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Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, has become a crucial strategic point in the war. Disrupting the island could severely damage Iran’s oil revenue and war financing while also risking major shocks to global energy markets.

How one small island could decide the direction of Iran war

An image has surfaced of ex-prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in &nbsp;documents released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The image is being considered as the first of all three men together, but no time or location is given for the picture.&nbsp;According to BBC, that cited ITV news, the pic is supposed to be taken between 1999 and 2000 in Martha's Vineyard in the US. This is when Epstein was sentenced to 13 months in prison and charged as a sex offender.&nbsp;In the image one can see the three men sitting around a wooden deck table, with mugs decorated with the US flag in front of them. However, the image of all of them together does not suggest any wrongdoing.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bad-omen-for-iran-centcom-video-shows-b-2-bombers-taking-off-on-friday-the-13th-before-kharg-island-attack-1773466018973">Bad omen for Iran? CENTCOM video shows B-2 bombers taking off on Friday the 13th before Kharg Island attack | WATCH</a>&nbsp;The image was found in a large set of files released by the Justice Department earlier this year. The material includes around three million pages of records, as well as thousands of photographs and videos that have been made public.&nbsp;Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Mandelson were arrested over their connections to the paedophile but have since then been released &nbsp;and are under investigation.&nbsp;Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently maintained he is innocent and has done nothing wrong in connection with Epstein. While Lord Mandelson has said he believes he has not acted criminally.Mountbatten-Windsor has said he first met Epstein, in 1999 through his British girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, whom he knew since her &nbsp;university days.&nbsp;

The image of all three together was found in a large set of files released by the Justice Department earlier this year.

An image has surfaced of ex-prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in documents released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The image is being considered as the first of all three men together, but no time or location is given for the picture. According to BBC, that cited ITV news, the pic is supposed to be taken between 1999 and 2000 in Martha's Vineyard in the US. This is when Epstein was sentenced to 13 months in prison and charged as a sex offender. In the image one can see the three men sitting around a wooden deck table, with mugs decorated with the US flag in front of them. However, the image of all of them together does not suggest any wrongdoing. ALSO READ: Bad omen for Iran? CENTCOM video shows B-2 bombers taking off on Friday the 13th before Kharg Island attack | WATCH The image was found in a large set of files released by the Justice Department earlier this year. The material includes around three million pages of records, as well as thousands of photographs and videos that have been made public. Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Mandelson were arrested over their connections to the paedophile but have since then been released and are under investigation. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently maintained he is innocent and has done nothing wrong in connection with Epstein. While Lord Mandelson has said he believes he has not acted criminally. Mountbatten-Windsor has said he first met Epstein, in 1999 through his British girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, whom he knew since her university days.

The image of all three together was found in a large set of files released by the Justice Department earlier this year.

First image surfaces of Andrew, Mandelson and Epstein together in newly released DOJ files

&nbsp;Two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz and are now heading towards India. This comes after several days of diplomatic talks between New Delhi and Tehran as the war rages in West Asia. This comes after Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Friday (Mar 13) confirmed that Tehran will provide safe passage to vessels bound for India through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the long-standing friendship and shared interests between the two countries.<h2>When will the vessels reach India?</h2>The vessels, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, operated by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), passed through the narrow strategic strait with the cooperation of Iran and other regional stakeholders, NDTV reported, citing government sources. According to reports, the ships are expected to reach India within the next two days, with Mumbai or Kandla likely to be their destination.According to News18, Nanda Devi is carrying about 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG. The second ship, Shivalik, is also transporting a large quantity of gas. The report added that both ships are being escorted by the Indian Navy to ensure their safe transit.&nbsp;&nbsp;“All Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf region are safe, and no untoward incidents involving them have been reported over the last 24 hours. There were 24 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf, situated to the west of the Strait of Hormuz. Among these, two vessels—the Shivalik and the Nanda Devi, Indian-flagged vessels, both LPG carriers,” said ministry official Rajesh Kumar Sinha. “They safely transited the Strait of Hormuz late last night/early this morning and are now proceeding towards India. These vessels are carrying approximately 92,700 metric tons of LPG; their ports of arrival will be Mundra and Kandla, with expected arrival dates of March 16 and March 17, respectively. Consequently, there are now 22 Indian-flagged vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 seafarers,” he added.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h2>Series of diplomatic efforts</h2>The significant development comes after a series of discussions between India and Iran. Four rounds of phone calls have taken place between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi since the beginning of the crisis. The talks happened on February 28, March 5, March 10 and March 12.On Thursday (March 12) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing concerns over the escalating tensions in West Asia and the impact of conflict on civilian lives and global trade routes.“The safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priority,” PM Modi said in a post on X following the call.Days earlier, a crude vessel reached Mumbai Port on Thursday (Mar 12) after passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Liberian flagged tanker was captained by an Indian and became the first India-destined vessel to transit the waterway safely since the war began on February 28. The ship named Shenlong was loaded with crude oil from the Saudi port Ras Tanura.<h2>Why is Strait of Hormuz blocked?</h2>On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan.Amid the escalating tension in West Asia, several vessels have been targeted while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any vessel attempting to pass could be targeted and set on fire, with several oil tankers being hit in recent days. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on March 5 said that the passage is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies. On March 10, the IRGC said that it will grant certain countries unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but that this safe passage will be conditional. The IRGC said that only those Arab or European nations that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory will be granted the right to transit through the strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply passing through it daily.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.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.&nbsp;

Two India-flagged LPG tankers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia conflict after diplomatic talks with Iran and are now heading towards India carrying large quantities of gas.

Two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz and are now heading towards India. This comes after several days of diplomatic talks between New Delhi and Tehran as the war rages in West Asia. This comes after Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, on Friday (Mar 13) confirmed that Tehran will provide safe passage to vessels bound for India through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the long-standing friendship and shared interests between the two countries. When will the vessels reach India? The vessels, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, operated by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), passed through the narrow strategic strait with the cooperation of Iran and other regional stakeholders, NDTV reported, citing government sources. According to reports, the ships are expected to reach India within the next two days, with Mumbai or Kandla likely to be their destination. According to News18, Nanda Devi is carrying about 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG. The second ship, Shivalik, is also transporting a large quantity of gas. The report added that both ships are being escorted by the Indian Navy to ensure their safe transit. “All Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf region are safe, and no untoward incidents involving them have been reported over the last 24 hours. There were 24 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf, situated to the west of the Strait of Hormuz. Among these, two vessels—the Shivalik and the Nanda Devi, Indian-flagged vessels, both LPG carriers,” said ministry official Rajesh Kumar Sinha. “They safely transited the Strait of Hormuz late last night/early this morning and are now proceeding towards India. These vessels are carrying approximately 92,700 metric tons of LPG; their ports of arrival will be Mundra and Kandla, with expected arrival dates of March 16 and March 17, respectively. Consequently, there are now 22 Indian-flagged vessels remaining in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 seafarers,” he added. Series of diplomatic efforts The significant development comes after a series of discussions between India and Iran. Four rounds of phone calls have taken place between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi since the beginning of the crisis. The talks happened on February 28, March 5, March 10 and March 12. On Thursday (March 12) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing concerns over the escalating tensions in West Asia and the impact of conflict on civilian lives and global trade routes. “The safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priority,” PM Modi said in a post on X following the call. Days earlier, a crude vessel reached Mumbai Port on Thursday (Mar 12) after passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Liberian flagged tanker was captained by an Indian and became the first India-destined vessel to transit the waterway safely since the war began on February 28. The ship named Shenlong was loaded with crude oil from the Saudi port Ras Tanura. Why is Strait of Hormuz blocked? On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan. Amid the escalating tension in West Asia, several vessels have been targeted while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz and warned that any vessel attempting to pass could be targeted and set on fire, with several oil tankers being hit in recent days. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on March 5 said that the passage is closed to vessels from the United States, Israel, Europe and their Western allies. On March 10, the IRGC said that it will grant certain countries unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, but that this safe passage will be conditional. The IRGC said that only those Arab or European nations that expel Israeli and American ambassadors from their territory will be granted the right to transit through the strategic waterway, which accounts for roughly 20 per cent of the global oil supply passing through it daily. 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. 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.

Two India-flagged LPG tankers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia conflict after diplomatic talks with Iran and are now heading towards India carrying large quantities of gas.

Two India-flagged tankers carrying 92,000 tonnes of LPG safely cross Strait of Hormuz – Check arrival date

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (March 13) that he will rely on his personal intuition rather than a rigid military timetable to decide when to conclude the ongoing war in Iran. In an interview with Fox News Radio, the president suggested that while he envisions a relatively brief engagement, the ultimate signal to halt his Operation Epic Fury will come from his own internal judgment. “I’ll know when it's over when I feel it - when I feel it in my bones,” Trump told host Brian Kilmeade.&nbsp;The administration’s messaging on the conflict’s duration has remained fluid. While some senior officials have floated a timeline of weeks or months, the President appeared to keep all options on the table. He predicted a swift resolution but simultaneously warned that American forces are prepared to maintain the pressure indefinitely if the situation demands it.<h2>Ammunition and technology</h2>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-bomb-shelter-dating-app-to-introduce-singles-hiding-during-airstrikes-amid-iran-war-1773215935936">Israel launches ‘bomb shelter dating’ app to introduce singles hiding during airstrikes amid Iran war</a>&nbsp;During the interview, the American president moved to silence reports suggesting the US military might be facing a shortage of critical munitions.1. Technological Edge: Trump asserted that American weaponry and technology remain unrivalled globally. 2. Supply Chain: He claimed the military is currently operating well ahead of its projected schedule. 3. Resources: The President characterised the nation’s stockpile as essentially limitless, stating that the U.S. could sustain the current pace of operations for as long as necessary.&nbsp;Despite his emphasis on personal "feeling," Trump noted he is in constant communication with his primary national security circle. This includes Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irgc-expands-conflict-targets-to-include-us-and-israeli-financial-infrastructure-in-gulf-details-inside-1773232808446">IRGC expands conflict targets to include US and Israeli financial infrastructure in Gulf. Details inside</a>&nbsp;White House spokesperson Anna Kelly reinforced this stance, clarifying that the mission will persist until the Commander-in-Chief is satisfied that Iran no longer possesses the capability to threaten regional or global security. Earlier that day, Hegseth expressed absolute confidence in a US victory while criticising the media for what he described as a cynical portrayal of the campaign.<h2>Economic outlook</h2>Addressing the financial fallout of the war, which has seen oil prices surge and a $11 billion price tag in just its first week, the President remained bullish. He dismissed fears of a long-term downturn, insisting that the US economy’s inherent strength would allow for a rapid recovery.&nbsp;On social media, Trump even claimed a silver lining to the energy crisis. He pointed out that, as the world’s leading oil producer, the US stands to see significant revenue increases from the very price hikes that are causing anxiety elsewhere.

