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The conflict in West Asia entered its Day 29 on March 28. Hostilities began on February 28 when the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program.In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the Gulf region. Iran has also shut down the strategic Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels that are attempting to cross it. Tehran has stressed that the waterway remains close for the US, Israel, and nations aiding them, but open to friendly nations, including India, Russia, China, Iraq, and Pakistan. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for ports located in the Persian Gulf. Its blockage has significantly affected global energy supply, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices.While US President Donald Trump has proposed a peace plan to end the war with Iran, which has been going on for nearly a month now. He has reiterated that talks are ongoing despite Tehran rejecting the claims of any negotiations taking place. In his 15-point peace plan, Trump has demanded that Iran end all uranium enrichment and close Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow nuclear facilities. However, Tehran has rejected the proposal and laid out its own terms, demanding guarantees.In a latest development, the Israeli military on Friday (Mar 27) confirmed striking a uranium processing site in Yazd, central Iran. Iranian media reported earlier that the Ardakan yellowcake production plant was hit in strikes. Following the strike, Iran launched a wave of missile strikes on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, wounding at least 10 American service members and damaging several critical US refuelling aircraft.Meanwhile, Trump on Friday (Mar 27) suggested that Washington may not honour its NATO security commitments if allies continue to refuse military support in West Asia, expressing disappointment over Europe’s reluctance to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.Following Khamenei’s death, Iran has named his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the Islamic Republic's new supreme leader. While the new leader has made several written statements, he has not made any public appearances. Since then, rumours have circulated about his health, with claims that he was injured in the strikes that killed his father.<h2>Follow WION for all the updates, analysis and developments on the US-Israel-Iran war</h2>

Israel’s Health Ministry reported on Saturday that a total of 142 people were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours, bringing Israel’s total wartime injuries to 5,689.Of those injured, 132 remain hospitalised, 15 of whom are in serious condition and one of whom is in critical condition, according to the ministry.

142 people injured in Israel in last 24 hours: Health Ministry

Three Lebanese journalists have been killed in a targeted Israeli strike on their media car in southern Lebanon on Saturday, said local media reports.Ali Shoeib, reporter for Al Manar TV, a network operated by militant group Hezbollah, and Al Mayadin reporters Fatima and Mohamed Fetoni were killed in an airstrike in the town of Jezzine.Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as a "blatant crime" that violates international law under which journalists should be protected during war.

Israeli strike kills three journalists in Lebanon

Lebanon says more than 50 health workers killed in Israel-Hezbollah war &nbsp;

Lebanon says more than 50 health workers killed in Israel-Hezbollah war

Qatar and Ukraine signed a defence agreement on Saturday including cooperation on countering threats from missiles and drones, the Gulf state's defence ministry said while Iran pressed an aerial campaign against its neighbours.

Qatar, Ukraine join hands to counter missile, drone threats

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Spoke with Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman and discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;We agreed on the need to ensure freedom of navigation and keeping…&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2037871377940672665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;March 28, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Ensure freedom of navigation: PM Modi speaks to Saudi Crown Prince

Danish shipping giant Maersk said operations had been temporarily halted at Oman's port of Salalah after a drone attack on Saturday injured one worker and damaged a crane.

Maersk suspends operations at Oman’s Salalah port after drone attack

Ukraine’s foreign ministry dismissed a statement by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps that a Ukrainian air defence depot had been destroyed in Dubai.

Ukraine rejects IRGC claim of strike in Dubai

The Israeli military claimed on Saturday (March 28) that it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory and was working to intercept them.&nbsp;

IDF claims missiles launched from Iran toward Israel

Missiles destroyed a Ukrainian air defence depot in Dubai, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said on Saturday, according to Fars News Agency.

IRGC says missiles destroyed Ukrainian air defense depot in Dubai

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which they discussed the ongoing tensions in West Asia and condemned the continued Israeli strikes on Tehran. "During their detailed conversation that lasted over one hour, the two leaders held extensive discussions regarding the ongoing hostilities in the region and peace efforts," a statement by the Prime Minister's Office said.

Pak PM Sharif condemns continuous Israeli attacks on Iran

The UAE had actively supported the initiation and continuation of the war against Iran, and the leadership of Tehran has now decided to end its weeks-long restraint towards the country, Iran’s Press TV confirmed, citing a source.

Iran indicates to end ‘restraint’ on UAE over alleged role in war: Report

"We have said many times that Iran doesn't carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centres are targeted. To the countries of the region: If you want development and security, don't let our enemies run the war from your lands," said Pezeshkian on X.

‘Iran won’t strike first, but will retaliate hard if targeted': President

The Abu Dhabi Media Office has confirmed a third fire at the Khalifa Economic Zone, close to Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi. Earlier, a pre-dawn attack near the site led to falling debris that injured several people and caused damage to nearby facilities.“Authorities further confirmed an additional injury as a result of the incident, to a Pakistani national, bringing the total number of injured individuals to six, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate,” the statement said, adding that “Authorities have controlled all three fires and the cooling process is underway.”

Third fire reported at Khalifa Economic Zone, six injured in Abu Dhabi

Multiple people were killed and others injured in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. Attacks in Deir Zahrani and al-Hanniyeh resulted in casualties, with the injured, reported to be Syrian nationals, transported to hospitals in Tyre for treatment.

Several died after Israeli attacks Lebanon

The radar system at Kuwait's international airport was heavily damaged in a drone attack on Saturday, Kuwaiti authorities said.

Significant damage to Kuwait airport radar in drone attack

Houthis say attack on Israel comes after continued targeting of infrastructure in Iran, Iraq and Palestinian territories.

Houthis confirm missile attack on Israel

Drones have struck Oman's Salalah port causing limited damage

Oman's Salalah port attacked

The vessels, both very large gas carriers, are carrying 47,000 MT of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Vessels carrying LPG arrives at Jamnagar in India through Strait of Hormuz

Drones targeted Oman’s Salalah port, the state news agency reported, in the latest escalation across the region.Authorities said one worker was injured in the attack, while a crane at the port sustained limited damage.The incident comes amid continued drone and missile strikes linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Drone attack hits Oman’s Salalah port, one injured

The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) has raised serious safety concerns over continued flight operations into conflict-affected regions, warning of risks to passengers and crew.In a letter to the DGCA and Civil Aviation Ministry, the body said flying near active war zones poses an “unacceptable risk,” and questioned whether such operations align with safety priorities.ALPA also highlighted the lack of clarity on war risk insurance coverage for crew and aircraft, noting that no formal assurances have been provided despite repeated concerns.The association urged authorities to ensure centralised risk assessments and stronger oversight, warning that leaving such decisions to airlines could lead to inconsistent safety standards and potentially catastrophic consequences.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260328/image-1774678661699.png"></figure>

Indian pilots’ body flags safety risks of flying into conflict zones

Iran has witnessed huge cryptocurrency flows since the start of the Middle East conflict.Experts say they are being used to circumvent sanctions placed on Iran's Revolutionary Guards, and as a financial haven by civilians hit by soaring inflation.

Iran all in on crypto

Spain's economy could face a "significant slowdown" due to the Middle East war, the Bank of Spain said, warning of potential "episodes of financial market instability".Separately, Spain's annual inflation jumped to 3.3 percent in March from 2.3 percent the previous month, driven by higher costs for petrol and heating oil, preliminary data showed Friday.

'Significant slowdown' in Spain 

Kuwait's main commercial port was damaged in a drone attack, authorities said, as Iran pressed its campaign against Gulf targets in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.The Shuwaikh port was targeted at dawn "by enemy drones, preliminary reports revealed material damage but no human casualties", the Kuwait port authority said on X.

Kuwait says port damaged 

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Friday that they had turned back three ships trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz, saying the route was closed to vessels travelling to and from ports linked to countries aiding the US-Israeli attacks.Energy market intelligence firm Kpler said it had identified two container ships belonging to the Chinese firm COSCO that had attempted to leave the Gulf by crossing the narrow waterway, but had turned around.

Iran turns back ships from Strait of Hormuz

The Think Tank Institute for the Study of War analysis says Iran could fire large missile salvos at Israel to impose psychological effects on Israeli civilians by consistently forcing them to take shelter and keeping the country under constant alert. The report said that Iran's use of cluster munitions in its attacks on Israel reflected its inability to threaten the latter's military targets, and hence resorted to inflict psychological effects. "Iran may be attempting to maximize the effects of its limited capacity to launch large missile salvos at Israel by launching small missile salvos throughout the day to impose psychological effects on Israeli civilians by consistently forcing them to take shelter and keeping the country under constant alert. Iran is spreading out its launches throughout the day, often pausing for several hours between launches. Spreading out ballistic missile launches over a long period of time presumably increases the number of times per day that Israeli civilians must seek shelter," the analysis said."Such a strategy is suboptimal and likely reflects the US-Israeli combined force's degradation of Iran's ability to launch large-scale missile attacks. The combined force's degradation of Iran's missile capabilities has prevented Iran from consistently launching large-scale missile attacks against Israel during the current conflict, however. Iran has increasingly used cluster munitions in its attacks on Israel during the war, which likely reflects Iran's inability to meaningfully threaten discrete military targets in Israel and efforts to inflict psychological effects on Israeli civilians," it added.

Iran could fire large missile salvos at Israel: Think Tank report

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari on Saturday stated that India's access to the Strait of Hormuz represents a diplomatic victory for the country, adding that India is one of only five nations currently permitted movement through the strategic waterway. Tiwari attributed this achievement to India's peaceful foreign policy and further stated that the government is taking measures to stabilise fuel prices. Speaking to reporters, he said, "All the routes through the Strait of Hormuz are open for India. This is a major victory for us. Currently, movement is allowed for only five countries, and India is one of them. This is a diplomatic victory for India; it is the result of the relations we maintain as promoters of peace. Apart from this, arrangements are being made to ensure that the prices of diesel and petrol do not increase."

India one of 5 nations allowed through Hormuz: BJP MP calls it ‘major diplomatic victory’

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;&amp;quot;Strait of trump&amp;quot;? &lt;br&gt;The only strait of Trump is the Epstein file, which is squeezing his throat.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt; Because of this strait, at least 12 American soldiers were killed in just &amp;quot;one&amp;quot; Iranian defensive attack. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Then he makes ridiculous jokes like this in his speech.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Why should the… &lt;a href="https://t.co/TtTqkTS64l"&gt;pic.twitter.com/TtTqkTS64l&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; Iran Embassy in Zimbabwe (@IRANinZIMBABWE) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/IRANinZIMBABWE/status/2037756047490687192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;March 28, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Iranian embassy mocks US president over 'Strait of trump' remark

The shadow war in the Gulf has turned into a direct, lethal confrontation. On Friday (Mar 27), a wave of Iranian ballistic missiles struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, wounding ten American service members and damaging several critical US refuelling aircraft. Two American service members were very seriously hurt, while the other eight sustained serious injuries in the attack. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, were involved in the attack too, according to US and Saudi officials familiar with the strike. Open-source imagery and data circulating online have since confirmed the hit, reports the Wall Street Journal. The Pentagon, however, has yet to comment on the attack on the American air base.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-missiles-hit-prince-sultan-air-base-in-saudi-arabia-10-american-troops-wounded-1774651260852">Read more here</a>.

