK's gas reserves have diminished from 18,000 GWh last year to 6,700 GWh, which can meet up to just 1.5 days of demand. A similar volume is also held in liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage. In contrast, many European countries have stored up several weeks of gas reserves, leaving them better equipped to handle supply disruptions. Because the UK has limited storage and must keep importing fuel, traders have been able to charge higher prices, forcing Britain to outbid European buyers. As a result, the UK is now paying the highest wholesale gas prices in Europe, according to a report in the the Daily Mail.<h3>Closure of the Strait of Hormuz</h3>The disruption in the gas market is partly driven by the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that carries nearly 20 percent of the oil flows and world's natural gas, along with production shutdowns in some places. At the beginning of the week, Qatar declared that it had suspended production at Ras Laffan, the largest natural gas facility of the world, following the Iranian bombardment. Meanwhile, oil prices are likely to hit $100 a barrel sooner, rising to $150 if the war drags on, industry experts warned. The head of gas pricing at Argus Media, Natasha Fielding, said: "The price of gas in the UK has increased by more than almost anywhere in Europe. The UK gas hub price is now above the Dutch TTF [the main European gas hub] all the way from now until the end of May. Before this week, the UK was priced below the EU." She added that this was partly because the UK's meagre gas stockpiles that left 'more exposed to price spikes', and added: 'We can’t rely on withdrawing more from storage, so we have to get that gas from abroad.' Fielding underscored that traders might be tracking temperatures in Britain, waiting for more severe cold in the UK when it will be more urgently compelled to outbid other countries for gas. Earlier, the UK used to have gas stockpiling facilities for 12 day, however, the system collapsed after the funding was pulled out by the successive government ministers. The data of National Gas indicated that gas stores on Friday were at 18pc of their former capacity, while LNG storage were just nearly half full. A National Gas spokesman stated that most of the UK's gas comes from Norway and its own North Sea. "The UK benefits from a wide range of gas supply sources. These provide the flexibility needed to balance supply and demand," the spokeperson told The Telegraph.&nbsp;At the same time, concerns are mounting that oil prices could surge sharply due to disruptions in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned they would “set ablaze” any Western tanker attempting to pass through the strategic waterway, prompting hundreds of vessels to gather at both entrances of the strait while waiting for safe passage. &nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-selects-its-new-supreme-leader-amid-raging-war-with-us-israel-1772961973135">Iran selects its new supreme leader amid raging war with US, Israel</a>

The gas market's disruption is partly driven by the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that carries nearly 20 percent of the oil flows and world's natural gas, along with production shutdowns in some places. 

Britain currently has only about two days' worth of natural gas stored, sparking concerns about a potential shortage after conflict in the Middle East led to the shutdown of the world's largest gas facility and Iran blocked a key shipping channel. The new data published by Natural Gas has confirmed that the UK's gas reserves have diminished from 18,000 GWh last year to 6,700 GWh, which can meet up to just 1.5 days of demand. A similar volume is also held in liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage. In contrast, many European countries have stored up several weeks of gas reserves, leaving them better equipped to handle supply disruptions. Because the UK has limited storage and must keep importing fuel, traders have been able to charge higher prices, forcing Britain to outbid European buyers. As a result, the UK is now paying the highest wholesale gas prices in Europe, according to a report in the the Daily Mail. Closure of the Strait of Hormuz The disruption in the gas market is partly driven by the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that carries nearly 20 percent of the oil flows and world's natural gas, along with production shutdowns in some places. At the beginning of the week, Qatar declared that it had suspended production at Ras Laffan, the largest natural gas facility of the world, following the Iranian bombardment. Meanwhile, oil prices are likely to hit $100 a barrel sooner, rising to $150 if the war drags on, industry experts warned. The head of gas pricing at Argus Media, Natasha Fielding, said: "The price of gas in the UK has increased by more than almost anywhere in Europe. The UK gas hub price is now above the Dutch TTF [the main European gas hub] all the way from now until the end of May. Before this week, the UK was priced below the EU." She added that this was partly because the UK's meagre gas stockpiles that left 'more exposed to price spikes', and added: 'We can’t rely on withdrawing more from storage, so we have to get that gas from abroad.' Fielding underscored that traders might be tracking temperatures in Britain, waiting for more severe cold in the UK when it will be more urgently compelled to outbid other countries for gas. Earlier, the UK used to have gas stockpiling facilities for 12 day, however, the system collapsed after the funding was pulled out by the successive government ministers. The data of National Gas indicated that gas stores on Friday were at 18pc of their former capacity, while LNG storage were just nearly half full. A National Gas spokesman stated that most of the UK's gas comes from Norway and its own North Sea. "The UK benefits from a wide range of gas supply sources. These provide the flexibility needed to balance supply and demand," the spokeperson told The Telegraph. At the same time, concerns are mounting that oil prices could surge sharply due to disruptions in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned they would “set ablaze” any Western tanker attempting to pass through the strategic waterway, prompting hundreds of vessels to gather at both entrances of the strait while waiting for safe passage. Also read: Iran selects its new supreme leader amid raging war with US, Israel

The gas market's disruption is partly driven by the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that carries nearly 20 percent of the oil flows and world's natural gas, along with production shutdowns in some places.&nbsp;

Only 48 hours of energy left? UK gas reserves down as Middle East tensions shake energy markets

As the war in West Asia rages, the United States and Israel have targeted five oil facilities with overnight strikes in and near Iran’s capital. Video shared on social media showed massive fires in several parts of Tehran, with smoke blanketing the city. This comes as the conflict in the region widens, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowing that his country will not surrender despite US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats. Meanwhile, a toxic rain warning has been issued in the country following the explosions.“Last night, four oil depots and a petroleum products transport centre in Tehran and the Alborz were attacked by enemy aircraft,” the CEO of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, Keramat Veyskarami, told Iranian state TV on Sunday (Mar 8). He added that Iran’s oil depots had “sufficient gasoline reserves”.“Four of our personnel, including two oil tanker drivers, were killed in the incident,” he said, adding that the facilities were damaged but the “fire was brought under control.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fires still burning at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a>&#39;s Shahran oil depot in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tehran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tehran</a> after overnight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/US?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#US</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Israeli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Israeli</a> strikes <a href="https://t.co/ziUrD84qmY">pic.twitter.com/ziUrD84qmY</a>&mdash; Cryptọ Wọọɗyz (@CryptoWoodyz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CryptoWoodyz/status/2030568862287077786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CRAZY FOOTAGE 🔴 Apocalyptic scenes coming out of Tehran right now <a href="https://t.co/VVejLZfaVq">pic.twitter.com/VVejLZfaVq</a>&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osint613/status/2030405527272837219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: 🔴 Oil is reportedly flowing into the sewers as fires burn across parts of the streets in Tehran, Iran. This comes as the U.S. and Israel conducted airstrikes across the capital. <a href="https://t.co/0TjpjBmCha">pic.twitter.com/0TjpjBmCha</a>&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osint613/status/2030442212245319780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Massive destruction at Tehran’s oil storage facilities. <a href="https://t.co/Kdc3pmL2W0">pic.twitter.com/Kdc3pmL2W0</a>&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osint613/status/2030380987742339085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to an AFP report, residents reported the smell of burning ligering in the air. Many people in Tehran said that the air appeared dark even as the sun rose, and there was rainfall in the city.<h2>Acid rain warning in Tehran</h2>The Iranian Red Crescent has warned of acid rain in Tehran due to the release of toxins in the air following oil depot explosions. It said that the blasts have resulted in the release of “significant quantities of toxic hydrocarbon compounds, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides” in the air.“In the event of precipitation, the resulting rain is extremely dangerous and highly acidic,” it said in a statement, cautioning residents of skin burns and severe lung damage.Iran’s environmental authorities have urged people to remain indoors to avoid respiratory issues and other health problems.On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan.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.

US and Israeli strikes hit oil facilities in Tehran, killing four and sparking massive fires. Toxic fumes raised fears of dangerous acid rain, prompting Iranian authorities to urge residents to stay indoors.

As the war in West Asia rages, the United States and Israel have targeted five oil facilities with overnight strikes in and near Iran’s capital. Video shared on social media showed massive fires in several parts of Tehran, with smoke blanketing the city. This comes as the conflict in the region widens, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowing that his country will not surrender despite US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats. Meanwhile, a toxic rain warning has been issued in the country following the explosions. “Last night, four oil depots and a petroleum products transport centre in Tehran and the Alborz were attacked by enemy aircraft,” the CEO of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, Keramat Veyskarami, told Iranian state TV on Sunday (Mar 8). He added that Iran’s oil depots had “sufficient gasoline reserves”. “Four of our personnel, including two oil tanker drivers, were killed in the incident,” he said, adding that the facilities were damaged but the “fire was brought under control.”

US and Israeli strikes hit oil facilities in Tehran, killing four and sparking massive fires. Toxic fumes raised fears of dangerous acid rain, prompting Iranian authorities to urge residents to stay indoors.

Toxic acid rain warning in Iran? Tehran burns after US, Israel strikes on oil facilities | VIDEO

The Iranian body, tasked with selecting the new supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, said that it has reached a decision on Sunday (Mar 8). However, the members have not announced the name of the new leader yet. This comes after US President Donald Trump suggested that he wanted a role in the selection of the country’s leadership, saying that he had some names in mind for a “good leader”. Tehran has rejected Trump’s demands, while its military vowed to target “any successor and anyone seeking to appoint one”.“The most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined,” said Mohsen Heydari, a member of the selection body who represents Khuzestan province, according to Iran's ISNA news agency.Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, another member of the body confirmed that “a firm opinion reflecting the majority view has been reached,” according to a video carried by Iran’s Fars news agency.The members have said that the secretariat of the body will announce the name later.This comes after the US and Israeli forces on February 28 launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday (Mar 8) said that his country “will be forced to respond” if a neighbouring nation attacks or attempts to invade Iran. In a statement aired on the state TV, Pezeshkian added that the Iranian regime does not have a dispute with its neighbours, nor does it wish harm to its people, but would respond out of necessity.This comes a day after Pezeshkian apologised to Gulf nations, saying that his country will not target its neighbours unless attacked. However, just hours later, Iran’s hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, who is also a member of the interim leadership council, said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic would continue targeting its regional neighbours, offering its enemies “points... used in aggression against our country”.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’s Assembly of Experts said it has chosen the most suitable candidate as the country’s new supreme leader, but the name has not yet been announced. The decision was approved by a majority of the body’s members.

The Iranian body, tasked with selecting the new supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, said that it has reached a decision on Sunday (Mar 8). However, the members have not announced the name of the new leader yet. This comes after US President Donald Trump suggested that he wanted a role in the selection of the country’s leadership, saying that he had some names in mind for a “good leader”. Tehran has rejected Trump’s demands, while its military vowed to target “any successor and anyone seeking to appoint one”. “The most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined,” said Mohsen Heydari, a member of the selection body who represents Khuzestan province, according to Iran's ISNA news agency. Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, another member of the body confirmed that “a firm opinion reflecting the majority view has been reached,” according to a video carried by Iran’s Fars news agency. The members have said that the secretariat of the body will announce the name later. This comes after the US and Israeli forces on February 28 launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday (Mar 8) said that his country “will be forced to respond” if a neighbouring nation attacks or attempts to invade Iran. In a statement aired on the state TV, Pezeshkian added that the Iranian regime does not have a dispute with its neighbours, nor does it wish harm to its people, but would respond out of necessity. This comes a day after Pezeshkian apologised to Gulf nations, saying that his country will not target its neighbours unless attacked. However, just hours later, Iran’s hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, who is also a member of the interim leadership council, said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic would continue targeting its regional neighbours, offering its enemies “points... used in aggression against our country”. 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’s Assembly of Experts said it has chosen the most suitable candidate as the country’s new supreme leader, but the name has not yet been announced. The decision was approved by a majority of the body’s members.

