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By Amanda Castro, Matthew Robinson, Brendan Cole, John Feng, and Peter Aitken

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Israel launched a new round of strikes on central Beirut and Tehran Thursday evening, escalating a conflict already reverberating across the region. The attacks hit areas once considered relatively insulated from the fighting, deepening fears of a widening war as Iran’s new supreme leader vowed continued retaliation.

What To Know On Day 13

• Israeli strikes sent smoke over central Beirut, just yards from government buildings, and triggered air‑defense systems across Tehran.
• Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to keep blocking the Strait of Hormuz and avenge “the blood of the martyrs.”
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is creating conditions that could weaken Iran’s regime, but emphasized that regime change must come from within.
• Netanyahu said he speaks with President Trump almost daily as the conflict intensifies.
• The bombardment of Beirut hit areas near schools, restaurants, and residential neighborhoods, raising fears that the war is expanding deeper into the capital.
• Displaced Lebanese civilians say they no longer feel any part of the city is safe.
• Two oil tankers were attacked off Iraq’s coast earlier Thursday, prompting Iraq and Oman to close terminals and sending oil prices higher.
• Russia announced its first aid shipment to Iran since the U.S.-Israeli strikes began, delivering more than 13 metric tons of medicine.
• Lebanon’s prime minister warned the country must not become a battleground for outside powers.
• Iran told the U.N. that more than 1,348 civilians have been killed; Lebanese officials report over 680 deaths and 800,000 displaced, including nearly 100 children.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for attacking one of the tankers, saying the ship ignored warnings.
• The U.S. energy secretary said the Navy may begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz by the month’s end.

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Mar 12, 2026 at 08:05 PM EDT

Exiled opposition figure warns Iranians to avoid streets as ‘final phase’ nears

An exiled Iranian opposition leader issued a stark new message urging citizens to stay away from public spaces as he claimed the country is approaching the “final phase” of its struggle against the Islamic Republic.

In the statement, shared in Persian, he told Iranians that “critical and fateful days lie ahead” and instructed supporters not to take to the streets or approach government buildings, military sites, police stations, or locations used by regime‑aligned groups. He warned that authorities are using schools, mosques and other public places to hide security forces and create human shields.

He also directed a pointed appeal to government employees, urging them to stay home and refuse to participate in state operations. “Do not sacrifice your lives and safety for the survival of the Islamic Republic,” he said, calling on workers to use their access to “disrupt the repressive process and assist the people.”

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Mar 12, 2026 at 07:51 PM EDT

China’s latest social-media trend is mocking Trump’s White House prayer

The prayer circle that President Donald Trump hosted in the White House as the Iran war unfolded has become a source of mockery on social media in China.

Last week, a Trump adviser released footage of faith leaders gathered around the president, during prayer. Many of the pastors in attendance could be seen touching Trump during the sermon. The moment has seen been lampooned countless times in the Far East, becoming a meme shared among workers.

The fact this prayer is now seemingly the source of a widespread social-media lampoon could irk the Trump administration, especially as it is coming out of China, with tensions continuing to gently simmer between the Eastern and Western superpowers as events in Iran continue to unfold.

Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.

An X user posting under the handle @Eivor_Koy shared several screenshots purporting to show business leaders in China recreating the prayer circle, claiming it has become a "social media trend" in the Far East.

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Read more here.

Mar 12, 2026 at 07:38 PM EDT

Russia, China push back as U.S. and allies warn Iran’s nuclear stockpile has no civilian justification

A heated debate erupted at the U.N. Security Council as Russia and China clashed with the United States and its European allies over Iran’s rapidly expanding nuclear program.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said Iran is the only non‑nuclear‑armed nation producing and stockpiling uranium enriched to 60 percent, a level just short of weapons‑grade. The United Kingdom’s acting ambassador, James Kariuki, added that Iran’s more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium has “no credible civilian justification,” arguing the stockpile undermines confidence in Tehran’s claims of peaceful intent and triggered the snapback of U.N. sanctions last September.

Russia and China sharply rejected those assessments. Moscow’s ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, accused the U.S. and its partners of manufacturing “hysteria” to justify “yet another military venture against Tehran,” warning that such rhetoric risks further escalation.

China’s ambassador, Fu Cong, echoed that view, saying Iran has repeatedly stated it does not seek nuclear weapons and that its “sincerity should be taken seriously.”

Mar 12, 2026 at 07:24 PM EDT

U.S. organizes nearly 50 evacuation flights from Middle East, State Department says

The Trump administration has carried out close to 50 evacuation flights to bring U.S. citizens home from the Middle East since the war with Iran began, a State Department official said Thursday.

“By the end of today, we’ll have completed approximately four dozen flights and safely evacuated thousands of Americans,” the official told reporters on background. Demand for the flights has begun to decline, they added.

The department faced criticism in the early days of the conflict for what some saw as slow preparation to relocate diplomats and assist citizens stranded after Iranian strikes triggered widespread airspace closures and flight cancellations across the region.

Mar 12, 2026 at 07:10 PM EDT

US continues to destroy Iran’s minelaying capacity as crucial waterway remains closed

The U.S. military said Thursday that American forces have now struck more than 6,000 targets since the operation against Iran began Feb. 28, including 30-plus minelaying vessels. It's aiming to prevent Iranian threats from closing oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The war in Iran has ground tanker traffic through the chokepoint to a halt and oil prices have been swinging sharply. The Islamic Republic vowed to prevent "even a single liter' of oil from reaching its enemies and their allies.

By The Associated Press

Mar 12, 2026 at 06:57 PM EDT

Florida gas prices jump more than 80 cents since start of Iran conflict

Florida drivers are facing some of the steepest fuel price increases in the country, with average gas prices up more than 80 cents per gallon since the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, according to new data from AAA. The statewide average has now climbed well above $3, a level not seen since December.

The surge mirrors a nationwide trend driven by soaring crude oil prices. The U.S. average hit $3.598 on Thursday, its highest point since May 2024 and up sharply from $2.984 on the day the conflict began. Global oil markets have been rattled by attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that normally carries one‑fifth of the world’s oil. Shipping disruptions and rising insurance costs have pushed crude above $100 per barrel this week.

Florida’s increase is among the most dramatic. The state’s average reached $3.718 on Thursday, up from $3.241 a week earlier. Monroe County posted the highest prices at $3.967, followed by Union and Palm Beach counties.

Analysts say Florida’s volatility is partly due to its participation in “price cycling,” a pattern in which prices spike, fall gradually, then reset sharply higher. GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan called the recent movement “unprecedented,” noting four separate price cycles in a single week — a rarity in markets that typically cycle once every 7–12 days.

Florida’s location on the Gulf Coast also plays a role. Fuel produced there can be exported easily, meaning local buyers must compete with higher‑paying international markets when global prices surge.

President Donald Trump has downplayed the spike, telling Reuters he expects prices to fall quickly once the conflict eases. But most energy experts warn that as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains unstable, upward pressure on gas prices is likely to continue.

Mar 12, 2026 at 06:43 PM EDT

UAE allows re-entry for residents with expired permits through March 31

The United Arab Emirates will allow residents whose visas expired while they were outside the country to return without obtaining a new entry permit, the government announced Thursday.

According to a statement from the UAE Media Office, the policy applies to anyone whose residency lapsed while abroad and is valid from February 28 through March 31, 2026. The measure is being implemented by the country’s Identity and Citizenship authority.

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Mar 12, 2026 at 06:29 PM EDT

Trump weighs Jones Act waivers as gas prices surge during Iran conflict

President Donald Trump is considering issuing temporary waivers of the Jones Act as his administration searches for ways to ease rising gas prices amid the widening war with Iran.

“In the interest of national defense, the White House is considering waiving the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to U.S. ports. This action has not been finalized,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Newsweek.

The potential move comes as the U.S. and Israel continue Operation Epic Fury, the joint military campaign launched on February 28 after failed nuclear talks with Tehran. The strikes have killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and seven U.S. service members have died in the conflict. The war has driven oil prices sharply higher, adding economic strain for Americans already grappling with elevated living costs and injecting new political pressure ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Reports from Bloomberg and Reuters say the administration is preparing 30‑day waivers that would allow foreign tankers to move fuel between U.S. ports, a workaround to the 1920 Jones Act, which requires domestic shipments to use U.S.-built, U.S.-owned and U.S.-crewed vessels. Supporters say the law protects national security and maritime jobs; critics argue it inflates shipping costs, especially for states and territories reliant on sea transport.