Iranian missiles and drones strike Prince Sultan Air Base in major Saudi Arabia escalation | Watch

UAE authorities say fires broke out at an industrial zone following a missile and drone attack from Iran, leaving five people with injuries.The United Arab Emirates’ defense ministry says air defenses were responding to incoming cruise missiles and drones fired by Iran, as Tehran pressed strikes in the Gulf a month into the regional war.The Abu Dhabi government media office says in a statement posted online that authorities were dealing with two fires in the area of the emirate’s Khalifa Economic Zones.The statement says the fires had broken out due to falling debris from a “successful interception” of a ballistic missile.A separate statement says “the incident has resulted in injuries ranging from moderate to minor sustained by five individuals of an Indian nationality.”

5 injured in UAE as Iran fires cruise and ballistic missiles, drones

Thailand has reached an agreement with Iran to allow Thai oil vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Southeast Asian nation's Prime Minister said on Saturday. "An agreement has been reached to allow Thai oil tankers to transit safely through the Strait of Hormuz," Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said at a press conference, adding the development would alleviate concerns over fuel imports.

Thai PM says reached deal with Iran for vessels to transit Hormuz Strait

Israel’s military said Yemen had launched a missile toward Israel early Saturday morning, the first time it had faced fire from that country. Iran and Hezbollah continued to fire on Israel overnight Friday into Saturday. Sirens went off around Beer Sheba and the area near Israel’s main nuclear research center for the third time overnight Friday into Saturday.

Israel says it faces an incoming missile from Yemen, the first such launch of the war

Israel's military said it launched strikes on Iranian "regime targets" early Saturday, as an AFP journalist in the capital Tehran reported hearing around 10 intense blasts and seeing a plume of black smoke.A brief military statement said Israeli forces were "currently striking Iranian terror regime targets across Tehran", without elaborating.

Israel military says striking 'regime targets' in Tehran

Saudi Arabia said Saturday it had intercepted a missile targeting the Riyadh region, as Iran hits the kingdom and its Gulf neighbours with strikes."A ballistic missile fired in the direction of the Riyadh region was intercepted and destroyed," the defence ministry wrote on X.

Saudi Arabia says intercepts missile targeting Riyadh region

A series of explosions shook Tehran in the early hours of Saturday, an AFP journalist said, reporting around 10 intense blasts in the Iranian capital.A plume of black smoke could be seen rising over the city after the blasts, the journalist said, one month into the war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Multiple explosions shake Tehran

Yemen's Houthi movement warned Friday it would join the the Middle East war if US-Israeli attacks continue to hit its ally Iran or if more countries join the conflict.The Houthi have in the past attacked shipping in the Red Sea in response to regional conflicts, but have so far not intervened in the latest month-old war."We affirm that our fingers are on the trigger for direct military intervention," the group said in a statement, warning that it would act if another nations joined the US-Israeli fight or if the Red Sea was used for "hostile operations".

Yemen's Houthis warn will join war if Iran attacks continue

The United Nations atomic watchdog repeated its call on Friday for "restraint" in the Middle East war after Israel struck two Iranian nuclear facilities, including a uranium processing plant."IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reiterates (his) call for military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident," the International Atomic Energy Agency said on X, reporting "no increase in off-site radiation levels" at the Shahid Rezayee Nejad Yellow Cake Production Facility.

UN nuclear watchdog repeats call for 'restraint' in Mideast war

The US-Israel-Iran war has entered its 29th day with no signs of de-escalation. Follow latest updates, analysis, and key developments from the ongoing West Asia conflict here.

The conflict in West Asia entered its Day 29 on March 28. Hostilities began on February 28 when the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the Gulf region. Iran has also shut down the strategic Strait of Hormuz, targeting vessels that are attempting to cross it. Tehran has stressed that the waterway remains close for the US, Israel, and nations aiding them, but open to friendly nations, including India, Russia, China, Iraq, and Pakistan. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime outlet for ports located in the Persian Gulf. Its blockage has significantly affected global energy supply, triggering a sharp rise in oil prices. While US President Donald Trump has proposed a peace plan to end the war with Iran, which has been going on for nearly a month now. He has reiterated that talks are ongoing despite Tehran rejecting the claims of any negotiations taking place. In his 15-point peace plan, Trump has demanded that Iran end all uranium enrichment and close Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow nuclear facilities. However, Tehran has rejected the proposal and laid out its own terms, demanding guarantees. In a latest development, the Israeli military on Friday (Mar 27) confirmed striking a uranium processing site in Yazd, central Iran. Iranian media reported earlier that the Ardakan yellowcake production plant was hit in strikes. Following the strike, Iran launched a wave of missile strikes on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, wounding at least 10 American service members and damaging several critical US refuelling aircraft. Meanwhile, Trump on Friday (Mar 27) suggested that Washington may not honour its NATO security commitments if allies continue to refuse military support in West Asia, expressing disappointment over Europe’s reluctance to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Following Khamenei’s death, Iran has named his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the Islamic Republic's new supreme leader. While the new leader has made several written statements, he has not made any public appearances. Since then, rumours have circulated about his health, with claims that he was injured in the strikes that killed his father. Follow WION for all the updates, analysis and developments on the US-Israel-Iran war

The US-Israel-Iran war has entered its 29th day with no signs of de-escalation. Follow latest updates, analysis, and key developments from the ongoing West Asia conflict here.

US-Israel-Iran war highlights: 142 people injured in Israel in last 24 hours: Health Ministry

Nepal’s former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has been arrested along with ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak over their alleged role in a deadly crackdown on protesters last year, police confirmed on Saturday. "They were arrested this morning, and the process will move forward according to the law," said Kathmandu Valley police spokesman Om Adhikari. The arrests come just a day after a new government led by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-rapper-balendra-shah-sworn-in-as-nepal-s-prime-minister-1774594944228">Prime Minister Balendra Shah</a> was sworn in, following elections held after the 2025 uprising that forced Oli out of power.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-modi-and-musk-report-reveals-surprise-third-voice-on-key-iran-war-call-what-was-he-doing-there-1774659712400">Trump, Modi...and Musk? Report reveals surprise third voice on key Iran war call—what was he doing there?</a><h2>The crackdown that sparked outrage</h2>The case centres on the protests of September 8 and 9, when a youth-led anti-corruption movement erupted across the country. What began as anger over a brief social media ban quickly escalated into a wider expression of frustration over rising prices, unemployment and governance issues.At least 77 people were killed during the unrest. On the first day alone, at least 19 young protesters died when security forces moved to disperse crowds. By the next day, protests had spread nationwide. Government buildings and parliament offices were set on fire, and the unrest eventually led to the collapse of the Oli administration.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-missiles-hit-prince-sultan-air-base-in-saudi-arabia-10-american-troops-wounded-1774651260852">Iran attacks Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia: 10 American troops wounded</a><h2>‘No one is above the law': Findings of the investigation</h2>Sudan Gurung, the newly appointed home minister and a prominent figure in the protest movement, said the action was part of a broader push for accountability. “No one is above the law,” Gurung said in a social media post. “This is not revenge against anyone, just the beginning of justice.”A government-backed inquiry into the violence recommended prosecuting Oli and several other officials. The report stopped short of confirming that there was a direct order to open fire. But it pointed to what it described as a failure at the top. It said that it was "not established that there was an order to shoot", but said that "no effort was made to stop or control the firing and, due to their negligent conduct, even minors lost their lives".&nbsp;

Former PM KP Sharma Oli has been arrested over a deadly protest crackdown that killed dozens. What led to these arrests?

Scroll down to read more.

Nepal’s former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has been arrested along with ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak over their alleged role in a deadly crackdown on protesters last year, police confirmed on Saturday. "They were arrested this morning, and the process will move forward according to the law," said Kathmandu Valley police spokesman Om Adhikari. The arrests come just a day after a new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah was sworn in, following elections held after the 2025 uprising that forced Oli out of power. Also read | Trump, Modi...and Musk? Report reveals surprise third voice on key Iran war call—what was he doing there? The crackdown that sparked outrage The case centres on the protests of September 8 and 9, when a youth-led anti-corruption movement erupted across the country. What began as anger over a brief social media ban quickly escalated into a wider expression of frustration over rising prices, unemployment and governance issues. At least 77 people were killed during the unrest. On the first day alone, at least 19 young protesters died when security forces moved to disperse crowds. By the next day, protests had spread nationwide. Government buildings and parliament offices were set on fire, and the unrest eventually led to the collapse of the Oli administration. Also read | Iran attacks Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia: 10 American troops wounded ‘No one is above the law': Findings of the investigation Sudan Gurung, the newly appointed home minister and a prominent figure in the protest movement, said the action was part of a broader push for accountability. “No one is above the law,” Gurung said in a social media post. “This is not revenge against anyone, just the beginning of justice.” A government-backed inquiry into the violence recommended prosecuting Oli and several other officials. The report stopped short of confirming that there was a direct order to open fire. But it pointed to what it described as a failure at the top. It said that it was "not established that there was an order to shoot", but said that "no effort was made to stop or control the firing and, due to their negligent conduct, even minors lost their lives".

Former PM KP Sharma Oli has been arrested over a deadly protest crackdown that killed dozens. What led to these arrests?Scroll down to read more.