Iran selects its new supreme leader amid raging war with US, Israel

Jakarta’s foreign ministry on Saturday (Mar 7) said that three Indonesian crew members were missing after a United Arab Emirates-flagged tugboat sank in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (Mar 6). The ministry added that a search was underway by the local authorities. An explosion occurred on Musaffah 2, following which the vessel caught fire and sank in the passage, which is blocked by Iran amid war with the United States and Israel. The incident is under investigation by the local authorities, the statement added.“One Indonesian survivor is currently receiving burn treatment at a hospital in the city of Khasab, Oman. The other three Indonesians are still being searched for by the local authorities,” the ministry said Saturday.Amid the escalating tension in West Asia, several vessels have been targeted while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any vessel attempting to pass could be targeted and set on fire, with several oil tankers being hit in recent days. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday (Mar 5) said that the passage is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for ports located in the Persian Gulf. Its blockage has significantly affected global energy supply, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices.On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.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.

Three Indonesian crew members are missing after a UAE-flagged tugboat sank in the Strait of Hormuz following an explosion and fire. One survivor with burns is being treated in Oman as authorities continue search operations.

Jakarta’s foreign ministry on Saturday (Mar 7) said that three Indonesian crew members were missing after a United Arab Emirates-flagged tugboat sank in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (Mar 6). The ministry added that a search was underway by the local authorities. An explosion occurred on Musaffah 2, following which the vessel caught fire and sank in the passage, which is blocked by Iran amid war with the United States and Israel. The incident is under investigation by the local authorities, the statement added. “One Indonesian survivor is currently receiving burn treatment at a hospital in the city of Khasab, Oman. The other three Indonesians are still being searched for by the local authorities,” the ministry said Saturday. Amid the escalating tension in West Asia, several vessels have been targeted while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any vessel attempting to pass could be targeted and set on fire, with several oil tankers being hit in recent days. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday (Mar 5) said that the passage is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for ports located in the Persian Gulf. Its blockage has significantly affected global energy supply, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices. On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. 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.

Three Indonesian crew members are missing after a UAE-flagged tugboat sank in the Strait of Hormuz following an explosion and fire. One survivor with burns is being treated in Oman as authorities continue search operations.

UAE tugboat sinks in Strait of Hormuz; 3 Indonesian crew members missing

The security chief of Iran, Ali Larijani, has stated that US President Donald Trump “will pay the price” for killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The death of the country’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader came after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, sparking a wider conflict in the Middle East. "We will relentlessly avenge the blood of our leader and our people. Trump must pay and will pay," Larijani, a close aide of Khamenei, said in a post on X on Sunday.&nbsp;In another statement, he warned Iran’s neighbouring countries that they must stop the US from using their territories to launch attacks on Iran, otherwise Tehran would be forced to take action itself. "When the enemy attacks us from bases in the region, we respond - and we will continue to respond," he said.<h3>Iranian forces had detained some American soldiers: IRGC</h3>Ali Larijani, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also claimed that Iranian forces had detained some American soldiers. While speaking to the state TV, he further said that Iran would not "leave Trump alone".&nbsp;"We will not leave him alone. He must pay the price for what he did. He killed our leader and martyred more than 1,000 of our people. This is not a simple matter," Larijani said.&nbsp;He added that the United States and Israel were looking to destroy the Islamic Republic apart. "Their issue was... the fundamental disintegration of Iran," he said. He further stated that the US was also looking to bring a similar scenario in Iran as they did with Venezuela, where Delcy Rodriguez has been placed as the interim president under threat of violence after Washington captured her boss, Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-52-000-indians-brought-home-from-gulf-region-in-one-week-says-mea-1772948118420">Over 52,000 Indians brought home from Gulf region in one week, says MEA</a>

Ali Larijani warned Iran’s neighbouring countries that they must stop the US from using their territories to launch attacks on Iran, otherwise Tehran would be forced to take action itself.

The security chief of Iran, Ali Larijani, has stated that US President Donald Trump “will pay the price” for killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The death of the country’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader came after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, sparking a wider conflict in the Middle East. "We will relentlessly avenge the blood of our leader and our people. Trump must pay and will pay," Larijani, a close aide of Khamenei, said in a post on X on Sunday. In another statement, he warned Iran’s neighbouring countries that they must stop the US from using their territories to launch attacks on Iran, otherwise Tehran would be forced to take action itself. "When the enemy attacks us from bases in the region, we respond - and we will continue to respond," he said. Iranian forces had detained some American soldiers: IRGC Ali Larijani, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), also claimed that Iranian forces had detained some American soldiers. While speaking to the state TV, he further said that Iran would not "leave Trump alone". "We will not leave him alone. He must pay the price for what he did. He killed our leader and martyred more than 1,000 of our people. This is not a simple matter," Larijani said. He added that the United States and Israel were looking to destroy the Islamic Republic apart. "Their issue was... the fundamental disintegration of Iran," he said. He further stated that the US was also looking to bring a similar scenario in Iran as they did with Venezuela, where Delcy Rodriguez has been placed as the interim president under threat of violence after Washington captured her boss, Nicolas Maduro. Also read: Over 52,000 Indians brought home from Gulf region in one week, says MEA

Ali Larijani warned Iran’s neighbouring countries that they must stop the US from using their territories to launch attacks on Iran, otherwise Tehran would be forced to take action itself.

'Trump will pay the price': Iran’s security chief threatens after Khamenei’s killing in US-Israel strikes

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday (Mar 8) said that his country “will be forced to respond” if a neighbouring nation attacks or attempts to invade Iran. In a statement aired on the state TV, Pezeshkian added that the Iranian regime does not have a dispute with its neighbours, nor does it wish harm to its people, but would respond out of necessity.If Iran's enemies “try to use any country to attack or invade our land, we will be forced to respond to that attack. Responding does not mean we have disputes with that country or wish to harm its people – we would be responding out of necessity,” said Pezeshkian.This comes a day after Pezeshkian apologised to Gulf nations, saying that his country will not target its neighbours unless attacked. However, just hours later, Iran’s hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, who is also a member of the interim leadership council, said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic would continue targeting its regional neighbours, offering its enemies “points... used in aggression against our country”.“Evidence from Iran’s armed forces shows that the geography of some countries in the region is openly and covertly at the disposal of the enemy,” said the judiciary chief.“The heavy attacks on these targets will continue,” he added.Pezeshkian also said that his country will not surrender to the United States and Israel after the US President’s latest warning that there will be “no deal” with Tehran unless it agrees to an “unconditional surrender”. Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” he said.On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.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.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Iran would be forced to respond if any neighbouring country is used to attack or invade its territory, stressing Tehran has no disputes with neighbours but would act out of necessity.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday (Mar 8) said that his country “will be forced to respond” if a neighbouring nation attacks or attempts to invade Iran. In a statement aired on the state TV, Pezeshkian added that the Iranian regime does not have a dispute with its neighbours, nor does it wish harm to its people, but would respond out of necessity. If Iran's enemies “try to use any country to attack or invade our land, we will be forced to respond to that attack. Responding does not mean we have disputes with that country or wish to harm its people – we would be responding out of necessity,” said Pezeshkian. This comes a day after Pezeshkian apologised to Gulf nations, saying that his country will not target its neighbours unless attacked. However, just hours later, Iran’s hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, who is also a member of the interim leadership council, said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic would continue targeting its regional neighbours, offering its enemies “points... used in aggression against our country”. “Evidence from Iran’s armed forces shows that the geography of some countries in the region is openly and covertly at the disposal of the enemy,” said the judiciary chief. “The heavy attacks on these targets will continue,” he added. Pezeshkian also said that his country will not surrender to the United States and Israel after the US President’s latest warning that there will be “no deal” with Tehran unless it agrees to an “unconditional surrender”. Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” he said. On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. 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.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned Iran would be forced to respond if any neighbouring country were to attack or invade its territory, stressing Tehran has no disputes with neighbours but would act out of necessity.

‘Will be forced to respond’: Iran warns its neighbours against attack

Over 52,000 Indians were safely brought back from the Gulf region to India between March 1 and 7, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X on Saturday that out of these, 32,107 passengers travelled on Indian carriers. He stated that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, with particular attention to the safety and welfare of Indian nationals who are stranded there in transit or on short‑term visits. “The safety and welfare of Indian nationals abroad is of utmost priority to the government, which remains engaged with the Governments across the region to work towards facilitating all those in need of assistance,” the MEA wrote.<h3>The Special Control Room has also been established</h3>The MEA has advised Indian citizens to follow instructions issued by local authorities and advisories from the Indian Embassy or Consulate in their respective countries. Randhir Jaiswal also announced that Indian embassies and consulates in each country in the region have set up a 24×7 helpline. In addition, a Special Control Room has also been established to track the situation and address queries from affected individuals and their families.&nbsp;He further noted that ever since airspace in parts of the region reopened earlier this week, both Indian and international airlines have resumed operating commercial and special flights to help passengers return from Gulf countries. The MEA spokesperson Jaiswal also advised Indian nationals in locations where commercial flights are still unavailable to directly contact the nearest embassy or consulate for updates and assistance in identifying the closest available travel options.&nbsp;Previously, India requested the nations to refrain from further conflict and emphasise the safety of civilians. It confirmed that some Indians were left dead, while others went missing. The Indian government also underscored that almost 1 crore Indian citizens stay and work in the Gulf region.&nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-iran-capable-of-6-month-intense-war-irgc-warns-us-israel-says-over-200-targets-hit-1772939761505"> ‘Iran capable of 6-month intense war’: IRGC warns US, Israel, says over 200 targets hit</a>

The MEA stated that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, with particular attention to the safety and welfare of Indian nationals who are stranded there in transit or on short‑term visits. 