US President Donald Trump said the Iran war will end when he personally feels the time is right, rather than following a fixed timetable. He insisted the US has ample weapons and resources to continue operations while maintaining pressure on Iran.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (March 13) that he will rely on his personal intuition rather than a rigid military timetable to decide when to conclude the ongoing war in Iran. In an interview with Fox News Radio, the president suggested that while he envisions a relatively brief engagement, the ultimate signal to halt his Operation Epic Fury will come from his own internal judgment. “I’ll know when it's over when I feel it - when I feel it in my bones,” Trump told host Brian Kilmeade. The administration’s messaging on the conflict’s duration has remained fluid. While some senior officials have floated a timeline of weeks or months, the President appeared to keep all options on the table. He predicted a swift resolution but simultaneously warned that American forces are prepared to maintain the pressure indefinitely if the situation demands it. Ammunition and technology Also read: Israel launches ‘bomb shelter dating’ app to introduce singles hiding during airstrikes amid Iran war During the interview, the American president moved to silence reports suggesting the US military might be facing a shortage of critical munitions. 1. Technological Edge: Trump asserted that American weaponry and technology remain unrivalled globally. 2. Supply Chain: He claimed the military is currently operating well ahead of its projected schedule. 3. Resources: The President characterised the nation’s stockpile as essentially limitless, stating that the U.S. could sustain the current pace of operations for as long as necessary. Despite his emphasis on personal "feeling," Trump noted he is in constant communication with his primary national security circle. This includes Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Also read: IRGC expands conflict targets to include US and Israeli financial infrastructure in Gulf. Details inside White House spokesperson Anna Kelly reinforced this stance, clarifying that the mission will persist until the Commander-in-Chief is satisfied that Iran no longer possesses the capability to threaten regional or global security. Earlier that day, Hegseth expressed absolute confidence in a US victory while criticising the media for what he described as a cynical portrayal of the campaign. Economic outlook Addressing the financial fallout of the war, which has seen oil prices surge and a $11 billion price tag in just its first week, the President remained bullish. He dismissed fears of a long-term downturn, insisting that the US economy’s inherent strength would allow for a rapid recovery. On social media, Trump even claimed a silver lining to the energy crisis. He pointed out that, as the world’s leading oil producer, the US stands to see significant revenue increases from the very price hikes that are causing anxiety elsewhere.

US President Donald Trump said the Iran war will end when he personally feels the time is right, rather than following a fixed timetable. He insisted the US has ample weapons and resources to continue operations while maintaining pressure on Iran.

What’s the timeline to end West Asia conflict? Trump says Iran war will end when he’ll ‘feel it in bones’

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday (Mar 14) called on Iran to refrain from targeting neighbouring nations amid the war in West Asia. The group also affirmed Tehran’s right to defend itself against the United States and Israel. This comes as the war spills to the Gulf nations, with Tehran accusing its neighbours of aiding the US and Israel by allowing them to use their airbases for striking Iran.“While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries,” Hamas said in a statement.Earlier, the Palestinian militant group condemned the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of joint US-Israeli strikes in Tehran. Calling the killing a “heinous crime”, Hamas had openly acknowledged Khamenei’s longstanding support for Palestinians.“He provided all forms of political, diplomatic and military support to our people, our cause, and our resistance,” Hamas had said.On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan.In recent days, US President Donald Trump has claimed victory in the war with Iran. On Friday (Mar 13), the US forces struck Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export terminal located in the northern Persian Gulf. Trump said that the US was striking military targets on Iran’s “crown jewel”. He added that “for reasons of decency”, he did not “wipe out” the oil infrastructure on the island. He further warned that he would reconsider his decision if Iran interfered with the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.The attack came after Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Thursday (Mar 12) warned the United States and Israel, saying that Tehran will “abandon all restraint” if its islands in the Gulf are attacked.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.

Hamas urged Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring nations as the West Asia war expands, while backing Tehran’s right to defend itself against the United States and Israel.

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday (Mar 14) called on Iran to refrain from targeting neighbouring nations amid the war in West Asia. The group also affirmed Tehran’s right to defend itself against the United States and Israel. This comes as the war spills to the Gulf nations, with Tehran accusing its neighbours of aiding the US and Israel by allowing them to use their airbases for striking Iran. “While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries,” Hamas said in a statement. Earlier, the Palestinian militant group condemned the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of joint US-Israeli strikes in Tehran. Calling the killing a “heinous crime”, Hamas had openly acknowledged Khamenei’s longstanding support for Palestinians. “He provided all forms of political, diplomatic and military support to our people, our cause, and our resistance,” Hamas had said. On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan. In recent days, US President Donald Trump has claimed victory in the war with Iran. On Friday (Mar 13), the US forces struck Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export terminal located in the northern Persian Gulf. Trump said that the US was striking military targets on Iran’s “crown jewel”. He added that “for reasons of decency”, he did not “wipe out” the oil infrastructure on the island. He further warned that he would reconsider his decision if Iran interfered with the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The attack came after Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Thursday (Mar 12) warned the United States and Israel, saying that Tehran will “abandon all restraint” if its islands in the Gulf are attacked. 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.

Hamas urged Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring nations as the West Asia war expands, while backing Tehran’s right to defend itself against the United States and Israel.

‘Avoid targeting neighbours’: Hamas calls on Iran as war expands in West Asia

Israel is conducting long-range strikes deep inside Iran without deploying ground troops. Using advanced fighter jets, aerial refuelling, stand-off missiles and intelligence networks, the Israeli military can hit strategic targets across Iran while avoiding direct troop deployment.

How Israel is fighting a war deep inside Iran without ground troops

An explosion damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam on early Saturday (Mar 14). The city’s mayor, Femke Halsema, described the incident as a “deliberate attack against the Jewish community”, according to the Dutch news agency ANP. No injuries were reported in the blast. According to reports, police and fire services responded promptly. The incident comes after earlier attacks this week in front of synagogues in the Belgian city of Liege and the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.The damage to the school, which is located in an upmarket residential neighbourhood on the south side ​of Amsterdam, was limited. The incident is under investigation. A CCTV footage of the incident obtained by the police reportedly showed a person placing the explosive device, the mayor said in the statement.‘Cowardly act ​against Jewish’Haslema condemned the attack, saying that the Jewish community in Amsterdam has been “increasingly often confronted with antisemitism and this is unacceptable.”The mayor added, “A school must be a place where children can attend classes in complete safety. Amsterdam must be a place where Jews can live in safety.”“This ​is a cowardly act ​of aggression against the Jewish community,” she said.The statement added that the police and fire departments quickly reached the spot where the blast happened in the Buitenveldert district in the south of Amsterdam.“The material damage is limited,” the mayor said.Meanwhile, the Dutch police said on Friday (Mar 13) that four people have been arrested on suspicion of setting off a blast outside a synagogue in Rotterdam. The explosion resulted in a fire and damage to the building.Following the incident, the police were monitoring other synagogues as a precaution.“It is not yet clear whether the suspects planned to detonate an explosive or set fire to another synagogue as well,” the police said.Among the four arrested, two were aged 19, one 18, and the fourth was 17 years old. The police did not specify a potential motive for the attack. The authorities added that they were launching a “large-scale investigation into this serious incident”. They also appealed for witnesses to come forward with any information.

An explosion damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam early on Saturday. The city’s mayor called it a deliberate attack targeting the Jewish community. No injuries were reported in the blast.

An explosion damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam on early Saturday (Mar 14). The city’s mayor, Femke Halsema, described the incident as a “deliberate attack against the Jewish community”, according to the Dutch news agency ANP. No injuries were reported in the blast. According to reports, police and fire services responded promptly. The incident comes after earlier attacks this week in front of synagogues in the Belgian city of Liege and the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. The damage to the school, which is located in an upmarket residential neighbourhood on the south side of Amsterdam, was limited. The incident is under investigation. A CCTV footage of the incident obtained by the police reportedly showed a person placing the explosive device, the mayor said in the statement. ‘Cowardly act against Jewish’ Haslema condemned the attack, saying that the Jewish community in Amsterdam has been “increasingly often confronted with antisemitism and this is unacceptable.” The mayor added, “A school must be a place where children can attend classes in complete safety. Amsterdam must be a place where Jews can live in safety.” “This is a cowardly act of aggression against the Jewish community,” she said. The statement added that the police and fire departments quickly reached the spot where the blast happened in the Buitenveldert district in the south of Amsterdam. “The material damage is limited,” the mayor said. Meanwhile, the Dutch police said on Friday (Mar 13) that four people have been arrested on suspicion of setting off a blast outside a synagogue in Rotterdam. The explosion resulted in a fire and damage to the building. Following the incident, the police were monitoring other synagogues as a precaution. “It is not yet clear whether the suspects planned to detonate an explosive or set fire to another synagogue as well,” the police said. Among the four arrested, two were aged 19, one 18, and the fourth was 17 years old. The police did not specify a potential motive for the attack. The authorities added that they were launching a “large-scale investigation into this serious incident”. They also appealed for witnesses to come forward with any information.

An explosion damaged a Jewish school in Amsterdam early on Saturday. The city’s mayor called it a deliberate attack targeting the Jewish community. No injuries were reported in the blast.

‘Deliberate attack’: Explosion damages Jewish school in Amsterdam, Mayor condemns ‘cowardly act’

The US has placed a $10 million bounty on Mojtaba Khamenei and several other senior Iranian figures, accusing them of directing activities linked to the IRGC. Who are the leaders on Washington’s most-wanted list and why are they being targeted? Scroll down to find out.

US puts $10M bounty on Mojtaba Khamenei, IRGC top leaders it claims ‘plan, organise and execute terror worldwide’. Who are they?

A day after a US military aerial refuelling aircraft involved in operations linked to the conflict with Iran crashed in western Iraq on Thursday (Mar 12), 5 Air Force refueling planes were hit and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, said US officials, according to Wall Street Journal.&nbsp;The planes hit during an Iranian missile strike on the Saudi base were partially damaged and are being repaired. Also the Journal said, that no one was killed in the incident.&nbsp;“The tankers were hit during a strike in recent days. They were damaged but not completely destroyed and are now being repaired,” said the officials to WSJ.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ballistic-missile-fire-from-north-korea-confirms-south-korea-japan-1773464364385">North Korea fires about 10 ballistic missiles, confirms South Korea, Japan</a>&nbsp;The incident has come to light after a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker of US air force, went down near the town of Turaibil along the Iraqi-Jordanian border. All six crew members were killed in the incident. The Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the region, confirmed the incident and said the matter is being investigated.&nbsp;“The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace on March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.&nbsp;The deaths of U.S. service members killed in Iran war that began on February 28 has now gone up to to seven.&nbsp;In a similar incident, three US F-15 fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait on March 1 that was described as a “friendly fire incident" by CENTCOM.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The incident has come to light after a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker of US air force, went down near the town of Turaibil along the Iraqi-Jordanian border. 