KP Sharma Oli arrested: Nepal’s former PM & Home Minister detained over Gen Z protest 'September massacre'

When US President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone Tuesday (Mar 24) about the escalating crisis in the Middle East, there was a third voice on the line — one that had no obvious business being there. According to a NYT report citing two US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, X CEO, Trump's former DOGE chief, Elon Musk, joined the call with the two world leaders. But why was the businessman who no longer holds a government position part of the call? Here's what we know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-fake-news-will-say-trump-rebrands-hormuz-the-strait-of-trump-was-it-a-slip-of-tongue-or-deliberate-watch-1774667533281">'Fake news will say...': Trump rebrands Hormuz 'The Strait of Trump'—was it a slip of tongue or deliberate? Watch!</a><h2>What did White House say about the alleged Modi-Trump-Musk call?</h2>When asked about Musk's alleged presence in the call, House press secretary Karoline Leavitt evaded and instead only said, “President Trump has a great relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and this was a productive conversation”.<h2>The conflicts of interest are hard to miss</h2>Musk's companies have received significant investment from sovereign wealth funds in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two countries involved in the Iran war's regional fallout. Musk has long pursued a larger commercial footprint in India, where Tesla has struggled against import tariffs, and Starlink is still awaiting regulatory clearance to operate. And SpaceX has been eyeing an IPO later this year — one that a worsening global economy could quickly derail.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-modi-and-musk-report-reveals-surprise-third-voice-on-key-iran-war-call-what-was-he-doing-there-1774659712400">Did Musk join key Modi-Trump Iran war call—what was he doing there? All we know</a><h2>What was the call about?</h2>The call, officials said, centred on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's stranglehold over it. The halt to shipping through the strait has sent energy prices surging worldwide. Some Asian nations are already edging toward fuel rationing."Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world," PM Modi wrote on social media afterwards. "We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability," he added.<h2>Trump-Musk bromance back on?</h2>Musk's presence on the call is notable for another reason: it suggests the world's richest man is back in Trump's good graces. The two had a falling out last summer after Musk left his role overseeing DOGE, the cost-cutting operation that put him at odds with several senior Trump aides. They appear to have quietly patched things up since.On X, which Musk owns, he's been unusually restrained about the Iran war. Last week, he responded to a post about global dependence on the Strait of Hormuz with: "We got lazy." Days later, he shared a meme suggesting the Strait disruptions would slow AI growth and broader economic progress.&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.

Why was Elon Musk on a call between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi? A report says the X CEO joined discussions on the Strait of Hormuz crisis. What exactly was he doing there? Scroll down to read more.

When US President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone Tuesday (Mar 24) about the escalating crisis in the Middle East, there was a third voice on the line — one that had no obvious business being there. According to a NYT report citing two US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, X CEO, Trump's former DOGE chief, Elon Musk, joined the call with the two world leaders. But why was the businessman who no longer holds a government position part of the call? Here's what we know. Also read | 'Fake news will say...': Trump rebrands Hormuz 'The Strait of Trump'—was it a slip of tongue or deliberate? Watch! What did White House say about the alleged Modi-Trump-Musk call? When asked about Musk's alleged presence in the call, House press secretary Karoline Leavitt evaded and instead only said, “President Trump has a great relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and this was a productive conversation”. The conflicts of interest are hard to miss Musk's companies have received significant investment from sovereign wealth funds in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two countries involved in the Iran war's regional fallout. Musk has long pursued a larger commercial footprint in India, where Tesla has struggled against import tariffs, and Starlink is still awaiting regulatory clearance to operate. And SpaceX has been eyeing an IPO later this year — one that a worsening global economy could quickly derail. Also read | Did Musk join key Modi-Trump Iran war call—what was he doing there? All we know What was the call about? The call, officials said, centred on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's stranglehold over it. The halt to shipping through the strait has sent energy prices surging worldwide. Some Asian nations are already edging toward fuel rationing. "Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world," PM Modi wrote on social media afterwards. "We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability," he added. Trump-Musk bromance back on? Musk's presence on the call is notable for another reason: it suggests the world's richest man is back in Trump's good graces. The two had a falling out last summer after Musk left his role overseeing DOGE, the cost-cutting operation that put him at odds with several senior Trump aides. They appear to have quietly patched things up since. On X, which Musk owns, he's been unusually restrained about the Iran war. Last week, he responded to a post about global dependence on the Strait of Hormuz with: "We got lazy." Days later, he shared a meme suggesting the Strait disruptions would slow AI growth and broader economic progress. 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 was Elon Musk on a call between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi? A report says the X CEO joined discussions on the Strait of Hormuz crisis. What exactly was he doing there? Scroll down to read more.

Trump, Modi...and Musk? Report reveals surprise third voice on key Iran war call—what was he doing there?

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 27) suggested that Washington may not honour its NATO security commitments if allies continue to refuse military support in the Middle East. Speaking at an economic event in Miami, Trump expressed bitter disappointment over Europe’s reluctance to secure the Strait of Hormuz following the wounding of 10 US soldiers at Prince Sultan Air Base. "Why would we be there for them if they're not there for us?" Trump asked. The remarks come as the Iran war enters its fifth week.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-missiles-hit-prince-sultan-air-base-in-saudi-arabia-10-american-troops-wounded-1774651260852">Iranian missiles hit Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia; 10 American troops wounded</a><h2>'Why should we be there?' Trump questions the cost of protecting NATO allies</h2>"They just weren't there," he said. "We spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year on NATO, hundreds, protecting them, and we would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don't have to be, do we?"Since the start of the US-Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28, the US president has repeatedly voiced frustration over Western allies' lack of support and reluctance to commit forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Since the start of the war, Iran has effectively closed the shipping channel through which over one-fifth of global oil and one-quarter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass daily. The key sea lane remains vulnerable to Iranian attacks.Traffic through the narrow waterway has ground to a virtual standstill, leading to a surge in global energy prices.Six key powers, including Britain, France, Germany and Japan, say they are ready to "contribute to appropriate efforts" but have not made any commitment.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-relief-for-indian-consumers-petrol-excise-slashed-to-3-diesel-duty-cut-to-zero-as-oil-prices-bite-amid-iran-war-1774580655511">India cuts petrol and diesel taxes — but prices for consumers to stay the same. Here's what FM Sitharaman said</a><h2>Trump calls NATO ‘COWARDS’</h2>Trump has increasingly directed his anger at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In recent days, he has labelled other member states “COWARDS” and argued that, without Washington, the alliance amounts to little more than a “paper tiger.” Posting on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump claimed that the United States “needs nothing from NATO,” insisting that the alliance has failed to contribute meaningfully to the current confrontation with Iran. According to him, “NATO nations have done absolutely nothing to help with the lunatic nation, now militarily decimated, of Iran.” &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.

'They weren't there': Trump signals US may abandon NATO if allies refuse to help secure Strait of Hormuz amid Iran war

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 27) suggested that Washington may not honour its NATO security commitments if allies continue to refuse military support in the Middle East. Speaking at an economic event in Miami, Trump expressed bitter disappointment over Europe’s reluctance to secure the Strait of Hormuz following the wounding of 10 US soldiers at Prince Sultan Air Base. "Why would we be there for them if they're not there for us?" Trump asked. The remarks come as the Iran war enters its fifth week. Also read | Iranian missiles hit Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia; 10 American troops wounded 'Why should we be there?' Trump questions the cost of protecting NATO allies "They just weren't there," he said. "We spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year on NATO, hundreds, protecting them, and we would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don't have to be, do we?" Since the start of the US-Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28, the US president has repeatedly voiced frustration over Western allies' lack of support and reluctance to commit forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Since the start of the war, Iran has effectively closed the shipping channel through which over one-fifth of global oil and one-quarter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass daily. The key sea lane remains vulnerable to Iranian attacks. Traffic through the narrow waterway has ground to a virtual standstill, leading to a surge in global energy prices. Six key powers, including Britain, France, Germany and Japan, say they are ready to "contribute to appropriate efforts" but have not made any commitment. Also read | India cuts petrol and diesel taxes — but prices for consumers to stay the same. Here's what FM Sitharaman said Trump calls NATO ‘COWARDS’ Trump has increasingly directed his anger at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In recent days, he has labelled other member states “COWARDS” and argued that, without Washington, the alliance amounts to little more than a “paper tiger.” Posting on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump claimed that the United States “needs nothing from NATO,” insisting that the alliance has failed to contribute meaningfully to the current confrontation with Iran. According to him, “NATO nations have done absolutely nothing to help with the lunatic nation, now militarily decimated, of Iran.” 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.

'They weren't there': Trump signals US may abandon NATO if allies refuse to help secure Strait of Hormuz amid Iran war

The shadow war in the Gulf has turned into a direct, lethal confrontation. On Friday (Mar 27), a wave of Iranian ballistic missiles struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, wounding ten American service members and damaging several critical US refuelling aircraft. Two American service members were very seriously hurt, while the other eight sustained serious injuries in the attack. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, were involved in the attack too, according to US and Saudi officials familiar with the strike. Open-source imagery and data circulating online have since confirmed the hit, reports the Wall Street Journal. The Pentagon, however, has yet to comment on the attack on the American air base.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irgc-warns-ras-al-khaimah-residents-to-evacuate-why-is-iran-threatening-uae-and-what-happens-next-1774064112660">IRGC warns Ras Al-Khaimah residents to evacuate — why is Iran threatening UAE and what happens next?</a><h2>US war toll continues to rise</h2>It isn't the first time the base has taken a hit. A previous attack damaged five refuelling aircraft. Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry separately confirmed that a ballistic missile targeting its capital, Riyadh, was intercepted and destroyed mid-flight before reaching the capital.&nbsp;Talking to CBS News, a spokesperson for US Central Command said that more than 300 American troops have been injured in the ongoing US–Iran conflict, with the majority already back on duty. In addition, 13 US service members have been killed during the operations so far.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-relief-for-indian-consumers-petrol-excise-slashed-to-3-diesel-duty-cut-to-zero-as-oil-prices-bite-amid-iran-war-1774580655511">India cuts petrol and diesel taxes — but prices for consumers to stay the same. Here's what FM Sitharaman said</a>Watch a video of the Iranian attack here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Satellite imagery appears to confirm a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker has been destroyed and several others possibly damaged, as a result of an Iranian attack earlier today, utilizing ballistic missiles and drones, against Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Image… <a href="https://t.co/o7x32UjUOb">pic.twitter.com/o7x32UjUOb</a>&mdash; OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) <a href="https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/2037585627244290376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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.

Has Iran directly struck a US air base in Saudi Arabia? Reports say ballistic missiles hit Prince Sultan Air Base, wounding American personnel and damaging aircraft. With drones also involved, tensions appear to be escalating fast.

What exactly happened and what comes next? Scroll down.

The shadow war in the Gulf has turned into a direct, lethal confrontation. On Friday (Mar 27), a wave of Iranian ballistic missiles struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, wounding ten American service members and damaging several critical US refuelling aircraft. Two American service members were very seriously hurt, while the other eight sustained serious injuries in the attack. Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, were involved in the attack too, according to US and Saudi officials familiar with the strike. Open-source imagery and data circulating online have since confirmed the hit, reports the Wall Street Journal. The Pentagon, however, has yet to comment on the attack on the American air base. Also read | IRGC warns Ras Al-Khaimah residents to evacuate — why is Iran threatening UAE and what happens next? US war toll continues to rise It isn't the first time the base has taken a hit. A previous attack damaged five refuelling aircraft. Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry separately confirmed that a ballistic missile targeting its capital, Riyadh, was intercepted and destroyed mid-flight before reaching the capital. Talking to CBS News, a spokesperson for US Central Command said that more than 300 American troops have been injured in the ongoing US–Iran conflict, with the majority already back on duty. In addition, 13 US service members have been killed during the operations so far. Also read | India cuts petrol and diesel taxes — but prices for consumers to stay the same. Here's what FM Sitharaman said Watch a video of the Iranian attack here:

Has Iran directly struck a US air base in Saudi Arabia? Reports say ballistic missiles hit Prince Sultan Air Base, wounding American personnel and damaging aircraft. With drones also involved, tensions appear to be escalating fast.What exactly happened and what comes next? Scroll down.

