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Dubai's Creek Harbour neighbourhood on Wednesday (Mar 11) suffered a drone attack, which caused a fire in a high-rise residential building there. Dramatic videos shared on social media platforms, including X, show the blaze. The incident was confirmed by the Dubai Media Office, which said evacuations were carried out to ensure the safety of people in the building. The drone is believed to be of Iranian origin. Amid the war in West Asia, Dubai is one of the Gulf nations that Iran's forces have targeted in their retaliatory attacks after the United States and Israel started a war with their "pre-emptive" strikes under Operation Epic Fury and Operation Lion's Roar.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-claims-responsibility-for-twin-oil-tanker-blasts-near-iraq-1-dead-38-rescued-us-israel-iran-war-1773277311376">Iran claims responsibility for twin oil tanker blasts near Iraq that killed 1</a><h2>Attack in Dubai</h2>On X, Dubai's media office confirmed that authorities were “responding to an incident involving a drone that fell on a building in the vicinity of Dubai Creek Harbor.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">فرق الدفاع المدني تسيطر على حريق محدود في المبنى ولم يتم تسجيل إصابات حتى الآن. <a href="https://t.co/zUsatsOQ6M">pic.twitter.com/zUsatsOQ6M</a>&mdash; Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/DXBMediaOffice/status/2031871412521374063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Videos of the burning building are being widely shared on social media and are going viral. Watch here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">⚡️Scenes from Dubai tonight after a drone attack <a href="https://t.co/gHHJUqjKGJ">pic.twitter.com/gHHJUqjKGJ</a>&mdash; The Global Monitor (@theglobal4u) <a href="https://twitter.com/theglobal4u/status/2031863674705756670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Creek Harbor is a posh neighbourhood in Dubai. It features apartments, penthouses, and luxury hotels like the Vida Creek Harbor, Address Harbor Point, and Palace Residences, among others. In addition to the drone attack on Creek Harbor, a fire was reported at Jumeirah Palm, and the Dubai airport also sustained damage.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dubai-creek-harbour-strike-drone-hits-luxury-residential-building-sparking-major-fire-and-evacuations-amid-iran-war-watch-1773280236925">Dubai Creek Harbour: High-rise ablaze after drone strike amid Iran war — Video</a><h2>UNSC condemns Iran's attacks on neighbours</h2>The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday (March 11) adopted a resolution urging Iran to stop its attacks on Gulf nations, but the text avoided mentioning recent US or Israeli strikes on Iran, which drew sharp criticism from Tehran.The resolution passed with 13 votes in favour, while veto-holding members China and Russia abstained. It “demands the immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.” The measure also “condemns any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”&nbsp; &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.

A luxury residential high-rise in the Dubai Creek Harbour district was struck by a drone on Wednesday (Mar 11), sparking a blaze that triggered emergency evacuations across the waterfront neighbourhood. Scroll down for video and more.

Dubai's Creek Harbour neighbourhood on Wednesday (Mar 11) suffered a drone attack, which caused a fire in a high-rise residential building there. Dramatic videos shared on social media platforms, including X, show the blaze. The incident was confirmed by the Dubai Media Office, which said evacuations were carried out to ensure the safety of people in the building. The drone is believed to be of Iranian origin. Amid the war in West Asia, Dubai is one of the Gulf nations that Iran's forces have targeted in their retaliatory attacks after the United States and Israel started a war with their "pre-emptive" strikes under Operation Epic Fury and Operation Lion's Roar. Also read | Iran claims responsibility for twin oil tanker blasts near Iraq that killed 1 Attack in Dubai On X, Dubai's media office confirmed that authorities were “responding to an incident involving a drone that fell on a building in the vicinity of Dubai Creek Harbor.”

A luxury residential high-rise in the Dubai Creek Harbour district was struck by a drone on Wednesday (Mar 11), sparking a blaze that triggered emergency evacuations across the waterfront neighbourhood. Scroll down for video and more.

Dubai Creek Harbour strike: Drone hits luxury residential building, sparking major fire and evacuations amid Iran war — Watch

Iran on Wednesday (Mar 11) claimed responsibility for blowing up two oil tankers near Iraq that killed at least one crew member. 38 people were rescued from the inferno. The attack came just hours after the US embassy in Baghdad warned that Iran and Tehran-backed Iraqi armed groups might target US-owned oil facilities in Iraq. Iran has previously vowed that no oil will leave the Gulf while its war with the United States and Israel continues. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that handles a fifth of the world's oil, remains closed to almost all oil tankers.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-oil-tanker-erupts-in-flames-near-basra-coast-in-northern-persian-gulf-as-middle-east-war-escalates-20-crew-members-rescued-1773268780779">WATCH | Oil tanker erupts in flames near Basra coast in Northern Persian Gulf</a><h2>Iran claims responsibility for twin oil tanker blasts</h2>According to the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, Iran claimed responsibility for the attack on the two oil tankers, believed to belong to the United States. The underwater drone attack "blew up two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf tonight," it said.State television channel al-Ikhbariya broadcast images of a ship at sea with plumes of smoke rising from a huge fire. Videos of the inferno are also being widely shared on social media. Watch here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Breaking: A US Oil Tanker turns into flame in Iraq <a href="https://t.co/PYBmFGvQmr">pic.twitter.com/PYBmFGvQmr</a>&mdash; Iran Updates 🚨 (@IranUpdatesNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/IranUpdatesNow/status/2031873296141320463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>At least one crew member killed, many remain missing</h2>Farhan Al-Fartousi of Iraq's General Company for Ports told state television that one crew member was killed in the attack. 38 people have been rescued, but many remain missing, with the search continuing for any survivors. The nationality of the deceased crew member is yet to be revealed.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-nobel-cannibal-khamenei-s-x-account-posts-ghastly-trump-cartoon-after-potus-floats-twisted-tomahawk-theory-on-minab-school-strike-1773194272348">'Nobel Cannibal': Khamenei’s X account posts ghastly Trump cartoon after POTUS floats Tomahawk theory on Iran school strike</a>He also revealed that one of the ships was registered under a Maltese flag. The other one, as per reports, may belong to the United States. Speaking to the national news agency INA, the Iraqi government's cell stated that the "two tankers were subject to sabotage."&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;

Did Iran just attack US-linked oil tankers in the Persian Gulf? Tehran has claimed responsibility for twin tanker explosions near Iraq after an underwater drone strike triggered a massive fire at sea. But what exactly happened, and why were these ships targeted? Scroll down to find out.

Iran on Wednesday (Mar 11) claimed responsibility for blowing up two oil tankers near Iraq that killed at least one crew member. 38 people were rescued from the inferno. The attack came just hours after the US embassy in Baghdad warned that Iran and Tehran-backed Iraqi armed groups might target US-owned oil facilities in Iraq. Iran has previously vowed that no oil will leave the Gulf while its war with the United States and Israel continues. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that handles a fifth of the world's oil, remains closed to almost all oil tankers. Also read | WATCH | Oil tanker erupts in flames near Basra coast in Northern Persian Gulf Iran claims responsibility for twin oil tanker blasts According to the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, Iran claimed responsibility for the attack on the two oil tankers, believed to belong to the United States. The underwater drone attack "blew up two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf tonight," it said. State television channel al-Ikhbariya broadcast images of a ship at sea with plumes of smoke rising from a huge fire. Videos of the inferno are also being widely shared on social media. Watch here:

Did Iran just attack US-linked oil tankers in the Persian Gulf? Tehran has claimed responsibility for twin tanker explosions near Iraq after an underwater drone strike triggered a massive fire at sea. But what exactly happened, and why were these ships targeted? Scroll down to find out.

Iran claims responsibility for twin oil tanker blasts near Iraq; 1 dead, 38 rescued

The belief that an apocalypse will kill all humans and reset Earth's clock one day is a far more common belief than you would think. A study has found that one-third of people believe that the end is near, proving that the end is no longer a mere mythical belief but a reality for many. A team from the University of British Columbia has found that there are five dimensions to the belief about apocalypse, including how and when it might happen, whether humans would be responsible and if it would be a good thing. Each of these dimensions is linked to how they perceive the current threats. Those who think that a man-made disaster would kill us all want action to be taken, but those who feel the divine will be responsible say it should be accepted. Researchers surveyed 3,400 participants in the study, one-third of whom believe that the world will end in their lifetime. Dr Matthew Billet, lead author of the study from the University of British Columbia, said, "Belief in the end of the world is surprisingly common… and it's significantly influencing how people interpret and respond to the most pressing threats facing humanity." The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/big-red-splotch-seen-on-google-maps-in-us-desert-triggers-apocalypse-chatter-it-shall-turn-into-blood-1765861256391">Big red splotch seen on Google Maps in US desert triggers apocalypse chatter. It is nothing but…</a><h2>The 5 dimensions of apocalyptic beliefs</h2>He added that the one common thing each of them agreed on is that humans are the ones who decide the fate of our world. The researchers identified five areas linked to end–of–world beliefs that decide how people perceive the apocalypse. First is "perceived closeness", or how soon the world could end. They were likely to say that the constant occurrence shows that the apocalypse will happen very soon. Next is "anthropogenic causality", that is, whether humans will cause the apocalypse, or whether "human stupidity" will cause it.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/move-over-rapture-another-prophecy-claims-comet-will-end-the-world-in-2026-1758790270916">Rapture did not happen, but another world-ending event has been prophesied for 2026</a>&nbsp;The third dimension is "theogenic causality", which states that divine or supernatural forces will bring about the end of the world. These are people who believe in prophecies, such as those mentioned in the Bible. The fourth dimension is "personal control", that is if each individual could influence the outcome. Last is "emotional valence", to see the end as a good or a bad thing. They would say, "The apocalypse is a necessary step toward utopia."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/billionaire-peter-thiel-warns-fear-mongering-activists-like-greta-thunberg-will-trigger-end-of-world-1770280453432">Billionaire Peter Thiel warns fear-mongering activists like 'Greta Thunberg' will trigger end of world</a><h2>Human-caused apocalypse compared to divine forces</h2>How they felt about the apocalypse was based on what caused it. Those who thought that humans were causing it urged urgent and extreme action to control the situation. However, since the divine was involved, believers didn't want anything to be done to prevent it. The results showed that if people saw the threat as being real, they asked for steps to be taken instead of resigning to their fate. The religious aspect is also on display sharply, since if higher forces are involved, people don't think much can be done.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Apocalypse is no longer limited to religious books and prophecies. Today, people actually believe that it will happen, and a huge chunk is of the view that it will happen in the next few years. The world could end from wars, natural disasters, an asteroid or divine intervention.

The belief that an apocalypse will kill all humans and reset Earth's clock one day is a far more common belief than you would think. A study has found that one-third of people believe that the end is near, proving that the end is no longer a mere mythical belief but a reality for many. A team from the University of British Columbia has found that there are five dimensions to the belief about apocalypse, including how and when it might happen, whether humans would be responsible and if it would be a good thing. Each of these dimensions is linked to how they perceive the current threats. Those who think that a man-made disaster would kill us all want action to be taken, but those who feel the divine will be responsible say it should be accepted. Researchers surveyed 3,400 participants in the study, one-third of whom believe that the world will end in their lifetime. Dr Matthew Billet, lead author of the study from the University of British Columbia, said, "Belief in the end of the world is surprisingly common… and it's significantly influencing how people interpret and respond to the most pressing threats facing humanity." The study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Also Read: Big red splotch seen on Google Maps in US desert triggers apocalypse chatter. It is nothing but… The 5 dimensions of apocalyptic beliefs He added that the one common thing each of them agreed on is that humans are the ones who decide the fate of our world. The researchers identified five areas linked to end–of–world beliefs that decide how people perceive the apocalypse. First is "perceived closeness", or how soon the world could end. They were likely to say that the constant occurrence shows that the apocalypse will happen very soon. Next is "anthropogenic causality", that is, whether humans will cause the apocalypse, or whether "human stupidity" will cause it. Also Read: Rapture did not happen, but another world-ending event has been prophesied for 2026 The third dimension is "theogenic causality", which states that divine or supernatural forces will bring about the end of the world. These are people who believe in prophecies, such as those mentioned in the Bible. The fourth dimension is "personal control", that is if each individual could influence the outcome. Last is "emotional valence", to see the end as a good or a bad thing. They would say, "The apocalypse is a necessary step toward utopia." Also Read: Billionaire Peter Thiel warns fear-mongering activists like 'Greta Thunberg' will trigger end of world Human-caused apocalypse compared to divine forces How they felt about the apocalypse was based on what caused it. Those who thought that humans were causing it urged urgent and extreme action to control the situation. However, since the divine was involved, believers didn't want anything to be done to prevent it. The results showed that if people saw the threat as being real, they asked for steps to be taken instead of resigning to their fate. The religious aspect is also on display sharply, since if higher forces are involved, people don't think much can be done.

Apocalypse is no longer limited to religious books and prophecies. Today, people actually believe that it will happen, and a huge chunk is of the view that it will happen in the next few years. The world could end from wars, natural disasters, an asteroid or divine intervention.

Apocalypse an inevitable reality for humans today, whether caused by human stupidity or divinity

Mauritius celebrates its 58th year of independence and its 34th year as a republic on March 12, 2026. If you are looking beech lover and adventure seekers, then Mauritius, which is also known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," can be the best option with the most beautiful beaches.

Mauritius Day 2026: 7 stunning beaches that prove Mauritius is a tropical paradise

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

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

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

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

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

Iran's top police commander has warned that demonstrators who support Tehran’s adversaries during the ongoing war will be treated as enemies of the state. The warning comes amid fears that the Iran war could reignite mass anti-government rallies.<h2>Protestors or enemies</h2>Iran's national police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, in comments aired by state broadcaster IRIB late on Tuesday, said, "If anyone comes forward in line with the wishes of the enemy, we will no longer see them as merely a protester."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-news-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-safe-and-sound-despite-war-injuries-says-president-pezeshkian-s-son-1773210931273">Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son</a>"We will see them as an enemy," he said, adding, "We will deal with them in the same way we deal with enemies." Radan added that Iranian security forces were fully prepared to respond. "All our forces are also ready, with their hands on the trigger, prepared to defend their revolution."<h2>Warning amid fears of renewed unrest</h2>The statement comes as the conflict in the Middle East raises concerns within Iran’s leadership that large-scale anti-government protests could erupt again.Authorities carried out a sweeping crackdown earlier this year after demonstrations broke out in January over economic hardship in the sanctions-hit country. Iranian officials described those protests as riots and warned participants to surrender or face legal consequences.At the time, US President Donald Trump warned the Iranian government against a crackdown on protestors and told the citizens that help was coming.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-nobel-cannibal-khamenei-s-x-account-posts-ghastly-trump-cartoon-after-potus-floats-twisted-tomahawk-theory-on-minab-school-strike-1773194272348">'Nobel Cannibal': Khamenei’s X account posts ghastly Trump cartoon after POTUS floats Tomahawk theory on Iran school strike</a><h2>Disputed death toll from crackdown</h2>Iranian authorities say more than 3,000 people died during the unrest, including security personnel and civilians. Officials have blamed the violence on what they describe as "terrorist acts" supported by Iran's enemies.However, the Washington-based monitoring group Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported a far higher toll. According to the group, more than 7,000 people may have been killed during the crackdown, most of them protesters. It also says that more than 50,000 people were arrested.The warning from Iranian police comes amid a widening conflict with the United States and Israel. Washington and Israel launched strikes inside Iran on Feb. 28, targeting military and strategic sites. Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in the joint strikes, with his death confirmed on March 1.Iran has since responded with missile and drone attacks against Israeli territory and US bases across the Gulf region.&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.

Will Iran treat anti-war protesters as enemies during the conflict with the US and Israel? Iran’s police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan warned that anyone supporting Tehran’s adversaries will be viewed as an “enemy of the state.”

Why is the regime issuing this warning now? Scroll down to read.