Oil prices briefly surged above $100 per barrel this week before easing to around $91. The administration has announced plans to release 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, while the International Energy Agency is coordinating a historic 400‑million‑barrel emergency release to stabilize markets.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he expects gas prices to fall again soon, calling the current spike a matter of weeks rather than months.

The conflict has also intensified concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly one‑fifth of global oil and a major route for liquefied natural gas. Iranian threats, drone and missile attacks, and U.S. strikes on suspected minelayers have sharply reduced commercial traffic, driving up insurance costs and adding further volatility to global markets.

As the administration weighs its next steps, motorists are already feeling the impact. AAA reported a 35‑cent jump in the national average for gasoline over the past week, with demand rising as spring travel begins and crude prices remain elevated.

Mar 12, 2026 at 06:15 PM EDT

‘It’s complicated’: US Navy’s huge challenge to open up strait of Hormuz

Iran is fighting back in the war by striking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important commercial waterways in the world.

In vowing to not let a “single liter of oil” pass through to the U.S or its allies, Iran has attacked at least 20 vessels, effectively shutting down the shipping lane for 12 days and counting. Pictures of tankers on fire have sent oil prices skyrocketing.

President Trump has downplayed the market losses; promising that the U.S. could re-open the strait soon, perhaps by sending a naval escort or destroying Iran’s weapons.

On Tuesday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright even claimed, falsely, that a U.S. naval ship had accompanied a tanker through the strait.

But on Thursday he was forced to admit that the U.S. was "simply not ready" to offer protection to ships.

A U.S. escort program could "happen relatively soon but it can’t happen now," he told CNBC.

For a world increasingly feeling the pain of blocked oil and gas supplies however, U.S action is needed soon. That is if the U.S. can take any measures.

Read more here.

Mar 12, 2026 at 06:02 PM EDT

Ayatollah title carries deep religious weight — and growing political use in Iran

“Ayatollah,” meaning sign of God in Arabic, is a senior clerical rank in Twelver Shiite Islam, typically granted to scholars who have spent decades immersed in Islamic law, theology and teaching. Those who hold the title are generally recognized as mujtahids, jurists qualified to issue independent religious rulings.

Although the title is fundamentally religious, it has become tightly bound to political authority in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, where the supreme leader is expected to possess high‑level scholarly credentials. Shiite Islam is the state religion, followed by the vast majority of Iranians, giving clerical rank significant public weight.

In recent years, Iranian state-linked institutions increasingly referred to Mojtaba Khamenei as an ayatollah, a shift widely seen as an effort to bolster his religious standing ahead of succession. Before taking power after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he was commonly known as a hojatoleslam, a lower clerical rank.

Under Iran’s constitution, the supreme leader must be a senior Islamic jurist, and elevating Mojtaba’s status is viewed by analysts as a move to strengthen the religious legitimacy required for the role. The approach echoes 1989, when Ali Khamenei’s own clerical rank was elevated as he assumed leadership despite debate over his scholarly qualifications.

Mojtaba Khamenei has never held elected office, but he has long been seen by critics and some analysts as an influential behind‑the‑scenes figure with close ties to Iran’s security establishment — a profile that has made his rise both consequential and contentious.

Mar 12, 2026 at 06:00 PM EDT

CENTCOM confirms loss of U.S. KC-135 over Iraq during Operation epic Fury

U.S. Central Command said Thursday that a KC‑135 refueling aircraft was lost over western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury, with rescue efforts underway. The incident involved two aircraft, according to CENTCOM; one tanker went down, while the second was able to land safely.

Military officials stressed that the loss was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, and that additional details would be released once investigators gather more information.

CENTCOM urged patience as crews work to account for those involved and provide clarity to the families of service members affected by the crash.

Mar 12, 2026 at 05:48 PM EDT

WATCH: Russia is raking in billions because of Trump’s Iran war

Mar 12, 2026 at 05:35 PM EDT

White House considers waiving Jones Act requirements during Iran war

The 1920s law is often blamed for making gas more expensive. It requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be moved on U.S.-flagged vessels, and is designed to protect the American shipbuilding sector.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that temporarily waiving the requirement could “ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to U.S. ports.” The action has not been finalized, she said.

By The Associated Press

Mar 12, 2026 at 05:22 PM EDT

TotalEnergies says Middle East shutdowns will cut output by 15%

French energy giant TotalEnergies said Thursday it expects to lose about 15 percent of its global production as it shuts down operations across parts of the Middle East due to the widening conflict.

In a statement to investors, the company said it has already halted — or is in the process of halting — production in Qatar, Iraq and offshore United Arab Emirates, citing security risks and regional instability.

Despite the scale of the shutdowns, TotalEnergies said the surge in global oil prices triggered by the crisis is likely to more than compensate for the lost output. The company noted that higher prices are boosting revenue even as operations in key producing regions are forced offline.

Mar 12, 2026 at 05:21 PM EDT

Temple Israel says all students and staff safe after attack

Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, told its community Thursday that all students, teachers, staff members, and security personnel were safe after a gunman rammed a vehicle into the building and was stopped by security.

In a message posted to the synagogue’s page, leaders said all 140 children in the Susan and Harold Loss Early Childhood Center were accounted for. They credited teachers for keeping students calm and praised security officers who confronted and neutralized the attacker.

The synagogue also thanked law enforcement and the nearby Shenendoah Country Club, which provided food and shelter for children, staff, and families during the emergency.

Temple Israel said it shared the update before knowing how upcoming programs or services would be affected, emphasizing that its priority was assuring families that “we are safe, and we love you all.”

Mar 12, 2026 at 05:08 PM EDT

Russia sends first publicly announced aid shipment to Iran since strikes began

Russia has delivered more than 13 metric tons of medicine to Iran as civilian needs surge amid the ongoing U.S.–Israeli military campaign, the country’s Emergency Situations Ministry said Thursday. The shipment was ordered directly by President Vladimir Putin, marking Moscow’s first publicly announced aid delivery to Iran since the strikes began.

According to the ministry, the supplies were flown aboard an IL‑76 transport aircraft to Azerbaijan, where they were handed over to Iranian officials for overland transport into the country. The operation underscores Russia’s effort to position itself as a key supporter of Tehran while the conflict continues to strain Iran’s medical system.

Mar 12, 2026 at 04:54 PM EDT

Former Secretary Kerry warns Iran war has triggered one of the worst energy shocks in decades

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday that the global energy turmoil unleashed by the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran ranks among the most severe crises the world has faced in decades. Speaking at the Sustainable Markets Initiative summit in London, Kerry called the situation “very dangerous” and urged a rapid return to diplomacy to prevent the conflict from spiraling further.

Kerry warned that soaring energy prices will ripple through economies worldwide if the crisis continues, noting that Iran is capable of prolonging the conflict through asymmetric tactics. Drawing on his experience negotiating the 2015 nuclear deal, he said Tehran has repeatedly shown it can wage unconventional warfare that inflicts long‑term strain.

His comments came just before Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, declared that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed — a move that threatens a route normally carrying about one‑fifth of the world’s oil and adds fresh pressure to already‑volatile markets.

Kerry said the crisis underscores the importance of energy independence and may accelerate the global shift away from fossil fuels, comparing the moment to the wake‑up call of the 1973 oil shock.

Mar 12, 2026 at 04:41 PM EDT

Israeli strikes could push Lebanon’s displacement above one million, IOM warns

Lebanon is on the brink of a displacement crisis of unprecedented scale, with the number of people forced from their homes expected to surpass one million within days, a senior migration official said Thursday.

Othman Belbeisi, the International Organization for Migration’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, told CNN that displacement is accelerating so quickly that the country could cross the one‑million mark “in two or three days.” He warned that many of those fleeing are arriving in cities already overwhelmed by earlier waves of evacuees.