Iranian missiles and drones strike Prince Sultan Air Base in major Saudi Arabia escalation; 10 US soldiers wounded | Watch

As the US-Israel war with Iran continues to escalate and fears of a prolonged conflict loom, Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), warned that the Israeli military is “going to collapse on itself” due to severe manpower shortages. Zamir flagged these concerns during a security cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week.&nbsp;“I am raising 10 red flags in front of you,” Zamir told ministers, The Times of Israel reported, citing a Channel 13 report on Thursday.&nbsp;The IDF is currently short of approximately 20,000 soldiers, with some reports suggesting a minimum gap of 12,000 combat troops required to sustain ongoing operations.&nbsp;Israel has been in a continuous state of conflict for over two years since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. In addition to its operations in Gaza, the IDF has also launched bombing and ground campaigns in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah.&nbsp;Reservists are now entering their sixth or seventh mobilisation cycles. Zamir warned that “the reserves will not hold,” as the burden on these citizens and their families has reached an unsustainable level.&nbsp;He also highlighted the absence of three critical laws: a new Haredi conscription law, an updated reserve duty law, and legislation to extend mandatory military service back to 36 months (after it was reduced to 30 months in 2024).&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-iran-war-will-conclude-in-weeks-rubio-says-us-can-achieve-objectives-without-ground-troops-1774633450914">'Iran war will conclude in weeks': Rubio says US can achieve objectives without ground troops</a>&nbsp;Haredim are ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel who have historically been exempted from serving in the IDF due to a 1948 arrangement and religious objections.&nbsp;Due to the shortage, “significant gaps” are emerging in operational coverage. Zamir noted that an infantry battalion was recently diverted from the Lebanese border to the West Bank to manage rising settler violence and regional instability.&nbsp;The government’s move to legalise dozens of West Bank outposts has further increased the burden, requiring a “full protection package” that the military currently lacks the manpower to provide.&nbsp;Leader of the opposition Yair Lapid launched a sharp attack on Netanyahu following these revelations, saying the Prime Minister would not be able to claim he was not responsible.&nbsp;“The warning was given by the Chief of Staff, but there is no figure in the security system who does not stand behind it. The government must stop the cowardice, immediately halt all budgets to Haredi draft evaders, send the military police after deserters, and draft the Haredim without hesitation,” he wrote in a social media post.&nbsp;(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)

The IDF is currently short of approximately 20,000 soldiers, with some reports suggesting a minimum gap of 12,000 combat troops required to sustain ongoing operations.



As the US-Israel war with Iran continues to escalate and fears of a prolonged conflict loom, Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), warned that the Israeli military is “going to collapse on itself” due to severe manpower shortages. Zamir flagged these concerns during a security cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week. “I am raising 10 red flags in front of you,” Zamir told ministers, The Times of Israel reported, citing a Channel 13 report on Thursday. The IDF is currently short of approximately 20,000 soldiers, with some reports suggesting a minimum gap of 12,000 combat troops required to sustain ongoing operations. Israel has been in a continuous state of conflict for over two years since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. In addition to its operations in Gaza, the IDF has also launched bombing and ground campaigns in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah. Reservists are now entering their sixth or seventh mobilisation cycles. Zamir warned that “the reserves will not hold,” as the burden on these citizens and their families has reached an unsustainable level. He also highlighted the absence of three critical laws: a new Haredi conscription law, an updated reserve duty law, and legislation to extend mandatory military service back to 36 months (after it was reduced to 30 months in 2024). Also Read: 'Iran war will conclude in weeks': Rubio says US can achieve objectives without ground troops Haredim are ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel who have historically been exempted from serving in the IDF due to a 1948 arrangement and religious objections. Due to the shortage, “significant gaps” are emerging in operational coverage. Zamir noted that an infantry battalion was recently diverted from the Lebanese border to the West Bank to manage rising settler violence and regional instability. The government’s move to legalise dozens of West Bank outposts has further increased the burden, requiring a “full protection package” that the military currently lacks the manpower to provide. Leader of the opposition Yair Lapid launched a sharp attack on Netanyahu following these revelations, saying the Prime Minister would not be able to claim he was not responsible. “The warning was given by the Chief of Staff, but there is no figure in the security system who does not stand behind it. The government must stop the cowardice, immediately halt all budgets to Haredi draft evaders, send the military police after deserters, and draft the Haredim without hesitation,” he wrote in a social media post. (Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)

The IDF is currently short of approximately 20,000 soldiers, with some reports suggesting a minimum gap of 12,000 combat troops required to sustain ongoing operations.

‘Israeli military will collapse on itself’: IDF chief raises ‘10 red flags’ amid manpower shortage

The Israeli military on Friday confirmed that it struck a uranium processing site in Yazd, central Iran, after the Islamic Republic’s atomic energy organisation said US-Israeli strikes hit the facility. “A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force... struck a uranium extraction plant located in Yazd, central Iran,” the military said in a statement, describing the site as a “unique facility in Iran used for the production of raw materials required for the uranium enrichment process.”The IDF confirmed bombing the yellowcake production plant near the central Iranian city of Yazd, saying it came as part of the ongoing efforts against Iran’s nuclear programme.The Israeli military describes the site as a “uranium extraction facility.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🎯 STRUCK: Arak Heavy Water Plant in Central Iran—A Key Plutonium Production Site for Nuclear Weapons The IDF will not allow the Iranian regime to continue advancing its nuclear weapons program, which poses an existential threat to Israel and the entire world. <a href="https://t.co/wdFQ03TQZr">pic.twitter.com/wdFQ03TQZr</a>&mdash; Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/2037576599730524319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-stop-attacks-on-civilians-says-g7-commits-to-securing-strait-of-hormuz-1774629605321">‘Stop attacks on civilians,’ says G7, commits to securing Strait of Hormuz</a> “This facility is the only one of its kind in Iran, where raw materials mined from the ground undergo mechanical and chemical processing so that they can later be used as precursor materials for uranium enrichment,” the IDF said, adding that it is a “highly important process for the nuclear weapons programme advanced by the regime.”The military said the strikes hit the “central infrastructure used in the site’s unique production processes.” Iranian media reported earlier that the Ardakan yellowcake production plant was hit in strikes.Yellowcake is a uranium concentrate in powder form that is produced by mining the uranium ore from rocks and separating the uranium from the rocks by washing them in acid. The yellowcake can then be converted, enriched to raise its purity, and then used for weapons or energy production. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-signs-air-defence-deal-with-saudi-arabia-offering-drone-expertise-1774615347801">Ukraine signs air defence deal with Saudi Arabia, offers its drone expertise</a> The Israeli military also confirmed that it had struck a heavy water plant in Arak, central Iran, after Iranian media said US-Israeli strikes hit the Khondab complex. “A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force... struck the heavy water plant in Arak, central Iran,” the military said in a statement, describing the site as a “key plutonium production site for nuclear weapons.” <h2>Two nuclear facilities attacked, admits Iran</h2> Iranian state media earlier said that two nuclear-related facilities have been attacked in Iran, but there has been no release of radioactive material.The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said in a statement on Telegram that the Khondab heavy water complex in north west Iran was attacked by US-Israeli forces, but there were no casualties. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-situation-dynamic-petrol-diesel-prices-to-be-reviewed-every-15-days-says-govt-1774609798246">‘Situation dynamic’: Petrol, diesel prices to be reviewed every 15 days, says govt</a> “The Khondab Heavy Water Complex was targeted in two stages by aggression from the American and Zionist enemy,” said Fars news agency, citing Hassan Ghamari, an official in the central Markazi province. A second strike hit the Yellowcake production facility in Ardakan, Yazd, with authorities reporting no release of radioactive material beyond the site, according to IRGC-affiliated news agency Fars News. The Iranian atomic energy organisation said, “The plant in Ardakan, located in Yazd Province, was targeted minutes ago in an attack by the American-Zionist enemy,” it said on its Telegram channel, adding the attack “did not result in the release of any radioactive material.”

Iranian media reported earlier that the Ardakan yellowcake production plant was hit in US-Israeli strikes. The Israeli military also confirmed that it had struck a heavy water plant in Arak, central Iran, after Iranian media said US-Israeli strikes hit the Khondab complex.

The Israeli military on Friday confirmed that it struck a uranium processing site in Yazd, central Iran, after the Islamic Republic’s atomic energy organisation said US-Israeli strikes hit the facility. “A short while ago, the Israeli Air Force... struck a uranium extraction plant located in Yazd, central Iran,” the military said in a statement, describing the site as a “unique facility in Iran used for the production of raw materials required for the uranium enrichment process.” The IDF confirmed bombing the yellowcake production plant near the central Iranian city of Yazd, saying it came as part of the ongoing efforts against Iran’s nuclear programme. The Israeli military describes the site as a “uranium extraction facility.”

Iranian media reported earlier that the Ardakan yellowcake production plant was hit in US-Israeli strikes. The Israeli military also confirmed that it had struck a heavy water plant in Arak, central Iran, after Iranian media said US-Israeli strikes hit the Khondab complex.

Israel confirms strikes on uranium processing facility in Iran’s Yazd, heavy water plant in Arak

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (March 27) said American military operations in Iran are expected to conclude at an appropriate time and will not stretch for months, adding that Washington can achieve its objectives without a ground invasion.&nbsp;“When we are done with them here in the next couple of weeks, they will be weaker than they have been in recent history,” Rubio told reporters in Paris after G7 talks.&nbsp;The top US diplomat was in Paris to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Summit, where he came under intense pressure from Washington’s allies over rising crude prices due to the war in West Asia. The conflict was triggered by a joint US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran aimed at targeting Tehran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.&nbsp;In retaliation, Iran targeted US bases across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for nearly 20 per cent of global crude oil and gas shipments. This has led to a sharp rise in oil prices and forced countries to take emergency measures to address the emerging energy crisis.&nbsp;Rubio asserted that Washington has made progress with allies in countering Iranian threats, including discussions on “tolling” vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasised that the world must have a plan to deal with Tehran’s actions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-stop-attacks-on-civilians-says-g7-commits-to-securing-strait-of-hormuz-1774629605321">‘Stop attacks on civilians,’ says G7, commits to securing Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;“Not only is this illegal, but it’s also unacceptable, it’s dangerous to the world, and it’s important that the world has a plan to confront it,” he said.&nbsp;Rubio claimed that while Iran has yet to formally respond to proposals aimed at ending the conflict, it has sent “messages” indicating some interest in diplomacy.&nbsp;“We haven’t gotten it yet,” he said, adding, “We’ve had an exchange of messages and indications from the Iranian system, whatever is left of it, about a willingness to talk about certain things.”&nbsp;These remarks came as Donald Trump announced a pause in the “energy plant destruction” phase of military operations from Friday until April 6. Trump said talks with Iran were progressing well and described the 10-day extension as a gesture of goodwill.&nbsp;Amid growing criticism of Israel over settler violence, Rubio stated that he expects Israel to take action against extremist settlers in the West Bank targeting Palestinians.“I think you’ll see the government there do something about it,” Rubio added.