A day after a US military aerial refuelling aircraft involved in operations linked to the conflict with Iran crashed in western Iraq on Thursday (Mar 12), 5 Air Force refueling planes were hit and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, said US officials, according to Wall Street Journal. The planes hit during an Iranian missile strike on the Saudi base were partially damaged and are being repaired. Also the Journal said, that no one was killed in the incident. “The tankers were hit during a strike in recent days. They were damaged but not completely destroyed and are now being repaired,” said the officials to WSJ. ALSO READ: North Korea fires about 10 ballistic missiles, confirms South Korea, Japan The incident has come to light after a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker of US air force, went down near the town of Turaibil along the Iraqi-Jordanian border. All six crew members were killed in the incident. The Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the region, confirmed the incident and said the matter is being investigated. “The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace on March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The identities of the service members are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” CENTCOM said in a post on X. The deaths of U.S. service members killed in Iran war that began on February 28 has now gone up to to seven. In a similar incident, three US F-15 fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait on March 1 that was described as a “friendly fire incident" by CENTCOM.

The incident has come to light after a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker of US air force, went down near the town of Turaibil along the Iraqi-Jordanian border.&nbsp;

Iran war: 5 US military aerial refuelling aircraft reportedly hit and damaged

Eleven Indians have been arrested in the United States for reportedly plotting staged armed robberies to obtain immigration benefits. The suspects face charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Federal investigators in Boston, Massachusetts, said the group arranged fake robbery incidents at several businesses so employees could claim they were victims of crime, a key requirement for securing a particular visa.&nbsp;The United States grants the “U visa” to individuals who are victims of serious crimes and assist law enforcement in investigations. Officials indicated that the accused organised at least six staged robberies at convenience stores, liquor outlets and fast-food restaurants. Investigators added that the scheme was carefully planned, with one person acting as a fake robber who entered a store with an object resembling a firearm, took cash from the counter and then fled the scene, according to a report by NDTV.<h3>What is a U Visa?</h3>The U Visa is a special type of temporary visa issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to individuals who have been victims of serious crimes in the United States. Basically, it is applied to the people who have faced mental or physical abuse and have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.&nbsp;The U visa provides an immigrant work authorisation and a route to a Green Card within 5–10 years in the United States. The visa was created by Congress in October 2000 with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act).&nbsp;The move was supposed to bolster the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of sexual assault, trafficking of aliens, domestic violence and other crimes. It also protects victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse due to the crime and are willing to help law enforcement officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. The legislation also helps law enforcement agencies to better serve victims of crimes. &nbsp;Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/who-is-shantanu-narayen-adobe-ceo-steps-down-after-nearly-two-decades-1773382245551"> Who is Shantanu Narayen? Adobe CEO steps down after nearly two decades</a>

The U visa applies to people who have faced mental or physical abuse and have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. It provides an immigrant work authorisation and a route to a Green Card within 5–10 years in the United States.

Eleven Indians have been arrested in the United States for reportedly plotting staged armed robberies to obtain immigration benefits. The suspects face charges of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. Federal investigators in Boston, Massachusetts, said the group arranged fake robbery incidents at several businesses so employees could claim they were victims of crime, a key requirement for securing a particular visa. The United States grants the “U visa” to individuals who are victims of serious crimes and assist law enforcement in investigations. Officials indicated that the accused organised at least six staged robberies at convenience stores, liquor outlets and fast-food restaurants. Investigators added that the scheme was carefully planned, with one person acting as a fake robber who entered a store with an object resembling a firearm, took cash from the counter and then fled the scene, according to a report by NDTV. What is a U Visa? The U Visa is a special type of temporary visa issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to individuals who have been victims of serious crimes in the United States. Basically, it is applied to the people who have faced mental or physical abuse and have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. The U visa provides an immigrant work authorisation and a route to a Green Card within 5–10 years in the United States. The visa was created by Congress in October 2000 with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act). The move was supposed to bolster the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of sexual assault, trafficking of aliens, domestic violence and other crimes. It also protects victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse due to the crime and are willing to help law enforcement officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. The legislation also helps law enforcement agencies to better serve victims of crimes. Also read: Who is Shantanu Narayen? Adobe CEO steps down after nearly two decades

The U visa applies to people who have faced mental or physical abuse and have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. It provides an immigrant work authorisation and a route to a Green Card within 5–10 years in the United States.

What is U Visa? 11 Indians charged in US for staging fake robberies in visa fraud scheme

US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Friday (Mar 13) released a video showing B-2 stealth bombers taking off amid the Iran war. In a post on social media, CENTOM said that the B-2 bombers were taking off to conduct a mission as part of Operation Epic Fury, which the US launched on February 28. The video of the B-2 stealth bombers, which are known to inflict serious damage on enemy targets, came just hours before US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had “totally obliterated” Iran’s Kharg Island. The speculation arises: Did the US warn Iran of a big military operation before the strikes?“B-2 stealth bombers takeoff to conduct a mission during Operation Epic Fury, delivering long-range fire to not only eliminate the threat from the Iranian regime today, but also eliminate their ability to rebuild in the future,” CENTCOM wrote on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">B-2 stealth bombers takeoff to conduct a mission during Operation Epic Fury, delivering long-range fire to not only eliminate the threat from the Iranian regime today, but also eliminate their ability to rebuild in the future. <a href="https://t.co/ebyUYNnOLo">pic.twitter.com/ebyUYNnOLo</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2032525588041191610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>How Friday the 13th became a bad omen for Iran</h2>The US forces on Friday (Mar 13) struck Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export terminal located in the northern Persian Gulf. Despite being only a few kilometres long, it serves as the backbone of Iran’s oil export infrastructure, with nearly 85-90 per cent of the country’s crude exports passing through the terminal on this island before being shipped to global markets.Trump said that the US was striking military targets on Iran’s “crown jewel”. He added that “for reasons of decency”, he did not “wipe out” the oil infrastructure on the island. He further warned that he would reconsider his decision if Iran interfered with the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.In a post on his Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island.”He added, “Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack — There is nothing they can do about it! Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East or, for that matter, the World! Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much!”Trump also shared a video of the attack on the Kharg Island.

On February 28, the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran, killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Azerbaijan.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

The US released footage of B-2 stealth bombers launching under Operation Epic Fury before strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island. Donald Trump said US forces “obliterated” the target but spared major oil facilities, warning Iran over Strait of Hormuz security.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Friday (Mar 13) released a video showing B-2 stealth bombers taking off amid the Iran war. In a post on social media, CENTOM said that the B-2 bombers were taking off to conduct a mission as part of Operation Epic Fury, which the US launched on February 28. The video of the B-2 stealth bombers, which are known to inflict serious damage on enemy targets, came just hours before US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had “totally obliterated” Iran’s Kharg Island. The speculation arises: Did the US warn Iran of a big military operation before the strikes? “B-2 stealth bombers takeoff to conduct a mission during Operation Epic Fury, delivering long-range fire to not only eliminate the threat from the Iranian regime today, but also eliminate their ability to rebuild in the future,” CENTCOM wrote on X.

The US released footage of B-2 stealth bombers launching under Operation Epic Fury before strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island. Donald Trump said US forces “obliterated” the target but spared major oil facilities, warning Iran over Strait of Hormuz security.

Bad omen for Iran? CENTCOM video shows B-2 bombers taking off on Friday the 13th before Kharg Island attack | WATCH

North Korea fired about 10 unidentified ballistic missiles on Saturday (Mar 14), South Korea and Japan confirmed. The projectile was fired towards the Sea of Japan, referred to as the East Sea by North and South Korea. This comes amid tensions between the two nations after Pyongyang warned of “terrible consequences” over the ongoing South Korea-US military drills. Weeks earlier, North Korea dismissed Seoul’s peace overtures as a “deceptive farce.”According to a statement by Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), South Korean military detected “around ten unidentified ballistic missiles launched from the Sunan area in North Korea toward the East Sea at around 1:20 pm (0420 GMT).”“What is possibly a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea,” Japan’s defence ministry posted on X. It added in an update later that the projectile “is believed to have already fallen.”Earlier on Tuesday (Mar 10), North Korea conducted a cruise missile test from the Choe Hyon destroyer. &nbsp;North Korea conducted a similar strategic cruise missile test from the destroyer last week ahead of its commissioning. Photos released by the state media showed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observing the tests along with his daughter Kim Ju Ae.The recent firing of missiles came hours after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and US President Donald ​Trump discussed the possible reopening of talks between Trump and Kim Jong Un.For decades, Washington has sought to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear program. However, summits, sanctions, and diplomatic pressure had little impact on Pyongyang’s leadership.In recent months, the Trump administration has pushed efforts to revive talks with Pyongyang, eyeing a possible summit with Kim Jong Un this year during Trump’s visit to Beijing in April.South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who met with the US president in Washington, said that a meeting between both leaders would be “good”, adding that the talks could potentially happen during Trump’s China visit.

North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan (East Sea) on March 14, according to South Korea and Japan.

North Korea fired about 10 unidentified ballistic missiles on Saturday (Mar 14), South Korea and Japan confirmed. The projectile was fired towards the Sea of Japan, referred to as the East Sea by North and South Korea. This comes amid tensions between the two nations after Pyongyang warned of “terrible consequences” over the ongoing South Korea-US military drills. Weeks earlier, North Korea dismissed Seoul’s peace overtures as a “deceptive farce.” According to a statement by Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), South Korean military detected “around ten unidentified ballistic missiles launched from the Sunan area in North Korea toward the East Sea at around 1:20 pm (0420 GMT).” “What is possibly a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea,” Japan’s defence ministry posted on X. It added in an update later that the projectile “is believed to have already fallen.” Earlier on Tuesday (Mar 10), North Korea conducted a cruise missile test from the Choe Hyon destroyer. North Korea conducted a similar strategic cruise missile test from the destroyer last week ahead of its commissioning. Photos released by the state media showed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observing the tests along with his daughter Kim Ju Ae. The recent firing of missiles came hours after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and US President Donald Trump discussed the possible reopening of talks between Trump and Kim Jong Un. For decades, Washington has sought to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear program. However, summits, sanctions, and diplomatic pressure had little impact on Pyongyang’s leadership. In recent months, the Trump administration has pushed efforts to revive talks with Pyongyang, eyeing a possible summit with Kim Jong Un this year during Trump’s visit to Beijing in April. South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, who met with the US president in Washington, said that a meeting between both leaders would be “good”, adding that the talks could potentially happen during Trump’s China visit.