Iran's top police commander has warned that demonstrators who support Tehran’s adversaries during the ongoing war will be treated as enemies of the state. The warning comes amid fears that the Iran war could reignite mass anti-government rallies. Protestors or enemies Iran's national police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, in comments aired by state broadcaster IRIB late on Tuesday, said, "If anyone comes forward in line with the wishes of the enemy, we will no longer see them as merely a protester." Also read | Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son "We will see them as an enemy," he said, adding, "We will deal with them in the same way we deal with enemies." Radan added that Iranian security forces were fully prepared to respond. "All our forces are also ready, with their hands on the trigger, prepared to defend their revolution." Warning amid fears of renewed unrest The statement comes as the conflict in the Middle East raises concerns within Iran’s leadership that large-scale anti-government protests could erupt again. Authorities carried out a sweeping crackdown earlier this year after demonstrations broke out in January over economic hardship in the sanctions-hit country. Iranian officials described those protests as riots and warned participants to surrender or face legal consequences. At the time, US President Donald Trump warned the Iranian government against a crackdown on protestors and told the citizens that help was coming. Also read | 'Nobel Cannibal': Khamenei’s X account posts ghastly Trump cartoon after POTUS floats Tomahawk theory on Iran school strike Disputed death toll from crackdown Iranian authorities say more than 3,000 people died during the unrest, including security personnel and civilians. Officials have blamed the violence on what they describe as "terrorist acts" supported by Iran's enemies. However, the Washington-based monitoring group Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported a far higher toll. According to the group, more than 7,000 people may have been killed during the crackdown, most of them protesters. It also says that more than 50,000 people were arrested. The warning from Iranian police comes amid a widening conflict with the United States and Israel. Washington and Israel launched strikes inside Iran on Feb. 28, targeting military and strategic sites. Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in the joint strikes, with his death confirmed on March 1. Iran has since responded with missile and drone attacks against Israeli territory and US bases across the Gulf region. 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.

Will Iran treat anti-war protesters as enemies during the conflict with the US and Israel? Iran’s police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan warned that anyone supporting Tehran’s adversaries will be viewed as an “enemy of the state.”Why is the regime issuing this warning now? Scroll down to read.

‘Hand on the trigger’: Iran vows to treat anti-war protesters as ‘enemies of the state’

The Iran–Israel conflict of June 2025 lasted 12 days, ending after American B-2 bombers targeted alleged Iranian nuclear sites. The new US-Israel joint strikes on Iran started exactly 12 days ago, but there is no sign of it ending as fast as last time. Neither has the Islamic Republic regime fallen, nor is Iran waving the white flag, having declared a pause to all negotiations. Regime change and the capitulation of Iran were the supposed aims of the war. The US now seems to have changed the goalposts, suggesting that regime change was not the aim. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government will not let the regime be, with his officials suggesting that the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is a ‘legitimate’ target for assassination. If the US and Israel were thinking it would be an ‘in and out’ war, they are being proven wrong. Direct war was not the only card Iran had. It has used a number of tactics that could force the international community to pressure the US and Israel to end the war.<h2>16 ways in which Iran is still staying in the war</h2>The following are the key ways in which Iran’s war strategy is helping it not to lose. This goes beyond actual ground or air offensives, with Tehran incorporating regional expansion of the conflict and the choking of global energy supplies for strategic edge over adversaries.1. Iran attacked specific targets in regional countries, making them indirect ‘party to the conflict’: The UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq were attacked with Iranian drones and missiles, bringing both their defence systems and economies under stress. This is putting pressure on the Gulf nations to bring back normalcy fast through diplomatic means as their defence systems slowly wear out.2. Iranian attacks targeted both oil and gas sites and military bases of the Gulf nations: The Iranian calculation was not off the mark, as the cascading effect is now felt in everything from oil and gas prices to food and living costs in the region and all the way to Europe and Asia.3. Iran made tactical use of the Strait of Hormuz: It had only threatened to block the global fuel trade chokepoint without much action, and yet shocks are being felt in fuel prices because big container carriers have partially or fully suspended operations through the waterway.4. Iran is making the best use of the asymmetry of cost in this war: Its thousands of cheap Shahed drones and missiles are slowly exhausting million-dollar defence systems of the Gulf nations.5. The Iranian regime has made sure that there are no large-scale street protests : The ostensible trigger point for the joint US–Israel decapitation strikes was the massive nationwide protests against the regime. But all of a sudden, the political opposition that many thought would replace the Islamic Republic is nowhere in sight.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-iran-us-israel-war-news-live-west-asia-crisis-uae-qatar-nahrain-gulf-trump-netanyahu-khamenei-mojtaba-hezbollah-hamas-china-russia-india-middle-east-1773196724144">US-Iran-Israel war LIVE | Four injured after drones fall near Dubai airport</a>6. The Islamic Republic system is still intact : It stands in spite of the decapitation strike that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Day One of the war. A new Supreme Leader has now been named, and secondary leadership is still running the country.7. &nbsp;‘All systems running’ for Iran in spite of airstrikes: Iran's military bases, airports, oil installations, warships, nuclear and ballistic missile sites were targeted. But the Iranian regime continues to operate, and post propaganda on social media. It still has the on-and-off switch of the Iranian internet, which has gone dark for several days for everyone except the regime.8. Iran's military doctrine is designed to function despite leadership losses and disruption: Iran’s ‘mosaic defence’ has decentralised command and control structures. Local units of IRGC are capable of continued fighting even if senior leadership or communications are destroyed. The expectations was that the commanders would be killed and infrastructure bombed, but combat operations must continue.&nbsp;9. Terrain makes a decisive military victory against Iran extremely difficult: From a war analysis point of view, Iran is ‘blessed by geography’. It is a vast country with mountainous terrain, underground facilities, and dispersed military infrastructure. Missile sites, command bunkers, and storage depots are spread across a large territory rather than concentrated in a few locations, many of them underground, making it hard to destroy only through strikes from above. 10. Ground invasion of Iran is yet to happen: Large-scale ground operations would be needed to completely destroy Iran's nuclear, missile and drone sites. The US and Israel appear reluctant, given the troop commitments and potential casualties.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-iran-us-israel-war-news-live-west-asia-crisis-uae-qatar-nahrain-gulf-trump-netanyahu-khamenei-mojtaba-hezbollah-hamas-china-russia-india-middle-east-1773196724144">Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son</a>&nbsp;11. Iran missile and drone arsenal can confront long-term pressure: Iran still possesses thousands of ballistic missiles and possibly tens of thousands of drones. Having one of the largest missile forces in the Middle East helps Iran strike intermittently for extended periods, preventing the conflict from ending quickly.12. Iranian regime is accustomed to operating under extreme sanctions and isolation: The US, the West and Israel used sanctions for decades against Iran as a ‘war by other means’. This meant Iran always functioned under economic siege conditions with its smuggling networks, informal trade channels, and state control mechanisms to cushion shocks. 13. War fatigue and political constraints in the attacking countries: There are domestic political limits on long wars, in a world that is worn out by continuing wars since the start of the new decade. Iran is deliberately making this conflict prolonged and costly for the other parties, even those who are not direct belligerents.14. Ambiguity around Iran’s nuclear capability is a deterrent: Iran insists it does not have a nuclear weapon, but not many are sure. Can it quickly develop and use a nuclear weapon? That doubt raises the stakes for adversaries, as a desperate Iran could accelerate nuclear weaponisation.15. Attackers not sure of the final desired outcome of the war: A military campaign can succeed only when objectives are defined. What do Israel and US want to achieve in Iran — territorial control, destruction of nuclear and missile capabilities, destruction of armed forces, or regime change? Their lack of clarity on this is helping Iran.&nbsp; 16. Survival itself is strategic victory for Iran: For all practical purposes, not losing fast can itself amount to winning for Iran. Iran is facing a test of survival against much stronger adversaries. The burden of expectations of victory is on US and Israel, not Iran.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-oil-markets-and-security-at-risk-did-us-iran-conflict-expose-economic-fault-lines-across-the-middle-east-1773151045233">'Oil, markets and security at risk': Did US–Iran conflict expose economic fault lines across the Middle East?</a><h2>Global realities are helping Iran not to lose, though not winning the war</h2>For much of the global community, including India, the Islamic Republic is still the government. The Indian external affairs minister, for instance, held at least three phone calls with his Iranian counterpart. Other global players like China and Russia consider it the legitimate government. Iranian ethnic factions like the Kurds are not having much of an impact in the actual war. European nations are yet to fully rally behind either the US or Israel and more worried about continued fuel supply from the region. The US-led military alliance NATO has not invoked the ‘one for all, all for one’ clause in its Article 5, which would have seen them enter the war militarily. Even the US is being forced to acknowledge the need for global energy flows to continue, exemplified in the de-sanctioning of Russian oil supplies to India. Globalisation is helping Iran in odd ways, as fuel supply disruptions caused by the war would affect economies, including that of the US.Iran, which is accused of raising proxies like Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah, does not seem to need them to stay in the war. Most of them are not even fully active in the war to support Iran, yet.<h2>Domestic concerns of Trump and Netanyahu may have led to the war. Now they don't know how to get out</h2>For the past three decades, Netanyahu has been talking about Iran being ‘very near to building a nuclear bomb’. But there is no sign of Iran detonating a bomb. Iran has threatened to target Israel’s nuclear facility. Many observers believe Israel probably has nuclear weapons, or at least the capability to develop them. Iran went ahead and threatened the main Dimona nuclear site, a message pretty similar to the gangsters’ phrase: ‘we know where you live’.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-midterms-2026-republicans-fear-iran-war-could-hurt-election-prospects-wion-1773192585039/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-midterms-2026-republicans-fear-iran-war-could-hurt-election-prospects-wion-1773192585039/embed</a>The war happened at pivotal points for the political survival of both Trump and Netanyahu. Trump was facing the fallout from the Epstein files, which could affect the Republican Party’s prospects in this year's US midterm elections. If his party loses its majority in the US Congress, he would become a ‘lame-duck’ president for the next two years, opening a Pandora’s box of further legal scrutiny of his actions. He is yet to get congressional approval for the war. He needs something to show as having been achieved through the Iran operation. He could go deeper into Iran, including even boots on the ground to ‘secure uranium’ and prevent Iran from acquiring the nuclear bomb. Even that could probably not lead to total regime change in Iran.Netanyahu is facing corruption cases, and Trump even publicly pleaded with the Israeli president to pardon him, which is yet to happen. He is currently leading a minority government, essentially clinging to power thanks to the war situation. In fact, the last elections did not give him a clear majority, but he managed to stay in office largely because most of his tenure has been about the war on Hamas and now on Iran. He is also facing the next general elections, scheduled this year. The elections could make both Trump and Netanyahu less powerful. But Iran’s own specific form of elections has no such burdens.Ultimately, both the US and Israel are realising that this war is not going to get over in 12 days, like the last one did.

As the war enters 12th day, Iran is not losing. Geography, decentralised military, missile and drone capabilities, resilience under sanctions, and political constraints on its adversaries are helping Tehran turn mere survival into a strategic advantage

The Iran–Israel conflict of June 2025 lasted 12 days, ending after American B-2 bombers targeted alleged Iranian nuclear sites. The new US-Israel joint strikes on Iran started exactly 12 days ago, but there is no sign of it ending as fast as last time. Neither has the Islamic Republic regime fallen, nor is Iran waving the white flag, having declared a pause to all negotiations. Regime change and the capitulation of Iran were the supposed aims of the war. The US now seems to have changed the goalposts, suggesting that regime change was not the aim. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government will not let the regime be, with his officials suggesting that the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is a ‘legitimate’ target for assassination. If the US and Israel were thinking it would be an ‘in and out’ war, they are being proven wrong. Direct war was not the only card Iran had. It has used a number of tactics that could force the international community to pressure the US and Israel to end the war. 16 ways in which Iran is still staying in the war The following are the key ways in which Iran’s war strategy is helping it not to lose. This goes beyond actual ground or air offensives, with Tehran incorporating regional expansion of the conflict and the choking of global energy supplies for strategic edge over adversaries. 1. Iran attacked specific targets in regional countries, making them indirect ‘party to the conflict’: The UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq were attacked with Iranian drones and missiles, bringing both their defence systems and economies under stress. This is putting pressure on the Gulf nations to bring back normalcy fast through diplomatic means as their defence systems slowly wear out. 2. Iranian attacks targeted both oil and gas sites and military bases of the Gulf nations: The Iranian calculation was not off the mark, as the cascading effect is now felt in everything from oil and gas prices to food and living costs in the region and all the way to Europe and Asia. 3. Iran made tactical use of the Strait of Hormuz: It had only threatened to block the global fuel trade chokepoint without much action, and yet shocks are being felt in fuel prices because big container carriers have partially or fully suspended operations through the waterway. 4. Iran is making the best use of the asymmetry of cost in this war: Its thousands of cheap Shahed drones and missiles are slowly exhausting million-dollar defence systems of the Gulf nations. 5. The Iranian regime has made sure that there are no large-scale street protests : The ostensible trigger point for the joint US–Israel decapitation strikes was the massive nationwide protests against the regime. But all of a sudden, the political opposition that many thought would replace the Islamic Republic is nowhere in sight. Also read: US-Iran-Israel war LIVE | Four injured after drones fall near Dubai airport 6. The Islamic Republic system is still intact : It stands in spite of the decapitation strike that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Day One of the war. A new Supreme Leader has now been named, and secondary leadership is still running the country. 7. ‘All systems running’ for Iran in spite of airstrikes: Iran's military bases, airports, oil installations, warships, nuclear and ballistic missile sites were targeted. But the Iranian regime continues to operate, and post propaganda on social media. It still has the on-and-off switch of the Iranian internet, which has gone dark for several days for everyone except the regime. 8. Iran's military doctrine is designed to function despite leadership losses and disruption: Iran’s ‘mosaic defence’ has decentralised command and control structures. Local units of IRGC are capable of continued fighting even if senior leadership or communications are destroyed. The expectations was that the commanders would be killed and infrastructure bombed, but combat operations must continue. 9. Terrain makes a decisive military victory against Iran extremely difficult: From a war analysis point of view, Iran is ‘blessed by geography’. It is a vast country with mountainous terrain, underground facilities, and dispersed military infrastructure. Missile sites, command bunkers, and storage depots are spread across a large territory rather than concentrated in a few locations, many of them underground, making it hard to destroy only through strikes from above. 10. Ground invasion of Iran is yet to happen: Large-scale ground operations would be needed to completely destroy Iran's nuclear, missile and drone sites. The US and Israel appear reluctant, given the troop commitments and potential casualties. Also read: Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son 11. Iran missile and drone arsenal can confront long-term pressure: Iran still possesses thousands of ballistic missiles and possibly tens of thousands of drones. Having one of the largest missile forces in the Middle East helps Iran strike intermittently for extended periods, preventing the conflict from ending quickly. 12. Iranian regime is accustomed to operating under extreme sanctions and isolation: The US, the West and Israel used sanctions for decades against Iran as a ‘war by other means’. This meant Iran always functioned under economic siege conditions with its smuggling networks, informal trade channels, and state control mechanisms to cushion shocks. 13. War fatigue and political constraints in the attacking countries: There are domestic political limits on long wars, in a world that is worn out by continuing wars since the start of the new decade. Iran is deliberately making this conflict prolonged and costly for the other parties, even those who are not direct belligerents. 14. Ambiguity around Iran’s nuclear capability is a deterrent: Iran insists it does not have a nuclear weapon, but not many are sure. Can it quickly develop and use a nuclear weapon? That doubt raises the stakes for adversaries, as a desperate Iran could accelerate nuclear weaponisation. 15. Attackers not sure of the final desired outcome of the war: A military campaign can succeed only when objectives are defined. What do Israel and US want to achieve in Iran — territorial control, destruction of nuclear and missile capabilities, destruction of armed forces, or regime change? Their lack of clarity on this is helping Iran. 16. Survival itself is strategic victory for Iran: For all practical purposes, not losing fast can itself amount to winning for Iran. Iran is facing a test of survival against much stronger adversaries. The burden of expectations of victory is on US and Israel, not Iran. Also read: 'Oil, markets and security at risk': Did US–Iran conflict expose economic fault lines across the Middle East? Global realities are helping Iran not to lose, though not winning the war For much of the global community, including India, the Islamic Republic is still the government. The Indian external affairs minister, for instance, held at least three phone calls with his Iranian counterpart. Other global players like China and Russia consider it the legitimate government. Iranian ethnic factions like the Kurds are not having much of an impact in the actual war. European nations are yet to fully rally behind either the US or Israel and more worried about continued fuel supply from the region. The US-led military alliance NATO has not invoked the ‘one for all, all for one’ clause in its Article 5, which would have seen them enter the war militarily. Even the US is being forced to acknowledge the need for global energy flows to continue, exemplified in the de-sanctioning of Russian oil supplies to India. Globalisation is helping Iran in odd ways, as fuel supply disruptions caused by the war would affect economies, including that of the US. Iran, which is accused of raising proxies like Hamas, the Houthis and Hezbollah, does not seem to need them to stay in the war. Most of them are not even fully active in the war to support Iran, yet. Domestic concerns of Trump and Netanyahu may have led to the war. Now they don't know how to get out For the past three decades, Netanyahu has been talking about Iran being ‘very near to building a nuclear bomb’. But there is no sign of Iran detonating a bomb. Iran has threatened to target Israel’s nuclear facility. Many observers believe Israel probably has nuclear weapons, or at least the capability to develop them. Iran went ahead and threatened the main Dimona nuclear site, a message pretty similar to the gangsters’ phrase: ‘we know where you live’. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-midterms-2026-republicans-fear-iran-war-could-hurt-election-prospects-wion-1773192585039/embed The war happened at pivotal points for the political survival of both Trump and Netanyahu. Trump was facing the fallout from the Epstein files, which could affect the Republican Party’s prospects in this year's US midterm elections. If his party loses its majority in the US Congress, he would become a ‘lame-duck’ president for the next two years, opening a Pandora’s box of further legal scrutiny of his actions. He is yet to get congressional approval for the war. He needs something to show as having been achieved through the Iran operation. He could go deeper into Iran, including even boots on the ground to ‘secure uranium’ and prevent Iran from acquiring the nuclear bomb. Even that could probably not lead to total regime change in Iran. Netanyahu is facing corruption cases, and Trump even publicly pleaded with the Israeli president to pardon him, which is yet to happen. He is currently leading a minority government, essentially clinging to power thanks to the war situation. In fact, the last elections did not give him a clear majority, but he managed to stay in office largely because most of his tenure has been about the war on Hamas and now on Iran. He is also facing the next general elections, scheduled this year. The elections could make both Trump and Netanyahu less powerful. But Iran’s own specific form of elections has no such burdens. Ultimately, both the US and Israel are realising that this war is not going to get over in 12 days, like the last one did.