The top US diplomat was in Paris to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Summit, where he came under intense pressure from Washington’s allies over rising crude prices due to the war in West Asia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (March 27) said American military operations in Iran are expected to conclude at an appropriate time and will not stretch for months, adding that Washington can achieve its objectives without a ground invasion. “When we are done with them here in the next couple of weeks, they will be weaker than they have been in recent history,” Rubio told reporters in Paris after G7 talks. The top US diplomat was in Paris to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Summit, where he came under intense pressure from Washington’s allies over rising crude prices due to the war in West Asia. The conflict was triggered by a joint US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran aimed at targeting Tehran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. In retaliation, Iran targeted US bases across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for nearly 20 per cent of global crude oil and gas shipments. This has led to a sharp rise in oil prices and forced countries to take emergency measures to address the emerging energy crisis. Rubio asserted that Washington has made progress with allies in countering Iranian threats, including discussions on “tolling” vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasised that the world must have a plan to deal with Tehran’s actions. Also Read: ‘Stop attacks on civilians,’ says G7, commits to securing Strait of Hormuz “Not only is this illegal, but it’s also unacceptable, it’s dangerous to the world, and it’s important that the world has a plan to confront it,” he said. Rubio claimed that while Iran has yet to formally respond to proposals aimed at ending the conflict, it has sent “messages” indicating some interest in diplomacy. “We haven’t gotten it yet,” he said, adding, “We’ve had an exchange of messages and indications from the Iranian system, whatever is left of it, about a willingness to talk about certain things.” These remarks came as Donald Trump announced a pause in the “energy plant destruction” phase of military operations from Friday until April 6. Trump said talks with Iran were progressing well and described the 10-day extension as a gesture of goodwill. Amid growing criticism of Israel over settler violence, Rubio stated that he expects Israel to take action against extremist settlers in the West Bank targeting Palestinians. “I think you’ll see the government there do something about it,” Rubio added.

The top US diplomat was in Paris to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Summit, where he came under intense pressure from Washington’s allies over rising crude prices due to the war in West Asia.

'Iran war will conclude in weeks': Rubio says US can achieve objectives without ground troops

The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations have called for an immediate cessation to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the ongoing Iran war and committed to securing the Strait of Hormuz. In a joint statement issued on the second day of the G7 meeting in France, the foreign ministers said they had underscored the importance of minimising the impact of the conflict on civilian populations, critical infrastructure, and regional partners.&nbsp;“We focused on the value of diverse partnerships, coordination, and supporting initiatives, including to mitigate global economic shocks such as disruptions to economic, energy, fertilizer, and commercial supply chains, which have direct impacts on our citizens,” the ministers said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-signs-air-defence-deal-with-saudi-arabia-offering-drone-expertise-1774615347801">Ukraine signs air defence deal with Saudi Arabia, offers its drone expertise</a>&nbsp;France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, said the G7 remains “exceptionally committed” to minimising the impact of the war in Iran.The group of the world’s seven largest so-called “advanced” economies called for an “immediate cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilians,” he said.After the meeting with his counterparts in Vaux-de-Cernay, northern France, he said nothing permits the attacks, and civilians need to be clearly protected.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-situation-dynamic-petrol-diesel-prices-to-be-reviewed-every-15-days-says-govt-1774609798246">‘Situation dynamic’: Petrol, diesel prices to be reviewed every 15 days, says govt</a>&nbsp;The foreign ministers also reiterated the need to restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key sticking point in the war.&nbsp;Barrot added that the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to brief the EU’s Council of Foreign Affairs and to work together to find a solution to resolve the impasse in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;The G7 members are the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, along with the European Union.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-snaps-up-fuel-shortage-issue-says-lpg-produced-in-bengal-should-not-be-sent-outside-1774623922037">Mamata snaps up fuel shortage issue, says LPG produced in Bengal should not be sent outside</a><h2>EU energy ministers to hold video call on impact of Iran war</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, European Union countries’ energy ministers will hold an extraordinary video call on Tuesday on the impact of the Iran war on European energy security of supply, said a spokesperson for Cyprus’ EU presidency.Cyprus holds the EU’s rotating presidency and chairs meetings of EU countries.

The group of the world’s seven largest so-called “advanced” economies called for an immediate cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilians. The foreign ministers reiterated the need to restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations have called for an immediate cessation to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the ongoing Iran war and committed to securing the Strait of Hormuz. In a joint statement issued on the second day of the G7 meeting in France, the foreign ministers said they had underscored the importance of minimising the impact of the conflict on civilian populations, critical infrastructure, and regional partners. “We focused on the value of diverse partnerships, coordination, and supporting initiatives, including to mitigate global economic shocks such as disruptions to economic, energy, fertilizer, and commercial supply chains, which have direct impacts on our citizens,” the ministers said. Also Read: Ukraine signs air defence deal with Saudi Arabia, offers its drone expertise France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, said the G7 remains “exceptionally committed” to minimising the impact of the war in Iran. The group of the world’s seven largest so-called “advanced” economies called for an “immediate cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilians,” he said. After the meeting with his counterparts in Vaux-de-Cernay, northern France, he said nothing permits the attacks, and civilians need to be clearly protected. Also Read: ‘Situation dynamic’: Petrol, diesel prices to be reviewed every 15 days, says govt The foreign ministers also reiterated the need to restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key sticking point in the war. Barrot added that the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to brief the EU’s Council of Foreign Affairs and to work together to find a solution to resolve the impasse in the Strait of Hormuz. The G7 members are the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, along with the European Union. Also Read: Mamata snaps up fuel shortage issue, says LPG produced in Bengal should not be sent outside EU energy ministers to hold video call on impact of Iran war Meanwhile, European Union countries’ energy ministers will hold an extraordinary video call on Tuesday on the impact of the Iran war on European energy security of supply, said a spokesperson for Cyprus’ EU presidency. Cyprus holds the EU’s rotating presidency and chairs meetings of EU countries.

The group of the world’s seven largest so-called “advanced” economies called for an immediate cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilians. The foreign ministers reiterated the need to restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

‘Stop attacks on civilians,’ says G7, commits to securing Strait of Hormuz

A US Secret Service agent assigned to former First Lady Jill Biden accidentally shot himself in the leg on Friday (March 27) morning at Philadelphia International Airport, police authorities said. The incident occurred around 8:45 am near the 1 PIA Way access point while the agent was inside an unmarked Chevrolet SUV. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and is in stable condition. Authorities confirmed no other injuries and no impact on airport operations. The incident remains under investigation.&nbsp;“On Friday morning just after 8:30, an on-duty US Secret Service Special Agent suffered a non-life-threatening injury following a negligent discharge while handling a service weapon at the Philadelphia International Airport during a protective assignment,” USSS spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-linked-hackers-claim-breach-of-fbi-director-kash-patel-s-email-release-documents-photos-online-1774624395553">Iran-linked hackers claim breach of FBI Director Kash Patel’s email; release documents, photos online</a>&nbsp;The spokesperson did not disclose who was under protection or where the agent was injured but said, “There was no disruption to the protectee’s movements, and they were not at the scene when the incident occurred. No other injuries have been reported, and the special agent is in stable condition while being evaluated at a local hospital.” An investigation is expected to follow.&nbsp;The incident is expected to be investigated by the United States Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility and could raise concerns about the high-pressure conditions under which the agency operates. On Wednesday (March 25), Jill Biden attended the opening night of a new off-Broadway play titled Public Charge, written by her former chief of staff, Julissa Reynoso.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-troops-flee-iran-fire-attacks-force-u-s-troops-to-work-remotely-1774629890594/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-troops-flee-iran-fire-attacks-force-u-s-troops-to-work-remotely-1774629890594/embed</a><h2>Who is Jill Biden?</h2>Jill Biden (born Jill Tracy Jacobs on June 3, 1951) is an American educator who served as First Lady of the United States from 2021 to 2025 as the wife of Joe Biden, the 46th president. She previously served as second lady from 2009 to 2017 during her husband’s vice presidency. In addition to her public role, she was a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College from 2009 to 2024. Notably, she became the first First Lady to maintain a salaried job for most of her husband’s presidency and to continue her professional career outside the White House for the majority of her tenure.

Secret Service agent assigned to Jill Biden accidentally shoots himself at Philadelphia airport

A US Secret Service agent assigned to former First Lady Jill Biden accidentally shot himself in the leg on Friday (March 27) morning at Philadelphia International Airport, police authorities said. The incident occurred around 8:45 am near the 1 PIA Way access point while the agent was inside an unmarked Chevrolet SUV. He was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and is in stable condition. Authorities confirmed no other injuries and no impact on airport operations. The incident remains under investigation. “On Friday morning just after 8:30, an on-duty US Secret Service Special Agent suffered a non-life-threatening injury following a negligent discharge while handling a service weapon at the Philadelphia International Airport during a protective assignment,” USSS spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. Also Read: Iran-linked hackers claim breach of FBI Director Kash Patel’s email; release documents, photos online The spokesperson did not disclose who was under protection or where the agent was injured but said, “There was no disruption to the protectee’s movements, and they were not at the scene when the incident occurred. No other injuries have been reported, and the special agent is in stable condition while being evaluated at a local hospital.” An investigation is expected to follow. The incident is expected to be investigated by the United States Secret Service’s Office of Professional Responsibility and could raise concerns about the high-pressure conditions under which the agency operates. On Wednesday (March 25), Jill Biden attended the opening night of a new off-Broadway play titled Public Charge, written by her former chief of staff, Julissa Reynoso. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-troops-flee-iran-fire-attacks-force-u-s-troops-to-work-remotely-1774629890594/embed Who is Jill Biden? Jill Biden (born Jill Tracy Jacobs on June 3, 1951) is an American educator who served as First Lady of the United States from 2021 to 2025 as the wife of Joe Biden, the 46th president. She previously served as second lady from 2009 to 2017 during her husband’s vice presidency. In addition to her public role, she was a professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College from 2009 to 2024. Notably, she became the first First Lady to maintain a salaried job for most of her husband’s presidency and to continue her professional career outside the White House for the majority of her tenure.