Over 52,000 Indians were safely brought back from the Gulf region to India between March 1 and 7, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X on Saturday that out of these, 32,107 passengers travelled on Indian carriers. He stated that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, with particular attention to the safety and welfare of Indian nationals who are stranded there in transit or on short‑term visits. “The safety and welfare of Indian nationals abroad is of utmost priority to the government, which remains engaged with the Governments across the region to work towards facilitating all those in need of assistance,” the MEA wrote. The Special Control Room has also been established The MEA has advised Indian citizens to follow instructions issued by local authorities and advisories from the Indian Embassy or Consulate in their respective countries. Randhir Jaiswal also announced that Indian embassies and consulates in each country in the region have set up a 24×7 helpline. In addition, a Special Control Room has also been established to track the situation and address queries from affected individuals and their families. He further noted that ever since airspace in parts of the region reopened earlier this week, both Indian and international airlines have resumed operating commercial and special flights to help passengers return from Gulf countries. The MEA spokesperson Jaiswal also advised Indian nationals in locations where commercial flights are still unavailable to directly contact the nearest embassy or consulate for updates and assistance in identifying the closest available travel options. Previously, India requested the nations to refrain from further conflict and emphasise the safety of civilians. It confirmed that some Indians were left dead, while others went missing. The Indian government also underscored that almost 1 crore Indian citizens stay and work in the Gulf region. Also read: ‘Iran capable of 6-month intense war’: IRGC warns US, Israel, says over 200 targets hit

The MEA stated that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, with particular attention to the safety and welfare of Indian nationals who are stranded there in transit or on short‑term visits.&nbsp;

Over 52,000 Indians brought home from Gulf region in one week, says MEA

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday (Mar 8) said that Iran can continue an “intense war” with the United States and Israel for at least six months at the current pace of operation. The statement also added that they had targeted “more than 200” sites related to the US and Israel bases and facilities in the region.“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are capable of continuing at least a 6-month intense war at the current pace of operations,” said Guards spokesperson Ali Mohammad Naini, according to Fars news agency.This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that his country will continue the war with Iran “with all our forces”. He added that Israel and the US had gained near-total control of the skies over Tehran.On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.A day earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country will not surrender to the United States and Israel after the US President’s latest warning that there will be “no deal” with Tehran unless it agrees to an “unconditional surrender”. Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” he said.Pezeshkian also apologised to Gulf nations, saying that his country will not target its neighbours unless attacked. However, just hours before his statement was released on state broadcast TV, Tehran targeted the UAE, Qatar, and Iraq in attacks. However, just hours later, Iran’s hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, who is also a member of the interim leadership council, said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic would continue targeting its regional neighbours, offering its enemies “points... used in aggression against our country”.“Evidence from Iran’s armed forces shows that the geography of some countries in the region is openly and covertly at the disposal of the enemy,” said the judiciary chief.“The heavy attacks on these targets will continue,” he added.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.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Iran’s IRGC said the country can sustain an “intense war” with the US and Israel for at least six months at the current pace of operations, claiming it has already targeted more than 200 sites linked to their bases in the region.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday (Mar 8) said that Iran can continue an “intense war” with the United States and Israel for at least six months at the current pace of operation. The statement also added that they had targeted “more than 200” sites related to the US and Israel bases and facilities in the region. “The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are capable of continuing at least a 6-month intense war at the current pace of operations,” said Guards spokesperson Ali Mohammad Naini, according to Fars news agency. This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that his country will continue the war with Iran “with all our forces”. He added that Israel and the US had gained near-total control of the skies over Tehran. On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. A day earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country will not surrender to the United States and Israel after the US President’s latest warning that there will be “no deal” with Tehran unless it agrees to an “unconditional surrender”. Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” he said. Pezeshkian also apologised to Gulf nations, saying that his country will not target its neighbours unless attacked. However, just hours before his statement was released on state broadcast TV, Tehran targeted the UAE, Qatar, and Iraq in attacks. However, just hours later, Iran’s hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, who is also a member of the interim leadership council, said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic would continue targeting its regional neighbours, offering its enemies “points... used in aggression against our country”. “Evidence from Iran’s armed forces shows that the geography of some countries in the region is openly and covertly at the disposal of the enemy,” said the judiciary chief. “The heavy attacks on these targets will continue,” he added. 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’s IRGC said the country can sustain an “intense war” with the US and Israel for at least six months at the current pace of operations, claiming it has already targeted more than 200 sites linked to their bases in the region.

‘Iran capable of 6-month intense war’: IRGC warns US, Israel, says over 200 targets hit

By the time the re-entry vehicle enters the S-300's theoretical engagement envelope, the Russian computers have mere seconds to calculate a firing solution, a mathematical impossibility for a system built in the 1990s.



By the time the re-entry vehicle enters the S-300's theoretical engagement envelope, the Russian computers have mere seconds to calculate a firing solution, a mathematical impossibility for a system built in the 1990s.&nbsp;

Iran War: Why Russia's S-300 couldn't survive Israel's Blue Sparrow missile

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani claimed several US soldiers were captured, accusing Washington of hiding the truth. CENTCOM rejected the allegation as false. With casualties mounting and tensions escalating, the ongoing US–Iran conflict continues to intensify across the region.

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani claimed several US soldiers were captured, accusing Washington of hiding the truth. CENTCOM rejected the allegation as false. With casualties mounting and tensions escalating, the ongoing US–Iran conflict continues to intensify across the region.

'American soldiers captured': Iran makes BIG claim amid raging war with US, Israel; CENTCOM says...

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (March 7) blamed Iran for a deadly strike on an elementary school in southern Iran that killed at least 168 children and 14 teachers, disputing reports and expert analyses suggesting the US military may have been responsible. “Based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. He also said Iranian munitions are “very inaccurate.”&nbsp;Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the claim, telling reporters, “The only side that targets civilians is Iran.” The White House had previously not ruled out the possibility that US military personnel carried out the strike. Earlier reporting from CNN said satellite imagery, geolocated videos, statements from US officials and assessments by munitions experts suggest the Shajare Tayyiba elementary school in Minab was struck on February 28 around the same time as a US attack on a nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-we-don-t-need-them-any-longer-but-we-will-remember-trump-tells-starmer-as-us-using-uk-bases-for-defensive-iran-operations-1772918512010">'We don’t need them any longer, but we will remember': Trump tells Starmer as US using UK bases for 'defensive' Iran operations</a>&nbsp;Later, speaking to reporters on Air Force One after attending the dignified transfer of six US service members killed this week in Kuwait, Trump acknowledged the loss, saying, “It’s a very sad day.” When asked if the ceremony made him reconsider the war, the president defended the military campaign, saying, “We’re winning the war by a lot.” He added that the parents of the fallen troops “were so proud” and described such deaths as “always a very sad thing.” Trump has previously warned that more US casualties could occur during the conflict with Iran. Asked whether he expected to attend more dignified transfers, he said, “I’m sure. I hate to … but it’s a part of war.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-uae-intercepts-missiles-and-drones-president-warns-nation-will-not-be-easy-prey-wion-1772919881309/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-uae-intercepts-missiles-and-drones-president-warns-nation-will-not-be-easy-prey-wion-1772919881309/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.

Trump: Strike on girls school was 'done by Iran'; calls fallen troops’ return a 'very sad day', says US 'winning the war by a lot'

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (March 7) blamed Iran for a deadly strike on an elementary school in southern Iran that killed at least 168 children and 14 teachers, disputing reports and expert analyses suggesting the US military may have been responsible. “Based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. He also said Iranian munitions are “very inaccurate.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the claim, telling reporters, “The only side that targets civilians is Iran.” The White House had previously not ruled out the possibility that US military personnel carried out the strike. Earlier reporting from CNN said satellite imagery, geolocated videos, statements from US officials and assessments by munitions experts suggest the Shajare Tayyiba elementary school in Minab was struck on February 28 around the same time as a US attack on a nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base. Also Read: 'We don’t need them any longer, but we will remember': Trump tells Starmer as US using UK bases for 'defensive' Iran operations Later, speaking to reporters on Air Force One after attending the dignified transfer of six US service members killed this week in Kuwait, Trump acknowledged the loss, saying, “It’s a very sad day.” When asked if the ceremony made him reconsider the war, the president defended the military campaign, saying, “We’re winning the war by a lot.” He added that the parents of the fallen troops “were so proud” and described such deaths as “always a very sad thing.” Trump has previously warned that more US casualties could occur during the conflict with Iran. Asked whether he expected to attend more dignified transfers, he said, “I’m sure. I hate to … but it’s a part of war.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-uae-intercepts-missiles-and-drones-president-warns-nation-will-not-be-easy-prey-wion-1772919881309/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.

Trump blames Iran for strike on girls’ school in Minab despite reports suggesting US role; says ‘We’re winning the war by a lot’ after honouring troops killed in the war

Donald Trump posted a message addressed to Keir Starmer on his Truth Social account, commenting on reports that the UK is considering sending aircraft carriers to the Middle East. Trump said the UK was ‘finally giving serious thought’ to deploying two aircraft carriers to the region but suggested the move was unnecessary. "We don't need them any longer," he said. “We don't need people that join wars after we've already won!” His statement came after reports that Britain was preparing an aircraft carrier for possible deployment to the Middle East amid rising tensions linked to the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.&nbsp;Britain's defence ministry confirmed that the US had started using certain military sites for "specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region". Prime Minister Starmer had initially declined to take part in the US-Israeli war with Iran, which reportedly began on February 28, a position that reportedly irritated Trump. Starmer later agreed to allow the US to use two British military bases for a "specific and limited defensive purpose".&nbsp;The bases include RAF Fairford in southwestern England and the joint UK-US base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.On Saturday, an AFP photographer observed a Rockwell B-1 Lancer landing at Fairford. A Lockheed C-5 Galaxy was also seen on the runway while anti-war protesters gathered outside the base. Earlier, Trump had said he was "not happy with the UK" and mocked Starmer, saying "this is not Winston Churchill that we're dealing with". Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, defended his initial reluctance to get involved, arguing that any UK military action "must always have a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan".&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-moment-of-truth-is-approaching-for-iranian-people-war-will-continue-netanyahu-1772916339670">‘Moment of truth is approaching for Iranian people, war will continue’: Netanyahu</a>

However, he later said the decision changed after Iran launched retaliatory missiles and drones following US-Israeli strikes, which he said threatened British interests and allies in the region. Members of Starmer’s ruling Labour Party remain cautious about military involvement, partly due to memories of former prime minister Tony Blair supporting the US-led Iraq War.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-israel-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price-as-strikes-pound-beirut-suburbs-wion-1772918992418/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-israel-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price-as-strikes-pound-beirut-suburbs-wion-1772918992418/embed</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, thousands of protesters marched through central London to the United States Embassy London on Saturday to oppose the war. Many demonstrators waved Iranian flags and held placards reading "Stop Trump's Wars" and "Stop Arming Israel". UK media reports also suggested that HMS Prince of Wales could be deployed to the Mediterranean as Britain increases military readiness. However, officials said no final decision has been made.A defence ministry spokesperson said: "HMS Prince of Wales has always been on very high readiness and we are increasing the preparedness of the carrier, reducing the time it would take to set sail for any deployment."&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.

'We don’t need them any longer, but we will remember': Trump tells Starmer as US using UK bases for 'defensive' Iran operations

Donald Trump posted a message addressed to Keir Starmer on his Truth Social account, commenting on reports that the UK is considering sending aircraft carriers to the Middle East. Trump said the UK was ‘finally giving serious thought’ to deploying two aircraft carriers to the region but suggested the move was unnecessary. "We don't need them any longer," he said. “We don't need people that join wars after we've already won!” His statement came after reports that Britain was preparing an aircraft carrier for possible deployment to the Middle East amid rising tensions linked to the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Britain's defence ministry confirmed that the US had started using certain military sites for "specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region". Prime Minister Starmer had initially declined to take part in the US-Israeli war with Iran, which reportedly began on February 28, a position that reportedly irritated Trump. Starmer later agreed to allow the US to use two British military bases for a "specific and limited defensive purpose". The bases include RAF Fairford in southwestern England and the joint UK-US base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. On Saturday, an AFP photographer observed a Rockwell B-1 Lancer landing at Fairford. A Lockheed C-5 Galaxy was also seen on the runway while anti-war protesters gathered outside the base. Earlier, Trump had said he was "not happy with the UK" and mocked Starmer, saying "this is not Winston Churchill that we're dealing with". Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, defended his initial reluctance to get involved, arguing that any UK military action "must always have a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan". Also Read: ‘Moment of truth is approaching for Iranian people, war will continue’: Netanyahu

Trump rejects UK carrier help in Middle East war, mocking Starmer as Britain allows US use of military bases for ‘specific defensive operations’

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force has announced that its drone unit has carried out strikes on the UAE's Al Dhafra Air Base. According to statements released by the IRGC's public relations office, “21 personnel killed and many others wounded from the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the region.” The announcement claimed that the US Air Warfare Command Centre, satellite communications facilities, early-warning radar systems, and fire-control radars. According to the West Asian News Agency, more than 220 were killed or wounded in the strike.&nbsp;Iran’s military spokesman, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, said that the attack targeted the most important base, the “command and control hub” of US forces, which was used to attack the Minab school, Hormozgan province, southern Iran. The attack resulted in the death of approximately 160 children, and at least 14 to 26 staff members died.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iran-irgc-trump-oil-tanker-escort-strait-of-hormuz-1772887219037">IRGC challenges Trump’s plan to escort oil tankers in Hormuz</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨🇮🇷Iranian command says US forces suffered about 200 killed and wounded in Iranian strikes on Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, with the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet reportedly losing at least 21 personnel <a href="https://t.co/BgbxsJk8b3">https://t.co/BgbxsJk8b3</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZfCXT0to82">pic.twitter.com/ZfCXT0to82</a>&mdash; Sputnik (@SputnikInt) <a href="https://twitter.com/SputnikInt/status/2030257260648186026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

However UAE Ministry of Defence contradicted those claims, in a post on social media it said that most of the 16 missiles and 121 drones involved in the incident were intercepted. It claimed that 15 missiles were intercepted, and one fell into the Persian Gulf, and among the 121 drones, 119 were intercepted.&nbsp;In a message issued today, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, “We have no intention of aggression against neighbouring countries. As I have said many times, they are our brothers, and in this region we must work hand in hand for peace and stability.” US President Donald Trump interpreted it as Iran’s “apology” or “surrender”. He claimed that Iran had been “severely hit” following the military attacks by the United States and Israel. According to Trump, the statement was in response to the “relentless attacks by the United States and Israel.”&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.)