As the war enters 12th day, Iran is not losing. Geography, decentralised military, missile and drone capabilities, resilience under sanctions, and political constraints on its adversaries are helping Tehran turn mere survival into a strategic advantage

Not so fast: Iran war reaches 12 days, and Tehran is not losing - 16 reasons why

The hospitality sector in a few regions of India has been severely hit and is facing a shortage of LPG cylinders needed to run kitchen stoves, as volatility in Middle East energy supplies intensifies amid the US-Israel war on Iran. Over 33 crore households in India uses Liquified petroleum gas, including lakhs of eateries, which has suddenly become hard to get. According to a report by NDTV, commercial kitchens in Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and other cities have switched to wood fires. They are mostly using scrap lumber as fuel to ensure the availability of some food. In some places, the situation has worsened to the point where restaurants have stopped serving certain dishes or replaced items that require more gas to cook with quick fast-food options. In Karnataka, for instance, the well-known eatery Bangalore Thindies, located opposite the state office of the ruling Indian National Congress, is now offering only coffee and tea. Before the crisis, the outlet had an 11-item menu that included dishes such as dosa, idli, vada, and rice meals. A cafe owner said that LPG cylinders are still available on the black market, but only at extremely high prices. On Tuesday, hotel owners' associations in Chennai and Bengaluru raised concerns about the issue, stressing that their sector is an 'essential service' and urging the federal government to restore gas supplies. Similar worries are being reported in Mumbai and Kolkata. Around 20 per cent of eateries in Mumbai and Kolkata have suspended their operations. Meanwhile, the LPG cylinder shortage in Gujarat's Surat has indicated that hotel owners are being forced to pay Rs 2,200 for a cylinder for commercial uses. Prices were increased last week, with the cost of a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder for households rising by Rs 60. A 19-kg commercial cylinder is now priced at Rs 1,883 in New Delhi, Rs 1,835 in Mumbai, Rs 1,990 in Kolkata, and Rs 2,043 in Chennai.<h3>The government extends the waiting period</h3>To curb hoarding and black-market sales, the government has extended the waiting period between cylinder refills from 21 days to 25 days to prevent hoarding and black marketing. Imported cylinders, meanwhile, are being reserved for critical facilities like hospitals. On Tuesday, Narendra Modi was briefed on the situation by Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who had earlier said that India remains in a “comfortable position.” He added that oil refineries have been directed to increase LPG cylinder production for domestic consumption. The supply pressure is linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict. The narrow waterway, over which Iran holds geographical control, is crucial for India’s energy security, as the country imports about 62 per cent of its LPG requirements through this route.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-news-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-safe-and-sound-despite-war-injuries-says-president-pezeshkian-s-son-1773210931273">Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son</a>

Several commercial kitchens in Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and other cities have switched to wood fires. They are mostly using scrap lumber as fuel to ensure the availability of some food. 

The hospitality sector in a few regions of India has been severely hit and is facing a shortage of LPG cylinders needed to run kitchen stoves, as volatility in Middle East energy supplies intensifies amid the US-Israel war on Iran. Over 33 crore households in India uses Liquified petroleum gas, including lakhs of eateries, which has suddenly become hard to get. According to a report by NDTV, commercial kitchens in Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and other cities have switched to wood fires. They are mostly using scrap lumber as fuel to ensure the availability of some food. In some places, the situation has worsened to the point where restaurants have stopped serving certain dishes or replaced items that require more gas to cook with quick fast-food options. In Karnataka, for instance, the well-known eatery Bangalore Thindies, located opposite the state office of the ruling Indian National Congress, is now offering only coffee and tea. Before the crisis, the outlet had an 11-item menu that included dishes such as dosa, idli, vada, and rice meals. A cafe owner said that LPG cylinders are still available on the black market, but only at extremely high prices. On Tuesday, hotel owners' associations in Chennai and Bengaluru raised concerns about the issue, stressing that their sector is an 'essential service' and urging the federal government to restore gas supplies. Similar worries are being reported in Mumbai and Kolkata. Around 20 per cent of eateries in Mumbai and Kolkata have suspended their operations. Meanwhile, the LPG cylinder shortage in Gujarat's Surat has indicated that hotel owners are being forced to pay Rs 2,200 for a cylinder for commercial uses. Prices were increased last week, with the cost of a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder for households rising by Rs 60. A 19-kg commercial cylinder is now priced at Rs 1,883 in New Delhi, Rs 1,835 in Mumbai, Rs 1,990 in Kolkata, and Rs 2,043 in Chennai. The government extends the waiting period To curb hoarding and black-market sales, the government has extended the waiting period between cylinder refills from 21 days to 25 days to prevent hoarding and black marketing. Imported cylinders, meanwhile, are being reserved for critical facilities like hospitals. On Tuesday, Narendra Modi was briefed on the situation by Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who had earlier said that India remains in a “comfortable position.” He added that oil refineries have been directed to increase LPG cylinder production for domestic consumption. The supply pressure is linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict. The narrow waterway, over which Iran holds geographical control, is crucial for India’s energy security, as the country imports about 62 per cent of its LPG requirements through this route. Also read: Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son

Several commercial kitchens in Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and other cities have switched to wood fires. They are mostly using scrap lumber as fuel to ensure the availability of some food.&nbsp;

Restaurants switch to wood fires as Iran war threatens LPG supplies across Indian cities

Pentagon had over $93 billion left at the end of its budget cycle, and Pete Hegseth and his team spent most of it on crabs, lobsters, steaks, sushi, iPads, a piano and a custom flute. According to government watchdog Open the Books, the Pentagon became the agency that spent the most money in a month in September 2025. Over $50.1 billion of the leftover amount was spent in the final five working days of the month alone. US government agencies are supposed to spend their fiscal budget by September 30 every year, or else they lose it all. Pentagon needed to spend $849.8 billion in one year, but was left with $93billion in the last month. So the officials got creative and spent a bomb on surf and turf meals for everyone in the agency.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/here-s-how-many-us-troops-have-been-injured-in-iran-war-pentagon-reveals-toll-1773169940898">Here's how many US troops have been injured in Iran war. Pentagon reveals toll</a><h2>Expensive meals, iPads, and ice cream machines</h2>Pentagon bought Alaskan king crab worth $2 million, spent $15.1 million on ribeye steaks, $6.9million on lobster tail, $1million on salmon and $26,000 for sushi preparation tables. They also ate a whole lot of desserts - purchasing $124,000 worth of ice cream machines and splurging $139,224 on doughnuts. The agency spent $5.9 billion on technology and communications. A whopping $5.3 million worth of Apple products were purchased, which included 400 brand new iPads at $315,200. The food and expensive gadgets still make sense compared to some of the other things the Pentagon bought. For some reason, they decided to get a &nbsp;Steinway grand piano that was placed at the house of the chief of staff of the Air Force. It also got a custom flute worth $21,750 from Muramatsu.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-be-careful-not-to-get-eliminated-yourself-iranian-official-responds-to-trump-s-twenty-times-harder-threat-1773149066142">'Be careful not to...': Iranian official responds to Trump's 'TWENTY TIMES HARDER' threat</a><h2>Pentagon bought children's cartoon show stickers</h2>It gets weirder. The Pentagon spent $3,160 on Paw Patrol and Dora the Explorer stickers, popular children's shows. A big amount was also splurged on new furniture, most of which came from foreign countries. In September, $225.6 million was thrown to get furniture, including Herman Miller chairs worth $60,719 and fruit basket stands for $12,540 spent. A total of $6.6 billion of spending involved foreign companies. The spending in September was the most Pentagon had ever done in the last month, registering an increase of 18 per cent from 2024, when it spent $79.1 billion.&nbsp;The spending has angered many leaders, who also alleged fraud. Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer took a shot at Hegseth for the wasteful expenses. He wrote on social media, "Instead of lowering American’s healthcare costs, Hegseth used millions of taxpayer dollars on fruit baskets, Herman Miller recliners, ice cream machines, Alaskan King Crabs, and a Steinway &amp; Sons grand piano."&nbsp; &nbsp;

The Pentagon had $93billion left from its yearly budget of $849.8 billion. Instead of using it for the benefit of its citizens, Pete Hegseth and his officials bought lobster tails, ice cream machines, a piano, iPads and even children's stickers.

Pentagon had over $93 billion left at the end of its budget cycle, and Pete Hegseth and his team spent most of it on crabs, lobsters, steaks, sushi, iPads, a piano and a custom flute. According to government watchdog Open the Books, the Pentagon became the agency that spent the most money in a month in September 2025. Over $50.1 billion of the leftover amount was spent in the final five working days of the month alone. US government agencies are supposed to spend their fiscal budget by September 30 every year, or else they lose it all. Pentagon needed to spend $849.8 billion in one year, but was left with $93billion in the last month. So the officials got creative and spent a bomb on surf and turf meals for everyone in the agency. Also Read: Here's how many US troops have been injured in Iran war. Pentagon reveals toll Expensive meals, iPads, and ice cream machines Pentagon bought Alaskan king crab worth $2 million, spent $15.1 million on ribeye steaks, $6.9million on lobster tail, $1million on salmon and $26,000 for sushi preparation tables. They also ate a whole lot of desserts - purchasing $124,000 worth of ice cream machines and splurging $139,224 on doughnuts. The agency spent $5.9 billion on technology and communications. A whopping $5.3 million worth of Apple products were purchased, which included 400 brand new iPads at $315,200. The food and expensive gadgets still make sense compared to some of the other things the Pentagon bought. For some reason, they decided to get a Steinway grand piano that was placed at the house of the chief of staff of the Air Force. It also got a custom flute worth $21,750 from Muramatsu. Also Read: 'Be careful not to...': Iranian official responds to Trump's 'TWENTY TIMES HARDER' threat Pentagon bought children's cartoon show stickers It gets weirder. The Pentagon spent $3,160 on Paw Patrol and Dora the Explorer stickers, popular children's shows. A big amount was also splurged on new furniture, most of which came from foreign countries. In September, $225.6 million was thrown to get furniture, including Herman Miller chairs worth $60,719 and fruit basket stands for $12,540 spent. A total of $6.6 billion of spending involved foreign companies. The spending in September was the most Pentagon had ever done in the last month, registering an increase of 18 per cent from 2024, when it spent $79.1 billion. The spending has angered many leaders, who also alleged fraud. Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer took a shot at Hegseth for the wasteful expenses. He wrote on social media, "Instead of lowering American’s healthcare costs, Hegseth used millions of taxpayer dollars on fruit baskets, Herman Miller recliners, ice cream machines, Alaskan King Crabs, and a Steinway & Sons grand piano."

The Pentagon had $93 billion left from its yearly budget of $849.8 billion. Instead of using it for the benefit of its citizens, Pete Hegseth and his officials bought lobster tails, ice cream machines, a piano, iPads and even children's stickers.

Pentagon was on a deadline. It had to use or lose $93bn. So it bought lobsters, crabs and a lot more

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday (Mar 10) announced that it will grant certain countries unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but that this safe passage will be conditional. The IRGC said that only those Arab or European nations that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory will be granted the right to transit through the strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply passing through it daily. This comes as US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran ‘terror regime’ with a much larger attack if Tehran tries to blocks supplies of oil.&nbsp;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 US had secret 3-month head start on 'exquisite class' weapon production before Iran war</a><h2>Iran will give 'full right and freedom' but...</h2>According to a report by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC said that only those countries that sever diplomatic ties with both Israel and the United States will have the "full right and freedom" to transit the strategic waterway.This comes amid the Iran war, as oil prices soared to over $100 per barrel because of multiple reasons, including the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and a slowdown in oil production in the Middle East.<h2>Will Trump remove some sanctions on oil?</h2>US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to hit Iran with a much larger attack if Tehran blocks supplies of oil. "I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil supply. And if Iran does anything to do that, they'll get hit at a much, much harder level," Trump said at a news conference in Florida. Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-expel-us-israeli-ambassadors-irgc-offers-full-freedom-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-arab-european-nations-on-one-condition-1773107488099">'Expel US &amp; Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition</a> In a separate statement, the POTUS also announced that he will waive some sanctions on oil due to market turmoil. "We're also waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices," he told reporters after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and as he mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping."We're going to take those sanctions off till this straightens out." &nbsp;&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;

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says countries will get safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz on one condition: they expel US and Israeli ambassadors.

With oil prices surging, what could this mean for global trade? Scroll down to read more.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday (Mar 10) announced that it will grant certain countries unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but that this safe passage will be conditional. The IRGC said that only those Arab or European nations that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory will be granted the right to transit through the strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply passing through it daily. This comes as US President Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran ‘terror regime’ with a much larger attack if Tehran tries to blocks supplies of oil. Also read | Trump reveals US had secret 3-month head start on 'exquisite class' weapon production before Iran war Iran will give 'full right and freedom' but... According to a report by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the IRGC said that only those countries that sever diplomatic ties with both Israel and the United States will have the "full right and freedom" to transit the strategic waterway. This comes amid the Iran war, as oil prices soared to over $100 per barrel because of multiple reasons, including the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and a slowdown in oil production in the Middle East. Will Trump remove some sanctions on oil? US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to hit Iran with a much larger attack if Tehran blocks supplies of oil. "I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil supply. And if Iran does anything to do that, they'll get hit at a much, much harder level," Trump said at a news conference in Florida. Also read | 'Expel US & Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition In a separate statement, the POTUS also announced that he will waive some sanctions on oil due to market turmoil. "We're also waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices," he told reporters after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and as he mentioned Chinese President Xi Jinping. "We're going to take those sanctions off till this straightens out." 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 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says countries will get safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz on one condition: they expel US and Israeli ambassadors.With oil prices surging, what could this mean for global trade? Scroll down to read more.