Secret Service agent accidentally shoots himself at Philadelphia airport; agent is in stable condition. No other injuries or travel disruptions reported

G7 foreign ministers, invited countries wrapped up the second day of talks on Friday at the picturesque Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay in France, focusing on a range of issues, from critical minerals to combating terror financing. The meeting brought together G7 nations with key partner countries, India, Brazil, South Korea and Saudi Arabia, to address pressing transnational challenges.&nbsp;A major highlight was the fight against terrorist financing. France, which organised the first “No Money for Terror” conference in 2018 and adopted the “Paris Agenda,” will host the fifth edition during its G7 presidency. A French diplomatic source told WION that this will "provide an opportunity to promote an international agenda to address emerging forms of terrorist financing."&nbsp;Discussions also turned to critical minerals, described as vital for economic security and the energy and digital transitions. Sources stated: “The objective is to secure value chains through the development of industrial partnerships between G7 countries and partner countries.” On narcotrafficking and maritime security, France announced plans for a two-phase initiative. This includes setting up a dedicated G7 task force with partners, to be established within the Lyon-Rome Group, and implementing a roadmap on port security and strengthening state action at sea. The task force aims to identify gaps in port security and develop a practical toolbox.&nbsp;For the Caribbean region, identified as both a transit and destination area for illicit trafficking, particularly drugs and firearms, France will organise a regional security conference in Martinique in July. Sources sad, "the objective of this conference is to develop a shared understanding of the challenges at the regional level, strengthen the network of relevant stakeholders, and promote standards across all areas necessary to combat trafficking."&nbsp;India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the meetings and held bilateral talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The ministers held extensive discussions on the situation in the Middle East. They agreed to continue their close coordination "with a view to working jointly towards ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz", the French statement said.&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the G7 Évian Summit, scheduled for 15–17 June under France’s G7 presidency. Since 2019, Indian PM Modi has been regularly invited for the G7 summit. Important to point out, that it was the 2019 French Presidency that PM Modi was first invited to attend the G7 Summit.

France pushes for new initiatives to deal with narcotrafficking, maritime security at G7+ FMs meet

G7 foreign ministers, invited countries wrapped up the second day of talks on Friday at the picturesque Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay in France, focusing on a range of issues, from critical minerals to combating terror financing. The meeting brought together G7 nations with key partner countries, India, Brazil, South Korea and Saudi Arabia, to address pressing transnational challenges. A major highlight was the fight against terrorist financing. France, which organised the first “No Money for Terror” conference in 2018 and adopted the “Paris Agenda,” will host the fifth edition during its G7 presidency. A French diplomatic source told WION that this will "provide an opportunity to promote an international agenda to address emerging forms of terrorist financing." Discussions also turned to critical minerals, described as vital for economic security and the energy and digital transitions. Sources stated: “The objective is to secure value chains through the development of industrial partnerships between G7 countries and partner countries.” On narcotrafficking and maritime security, France announced plans for a two-phase initiative. This includes setting up a dedicated G7 task force with partners, to be established within the Lyon-Rome Group, and implementing a roadmap on port security and strengthening state action at sea. The task force aims to identify gaps in port security and develop a practical toolbox. For the Caribbean region, identified as both a transit and destination area for illicit trafficking, particularly drugs and firearms, France will organise a regional security conference in Martinique in July. Sources sad, "the objective of this conference is to develop a shared understanding of the challenges at the regional level, strengthen the network of relevant stakeholders, and promote standards across all areas necessary to combat trafficking." India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the meetings and held bilateral talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The ministers held extensive discussions on the situation in the Middle East. They agreed to continue their close coordination "with a view to working jointly towards ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz", the French statement said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the G7 Évian Summit, scheduled for 15–17 June under France’s G7 presidency. Since 2019, Indian PM Modi has been regularly invited for the G7 summit. Important to point out, that it was the 2019 French Presidency that PM Modi was first invited to attend the G7 Summit.

A major highlight was the fight against terrorist financing. France, which organised the first “No Money for Terror” conference in 2018 and adopted the “Paris Agenda,” will host the fifth edition during its G7 presidency

Hackers with alleged ties to Iran have claimed responsibility for breaching the personal email account of Kash Patel, the current director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The group, calling itself Handala Hack Team, has reportedly released images of Kash Patel along with various documents online. In a statement published on its website, the group declared that Patel had been added to its list of successfully targeted individuals. A representative from the Justice Department acknowledged the incident, noting that the leaked materials appear to be genuine.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/s-400-missile-system-dhanush-guns-and-transport-aircraft-cleared-by-dac-in-2-38l-crore-defence-boost-1774614392836">S-400 missile system, Dhanush Guns and transport aircraft cleared by DAC in ₹2.38L crore defence boost</a>&nbsp;The FBI has not issued an immediate response, and attempts to reach the hackers for comment were unsuccessful. Handala describes itself as a pro-Palestinian hacktivist collective, though Western cybersecurity analysts believe it operates as a front for Iranian state-backed cyber units.&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier this month, the group also claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Stryker, a US-based medical technology company, alleging it had erased a significant volume of data. Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the emails. However, the Gmail address cited by the hackers matches one previously associated with Kash Patel in older data leaks tracked by cybersecurity firm District 4 Labs. Samples of the leaked content reviewed appear to include both personal and professional communications spanning nearly a decade, from 2010 to 2019.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-pushes-deeper-into-lebanon-hundreds-killed-millions-displaced-as-lebanon-bears-war-cost-1774624511410/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-pushes-deeper-into-lebanon-hundreds-killed-millions-displaced-as-lebanon-bears-war-cost-1774624511410/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Iran-linked hackers claim breach of FBI Director Kash Patel’s email; release documents, photos online

Hackers with alleged ties to Iran have claimed responsibility for breaching the personal email account of Kash Patel, the current director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The group, calling itself Handala Hack Team, has reportedly released images of Kash Patel along with various documents online. In a statement published on its website, the group declared that Patel had been added to its list of successfully targeted individuals. A representative from the Justice Department acknowledged the incident, noting that the leaked materials appear to be genuine. Also Read: S-400 missile system, Dhanush Guns and transport aircraft cleared by DAC in ₹2.38L crore defence boost The FBI has not issued an immediate response, and attempts to reach the hackers for comment were unsuccessful. Handala describes itself as a pro-Palestinian hacktivist collective, though Western cybersecurity analysts believe it operates as a front for Iranian state-backed cyber units. Earlier this month, the group also claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Stryker, a US-based medical technology company, alleging it had erased a significant volume of data. Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the emails. However, the Gmail address cited by the hackers matches one previously associated with Kash Patel in older data leaks tracked by cybersecurity firm District 4 Labs. Samples of the leaked content reviewed appear to include both personal and professional communications spanning nearly a decade, from 2010 to 2019. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-pushes-deeper-into-lebanon-hundreds-killed-millions-displaced-as-lebanon-bears-war-cost-1774624511410/embed Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Iran-linked hackers claim to have breached FBI Director Kash Patel’s email, releasing photos and documents online, with officials saying data appears authentic

The UK government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has joined a growing global push to regulate smartphone use among children, rolling out new guidelines that advise parents not to expose children under two to screens and limit time to about one hour for children under five. It is also reportedly considering Australia-style measures to restrict or ban social media use for those under 16.&nbsp;These guidelines were developed by an expert panel led by the Children’s Commissioner, Rachel de Souza and children’s health expert Russell Viner. Starmer emphasised that the guidelines aim to help families keep children safe and build healthy habits around screen use.&nbsp;“Parenting in a digital world can feel relentless. Screens are everywhere, and the advice is often conflicting. My government will not leave parents to face this battle alone,” the British Prime Minister said.&nbsp;He acknowledged that some may oppose the idea but added, “Whether it’s navigating technology, tackling the cost of living, or balancing the demands of family life, I will always stand on the side of parents doing their best for their children.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-pakistan-remains-in-denial-over-1971-atrocities-india-backs-bangladesh-s-fight-for-justice-1774616048830">'Pakistan remains in denial over 1971 atrocities': India backs Bangladesh’s fight for justice</a>&nbsp;The guidelines also advise families to avoid fast-paced, social media-style videos and toys or tools that use artificial intelligence. They recommend keeping bedtimes and mealtimes screen-free, suggesting alternatives such as background music, table games, bedtime stories, and colouring.&nbsp;According to the government, around 98 per cent of children are exposed to screens daily by the age of two. It warned that excessive screen use can impact language development, disrupt sleep, and lead to other health consequences if left unchecked.&nbsp;However, the panel noted that screen time limits should not be applied uniformly to children with special educational needs and disabilities who rely on screen-based assistive technologies.&nbsp;Beyond the UK, several countries are taking similar steps. Nations such as Australia have already enforced restrictions, while others, including Austria and Indonesia, are at advanced stages of implementation. Australia became the first country to enact such a law on December 10, 2025, banning children under 16 from using major social media platforms.&nbsp;Indonesia is currently in a transitional phase. Its “PP TUNAS” regulation, introduced on March 6, 2026, will begin deactivating accounts of users under 16 from March 28. Austria has also approved a nationwide ban for children under 14 on March 27, with plans to implement it in the upcoming school year.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the UK is conducting pilot trials and a national consultation, set to close on May 26, to decide whether to move forward with a full ban or adopt a model focused on restricting addictive design features.

Beyond the UK, several countries are taking similar steps. Nations such as Australia have already enforced restrictions, while others, including Austria and Indonesia, are at advanced stages of implementation. 

The UK government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has joined a growing global push to regulate smartphone use among children, rolling out new guidelines that advise parents not to expose children under two to screens and limit time to about one hour for children under five. It is also reportedly considering Australia-style measures to restrict or ban social media use for those under 16. These guidelines were developed by an expert panel led by the Children’s Commissioner, Rachel de Souza and children’s health expert Russell Viner. Starmer emphasised that the guidelines aim to help families keep children safe and build healthy habits around screen use. “Parenting in a digital world can feel relentless. Screens are everywhere, and the advice is often conflicting. My government will not leave parents to face this battle alone,” the British Prime Minister said. He acknowledged that some may oppose the idea but added, “Whether it’s navigating technology, tackling the cost of living, or balancing the demands of family life, I will always stand on the side of parents doing their best for their children.” Also Read: 'Pakistan remains in denial over 1971 atrocities': India backs Bangladesh’s fight for justice The guidelines also advise families to avoid fast-paced, social media-style videos and toys or tools that use artificial intelligence. They recommend keeping bedtimes and mealtimes screen-free, suggesting alternatives such as background music, table games, bedtime stories, and colouring. According to the government, around 98 per cent of children are exposed to screens daily by the age of two. It warned that excessive screen use can impact language development, disrupt sleep, and lead to other health consequences if left unchecked. However, the panel noted that screen time limits should not be applied uniformly to children with special educational needs and disabilities who rely on screen-based assistive technologies. Beyond the UK, several countries are taking similar steps. Nations such as Australia have already enforced restrictions, while others, including Austria and Indonesia, are at advanced stages of implementation. Australia became the first country to enact such a law on December 10, 2025, banning children under 16 from using major social media platforms. Indonesia is currently in a transitional phase. Its “PP TUNAS” regulation, introduced on March 6, 2026, will begin deactivating accounts of users under 16 from March 28. Austria has also approved a nationwide ban for children under 14 on March 27, with plans to implement it in the upcoming school year. Meanwhile, the UK is conducting pilot trials and a national consultation, set to close on May 26, to decide whether to move forward with a full ban or adopt a model focused on restricting addictive design features.