Belbeisi said parts of Tripoli are now hosting people from multiple regions even as local buildings have recently collapsed, creating internal displacement within the city itself. “The number is increasing,” he said, describing a system straining under the pressure of constant movement.

Israel on Thursday issued another evacuation order for southern Lebanon, nearly doubling the area residents have been told to leave and urging people to move north of the Zahrani River.

More than 800,000 people have already been displaced, according to the U.N.’s humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon. The Lebanese Health Ministry says nearly 700 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the escalation began.

Mar 12, 2026 at 04:28 PM EDT

U.S. mortgage rates climb above 6% as Iran war shakes markets

Mortgage rates rose for the second straight week, climbing above 6% as financial markets react to the deepening war in Iran. The average rate for a 30‑year fixed mortgage hit 6.11%, according to Freddie Mac, dimming hopes for more affordable homebuying conditions this spring.

The uptick adds pressure on Americans already squeezed by high housing costs and persistent inflation. Still, today’s rates remain below the 7% levels seen a year ago, and analysts say the traditional spring buying season could draw more shoppers back into the market despite the volatility.

Mar 12, 2026 at 04:16 PM EDT

Netanyahu says Iran built network aimed at Israel’s destruction

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered new remarks Thursday outlining what he described as the scale of Iran’s regional threat and Israel’s evolving military posture. His comments come as fighting continues across multiple fronts and Israel signals further action against Tehran.

Netanyahu said Iran had constructed a system designed to “annihilate Israel through its proxies,” pointing to groups such as Hezbollah. He warned that Hezbollah would pay a “heavy price” for its ongoing attacks and suggested that Israel’s response would intensify.

He added that Israel was forging new regional alliances that would have seemed impossible only weeks ago, framing them as part of a broader strategic shift. While declining to detail upcoming operations, Netanyahu said Israel would not allow Iran to develop “existential threats” against the country.

The prime minister also claimed Israel had achieved “great accomplishments” in recent weeks that would alter the regional balance of power, elevating Israel’s standing both in the Middle East and, in some respects, globally. He described Iran as Israel’s most significant threat, consistent with what he called “historic times.”

Mar 12, 2026 at 04:13 PM EDT

Lebanon says death toll from Israeli strikes rises to 687

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported Thursday that 687 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the escalation began on March 2, including 98 children.

In its daily update, the Health Emergency Operations Center said 1,774 others have been wounded as strikes continue across multiple regions of the country.

Mar 12, 2026 at 03:59 PM EDT

IMO calls emergency meeting as threats to Middle East Shipping intensify

The International Maritime Organization will hold an extraordinary session in London on March 18–19 to address escalating threats to commercial shipping in the Middle East. The meeting was requested by Britain, Egypt, France, Morocco, Qatar and the UAE, reflecting mounting alarm over the near‑shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting surge in global energy prices.

The announcement comes on a day of fresh violence at sea. An attack on two oil tankers off Iraq killed at least one crew member, while a separate cargo ship caught fire after being struck by shrapnel. The incidents underscore how rapidly the security environment for maritime traffic is deteriorating.

Mar 12, 2026 at 03:46 PM EDT

Iran tightens security as leadership remains firm, residents say

Residents in Tehran say security forces have expanded their presence across the capital, signaling the government’s determination to project control as the war continues. “Security forces are everywhere, more than before. People are afraid to come out, but supermarkets are open,” said Majan, a 35‑year‑old teacher reached by phone, per Reuters.

Despite calls from the United States and Israel for Iranians to rise up against their clerical rulers, U.S. intelligence assessments suggest the country’s leadership remains intact and not at risk of imminent collapse, three sources told Reuters.

Many Iranians expressed anger toward the former supreme leader, with some celebrating his death on the war’s first day after years of brutal crackdowns on protesters. But with the country under sustained attack, there has been no sign of organized anti‑government mobilization.

Mar 12, 2026 at 03:32 PM EDT

WATCH: Colbert mocks White House over rising gas prices amid Iran war

Mar 12, 2026 at 03:19 PM EDT

US shifts air defenses from Europe to Middle East, top commander confirms

The United States has redeployed some of its air‑defense systems from Europe to the Middle East as the war with Iran intensifies, the head of U.S. European Command told lawmakers on Thursday.

Gen. Alex Grynkewich, who also serves as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that he has reassigned “some of our EUCOM air defense capabilities to defend some of our NATO allies” positioned in the eastern Mediterranean.

Pressed by Sen. Angus King on whether U.S. air‑defense assets had indeed been shifted toward the Middle East because of the conflict, Grynkewich was unequivocal: “Yes sir, absolutely.”

Mar 12, 2026 at 03:06 PM EDT

Wright defends Reserve drawdown while criticizing Biden’s, despite key differences

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Thursday defended the Trump administration’s decision to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in response to the war with Iran — even as he faulted President Joe Biden for doing the same during the Russia‑Ukraine crisis.

In an interview with Fox News, Wright said the reserve currently holds 415 million barrels, and argued that Biden “drained almost 300 million barrels” to lower gasoline prices ahead of midterm elections. He also suggested the previous administration failed to adequately refill the stockpile afterward.

But the situations are not directly comparable. In 2022, the Biden administration released nearly half of the reserve as global supplies tightened sharply following sanctions on Russian oil. Roughly 3 million barrels per day of Russian crude were pushed off world markets, creating a genuine supply crunch. Prices initially spiked before stabilizing as Russia rerouted exports and other producers increased output.

The current crisis is far more severe. More than 15 million barrels per day have been knocked offline during the war involving Iran — a disruption the International Energy Agency this week called the largest in the history of the global oil market.

Trump, who criticized Biden during the 2024 campaign for “politicizing” the reserve, pledged to refill it to capacity. That has not happened, even though oil briefly fell below $60 a barrel earlier this year. The Department of Energy began replenishing the reserve in 2023, raising stocks from a low of about 350 million barrels to roughly 415 million before Wednesday’s announcement. The reserve’s maximum capacity is 714 million barrels.

Mar 12, 2026 at 02:53 PM EDT

Israel launches new wave of strikes in Beirut, military says

The Israeli military said Thursday it has begun a fresh round of airstrikes in Beirut, targeting what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure across the capital.

The announcement comes amid some of the heaviest bombardments of the conflict, with strikes increasingly hitting densely populated areas.

Mar 12, 2026 at 02:40 PM EDT

IOM Chief ‘gravely alarmed’ after strike kills displaced civilians in Beirut

The head of the International Organization for Migration said Thursday she is “gravely alarmed” by reports that an Israeli strike hit a site sheltering displaced people in Beirut, killing eight and injuring dozens more.

IOM Director General Amy Pope condemned the attack, stressing that civilians and the places where they seek refuge “must never be deliberately targeted.” She said shelters and the infrastructure supporting them are protected under international humanitarian law and cannot be treated as military objectives.

The strike comes as Lebanon faces one of the fastest‑growing displacement crises in the region. The IOM said more than 800,000 people have been uprooted following sweeping evacuation orders, with roughly 125,000 now living in government‑run shelters. The agency warned that conditions are deteriorating rapidly as the conflict pushes deeper into populated areas.

Mar 12, 2026 at 02:39 PM EDT

UAE says it intercepted new wave of Iranian missiles and drones

The UAE’s Defence Ministry said its forces “interacted” with 10 ballistic missiles and 26 drones launched from Iran on Thursday, marking the latest barrage in a sustained series of attacks on the Gulf nation.

According to the ministry, Emirati air defenses have now engaged a total of 278 ballistic missiles and 1,540 drones since Iran began its campaign. Officials said the strikes have had deadly consequences: six people — citizens of the UAE, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh — have been killed during the attacks.

Mar 12, 2026 at 02:27 PM EDT

UNICEF says regional war has become ‘catastrophic’ for children

UNICEF warned Thursday that the escalating Middle East war is having a “catastrophic” impact on children, with more than 1,100 reported killed or injured since the conflict erupted on Feb. 28. The U.N. agency said the toll spans Iran, Lebanon, Israel and Kuwait, underscoring how widely the violence is reverberating across the region.