Iran’s IRGC claims drone and missile strikes on the Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, alleging heavy US casualties, while the UAE says most projectiles were intercepted.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force has announced that its drone unit has carried out strikes on the UAE's Al Dhafra Air Base. According to statements released by the IRGC's public relations office, “21 personnel killed and many others wounded from the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the region.” The announcement claimed that the US Air Warfare Command Centre, satellite communications facilities, early-warning radar systems, and fire-control radars. According to the West Asian News Agency, more than 220 were killed or wounded in the strike. Iran’s military spokesman, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, said that the attack targeted the most important base, the “command and control hub” of US forces, which was used to attack the Minab school, Hormozgan province, southern Iran. The attack resulted in the death of approximately 160 children, and at least 14 to 26 staff members died. Also Read: IRGC challenges Trump’s plan to escort oil tankers in Hormuz

Iran’s IRGC claims drone and missile strikes on the Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, alleging heavy US casualties, while the UAE says most projectiles were intercepted.

Iran claims payback of Minab school bombing at UAE's Al Dhafra air base

After the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology to the neighbouring Gulf states for the recent attack on Saturday (March 7), US President Donald Trump said that the apology came only because of American and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic. Via a post on social media platform Truth Social, the American president said, "Iran, which is being beaten to HELL, has apologised and surrendered to its Middle East neighbours, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore. This promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attacks.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-are-cluster-warhead-missiles-israel-accuses-iran-of-targeting-civilians-on-purpose-using-specific-munition-1772642758209">What are cluster warhead missiles? Israel accuses Iran of targeting civilians on purpose using specific munition</a>&nbsp;“They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East. It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries. They have said, “Thank you, President Trump.” I have said, “You’re welcome!” Iran is no longer the “Bully of the Middle East,” they are, instead, “THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,” and will be for many decades until they surrender or, more likely, completely collapse!" he further wrote.&nbsp;The American president also threatened Iran, saying that it will be "hit very hard" on Saturday (March 7). "Today, Iran will be hit very hard! Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behaviour, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting until this moment in time," he wrote.<h2>‘I apologise...’</h2>Earlier today, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring countries, the eighth day of the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel, for attacks that had targeted their territories. In remarks broadcast on Iranian state television, Pezeshkian said he was sorry “to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran” and assured that Tehran would not strike any neighbouring state unless it was first attacked from their soil.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-if-israel-attacks-iran-s-embassy-all-its-embassies-will-be-legitimate-targets-iranian-armed-forces-us-israel-iran-war-1772646348920">‘If Israel attacks Iran’s embassy, all its embassies will be legitimate targets’: Iranian armed forces</a>&nbsp;The Iranian president also rejected US President Donald Trump’s warning demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender”. Pezeshkian insisted that Iran’s adversaries “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves”.&nbsp;Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran would avoid targeting neighbouring countries during the ongoing war with Israel and the US unless attacks against Iran originated from those territories. Apologising for strikes carried out during the first week of the conflict, he said, “I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”

Trump warned Iran would be “hit very hard” after President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to Gulf states for attacks. Pezeshkian rejected calls for unconditional surrender but promised Iran would avoid targeting neighbouring countries.

After the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology to the neighbouring Gulf states for the recent attack on Saturday (March 7), US President Donald Trump said that the apology came only because of American and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic. Via a post on social media platform Truth Social, the American president said, "Iran, which is being beaten to HELL, has apologised and surrendered to its Middle East neighbours, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore. This promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attacks.

Trump warned Iran would be “hit very hard” after President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to Gulf states for attacks. Pezeshkian rejected calls for unconditional surrender but promised Iran would avoid targeting neighbouring countries.

‘Today, Iran will be hit very hard’: Trump warns, says Pezeshkian apologised because Tehran’s ‘being beaten to HELL’

Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman urged Iran to "avoid miscalculation" on Saturday, following missile and drone launches against the kingdom.In a series of statements, the Saudi defence ministry said it had thwarted repeated missile launches at an air base which houses US military personnel and drone attacks at a major oil field.Iran is pressing attacks across the Gulf, a week since US-Israeli strikes against the Islamic republic triggered regional war.Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, reported at least two drone attacks earlier this week that targeted the Ras Tanura refinery in the east.Prince Khalid posted on X after meeting with Pakistan's military chief that the pair had "discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them"."We stressed that such actions undermine regional security and stability and expressed hope that the Iranian side will exercise wisdom and avoid miscalculation," he added.The defence ministry earlier posted on X that "a ballistic missile launched towards Prince Sultan Air Base" southeast of the capital Riyadh was "intercepted and destroyed".The official Saudi Press Agency later reported another missile attack at the same base, saying it was also intercepted, quoting a defence ministry spokesperson.The news agency also reported at least 17 drone attacks targeting the Shaybah oil field near the Emirati border. The drones were "intercepted and destroyed", it said.In a separate incident, two drones were intercepted east of Riyadh, according to the defence ministry.

Prince Khalid posted on X after meeting with Pakistan's military chief that the pair had "discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them".

Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman urged Iran to "avoid miscalculation" on Saturday, following missile and drone launches against the kingdom. In a series of statements, the Saudi defence ministry said it had thwarted repeated missile launches at an air base which houses US military personnel and drone attacks at a major oil field. Iran is pressing attacks across the Gulf, a week since US-Israeli strikes against the Islamic republic triggered regional war. Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, reported at least two drone attacks earlier this week that targeted the Ras Tanura refinery in the east. Prince Khalid posted on X after meeting with Pakistan's military chief that the pair had "discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them". "We stressed that such actions undermine regional security and stability and expressed hope that the Iranian side will exercise wisdom and avoid miscalculation," he added. The defence ministry earlier posted on X that "a ballistic missile launched towards Prince Sultan Air Base" southeast of the capital Riyadh was "intercepted and destroyed". The official Saudi Press Agency later reported another missile attack at the same base, saying it was also intercepted, quoting a defence ministry spokesperson. The news agency also reported at least 17 drone attacks targeting the Shaybah oil field near the Emirati border. The drones were "intercepted and destroyed", it said. In a separate incident, two drones were intercepted east of Riyadh, according to the defence ministry.

Prince Khalid posted on X after meeting with Pakistan's military chief that the pair had "discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them".

‘Avoid miscalculation’: Saudi Arabia warns Iran after missile and drone attacks

A week into the escalating West Asia crisis, a series of dramatic military actions, retaliations and political warnings have intensified tensions, raising fears that the conflict could expand into a wider regional war.

A week into the escalating West Asia crisis, a series of dramatic military actions, retaliations and political warnings have intensified tensions, raising fears that the conflict could expand into a wider regional war.

US-Israel-Iran war: 7 key developments in 7 days of West Asia crisis

Iran’s president said the country will not surrender to the US or Israel and apologised to neighbouring nations for recent attacks. However, hours earlier, Iranian drone and missile strikes had targeted several regional countries hosting US bases.

Iran’s president said the country will not surrender to the US or Israel and apologised to neighbouring nations for recent attacks. However, hours earlier, Iranian drone and missile strikes had targeted several regional countries hosting US bases.

West Asia war: Hours before apologising, Iran struck THESE neighbours

Gold traders in Dubai are offering bullion at steep discounts after the conflict in the Middle East disrupted flights and stranded shipments in one of the world’s key trading hubs.<h2>How much discount is Dubai offering on Gold?</h2>According to a Bloomberg report citing traders familiar with the situation, some dealers are selling gold at discounts of up to $30 an ounce compared with the global benchmark set in London. The unusual pricing reflects mounting logistical problems as suppliers struggle to move bullion out of the region.Many buyers have paused new orders for now. With air travel disrupted and delivery timelines uncertain, traders say customers are unwilling to pay higher shipping and insurance costs without a clear guarantee the gold will arrive on time.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-reveals-secret-3-month-head-start-on-exquisite-class-weapon-production-to-fuel-operation-epic-fury-against-iran-bae-lockheed-and-raytheon-1772844959324">Trump reveals secret weapon production started 3-months before Iran war</a><h2>Flights grounded, shipments delayed</h2>Several gold shipments were still stuck in Dubai as of Friday, traders said. Some cargo began moving again only in the middle of the week as limited flights resumed.The United Arab Emirates, and particularly Dubai, plays a central role in the global gold trade. The city is a major refining and export hub for bullion moving to buyers across Asia and also handles shipments arriving from Switzerland, the UK and several African producers.But airspace in the region has been partially restricted amid a wave of Iranian missile attacks during the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.<h2>Gold Shipments Stranded</h2>Gold is usually transported in the cargo holds of passenger planes. With flights severely limited, traders have been reluctant to move high-value shipments overland to airports in neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia or Oman, citing security and logistical risks.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistani-man-asif-raza-merchant-conviction-trump-assassination-plot-soleimani-revenge-irgc-hitman-joe-biden-nikki-haley-napkin-plan-1772855367186">Pak man found guilty of Iran Revolutionary Guard backed revenge plot to assassinate Trump</a><h2>Why is the discounted gold bad news for Indians?</h2>The disruption has been felt in India, one of the biggest destinations for gold shipped out of Dubai.Renisha Chainani, head of research at Augmont Enterprises Ltd., said "several cargo shipments have been delayed or stranded, leading to short-term tightness in the availability of physical bullion in India".For now, however, Indian buyers appear in no hurry. Chirag Sheth, principal consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus, said India's domestic inventories remain comfortable after heavy imports in January. "As of now, there is ample stock," he said. "But if this drags on for a few months, then there will be a problem." &nbsp;

Why are gold traders in Dubai suddenly offering heavy discounts? Bullion is reportedly selling up to $30 per ounce below global prices amid the Iran war.

What does this mean for global markets and Indian buyers? Scroll down to read.