Beyond the UK, several countries are taking similar steps. Nations such as Australia have already enforced restrictions, while others, including Austria and Indonesia, are at advanced stages of implementation.&nbsp;

No screens for under-twos, one-hour cap for under-fives: UK joins global push to curb children’s screen use

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Kasim has raised the case of his father the UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council) on Wednesday (Mar 25). As he detailed his father’s case, he said that the authorities have violated international human rights conventions. His statements come as Khan is serving a 14-year jail term in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in the Toshakhana case since 2023. &nbsp;&nbsp;He said, “My father, Imran Khan, has been imprisoned for nearly 1,000 days. He is the primary target of a regime that treats dissent not as political disagreement, but as a grave crime to be crushed. I have not seen my father in over three years.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;In the past, Khan's sister, Aleema Khanum, had also highlighted how she had been stopped from meeting her brother. Also highlighting how she has been requesting for transparency on his health and movement. This she had said when rumours of him being moved from Adiala jail had surfaced. “Even if they do not let us meet him, they should be responsible enough to share crucial information with us,” Aleema had said.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-egg-attack-former-pak-pm-imran-khan-s-sister-aleema-two-women-arrested-1757074266152">'Egg attack' on former Pak PM Imran Khan's sister Aleema, two women arrested</a>&nbsp;In his address, Kasim also mentioned, “I'm deeply concerned by the alarming rise of intolerance and persecution in Pakistan. We are witnessing a systematic campaign to dehumanise and silence specific segments of the population.” Not having met his father for nearly three years, he said, “This is not neglect, this is deliberate persecution designed to strip a human being of his dignity. The intolerance extends beyond him. Pakistan has expanded its blasphemy laws to impose life imprisonment and has branded its citizens as terrorists, fostering a climate of hatred."&nbsp;In conclusion, Kasim said, “We ask this council and the OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights) to urge Pakistan to end this persecution immediately. They must comply with the UN Working Groups' opinion, and they must release my father and all political prisoners.”

Kasim Khan, son of Imran Khan, addressed the UNHRC in Geneva alleging that the Pakistani government has 'branded citizens as terrorists' and subjected his father to 'inhumane' solitary confinement. 

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Kasim has raised the case of his father the UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council) on Wednesday (Mar 25). As he detailed his father’s case, he said that the authorities have violated international human rights conventions. His statements come as Khan is serving a 14-year jail term in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in the Toshakhana case since 2023. He said, “My father, Imran Khan, has been imprisoned for nearly 1,000 days. He is the primary target of a regime that treats dissent not as political disagreement, but as a grave crime to be crushed. I have not seen my father in over three years.”

Kasim Khan, son of Imran Khan, addressed the UNHRC in Geneva alleging that the Pakistani government has 'branded citizens as terrorists' and subjected his father to 'inhumane' solitary confinement.&nbsp;

Imran Khan’s son says Pakistan has 'branded citizens as terrorists'; condemns father's 'inhumane' treatment in jail

At first, the researchers observing from boats couldn’t make sense of what they were seeing beneath the ocean’s surface. Eleven sperm whales had gathered tightly together, floating unusually still and occasionally dipping shallowly underwater. After nearly an hour, the calm shifted, there was sudden thrashing, and blood spread through the water. The team initially suspected a predator, perhaps a shark. But the reality was far different.&nbsp;Out of the group, a much smaller twelfth whale emerged. The others worked together to lift it toward the surface so it could take its first breath. This moment, detailed in two studies published in Science and Scientific Reports, adds to growing scientific evidence that humans are not the only species where mothers receive assistance during childbirth. “I don’t think it’s midwives or doulas in our human perspective, but there was definitely assistance and support for both the mother and the calf,” said Alaa Maalouf, one of the authors and a specialist in machine learning and robotics with Project CETI, the nonprofit whale research group that happened upon, documented and analyzed the birth.<h2>Watch the video here</h2>

Interestingly, about half of the whales involved were not related to the mother. For scientists, this is especially meaningful, it suggests that cooperation may be driven not just by genetics, but also by social bonds and mutual support. Birth in wild animals remains rarely observed, largely because it typically happens away from view. Many social species, such as lions and chimpanzees, isolate themselves during labor, possibly to protect newborns from threats like aggressive males.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/who-was-zhang-xuefeng-china-s-million-dollar-gaokao-guru-who-passed-away-at-41-1774530596941">Who was Zhang Xuefeng, China’s million-dollar 'Gaokao Guru', who passed away at 41</a>&nbsp;For a long time, researchers believed assisted birth was unique to humans, largely due to the challenges of human anatomy. But that assumption has been steadily challenged as more species, from primates to dolphins and even rodents, are seen providing care and protection during childbirth. Among whales, birthing behavior varies by species. Baleen whales tend to give birth alone, with mothers independently guiding calves to the surface. In contrast, toothed whales like sperm whales appear to rely on group involvement during labour.&nbsp;Sperm whales, once heavily hunted for oil and immortalized in “Moby-Dick,” are now considered vulnerable. Project CETI is dedicated to studying them, with an ambitious goal: using artificial intelligence to interpret their clicking sounds and potentially translate them into human-understandable communication. Some scientists remain skeptical, suggesting that these clicks, known as codas, might resemble musical patterns rather than structured language. Still, the initiative has brought together experts from multiple disciplines. In 2024, the team even identified what they described as a “phonetic alphabet” in sperm whale communication.&nbsp;The observed birth took place in July 2023 near Dominica in the Caribbean. With drones, underwater audio equipment, and visual documentation, researchers gathered detailed data. Marine biologist Shane Gero, who has studied this group since 2005, identified the whales and their relationships. He recognized the mother, called Rounder, whom he had followed since her youth when she was cared for by her own mother, Lady Oracle, also present during this birth and closely attending to Rounder beforehand.&nbsp;Sperm whale calves are born tail-first, an adaptation that helps prevent drowning. In a rare and fortunate moment, Rounder shifted her body just as the calf’s tail appeared, allowing a drone to capture the scene. The full delivery took 34 minutes. Using machine learning, researchers analyzed how the whales positioned themselves, interacted, and coordinated their movements. The data showed clear patterns: during labor, the group oriented toward the mother; afterward, their focus shifted to the newborn.&nbsp;Newborn calves struggle to swim, so several whales, especially Rounder, her sister Aurora, and a young unrelated whale named Ariel, spent significant time helping keep the calf afloat. However, every member of the group contributed at some stage, including a young male named Allan, who had begun transitioning to a more solitary life but still returned for the event. The calf was almost constantly in contact with others, often being touched by multiple whales at once.The study also suggests that a female relative, likely Lady Oracle, played a leading role in assisting before the birth, supported by close positioning and synchronized movements captured on video.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-fuel-crisis-india-slashes-excise-duty-on-petrol-and-diesel-big-relief-for-consumers-1774618180109/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-fuel-crisis-india-slashes-excise-duty-on-petrol-and-diesel-big-relief-for-consumers-1774618180109/embed</a>&nbsp;A separate analysis of the whales’ vocalizations revealed changes in their clicking patterns, including shifts in rhythm and density during key moments. Researchers are continuing to study the event, including the presence of other species like short-finned pilot whales. It remains unclear whether they were drawn by curiosity, opportunity, or something else entirely.

WATCH | Scientists capture rare footage showing sperm whales assisting mother during birth

At first, the researchers observing from boats couldn’t make sense of what they were seeing beneath the ocean’s surface. Eleven sperm whales had gathered tightly together, floating unusually still and occasionally dipping shallowly underwater. After nearly an hour, the calm shifted, there was sudden thrashing, and blood spread through the water. The team initially suspected a predator, perhaps a shark. But the reality was far different. Out of the group, a much smaller twelfth whale emerged. The others worked together to lift it toward the surface so it could take its first breath. This moment, detailed in two studies published in Science and Scientific Reports, adds to growing scientific evidence that humans are not the only species where mothers receive assistance during childbirth. “I don’t think it’s midwives or doulas in our human perspective, but there was definitely assistance and support for both the mother and the calf,” said Alaa Maalouf, one of the authors and a specialist in machine learning and robotics with Project CETI, the nonprofit whale research group that happened upon, documented and analyzed the birth. Watch the video here

Scientists observed sperm whales working together to help a mother give birth, revealing rare evidence of social cooperation in marine animal childbirth

Balendra “Balen” Shah, rapper-turned-politician, became Nepal’s youngest PM after a landslide win by RSP. A former Kathmandu mayor and engineer, he rose on youth anger over corruption, symbolising change and becoming the first PM from the Madheshi community.

Who is Balen Shah? Rapper-turned-politician takes oath as 47th PM of Nepal

Amid the ongoing war in West Asia, Iran, in a symbolic gesture, thanked several countries, including India, for their support and solidarity by writing their names on missiles launched against Israel. These strikes were carried out in retaliation for the US-Israeli bombing campaign that began on February 28.&nbsp;Visuals shared by the Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai on X showed Iranian military personnel using blue markers to write messages of gratitude on projectiles moments before launch towards targets in Israel and US military installations.&nbsp;&nbsp;One of the inscriptions read, “Thank you, people of India,” a message that has since sparked intense international debate over shifting diplomatic alignments in the region.&nbsp;“Gratitude from Iran’s Aerospace Force to the people of Spain, Pakistan, India, and Germany for their support and solidarity, especially during the 83rd wave of missile response to the US and Israel,” the post stated.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gratitude from Iran’s Aerospace Force to the people of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Spain?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Spain</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Germany?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Germany</a> for their support and solidarity; especially during the 83rd wave of missile response to the U.S. and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Israel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Israel</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/US?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#US</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/War?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#War</a> <a href="https://t.co/5QjqIBFiXj">pic.twitter.com/5QjqIBFiXj</a>&mdash; Consulate General of the I.R. Iran in Mumbai (@IRANinMumbai) <a href="https://twitter.com/IRANinMumbai/status/2037341182439854466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

These messages appeared during what has been termed the “83rd wave” of Operation True Promise 4, an extensive military campaign involving the launch of hundreds of drones and missiles from Iranian territory. Beyond India, the IRGC also inscribed notes of thanks to the people of Spain, Germany, and Pakistan.&nbsp;In a separate development, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced sweeping restrictions on maritime movement, declaring that shipping linked to “allies and supporters of Israeli-American enemies” would not be permitted through any route or destination, according to Iranian state media.&nbsp;However, India remains among the few countries that have successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday that four India-flagged vessels have passed through the key waterway despite Iran’s effective closure of one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.&nbsp;Indians have also been at the forefront of humanitarian aid efforts for Iran, particularly from Jammu and Kashmir. In recent weeks, civilians in parts of the region have organised donation drives to support those affected by the conflict. Contributions have included cash, jewellery, and household items, with many accounts highlighting personal sacrifice.