'Expel US & Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition

Potholes on Indian roads are not new news. Roads across cities are riddled with them and have proved to be a major source of accidents and deaths. However, a woman in Uttar Pradesh got her life back because of a pothole. Vineeta Shukla was declared brain dead and discharged from a Bareilly hospital. Doctors gave her next to no chance of living. However, while returning home via the Bareilly-Haridwar NH-74, the ambulance hit a pothole that shook the entire vehicle. The violent jerk proved to be a lifesaver for Vineeta, who woke up suddenly from the shock. Her husband Kuldeep Kumar Shukla told Times of India that he had told his family to prepare for the last rites, since she was not breathing and her heartbeat was sinking. But the encounter with a large pothole near Hafizganj proved miraculous, as Kuldeep said her breathing instantly returned to normal. He immediately told his family to cancel cremation preparations and rush her to Neurocity Hospital in Pilibhit.<h2>What did the doctors say</h2> The 50-year-old received critical care at the hospital and, after nearly two weeks, returned home. Kuldeep said she "conquered death" and is now talking to everyone. Dr Rakesh Singh, neurosurgeon at Neurocity Hospital, checked back on all her medical data, her physical condition and the diagnosis from the Bareilly hospital. He told the outlet that at the Bareilly hospital, her brainstem reflexes were found to be missing. She was completely unresponsive since her Glasgow Coma Scale had dropped to 3 points, as compared to the normal of 15. She was declared brain dead after her eyes showed mydriasis (dilation of pupils). Her other vitals were also sinking. At Pilibhit, several medical tests showed the presence of heavy neurotoxins in her bloodstream and lymphatic system. Vineeta worked as a senior assistant in the copy section at the judicial courts in Pilibhit and collapsed on February 22 at home and was referred to the Bareilly hospital.&nbsp;

The woman from Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, was declared brain dead, and her family had started preparing for the cremation. But a huge pothole became the source of life for the 50-year-old, who had shown all signs of no brain activity.

Potholes on Indian roads are not new news. Roads across cities are riddled with them and have proved to be a major source of accidents and deaths. However, a woman in Uttar Pradesh got her life back because of a pothole. Vineeta Shukla was declared brain dead and discharged from a Bareilly hospital. Doctors gave her next to no chance of living. However, while returning home via the Bareilly-Haridwar NH-74, the ambulance hit a pothole that shook the entire vehicle. The violent jerk proved to be a lifesaver for Vineeta, who woke up suddenly from the shock. Her husband Kuldeep Kumar Shukla told Times of India that he had told his family to prepare for the last rites, since she was not breathing and her heartbeat was sinking. But the encounter with a large pothole near Hafizganj proved miraculous, as Kuldeep said her breathing instantly returned to normal. He immediately told his family to cancel cremation preparations and rush her to Neurocity Hospital in Pilibhit. What did the doctors say The 50-year-old received critical care at the hospital and, after nearly two weeks, returned home. Kuldeep said she "conquered death" and is now talking to everyone. Dr Rakesh Singh, neurosurgeon at Neurocity Hospital, checked back on all her medical data, her physical condition and the diagnosis from the Bareilly hospital. He told the outlet that at the Bareilly hospital, her brainstem reflexes were found to be missing. She was completely unresponsive since her Glasgow Coma Scale had dropped to 3 points, as compared to the normal of 15. She was declared brain dead after her eyes showed mydriasis (dilation of pupils). Her other vitals were also sinking. At Pilibhit, several medical tests showed the presence of heavy neurotoxins in her bloodstream and lymphatic system. Vineeta worked as a senior assistant in the copy section at the judicial courts in Pilibhit and collapsed on February 22 at home and was referred to the Bareilly hospital.

The woman from Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, was declared brain dead, and her family had started preparing for the cremation. But a huge pothole became the source of life for the 50-year-old, who had shown all signs of no brain activity.

Brain dead woman comes back to life in India after ambulance hits huge pothole on UP highway

Iran on Wednesday (Mar 10) stepped up its anti-Trump rhetoric with a cartoon of the US President Donald Trump grinning monstrously while standing amid a pile of bloodied school bags. The cartoon was posted by the X account of former Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (assassination confirmed March 1) along with a cryptic message that when translated from Persian to English simply reads "Nobel Cannibal". This comes amid reports that a American fired Tomahawk cruise missile was responsible for the death and destruction at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/operation-epic-fury-s-darkest-day-us-investigation-points-to-america-s-role-in-minab-girls-school-massacre-shajareh-tayyebeh-girls-school-iran-1772782378596">Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school</a> in Minab, on Feb 28, the first day of the ongoing Iran war. Here's all we know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-iran-also-has-tomahawks-trump-confronted-by-reporters-as-he-floats-wild-theory-on-minab-school-strike-contradicts-pentagon-on-missile-use-1773120388711">'Iran also has Tomahawks': Trump confronted by reporters as he floats wild theory on Minab school strike, contradicts Pentagon</a><h2>What does the ghastly Trump cartoon show?</h2>The cartoon depicts US President Donald Trump as a monstrous figure with pointed teeth, holding a Nobel Peace Prize medal, with a background of scattered school backpacks and rubble from the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab. It is black and white except for stark red blood splatters that seem to cover the school bags that lay at the US President's feet.The Graphic illustration also has a caption written at the bottom of the image which emphasises the civilian toll of Operation Epic Fury. Labelling Trump a “pedophile and terrorist” it calls the alleged US strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab an “unprecedented crime in contemporary history”. It states that “168 innocent girls from an elementary school in Minab, Hormozgan Province, were martyred by a direct missile fired by the pedophile and terrorist American President Donald Trump.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-expel-us-israeli-ambassadors-irgc-offers-full-freedom-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-arab-european-nations-on-one-condition-1773107488099">'Expel US &amp; Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260311/image-1773197128915.png"></figure>

<h2>Trump's wild Tomahawk theory</h2>Just a day earlier, POTUS Trump floated a theory that Iran itself possesses Tomahawk cruise missiles suspected in the attack. Speaking at his Doral resort in Florida, Trump denied US responsibility for the Feb 28 tragedy at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/operation-epic-fury-s-darkest-day-us-investigation-points-to-america-s-role-in-minab-girls-school-massacre-shajareh-tayyebeh-girls-school-iran-1772782378596">Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school</a> in Minab. He suggested that the missile could have been used by another nation, including Iran, while adding that the incident was still under investigation. "Tomahawk, which is one of the most powerful weapons around, is sold and used by other countries," said Trump.“And whether it's Iran, who also has some Tomahawks, they wish they had more, but, whether it's Iran or somebody else, the fact that a Tomahawk -- a Tomahawk is very generic, it's sold to other countries. But that's being investigated right now,” he said. The attack reportedly killed at least 175 people, most of them aged 7 to 12 years. This marks the most devastating death toll of the US-Israel-Iran war.&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;&nbsp;

In a chilling escalation of Day 12 information war, the official X account of Ali Khamenei has branded US President a "Nobel Cannibal." It features a monstrous Donald Trump amid ruins of Minab girls' school, a direct rhetorical strike following his wild Tomahawk Theory regarding Feb 28 massacre.

Iran on Wednesday (Mar 10) stepped up its anti-Trump rhetoric with a cartoon of the US President Donald Trump grinning monstrously while standing amid a pile of bloodied school bags. The cartoon was posted by the X account of former Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (assassination confirmed March 1) along with a cryptic message that when translated from Persian to English simply reads "Nobel Cannibal". This comes amid reports that a American fired Tomahawk cruise missile was responsible for the death and destruction at the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab, on Feb 28, the first day of the ongoing Iran war. Here's all we know. Also read | 'Iran also has Tomahawks': Trump confronted by reporters as he floats wild theory on Minab school strike, contradicts Pentagon What does the ghastly Trump cartoon show? The cartoon depicts US President Donald Trump as a monstrous figure with pointed teeth, holding a Nobel Peace Prize medal, with a background of scattered school backpacks and rubble from the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab. It is black and white except for stark red blood splatters that seem to cover the school bags that lay at the US President's feet. The Graphic illustration also has a caption written at the bottom of the image which emphasises the civilian toll of Operation Epic Fury. Labelling Trump a “pedophile and terrorist” it calls the alleged US strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab an “unprecedented crime in contemporary history”. It states that “168 innocent girls from an elementary school in Minab, Hormozgan Province, were martyred by a direct missile fired by the pedophile and terrorist American President Donald Trump.” Also read | 'Expel US & Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition

Why did Iran post a cartoon of Donald Trump labelled “Nobel Cannibal”?The image shows the US president smiling amid bloodied school bags after reports linked a Tomahawk missile to deadly strike on an Iranian girls’ school. What message is Tehran trying to send? Scroll down to find out.

'Nobel Cannibal': Khamenei’s X account posts ghastly Trump cartoon after POTUS floats Tomahawk theory on Iran school strike

US President Donald Trump's war secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday (Mar 10) warned Russia that it "should not be involved" in the Iran war. This comes as reports suggest that Moscow may be aiding Tehran by providing intel about US military assets in the Gulf. Russian officials have meanwhile insisted in a call with Trump on Monday that they "have not been sharing" intelligence with Tehran amid the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.<h2>Russia 'should not be involved'</h2>While speaking to the press, Hegseth was asked about Trump's recent call with Russian President Vladmir Putin. The War Secretary said that, "The president maintains strong relationships with world leaders, which creates opportunities and options for us in very dynamic ways".When asked about how the call related to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, he ominously said, Russia "should not be involved".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-expel-us-israeli-ambassadors-irgc-offers-full-freedom-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-arab-european-nations-on-one-condition-1773107488099">'Expel US &amp; Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition</a><h2>What intelligence is Russia providing to Iran?</h2>Reports suggest that Russia has been providing Iran intelligence about the locations and the movement of US troops, ships and aircraft.America, as per White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has "sent a message to Russia that if that was taking place, it’s not something they would be happy with, and they hope that it is not taking place."Meanwhile, Iran's &nbsp;foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi over the weekend acknowledged Russian help in "many different directions," but said he didn't "have any detailed information".<h2>Russian consulate in Iran damaged</h2>Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Tuesday revealed that the Russian Consulate General in Isfahan, Iran was damaged on Sunday. She said that the damage happened as a nearby provincial government building was attacked.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/petrol-and-diesel-prices-in-india-unlikely-to-rise-for-now-but-can-increase-if-oil-prices-cross-this-mark-1773111685796">India to hike petrol and diesel prices? Your fuel cost can increase if crude oil crosses THIS mark. Details inside</a>While several employees reported being pushed backwards by the force of the blast, no casualties or serious injuries were reported. The attack broke the windows of the consulate and nearby residential buildings.Calling attacks on diplomatic and consular buildings a violation of international law, she said "We demand that all parties strictly respect the inviolability of diplomatic premises and refrain from any attacks on the safety, life, and health of their personnel."&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 did the US warn Russia to stay out of the Iran war? US War Secretary Pete Hegseth says Moscow “should not be involved” amid reports Russia may be sharing intelligence with Tehran.

What exactly is Russia accused of doing and how did the Kremlin respond? Scroll down to find out.

US President Donald Trump's war secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday (Mar 10) warned Russia that it "should not be involved" in the Iran war. This comes as reports suggest that Moscow may be aiding Tehran by providing intel about US military assets in the Gulf. Russian officials have meanwhile insisted in a call with Trump on Monday that they "have not been sharing" intelligence with Tehran amid the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. Russia 'should not be involved' While speaking to the press, Hegseth was asked about Trump's recent call with Russian President Vladmir Putin. The War Secretary said that, "The president maintains strong relationships with world leaders, which creates opportunities and options for us in very dynamic ways". When asked about how the call related to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, he ominously said, Russia "should not be involved". Also read | 'Expel US & Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition What intelligence is Russia providing to Iran? Reports suggest that Russia has been providing Iran intelligence about the locations and the movement of US troops, ships and aircraft. America, as per White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has "sent a message to Russia that if that was taking place, it’s not something they would be happy with, and they hope that it is not taking place." Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi over the weekend acknowledged Russian help in "many different directions," but said he didn't "have any detailed information". Russian consulate in Iran damaged Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Tuesday revealed that the Russian Consulate General in Isfahan, Iran was damaged on Sunday. She said that the damage happened as a nearby provincial government building was attacked. Also read | India to hike petrol and diesel prices? Your fuel cost can increase if crude oil crosses THIS mark. Details inside While several employees reported being pushed backwards by the force of the blast, no casualties or serious injuries were reported. The attack broke the windows of the consulate and nearby residential buildings. Calling attacks on diplomatic and consular buildings a violation of international law, she said "We demand that all parties strictly respect the inviolability of diplomatic premises and refrain from any attacks on the safety, life, and health of their personnel." 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 did the US warn Russia to stay out of the Iran war? US War Secretary Pete Hegseth says Moscow “should not be involved” amid reports Russia may be sharing intelligence with Tehran.What exactly is Russia accused of doing and how did the Kremlin respond? Scroll down to find out.

'Not something we'd be happy with': US warns Russia against getting 'involved' in Iran war amid intel sharing allegations

A major sex trafficking trial involving the Alexander brothers from the New York and Miami luxury real estate markets concluded on Monday (March 9) with a federal jury in Manhattan convicting all of them. Two of them are twin brothers, Oren and Alon Alexander, while the third brother is Tal Alexander. Oren and Tal are co-founders of the luxury real estate brokerage ​Official and are known as the "A Team". They were top brokers at Douglas Elliman before they started their own company and were famous for record-breaking deals, such as the $238 million sale of a Manhattan penthouse. Meanwhile, Alon Alexander was an executive at a private security company and offered his services to the ultra-rich and heads of state. More than 60 women accused the brothers of sexual misconduct, and at least 11 of them testified over months. They alleged they used a similar "playbook" to lure women and then assault them. The brothers were convicted of running a sex-trafficking conspiracy for 13 years, from around 2008 to 2021.<h2>Sex assault playbook&nbsp;</h2>Prosecutor Andrew Jones said in his closing statements on March 3 that the brothers masqueraded as party boys but were predators. "They used a consistent playbook to lure, isolate and rape their victims. They did it with callousness and a perverse sense of pride," he said. Howard ​Srebnick, an attorney for Alon Alexander, said that they plan to appeal the verdict. The lawyers for the other two brothers did not comment. Here is more on the three brothers and the modus operandi.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bombshell-investigation-reveals-doj-did-not-release-epstein-files-accusing-trump-of-sexual-abuse-1771990986508">Bombshell investigation reveals DOJ did not release Epstein files accusing Trump of sexual abuse</a><h2>How the Alexander brothers assaulted the women</h2>Oren, Alan and Tal would organise luxurious all-expense paid trips to places like the Hamptons and the Caribbean when they invited women to travel with them on private jets. The women testified that they were "drugged" through drinks, after which they lost control of their bodies. The brothers proceeded to sexually assault the women. The court saw disturbing evidence during the trial, including videos of the brothers assaulting the women, where they recorded themselves in the act. Oren Alexander drugged a 17-year-old and exploited her, and made a video which was shown in court.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/monks-held-with-porn-sex-toys-and-prostitute-list-at-thai-temple-1770103144654">Monks held with porn, sex toys and prostitute list at Thai temple</a>&nbsp;Their lawyers have based their defence on the premise that the brothers were "womanisers" and talked about sex amongst themselves ​in crass terms. Their conversations angered the women they were in "relationships" with, arguing that all sexual encounters they had were consensual. They went on to frame the women as "gold diggers" during the trial. The brothers were found guilty on all 19 collective counts, including sex trafficking, aggravated sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation of a child.&nbsp;

Oren, Alon and Tal Alexander used to take women on trips on private jets where they drugged and assaulted them. A video of one of them assaulting a minor was shown in court. Oren and Tal were known as the “A Team” of real estate.