Gold traders in Dubai are offering bullion at steep discounts after the conflict in the Middle East disrupted flights and stranded shipments in one of the world’s key trading hubs. How much discount is Dubai offering on Gold? According to a Bloomberg report citing traders familiar with the situation, some dealers are selling gold at discounts of up to $30 an ounce compared with the global benchmark set in London. The unusual pricing reflects mounting logistical problems as suppliers struggle to move bullion out of the region. Many buyers have paused new orders for now. With air travel disrupted and delivery timelines uncertain, traders say customers are unwilling to pay higher shipping and insurance costs without a clear guarantee the gold will arrive on time. Also read | Trump reveals secret weapon production started 3-months before Iran war Flights grounded, shipments delayed Several gold shipments were still stuck in Dubai as of Friday, traders said. Some cargo began moving again only in the middle of the week as limited flights resumed. The United Arab Emirates, and particularly Dubai, plays a central role in the global gold trade. The city is a major refining and export hub for bullion moving to buyers across Asia and also handles shipments arriving from Switzerland, the UK and several African producers. But airspace in the region has been partially restricted amid a wave of Iranian missile attacks during the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. Gold Shipments Stranded Gold is usually transported in the cargo holds of passenger planes. With flights severely limited, traders have been reluctant to move high-value shipments overland to airports in neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia or Oman, citing security and logistical risks. Also read | Pak man found guilty of Iran Revolutionary Guard backed revenge plot to assassinate Trump Why is the discounted gold bad news for Indians? The disruption has been felt in India, one of the biggest destinations for gold shipped out of Dubai. Renisha Chainani, head of research at Augmont Enterprises Ltd., said "several cargo shipments have been delayed or stranded, leading to short-term tightness in the availability of physical bullion in India". For now, however, Indian buyers appear in no hurry. Chirag Sheth, principal consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus, said India's domestic inventories remain comfortable after heavy imports in January. "As of now, there is ample stock," he said. "But if this drags on for a few months, then there will be a problem."

Why are gold traders in Dubai suddenly offering heavy discounts? Bullion is reportedly selling up to $30 per ounce below global prices amid the Iran war.What does this mean for global markets and Indian buyers? Scroll down to read.

Amid Iran war Dubai selling gold at discount, but it’s bad news for India. Here’s why

For the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an unconditional surrender means they cease to exist. There is no off-ramp where they get to return to their barracks and retain their political power or corporate monopolies inside Iran.

For the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an unconditional surrender means they cease to exist. There is no off-ramp where they get to return to their barracks and retain their political power or corporate monopolies inside Iran.

Iran War: What does Trump's 'unconditional surrender' ultimatum mean for IRGC?

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, on day eight of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-reveals-secret-3-month-head-start-on-exquisite-class-weapon-production-to-fuel-operation-epic-fury-against-iran-bae-lockheed-and-raytheon-1772844959324">Iran war</a> (Saturday, Mar 7) with the US and Israel, apologised to neighbouring countries for attacking them. In a speech broadcast by Iranian state TV, Pezeshkian said, “I apologise... &nbsp;to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran”. He also said that Tehran would not attack a neighbour unless first attacked by them. Pezeshkian also rubbished US President Donald Trump's warning about an “unconditional surrender” and insisted, Iran's enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/economy/amid-iran-war-dubai-gold-at-discount-of-30-but-it-s-bad-news-for-india-here-s-why-gold-prices-latest-1772863560146">Amid Iran war Dubai gold at discount, but it’s bad news for India. Here’s why</a><h2>Tehran vows not to attack neighbours</h2>Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that the country's neighbours will not be targeted unless attacks are launched from them during the war with Israel and the United States. Apologising for the attacks during the first week of the US-Israel-Iran war, he said, “I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.”He noted that the decision was taken by the leadership council, which has been leading the nation since last week's killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries," he said.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/america-s-deadliest-war-crime-investigation-finds-us-likely-responsible-for-devastating-school-strike-that-killed-150-iranian-girls-1772766411530">Probe finds US likely behind horrific Iran school strike that killed 150+ girls</a><h2>Which neighbours did Iran attack?</h2>As of March 7, 2026, as the United States and Israel continue their joint military strikes under Operation Epic Fury and Operation Lion's Roar, Tehran's retaliatory strikes have targeted numerous neighbouring countries, particularly those hosting US military assets. These include direct drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq.&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. &nbsp;

Why is Iran apologising to its neighbours in the middle of the war? On day seven of the conflict with the US and Israel, Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran regrets attacks on neighbours and promised they won’t be targeted unless they launch strikes first. Scroll down to read more.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, on day eight of the Iran war (Saturday, Mar 7) with the US and Israel, apologised to neighbouring countries for attacking them. In a speech broadcast by Iranian state TV, Pezeshkian said, “I apologise... to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran”. He also said that Tehran would not attack a neighbour unless first attacked by them. Pezeshkian also rubbished US President Donald Trump's warning about an “unconditional surrender” and insisted, Iran's enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves.” Also read | Amid Iran war Dubai gold at discount, but it’s bad news for India. Here’s why Tehran vows not to attack neighbours Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday that the country's neighbours will not be targeted unless attacks are launched from them during the war with Israel and the United States. Apologising for the attacks during the first week of the US-Israel-Iran war, he said, “I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran.” He noted that the decision was taken by the leadership council, which has been leading the nation since last week's killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries," he said. Also read | Probe finds US likely behind horrific Iran school strike that killed 150+ girls Which neighbours did Iran attack? As of March 7, 2026, as the United States and Israel continue their joint military strikes under Operation Epic Fury and Operation Lion's Roar, Tehran's retaliatory strikes have targeted numerous neighbouring countries, particularly those hosting US military assets. These include direct drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq. 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.

Why is Iran apologising to its neighbours in the middle of the war? On day seven of the conflict with the US and Israel, Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran regrets attacks on neighbours and promised they won’t be targeted unless they launch strikes first. Scroll down to read more.

'I apologise...': Iran President Pezeshkian expresses regret for attacking neighbours amid war with Israel and US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday (Mar 7) said that his country will not surrender to the United States and Israel after the US President’s latest warning that there will be “no deal” with Tehran unless it agrees to an “unconditional surrender”. In a pre-recorded video message broadcast on state TV, Pezeshkian also apologised to Iran’s neighbours, saying that Tehran will not target them unless attacked by them.Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” Pezeshkian said.“I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he added. “The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.”&nbsp;This comes after US President Donald Trump on Friday (March 6) issued a warning, saying there will be ‘no deal’ with Iran unless it agrees to ‘unconditional surrender’, hardening his stance as tensions escalate. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT &amp; ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.Khamenei’s death was confirmed on March 1, with Iran vowing strong revenge over the killing of its supreme leader and warning that US bases in the region would be treated as American territory. Gulf states have cautioned against further escalation, even as Washington and Tel Aviv signal that operations could continue for weeks.As the conflict escalates, Iran-aligned groups have joined the fight. International leaders have called for de-escalation as some condemned the US-led action, while most NATO allies voiced support for Washington.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’s president said the country will not surrender to the US or Israel amid the escalating conflict. He also apologised to neighbouring nations for attacks that targeted US bases located on their territory.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday (Mar 7) said that his country will not surrender to the United States and Israel after the US President’s latest warning that there will be “no deal” with Tehran unless it agrees to an “unconditional surrender”. In a pre-recorded video message broadcast on state TV, Pezeshkian also apologised to Iran’s neighbours, saying that Tehran will not target them unless attacked by them. Iran’s enemies “must take their wish for the unconditional surrender of the Iranian people to their graves,” Pezeshkian said. “I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran,” he added. “The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.” This comes after US President Donald Trump on Friday (March 6) issued a warning, saying there will be ‘no deal’ with Iran unless it agrees to ‘unconditional surrender’, hardening his stance as tensions escalate. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.” On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Khamenei’s death was confirmed on March 1, with Iran vowing strong revenge over the killing of its supreme leader and warning that US bases in the region would be treated as American territory. Gulf states have cautioned against further escalation, even as Washington and Tel Aviv signal that operations could continue for weeks. As the conflict escalates, Iran-aligned groups have joined the fight. International leaders have called for de-escalation as some condemned the US-led action, while most NATO allies voiced support for Washington. 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’s president said the country will not surrender to the US or Israel amid the escalating conflict. He also apologised to neighbouring nations for attacks that targeted US bases located on their territory.

‘Take your wish to grave’: Iran refuses to surrender to US, Israel after Trump’s ‘no deal’ warning

The CIWS is strictly a "close-in" weapon. It only engages threats that have entered a one-nautical-mile radius of the carrier. If the Phalanx wakes up and starts firing, it means a catastrophic strike was just seconds away from destroying a multi-billion-dollar nuclear supercarrier.

The CIWS is strictly a "close-in" weapon. It only engages threats that have entered a one-nautical-mile radius of the carrier. If the Phalanx wakes up and starts firing, it means a catastrophic strike was just seconds away from destroying a multi-billion-dollar nuclear supercarrier.

Iran War: What is 'Gatling Gun' onboard USS George H.W Bush? Understanding 4,500-round-per-minute weapon guarding the carrier

The US is planning to deploy the Merops anti-drone system to counter Iranian Shahed Drones. The American anti-drone system was employed in Ukraine to counter threats from Russian Shahed Drones. This is the first time it will be used in the war in Iran. The US already has Patriot and THAAD missile defence systems, but they have not been efficient, especially due to the version of the drones, which are usually not as advanced as Russian-made drones.&nbsp;<h2>What is the Merops anti-drone system?</h2>Merops is an AI-powered anti-drone system developed by the US. It is cheaper compared to the Shahed Drones, each costing around $15,000. The drone is small and can be fitted on the back of a pickup truck. It uses artificial intelligence to navigate when satellite and electronic communications are jammed. &nbsp;It flies at the speed of 175 mph. The system uses a ~3-foot, fixed-wing "Surveyor" interceptor drone, which contains a small warhead and detonates at the target.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ground-invasion-iran-waste-of-time-1772805302154">Donald Trump says US ground invasion of Iran would be “a waste of time”</a><h2>Why does the US need the Merops anti-drone system?</h2>According to a US official, the US response to countering Iranian Shahed Drone systems has been "disappointing.". These drones are cheaper and harder to detect, making them a serious threat to the US assets in the regions. Drones are hard to pinpoint on radar systems, which are calibrated for missiles; they are mistaken for birds or planes. The Gulf countries in the region have complained they were not given enough time to prepare. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said that Washington sought Ukraine’s help in dealing with Iranian Shahed drones used by Russia during the war.Pentagon officials have briefed Congress that they are having trouble dealing with waves of drones launched by drones, leaving them vulnerable. "This does not mean we can stop everything, but we ensured that the maximum possible defence and maximum possible force protection was set up before we went on offence," said the US Secretary of Defence to the reporters. &nbsp;Each Shahed drone can cost around $20,000-$50,000 where as per THAAD interceptor missile costs around $12.8-$15.5 million. Though these systems have a better interception rate, but does not have 100 per cent efficiency. A NYT report indicated that Iran has fired over 2,000 drones so far, which are. The UAE and other countries with missile defence systems have reported a roughly 90-96 per cent interception rate, which means a minimum of 80-200 drones have hit the target.&nbsp;<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

The US plans to deploy the Merops AI anti-drone system to counter Iranian Shahed drones. Here's how the system works and why it’s needed.