Beyond the mounting casualties, UNICEF said children are facing sweeping disruptions to daily life — including mass displacement, school closures and limited access to medical care as hospitals come under strain or are forced to shut down. The agency urged all parties to protect civilians and emphasized that children are bearing a disproportionate share of the war’s consequences.

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Mar 12, 2026 at 02:13 PM EDT

Global businesses reel as U.S.–Israeli War on Iran disrupts travel, trade and supply chains

The widening U.S.–Israeli war on Iran is sending shockwaves through the global economy, upending travel networks, straining supply chains and driving energy prices sharply higher. From aviation to aluminium, fast fashion to finance, industries are scrambling to adapt as key trade routes and production hubs come under threat.

Air travel has been hit hardest. Tens of thousands of flights have been canceled or rerouted as much of the Middle East’s airspace — including Qatar’s — remains closed due to missile and drone risks. The shutdown has plunged global aviation into its worst crisis since the pandemic, crippling operations at Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international passengers. Some stranded travelers have resorted to private jets or even long desert drives to Riyadh in hopes of finding a way home.

The conflict has also disrupted a major oil‑export corridor, sending jet fuel prices soaring and pushing up fares worldwide. Time‑sensitive cargo — from fresh produce to aircraft parts — is stuck in transit as freight capacity tightens and rates spike.

Airlines are feeling the strain. Carriers across Europe and Asia have been forced to reroute flights, while shares in the sector have slumped. Even airlines with fuel hedges are raising fares and cutting capacity as refining margins explode. Pilots face heightened risks from drone incursions, and Indian carriers — already blocked from Pakistani airspace — are losing another critical corridor.

Dubai’s reputation as a safe luxury hub is also under pressure. High‑end shopping districts and tourist areas have seen widespread closures or minimal staffing, threatening a regional tourism industry worth an estimated $367 billion annually.

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Defense contractors, meanwhile, are booming. The United States has deployed a wide arsenal of weapons in strikes on Iran, including Tomahawk missiles, stealth aircraft and new low‑cost attack drones modeled on Iranian designs. The Pentagon also tapped AI tools from Anthropic during its operations — even as it later labeled the company a “supply‑chain risk,” barring contractors from using its technology. President Trump met with major defense executives on March 6 as Washington races to replenish depleted stockpiles.

Critical raw materials are becoming harder to move. Aluminium producers in the Gulf — responsible for about 8% of global supply — have halted shipments or declared force majeure as the Strait of Hormuz becomes increasingly dangerous. Aluminium prices have jumped on the London Metal Exchange, and premiums in Europe and the U.S. have surged. Nickel producers in Indonesia, heavily reliant on Gulf‑sourced sulphur, may soon be forced to cut output.

Fast fashion and food supply chains are also feeling the squeeze. Garment shipments from Bangladesh and India are stranded at airports, threatening the flow of clothing to global retailers. Luxury brands already struggling with weak demand face new pressure. In India, restaurants and hotels warn of possible shutdowns as cooking‑gas supplies tighten, and packaged‑water manufacturers are raising prices as the cost of plastics climbs with oil.

Tech and banking are not immune. South Korea has warned that chipmakers could face shortages of key materials such as helium. Drone strikes on Amazon data centers in the UAE and Bahrain have raised alarms about the resilience of cloud infrastructure. Banks are taking precautions too: Citigroup and Standard Chartered have told Dubai staff to work from home, while HSBC has shuttered all branches in Qatar for safety.

Mar 12, 2026 at 02:00 PM EDT

Israeli military drops charges against 5 soldiers accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee

The army announced the decision in the high-profile case at a time when much of the country’s attention is focused on the war with Iran.

Leaked video of the abuse was aired last year by Israel’s Channel 12 and purported to show the soldiers sodomize the Palestinian detainee from Gaza at the notorious Sde Teiman prison facility.

Israel’s move to arrest the soldiers in 2024 prompted fury from hard-line ultranationalists who violently overran the Sde Teiman facility in protest. Members of Israel’s far-right government called the investigation into their conduct an affront to their service.

The government’s uproar eventually led to the resignation last year of the military’s top legal official, who had filed the indictment and authorized the leak of the video to the TV station.

Israel has long been accused of failing to hold its soldiers accountable for crimes committed against Palestinians. The allegations have intensified during the war in Gaza. Israel says its forces act within military and international law and says it thoroughly investigates any alleged abuses.

By The Associated Press

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:47 PM EDT

Iran’s supreme leader threatens to seize or destroy enemy assets

Iran’s supreme leader issued a stark warning in a written statement read on state television, declaring that the country “will obtain compensation from the enemy” for the damage inflicted during the war.

He said Tehran would first demand repayment directly but would move unilaterally if those demands were rejected. “If it refuses, we will take from its assets to the extent we deem appropriate,” the statement said. “And if that is not possible, we will destroy its assets to the same extent.”

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:33 PM EDT

Kuwait says air defenses intercepting missile and drone attacks

Kuwait’s military said Thursday that its air‑defense systems are actively responding to hostile missile and drone attacks, as regional tensions continue to spill across borders.

In a statement posted by the Kuwait Army General Staff, officials said any explosion sounds heard across the country are the result of interception operations carried out by air‑defense units.

View this post on X

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:33 PM EDT

Cyberattack on U.S. medical manufacturer raises fears of wider Iranian-linked hacks

A cyberattack on Stryker, a major U.S. medical‑equipment manufacturer, has intensified concerns that Iran or groups aligned with it may target civilian companies as the war expands into the digital realm. The Michigan‑based firm said Wednesday’s breach disrupted systems across its global operations, though it stressed there was no sign of malware or ransomware and that the issue appeared limited to its Microsoft programs.

Stryker said it is still working to restore its communications and ordering platforms but that it remains safe for customers to contact employees by phone or email. The company serves clients in 61 countries.

A hacker organization calling itself Handala claimed responsibility, describing the attack as retaliation for a Feb. 28 missile strike on an elementary school in southern Iran that killed at least 175 people, most of them children. Preliminary Pentagon findings, reported by The New York Times, indicate the strike was the result of a targeting error by the U.S. military.

Handala emerged in late 2023 during the Israel‑Hamas war and has since targeted businesses and individuals linked to Israel, according to cybersecurity firms including Cyberint and IBM’s X‑Force Exchange. Since the Iran war began on Feb. 28, analysts have warned that Iran or affiliated groups could escalate cyber operations, with Handala frequently cited as a potential actor.

The same social media account claiming the Stryker breach also alleged a hack on payments company Verifone, specifically its systems in Israel. Verifone, however, said it found no evidence of any incident or service disruption.

The attack on Stryker underscores growing fears that civilian infrastructure — not just military or government targets — may increasingly be drawn into the conflict’s cyber front.

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:29 PM EDT

Newsom says no imminent threat to California after unverified FBI alert on possible Iran drone plot

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday there is no indication of an immediate threat to the state, despite an FBI bulletin warning that Iran might consider launching drone attacks on the West Coast if the U.S. struck Iranian targets.

Newsom said concerns about drones “have always been top of mind,” adding that state officials have been aware of the information and remain focused on preparedness for worst‑case scenarios.

The FBI alert, circulated to law enforcement agencies, described “unverified information” suggesting Iran had aspired to carry out a surprise UAV attack from a vessel off the U.S. coast if Washington launched strikes on Iran. The bulletin stressed that authorities had no details on timing, targets or perpetrators.

The alert became public after an ABC News report, prompting the FBI to post the document on X. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later emphasized that the tip was uncorroborated, writing, “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did.”

President Donald Trump, asked about the alert at Joint Base Andrews, said the matter was being investigated but noted that officials must respond to emerging threats as they arise.

Police departments in Los Angeles and San Francisco said they are monitoring global developments and coordinating closely with state and federal partners, though neither city has identified any specific danger.

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:24 PM EDT

Iran’s security chief issues new threat, says Tehran will ‘make you sorry’

A senior Iranian official delivered another sharply worded warning to President Donald Trump, vowing that Tehran will retaliate for the ongoing U.S.–Israeli military campaign.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in a message released Thursday that Iran “will not relent until making you sorry for this grave miscalculation,” the latest in a series of defiant statements from Tehran’s leadership since the war began.