North Korea launched about 10 ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan (East Sea) on March 14, according to South Korea and Japan.

North Korea fires about 10 ballistic missiles, confirms South Korea, Japan

China’s embassy in Washington briefly posted an AI-generated video mocking a security summit hosted by US President Donald Trump, days after the POTUS took the stage, warning about "hostile foreign influence". The short animation appeared on Wednesday on the embassy’s X account before being removed early Friday. Produced by Xinhua News Agency, the video carried the title “Shield of the Americas, or shackles of the Americas?” It comes as the US continues to be engaged in a war against Iran in West Asia. The conflict began on Feb 28, with the US and Israel launching pre-emptive strikes under Operation Epic Fury and Operation Lion's Roar.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-lie-lie-lie-iran-uses-inside-out-ai-satire-to-mock-trump-s-evil-impulses-amid-minab-school-strike-and-epstein-files-controversies-watch-1773374313730">'Lie! lie! lie!': Iran mocks Trump' evil impulses over Minab school strike—Watch</a><h2>Animated clip takes aim at Trump's security proposal</h2>The 18-second animation showed a bald eagle wearing a suit presiding over a group of white doves representing Latin American countries.In the video, the eagle presses a red button that first triggers an atomic explosion before promising to "keep everyone safe" and showing a large red, white and blue shield as a symbol of protection.Moments later, the shield transforms into a cage that traps the birds while the eagle says, "Relax, sometimes security comes with a little control."Watch it here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">JUST IN 🇺🇸🇨🇳: The Chinese Embassy in the U.S. TRolls America&#39;s Security Pacts &quot;Shield of the Americas, or shackles of the Americas?&quot; <a href="https://t.co/MCP02wVra7">pic.twitter.com/MCP02wVra7</a>&mdash; Ryan Rozbiani (@RyanRozbiani) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanRozbiani/status/2031913140909211940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Why did China post the video now?</h2>The video was posted days after the Shield of the Americas Summit was held in Florida on March 7, 2026. The meeting brought together right wing and center right leaders from 12 Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, attended the summit.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-nobel-cannibal-khamenei-s-x-account-posts-ghastly-trump-cartoon-after-potus-floats-twisted-tomahawk-theory-on-minab-school-strike-1773194272348">'Nobel Cannibal': Khamenei’s X account posts ghastly Trump cartoon after POTUS floats Tomahawk theory on Iran school strike</a>Trump used the event to propose "hard power" against security threats. "We're working with you to do whatever we have to do. We'll use missiles. You want us to use a missile? They're extremely accurate," Trump told Latin American leaders."'Piu,' right into the living room," he said, mimicking the sound of a missile in flight. "That's the end of that cartel person. But we'll do whatever you need."<h2>Tensions over China’s regional presence</h2>Trump has repeatedly warned about China’s expanding footprint across Latin America.In his 2025 inaugural address, he claimed China was operating the Panama Canal, a statement widely disputed by analysts.At the time, a Hong Kong-based company controlled key port terminals near the canal. Last month, Panama’s highest court ruled the arrangement illegal, prompting criticism from Beijing.Chinese officials described the decision as “shameful and pathetic,” accusing the United States of political pressure.

Shield of the Americas, or shackles of the Americas?: The Chinese Embassy in Washington has sparked a fresh diplomatic row after briefly posting—and then deleting—an AI-generated animation mocking President Donald Trump’s "Shield of the Americas" summit. Watch it here

China’s embassy in Washington briefly posted an AI-generated video mocking a security summit hosted by US President Donald Trump, days after the POTUS took the stage, warning about "hostile foreign influence". The short animation appeared on Wednesday on the embassy’s X account before being removed early Friday. Produced by Xinhua News Agency, the video carried the title “Shield of the Americas, or shackles of the Americas?” It comes as the US continues to be engaged in a war against Iran in West Asia. The conflict began on Feb 28, with the US and Israel launching pre-emptive strikes under Operation Epic Fury and Operation Lion's Roar. Also read | 'Lie! lie! lie!': Iran mocks Trump' evil impulses over Minab school strike—Watch Animated clip takes aim at Trump's security proposal The 18-second animation showed a bald eagle wearing a suit presiding over a group of white doves representing Latin American countries. In the video, the eagle presses a red button that first triggers an atomic explosion before promising to "keep everyone safe" and showing a large red, white and blue shield as a symbol of protection. Moments later, the shield transforms into a cage that traps the birds while the eagle says, "Relax, sometimes security comes with a little control." Watch it here:

Shield of the Americas, or shackles of the Americas?: The Chinese Embassy in Washington has sparked a fresh diplomatic row after briefly posting—and then deleting—an AI-generated animation mocking President Donald Trump’s "Shield of the Americas" summit. Watch it here

Watch: ‘Shield of the Americas, or shackles?’ China mocks Trump with AI video of eagle trapping doves. Here's what it means

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 14) posted a video of the United States carrying out a strike on Iran's ‘crown jewel’, Kharg Islands. Posting on social media, Trump said the strikes had destroyed military sites on the island. "The United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island," Trump announced.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/was-trump-duped-by-netanyahu-into-launching-iran-war-iranian-parliament-speaker-makes-shocking-claim-1773450862372">Trump 'duped' by Netanyahu into starting Iran war? Ghalibaf makes shocking claim</a>

<h2>US strikes Iran's Kharg Island</h2>On Friday (March 13), the US military carried out a heavy bombing campaign against targets on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub. Trump warned that he would target the island’s oil infrastructure if tensions escalate and if Tehran did not allow passage for ships via the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Trump later posted a video of the strike. Watch video here:

He insisted that US will “NEVER” allow Tehran to have a nuclear weapon. “Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon, nor will it have the ability to threaten the United States of America, the Middle East or, for that matter, the World! Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much!” he wrote.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-trump-snub-putin-s-plan-to-tranfer-iran-s-uranium-as-us-and-israel-weigh-special-ops-raids-to-seize-450kg-of-nuclear-material-report-1773439671375">Did Trump snub Putin’s plan to transfer Iran's 450kg nuclear material to Russia?</a><h2>Iran threatens retaliation</h2>Iran's armed forces threatened on Saturday to destroy US-linked oil infrastructure after Trump announced that the United States had bombed Iran's oil hub Kharg Island. In a statement, the military's Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said that oil and energy infrastructure belonging to firms that cooperated with the United States would "immediately be destroyed and turned into a pile of ashes" if Iran's energy facilities were attacked.The announcement, reported by Iran's Fars and Tasnim news agencies, comes in "response to statements" made by the US president, who had earlier said in a social media post that strikes had "obliterated" military targets on Kharg Island.<h2>Why is Kharg Island important to Iran's economy?</h2>Kharg Island, located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) off the Iranian mainland, handles roughly 90 per cent of Iran's crude exports, according to a recent JP Morgan note.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Why did the US bomb Iran’s Kharg Island, its key oil export hub? President Donald Trump claims American forces “obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island, calling it one of the most powerful bombing raids in the region’s history. Why is this island so critical to Iran? Watch video here.

US President Donald Trump on Friday (Mar 14) posted a video of the United States carrying out a strike on Iran's ‘crown jewel’, Kharg Islands. Posting on social media, Trump said the strikes had destroyed military sites on the island. "The United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island," Trump announced. Also read | Trump 'duped' by Netanyahu into starting Iran war? Ghalibaf makes shocking claim

Why did the US bomb Iran’s Kharg Island, its key oil export hub? President Donald Trump claims American forces “obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island, calling it one of the most powerful bombing raids in the region’s history. Why is this island so critical to Iran? Watch video here.

Watch | Trump shares video of massive strike on Iran’s ‘crown jewel’ Kharg Island amid Iran war

Iran is considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz if the cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, a senior Iranian official told CNN. The proposal is part of a broader tanker policy Tehran is developing to regulate ship traffic through the strait, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. As per the official, Iran is exploring options that would permit select tankers to transit the waterway under strict financial conditions. One option under discussion would require oil shipments to be sold in Chinese yuan rather than the US dollar. Most global oil transactions are conducted in US dollars.&nbsp;&nbsp;Only a small portion of sanctioned Russian oil is currently traded in alternative currencies such as the rouble or yuan. China has been pushing for years to expand the global use of its currency in energy markets, including efforts to purchase oil in yuan from major producers such as Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, tensions surrounding shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz have added volatility to global energy markets.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-forces-totally-obliterate-military-targets-in-iran-s-crown-jewel-kharg-island-trump-claims-in-new-truth-social-post-1773444263312">US forces totally obliterate military targets in Iran’s crown jewel 'Kharg Island': Trump claims in new Truth Social post</a>&nbsp;Concerns about potential disruptions along the vital maritime corridor, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes, have pushed global oil prices to their highest levels since July 2022, shortly after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine. Escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, along with Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have further rattled energy markets.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-announces-10-mn-reward-for-information-on-irgc-leaders-1773453550155/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-announces-10-mn-reward-for-information-on-irgc-leaders-1773453550155/embed</a><h2>Oil prices continue to swing</h2>Global oil prices dipped on Friday but were still on track for weekly gains. Brent crude futures for May delivery fell $1.22, or 1.2%, to $99.24 per barrel at 10:53 GMT. Despite the decline, the benchmark remained set for a weekly gain of around 7.5%. West Texas Intermediate crude for April delivery dropped $1.81, or 1.9%, to $93.92 per barrel, though it was still heading for an increase of nearly 4% over the week.&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 may allow ships through Strait of Hormuz — but with a catch. Deets inside

Iran is considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz if the cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, a senior Iranian official told CNN. The proposal is part of a broader tanker policy Tehran is developing to regulate ship traffic through the strait, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes. As per the official, Iran is exploring options that would permit select tankers to transit the waterway under strict financial conditions. One option under discussion would require oil shipments to be sold in Chinese yuan rather than the US dollar. Most global oil transactions are conducted in US dollars. Only a small portion of sanctioned Russian oil is currently traded in alternative currencies such as the rouble or yuan. China has been pushing for years to expand the global use of its currency in energy markets, including efforts to purchase oil in yuan from major producers such as Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, tensions surrounding shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz have added volatility to global energy markets. Also Read: US forces totally obliterate military targets in Iran’s crown jewel 'Kharg Island': Trump claims in new Truth Social post Concerns about potential disruptions along the vital maritime corridor, through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply passes, have pushed global oil prices to their highest levels since July 2022, shortly after Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine. Escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, along with Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have further rattled energy markets. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-announces-10-mn-reward-for-information-on-irgc-leaders-1773453550155/embed Oil prices continue to swing Global oil prices dipped on Friday but were still on track for weekly gains. Brent crude futures for May delivery fell $1.22, or 1.2%, to $99.24 per barrel at 10:53 GMT. Despite the decline, the benchmark remained set for a weekly gain of around 7.5%. West Texas Intermediate crude for April delivery dropped $1.81, or 1.9%, to $93.92 per barrel, though it was still heading for an increase of nearly 4% over the week. 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.