The US is planning to deploy the Merops anti-drone system to counter Iranian Shahed Drones. The American anti-drone system was employed in Ukraine to counter threats from Russian Shahed Drones. This is the first time it will be used in the war in Iran. The US already has Patriot and THAAD missile defence systems, but they have not been efficient, especially due to the version of the drones, which are usually not as advanced as Russian-made drones. What is the Merops anti-drone system? Merops is an AI-powered anti-drone system developed by the US. It is cheaper compared to the Shahed Drones, each costing around $15,000. The drone is small and can be fitted on the back of a pickup truck. It uses artificial intelligence to navigate when satellite and electronic communications are jammed. It flies at the speed of 175 mph. The system uses a ~3-foot, fixed-wing "Surveyor" interceptor drone, which contains a small warhead and detonates at the target. Also Read: Donald Trump says US ground invasion of Iran would be “a waste of time” Why does the US need the Merops anti-drone system? According to a US official, the US response to countering Iranian Shahed Drone systems has been "disappointing.". These drones are cheaper and harder to detect, making them a serious threat to the US assets in the regions. Drones are hard to pinpoint on radar systems, which are calibrated for missiles; they are mistaken for birds or planes. The Gulf countries in the region have complained they were not given enough time to prepare. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said that Washington sought Ukraine’s help in dealing with Iranian Shahed drones used by Russia during the war. Pentagon officials have briefed Congress that they are having trouble dealing with waves of drones launched by drones, leaving them vulnerable. "This does not mean we can stop everything, but we ensured that the maximum possible defence and maximum possible force protection was set up before we went on offence," said the US Secretary of Defence to the reporters. Each Shahed drone can cost around $20,000-$50,000 where as per THAAD interceptor missile costs around $12.8-$15.5 million. Though these systems have a better interception rate, but does not have 100 per cent efficiency. A NYT report indicated that Iran has fired over 2,000 drones so far, which are. The UAE and other countries with missile defence systems have reported a roughly 90-96 per cent interception rate, which means a minimum of 80-200 drones have hit the target.

The US plans to deploy the Merops AI anti-drone system to counter Iranian Shahed drones. Here's how the system works and why it’s needed.

How the Merops anti-drone system could counter Iranian shahed drones?

Meteorologically, the paranoia is justified. The prevailing high-altitude wind currents in the region, the Westerlies, move from west to east.



Meteorologically, the paranoia is justified. The prevailing high-altitude wind currents in the region, the Westerlies, move from west to east.&nbsp;

Iran War: Could nuclear fallout reach India if US bombs Tehran's atomic sites?

The US Navy is actively preparing the USS George H.W. Bush for deployment to the Middle East theater, which would create a historic concentration of American naval firepower.



The US Navy is actively preparing the USS George H.W. Bush for deployment to the Middle East theater, which would create a historic concentration of American naval firepower.&nbsp;

Iran War: Is Trump sending USS George H.W. Bush to the Red Sea as a 3rd carrier?

A massive fire broke out at Mehrabad International Airport in western Tehran after a series of strikes as Israel and the US continue their operation against Iran. This came after the Israeli forces said that they were carrying out an “extensive” wave of strikes against regime targets in the Iranian capital. A burning plane and large plumes of smoke were visible at the busiest airport in the Islamic Republic in videos shared by eyewitnesses on social media.Shortly before, the Israeli military said that it was launching a “broad-scale new wave of strikes” in the country. It was not clear which parts of the airport were bombed in the fresh wave of attack. Tehran’s airport was also targeted on March 4, with Israel saying that the attack dismantled defence and detection systems that were a threat to the Israeli Air Force.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Mehrabad International Airport in Iran&#39;s capital, Tehran, is burning tonight after a series of US/Israeli airstrikes. Aircraft are reportedly on fire. <a href="https://t.co/sR4fr3VY7c">pic.twitter.com/sR4fr3VY7c</a>&mdash; OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/2030078114395484277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Footage of extensive US/Israeli airstrikes hitting Mehrabad International Airport in Iran&#39;s capital, Tehran, tonight. <a href="https://t.co/Vrpw4Pbs7i">pic.twitter.com/Vrpw4Pbs7i</a>&mdash; OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/2030069030636171358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NOW: Mehrabad International Airport in western Tehran is on fire after strikes by Israel/U.S. <a href="https://t.co/HS7cDdb0it">pic.twitter.com/HS7cDdb0it</a>&mdash; Clash Report (@clashreport) <a href="https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/2030059738424046043?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tehran tonight, Mehrabad Airport area. Via <a href="https://twitter.com/mamlekate?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mamlekate</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MxIztEecB">pic.twitter.com/0MxIztEecB</a>&mdash; Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) <a href="https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/2030058863706173595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This comes as the conflict widens in West Asia after the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.In a latest warning to Iran, US President Donald Trump on Friday (March 6) said there will be ‘no deal’ with Iran unless it agrees to ‘unconditional surrender’, hardening his stance as tensions escalate. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT &amp; ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”Khamenei’s death was confirmed on March 1, with Iran vowing strong revenge over the killing of its supreme leader and warning that US bases in the region would be treated as American territory. Gulf states have cautioned against further escalation, even as Washington and Tel Aviv signal that operations could continue for weeks.As the conflict escalates, Iran-aligned groups have joined the fight. International leaders have called for de-escalation as some condemned the US-led action, while most NATO allies voiced support for Washington.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.

A massive fire erupted at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport after a wave of strikes during the ongoing conflict. Eyewitness videos showed a burning aircraft and thick smoke rising from Iran’s busiest airport.

A massive fire broke out at Mehrabad International Airport in western Tehran after a series of strikes as Israel and the US continue their operation against Iran. This came after the Israeli forces said that they were carrying out an “extensive” wave of strikes against regime targets in the Iranian capital. A burning plane and large plumes of smoke were visible at the busiest airport in the Islamic Republic in videos shared by eyewitnesses on social media. Shortly before, the Israeli military said that it was launching a “broad-scale new wave of strikes” in the country. It was not clear which parts of the airport were bombed in the fresh wave of attack. Tehran’s airport was also targeted on March 4, with Israel saying that the attack dismantled defence and detection systems that were a threat to the Israeli Air Force.

A massive fire erupted at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport after a wave of strikes during the ongoing conflict. Eyewitness videos showed a burning aircraft and thick smoke rising from Iran’s busiest airport.

VIDEO | Massive fire at Tehran’s airport after Israel announces fresh strikes

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 6) claimed that major US defence companies have agreed to quadruple production of ‘exquisite’ advanced weapons, amid the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran. Taking to Truth Social on the seventh day of his war against Tehran, the POTUS wrote, "The largest US Defense Manufacturing Companies" have "agreed to quadruple Production of the 'Exquisite Class' Weaponry." Here's what it means for the war in West Asia.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/america-s-deadliest-war-crime-investigation-finds-us-likely-responsible-for-devastating-school-strike-that-killed-150-iranian-girls-1772766411530">US investigation admits America may be responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls</a><h2>'Exquisite Class' Weaponry'</h2>The US president said that he had a “very good meeting” with the biggest US Defense Manufacturing Companies and that Production and Production Schedules were discussed. The companies he met, as per the post, are BAE Systems, Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace, L3Harris Missile Solutions, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.

“They have agreed to quadruple production of the “Exquisite Class” weaponry in that we want to reach, as rapidly as possible, the highest levels of quantity,” he said. The term 'Exquisite Class Weaponry' apparently refers to advanced, high-precision military hardware. Trump said that the expansion actually began three months before the meeting, i.e., three months before the US and Israel launched joint "preemptive" strikes against Iran under what Washington calls Operation Epic Fury and Tel Aviv refers to as Operation Lion's Roar.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-it-s-a-question-of-time-trump-vows-to-turn-us-focus-to-cuba-once-iran-conflict-is-finished-israel-tehran-carribean-island-1772759431337">'It's a question of time': Trump vows to turn US focus to THIS neighbour once Iran war is 'finished'</a><h2>What is 'Exquisite Class' Weaponry?</h2>In the 2026 defence landscape, this refers to high-tier systems such as the LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles), hypersonic glide vehicles, and Next-Gen Interceptors used to counter Iranian saturation strikes.<h2>How much ammo does the US have to fight a war against Iran?</h2>Amid reports and warnings from high-level military officials about the US's depleting ammunition stockpiles, Trump once again insisted that the nation has “virtually unlimited supply” of Medium and Upper Medium Grade Munitions. These, he said, were used in Washington's recent offensives against Iran and Venezuela.Even as he flaunted the “virtually unlimited” supplies, he said that America has “also increased Orders at these levels” and claimed that “States all over the Country are bidding for these new plants”. He also noted that he would meet the CEOs of the defence firms again in two months.

What is “exquisite class” weaponry and why does it matter in the Iran war?

Donald Trump says top defence firms like Lockheed Martin and Boeing will quadruple production of advanced weapons. How could this change the battlefield? Scroll down to read more.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 6) claimed that major US defence companies have agreed to quadruple production of ‘exquisite’ advanced weapons, amid the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran. Taking to Truth Social on the seventh day of his war against Tehran, the POTUS wrote, "The largest US Defense Manufacturing Companies" have "agreed to quadruple Production of the 'Exquisite Class' Weaponry." Here's what it means for the war in West Asia. Also read | US investigation admits America may be responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls 'Exquisite Class' Weaponry' The US president said that he had a “very good meeting” with the biggest US Defense Manufacturing Companies and that Production and Production Schedules were discussed. The companies he met, as per the post, are BAE Systems, Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace, L3Harris Missile Solutions, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.

What is “exquisite class” weaponry and why does it matter in the Iran war?Donald Trump says top defence firms like Lockheed Martin and Boeing will quadruple production of advanced weapons. How could this change the battlefield? Scroll down to read more.

Trump reveals US had secret 3-month head start on 'exquisite class' weapon production before Iran war

Satellite images suggest Iran’s underground “missile cities,” built to protect its arsenal, are becoming vulnerable targets as US and Israeli strikes hit launchers and entrances, reducing Tehran’s missile attacks amid the escalating conflict.

Satellite images suggest Iran’s underground “missile cities,” built to protect its arsenal, are becoming vulnerable targets as US and Israeli strikes hit launchers and entrances, reducing Tehran’s missile attacks amid the escalating conflict.

Are Iran’s underground ‘missile cities’ its BIGGEST mistake? Satellite images reveal...