A major sex trafficking trial involving the Alexander brothers from the New York and Miami luxury real estate markets concluded on Monday (March 9) with a federal jury in Manhattan convicting all of them. Two of them are twin brothers, Oren and Alon Alexander, while the third brother is Tal Alexander. Oren and Tal are co-founders of the luxury real estate brokerage Official and are known as the "A Team". They were top brokers at Douglas Elliman before they started their own company and were famous for record-breaking deals, such as the $238 million sale of a Manhattan penthouse. Meanwhile, Alon Alexander was an executive at a private security company and offered his services to the ultra-rich and heads of state. More than 60 women accused the brothers of sexual misconduct, and at least 11 of them testified over months. They alleged they used a similar "playbook" to lure women and then assault them. The brothers were convicted of running a sex-trafficking conspiracy for 13 years, from around 2008 to 2021. Sex assault playbook Prosecutor Andrew Jones said in his closing statements on March 3 that the brothers masqueraded as party boys but were predators. "They used a consistent playbook to lure, isolate and rape their victims. They did it with callousness and a perverse sense of pride," he said. Howard Srebnick, an attorney for Alon Alexander, said that they plan to appeal the verdict. The lawyers for the other two brothers did not comment. Here is more on the three brothers and the modus operandi. Also Read: Bombshell investigation reveals DOJ did not release Epstein files accusing Trump of sexual abuse How the Alexander brothers assaulted the women Oren, Alan and Tal would organise luxurious all-expense paid trips to places like the Hamptons and the Caribbean when they invited women to travel with them on private jets. The women testified that they were "drugged" through drinks, after which they lost control of their bodies. The brothers proceeded to sexually assault the women. The court saw disturbing evidence during the trial, including videos of the brothers assaulting the women, where they recorded themselves in the act. Oren Alexander drugged a 17-year-old and exploited her, and made a video which was shown in court. Also Read: Monks held with porn, sex toys and prostitute list at Thai temple Their lawyers have based their defence on the premise that the brothers were "womanisers" and talked about sex amongst themselves in crass terms. Their conversations angered the women they were in "relationships" with, arguing that all sexual encounters they had were consensual. They went on to frame the women as "gold diggers" during the trial. The brothers were found guilty on all 19 collective counts, including sex trafficking, aggravated sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation of a child.

Oren, Alon and Tal Alexander used to take women on trips on private jets where they drugged and assaulted them. A video of one of them assaulting a minor was shown in court. Oren and Tal were known as the “A Team” of real estate.

13-year sexual assault conspiracy: The 3 rich brothers from New York who raped over 60 women on holidays

NATO, the top military alliance of the West led by the US, is not helping Washington’s military interests in its ongoing joint operations with Israel against Iran. This is a sharp contrast with how the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was eager to help Ukraine against Russia, even though Kyiv is not even a member of the military alliance. What explains the dichotomy? Here is what you should know.<h2>NATO only gives political support, but avoids joining the military campaign led by US</h2>So far, NATO appears to have limited its role to defensive measures, rhetorical backing and possible logistical support. Forces of the 32-member alliance are not directly participating in airstrikes on Iran.NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said many European leaders ‘support the goals’ of the operation.“I feel widespread support in Europe,” Rutte said, while expressing backing for taking out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.But Rutte spoke mainly about defending Nato territory, not about direct military help. He described Iran as "an exporter of chaos that posed far-reaching danger" and warned the alliance would protect its members if needed.Noting that Iran is ‘an exporter of chaos that posed far-reaching danger’, he stressed that NATO’s focus remains defensive, and vowed to defend ‘every inch of NATO territory if needed.’"NATO is well-postured to defend Allied populations against ballistic threats," he added.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/europe-s-reluctance-to-support-us-israel-military-operations-on-iran-what-about-democracy-human-rights-etc-iran-war-analysis-1773124922550">Europe's reluctance to support US-Israel military operations on Iran. What about democracy, human rights, etc.?</a><h2>The Turkey question: How NATO defended its member's airspace</h2>Interestingly, when it comes to ‘NATO territory’, one must remember that Turkey, which borders the Middle East, is also a NATO member.Some ballistic missiles launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace and were intercepted by NATO defence systems. However, most of the incidents are being viewed as unintended spillover, even as Turkish officials warned Iran against violating their airspace.Debris from intercepted missiles fell in southern Turkey. It is unclear whether Iran was directly targeting Turkey to provoke a NATO response. Some analysts believe the ballistic missiles were intended for the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey or targets near Gaziantep.Iran officially denied targeting Turkey. NATO condemned the actions, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned Tehran that violations of Turkish sovereignty would not be tolerated."Turkey does not want to be dragged into this war," Erdoğan said.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/middle-east-spillover-us-orders-evacuation-of-adana-consulate-as-iran-conflict-hits-turkey-1773077400350">Middle East spillover: US orders evacuation of Adana Consulate as Iran conflict hits Turkey</a><h2>NATO has not invoked Article 5, the collective defence clause of “one for all, all for one”</h2>Rutte has made it clear that “nobody's talking about Article 5.” &nbsp;Article 5 is Nato’s collective defence clause, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all.One reason it has not been invoked so far in the Iran war is that Article 5 requires a direct armed attack on a NATO member in Europe or North America.&nbsp;One could stretch that argument to Turkey, but missile interceptions over Turkish airspace did not trigger collective defence discussions. Most Iranian strikes so far have targeted US facilities in the Middle East, not NATO territory.Some analysts and officials say invoking Article 5 would require a ‘large-scale attack or invasion of a NATO member,’ which has not happened.<h2>Trump is not too keen to take help from NATO</h2>The UK, Italy and France have reportedly allowed the use of some bases and equipment. The UK also deployed four additional Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar for regional defence.However, this support came after initial hesitation. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at first restricted US access to some bases, including facilities linked to Cyprus. He called for diplomacy and questioned the legality of the conflict."The conflict could continue for some time... the best way forward for Iran would be a negotiated settlement," Starmer said earlier.Later, the UK allowed limited use of its facilities by American forces.US President Donald Trump criticised the delay. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: "We don’t need your help if you’re going to hesitate and then claim credit later."<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-iran-but-european-allies-choose-defence-over-war-nato-split-over-tehran-1772984675816/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-iran-but-european-allies-choose-defence-over-war-nato-split-over-tehran-1772984675816/embed</a><h2>NATO member Spain openly resisted military involvement</h2>What also stood out like a sore thumb on the presumed NATO unity was Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s refusal to allow the US access to Spanish bases. Calling the US actions in Iran illegal under international law, he reiterated Spain’s position of "No to war."Another NATO member Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned about the lack of a clear exit strategy.&nbsp;<h2>Trump has been openly critical of the NATO stance</h2>"Some traditional US allies are hemming and hawing about the use of force," he said. He also said he was unhappy with Starmer, saying the British leader "took far too much time to reverse course" on base access.Trump also attacked Spain’s position. "Spain has been terrible... cut off all dealings with Spain," he said.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-to-enter-iran-war-alliance-adjusts-force-posture-eu-chief-affirms-unity-after-cyprus-attack-1772457342134">NATO to enter Iran war? Alliance adjusts force posture, EU slams attack on Cyprus base</a><h2>NATO double standards? How it supported non-NATO member Ukraine to the hilt</h2>NATO member countries strongly supported Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in 2022, even though Kyiv is not a member of the alliance. The alliance helped arm Ukraine heavily despite its military asymmetry with Russia. NATO countries — including the US, mainly under President Joe Biden — supplied Ukraine with billions of dollars and euros in weapons, training, intelligence and air-defence systems. The power acquired through military and financial aid helped Ukraine prolong its resistance to the Russian invasion for more than four years.The argument is that Ukraine had the right to self-defence against what the alliance called Russia’s "brutal and unprovoked war of aggression."NATO also sees Russia as the most significant and direct threat to Allied security. The Russian invasion was viewed by many European NATO members as a direct and potentially existential threat, making Ukraine’s defence central to European stability.The cautious NATO stance in the Iran war, by contrast, stems partly from the fact that the US-Israel campaign is viewed by many allies as an offensive operation launched outside NATO territory.That distinction limits NATO’s legal mandate under Article 5. There has also been no formal request from the US for NATO military intervention. Trump has occasionally said the US can finish the job in Iran on its own.Rutte described the situation as an “and-and” approach: enabling US actions in the Middle East while ensuring Ukraine "has what it needs to stay strong in the fight."The difference reflects NATO’s doctrine: strong support for defensive wars that directly affect European security, but far greater caution about joining offensive conflicts abroad. NATO nations in Europe are already worn out by the Russia-Ukraine war. They just cannot afford to get drawn into another conflict, happening away from its core area of operation.

NATO supported US goals in the Iran war politically but has so far avoided a combat role. The alliance’s restraint contrasts with its strong support for non-member Ukraine against Russia. Why? Because, priorities…

NATO, the top military alliance of the West led by the US, is not helping Washington’s military interests in its ongoing joint operations with Israel against Iran. This is a sharp contrast with how the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was eager to help Ukraine against Russia, even though Kyiv is not even a member of the military alliance. What explains the dichotomy? Here is what you should know. NATO only gives political support, but avoids joining the military campaign led by US So far, NATO appears to have limited its role to defensive measures, rhetorical backing and possible logistical support. Forces of the 32-member alliance are not directly participating in airstrikes on Iran. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said many European leaders ‘support the goals’ of the operation. “I feel widespread support in Europe,” Rutte said, while expressing backing for taking out Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. But Rutte spoke mainly about defending Nato territory, not about direct military help. He described Iran as "an exporter of chaos that posed far-reaching danger" and warned the alliance would protect its members if needed. Noting that Iran is ‘an exporter of chaos that posed far-reaching danger’, he stressed that NATO’s focus remains defensive, and vowed to defend ‘every inch of NATO territory if needed.’ "NATO is well-postured to defend Allied populations against ballistic threats," he added. Also read: Europe's reluctance to support US-Israel military operations on Iran. What about democracy, human rights, etc.? The Turkey question: How NATO defended its member's airspace Interestingly, when it comes to ‘NATO territory’, one must remember that Turkey, which borders the Middle East, is also a NATO member. Some ballistic missiles launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace and were intercepted by NATO defence systems. However, most of the incidents are being viewed as unintended spillover, even as Turkish officials warned Iran against violating their airspace. Debris from intercepted missiles fell in southern Turkey. It is unclear whether Iran was directly targeting Turkey to provoke a NATO response. Some analysts believe the ballistic missiles were intended for the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey or targets near Gaziantep. Iran officially denied targeting Turkey. NATO condemned the actions, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned Tehran that violations of Turkish sovereignty would not be tolerated. "Turkey does not want to be dragged into this war," Erdoğan said. Also read: Middle East spillover: US orders evacuation of Adana Consulate as Iran conflict hits Turkey NATO has not invoked Article 5, the collective defence clause of “one for all, all for one” Rutte has made it clear that “nobody's talking about Article 5.” Article 5 is Nato’s collective defence clause, under which an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all. One reason it has not been invoked so far in the Iran war is that Article 5 requires a direct armed attack on a NATO member in Europe or North America. One could stretch that argument to Turkey, but missile interceptions over Turkish airspace did not trigger collective defence discussions. Most Iranian strikes so far have targeted US facilities in the Middle East, not NATO territory. Some analysts and officials say invoking Article 5 would require a ‘large-scale attack or invasion of a NATO member,’ which has not happened. Trump is not too keen to take help from NATO The UK, Italy and France have reportedly allowed the use of some bases and equipment. The UK also deployed four additional Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar for regional defence. However, this support came after initial hesitation. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at first restricted US access to some bases, including facilities linked to Cyprus. He called for diplomacy and questioned the legality of the conflict. "The conflict could continue for some time... the best way forward for Iran would be a negotiated settlement," Starmer said earlier. Later, the UK allowed limited use of its facilities by American forces. US President Donald Trump criticised the delay. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: "We don’t need your help if you’re going to hesitate and then claim credit later." https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-iran-but-european-allies-choose-defence-over-war-nato-split-over-tehran-1772984675816/embed NATO member Spain openly resisted military involvement What also stood out like a sore thumb on the presumed NATO unity was Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s refusal to allow the US access to Spanish bases. Calling the US actions in Iran illegal under international law, he reiterated Spain’s position of "No to war." Another NATO member Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned about the lack of a clear exit strategy. Trump has been openly critical of the NATO stance "Some traditional US allies are hemming and hawing about the use of force," he said. He also said he was unhappy with Starmer, saying the British leader "took far too much time to reverse course" on base access. Trump also attacked Spain’s position. "Spain has been terrible... cut off all dealings with Spain," he said. Also read: NATO to enter Iran war? Alliance adjusts force posture, EU slams attack on Cyprus base NATO double standards? How it supported non-NATO member Ukraine to the hilt NATO member countries strongly supported Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in 2022, even though Kyiv is not a member of the alliance. The alliance helped arm Ukraine heavily despite its military asymmetry with Russia. NATO countries — including the US, mainly under President Joe Biden — supplied Ukraine with billions of dollars and euros in weapons, training, intelligence and air-defence systems. The power acquired through military and financial aid helped Ukraine prolong its resistance to the Russian invasion for more than four years. The argument is that Ukraine had the right to self-defence against what the alliance called Russia’s "brutal and unprovoked war of aggression." NATO also sees Russia as the most significant and direct threat to Allied security. The Russian invasion was viewed by many European NATO members as a direct and potentially existential threat, making Ukraine’s defence central to European stability. The cautious NATO stance in the Iran war, by contrast, stems partly from the fact that the US-Israel campaign is viewed by many allies as an offensive operation launched outside NATO territory. That distinction limits NATO’s legal mandate under Article 5. There has also been no formal request from the US for NATO military intervention. Trump has occasionally said the US can finish the job in Iran on its own. Rutte described the situation as an “and-and” approach: enabling US actions in the Middle East while ensuring Ukraine "has what it needs to stay strong in the fight." The difference reflects NATO’s doctrine: strong support for defensive wars that directly affect European security, but far greater caution about joining offensive conflicts abroad. NATO nations in Europe are already worn out by the Russia-Ukraine war. They just cannot afford to get drawn into another conflict, happening away from its core area of operation.

NATO supported US goals in the Iran war politically but has so far avoided a combat role. The alliance’s restraint contrasts with its strong support for non-member Ukraine against Russia. Why? Because, priorities…

Iran war and NATO: ‘One for all, all for one’, really? Why alliance is not eager to help top ally US as much as non-member Ukraine

New images from the Epstein Files show former Prince Andrew with a girl whose identity has been redacted. The images are low resolution and seem to show a man who appears to be Andrew with his arms around a woman who is sitting on his lap. Another photo shows a girl standing behind her with her arms on his shoulders. The two seem to be different women, judging by their outfits. The pictures were apparently taken in Epstein's New York dining room. The man is wearing a blue shirt and a grey sweater. The latest photo is a part of more than 180,000 images released by the DOJ under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. In January this year, the department released over 3 million new documents from the Epstein Files. They included photos of high-profile figures like Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Peter Mandelson, and Sarah Ferguson, among others. The files include several pictures of Andrew, with one showing him on all fours, kneeling over a girl and touching her.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Prince Andrew Queen Elizabeth second son and brother of the King pictured on Jeffrey Epstein&#39;s house holding a young girl on his lap, and another girl is having her hands around him. ESPECIALLY in the first picture the girl he has on his lap looks very young. This is really… <a href="https://t.co/51KzFJiEnH">pic.twitter.com/51KzFJiEnH</a>&mdash; Nina (@ShakeLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShakeLS/status/2030734683609178257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Andrew is said to have been extremely close to Epstein and stayed at his house in December 2010, according to The Telegraph. In a Newsnight interview in 2019, Andrew said that he thought saying "goodbye" to him was the "honourable" thing to do, and that's why he went on the trip. However, the DOJ files show that their connection was much deeper, and they stayed in regular touch with each other. Andrew has also been accused of sexually abusing Virginia Giuffre, one of the most vocal victims of Epstein, who trafficked her. She passed away in 2025.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/epstein-files-show-the-paedophile-killed-pons-years-ago-who-was-he-and-what-happened-1773120194001">Epstein Files show the paedophile ‘killed Pons years ago’. Who was he and what happened?</a><h2>Andrew in Epstein Files</h2>Epstein referred to Andrew as "The Duke" in one of the emails and told him to meet a "26-year-old 'beautiful' Russian woman." He told Andrew, "he had a friend whom I think you might enjoy having dinner with in London later that month." Andrew replied that he would be "delighted to see her."&nbsp;Andrew has lost his royal titles, military roles, and patronages. He is also being investigated for alleged misconduct in public office during his time as UK trade envoy.&nbsp;

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor can be seen with a woman on his lap at Epstein's New York home in a new photo doing the rounds. Another picture shows a woman standing behind him as he apparently sits in the dining room. 