According to reports, Iran may allow limited tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if oil is traded in yuan, a move that could challenge dollar dominance and impact global energy markets

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran no longer distinguishes between the United States and Israel following the outbreak of the war. In a post on X, Ghalibaf accused US President Donald Trump of being “duped” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into launching the conflict. This comes as the US president on Friday (Mar 13) claimed that Tehran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded. “Iran has no radar. They have no anti-aircraft weapons,” he insisted.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-trump-snub-putin-s-plan-to-tranfer-iran-s-uranium-as-us-and-israel-weigh-special-ops-raids-to-seize-450kg-of-nuclear-material-report-1773439671375">Did Trump snub Putin’s plan to transfer Iran's 450kg nuclear material to Russia?</a><h2>Trump ‘duped’ by Netanyahu?</h2>“Trump was duped by Netanyahu into starting the war and is now acting under his control,” wrote.Ghalibaf added that Iran would continue fighting until its adversaries change their approach. “The war will continue until the enemy's calculus is altered and they are driven to regret,” he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">2/ The war will continue until the enemy&#39;s calculus is altered and they are driven to regret.&mdash; محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) <a href="https://twitter.com/mb_ghalibaf/status/2032558167398154527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The war in West Asia has entered its third week. In the 14 days of war, Brent contracts for a barrel of crude have soared more than 42 per cent. The soaring prices of crude oil have left markets and governments everywhere skittish about energy supply and higher inflation. On Friday, oil stayed above $100 a barrel.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-they-have-no-radar-trump-claims-iran-s-military-is-collapsing-says-iran-war-will-last-as-long-as-necessary-1773442127855">Trump claims Tehran is 'collapsing' says Iran war to last 'as long as necessary'</a><h2>13 Americans killed: The cost of war</h2>Since the war began, the US military has lost 13 personnel, including six who were onboard a refuelling aircraft that crashed in Iraq. Officials confirmed the crash was not caused by hostile fire.&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.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has asserted that the United States and Israel are now "indistinguishable" following the escalation of Iran war. In a scathing post on X, he claimed that Trump was "duped" by Netanyahu into starting the conflict.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran no longer distinguishes between the United States and Israel following the outbreak of the war. In a post on X, Ghalibaf accused US President Donald Trump of being “duped” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into launching the conflict. This comes as the US president on Friday (Mar 13) claimed that Tehran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded. “Iran has no radar. They have no anti-aircraft weapons,” he insisted. Also read | Did Trump snub Putin’s plan to transfer Iran's 450kg nuclear material to Russia? Trump ‘duped’ by Netanyahu? “Trump was duped by Netanyahu into starting the war and is now acting under his control,” wrote. Ghalibaf added that Iran would continue fighting until its adversaries change their approach. “The war will continue until the enemy's calculus is altered and they are driven to regret,” he said.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has asserted that the United States and Israel are now "indistinguishable" following the escalation of Iran war. In a scathing post on X, he claimed that Trump was "duped" by Netanyahu into starting the conflict.

Was Trump 'duped' by Netanyahu into launching Iran war? Iranian parliament speaker makes shocking claim

Kharg Island: Iran’s oil lifeline bombed as US strikes strategic hub

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday (March 13) after South Korea’s parliament approved a special bill supporting Seoul’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the United States. Kim’s office said the brief meeting in Washington came a day after the South Korean legislature passed the measure, enabling the government to move forward with its investment commitment under a bilateral trade agreement reached between the two countries last year.&nbsp;Earlier in January, Trump had voiced frustration over delays in passing the bill, warning that the United States could raise its “reciprocal” tariff on South Korea to 25 per cent from 15 per cent if the legislation stalled. During their meeting, the two leaders were expected to discuss several bilateral matters, including Seoul’s investment strategy and additional agreements outlined in a joint fact sheet released in November covering trade and security cooperation.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-forces-totally-obliterate-military-targets-in-iran-s-crown-jewel-kharg-island-trump-claims-in-new-truth-social-post-1773444263312">US forces totally obliterate military targets in Iran’s crown jewel 'Kharg Island': Trump claims in new Truth Social post</a>&nbsp;The talks could also include efforts to revive diplomacy with North Korea. Speculation has grown that Trump might try to reopen dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a reported visit to China scheduled for late March to early April. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Trump have both indicated their willingness to resume engagement with Pyongyang, though it remains unclear whether North Korea will respond positively to such overtures.&nbsp;At a ruling party congress last month, Kim Jong-un said North Korea would have “no reason not to get along with the US” if Washington abandoned what he described as hostile policies, adding that future US–North Korea relations depend entirely on the United States approach. However, Pyongyang has shown little interest in resuming dialogue with South Korea.

Trump and South Korean PM discuss $350 billion investment deal, tariffs, and North Korea

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday (March 13) after South Korea’s parliament approved a special bill supporting Seoul’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the United States. Kim’s office said the brief meeting in Washington came a day after the South Korean legislature passed the measure, enabling the government to move forward with its investment commitment under a bilateral trade agreement reached between the two countries last year. Earlier in January, Trump had voiced frustration over delays in passing the bill, warning that the United States could raise its “reciprocal” tariff on South Korea to 25 per cent from 15 per cent if the legislation stalled. During their meeting, the two leaders were expected to discuss several bilateral matters, including Seoul’s investment strategy and additional agreements outlined in a joint fact sheet released in November covering trade and security cooperation. Also Read: US forces totally obliterate military targets in Iran’s crown jewel 'Kharg Island': Trump claims in new Truth Social post The talks could also include efforts to revive diplomacy with North Korea. Speculation has grown that Trump might try to reopen dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a reported visit to China scheduled for late March to early April. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Trump have both indicated their willingness to resume engagement with Pyongyang, though it remains unclear whether North Korea will respond positively to such overtures. At a ruling party congress last month, Kim Jong-un said North Korea would have “no reason not to get along with the US” if Washington abandoned what he described as hostile policies, adding that future US–North Korea relations depend entirely on the United States approach. However, Pyongyang has shown little interest in resuming dialogue with South Korea.

South Korea’s PM Kim Min-seok met Donald Trump after Seoul approved a $350 billion US investment bill, with talks also touching on tariffs and possible North Korea diplomacy

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (March 13) that the US military had carried out a heavy bombing campaign against targets on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub, while warning that the island’s oil infrastructure could be targeted if tensions escalate. Posting on social media, Trump said the strikes had destroyed military sites on the island."The United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island," Trump said on social media.&nbsp;He added that the oil facilities had not been attacked but could be in the future if shipping routes are threatened. “I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider.” The US and Israel have largely avoided directly targeting the island so far, although officials in the Trump administration have reportedly discussed the possibility of seizing Kharg Island as the conflict in the Middle East continues.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-kharg-island-iran-s-key-oil-export-hub-trump-may-target-amid-middle-east-conflict-1773070616004">What is Kharg Island? Iran’s key oil export hub Trump may target amid Middle East conflict</a><h2>What and where is Kharg Island?</h2>Located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) off Iran’s mainland coast, the island is responsible for handling around 90 percent of the country’s crude oil exports, according to a recent note from JP Morgan. Analysts say any military move involving the island could have immediate global consequences. "A direct strike would immediately halt the bulk of Iran's crude exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure," JP Morgan said.&nbsp;Iranian attacks have already significantly disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Energy facilities in several Gulf countries have also been affected.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-us-war-trump-turns-down-putin-proposal-to-transfer-iran-s-uranium-to-russia-report-breaking-1773445481145/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-us-war-trump-turns-down-putin-proposal-to-transfer-iran-s-uranium-to-russia-report-breaking-1773445481145/embed</a>&nbsp;Trump also said on Friday that the US Navy would soon begin escorting oil tankers through the strait in an effort to restore shipping flows and address rising gasoline prices in the United States. Kharg Island became a major oil export terminal during Iran’s oil boom in the 1960s and 1970s, as much of the country’s coastline is too shallow to accommodate large supertankers.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US forces totally obliterate military targets in Iran’s crown jewel 'Kharg Island': Trump claims in new Truth Social post

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (March 13) that the US military had carried out a heavy bombing campaign against targets on Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub, while warning that the island’s oil infrastructure could be targeted if tensions escalate. Posting on social media, Trump said the strikes had destroyed military sites on the island. "The United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island," Trump said on social media. He added that the oil facilities had not been attacked but could be in the future if shipping routes are threatened. “I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider.” The US and Israel have largely avoided directly targeting the island so far, although officials in the Trump administration have reportedly discussed the possibility of seizing Kharg Island as the conflict in the Middle East continues. Also Read: What is Kharg Island? Iran’s key oil export hub Trump may target amid Middle East conflict What and where is Kharg Island? Located about 30 kilometers (19 miles) off Iran’s mainland coast, the island is responsible for handling around 90 percent of the country’s crude oil exports, according to a recent note from JP Morgan. Analysts say any military move involving the island could have immediate global consequences. "A direct strike would immediately halt the bulk of Iran's crude exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure," JP Morgan said. Iranian attacks have already significantly disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route that normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Energy facilities in several Gulf countries have also been affected. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-us-war-trump-turns-down-putin-proposal-to-transfer-iran-s-uranium-to-russia-report-breaking-1773445481145/embed Trump also said on Friday that the US Navy would soon begin escorting oil tankers through the strait in an effort to restore shipping flows and address rising gasoline prices in the United States. Kharg Island became a major oil export terminal during Iran’s oil boom in the 1960s and 1970s, as much of the country’s coastline is too shallow to accommodate large supertankers.