Mauritius' Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful has warned that the escalating conflict in West Asia has evolved into a regional crisis with far-reaching global consequences, severely affecting nations in the Indian ocean region. In an interview with WION's Sidhant Sibal, Mr. Ramful highlighted the broad economic and security impacts stemming from the hostilities, particularly disruptions to energy supplies, food security, and tourism, a key pillar of Mauritius' economy. "The Indian Ocean region is important for the economic survival of all the coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean," he said. "Especially for a small island developing state like Mauritius, which is highly dependent on the marine resources from the ocean, and also, definitely that's going to have an impact on the supply of energy".&nbsp; The minister stressed Mauritius' call for de-escalation, noting that the government had issued an official statement since the crisis began. He also spoke on suspending ties with Maldives, and Chagos issue. Interview:&nbsp;Sidhant Sibal:&nbsp; How do you see India, Mauritius ties? Dr Dhananjay Ramful: Well, as you are well aware that you know, Indian Mauritius have long standing relationship since 1948 and since then, this relationship has been growing intensely, and we have also very culturally attached, not to forget that we have quite a large amount of our ancestors come from India. As far as economic partnership is concerned, we have the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement under which we are dealing with India. There are a number of trade exchanges with India. India has always been very forthcoming when it comes to assistance. The Prime Minister of India was in Mauritius&nbsp;last year, and we were given quite a big financial package in terms of lines of credit and also grants for our infrastructural development. So, as it has always been, India and Mauritius are very closely linked together. Sidhant Sibal: What can one expect in the relationship? Further, you pointed out that the Prime Minister was here for the AI Summit Dr Dhananjay Ramful: So the prime minister Mauritius was here a few weeks back in February for the AI Summit, and where he had a bilateral meeting with his Excellency, the Prime Minister Modi, and where there were discussions about India, America cable submarine. Our own cable submarine has now reached its expired date. So there was a request for that submarine to be extended to Mauritius. So this is under process. There were also talks, and this comes at the right moment, because there were talks about trying to get a G2G with India for the supply of petroleum products. So, as you know, we get our supply of products from, mainly Oman and the Middle East. So we were thinking of getting a G2G from one of the oil refineries here in India. And so that's an upcoming project that we'll be discussing about. Sidhant Sibal: So if you can perhaps talk about your assessment, your view about the West Asia war? Dr Dhananjay Ramful: Indian Ocean region is important for the economic survival of all the coastal states&nbsp;bordering the Indian Ocean. Especially for a small island developing state like Mauritius, which is highly dependent on the marine resources from the ocean, and also, definitely that's going to have an impact on the supply of energy. Also the food security issue might crop up because we import most of our food from abroad, and also being a tourist destination. We are expecting that this Middle East crisis is going to have an impact on tourism sector because of airline's disruptions.<h2>Watch the full interview here</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">In an interview with WION&#39;s Sidhant Sibal (<a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sidhant</a>), Mauritius Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful (<a href="https://twitter.com/RamfulDhananjay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RamfulDhananjay</a>), warned the ongoing West Asia war could disrupt global energy supplies, trigger food security concerns, and hurt the island nation’s tourism sector He urged all… <a href="https://t.co/RnZgsSbVwX">pic.twitter.com/RnZgsSbVwX</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2029893091960967570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sidhant Sibal:&nbsp;Mauritius has suspended its relationship with Maldives. What's the reason for it? Dr Dhananjay Ramful: It was quite an exceptional decision, but then we had reached a point where we couldn't do otherwise, because Mauritius has been claiming its sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago for many years now. We have aligned our claim for sovereignty with international law. We've gone to the International Court of Justice, where we have obtained an advisory opinion from the highest court of justice saying that continued administration of the Chagos island by the British was unlawful, and we even had UN resolution backed by all the countries except Six, and amongst them, the Maldives were voted against, and where the UN said that the Chagos should be handed over to Mauritius in six months. So then there were negotiations. The British offered to negotiate the ceding back of the Chagos to Mauritius. We started negotiations, then we signed an agreement, where the British accepted that Mauritius has full sovereignty of the Chagos, but there were certain modalities that were put in the agreement.&nbsp;&nbsp;Now it's a question of waiting for ratification of the treaty, because, from the British point of view, this treaty needs to be ratified in the parliament. We are waiting for ratification of the treaty. But in the meantime, we see Maldives coming out from nowhere, and for the first time, claiming that they have a claim over the Chagos. In August 2022 the previous government, representing the government of Maldives, wrote to our previous Prime Minister, saying that, following the UN resolution, they will back Mauritius on any resolution concerning our claim for sovereignty over the Chagos Island.&nbsp;&nbsp;Now, all of a sudden, you see the present president coming up with all sorts of arguments and inventions saying that apparently there were, in the past, fishermen from the Maldives who were going on the one of the islands in the Chagos Archipelago, therefore, historically, they have claims to the Chagos island. But that would apply to Mauritius as well. You know, in 1500-1400 the Arabs came to Mauritius to get fresh water. Therefore, do we say that the Arabs now own Mauritius.&nbsp;So these kinds of arguments are provocation and, but as far as Mauritius is concerned, we are very serious about this issue, and we are not going to let ourselves be provoked in any way when it comes to our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sidhant Sibal:&nbsp; But it looks like Donald Trump is vetoing this agreement, which was an outcome of long conversation negotiations. There is a kind of a slowdown in the British Parliament as well. When it comes to this negotiation, it looks like, what's your assessment like? Dr Dhananjay Ramful:&nbsp;It should be highlighted that, you know, the US, definitely, they have a base on the one of the islands called&nbsp;Diego Garcia, and in the agreement that we've signed with the British, there are all the conditions and modalities to preserve the security of that base. This was agreeable by the British and was ratified by the US, from what the British told us, but we have all along been dealing with the British because it was the British who are administering the island. So we don't want to get involved in the conversations or whatever discussions there are between the British and the US. Our claim is against the British. The British have promised for the ceding back of the island to Mauritius. They have put it on paper. It's a question of ratification of the treaty. We do understand that there are some domestic politics that are, in a way, delaying the ratification process. Even the British Prime Minister said publicly that he is for the ceding back of Chagos to Mauritius. Sidhant Sibal: Diego Garcia, Donald Trump is keen that the British side supports his plans when it comes to fighter jets going from Diogo Garcia and making strikes in West Asia, in Iran. What's your assessment like when it comes to the Indian Ocean Island being used with the American and the UK base are situated for conflict in West Asia. We've already seen the expansion of the conflict Dr Dhananjay Ramful:&nbsp;Mauritius has since the start of the Middle East crisis, issued an official statement asking for all parties to put a halt to the fight and come to the table and use the diplomatic channel to resolve their differences. When it comes to using Diego Garcia, that's for the British to decide, because, for the time being it's the British that are administering the island pending the ratification of the agreement in their parliament. So that's a question internal to the British government.

Mauritius FM Dhananjay Ramful: West Asia war could disrupt energy, food and tourism

Mauritius' Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful has warned that the escalating conflict in West Asia has evolved into a regional crisis with far-reaching global consequences, severely affecting nations in the Indian ocean region. In an interview with WION's Sidhant Sibal, Mr. Ramful highlighted the broad economic and security impacts stemming from the hostilities, particularly disruptions to energy supplies, food security, and tourism, a key pillar of Mauritius' economy. "The Indian Ocean region is important for the economic survival of all the coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean," he said. "Especially for a small island developing state like Mauritius, which is highly dependent on the marine resources from the ocean, and also, definitely that's going to have an impact on the supply of energy". The minister stressed Mauritius' call for de-escalation, noting that the government had issued an official statement since the crisis began. He also spoke on suspending ties with Maldives, and Chagos issue. Interview: Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India, Mauritius ties? Dr Dhananjay Ramful: Well, as you are well aware that you know, Indian Mauritius have long standing relationship since 1948 and since then, this relationship has been growing intensely, and we have also very culturally attached, not to forget that we have quite a large amount of our ancestors come from India. As far as economic partnership is concerned, we have the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement under which we are dealing with India. There are a number of trade exchanges with India. India has always been very forthcoming when it comes to assistance. The Prime Minister of India was in Mauritius last year, and we were given quite a big financial package in terms of lines of credit and also grants for our infrastructural development. So, as it has always been, India and Mauritius are very closely linked together. Sidhant Sibal: What can one expect in the relationship? Further, you pointed out that the Prime Minister was here for the AI Summit Dr Dhananjay Ramful: So the prime minister Mauritius was here a few weeks back in February for the AI Summit, and where he had a bilateral meeting with his Excellency, the Prime Minister Modi, and where there were discussions about India, America cable submarine. Our own cable submarine has now reached its expired date. So there was a request for that submarine to be extended to Mauritius. So this is under process. There were also talks, and this comes at the right moment, because there were talks about trying to get a G2G with India for the supply of petroleum products. So, as you know, we get our supply of products from, mainly Oman and the Middle East. So we were thinking of getting a G2G from one of the oil refineries here in India. And so that's an upcoming project that we'll be discussing about. Sidhant Sibal: So if you can perhaps talk about your assessment, your view about the West Asia war? Dr Dhananjay Ramful: Indian Ocean region is important for the economic survival of all the coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean. Especially for a small island developing state like Mauritius, which is highly dependent on the marine resources from the ocean, and also, definitely that's going to have an impact on the supply of energy. Also the food security issue might crop up because we import most of our food from abroad, and also being a tourist destination. We are expecting that this Middle East crisis is going to have an impact on tourism sector because of airline's disruptions. Watch the full interview here

Mauritius' Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful has warned that the escalating conflict in West Asia has evolved into a regional crisis with far-reaching global consequences, severely affecting nations in the Indian ocean region

The US Army recently canceled a major training exercise involving the headquarters element of an elite paratrooper unit, according to officials, raising speculation within the Defense Department that troops could soon be deployed to the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate. The 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, maintains a brigade combat team of roughly 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers capable of deploying within 18 hours. The unit is trained for a variety of missions, including capturing airfields and critical infrastructure, reinforcing US embassies, and supporting emergency evacuations. Its headquarters staff coordinates the planning and execution of such operations.&nbsp;Officials said no formal deployment orders had been issued as of Friday. They spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter. However, the sudden cancellation of the training exercise, which was supposed to take place at Fort Polk, has led to increased speculation about possible operational plans. Instead of traveling to Louisiana for the exercise, the headquarters staff was instructed to remain in North Carolina. Because of the 82nd Airborne Division’s history of rapid deployments during global crises, the move has intensified expectations that its Immediate Response Force could soon be activated. “We’re all preparing for something, just in case,” said one official familiar with the situation.&nbsp;Army officials directed inquiries to the Pentagon, which declined to provide specifics. “Due to operations security we do not discuss future or hypothetical movements,” the statement said. Officials from United States Central Command also declined to comment. The growing speculation comes as President Donald Trump has offered varying explanations for launching the conflict with Iran. While he has said publicly that US ground forces “probably” will not be required, neither he nor his senior advisers have ruled out the possibility entirely. The Immediate Response Force has played key roles in several recent crises. It was deployed to reinforce security at the US Embassy in Baghdad shortly before the 2020 killing of Qasem Soleimani. The unit also participated in the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan and was deployed to Eastern Europe in 2022 amid rising tensions before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brent-crude-crosses-90-mark-for-first-time-in-nearly-two-years-as-middle-east-war-jolts-markets-1772822808346">Brent crude crosses $90 mark for first time in nearly two years as Middle East war jolts markets</a>&nbsp;Since the conflict began nearly a week ago, US commanders have relied mainly on air and naval strikes to target Iranian military facilities, missile stockpiles, drones and naval assets. As Iranian defenses weaken, US aircraft are increasingly flying directly over Iranian territory to conduct strikes using fighter jets, bombers and other aircraft. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that sending American ground troops into Iran was “not part of the current plan, but I’m not going to remove an option for the president that is on the table.” During a Pentagon briefing earlier that day, Dan Caine declined to address questions about potential ground deployments. “I don’t make policy,” Caine said. “I execute policy.”&nbsp;Reports last week indicated that Caine had warned the White House about risks associated with a large-scale military campaign against Iran, including limited stockpiles of certain munitions and insufficient military backing from U.S. allies. The administration has attempted to minimize those concerns. Caine appeared at the briefing alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who also refused to rule out the possibility of deploying ground combat troops. Meanwhile, Charles “Brad” Cooper said that U.S. combat power in the region continues to grow while Iranian capabilities are declining. According to Cooper, Iran has launched fewer missiles and drones in recent days.&nbsp;He said US forces are now striking Iranian targets directly by flying over the country. By doing so, Cooper said, US forces are hitting Iran’s “center of gravity directly with overwhelming power and reach.” The campaign includes B-2 bombers dropping 2,000-pound bombs on underground ballistic missile launch sites. More than 50,000 American troops are currently involved in the operation. Six U.S. soldiers have been killed so far during Iranian retaliatory attacks targeting American positions and interests across the Middle East.&nbsp;Trump acknowledged the possibility of additional casualties. “There will likely be more,” he said. “That’s the way it is.”The administration has not provided a clear timeline for the campaign’s conclusion. Trump said it might last four to five weeks but added that the United States has the capability to continue much longer if necessary. One concern among military planners is the availability of certain precision weapons and air-defense interceptors. Some officials say the Pentagon has been rapidly using up those stockpiles. However, senior leaders have denied any shortages, arguing that the shift toward strikes by manned aircraft allows the use of more abundant munitions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-strikes-back-israel-says-iran-using-cluster-bomb-missiles-wion-1772832551868/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-strikes-back-israel-says-iran-using-cluster-bomb-missiles-wion-1772832551868/embed</a>&nbsp;“We’ve got no shortages of munitions,” Hegseth said. “Our stockpiles of defensive and offensive weapons allow us to sustain this campaign as long as we need to.” If the United States decides to deploy ground forces, analysts say one potential early objective could be Kharg Island. Located roughly 15 miles from Iran’s mainland, the island handles about 90 percent of the country’s oil exports. Capturing Kharg Island would give the United States control over a key part of Iran’s economy but could also expose American troops to significant attacks.&nbsp;Michael Rubin described the idea as a “no-brainer,” arguing that the administration appears to be realizing the scale of the challenge posed by Iran. Even though US forces could face incoming fire if deployed there, Rubin said capturing the island would provide major strategic leverage, including the potential to disrupt Iran’s ability to fund its military operations. Such a move would also align with Trump’s previous efforts to control strategic resources abroad, including actions related to Nicolás Maduro and interventions during his first term in Syria. However, sending ground troops into Iran carries significant political risk. Trump faces strong opposition from Democrats and from some members of his own Republican Party who oppose expanding the conflict. A recent poll by CNN found that only 12 percent of respondents support sending ground troops to Iran, while 60 per cent oppose the idea and 28 percent remain undecided.&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.