View this post on X

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:20 PM EDT

What you missed in Khamenei’s first public statement

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Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a sweeping first message that mixed threats against the United States with calls for national unity and promises of support for civilians caught in the war. The statement, broadcast on state media, outlined the guiding principles he says will shape Iran’s response to the conflict.

Khamenei warned that all U.S. military bases in the region must shut down or face continued attacks, and said Iran would keep striking American positions hosted on neighboring countries’ soil. He also insisted the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed as leverage against Tehran’s adversaries.

He vowed to continue “avenging the blood of the martyrs,” from the slain former supreme leader to children killed in recent strikes, and praised Iran’s military for preventing the country from being “dominated or divided.” Khamenei added that plans are underway to provide financial assistance and other support to those harmed in the war.

The message ended with a call for solidarity, urging Iranians to set aside internal divisions as the conflict deepens.

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:16 PM EDT

FBI alert on possible Iran drone plot in California stemmed from unverified tip, White House says

A confidential FBI bulletin warning that Iran might attempt a drone strike in California was based on a single unconfirmed tip, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday, pushing back on concerns raised after the alert became public.

Leavitt wrote on X that “no such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” emphasizing that the information cited in the February alert had not been corroborated.

The bulletin, circulated to law enforcement agencies last month, said Iran had “allegedly aspired” to launch unmanned aerial vehicles from a vessel off the U.S. coast if Washington carried out strikes on Iran. The alert surfaced publicly on Wednesday, prompting questions about the credibility of the intelligence and the timing of its release.

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:07 PM EDT

Israeli strikes hit near government HQ as Lebanon PM warns country cannot be a ‘battleground’ again

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a somber televised address Thursday evening as Israeli airstrikes struck central Beirut, landing just a few hundred meters from the government’s headquarters. Speaking as explosions echoed across the capital, Salam said the country could not endure becoming a staging ground for regional powers once again.

“We cannot, under any circumstances, accept that Lebanon once again becomes an open arena for the wars of others,” he said, alluding to decades of conflict involving Hezbollah, its Iranian backers and Israel.

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:06 PM EDT

Oil terminal closures in Iraq and Oman deepen global energy turmoil: What to know

Oil terminals in Iraq and Oman were forced to shut down Thursday as the Middle East war increasingly targets the region’s energy infrastructure, disrupting shipments and rattling already‑volatile global markets. The closures immediately pushed Brent crude briefly above $100 a barrel before prices eased to around $97.

The conflict, which began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, has triggered a wave of retaliatory attacks by Tehran — including strikes on Israel and U.S.-aligned Gulf states. Early Thursday, an Iranian attack on Iraqi oil tankers prompted Baghdad to halt all terminal operations, according to the state-run Iraqi News Agency. In Oman, the Mina al‑Fahal export terminal near Muscat was closed for security reasons, its operator said.

The shutdowns threaten significant supply. Iraq produced 4.5 million barrels a day in February, while Oman produced about 800,000, according to the International Energy Agency. Analysts warn that without the ability to export, both countries will be forced to cut production due to limited storage capacity.

The closures follow Israeli strikes last week on Iranian fuel storage sites — the first direct hits on Iran’s energy infrastructure since the war began — and Iran’s subsequent attacks on oil facilities across the Gulf. Tehran has also threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil.

Rauf Mammadov, a senior strategy manager at Fuld & Company, said Iran is deliberately raising the economic stakes for the United States and its allies. The timing of the attacks, he noted, came just as the U.S. and G7 nations announced the release of 400 million barrels from strategic reserves to stabilize prices. “Iran is showcasing they have the leverage over the prices,” he said.

Mar 12, 2026 at 01:05 PM EDT

Italy to release nearly 10 million barrels in IEA’s emergency oil plan

Italy will contribute 9.966 million barrels of oil to the International Energy Agency’s coordinated emergency release, the country’s Energy Ministry said Thursday. The barrels, expected to enter the market in the coming weeks, represent roughly 13.5 percent of Italy’s total strategic stocks.

The move follows the IEA’s historic proposal to inject 400 million barrels of emergency reserves into global markets — more than double the volume released after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The unprecedented action is aimed at easing soaring energy prices triggered by the war involving Iran and the near‑shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.

Mar 12, 2026 at 12:52 PM EDT

Israel signals possible major ground operation in Lebanon

Israel is openly preparing for a broader ground campaign in Lebanon as fighting with Hezbollah intensifies, raising fears of a deeper regional escalation. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that he has ordered the military to ready expanded operations after Hezbollah launched its largest barrage of the war — more than 200 rockets and drones fired the previous evening, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Israeli officials say they no longer believe the Lebanese government can rein in Hezbollah, even as President Joseph Aoun accused the group of betraying the country. Israel has already pushed farther into southern Lebanon since the conflict began and has carried out multiple cross‑border raids.

“We will take the territory and do it ourselves,” Katz said, underscoring Israel’s willingness to act unilaterally. The IDF’s chief of staff said an additional brigade is being deployed to the north, with more reinforcements possible.

Israeli strikes continue to pound southern Lebanon and Beirut’s Dahieh district, a Hezbollah stronghold. Lebanon’s health ministry says nearly 700 people have been killed, and evacuation orders have forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, both sides appear to be bracing for a widening fight.

Mar 12, 2026 at 12:49 PM EDT

CENTCOM says U.S. has hit 6,000 targets in Iran, destroyed more than 90 vessels

U.S. Central Command said Thursday that American forces have struck approximately 6,000 targets across Iran since the war began on Feb. 28, marking one of the largest sustained U.S. air campaigns in decades.

In a social media update, CENTCOM also reported the destruction of more than 90 Iranian vessels, including over 60 naval ships and more than 30 minelayers, as part of efforts to degrade Iran’s maritime capabilities.

Mar 12, 2026 at 12:38 PM EDT

Energy Secretary blames deleted tanker escort claim on internal error

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U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday that a false statement posted to his X account about a U.S. Navy tanker escort was the result of a miscommunication inside his department, calling the incident “very unfortunate” and promising it would not be repeated.

The since‑deleted post claimed the Navy had “successfully escorted” an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, a message that contradicted Pentagon officials and was removed within minutes. Speaking to Fox News, Wright said he takes “full ownership” of the mistake and will personally review future posts made in his name.

The White House moved quickly to correct the record earlier in the week, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the Navy had not escorted any vessels “at this time.” Wright also reiterated in a separate interview that the United States is not yet prepared to conduct such escorts through the strategic waterway, where attacks on shipping have surged during the war.

Mar 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM EDT

Iran opposition figure says war alone cannot topple clerical leadership

A senior official from a Paris‑based Iranian opposition group said Thursday that the ongoing war will not bring down Iran’s ruling system, arguing that only a mass uprising supported by internal resistance could force real political change.

Mohammad Mohaddesin, head of foreign policy for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told reporters that recent conflicts — including last June’s 12‑day war and the current fighting — have shown that airstrikes and military pressure are insufficient to unseat the clerical establishment. “Bombings cannot overthrow the regime,” he said, adding that even tens of thousands of armed troops would be ineffective without broad public backing.

Mohaddesin said he does not view a U.S. ground deployment as realistic and acknowledged that the NCRI, also known as the Mujahideen‑e‑Khalq, cannot topple the government on its own. But he argued that large‑scale protests, like those that erupted in January before being violently suppressed, would likely reemerge once bombing subsides — and could eventually shift the balance of power.

The NCRI is banned inside Iran and its level of domestic support remains uncertain, though it has long positioned itself as a key voice in the exiled opposition.

Mar 12, 2026 at 12:22 PM EDT

Polymarket says 62% chance if change in leadership by the end of the year

Polymarket traders are speculating on whether Mojtaba Khamenei will remain Iran’s de facto leader in the coming weeks and months. The market, which has logged more than $2 million in total volume, offers contracts tied to several dates — from mid‑March through the end of the year — each reflecting shifting expectations about Iran’s political trajectory amid the ongoing war.

Early‑dated contracts show extremely low confidence that Khamenei will be removed in the near term, with “Yes” shares trading at just a few cents. But odds rise sharply for later deadlines: by December 31, the market prices a 62% chance that he will no longer be in power, whether through removal, detention, or an inability to act as Iran’s leader.