Trump claims the US hit all military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island and warns oil facilities could be attacked if Iran blocks ships in the Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Mar 13) said the United States will soon begin naval escorts for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalate in the Gulf. Speaking to the press, Trump claimed Tehran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded. “Iran has no radar. They have no anti-aircraft weapons,” he said, adding that the US military had been rebuilt during his presidency after previously being in poor condition. This comes amid reports of top Iranian officials joining a defiant pro-government rally in Tehran where they reportedly marched alongside demonstrators waving banners reading "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-they-have-no-radar-trump-claims-iran-s-military-is-collapsing-says-iran-war-will-last-as-long-as-necessary-1773442127855">Trump claims Tehran is 'collapsing' says Iran war to last 'as long as necessary'</a><h2>US Navy to escort ships out of Strait of Hormuz</h2>With oil prices spiking, Trump was asked when the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Gulf's critical Strait of Hormuz. "It'll happen soon, very soon," he said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;When will the Navy start escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;It&#39;ll happen soon — very soon.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/IzEpZ8zznz">pic.twitter.com/IzEpZ8zznz</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2032589623466029367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 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/did-trump-snub-putin-s-plan-to-tranfer-iran-s-uranium-as-us-and-israel-weigh-special-ops-raids-to-seize-450kg-of-nuclear-material-report-1773439671375">Did Trump snub Putin’s plan to transfer Iran's 450kg nuclear material to Russia?</a><h2>Iran is collapsing, claims Trump</h2>Speaking at Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility in Washington, the US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran now lacks functioning radar and anti-aircraft systems following ongoing US and Israeli strikes. “Iran have no radar. They have no anti-aircraft weapons,” he said, adding that the US military had been rebuilt during his presidency after being in “bad shape.”Trump also suggested that Iran’s government is weakening under pressure. “Iran is collapsing. I won’t give you a time, but we are way ahead,” he said. The president added that the conflict would continue "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-they-have-no-radar-trump-claims-iran-s-military-is-collapsing-says-iran-war-will-last-as-long-as-necessary-1773442127855">as long as necessary</a>."&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will soon begin naval escorts for commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a major move to break the maritime blockade as Operation Epic Fury enters its 14th day. Here's what he said.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Mar 13) said the United States will soon begin naval escorts for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalate in the Gulf. Speaking to the press, Trump claimed Tehran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded. “Iran has no radar. They have no anti-aircraft weapons,” he said, adding that the US military had been rebuilt during his presidency after previously being in poor condition. This comes amid reports of top Iranian officials joining a defiant pro-government rally in Tehran where they reportedly marched alongside demonstrators waving banners reading "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." Also read | Trump claims Tehran is 'collapsing' says Iran war to last 'as long as necessary' US Navy to escort ships out of Strait of Hormuz With oil prices spiking, Trump was asked when the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Gulf's critical Strait of Hormuz. "It'll happen soon, very soon," he said.

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will soon begin naval escorts for commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a major move to break the maritime blockade as Operation Epic Fury enters its 14th day. Here's what he said.

Trump says US Navy escorts in Strait of Hormuz ‘will happen soon’, claims Iran military weakened

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Mar 13) claimed that Tehran ‘has no radar,’ while insisting that the Iran war will last as long as necessary. The POTUS effectively signalled that the US and Israel have achieved total air supremacy over Iran. Speaking to the press at Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington, the US President claimed that Iran's military capabilities have been severely weakened after 14 days of war with the United States and Israel.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-trump-snub-putin-s-plan-to-tranfer-iran-s-uranium-as-us-and-israel-weigh-special-ops-raids-to-seize-450kg-of-nuclear-material-report-1773439671375">Did Trump snub Putin’s plan to transfer Iran's 450kg nuclear material to Russia?</a><h2>Iran is ‘collapsing’, claims Trump</h2>Speaking to the press, Trump claimed Tehran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded. “Iran has no radar. They have no anti-aircraft weapons,” he said, adding that the US military had been rebuilt during his presidency after previously being in poor condition. “I built our military, rebuilt it, it was all in bad shape,” he said.&nbsp;He also acknowledged that US and Israeli objectives in Iran “might be a little different."President Donald Trump on Friday said the US and Israeli objectives in Iran “might be a little different,”&nbsp;“Well, I think they might be a little different, I guess, they’re a different country than we are. But he (PM Benjamin Netanyahu) will tell you there’s never been a power like the power of the United States,” Trump told reporters.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/was-trump-duped-by-netanyahu-into-launching-iran-war-iranian-parliament-speaker-makes-shocking-claim-1773450862372">Was Trump 'duped' by Netanyahu into launching Iran war? Iranian parliament speaker makes shocking claim</a><h2>US Navy to escort ships out of Strait of Hormuz</h2>With oil prices spiking as the war enters its third week, Trump was asked when the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Gulf's critical Strait of Hormuz. "It'll happen soon, very soon," he said. However, he did not share a timeline.&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.

Speaking from Joint Base Andrews on the 14th day of Operation Epic Fury, President Donald Trump asserted that Iran’s military has been "largely neutralized," claiming the regime now "has no radar" and "no navy." Here's what he said.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Mar 13) claimed that Tehran ‘has no radar,’ while insisting that the Iran war will last as long as necessary. The POTUS effectively signalled that the US and Israel have achieved total air supremacy over Iran. Speaking to the press at Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington, the US President claimed that Iran's military capabilities have been severely weakened after 14 days of war with the United States and Israel. Also read | Did Trump snub Putin’s plan to transfer Iran's 450kg nuclear material to Russia? Iran is ‘collapsing’, claims Trump Speaking to the press, Trump claimed Tehran’s military capabilities have been severely degraded. “Iran has no radar. They have no anti-aircraft weapons,” he said, adding that the US military had been rebuilt during his presidency after previously being in poor condition. “I built our military, rebuilt it, it was all in bad shape,” he said. He also acknowledged that US and Israeli objectives in Iran “might be a little different." President Donald Trump on Friday said the US and Israeli objectives in Iran “might be a little different,” “Well, I think they might be a little different, I guess, they’re a different country than we are. But he (PM Benjamin Netanyahu) will tell you there’s never been a power like the power of the United States,” Trump told reporters. Also read | Was Trump 'duped' by Netanyahu into launching Iran war? Iranian parliament speaker makes shocking claim US Navy to escort ships out of Strait of Hormuz With oil prices spiking as the war enters its third week, Trump was asked when the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Gulf's critical Strait of Hormuz. "It'll happen soon, very soon," he said. However, he did not share a timeline. 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.

Speaking from Joint Base Andrews on the 14th day of Operation Epic Fury, President Donald Trump asserted that Iran’s military has been "largely neutralised," claiming the regime now "has no radar" and "no navy." Here's what he said.

'They have no radar': Trump claims Iran’s military is 'collapsing,' says Iran war will last 'as long as necessary'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed moving Iran's enriched uranium to his country, according to reports. This offer was made during his call with US President Donald Trump this week, reports Axios. Speaking to the publication, a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that this was not the first time Russia had made this offer. Notably, the ongoing war between the US, Israel and Iran started amid Washington's claims that Tehran had enriched uranium to weapon-grade. Why didn't Trump accept Putin's proposal even as the US insists that securing Iran's uranium stockpile remains a priority? Here's all we know.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-not-something-we-d-be-happy-with-us-warns-russia-against-getting-involved-in-iran-war-amid-intel-sharing-allegations-1773191720629">'Not something we'd be happy with': US warns Russia against getting 'involved' in Iran war amid intel sharing allegations</a><h2>Putin offers help securing Iranian uranium</h2>Reports suggest that Iran has around 450 kilogrammes of 60 per cent enriched uranium, which could be converted to weapons-grade uranium within weeks. This amount of radioactive material is enough for more than 10 bombs.Citing sources, Axios reports that Trump is yet to take up Putin on his offer to move the alleged nuclear-grade uranium to Russia. A source told the publication that, "This is not the first time it was offered," but added that, "it hasn't been accepted. The U.S. position is we need to see the uranium secured."Russia reportedly made a similar offer in May 2025, before the US and Israel launched strikes against Iranian facilities. The same was also proposed before the launch of the current "pre-emptive" strikes under the US's Operation Epic Fury and Israel's Operation Lion's Roar.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-scared-and-disfigured-us-claims-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-injured-in-chaotic-strike-1773438327145">'Scared and disfigured': US claims Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei injured in 'chaotic' strike</a><h2>Why hasn't Trump accepted the offer?</h2>The US official noted that the US President "talks to everyone — Xi, Putin, the Europeans — and he's always willing to make a deal". However, he added that it has to be a good deal, as the "president doesn't make bad deals".This comes amid reports that the US and Israel were considering putting boots on the ground in Iran. The two nations are believed to have discussed sending special forces into Iran to secure the nation's nuclear stockpile in the later stages of the US-Israel-Iran war in West Asia.On Friday, Trump's Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, insisted that US "has a range of options" to take control of Iran's highly enriched uranium. He said that one option was that Tehran submit the stockpile voluntarily. "They weren't willing to do that in negotiations. I would never tell this group or the world what we're willing to do or how far we're willing to go — but we have options, for sure," he added.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US President Donald Trump has turned down a proposal from Vladimir Putin to transfer Iran’s 450kg stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to Russia to end the ongoing conflict, suggest reports. All we know.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed moving Iran's enriched uranium to his country, according to reports. This offer was made during his call with US President Donald Trump this week, reports Axios. Speaking to the publication, a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that this was not the first time Russia had made this offer. Notably, the ongoing war between the US, Israel and Iran started amid Washington's claims that Tehran had enriched uranium to weapon-grade. Why didn't Trump accept Putin's proposal even as the US insists that securing Iran's uranium stockpile remains a priority? Here's all we know. Also read | 'Not something we'd be happy with': US warns Russia against getting 'involved' in Iran war amid intel sharing allegations Putin offers help securing Iranian uranium Reports suggest that Iran has around 450 kilogrammes of 60 per cent enriched uranium, which could be converted to weapons-grade uranium within weeks. This amount of radioactive material is enough for more than 10 bombs. Citing sources, Axios reports that Trump is yet to take up Putin on his offer to move the alleged nuclear-grade uranium to Russia. A source told the publication that, "This is not the first time it was offered," but added that, "it hasn't been accepted. The U.S. position is we need to see the uranium secured." Russia reportedly made a similar offer in May 2025, before the US and Israel launched strikes against Iranian facilities. The same was also proposed before the launch of the current "pre-emptive" strikes under the US's Operation Epic Fury and Israel's Operation Lion's Roar. Also read | 'Scared and disfigured': US claims Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei injured in 'chaotic' strike Why hasn't Trump accepted the offer? The US official noted that the US President "talks to everyone — Xi, Putin, the Europeans — and he's always willing to make a deal". However, he added that it has to be a good deal, as the "president doesn't make bad deals". This comes amid reports that the US and Israel were considering putting boots on the ground in Iran. The two nations are believed to have discussed sending special forces into Iran to secure the nation's nuclear stockpile in the later stages of the US-Israel-Iran war in West Asia. On Friday, Trump's Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, insisted that US "has a range of options" to take control of Iran's highly enriched uranium. He said that one option was that Tehran submit the stockpile voluntarily. "They weren't willing to do that in negotiations. I would never tell this group or the world what we're willing to do or how far we're willing to go — but we have options, for sure," he added. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

US President Donald Trump has turned down a proposal from Vladimir Putin to transfer Iran’s 450kg stockpile of 60% enriched uranium to Russia to end the ongoing conflict, suggest reports. All we know.