New images from the Epstein Files show former Prince Andrew with a girl whose identity has been redacted. The images are low resolution and seem to show a man who appears to be Andrew with his arms around a woman who is sitting on his lap. Another photo shows a girl standing behind her with her arms on his shoulders. The two seem to be different women, judging by their outfits. The pictures were apparently taken in Epstein's New York dining room. The man is wearing a blue shirt and a grey sweater. The latest photo is a part of more than 180,000 images released by the DOJ under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. In January this year, the department released over 3 million new documents from the Epstein Files. They included photos of high-profile figures like Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Peter Mandelson, and Sarah Ferguson, among others. The files include several pictures of Andrew, with one showing him on all fours, kneeling over a girl and touching her.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor can be seen with a woman on his lap at Epstein's New York home in a new photo doing the rounds. Another picture shows a woman standing behind him as he apparently sits in the dining room.&nbsp;

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor seen with two women at Epstein's home in new blurry photo

US Democrats on Sunday (Mar 9) used an unofficial holiday to poke fun at President Donald Trump for his tendency to appear drowsy during public events. On Monday, the official account of the Democratic Party on X marked National Napping Day with a jab at the 79-year-old president, giving him the nickname "Commander-in-Sleep".<h2>Big day for Commander-in-Sleep</h2>Taking to X, TheDemocrats account in response to a post noting the holiday said, "Big day for the Commander-in-Sleep". The message quickly spread online, adding to an ongoing political back-and-forth over the president's stamina and work habits.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 selling gold at discount, but it’s bad news for India. Here’s why</a>Another Democratic aligned account, run by aides to former vice president Kamala Harris, joined the criticism.The account shared a photo showing Trump with his eyes closed during a November event in the Oval Office that focused on agreements with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk involving GLP 1 medications.Images of Trump appearing to doze off have repeatedly circulated during his second term, often becoming fodder for political opponents.Netizens too joined in on the fun, &nbsp;trolling Trump. Here are some choice memes you can't miss.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">😂 <a href="https://t.co/aNmzA5zoA3">pic.twitter.com/aNmzA5zoA3</a>&mdash; AllAboutTheZen (@ShineTheLoveFam) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShineTheLoveFam/status/2031041752644100307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Big day for the Commander-in-Sleep <a href="https://t.co/VrnA5XsIYr">https://t.co/VrnA5XsIYr</a> <a href="https://t.co/iTAW6qJZln">pic.twitter.com/iTAW6qJZln</a>&mdash; Democrats (@TheDemocrats) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheDemocrats/status/2031035660442747021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://t.co/LqZ1CO34TX">pic.twitter.com/LqZ1CO34TX</a>&mdash; Peacediva ☮️ (@peacediva7) <a href="https://twitter.com/peacediva7/status/2031053328172327003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Republicans defend the president’s work pace</h2>Trump’s allies have pushed back strongly against the criticism. Mike Johnson praised the president’s energy during a gathering of House Republicans at Trump’s golf resort in Miami.Johnson described Trump as "the most active president" he has seen and suggested the president’s limited sleep is part of the reason. Trump is "the most energised president, the most successful president, I believe, in my lifetime, and he’s proven it over and over and over. And part of it is because he doesn’t sleep, thankfully," he said."I get calls from him at 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., sometimes in the same day. He doesn’t require a lot of sleep, thankfully. And he is the man for the moment," he added.”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>Trump addresses the criticism</h2>Trump himself has previously dismissed the claims that he falls asleep during meetings.During a cabinet gathering, he said that while critics often highlight moments where his eyes appear closed, he was not actually sleeping."Some people said he closed his eyes," Trump told reporters. "Look, it got pretty boring."He added that photographs sometimes capture a brief moment when his eyes are shut, which can create the impression he had dozed off. "I didn’t sleep," he said. "I just closed them."

Why are Democrats calling Donald Trump the “Commander-in-Sleep”? The jab came on National Napping Day after pics of the US president appearing to doze off during events went viral. Trump’s allies say he barely sleeps. So what sparked the latest political mockery? Scroll down to find out.

US Democrats on Sunday (Mar 9) used an unofficial holiday to poke fun at President Donald Trump for his tendency to appear drowsy during public events. On Monday, the official account of the Democratic Party on X marked National Napping Day with a jab at the 79-year-old president, giving him the nickname "Commander-in-Sleep". Big day for Commander-in-Sleep Taking to X, TheDemocrats account in response to a post noting the holiday said, "Big day for the Commander-in-Sleep". The message quickly spread online, adding to an ongoing political back-and-forth over the president's stamina and work habits. Also read | Amid Iran war Dubai selling gold at discount, but it’s bad news for India. Here’s why Another Democratic aligned account, run by aides to former vice president Kamala Harris, joined the criticism. The account shared a photo showing Trump with his eyes closed during a November event in the Oval Office that focused on agreements with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk involving GLP 1 medications. Images of Trump appearing to doze off have repeatedly circulated during his second term, often becoming fodder for political opponents. Netizens too joined in on the fun, trolling Trump. Here are some choice memes you can't miss.

Why are Democrats calling Donald Trump the “Commander-in-Sleep”? The jab came on National Napping Day after pics of the US president appearing to doze off during events went viral. Trump’s allies say he barely sleeps. So what sparked the latest political mockery? Scroll down to find out.

‘Commander-in-Sleep’: Democrats roast sleepy Trump on National Napping Day

Iran-affiliated media is floating videos of Lego-style movies showing the war with the United States and Israel. The clips show Iran winning against its enemies as it takes down their ships and bases, striking places like Dubai and Cyprus. Similar propaganda videos were shared in June last year when the US struck Iran's nuclear sites and during the 12-day war with Israel. The latest video starts with Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump sitting together, looking at the Epstein Files. In the clip, Trump can be seen with the paedophile. Trump gets angry at seeing this, and so, with the "devil" by his side, launches a missile towards Iran, a reference to rumours that the US president attacked Iran to divert attention from the Epstein Files. The video then shows a missile and a shot of a teacher at a school, before cutting to visuals of ruin. The US-Israeli strikes killed 168 students and staff at the Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab on the first day of the strikes.<h2>Lego-style Iranian propaganda video</h2>A soldier holds a bag and cries, as the movie shows Iran avenging the attack. Missiles can be seen crashing into British bases in Cyprus, a fighter crashing, people running in the streets, and a missile hitting the Burj al-Arab in Dubai. An Iranian general can be seen planning attacks on Tel Aviv and missiles being prepared. The clip shows a missile attack in Israel and an attack in Saudi Arabia. Sirens sound in Israel as people run around, and a figure resembling Netanyahu takes shelter in a bunker. More missiles are then seen falling into the US bases in Bahrain and Erbil.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/after-a-no-new-wars-campaign-donald-trump-ordered-strikes-on-8-countries-in-just-2-years-1773033428492">After a 'no new wars' campaign, Donald Trump ordered strikes on 8 countries in just 2 years</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A miscalculation from Israel 🇮🇱 towards Iran 🇮🇷— Lego movie An unofficial short movie made by some friends. <a href="https://t.co/epeZUieHot">pic.twitter.com/epeZUieHot</a>&mdash; Arya Yadeghaar (@AryJeay) <a href="https://twitter.com/AryJeay/status/1935715770983415933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">L&#39;Iran utilisant des Lego pour communiquer ne figurait pas sur ma grille de bingo 2026 ! <a href="https://t.co/qcVRS98nNL">pic.twitter.com/qcVRS98nNL</a>&mdash; Maitre Hiruzen 🐘 🇨🇮 (@Famouss26) <a href="https://twitter.com/Famouss26/status/2030614098363183409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It goes on to show Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a rise in oil prices. It shows more missiles, some hitting American warships, and US soldiers killed in the strikes. It ends with an Iranian soldier standing with a bag of a school girl and the words, "In remembrance of the students from Minab who were martyred at the hands of Zionist and American terrorists."&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-trump-announces-war-with-iran-is-going-to-end-very-soon-1773126909340/embed<h2>Pro-Iran videos were also released in 2025&nbsp;</h2>This is not the first time that a Lego-style pro-Iran video has been made and circulated on social media. A similar clip was doing the rounds in June last year. The Iran war has been ongoing since February 28, when Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed when a barrage of missiles struck his palace compound. Trump has been changing statements on how long the war could last, with initial statement being 4-5 weeks, to now changing to "it is almost over". Iran has claimed that it has an arsenal enough to fight for 10 years, while Trump has claimed that all their weapons are almost over. The social media propaganda video shows that the war is being fought with words and on social media as much as on the ground.

A Lego-movie-style Iranian propaganda video is doing the rounds on social media. It shows Iran taking revenge for the attack on girl's elementary school in Minab. It also accused Trump of starting the war to take the heat off the Epstein Files.

Iran-affiliated media is floating videos of Lego-style movies showing the war with the United States and Israel. The clips show Iran winning against its enemies as it takes down their ships and bases, striking places like Dubai and Cyprus. Similar propaganda videos were shared in June last year when the US struck Iran's nuclear sites and during the 12-day war with Israel. The latest video starts with Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump sitting together, looking at the Epstein Files. In the clip, Trump can be seen with the paedophile. Trump gets angry at seeing this, and so, with the "devil" by his side, launches a missile towards Iran, a reference to rumours that the US president attacked Iran to divert attention from the Epstein Files. The video then shows a missile and a shot of a teacher at a school, before cutting to visuals of ruin. The US-Israeli strikes killed 168 students and staff at the Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab on the first day of the strikes. Lego-style Iranian propaganda video A soldier holds a bag and cries, as the movie shows Iran avenging the attack. Missiles can be seen crashing into British bases in Cyprus, a fighter crashing, people running in the streets, and a missile hitting the Burj al-Arab in Dubai. An Iranian general can be seen planning attacks on Tel Aviv and missiles being prepared. The clip shows a missile attack in Israel and an attack in Saudi Arabia. Sirens sound in Israel as people run around, and a figure resembling Netanyahu takes shelter in a bunker. More missiles are then seen falling into the US bases in Bahrain and Erbil. Also Read: After a 'no new wars' campaign, Donald Trump ordered strikes on 8 countries in just 2 years

A Lego-movie-style Iranian propaganda video is doing the rounds on social media. It shows Iran taking revenge for the attack on girl's elementary school in Minab. It also accused Trump of starting the war to take the heat off the Epstein Files.

Lego-movie-style clip accuses Trump of starting Iran war to divert attention from Epstein Files

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Tuesday (Mar 10) tendered an "unconditional and unqualified apology" for the '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ncert-flags-judicial-corruption-and-over-53-million-pending-cases-in-new-class-8-social-science-book-1771912233327">Corruption in the judiciary</a>' chapter in its Class 8 Social Science textbook, "Exploring Society: India and Beyond" (Part II). In a statement issued on X, NCERT said that the entire book has now been withdrawn. This comes as the Supreme Court of India on February 26 ordered a "complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication re: printing or digital dissemination of the book.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/petrol-and-diesel-prices-in-india-unlikely-to-rise-for-now-but-can-increase-if-oil-prices-cross-this-mark-1773111685796">India to hike petrol and diesel prices? Your fuel cost can increase if crude oil crosses THIS mark. Details inside</a><h2>NCERT's unconditional and unqualified apology</h2>In a statement on X, NCERT said that the book in its entirety has been withdrawn. "The National Council of Educational Research and Training [NCERT] has recently published a social science textbook, "Exploring Society: India and Beyond," Grade 8 (Part II), which contained Chapter IV titled "The Role of Judiciary in our Society." The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said Chapter IV. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available".Expressing regret for any inconvenience caused, NCERT reiterated its commitment to accuracy and sensitivity in educational materials. "NCERT remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, sensitivity, and responsibility in educational content," it said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞: 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 The National Council of Educational Research and Training [NCERT] has recently published a social science textbook, “Exploring Society: India and Beyond,&quot; Grade 8 (Part II), which contained Chapter IV titled “The Role of… <a href="https://t.co/mZY15aJTDo">pic.twitter.com/mZY15aJTDo</a>&mdash; NCERT (@ncert) <a href="https://twitter.com/ncert/status/2031199477558817038?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What did the chapter 'The Role of Judiciary in our Society' say?</h2>The National Council of Educational Research and Training had, for the first time, added a section on corruption within the judiciary to its Class 8 Social Science textbook. The revised chapter, titled "The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society," still explained the hierarchy of courts and the idea of access to justice. It also addressed the system's vulnerabilities, including corruption and the massive backlog of cases.The book laid out the scale of the problem in stark numbers. It cites roughly 53,321,000 pending cases across courts - 81,000 in the Supreme Court, 62.4 lakh (62,40,000) in High Courts across India, and about 4.7 crore (4,70,00,000) in district and subordinate courts.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Why did NCERT withdraw an entire Class 8 textbook and issue an “unconditional apology”? The move comes after the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on the book. What exactly did the chapter say and why did it trigger such a strong response? Scroll down to read more.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Tuesday (Mar 10) tendered an "unconditional and unqualified apology" for the 'Corruption in the judiciary' chapter in its Class 8 Social Science textbook, "Exploring Society: India and Beyond" (Part II). In a statement issued on X, NCERT said that the entire book has now been withdrawn. This comes as the Supreme Court of India on February 26 ordered a "complete blanket ban is hereby imposed on any further publication re: printing or digital dissemination of the book. Also read | India to hike petrol and diesel prices? Your fuel cost can increase if crude oil crosses THIS mark. Details inside NCERT's unconditional and unqualified apology In a statement on X, NCERT said that the book in its entirety has been withdrawn. "The National Council of Educational Research and Training [NCERT] has recently published a social science textbook, "Exploring Society: India and Beyond," Grade 8 (Part II), which contained Chapter IV titled "The Role of Judiciary in our Society." The Director and Members of NCERT hereby tender an unconditional and unqualified apology for the said Chapter IV. The entire book has been withdrawn and is not available". Expressing regret for any inconvenience caused, NCERT reiterated its commitment to accuracy and sensitivity in educational materials. "NCERT remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, sensitivity, and responsibility in educational content," it said.

Why did NCERT withdraw an entire Class 8 textbook and issue an “unconditional apology”? The move comes after the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on the book. What exactly did the chapter say and why did it trigger such a strong response? Scroll down to read more.

NCERT withdraws controversial class 8 book, issues 'unconditional' apology for 'corruption in the judiciary' chapter

US President Donald Trump faced tough questions on Monday (Mar 9) over mounting evidence that an American missile struck an Iranian girls’ school, killing over 165 children on the first day of the conflict. Speaking at his Doral resort in Florida, Trump denied US responsibility for the Feb 28 tragedy at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/operation-epic-fury-s-darkest-day-us-investigation-points-to-america-s-role-in-minab-girls-school-massacre-shajareh-tayyebeh-girls-school-iran-1772782378596">Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school</a> in Minab, floating a theory that Iran itself possesses Tomahawk cruise missiles suspected in the attack. While the US-Israel-Iran war enters its second week under Operations Epic Fury and Lion's Roar, the President’s claim that Tomahawks are 'generic' weapons used by 'numerous nations' has sparked a firestorm of fact-checking. Here is everything you need to know.&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">US investigation admits America may be responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls</a><h2>Tomahawk also 'used by other countries': Trump</h2>During a press conference at his golf resort in Florida, Trump, when asked about reports about US Tomahawk cruise missiles being used for the devastating attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab. The attack reportedly killed at least 175 people, most of them aged 7 to 12 years. This marks the most devastating death toll of the US-Israel-Iran war.Before the question could be finished, Trump interrupted, saying, "Well, I haven’t seen it". He suggested the missile could have been used by another nation, including Iran, while adding that the incident was still under investigation. "Tomahawk, which is one of the most powerful weapons around, is sold and used by other countries," said Trump.He suggested the missile could have been used by another nation, including Iran, while adding that the incident was still under investigation. "And whether it's Iran, who also has some Tomahawks, they wish they had more, but, whether it's Iran or somebody else, the fact that a Tomahawk -- a Tomahawk is very generic, it's sold to other countries. But that's being investigated right now."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-expel-us-israeli-ambassadors-irgc-offers-full-freedom-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-arab-european-nations-on-one-condition-1773107488099">'Expel US &amp; Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition</a><h2>Which nations have Tomahawk missiles?</h2>Trump's remarks quickly drew scrutiny. According to a 2024 statement by Australian defence officials, only three countries currently operate Tomahawk missiles: the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia itself.The missiles are manufactured by US defence contractor Raytheon. While Washington has approved future sales of the weapon system to Japan and the Netherlands, those deliveries have not yet been deployed. Experts cited by US media outlets have also said that neither Israel nor Iran currently uses Tomahawk missiles.<h2>Did Trump mean Iran stole Tomahawks from the US?</h2>The exchange grew tense when another reporter pressed the president on his comments. "You just suggested that Iran got its hands on a Tomahawk and bombed its own elementary school on the first day of the war," another reporter noted. The journalist then noted, "You’re the only person in your government saying this. Even your defence secretary wouldn’t say that when he was asked, standing over your shoulder on your plane on Saturday.""Why are you the only person saying this?" they asked. To this, Trump, impatiently interrupting the reporter, said, "Because I just don’t know enough about it"."I think it’s something that I was told is under investigation, but Tomahawks are used by others, as you know," said the POTUS, adding, "Numerous other nations have Tomahawks; they buy them from us".He then insisted that he would accept whatever conclusion investigators eventually reach. "I will certainly, whatever the report shows, I’m willing to live with that report".&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.