Mar 12, 2026 at 12:09 PM EDT

Turkey warns against any moves that could spark civil war in Iran

Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan said Thursday that Ankara will not tolerate any effort to push Iran toward internal conflict, issuing one of the strongest regional warnings since the war began. His comments followed shifting statements from President Donald Trump about whether Kurdish fighters should cross from northern Iraq into Iran.

Fidan, speaking alongside Germany’s foreign minister, said Turkey opposes any plan that seeks to inflame ethnic or sectarian divisions inside Iran. “We are against plans aimed at triggering a civil war in Iran,” he said, adding that Ankara “would not allow” such attempts.

He also cautioned that the effects of the U.S.–Iran war are already visible across the region and that the risk of further escalation remains high. Fidan stressed that Iran’s territorial integrity must not be questioned and rejected any pursuit of regime change.

Mar 12, 2026 at 11:55 AM EDT

Millions flee as conflict drives mass displacement across Iran

Up to 3.2 million people have been forced from their homes in Iran since the war began, according to early assessments released Thursday by the United Nations refugee agency. The scale of movement marks one of the fastest‑growing displacement crises of the conflict.

Ayaki Ito, a senior UNHCR official, said most people are fleeing Tehran and other major cities, heading north or into rural areas in search of safety. He warned that the numbers are expected to rise as strikes continue across the country.

“This figure is likely to continue rising as hostilities persist, marking a worrying escalation in humanitarian needs,” Ito said.

Mar 12, 2026 at 11:42 AM EDT

WATCH: Trump claims Iran is an ‘excursion’ that will keep US ‘out of war’

Mar 12, 2026 at 11:29 AM EDT

Trump’s obsessions are a liability for the GOP

For years, Republican lawmakers have treated proximity to Donald Trump as their key political capital.

But with the president's attention turning to military excursions abroad and legislative crusades at home—issues that may stir the base but appear increasingly disconnected from voters’ immediate concerns—the party that has tethered itself to him may find those priorities becoming a liability as they seek to stave off what some fear could be an embarrassing defeat come November.

“Already, we are behind the eight ball as far as the electoral process,” Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said this week, while projecting that Trump’s latest Middle Eastern gambit could carry “disastrous” consequences for the midterms.

“In my polling and focus groups, the cost of living, inflation, affordability are the concerns that are dwarfing all others,” said pollster and political affairs strategist Alex Patton.

“President Trump was elected because of these concerns, and under his watch the economy is perceived to be deteriorating further,” he told Newsweek. “The president's priorities seemingly have changed from what he promised during his campaign to leaving a mark in the world history books, public concerns be damned.”

Read more here.

Mar 12, 2026 at 11:16 AM EDT

Greece imposes emergency price controls amid global market turmoil

Greece introduced temporary price controls on Thursday as the government moved to shield consumers from the economic shock triggered by the Middle East war. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said the measures take effect immediately through June 30, capping profit margins — largely at 2025 levels — on gasoline, diesel, and a range of essential household goods including food, cleaning products, and personal hygiene items.

Marinakis also announced the creation of a working group to examine whether microreactor nuclear technology could be viable for Greece. The country has long avoided nuclear power because of seismic risks, but officials now see emerging modular reactors as potentially safer and a useful complement to renewable energy for stabilizing prices and supporting decarbonization efforts.

The emergency steps come as global fuel markets remain volatile, with governments across Europe searching for ways to blunt the impact of soaring energy costs.

Mar 12, 2026 at 11:15 AM EDT

Death toll rises after two Israeli strikes near Beirut

Casualty figures climbed Thursday after two Israeli strikes hit areas in and around Beirut, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry emergency operations center said the attack on Beirut’s waterfront has now killed 12 people and wounded 28, marking one of the deadliest single strikes in the capital since the conflict escalated.

A separate strike on Aramoun, a hillside town about 10 km south of Beirut, left five people dead and seven wounded, the center reported.

Mar 12, 2026 at 11:09 AM EDT

Trump says Iran’s soccer team is welcome at World Cup but warns of safety risks

President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran’s national soccer team is welcome to compete in the upcoming World Cup, but questioned whether it is safe for the players to attend. In a post on his social media account, Trump wrote that while the team has an open invitation, he does not believe “it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Mar 12, 2026 at 11:03 AM EDT

Poland investigates Iran as possible source of cyber attack on nuclear research center

Poland’s National Centre for Nuclear Research defeated a cyber attack “in the last few days,” Minister for Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski said Thursday.

“The attack may not have been massive, but there was an attempt to breach security, which was prevented,” Gawkowski told broadcaster TVN24. “We will verify it, but there are many indications that it took place from Iranian territory.”

It’s also possible the attack was only made to appear as originating from Iran, as a form of “camouflage,” he said.

It is unclear why Poland would be a target for Iran. Poland is a NATO member and staunch U.S. ally, but its officials have not been especially vocal in expressing support for the war. Unlike Romania, which has allowed the U.S. to use its air bases for refueling and other military support, Warsaw has made no such announcement.

By The Associated Press

Mar 12, 2026 at 10:50 AM EDT

Israeli strike damages aid group office in Tyre, NRC says

The Norwegian Refugee Council said one of its offices in Tyre, in southern Lebanon, was heavily damaged after an Israeli airstrike hit the area on Wednesday. According to Secretary General Jan Egeland, the strike landed directly across the street from the building and beside a nearby hospital.

Egeland said the office’s coordinates had been shared with all parties to the conflict through the United Nations, a standard measure meant to protect humanitarian sites. No staff were inside at the time of the blast, he added.

Mar 12, 2026 at 10:48 AM EDT

Nepal begins rationing cooking gas as shortage fears grow

Nepal will start rationing cooking gas on Friday as concerns mount that the war in the Middle East could disrupt supplies to the country. The state‑run Nepal Oil Corporation said it will refill only half of each customer’s empty LPG cylinder to stretch existing stocks.

Executive director Chandika Prasad Bhatta said panic buying has surged despite repeated assurances that Nepal currently has adequate reserves. Long queues have formed outside refilling centers nationwide as households rush to secure fuel.

Nepal relies heavily on India for cooking gas and other petroleum products, leaving it vulnerable to regional supply shocks. Officials say the rationing is a precautionary step to prevent a sudden nationwide shortage as the conflict continues to destabilize energy markets.

Mar 12, 2026 at 10:36 AM EDT

IEA: Middle East war triggers largest oil supply shock in history

The war in the Middle East has unleashed the biggest supply disruption the global oil market has ever recorded, the International Energy Agency said Thursday, as Iran intensified attacks on tankers and choked off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical energy corridor.

Before the conflict, roughly 20 million barrels a day moved through the strait. That flow has now fallen to “a trickle,” the IEA reported, after Iran warned that ships transiting the waterway were at risk. The collapse in exports has forced Gulf producers to slash output by at least 10 million barrels a day as storage tanks fill up, while shipments of refined fuels and liquefied petroleum gas have largely halted.

In an unprecedented move, the IEA’s 32 member states agreed this week to release 400 million barrels from emergency reserves — the largest coordinated drawdown ever. But the action failed to calm markets: Brent crude briefly surged back above $100 a barrel, nearly $30 higher than before the U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran began.

The supply shock is rippling worldwide. Iraq and Oman closed major oil terminals after tanker attacks, and several vessels in the Persian Gulf remain on fire. Flight cancellations across the Middle East and shortages of liquefied petroleum gas are expected to cut global oil demand by one million barrels a day in March and April.

Governments are scrambling to blunt the impact. Pakistan has closed schools and reduced the workweek for government offices. South Korea imposed its first fuel price cap in nearly 30 years. France’s TotalEnergies said it would freeze gas and diesel prices through the end of the month. And in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc is weighing subsidies and potential gas price caps to shield households and businesses.

With tanker attacks continuing and Hormuz effectively shut, the IEA warned that the crisis shows “little sign of easing.”