Did Trump snub Putin’s plan to transfer Iran's 450kg nuclear material to Russia? Here's what reports suggest

The global oil market is facing its most severe supply disruption ever, drawing comparisons to the 1973 oil crisis. That year, Middle Eastern oil producers imposed an embargo on the United States and several other nations that supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The move caused gasoline prices to soar and triggered widespread shortages. In response, President Richard Nixon introduced emergency measures to reduce fuel consumption. Gas stations rationed gasoline, long lines formed across the country, and governments worldwide implemented strict policies to conserve energy. Some European nations even banned driving on Sundays, while Japan declared a state of emergency due to its dependence on imported oil.&nbsp;Today’s crisis, triggered by the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, is threatening an even larger share of global oil supplies. Iranian attacks on energy shipping routes and infrastructure have disrupted production and transportation across the Persian Gulf. Experts say nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply is now at risk, compared with about 7 per cent during the 1973 embargo. Because the conflict shows no clear path to resolution, the disruption could persist and have more severe economic consequences.&nbsp;Unlike in 1973, the United States now produces large amounts of oil domestically and relies less on Middle Eastern imports. However, global markets remain interconnected. Asian economies such as China and India depend heavily on Gulf oil, increasing competition for remaining supplies. The impact is already visible. International crude oil prices have surged toward $100 per barrel, while gasoline prices in the United States have risen more than 20 per cent since the conflict began. Prices for diesel, jet fuel, and natural gas are climbing even faster.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-u-turn-now-begging-countries-including-india-to-buy-russian-crude-claims-iran-1773434137134">White House U-Turn: Now ‘begging’ countries, including India, to buy Russian crude, claims Iran</a>&nbsp;Research firm S&amp;P Global Energy estimates that the war has already removed about 17 million barrels per day of oil and refined products from global markets, roughly equal to most of the Persian Gulf’s previous exports. Analysts say no previous crisis has disrupted this scale. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also described the situation as the largest supply shock in the history of the global oil market. If shipping routes remain blocked, supply shortages could worsen and push prices to record highs.&nbsp;The Trump administration has attempted to ease pressure by releasing oil from strategic reserves and lifting sanctions on Russian exports, but these measures have not significantly lowered prices so far. Despite the severity of the disruption, the world is better prepared than it was in the 1970s. Energy efficiency has improved dramatically, oil stockpiles are much larger, and renewable energy sources such as solar power play a greater role in the global energy mix. One major outcome of the 1973 crisis was the creation of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which can store up to 714 million barrels of oil.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-to-deploy-more-marines-to-secure-strait-of-hormuz-amid-rising-tensions-wion-1773439195517/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-to-deploy-more-marines-to-secure-strait-of-hormuz-amid-rising-tensions-wion-1773439195517/embed</a>&nbsp;Across the 32 member countries of the IEA, emergency reserves total about 1.2 billion barrels, while China holds another 1.2 billion barrels. This week, IEA members agreed to release 400 million barrels from these reserves, the largest coordinated release in history. The United States alone will release 172 million barrels over four months starting next week. However, strategic reserves contain crude oil rather than refined products like gasoline or jet fuel. As a result, releasing reserves may not directly relieve shortages in those fuels if refining capacity becomes strained.&nbsp;Even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon, analysts warn that oil prices may remain elevated. The longer the conflict continues, the greater the risk of lasting economic damage, including inflation, slower growth, and instability in the global market.&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.

A historic oil supply disruption is shaking global markets. Here’s why experts say this crisis could be worse than the 1973 oil embargo.

The global oil market is facing its most severe supply disruption ever, drawing comparisons to the 1973 oil crisis. That year, Middle Eastern oil producers imposed an embargo on the United States and several other nations that supported Israel during the Yom Kippur War. The move caused gasoline prices to soar and triggered widespread shortages. In response, President Richard Nixon introduced emergency measures to reduce fuel consumption. Gas stations rationed gasoline, long lines formed across the country, and governments worldwide implemented strict policies to conserve energy. Some European nations even banned driving on Sundays, while Japan declared a state of emergency due to its dependence on imported oil. Today’s crisis, triggered by the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, is threatening an even larger share of global oil supplies. Iranian attacks on energy shipping routes and infrastructure have disrupted production and transportation across the Persian Gulf. Experts say nearly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply is now at risk, compared with about 7 per cent during the 1973 embargo. Because the conflict shows no clear path to resolution, the disruption could persist and have more severe economic consequences. Unlike in 1973, the United States now produces large amounts of oil domestically and relies less on Middle Eastern imports. However, global markets remain interconnected. Asian economies such as China and India depend heavily on Gulf oil, increasing competition for remaining supplies. The impact is already visible. International crude oil prices have surged toward $100 per barrel, while gasoline prices in the United States have risen more than 20 per cent since the conflict began. Prices for diesel, jet fuel, and natural gas are climbing even faster. Also Read: White House U-Turn: Now ‘begging’ countries, including India, to buy Russian crude, claims Iran Research firm S&P Global Energy estimates that the war has already removed about 17 million barrels per day of oil and refined products from global markets, roughly equal to most of the Persian Gulf’s previous exports. Analysts say no previous crisis has disrupted this scale. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also described the situation as the largest supply shock in the history of the global oil market. If shipping routes remain blocked, supply shortages could worsen and push prices to record highs. The Trump administration has attempted to ease pressure by releasing oil from strategic reserves and lifting sanctions on Russian exports, but these measures have not significantly lowered prices so far. Despite the severity of the disruption, the world is better prepared than it was in the 1970s. Energy efficiency has improved dramatically, oil stockpiles are much larger, and renewable energy sources such as solar power play a greater role in the global energy mix. One major outcome of the 1973 crisis was the creation of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which can store up to 714 million barrels of oil. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-to-deploy-more-marines-to-secure-strait-of-hormuz-amid-rising-tensions-wion-1773439195517/embed Across the 32 member countries of the IEA, emergency reserves total about 1.2 billion barrels, while China holds another 1.2 billion barrels. This week, IEA members agreed to release 400 million barrels from these reserves, the largest coordinated release in history. The United States alone will release 172 million barrels over four months starting next week. However, strategic reserves contain crude oil rather than refined products like gasoline or jet fuel. As a result, releasing reserves may not directly relieve shortages in those fuels if refining capacity becomes strained. Even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon, analysts warn that oil prices may remain elevated. The longer the conflict continues, the greater the risk of lasting economic damage, including inflation, slower growth, and instability in the global market. 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.

War-linked disruptions in the Persian Gulf threaten nearly 20% of global oil supply, making it the largest oil shock in history and pushing energy prices higher

The biggest oil shock in history is unfolding — and it’s worse than 1973

Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Iranian Supreme Leader, was injured in a "chaotic environment" and is "likely disfigured", said the United States on Friday (Mar 13). However, speaking to the press, US Vice President JD Vance confessed that it was "not totally clear" if the new Ayatollah was injured by a US strike. Meanwhile, America's Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, while questioning Ali Khamenei's son's ability to rule Iran, said that Mojtaba was "wounded and likely disfigured". This comes just two days after Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, confirmed that the newly appointed Supreme Leader had sustained injuries in the Iran war, but insisted that he was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-news-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-safe-and-sound-despite-war-injuries-says-president-pezeshkian-s-son-1773210931273">"safe and sound"</a>. Here's all we know about Mojtaba Khamenei's condition.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-news-iran-s-new-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-safe-and-sound-despite-war-injuries-says-president-pezeshkian-s-son-1773210931273">Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son</a><h2>Iranian Supreme Leader "likely disfigured"?</h2>During a press briefing on Friday, US Defense Secretary noted that a statement released by Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday had "no voice and there was no video. It was a written statement."This, he said, was because the "new so-called, not so supreme, leader is wounded and likely disfigured." Hegseth said Khamenei lacks "legitimacy" and was running scared.&nbsp;“He put out a statement yesterday. A weak one, actually, but there was no voice, and there was no video. It was a written statement,” said Hegseth. "Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father — dead. He's scared, he's injured, he's on the run and he lacks legitimacy," he added.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-s-huge-mistake-was-the-north-korean-embassy-in-tehran-hit-by-an-israeli-missile-here-s-the-truth-fact-check-1773298739599">Israel's 'huge mistake' amid Iran war: Did Tel Aviv attack North Korea's embassy in Tehran? Here’s the truth | Fact Check</a><h2>How was Mojtaba Khamenei injured?</h2>According to US VP Vance, Iran's Supreme Leader had been injured in a "chaotic environment," but it remains unclear whether the wounds were caused by a US or an Israeli airstrike."It's not totally clear, actually," Vance told reporters. "You have the Israelis striking, you have obviously the United States striking a number of targets. So we know that he's hurt. We don't know exactly how bad, but we know that he's hurt."&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.

The US government has claimed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is "likely disfigured" and currently in hiding. US Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that Khamenei’s recent address was a text-only statement with no audio or video proof of life.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Iranian Supreme Leader, was injured in a "chaotic environment" and is "likely disfigured", said the United States on Friday (Mar 13). However, speaking to the press, US Vice President JD Vance confessed that it was "not totally clear" if the new Ayatollah was injured by a US strike. Meanwhile, America's Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, while questioning Ali Khamenei's son's ability to rule Iran, said that Mojtaba was "wounded and likely disfigured". This comes just two days after Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, confirmed that the newly appointed Supreme Leader had sustained injuries in the Iran war, but insisted that he was "safe and sound". Here's all we know about Mojtaba Khamenei's condition. Also read | Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘safe and sound’ despite war injuries, says President Pezeshkian's son Iranian Supreme Leader "likely disfigured"? During a press briefing on Friday, US Defense Secretary noted that a statement released by Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday had "no voice and there was no video. It was a written statement." This, he said, was because the "new so-called, not so supreme, leader is wounded and likely disfigured." Hegseth said Khamenei lacks "legitimacy" and was running scared. “He put out a statement yesterday. A weak one, actually, but there was no voice, and there was no video. It was a written statement,” said Hegseth. "Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father — dead. He's scared, he's injured, he's on the run and he lacks legitimacy," he added. Also read | Israel's 'huge mistake' amid Iran war: Did Tel Aviv attack North Korea's embassy in Tehran? Here’s the truth | Fact Check How was Mojtaba Khamenei injured? According to US VP Vance, Iran's Supreme Leader had been injured in a "chaotic environment," but it remains unclear whether the wounds were caused by a US or an Israeli airstrike. "It's not totally clear, actually," Vance told reporters. "You have the Israelis striking, you have obviously the United States striking a number of targets. So we know that he's hurt. We don't know exactly how bad, but we know that he's hurt." Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

The US government has claimed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is "likely disfigured" and currently in hiding. US Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that Khamenei’s recent address was a text-only statement with no audio or video proof of life.