Visuals shared by the Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai on X showed Iranian military personnel using blue markers to write messages of gratitude on projectiles moments before launch towards targets in Israel and US military installations. 


Amid the ongoing war in West Asia, Iran, in a symbolic gesture, thanked several countries, including India, for their support and solidarity by writing their names on missiles launched against Israel. These strikes were carried out in retaliation for the US-Israeli bombing campaign that began on February 28. Visuals shared by the Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai on X showed Iranian military personnel using blue markers to write messages of gratitude on projectiles moments before launch towards targets in Israel and US military installations. One of the inscriptions read, “Thank you, people of India,” a message that has since sparked intense international debate over shifting diplomatic alignments in the region. “Gratitude from Iran’s Aerospace Force to the people of Spain, Pakistan, India, and Germany for their support and solidarity, especially during the 83rd wave of missile response to the US and Israel,” the post stated.

Visuals shared by the Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai on X showed Iranian military personnel using blue markers to write messages of gratitude on projectiles moments before launch towards targets in Israel and US military installations.&nbsp;

‘Thank You India’ on Iranian missiles during 83rd strike wave on Israel, US

India on Friday (March 17) said Pakistan remains in denial over the atrocities it committed during ‘Operation Searchlight’ in 1971, including the systematic and targeted killing of millions of innocent Bangladeshi people and widespread sexual violence against women, which forced millions to flee and seek refuge in India.&nbsp;Speaking at a weekly press briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistan’s actions “shook the conscience of the world” and reaffirmed that India supported Bangladesh in its pursuit of justice.&nbsp;Jaiswal made these remarks when asked about a recent message shared by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to mark Genocide Day. The message included graphic archival footage depicting the pre-planned massacre carried out by Pakistani forces, highlighting brutal attacks on unarmed civilians, intellectuals, and students at Dhaka University, Pilkhana, and Rajarbagh Police Lines. The video described the events as one of the most heinous genocides in modern history.&nbsp;The development is being seen as a significant shift in the stance of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which has historically faced criticism for downplaying the 1971 atrocities. The reference to the events as a “pre-planned massacre” and a “heinous genocide” marks a notable change in narrative.&nbsp;On Jaishankar’s ongoing visit to France for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the MEA said the External Affairs Minister highlighted the need for UN Security Council reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains during discussions in Paris.&nbsp;Jaishankar also met his counterparts from France, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, the UK, Germany, and Ukraine on the sidelines of the meeting.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-india-signal-fresh-chapter-as-dhaka-celebrates-56-years-of-independence-1774547801121">Bangladesh, India signal fresh chapter as Dhaka celebrates 56 years of independence</a>&nbsp;“Our conversations with global partners continue. The External Affairs Minister is currently in France for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on March 26–27,” Jaiswal said.&nbsp;Turning to the West Asia conflict and its energy fallout, Jaiswal said four India-flagged LPG tankers successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz. He added that India remains in close contact with key stakeholders in West Asia, including Iran, to ensure energy security.&nbsp;He further stated that there is no immediate need to evacuate Indian nationals from Gulf countries, adding that hundreds of commercial flights from India to multiple destinations in the region continue to operate normally.

Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistan’s actions “shook the conscience of the world” and reaffirmed that India supported Bangladesh in its pursuit of justice.

India on Friday (March 17) said Pakistan remains in denial over the atrocities it committed during ‘Operation Searchlight’ in 1971, including the systematic and targeted killing of millions of innocent Bangladeshi people and widespread sexual violence against women, which forced millions to flee and seek refuge in India. Speaking at a weekly press briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistan’s actions “shook the conscience of the world” and reaffirmed that India supported Bangladesh in its pursuit of justice. Jaiswal made these remarks when asked about a recent message shared by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to mark Genocide Day. The message included graphic archival footage depicting the pre-planned massacre carried out by Pakistani forces, highlighting brutal attacks on unarmed civilians, intellectuals, and students at Dhaka University, Pilkhana, and Rajarbagh Police Lines. The video described the events as one of the most heinous genocides in modern history. The development is being seen as a significant shift in the stance of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which has historically faced criticism for downplaying the 1971 atrocities. The reference to the events as a “pre-planned massacre” and a “heinous genocide” marks a notable change in narrative. On Jaishankar’s ongoing visit to France for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the MEA said the External Affairs Minister highlighted the need for UN Security Council reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains during discussions in Paris. Jaishankar also met his counterparts from France, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, the UK, Germany, and Ukraine on the sidelines of the meeting. Also Read: Bangladesh, India signal fresh chapter as Dhaka celebrates 56 years of independence “Our conversations with global partners continue. The External Affairs Minister is currently in France for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on March 26–27,” Jaiswal said. Turning to the West Asia conflict and its energy fallout, Jaiswal said four India-flagged LPG tankers successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz. He added that India remains in close contact with key stakeholders in West Asia, including Iran, to ensure energy security. He further stated that there is no immediate need to evacuate Indian nationals from Gulf countries, adding that hundreds of commercial flights from India to multiple destinations in the region continue to operate normally.

Randhir Jaiswal said that Pakistan’s actions “shook the conscience of the world” and reaffirmed that India supported Bangladesh in its pursuit of justice.

'Pakistan remains in denial over 1971 atrocities': India backs Bangladesh’s fight for justice

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Ukraine has signed a deal with Saudi Arabia to share its drone defence expertise and technology and help the country tackle multiple aerial attacks from Iran. Zelensky said Saudi Arabia has been facing similar ballistic missile and drone attacks from Iran that Ukraine had been resisting from Russia over the last four years.&nbsp;“We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives,” Zelensky said in a post on X.&nbsp;Kyiv is leveraging its expertise in downing Russian drones to help Gulf nations, which are being attacked with the same kind of Iranian-designed Shahed drones that Russia fires on Ukraine.&nbsp;Ukraine has been using a mix of cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools, and anti-aircraft guns to down Russian drones fired at its cities for over four years now. It also touts its anti-drone defences as the best in the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-slaughtered-in-cold-blood-iran-fm-araghchi-accuses-us-of-war-crimes-over-minab-school-bombing-calls-it-calculated-assault-1774604612770">‘Slaughtered in cold blood’: Iran FM Araghchi accuses US of ‘war crimes’ over Minab school bombing, calls it ‘calculated assault’</a>&nbsp;<h2>‘Looking for assistance in defending Ukraine in exchange’: Zelensky</h2>&nbsp;Zelensky said that in exchange he would be looking for assistance in defending Ukraine against the ongoing Russian invasion.&nbsp;“We would like Middle Eastern states to also give us an opportunity to strengthen ourselves. They have certain air defence missiles of which we don’t have enough. That’s what we’d like to reach a deal on,” he said in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde.&nbsp;“Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial,” Zelensky said.&nbsp;The deal is not only about interceptors as such but about building a system, integrating it with other air defence components, Ukrainian experience in its use, AI, and all the other elements of data analysis needed to counter Shaheds and other drones, said a Ukrainian official seeking anonymity.&nbsp;During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Zelensky also met with Ukrainian anti-drone experts deployed to the country facing drone and missile attacks from Tehran in retaliation for the US and Israel strikes on Iran.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-situation-dynamic-petrol-diesel-prices-to-be-reviewed-every-15-days-says-govt-1774609798246">‘Situation dynamic’: Petrol, diesel prices to be reviewed every 15 days, says govt</a><h2>‘Approached by Gulf states for help,’ say Ukrainian drone companies</h2>&nbsp;As per reports, several Ukrainian drone companies have been approached by Gulf states for help but have not yet been given the green light by the government in Kyiv.&nbsp;Representatives of Ukrainian companies that make anti-drone electronic warfare systems said they had been approached by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates and were told to discuss this with the Ukrainian government first.&nbsp;Ukraine has proposed swapping its interceptors for vastly more expensive air defence missiles that Gulf countries are using to down Iranian drones. Ukraine says it needs more of them to fend off Russian missile attacks.

Ukraine has been using a mix of cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools, and anti-aircraft guns to down Russian drones fired at its cities for over four years now. Kyiv also touts its anti-drone defences as the best in the world.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Ukraine has signed a deal with Saudi Arabia to share its drone defence expertise and technology and help the country tackle multiple aerial attacks from Iran. Zelensky said Saudi Arabia has been facing similar ballistic missile and drone attacks from Iran that Ukraine had been resisting from Russia over the last four years. “We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives,” Zelensky said in a post on X. Kyiv is leveraging its expertise in downing Russian drones to help Gulf nations, which are being attacked with the same kind of Iranian-designed Shahed drones that Russia fires on Ukraine. Ukraine has been using a mix of cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools, and anti-aircraft guns to down Russian drones fired at its cities for over four years now. It also touts its anti-drone defences as the best in the world. Also Read: ‘Slaughtered in cold blood’: Iran FM Araghchi accuses US of ‘war crimes’ over Minab school bombing, calls it ‘calculated assault’ ‘Looking for assistance in defending Ukraine in exchange’: Zelensky Zelensky said that in exchange he would be looking for assistance in defending Ukraine against the ongoing Russian invasion. “We would like Middle Eastern states to also give us an opportunity to strengthen ourselves. They have certain air defence missiles of which we don’t have enough. That’s what we’d like to reach a deal on,” he said in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde. “Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine, and this cooperation can be mutually beneficial,” Zelensky said. The deal is not only about interceptors as such but about building a system, integrating it with other air defence components, Ukrainian experience in its use, AI, and all the other elements of data analysis needed to counter Shaheds and other drones, said a Ukrainian official seeking anonymity. During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Zelensky also met with Ukrainian anti-drone experts deployed to the country facing drone and missile attacks from Tehran in retaliation for the US and Israel strikes on Iran. Also Read: ‘Situation dynamic’: Petrol, diesel prices to be reviewed every 15 days, says govt ‘Approached by Gulf states for help,’ say Ukrainian drone companies As per reports, several Ukrainian drone companies have been approached by Gulf states for help but have not yet been given the green light by the government in Kyiv. Representatives of Ukrainian companies that make anti-drone electronic warfare systems said they had been approached by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates and were told to discuss this with the Ukrainian government first. Ukraine has proposed swapping its interceptors for vastly more expensive air defence missiles that Gulf countries are using to down Iranian drones. Ukraine says it needs more of them to fend off Russian missile attacks.

Ukraine has been using a mix of cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools, and anti-aircraft guns to down Russian drones fired at its cities for over four years now. Kyiv also touts its anti-drone defences as the best in the world.

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