Mar 12, 2026 at 10:23 AM EDT

Energy Secretary says Hormuz will reopen, downplays fears of $200 oil

Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNN News Central that the Strait of Hormuz “will be opened”, insisting the U.S. military is focused on dismantling Iran’s ability to threaten global energy flows. He said the current turmoil is “short‑term pain to solve a long‑term problem,” citing Iran’s decades‑long capacity to disrupt shipping lanes. “The U.S. military is there to solve a long‑term problem… We need to defang Iran’s abilities to threaten… global energy markets,” he said.

Wright pushed back on warnings that oil could spike to $200 a barrel, calling it unlikely and emphasizing that global supplies remain strong. He credited U.S. production levels for helping stabilize markets. “The world is very well‑supplied with oil right now,” he noted.

He also said U.S. Navy escorts for tankers will begin once additional military assets are available, as current forces remain concentrated on destroying Iran’s military infrastructure. “When we can afford some additional assets… we will do that. That’s coming,” Wright said.

The secretary framed the conflict as a necessary step toward long‑term energy security, arguing that stabilizing the region requires neutralizing Iran’s ability to threaten its neighbors and global markets.

Mar 12, 2026 at 10:10 AM EDT

Fetterman backs strikes on Iran’s leadership, repeats opposition to U.S. ground troops

Sen. John Fetterman told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Tonight that he opposes sending U.S. ground forces into Iran but fully supports continued strikes on the country’s leadership. “My red line is boots on the ground,” he said, arguing that deploying troops would amount to “nation building,” something he rejects.

Fetterman also endorsed Israel targeting Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, saying, “They should kill him, too,” and suggesting the leader may be seriously injured because he has not appeared publicly. He added that eliminating senior figures in Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas is “a good thing.”

The senator criticized Democrats who refuse to say the world is safer after U.S. and Israeli strikes, arguing they long identified Iran as a top security threat. “I truly don't understand why Democrats can't even acknowledge that this has made the world more safe and more secure,” he said.

Fetterman also voiced support for Sen. Markwayne Mullin as the incoming Homeland Security secretary, calling him “a significant upgrade” and saying he plans to vote for his confirmation.

Mar 12, 2026 at 09:59 AM EDT

Israeli Foreign Ministry says Iranian missiles struck near Jerusalem’s Old City

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Iranian forces fired missiles at Jerusalem, with one landing only a few hundred meters from the Old City, close to the Western Wall, Al‑Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The ministry said the strike prompted authorities to temporarily suspend prayer at all holy sites as a precaution.

View this post on X

Mar 12, 2026 at 09:56 AM EDT

US energy secretary says reopening Hormuz is central to war goals

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Strait of Hormuz must ultimately reopen, framing the restoration of shipping traffic as a core objective of the ongoing U.S. military campaign in Iran. Speaking to CNN, Wright acknowledged that Washington cannot claim success if the vital waterway — now effectively shut — remains closed.

“Now the Strait of Hormuz needs to be and will be reopened,” he said, arguing that the United States is addressing what he called a decades‑long Iranian threat to the chokepoint.

Wright said U.S. forces are focused on degrading Iran’s ability to menace the strait through its missile and nuclear programs, as well as its naval forces. He described the conflict as “short‑term pain” aimed at solving a “long‑term problem.”

The secretary added that the U.S. expects to work with partner nations to restore commercial traffic through the strait once Iran’s capabilities are sufficiently weakened.

Mar 12, 2026 at 09:54 AM EDT

Trump says rising oil prices secondary to stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions

President Donald Trump said the United States benefits financially when global oil prices rise but argued that his priority is preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. In a post on his social media account, Trump wrote that the U.S. is “the largest oil producer in the world, by far,” and that higher prices generate significant revenue.

Mar 12, 2026 at 09:42 AM EDT

Image reveals handwriting of Iran’s new supreme leader

Iranian state media highlighted a newly released image from the official Telegram channel of Mojtaba Khamenei, offering the public its first look at the new supreme leader’s handwriting. The photo shows a handwritten list of Iran’s three supreme leaders — Mojtaba Khamenei, his father Ali Khamenei, and the Islamic Republic’s founding leader Ruhollah Khomeini.

Beneath the names, Mojtaba wrote a brief line: “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” The phrase, which opens most chapters of the Quran, is widely associated with beginnings and blessings, a symbolic choice as he assumes power amid war and national upheaval.

Mar 12, 2026 at 09:40 AM EDT

Iran’s new supreme leader calls for better regional ties, promises aid for victims

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the country must strengthen relations with its neighbors, using a televised address to urge unity as the war continues to batter Iran’s economy and population. His remarks marked one of his first direct public messages since assuming power.

Khamenei also pledged support for civilians harmed in the conflict, saying those wounded would receive free medical treatment and that the government would provide financial compensation to families who suffered losses or damage. He framed the assistance as part of a national effort to stabilize the country amid ongoing strikes and widespread displacement.

Mar 12, 2026 at 09:31 AM EDT

Iran’s new supreme leader warns Strait will stay closed, threatens U.S. bases

Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public message on Thursday, urging national unity while warning that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as a “tool of pressure” against the United States and Israel. The statement was read aloud by an anchor on state television, continuing a pattern of Khamenei communicating only through intermediaries since assuming power.

The message also delivered a direct threat to Washington, declaring that all U.S. bases in the region must shut down or “will be attacked.” Iranian officials have repeatedly framed the closure of the strait — a critical global shipping corridor — as leverage in the ongoing conflict.

Mar 12, 2026 at 09:29 AM EDT

UAE charges 21 people over videos of missile strikes

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have charged at least 21 people with offenses related to filming or sharing footage of recent missile strikes, according to the British legal aid group Detained in Dubai. The cases involve individuals who recorded explosions, damage, or interception attempts — as well as people who circulated AI‑generated clips that falsely depicted attacks.

The UAE’s public prosecutor warned last week that posting such material is illegal if it “incites panic, spreads false news, or harms public security and order.”

Mar 12, 2026 at 09:27 AM EDT

Iran airs statement attributed to new supreme leader threatening U.S. bases

Iranian state television broadcast a message it claimed came from Mojtaba Khamenei, the country’s newly installed supreme leader, warning that all U.S. bases in the region “should immediately be closed” because they would be targeted. The statement also said Iran would continue using the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the United States and Israel.

The message praised Iranians “from all walks of life who stood against the enemy” and offered condolences to families who have lost loved ones in the war. It vowed that damages would be compensated and declared that “the crime against humanity and against the children… will not be ignored.”

Mar 12, 2026 at 09:14 AM EDT

Israel renews evacuation threat for Beirut’s southern suburbs

Israel’s military issued a fresh warning to residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, telling people in several densely populated neighborhoods to leave immediately and not return “until further notice.” The message, posted on X, singled out Haret Hreik, Ghobeiri, Laylaki, Hadath, Burj al‑Barajneh, Tahwitat al‑Ghadir, and Chiyah.

The area, known collectively as Dahiyeh, is home to hundreds of thousands of civilians and is widely viewed as a Hezbollah stronghold. The renewed threat suggests Israel may be preparing for intensified strikes as cross‑border attacks escalate.

Mar 12, 2026 at 08:50 AM EDT

Iranians warned against protests by regime: report

Mass text messages sent by the authorities over the last fortnight have warned Iranians not to protest, according to BBC Persian.

The outlet reported that screenshots of mass text messages warn against demonstrations and calls for people to unite against the enemy in missives some of which were signed by the IRGC—Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

One message from March 2, signed by the IRGC’s Intelligence Unit said any movement that disrupts security will be regarded as an example of “direct cooperation with the enemy," the BBC said.

Iran Police Chief Ahmadreza Radan warned this week that those who protest on the streets will be treated as the “enemy”. Nationwide protests this year were followed by the deadliest crackdown by authorities in the country’s history.

Mar 12, 2026 at 08:40 AM EDT

Are ships owners claiming China links to get through Strait of Hormuz?

As Iran cuts off access to most vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, there is speculation that ship operators are claiming links to China to avoid attack.

Tehran has pledged not to allow any oil travel through the key waterway amid a crackdown on any assets linked to the U.S. and Israel.

With sea traffic through the strait down by 90 percent and oil prices above $100 a barrel, there have been reports that operators are claiming links to China, an ally of Iran and key purchaser of its oil, has allowed some ships to operate.