US cancels 82nd airborne training, raising questions about possible Iran deployment

The US Army recently canceled a major training exercise involving the headquarters element of an elite paratrooper unit, according to officials, raising speculation within the Defense Department that troops could soon be deployed to the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate. The 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, maintains a brigade combat team of roughly 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers capable of deploying within 18 hours. The unit is trained for a variety of missions, including capturing airfields and critical infrastructure, reinforcing US embassies, and supporting emergency evacuations. Its headquarters staff coordinates the planning and execution of such operations. Officials said no formal deployment orders had been issued as of Friday. They spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter. However, the sudden cancellation of the training exercise, which was supposed to take place at Fort Polk, has led to increased speculation about possible operational plans. Instead of traveling to Louisiana for the exercise, the headquarters staff was instructed to remain in North Carolina. Because of the 82nd Airborne Division’s history of rapid deployments during global crises, the move has intensified expectations that its Immediate Response Force could soon be activated. “We’re all preparing for something, just in case,” said one official familiar with the situation. Army officials directed inquiries to the Pentagon, which declined to provide specifics. “Due to operations security we do not discuss future or hypothetical movements,” the statement said. Officials from United States Central Command also declined to comment. The growing speculation comes as President Donald Trump has offered varying explanations for launching the conflict with Iran. While he has said publicly that US ground forces “probably” will not be required, neither he nor his senior advisers have ruled out the possibility entirely. The Immediate Response Force has played key roles in several recent crises. It was deployed to reinforce security at the US Embassy in Baghdad shortly before the 2020 killing of Qasem Soleimani. The unit also participated in the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan and was deployed to Eastern Europe in 2022 amid rising tensions before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Also Read: Brent crude crosses $90 mark for first time in nearly two years as Middle East war jolts markets Since the conflict began nearly a week ago, US commanders have relied mainly on air and naval strikes to target Iranian military facilities, missile stockpiles, drones and naval assets. As Iranian defenses weaken, US aircraft are increasingly flying directly over Iranian territory to conduct strikes using fighter jets, bombers and other aircraft. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that sending American ground troops into Iran was “not part of the current plan, but I’m not going to remove an option for the president that is on the table.” During a Pentagon briefing earlier that day, Dan Caine declined to address questions about potential ground deployments. “I don’t make policy,” Caine said. “I execute policy.” Reports last week indicated that Caine had warned the White House about risks associated with a large-scale military campaign against Iran, including limited stockpiles of certain munitions and insufficient military backing from U.S. allies. The administration has attempted to minimize those concerns. Caine appeared at the briefing alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who also refused to rule out the possibility of deploying ground combat troops. Meanwhile, Charles “Brad” Cooper said that U.S. combat power in the region continues to grow while Iranian capabilities are declining. According to Cooper, Iran has launched fewer missiles and drones in recent days. He said US forces are now striking Iranian targets directly by flying over the country. By doing so, Cooper said, US forces are hitting Iran’s “center of gravity directly with overwhelming power and reach.” The campaign includes B-2 bombers dropping 2,000-pound bombs on underground ballistic missile launch sites. More than 50,000 American troops are currently involved in the operation. Six U.S. soldiers have been killed so far during Iranian retaliatory attacks targeting American positions and interests across the Middle East. Trump acknowledged the possibility of additional casualties. “There will likely be more,” he said. “That’s the way it is.” The administration has not provided a clear timeline for the campaign’s conclusion. Trump said it might last four to five weeks but added that the United States has the capability to continue much longer if necessary. One concern among military planners is the availability of certain precision weapons and air-defense interceptors. Some officials say the Pentagon has been rapidly using up those stockpiles. However, senior leaders have denied any shortages, arguing that the shift toward strikes by manned aircraft allows the use of more abundant munitions. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-strikes-back-israel-says-iran-using-cluster-bomb-missiles-wion-1772832551868/embed “We’ve got no shortages of munitions,” Hegseth said. “Our stockpiles of defensive and offensive weapons allow us to sustain this campaign as long as we need to.” If the United States decides to deploy ground forces, analysts say one potential early objective could be Kharg Island. Located roughly 15 miles from Iran’s mainland, the island handles about 90 percent of the country’s oil exports. Capturing Kharg Island would give the United States control over a key part of Iran’s economy but could also expose American troops to significant attacks. Michael Rubin described the idea as a “no-brainer,” arguing that the administration appears to be realizing the scale of the challenge posed by Iran. Even though US forces could face incoming fire if deployed there, Rubin said capturing the island would provide major strategic leverage, including the potential to disrupt Iran’s ability to fund its military operations. Such a move would also align with Trump’s previous efforts to control strategic resources abroad, including actions related to Nicolás Maduro and interventions during his first term in Syria. However, sending ground troops into Iran carries significant political risk. Trump faces strong opposition from Democrats and from some members of his own Republican Party who oppose expanding the conflict. A recent poll by CNN found that only 12 percent of respondents support sending ground troops to Iran, while 60 per cent oppose the idea and 28 percent remain undecided. 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.

The United States Army cancels 82nd Airborne training, sparking speculation of possible Middle East deployment as the conflict with Iran escalates

Russia has provided Iran with intelligence on US military positions, according to people familiar with US intelligence reporting, marking the first indication Moscow may be directly involving itself in the conflict. The intelligence shared by Russia reportedly includes satellite imagery showing the locations and movements of American troops, ships and aircraft, according to sources cited in US intelligence briefings. A person familiar with the matter said much of the information came from Moscow’s network of overhead satellites. It remains unclear what Russia may be receiving in return for the assistance.&nbsp;The development was first reported by The Washington Post. It is also unclear whether any specific Iranian strike can be directly linked to Russian targeting data. However, several Iranian drone attacks have recently struck locations where US troops were present. On Sunday, an Iranian drone hit a temporary facility housing US troops in Kuwait, killing six American service members, according to CNN reporting. One source briefed on the intelligence said, “This shows Russia still likes Iran very much.”&nbsp;US intelligence officials are also monitoring signs that China could provide Iran with limited assistance, including financial support, spare parts and missile components, according to three people familiar with the matter. So far, Beijing has largely stayed out of the conflict. China relies heavily on Iranian oil and has reportedly been urging Tehran to ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-on-what-iran-s-next-leader-must-do-treat-us-israel-well-and-other-countries-in-middle-east-1772814105407">Trump on what Iran’s next leader must do: 'Treat US, Israel well and other countries in Middle East'</a>&nbsp;One person familiar with the intelligence assessments said, “China is more cautious in its support. It wants the war to end because it endangers their energy supply.” The CIA declined to comment on the intelligence reporting. CNN has also asked the Chinese embassy in Washington for comment regarding the suggestion that Beijing could assist Iran.&nbsp;US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth downplayed the role of Moscow and Beijing in the conflict. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said Russia and China are “not really a factor” in the war with Iran. Russia and Iran have deepened military cooperation in recent years. Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles used in attacks on Ukraine. Tehran has also helped establish a large drone production facility inside Russia to manufacture Iranian-designed drones.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-us-war-with-iran-idf-uses-blue-sparrow-missile-on-khamenei-bunker-1772818165161/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-us-war-with-iran-idf-uses-blue-sparrow-missile-on-khamenei-bunker-1772818165161/embed</a>&nbsp;The US military operation against Iran currently involves more than 50,000 troops, over 200 fighter jets and two aircraft carriers, according to US Central Command commander Admiral Brad Cooper. According to Pentagon officials, the current US military objective is to eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities. Defense Secretary Hegseth said this week that Iran has been using those missiles as a “shield” while advancing its nuclear program.&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.

Is Russia giving Iran satellite intel on US troops amid war? Here's what report suggests

Russia has provided Iran with intelligence on US military positions, according to people familiar with US intelligence reporting, marking the first indication Moscow may be directly involving itself in the conflict. The intelligence shared by Russia reportedly includes satellite imagery showing the locations and movements of American troops, ships and aircraft, according to sources cited in US intelligence briefings. A person familiar with the matter said much of the information came from Moscow’s network of overhead satellites. It remains unclear what Russia may be receiving in return for the assistance. The development was first reported by The Washington Post. It is also unclear whether any specific Iranian strike can be directly linked to Russian targeting data. However, several Iranian drone attacks have recently struck locations where US troops were present. On Sunday, an Iranian drone hit a temporary facility housing US troops in Kuwait, killing six American service members, according to CNN reporting. One source briefed on the intelligence said, “This shows Russia still likes Iran very much.” US intelligence officials are also monitoring signs that China could provide Iran with limited assistance, including financial support, spare parts and missile components, according to three people familiar with the matter. So far, Beijing has largely stayed out of the conflict. China relies heavily on Iranian oil and has reportedly been urging Tehran to ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route. Also Read: Trump on what Iran’s next leader must do: 'Treat US, Israel well and other countries in Middle East' One person familiar with the intelligence assessments said, “China is more cautious in its support. It wants the war to end because it endangers their energy supply.” The CIA declined to comment on the intelligence reporting. CNN has also asked the Chinese embassy in Washington for comment regarding the suggestion that Beijing could assist Iran. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth downplayed the role of Moscow and Beijing in the conflict. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he said Russia and China are “not really a factor” in the war with Iran. Russia and Iran have deepened military cooperation in recent years. Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles used in attacks on Ukraine. Tehran has also helped establish a large drone production facility inside Russia to manufacture Iranian-designed drones. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-us-war-with-iran-idf-uses-blue-sparrow-missile-on-khamenei-bunker-1772818165161/embed The US military operation against Iran currently involves more than 50,000 troops, over 200 fighter jets and two aircraft carriers, according to US Central Command commander Admiral Brad Cooper. According to Pentagon officials, the current US military objective is to eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities. Defense Secretary Hegseth said this week that Iran has been using those missiles as a “shield” while advancing its nuclear program. 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.

US intelligence sources say Russia has shared satellite imagery of US military positions with Iran, while China may provide limited support

Russia giving Iran satellite intel on US troops amid war? Here's what report suggests

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