During a tense Doral press conference, President Trump was cornered over the Shajareh Tayyebeh school strike in Minab. Despite evidence of a US Tomahawk missile, Trump suggested Iran may be responsible, incorrectly claiming Tehran operates the weapon system.

US President Donald Trump faced tough questions on Monday (Mar 9) over mounting evidence that an American missile struck an Iranian girls’ school, killing over 165 children on the first day of the conflict. Speaking at his Doral resort in Florida, Trump denied US responsibility for the Feb 28 tragedy at the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab, floating a theory that Iran itself possesses Tomahawk cruise missiles suspected in the attack. While the US-Israel-Iran war enters its second week under Operations Epic Fury and Lion's Roar, the President’s claim that Tomahawks are 'generic' weapons used by 'numerous nations' has sparked a firestorm of fact-checking. Here is everything you need to know. Also read | US investigation admits America may be responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls Tomahawk also 'used by other countries': Trump During a press conference at his golf resort in Florida, Trump, when asked about reports about US Tomahawk cruise missiles being used for the devastating attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab. The attack reportedly killed at least 175 people, most of them aged 7 to 12 years. This marks the most devastating death toll of the US-Israel-Iran war. Before the question could be finished, Trump interrupted, saying, "Well, I haven’t seen it". He suggested the missile could have been used by another nation, including Iran, while adding that the incident was still under investigation. "Tomahawk, which is one of the most powerful weapons around, is sold and used by other countries," said Trump. He suggested the missile could have been used by another nation, including Iran, while adding that the incident was still under investigation. "And whether it's Iran, who also has some Tomahawks, they wish they had more, but, whether it's Iran or somebody else, the fact that a Tomahawk -- a Tomahawk is very generic, it's sold to other countries. But that's being investigated right now." Also read | 'Expel US & Israeli ambassadors': IRGC offers 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz to Arab, European nations on one condition Which nations have Tomahawk missiles? Trump's remarks quickly drew scrutiny. According to a 2024 statement by Australian defence officials, only three countries currently operate Tomahawk missiles: the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia itself. The missiles are manufactured by US defence contractor Raytheon. While Washington has approved future sales of the weapon system to Japan and the Netherlands, those deliveries have not yet been deployed. Experts cited by US media outlets have also said that neither Israel nor Iran currently uses Tomahawk missiles. Did Trump mean Iran stole Tomahawks from the US? The exchange grew tense when another reporter pressed the president on his comments. "You just suggested that Iran got its hands on a Tomahawk and bombed its own elementary school on the first day of the war," another reporter noted. The journalist then noted, "You’re the only person in your government saying this. Even your defence secretary wouldn’t say that when he was asked, standing over your shoulder on your plane on Saturday." "Why are you the only person saying this?" they asked. To this, Trump, impatiently interrupting the reporter, said, "Because I just don’t know enough about it". "I think it’s something that I was told is under investigation, but Tomahawks are used by others, as you know," said the POTUS, adding, "Numerous other nations have Tomahawks; they buy them from us". He then insisted that he would accept whatever conclusion investigators eventually reach. "I will certainly, whatever the report shows, I’m willing to live with that report". Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Did Donald Trump suggest Iran might have used a US Tomahawk missile in the deadly strike on an Iranian girls’ school? The claim raised eyebrows because only a handful of countries operate Tomahawk cruise missiles. So what exactly did he say, and does Iran even possess them? Scroll down.

'Iran also has Tomahawks': Trump confronted by reporters as he floats wild theory on Minab school strike, contradicts Pentagon

Donald Trump told Republican lawmakers that his wife's movie Melania was "hot" and that she had become a "movie star." While talking to other members, Trump told them how drug prices fell in his first term, and he went home and told his wife, Melania, about it. From here, he took a huge diversion, steering the conversation towards "Melania", the documentary. "I was so proud. I went home and told our great first lady, who is now a movie star. Can you believe it? That movie was hot, and it is hot. She became a movie star. It was a good movie," Trump said. Melania premiered earlier this year and dropped on OTT on March 9. The movie has been directed by Brett Ratner and shows the 20 days leading up to Trump's inauguration as the US President. It amassed $7 million at opening, way more than another hit, "Am I Racist?" which collected $5.4 million. In February, Trump made a similar quip during the Board of Peace meeting. “Melania is a big, big movie star. I always say there's not room in one family for 2 stars," he said.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-melania-documentary-director-seen-cuddling-woman-with-jeffrey-epstein-in-new-photos-1770014334433">'Melania' documentary director seen cuddling woman with Jeffrey Epstein in new photos</a><h2>Melania documentary</h2>The film premiered at the Trump-Kennedy Center in January. "You will see humour, you will see grief, you will see fashion," Melania said when asked what the audience can expect from the film. She added that it shows “what it takes from going from private citizen to first lady again.” Melania has been touting the film's success, saying that it is on track to become the best-performing non-fiction feature in the last 10 years. Made on a budget of $40 million, Amazon, MGM Studios, and Muse Films have jointly produced the film. The latter is a production company launched by Melania late last year.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨BREAKING: Trump humiliated himself with a hilarious self own. “Melania is a big, big movie star. I always say there&#39;s not room in one family for 2 stars.” He meant that he AND her were stars - but it sounds like he was referencing her film’s rating. <a href="https://t.co/5v8jmLumfF">pic.twitter.com/5v8jmLumfF</a>&mdash; CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/2024508376818897106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Trump on Iran war</h2>Trump is currently in the limelight for the war with Iran. US and Israeli forces attacked the country on February 28, killing Ayatollah Khamenei. The war has been ongoing, as Trump said it could last four to five weeks. On Monday, he claimed that the conflict was nearly over, then took another U-turn soon after, vowing to continue fighting until total victory was achieved. He told CBS News in an interview that things have moved much faster than expected, and Iran's arsenal has depleted. "They have no navy, no communications, they've got no air force. Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place, including their manufacturing of drones," he said.

Donald Trump injected his wife, Melania's documentary, into a regular address to Republicans, saying the movie was hot and praising his “movie star” wife. Melania dropped on Amazon Prime Video on March 9.

Donald Trump told Republican lawmakers that his wife's movie Melania was "hot" and that she had become a "movie star." While talking to other members, Trump told them how drug prices fell in his first term, and he went home and told his wife, Melania, about it. From here, he took a huge diversion, steering the conversation towards "Melania", the documentary. "I was so proud. I went home and told our great first lady, who is now a movie star. Can you believe it? That movie was hot, and it is hot. She became a movie star. It was a good movie," Trump said. Melania premiered earlier this year and dropped on OTT on March 9. The movie has been directed by Brett Ratner and shows the 20 days leading up to Trump's inauguration as the US President. It amassed $7 million at opening, way more than another hit, "Am I Racist?" which collected $5.4 million. In February, Trump made a similar quip during the Board of Peace meeting. “Melania is a big, big movie star. I always say there's not room in one family for 2 stars," he said. Also Read: 'Melania' documentary director seen cuddling woman with Jeffrey Epstein in new photos Melania documentary The film premiered at the Trump-Kennedy Center in January. "You will see humour, you will see grief, you will see fashion," Melania said when asked what the audience can expect from the film. She added that it shows “what it takes from going from private citizen to first lady again.” Melania has been touting the film's success, saying that it is on track to become the best-performing non-fiction feature in the last 10 years. Made on a budget of $40 million, Amazon, MGM Studios, and Muse Films have jointly produced the film. The latter is a production company launched by Melania late last year.

Donald Trump injected his wife, Melania's documentary, into a regular address to Republicans, saying the movie was hot and praising his “movie star” wife. Melania dropped on Amazon Prime Video on March 9.

Trump diverts speech to praise 'movie star' wife's 'hot' film Melania, again

Secrets and crimes continue to tumble out of the Epstein Files as a new email shows just how much power the paedophile held. Jeffrey Epstein claimed in an email that he was behind ending the endeavours of Stanley Pons, the co-inventor of cold fusion. In October 2009, he wrote to perceptual scientist Al Seckel that he used political channels to ensure that Pons did not receive congressional funding for the project. "regarding cold fusion. I killed Pons years ago," the late financier wrote. The Department of Justice released over 3 million new documents from the Epstein Files in January this year. One of them has Epstein boasting that he played a major role in deciding what happens to the Pons' research on cold fusion. He even met with the head of the Mormon Church to influence decisions at Brigham Young University, a key institution in Pons’ research network.<h2>Who was Stanley Pons?</h2>Epstein doesn't literally mean he "killed" Pons, but that he ended all research into his project that could have theoretically led to the production of limitless clean energy. Stanley Pons was an electrochemist at the University of Utah who became famous in 1989 for claiming that he and Martin Fleischmann had achieved nuclear fusion at room temperature. If true, it would have proved to be a revolution in the energy sector. However, their research was soon dismissed by physics institutions and federal agencies, leading to the end of funding. Pons moved to France after his scientific reputation took a hit.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/deepak-chopra-told-epstein-to-bring-your-girls-to-israel-and-switzerland-i-am-just-a-lover-1772080714586">Epstein told Deepak Chopra, 'I liked watching you zero in on your prey' - 'Just a lover'</a> &nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260310/image-1773120735127.png"></figure><h2>New Epstein emails show his influence on scientific research</h2>Epstein wrote in the email to Seckel, "regarding cold fusion. i killed pons years ago", to which the latter replied, "Don't leave me hanging Jeff. I want to know you relationship to Pons and cold fusion..." Epstein names a congressman and how he argued against the funding, including a meeting with the head of the Mormon church. "the origidnal (sic) senate funding came out of congress, and wayne owens senator from utah „ i was there an argues against, it, had of meet with the head of the mormon church," Epstein wrote. This was reportedly because BYU's competing cold fusion program ran through the Church's governance.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/stephen-hawking-photographed-with-bikini-clad-women-in-new-epstein-files-photo-1772012206281">Stephen Hawking photographed with bikini-clad women in new Epstein Files | PHOTO</a><h2>Cold fusion and Epstein</h2>Seckel wrote in an email, "BTW, for your amusement, I spent part of the last month investigating a new cold fusion device for our billionaire engineer pals on the west coast, who were about to sink millions of dollars into this thing." The new emails show that Epstein wielded influence on scientific research, as he details how he was present during congressional hearings and presented the case that cold fusion research should not be funded. The incident is an example of how some people could be dictating how scientific research happens, who gets funds and what should be suppressed. Epstein talked about science in other emails also, including Low Energy Nuclear Reactions, another name for cold fusion.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">1/ 🧵BREAKING: Previously unreported federal Epstein file emails reveal that Jeffrey Epstein claimed he personally killed cold fusion — the discovery that could have given the world clean, limitless energy from water. Not through science. Through congressional defunding and a… <a href="https://t.co/sVZeO5rTe7">pic.twitter.com/sVZeO5rTe7</a>&mdash; Sayer Ji (@sayerjigmi) <a href="https://twitter.com/sayerjigmi/status/2028670306689106188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jeffrey Epstein ‘killed Pons years ago’, referring to an electrochemist who was working on cold fusion in the late 1980s. The paedophile wrote in an email how he stopped funding for his project after speaking against it at the political level.

Secrets and crimes continue to tumble out of the Epstein Files as a new email shows just how much power the paedophile held. Jeffrey Epstein claimed in an email that he was behind ending the endeavours of Stanley Pons, the co-inventor of cold fusion. In October 2009, he wrote to perceptual scientist Al Seckel that he used political channels to ensure that Pons did not receive congressional funding for the project. "regarding cold fusion. I killed Pons years ago," the late financier wrote. The Department of Justice released over 3 million new documents from the Epstein Files in January this year. One of them has Epstein boasting that he played a major role in deciding what happens to the Pons' research on cold fusion. He even met with the head of the Mormon Church to influence decisions at Brigham Young University, a key institution in Pons’ research network. Who was Stanley Pons? Epstein doesn't literally mean he "killed" Pons, but that he ended all research into his project that could have theoretically led to the production of limitless clean energy. Stanley Pons was an electrochemist at the University of Utah who became famous in 1989 for claiming that he and Martin Fleischmann had achieved nuclear fusion at room temperature. If true, it would have proved to be a revolution in the energy sector. However, their research was soon dismissed by physics institutions and federal agencies, leading to the end of funding. Pons moved to France after his scientific reputation took a hit. Also Read: Epstein told Deepak Chopra, 'I liked watching you zero in on your prey' - 'Just a lover' New Epstein emails show his influence on scientific research Epstein wrote in the email to Seckel, "regarding cold fusion. i killed pons years ago", to which the latter replied, "Don't leave me hanging Jeff. I want to know you relationship to Pons and cold fusion..." Epstein names a congressman and how he argued against the funding, including a meeting with the head of the Mormon church. "the origidnal (sic) senate funding came out of congress, and wayne owens senator from utah „ i was there an argues against, it, had of meet with the head of the mormon church," Epstein wrote. This was reportedly because BYU's competing cold fusion program ran through the Church's governance. Also Read: Stephen Hawking photographed with bikini-clad women in new Epstein Files | PHOTO Cold fusion and Epstein Seckel wrote in an email, "BTW, for your amusement, I spent part of the last month investigating a new cold fusion device for our billionaire engineer pals on the west coast, who were about to sink millions of dollars into this thing." The new emails show that Epstein wielded influence on scientific research, as he details how he was present during congressional hearings and presented the case that cold fusion research should not be funded. The incident is an example of how some people could be dictating how scientific research happens, who gets funds and what should be suppressed. Epstein talked about science in other emails also, including Low Energy Nuclear Reactions, another name for cold fusion.

Jeffrey Epstein ‘killed Pons years ago’, referring to an electrochemist who was working on cold fusion in the late 1980s. The paedophile wrote in an email how he stopped funding for his project after speaking against it at the political level.

Epstein Files show the paedophile ‘killed Pons years ago’. Who was he and what happened?

The United States has intercepted top-secret communications believed to have originated in Iran. The encrypted communication, as per US intelligence, may serve as "an operational trigger" for Iranian "sleeper assets" outside the nation. The US federal government, in an alert sent to law enforcement agencies, has warned that the transmission may have activated Iranian sleeper cells. This comes as the US-Israel-Iran war enters its 11th day and as Tehran announced that the Islamic Republic and not America would "determine the end of the war" in West Asia. Which countries are at risk? Here's all we know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-expel-us-israeli-ambassadors-irgc-offers-full-freedom-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-arab-european-nations-on-one-condition-1773107488099">Iran ready to give countries 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz, but ONLY IF...</a><h2>Top-secret Iranian communications intercepted by US intelligence</h2>According to ABC News, US authorities have intercepted encrypted communications believed to have originated in Iran. The communication, they say, may be intended to activate covert operatives outside the country.The alert, reviewed by ABC News, refers to "preliminary signals analysis" of a transmission thought to be of Iranian origin. Officials said the signal appeared shortly after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike on Feb 28.<h2>Possible instructions to covert operatives</h2>According to the alert, the transmission was encrypted and relayed across multiple countries before reaching its intended recipients. Officials believe the signal may have been directed at “clandestine recipients” who already possess the required encryption key. Messages of this type are sometimes used to send instructions to "covert operatives or sleeper assets" without relying on internet or cellular networks.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/petrol-and-diesel-prices-in-india-unlikely-to-rise-for-now-but-can-increase-if-oil-prices-cross-this-mark-1773111685796">India to hike petrol and diesel prices? Your fuel cost can increase if crude oil crosses THIS mark. Details inside</a>The alert notes that the transmission could potentially be intended to activate sleeper assets already positioned outside Iran."While the exact contents of these transmissions cannot currently be determined, the sudden appearance of a new station with international rebroadcast characteristics warrants heightened situational awareness," read the federal alert to US law enforcement.<h2>Which countries are at risk?</h2>According to the report, US authorities have not identified a specific threat. They stressed that the alert does not point to any specific target or location.There is "no operational threat tied to a specific location," the notice said, though it advised law enforcement agencies to increase monitoring of unusual or suspicious radio frequency activity.The intercepted transmission comes amid heightened security concerns following the killing of Khamenei during a joint US-Israeli strike. Notably, officials in Washington have previously warned that Iran or groups aligned with Tehran could attempt retaliation outside the Middle East.&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 intelligence intercepts a secret Iranian message that could activate sleeper cells abroad. Officials say the encrypted signal may be part of a global retaliation campaign following the Feb 28 assassination of Ali Khamenei. Which countries are at risk, and what did the alert reveal? 