However, as a Newsweek Factcheck has found, such claims that commercial vessels are impersonating Chinese ships are unfounded.

Vessels that did make made it through did have legitimate Chinese links, as this article by my colleague John Feng outlines.

Fact Check: Are Ships Pretending To Be Chinese in the Strait of Hormuz?

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Mar 12, 2026 at 08:35 AM EDT

Iran’s new supreme leader to deliver first message: reports

Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, will issue a statement shortly in which he will outline the country’s leadership, the role of the public and armed forces, and Iran’s stance toward its enemies, Iranian state media reported Thursday.

The reports come as an Iranian diplomat confirmed that the successor his father who was assassinated in U.S. and Israeli strikes had sustained injuries to his arms and legs, and may be receiving hospital treatment.

The new supreme leader has so far remained elusive, making no public appearances since his appointment.

President Donald Trump said he would back the killing of Mojtaba if he didn’t agree to US demands, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Mar 12, 2026 at 08:21 AM EDT

U.S. lawmaker describes rescue flight of Americans from Israel

Representative Nancy Mace has described a rescue flight of Americans from Israel in an X post in which she said there were “thousands” had been stranded.

The Republican congresswoman for South Carolina said that she went to the Middle East to help a family from her state who was stuck in a war zone.

“The family I traveled here for are safely home,” Mace wrote, “but then I learned about more families. Hundreds of families. Thousands. Still stranded. Whom Grey Bull Rescue and others are helping. Grey Bull has been evacuating Americans.”

“Seeing this conflict firsthand reminds you of what's at stake when the world becomes dangerous and leadership becomes a question of character, not convenience,” she wrote.

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Mar 12, 2026 at 08:00 AM EDT

Russian oil revenues boosted by Iran War: analysis

Russia has earned an estimated 6 billion euros ($6.96 billion) from fossil fuel exports since Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran began on 28 February, according to analysis from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

Russia’s revenues from fossil fuels have gone up by 14 percent per day compared with the rest of February, according to the report released Wednesday.

Sanctions campaigner at human rights and environmental NGO Urgewald, Alexander Kirk, said these figures showed how Moscow was profiting from the Iran war .

“Russia is already profiting from this geopolitical crisis,” Kirk said in a statement, “that is the reality of fossil fuel geopolitics. When markets panic, authoritarian exporters cash in. In less than two weeks, Russia has earned an estimated €6 billion from fossil fuel exports, money that ultimately feeds the Kremlin’s war machine.”

It comes as the Trump administration considers easing further sanctions on Russian oil amid concerns over global supplies hampered by Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transit route.

Read more: Russia Is Raking In Billions Because of Trump’s Iran War

Mar 12, 2026 at 07:45 AM EDT

High oil prices for war could tip world into recession: analysis

A spike in global oil prices to around $140 per barrel over the next two months could tip parts of the world into recession, according to new analysis from Oxford Economics.

Crude oil prices have been volatile and were hovering around $100 a barrel on Thursday for benchmark Brent crude as Tehran has warned that it would continue to target energy facilities across the Middle East.

Oxford Economics said in its analysis released Thursday if global oil prices averaged around $140 per barrel in the next couple of months and there was also tightening in financial market conditions and supply-chain disruptions, those factors, “would be enough to push parts of the global economy into a mild recession.”

By the end of 2026, this could mean a decline in real GDP by 0.7 percent and world CPI inflation peaking at 5.8 percent, although this is lower than a 2002 peak of 8.9 percent.

"There are mild contractions in the Eurozone, the UK, and Japan, while the U.S. nears a temporary standstill and layoffs push up the unemployment rate, leaving it close to a recession,” the report said.

Mar 12, 2026 at 07:30 AM EDT

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain targeted by Iran strikes

Iran continues to keep its barrage on countries in the Middle East, such as Bahrain’s Muharraq Island, home to the island kingdom’s international airport on Thursday.

Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates all said they had intercepted Iranian drones and missiles. In Kuwait, debris from intercepted drones knocked six power transmission lines out of service, according to the country’s electricity ministry.

Dubai authorities said Thursday there was minor drone incident in the Al Bada’a area of the city although no injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that 18 drones had been intercepted and destroyed in the eastern region.

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Mar 12, 2026 at 07:10 AM EDT

Missile strikes Italian military base in Iraq

An Italian military base in its Iraq’s Kurdistan region was struck by a missile overnight, Italy’s defense ministry said although no personnel were injured.

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Foreign minister Antonio Tajani posted on X his “strong condemnation” but added that all personnel were safe at the site in Erbil and he expressed “solidarity and gratitude for their daily service to the homeland.”

Italy has around 300 troops in Erbil, where they are training Kurdish security forces.

Mar 12, 2026 at 06:55 AM EDT

Exiled prince Reza Pahlavi: “we are now at the decisive stage of our final struggle”

The exiled son of Iran’s last shah has issued a message to his supporters to continue to show their unity against the ruling regime.

Since the start of protests at the end of December, the name of Reza Pahlavi has been chanted by anti-government demonstrators and he has issued regular video messages of support.

On Thursday, Pahlavi posted on X for protesters to secure their essential provisions and withdraw from the streets and remain in their homes.

“Continue to strike and do not show up for work. Continue your nightly chants to show your unity,” he said, “to the military and law enforcement forces: this is your last chance to break from the oppressive forces and join your people.”

“We are now at the decisive stage of our final struggle,” he wrote.

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Mar 12, 2026 at 06:41 AM EDT

Three cargo ships attacked overnight

Two ships off the coast of Iraq and one off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were attacked overnight Wednesday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operation.

The incidents are being investigated and come as Iran vows to continue its strikes on maritime traffic and assets linked to the U.S. and Israel across the Middle East.

Two tankers were "struck by an unknown projectile" five nautical miles off the coast of Iraq, in the northern Gulf at 1.30 a.m. local time Thursday, killing at least one person while 38 other crew members were evacuated, the Iraqi News Agency reported.

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Mar 12, 2026 at 06:25 AM EDT

Lebanon says Israeli strike in Beirut killed seven

An Israeli strike on the seafront in the center of Lebanon’s capital has killed at least seven people, the country’s health ministry has said.

The death toll in Lebanon due to the war has reached at least 634 according to officials. It has also killed at least 1,300 people in Iran, 12 in Israel, and the U.S. has lost seven soldiers.

The Israeli military said it had launched overnight strikes on Beirut’s suburbs after the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah fired what the IDF said were “dozens” of rockets.

Local media aired footage showing smoke rising along the seaside road area after the strike in central Beirut, also wounded 21 people, the health ministry said.

Israel has also repeatedly hit the southern suburbs of Beirut, as well as towns in southern Lebanon, including Taybeh, al-Sultaniyya as well as Qana.

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Mar 12, 2026 at 06:05 AM EDT

Attack on Iraq’s Basra port halts oil operations

An attack on Iraq’s Basra port has killed at least one person and forced authorities to halt operations at all the country’s oil terminals as Iran increases its attacks on the region’s energy infrastructure.

Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, said on Thursday the attack targeted a ship engaged in a ship-to-ship oil transfer of oil in the Basra port on the Persian Gulf although there were no details if the vessel had been targeted by a drone or a missile.

In Bahrain, there’s a major fire after Iran targeted oil and fuel tanks near the international airport of Bahrain, producing thick smoke. In Oman, fire crews are still working to contain a blaze at fuel storage tanks from Wednesday's strike on the port of Salalah. The country has ordered the evacuation of vessels at its oil export terminal.

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Mar 12, 2026 at 05:48 AM EDT

Iran warns oil will hit $200 a barrel

Iranian strikes on the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt oil supplies with crude prices on the rise again as the international benchmark Brent above $100 a barrel amid threats from Tehran that costs could double.

Iraq halted all operations at its oil ports after an attack on two tankers. Bahrain reported an Iranian attack on fuel tanks in the Muharraq Governorate and Oman has shifted its vessels out of its main oil export terminal at Mina Al Fahal after drone strikes.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has ordered the largest release of government reserves in its history to ease market concerns

But a spokesperson for Iran’s military command has warned the U.S. about its campaign against Iran, saying, “get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilized.”

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