'Scared and disfigured': US claims Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei injured in 'chaotic' strike

Iran has accused the United States of reversing its stance on Russian oil, claiming Washington is now encouraging countries, including India, to purchase Russian crude after months of pressure to curb such imports. The comments came from Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who said the shift reflected a dramatic change in US policy following the outbreak of war involving Iran and rising instability in the Middle East energy market.&nbsp;According to Araghchi, the White House had spent months pressuring India and other countries to scale back purchases of Russian oil after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. But the disruption caused by the conflict involving Iran, including the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has forced a rethink in Washington as global energy markets tighten. He said the US position had quickly shifted as oil supplies from the Gulf were threatened and global prices surged. “Europe thought backing the illegal war on Iran would win US support against Russia. Pathetic.”&nbsp;The comments come as Russia emerges as one of the biggest economic beneficiaries of the turmoil in the Middle East. The disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has sharply increased demand for Russian crude from Asian buyers, particularly India and China. Analysts say Moscow is now earning tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue each day as prices rise and demand shifts.<h2>Here's what Iran's FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi said</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The U.S. spent months on bullying India into ending oil imports from Russia. After two weeks of war with Iran, White House is now begging the world—incl India—to buy Russian crude. Europe thought backing illegal war on Iran would win U.S. support against Russia. Pathetic. <a href="https://t.co/fbkrXpXa9P">pic.twitter.com/fbkrXpXa9P</a>&mdash; Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/2032544442503045126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Russia has so far earned an estimated $1.3bn to $1.9bn in windfall revenues from taxes on oil exports in the first days of the crisis. That gain has been driven by higher prices for Russia’s Urals crude and stronger demand from Asian markets. Industry data indicates Russian oil is now trading roughly $20–$30 per barrel above its average price in the previous three months. Some shipments to India are reportedly being sold at a premium compared with Brent crude, a reversal from the discounts that Russian oil previously offered.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-a-big-hurdle-for-iranians-without-weapons-to-challenge-regime-trump-1773432772191">‘A big hurdle for Iranians without weapons to challenge regime': Trump</a>&nbsp;Energy analysts say the situation has given Moscow an unexpected financial boost after a difficult start to the year. Revenues from energy taxes had fallen sharply in early 2026, pushing Russia’s budget deficit to more than 90 per cent of the level projected for the full year. However, higher oil prices could quickly ease that pressure. “If the current shipment schedules, market intelligence, and cargo movements continue, total Russian crude arrivals for the full month could reach close to 2 million barrels per day,” said Sumit Ritolia, a lead analyst at Kpler in New Delhi, as quoted in an interview. “Russia is the big winner of this conflict,” he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;Analysts say the surge in prices could generate significant additional income for Moscow’s budget. Every $10 increase in the average monthly price per barrel of oil generates an additional $2.8bn in revenue for Russian oil exporters, of which the state receives about $1.63bn through taxation. “Roughly calculated, that equates to $54mn extra a day in budget revenues.” Some analysts believe Russia could earn between $3.3bn and $5bn in additional state revenues by the end of the month if current prices persist.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/jd-vance-says-kristi-noem-has-great-opportunity-in-new-shields-of-america-role-wion-1773432891942/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/jd-vance-says-kristi-noem-has-great-opportunity-in-new-shields-of-america-role-wion-1773432891942/embed</a>&nbsp;Much will depend on how long the Middle East crisis continues and whether energy flows from the Gulf remain disrupted. “Russia is the big winner of this conflict.” At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested global energy markets may be entering “a new pricing reality” and floated the possibility of resuming energy exports to Europe. Analysts say Russia could also increase oil production if prices remain high.&nbsp;&nbsp;The country is currently producing about 300,000 barrels per day below its quota under the OPEC+ agreement. However, whether Moscow can fully capitalise on the situation will depend largely on how the United States handles sanctions on Russian energy exports while the war in Ukraine continues.&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.

White House U-Turn: Now ‘begging’ countries, including India, to buy Russian crude, claims Iran

Iran has accused the United States of reversing its stance on Russian oil, claiming Washington is now encouraging countries, including India, to purchase Russian crude after months of pressure to curb such imports. The comments came from Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who said the shift reflected a dramatic change in US policy following the outbreak of war involving Iran and rising instability in the Middle East energy market. According to Araghchi, the White House had spent months pressuring India and other countries to scale back purchases of Russian oil after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. But the disruption caused by the conflict involving Iran, including the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has forced a rethink in Washington as global energy markets tighten. He said the US position had quickly shifted as oil supplies from the Gulf were threatened and global prices surged. “Europe thought backing the illegal war on Iran would win US support against Russia. Pathetic.” The comments come as Russia emerges as one of the biggest economic beneficiaries of the turmoil in the Middle East. The disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has sharply increased demand for Russian crude from Asian buyers, particularly India and China. Analysts say Moscow is now earning tens of millions of dollars in additional revenue each day as prices rise and demand shifts. Here's what Iran's FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi said

Iran claims that the US is now urging countries, including India, to buy Russian oil after months of pressure, as the Middle East conflict boosts Moscow’s energy revenues

US President Donald Trump initially encouraged Iranians protesting their government with a bold message: “HELP IS ON ITS WAY.” When announcing the opening strikes on February 28, he urged the Iranian public to seize control of their country. “When we are finished, take over your government,” Trump said. “It will be yours to take.” However, in a radio interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Friday (March 13), Trump acknowledged that such an uprising would face serious obstacles. He noted that the Basij militia, a plainclothes force affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, would likely respond violently to any mass protests.&nbsp;“You just mentioned to me a group of people that go around with machine guns and shoot them down, and they say, ‘Anybody protests, we’re going to kill you in the streets.’ So I really think that’s a big hurdle to climb for people that don’t have weapons,” Trump said. “I think it’s a very big hurdle,” he continued. “So that’ll happen, but it probably will be, maybe not immediately. Who’s going to do that? They literally have people in the streets with machine guns, machine gunning people down if they want to protest. OK?”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-us-sending-2-200-marines-and-3-warships-to-middle-east-amid-iran-shipping-attacks-here-s-what-reports-say-1773423747216">Is US sending 2,200 Marines and 3 warships to Middle East amid Iran shipping attacks? Here's what reports say</a>&nbsp;The comments marked a shift from Trump’s earlier rhetoric, when he predicted a rapid victory and suggested a hopeful future for Iran following US military action. After the airstrike that killed Iran’s longtime leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the conflict, Trump offered varying ideas about how a new government might emerge. In a brief interview with The New York Times on Sunday, he said he hoped Iran’s elite forces, including officers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, might eventually surrender their weapons to the public.&nbsp;But in the later radio interview, two weeks into the war, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s leadership remains deeply entrenched and unlikely to collapse quickly under public pressure. “These are bad people. They go out shooting protesters. You’re a protester. They shoot you right through the head,” he said. Trump also noted that both he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu understood why many Iranians might hesitate to protest.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iran-hits-back-at-pete-hegseth-s-rats-remark-with-epstein-island-jibe-wion-1773432002858/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iran-hits-back-at-pete-hegseth-s-rats-remark-with-epstein-island-jibe-wion-1773432002858/embed</a>&nbsp;The Basij militia, estimated to have around one million members, has long been central to suppressing dissent and played a major role in the violent crackdown on nationwide protests that began in January and reportedly left thousands dead. Trump also claimed that Iran now has “virtually no military left.” Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Netanyahu also expressed uncertainty about whether internal protests could actually topple the Iranian government. “We are creating the optimal conditions for toppling the regime,” he said, “but I won’t deny that I can’t tell you with all certainty that the people of Iran will topple the regime, a regime is toppled from the inside.”&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.

‘A big hurdle for Iranians without weapons to challenge regime': Trump

US President Donald Trump initially encouraged Iranians protesting their government with a bold message: “HELP IS ON ITS WAY.” When announcing the opening strikes on February 28, he urged the Iranian public to seize control of their country. “When we are finished, take over your government,” Trump said. “It will be yours to take.” However, in a radio interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Friday (March 13), Trump acknowledged that such an uprising would face serious obstacles. He noted that the Basij militia, a plainclothes force affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, would likely respond violently to any mass protests. “You just mentioned to me a group of people that go around with machine guns and shoot them down, and they say, ‘Anybody protests, we’re going to kill you in the streets.’ So I really think that’s a big hurdle to climb for people that don’t have weapons,” Trump said. “I think it’s a very big hurdle,” he continued. “So that’ll happen, but it probably will be, maybe not immediately. Who’s going to do that? They literally have people in the streets with machine guns, machine gunning people down if they want to protest. OK?” Also Read: Is US sending 2,200 Marines and 3 warships to Middle East amid Iran shipping attacks? Here's what reports say The comments marked a shift from Trump’s earlier rhetoric, when he predicted a rapid victory and suggested a hopeful future for Iran following US military action. After the airstrike that killed Iran’s longtime leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the conflict, Trump offered varying ideas about how a new government might emerge. In a brief interview with The New York Times on Sunday, he said he hoped Iran’s elite forces, including officers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, might eventually surrender their weapons to the public. But in the later radio interview, two weeks into the war, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s leadership remains deeply entrenched and unlikely to collapse quickly under public pressure. “These are bad people. They go out shooting protesters. You’re a protester. They shoot you right through the head,” he said. Trump also noted that both he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu understood why many Iranians might hesitate to protest. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iran-hits-back-at-pete-hegseth-s-rats-remark-with-epstein-island-jibe-wion-1773432002858/embed The Basij militia, estimated to have around one million members, has long been central to suppressing dissent and played a major role in the violent crackdown on nationwide protests that began in January and reportedly left thousands dead. Trump also claimed that Iran now has “virtually no military left.” Speaking at a news conference Thursday, Netanyahu also expressed uncertainty about whether internal protests could actually topple the Iranian government. “We are creating the optimal conditions for toppling the regime,” he said, “but I won’t deny that I can’t tell you with all certainty that the people of Iran will topple the regime, a regime is toppled from the inside.” 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.

Trump admits Iranian uprising is difficult due to Basij crackdown, saying protesters risk being ‘machine gunned’ despite earlier calls to rise up

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