The United States has intercepted top-secret communications believed to have originated in Iran. The encrypted communication, as per US intelligence, may serve as "an operational trigger" for Iranian "sleeper assets" outside the nation. The US federal government, in an alert sent to law enforcement agencies, has warned that the transmission may have activated Iranian sleeper cells. This comes as the US-Israel-Iran war enters its 11th day and as Tehran announced that the Islamic Republic and not America would "determine the end of the war" in West Asia. Which countries are at risk? Here's all we know. Also read | Iran ready to give countries 'full freedom' in Strait of Hormuz, but ONLY IF... Top-secret Iranian communications intercepted by US intelligence According to ABC News, US authorities have intercepted encrypted communications believed to have originated in Iran. The communication, they say, may be intended to activate covert operatives outside the country. The alert, reviewed by ABC News, refers to "preliminary signals analysis" of a transmission thought to be of Iranian origin. Officials said the signal appeared shortly after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike on Feb 28. Possible instructions to covert operatives According to the alert, the transmission was encrypted and relayed across multiple countries before reaching its intended recipients. Officials believe the signal may have been directed at “clandestine recipients” who already possess the required encryption key. Messages of this type are sometimes used to send instructions to "covert operatives or sleeper assets" without relying on internet or cellular networks. Also read | India to hike petrol and diesel prices? Your fuel cost can increase if crude oil crosses THIS mark. Details inside The alert notes that the transmission could potentially be intended to activate sleeper assets already positioned outside Iran. "While the exact contents of these transmissions cannot currently be determined, the sudden appearance of a new station with international rebroadcast characteristics warrants heightened situational awareness," read the federal alert to US law enforcement. Which countries are at risk? According to the report, US authorities have not identified a specific threat. They stressed that the alert does not point to any specific target or location. There is "no operational threat tied to a specific location," the notice said, though it advised law enforcement agencies to increase monitoring of unusual or suspicious radio frequency activity. The intercepted transmission comes amid heightened security concerns following the killing of Khamenei during a joint US-Israeli strike. Notably, officials in Washington have previously warned that Iran or groups aligned with Tehran could attempt retaliation outside the Middle East. 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 intercepts a secret Iranian message that could activate sleeper cells abroad. Officials say the encrypted signal may be part of a global retaliation campaign following the Feb 28 assassination of Ali Khamenei. Which countries are at risk, and what did the alert reveal?&nbsp;

Top-secret 'sleeper asset trigger' intercepted: US intel warns Iran planning global retaliation after Khamenei assassination

The United States on Monday (Mar 9) designated Afghanistan as a "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention" while demanding that the Taliban government release two American citizens. Calling on Kabul to end its "hostage diplomacy", Secretary of the US State Department Marco Rubio alleged that the Taliban continues to kidnap people "to seek policy concessions". This comes just over a week after America, for the first time, added Iran to its new "wrongful detention" blacklist. The list was created via US President Donald Trump's executive order in September 2025.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 selling gold at discount, but it’s bad news for India. Here’s why</a><h2>Afghanistan's "terrorist tactics"</h2>In a statement, Rubio alleged that the "Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions".He said that it was not safe for American citizens to travel to Afghanistan because "the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals."Rubio called for the release of "Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and all Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan now and commit to cease the practice of hostage diplomacy forever".<h2>Who is Mahmoud Habibi?</h2>An Afghan-American citizen, Mahmoud Habibi, previously served as Afghanistan's director of civil aviation. According to US authorities, Habibi, along with dozens of other employees of his telecommunications firm, was arrested in August 2022 — a year after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.Previously, the US State Department had issued a $5 million reward for any information that may lead to Habibi's return to America.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 was responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls</a><h2>Who is Dennis Coyle?</h2>Dennis Coyle is an academic from Colorado. According to the James Foley Foundation, he worked in Afghanistan for over two decades before being detained by the Taliban in January 2025.

Why has the US labelled Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”?

Marco Rubio says the Taliban is using “hostage diplomacy” and has demanded the release of detained Americans. Who are the citizens being held? Here's all we know.

The United States on Monday (Mar 9) designated Afghanistan as a "State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention" while demanding that the Taliban government release two American citizens. Calling on Kabul to end its "hostage diplomacy", Secretary of the US State Department Marco Rubio alleged that the Taliban continues to kidnap people "to seek policy concessions". This comes just over a week after America, for the first time, added Iran to its new "wrongful detention" blacklist. The list was created via US President Donald Trump's executive order in September 2025. Also read | Amid Iran war Dubai selling gold at discount, but it’s bad news for India. Here’s why Afghanistan's "terrorist tactics" In a statement, Rubio alleged that the "Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions". He said that it was not safe for American citizens to travel to Afghanistan because "the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals." Rubio called for the release of "Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and all Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan now and commit to cease the practice of hostage diplomacy forever". Who is Mahmoud Habibi? An Afghan-American citizen, Mahmoud Habibi, previously served as Afghanistan's director of civil aviation. According to US authorities, Habibi, along with dozens of other employees of his telecommunications firm, was arrested in August 2022 — a year after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. Previously, the US State Department had issued a $5 million reward for any information that may lead to Habibi's return to America. Also read | US investigation admits America was responsible for devastating school strike that killed over 150 Iranian girls Who is Dennis Coyle? Dennis Coyle is an academic from Colorado. According to the James Foley Foundation, he worked in Afghanistan for over two decades before being detained by the Taliban in January 2025.

Why has the US labelled Afghanistan a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention”?Marco Rubio says the Taliban is using “hostage diplomacy” and has demanded the release of detained Americans. Who are the citizens being held? Here's all we know.

US slams Afghanistan for 'terrorist tactics' designates it 'State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention'

Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Dubai is offering gold at massive discounts while prices have surged to record highs of around Rs 1,60,000 per 10 grams. Indians are therefore looking at importing the safe-haven metal from the United Arab Emirates. Here are the laws and taxes levied by Indian authorities if you are looking to bring gold from Dubai.&nbsp;For years, Indian passengers were restricted by a dual cap on gold jewellery: a specific weight limit and a rigid rupee value limit. Under the old 2016 rules, a woman could bring 40 grams of gold, but only if its value did not exceed Rs 1,00,000. As gold prices hover around Rs 1,50,000 per 10 grams in 2026, that old value cap effectively criminalised anyone carrying more than 7 grams of gold.&nbsp;The Baggage Rules 2026 have officially abolished these value caps. For eligible passengers (Indian residents or tourists of Indian origin who have resided abroad for more than one year), the duty-free allowance is now governed strictly by weight:&nbsp;Female passengers: 40 grams of gold jewellery&nbsp;Male passengers: 20 grams of gold jewellery&nbsp;Children (under 15): 40 grams of gold jewellery&nbsp;This change means a female passenger can now carry jewellery worth approximately Rs 6,00,000 entirely duty-free, provided it stays within the 40-gram limit. “Jewellery” under these rules includes ornaments made of gold, silver, or platinum, including those studded with precious stones.<h2>Strict regulations for raw Gold</h2>While jewellery rules have been relaxed, the stance on raw gold remains stringent.If you have been abroad for less than one year, you must include any new jewellery within your General Free Allowance (now Rs 75,000 for Indian residents).<h2>Gold bars, coins, and biscuits carry no duty-free allowance</h2>Whether you are carrying a 1-gram coin or a 100-gram bar, it must be declared at the airport’s Red Channel. The duty structure for raw gold is tiered based on your stay abroad:&nbsp;Concessional rate (stay more than six months): &nbsp;Eligible passengers can bring up to 1 kg of gold by paying a concessional duty of approximately 6% (comprising 5% Basic Customs Duty and 1% AIDC). This must be paid in convertible foreign currency.&nbsp;Standard rate (stay less than six months): Short-term travellers or those who do not meet the residency requirement are charged a much higher “hand baggage” rate, typically around 38.5%.&nbsp;Compliance and Digital Declaration&nbsp;To speed up clearances, the Ministry of Finance has integrated these rules with the ATITHI mobile app. Passengers are encouraged to file a digital declaration before landing. Upon arrival, those with items to declare must proceed to the Red Channel.&nbsp;It is vital to carry original purchase invoices for all gold items. Failure to declare gold exceeding the weight limits, or any amount of raw gold, can lead to severe consequences, including heavy fines, seizure of the metal, and prosecution under the Customs Act, 1962.

As airspace over the Gulf has been partially closed due to the war in West Asia, triggering a logistical bottleneck, Dubai is offering gold at massive discounts while prices in India remain at record highs.

Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Dubai is offering gold at massive discounts while prices have surged to record highs of around Rs 1,60,000 per 10 grams. Indians are therefore looking at importing the safe-haven metal from the United Arab Emirates. Here are the laws and taxes levied by Indian authorities if you are looking to bring gold from Dubai. For years, Indian passengers were restricted by a dual cap on gold jewellery: a specific weight limit and a rigid rupee value limit. Under the old 2016 rules, a woman could bring 40 grams of gold, but only if its value did not exceed Rs 1,00,000. As gold prices hover around Rs 1,50,000 per 10 grams in 2026, that old value cap effectively criminalised anyone carrying more than 7 grams of gold. The Baggage Rules 2026 have officially abolished these value caps. For eligible passengers (Indian residents or tourists of Indian origin who have resided abroad for more than one year), the duty-free allowance is now governed strictly by weight: Female passengers: 40 grams of gold jewellery Male passengers: 20 grams of gold jewellery Children (under 15): 40 grams of gold jewellery This change means a female passenger can now carry jewellery worth approximately Rs 6,00,000 entirely duty-free, provided it stays within the 40-gram limit. “Jewellery” under these rules includes ornaments made of gold, silver, or platinum, including those studded with precious stones. Strict regulations for raw Gold While jewellery rules have been relaxed, the stance on raw gold remains stringent. If you have been abroad for less than one year, you must include any new jewellery within your General Free Allowance (now Rs 75,000 for Indian residents). Gold bars, coins, and biscuits carry no duty-free allowance Whether you are carrying a 1-gram coin or a 100-gram bar, it must be declared at the airport’s Red Channel. The duty structure for raw gold is tiered based on your stay abroad: Concessional rate (stay more than six months): Eligible passengers can bring up to 1 kg of gold by paying a concessional duty of approximately 6% (comprising 5% Basic Customs Duty and 1% AIDC). This must be paid in convertible foreign currency. Standard rate (stay less than six months): Short-term travellers or those who do not meet the residency requirement are charged a much higher “hand baggage” rate, typically around 38.5%. Compliance and Digital Declaration To speed up clearances, the Ministry of Finance has integrated these rules with the ATITHI mobile app. Passengers are encouraged to file a digital declaration before landing. Upon arrival, those with items to declare must proceed to the Red Channel. It is vital to carry original purchase invoices for all gold items. Failure to declare gold exceeding the weight limits, or any amount of raw gold, can lead to severe consequences, including heavy fines, seizure of the metal, and prosecution under the Customs Act, 1962.

As airspace over the Gulf has been partially closed due to the war in West Asia, triggering a logistical bottleneck, Dubai is offering gold at massive discounts while prices in India remain at record highs.

How much gold can Indians bring from Dubai as West Asia war sparks gold rush?

The Iranian Crown Jewels, also known as the Imperial Jewels of Persia, are one of the largest and most valuable collections of jewellery in the world. It is also the largest state-owned collection of royal jewellery in the world, featuring more than 50,000 gemstones collected by monarchs since the 16th century. The collection is housed in the Central Bank of Iran in Tehran, which also includes the 182-carat Darya-e Noor diamond, the Gem-studded Globe, and the Kiani and Pahlavi crowns. The collection spans over 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy, with major additions from the Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi dynasties. It is widely considered the most valuable and historically significant jewellery collection in the world. It is so immense that it has been used as a legal reserve to back the Iranian national currency (the Rial) since 1937.<h3>Key highlights of the collection</h3>Darya-ye Noor (Sea of Light): The crown jewel of the collection, it is the world's largest known pink diamond, weighing approximately 182 carats. The Jewelled Globe: A 34-kg solid gold sphere encrusted with over 51,000 gems. Emeralds represent the oceans, while rubies and diamonds mark the landmasses. The Pahlavi Crown: Used for the coronations of Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, it contains 3,380 diamonds, 369 pearls, and a 100-carat emerald at its apex. The Peacock Throne (Sun Throne): An enormous, jewel-encrusted platform-style throne commissioned in the early 19th century, containing over 26,000 gems. Samarian Spinel: The world's largest spinel, weighing 500 carats.<h3>How much are Iran’s Crown Jewels worth?</h3>If the value of Iran’s Crown Jewels is talked then there is no officially declared amount, but if an inestimable value, with unofficial estimates, is considered, then it is worth between $20 billion and $50 billion. However, several experts fail to capture their true worth.&nbsp;The interesting part of Jewels is that it also backs a currency that gives something solid to lean on. As we know, today, no other nation uses its royal treasures in quite this way. Britain's crown jewels shine in the Tower of London, and Russia's imperial regalia lies behind glass cases, but Iran's collection plays a significant role for its country, as it is treated as money. &nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/historian-says-this-470-year-old-book-was-owned-by-galileo-his-habit-of-praying-was-a-dead-giveaway-1772703188041">Historian says this 470-year-old book was owned by Galileo. His habit of praying was a dead giveaway</a>

The collection of Iranian Crown Jewels spans over 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy, with major additions from the Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi dynasties. It is widely considered the most valuable and historically significant jewellery collection in the world. 

The Iranian Crown Jewels, also known as the Imperial Jewels of Persia, are one of the largest and most valuable collections of jewellery in the world. It is also the largest state-owned collection of royal jewellery in the world, featuring more than 50,000 gemstones collected by monarchs since the 16th century. The collection is housed in the Central Bank of Iran in Tehran, which also includes the 182-carat Darya-e Noor diamond, the Gem-studded Globe, and the Kiani and Pahlavi crowns. The collection spans over 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy, with major additions from the Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi dynasties. It is widely considered the most valuable and historically significant jewellery collection in the world. It is so immense that it has been used as a legal reserve to back the Iranian national currency (the Rial) since 1937. Key highlights of the collection Darya-ye Noor (Sea of Light): The crown jewel of the collection, it is the world's largest known pink diamond, weighing approximately 182 carats. The Jewelled Globe: A 34-kg solid gold sphere encrusted with over 51,000 gems. Emeralds represent the oceans, while rubies and diamonds mark the landmasses. The Pahlavi Crown: Used for the coronations of Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, it contains 3,380 diamonds, 369 pearls, and a 100-carat emerald at its apex. The Peacock Throne (Sun Throne): An enormous, jewel-encrusted platform-style throne commissioned in the early 19th century, containing over 26,000 gems. Samarian Spinel: The world's largest spinel, weighing 500 carats. How much are Iran’s Crown Jewels worth? If the value of Iran’s Crown Jewels is talked then there is no officially declared amount, but if an inestimable value, with unofficial estimates, is considered, then it is worth between $20 billion and $50 billion. However, several experts fail to capture their true worth. The interesting part of Jewels is that it also backs a currency that gives something solid to lean on. As we know, today, no other nation uses its royal treasures in quite this way. Britain's crown jewels shine in the Tower of London, and Russia's imperial regalia lies behind glass cases, but Iran's collection plays a significant role for its country, as it is treated as money. Also read: Historian says this 470-year-old book was owned by Galileo. His habit of praying was a dead giveaway

The collection of Iranian Crown Jewels spans over 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy, with major additions from the Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi dynasties. It is widely considered the most valuable and historically significant jewellery collection in the world.&nbsp;

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How much are Iran’s Crown Jewels worth? Inside the priceless royal treasure