France sends ships to re-open Strait of Hormuz as war sends oil price soaring and US-Israeli strikes batter Iranian ships  – live updates

By JAMIE BULLEN, LIVE COVERAGE EDITOR

Updated: 10:14 EDT, 9 March 2026

The US Navy has reportedly attacked three Iranian ships in the Persian Gulf.

Sources say the merchant vessels were struck during strikes on the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas. Video and pictures circulating on social media show flames and huge plumes of smoke blowing from the ships.

Oil prices have surged to more than $100 per barrel amid increasing fears over supplies from the Middle East as global markets including the FTSE 100 showed signs of panic when trading opened.

An emergency meeting of the G7 has been called for today, where crisis options including the release of oil reserves will be discussed.

Donald Trump has said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make a ‘mutual’ decision on when to end the war with Iran as Pete Hegseth guaranteed Tehran ‘will surrender’.

Speaking by phone with The Times of Israel , Trump said Netanyahu will have input on resolving the conflict. ‘I think it’s mutual … a little bit. We’ve been talking. I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account,’ said Trump.

Last night Pete Hegseth guaranteed Iran ‘will surrender’ in the war but Tehran has today rejected any prospect of laying down its weapons for a ceasefire.

 Follow the latest updates on the US-Israel war with Iran

Iranian ships attacked in Persian Gulf and oil prices surge: Everything you need to know

The US-Israel war with Iran has entered its tenth day with mayhem continuing across the Middle East since the fighting began last month.

If you’re just joining us, the US Navy has reportedly attacked three Iranian merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf.

Meanwhile, oil prices are surging worldwide as global markets slid today and Donald Trump has declared he and Benjamin Netanyahu will make a ‘mutual’ decision on when to end the war.

Here are the key developments on Monday afternoon.

Three Iranian merchant ships have reportedly been attacked by the US Navy during airstrikes on the port city of Bandar AbbasNATO have shot down a second Iranian missile in Turkish airspace Oil prices rise to above $100 a barrel for first time in four years as global markets slid at the start of tradingDonald Trump says he and Benjamin Netanyahu will make ‘mutual’ decision on when to end Iran warVladimir Putin offers ‘unwavering support’ to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba KhameneiBahrain’s only oil refinery has been struck by an Iranian missile as Tehran targets energy installations across the GulfThe UAE confirmed two members of its armed forces were killed in a helicopter crash when the aircraft malfunctioned during the defence against Iranian dronesPete Hegseth, the US Defense Secretary, last night guaranteed Iran will ‘surrender’ and President Donald Trump will set the terms of their defeatMojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, was selected by the country’s Assembly of Experts to succeed his fatherIranian state television has reported Khamenei is ‘wounded’ but did not elaborate on how the injuries were causedFrance to escort ships through Strait of Hormuz

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced France and its allies are working to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron said the ‘purely defensive’ mission would be aimed at escorting vessels ‘after the end of the hottest phase of the conflict’ in the Middle East to ensure the flow of oil and gas.

He said France will send two frigates as part of the European Union’s naval mission Aspides in the Red Sea

‘We are in the process of setting up a purely defensive, purely escort mission, which must be prepared together with both European and non-European states,’ Macron said after meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Cyprus.

Qatar attacked by 17 ballistic missiles

Qatar has announced it has been attacked by 17 missiles and six drones fired from Iran.

The defence ministry said Qatari armed forces successfully intercepted all missiles and drones without any causalities.

Earlier today it was reported several explosions were heard in the capital Doha, as Iran continued its retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.

Doha has been targeted by waves of Iranian drones and missiles since Iran launched a retaliation campaign against US and Israeli airstrikes.

NATO confirms it intercepts missile heading for Turkey

NATO has confirmed it had intercepted a missile headed for Turkey, in the second such incident since the start of the US-Israeli with Iran.

‘NATO has again intercepted a missile heading to Türkiye,’ NATO spokesperson Allison Hart posted on X, using the country’s official name. ‘NATO stands firm in its readiness to defend all Allies against any threat,’ she added.

On March 4, NATO troops intercepted a Turkey-bound ballistic missile launched from Iran, prompting the alliance to strengthen its ‘ballistic missile defence posture’.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the missile was spotted by Spanish troops manning a Patriot missile battery, who are based at Incirlik.

They had ‘detected and reported the missile attack’, though they were not the ones that shot it down, she said.

US Secretary of State praises military for action in Iran

Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the US military for its action in Iran.

‘Heroic things are happening all the time. Some that won’t make it to the headlines,’ he said.

‘I want everyone to know your military is getting the job done. Every single day, this regime in Iran has less missiles, has less launchers, their factories work less and their Navy is being eviscerated, and the world is going to be a safer and better place when this mission is accomplished.’

Breaking:Two UAE soldiers killed in helicopter crash

The UAE has announced two of its soldiers have been killed in a helicopter crash earlier today.

In a statement, the country’s defence ministry said a ‘technical malfunction’ caused the aircraft to go down while defending the nation from Iranian missiles and drones.

The statement on X reads: ‘The Ministry of Defense announces the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces following the crash of a helicopter due to a technical malfunction while performing their national duty in the country today, Monday, March 9, 2026.

‘The Ministry of Defense extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the two martyrs, asking Almighty God to envelop them in His vast mercy and to inspire their loved ones with patience and solace.’

Earlier the UAE announced it had detected 15 ballistic missiles in its airspace today with none landing in the country. Twelve missiles were destroyed and three landed in the sea.

Rubio says US military ‘well on our way’ to achieving goals in Iran

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the goals of the military operation in Iran on Monday.

‘American men and women in uniform are conducting an extraordinary mission with efficacy, efficiency and impact,’ he said.

‘The goals of this mission are clear, and it’s important to continue to remind the American people why it is the greatest military in the history of the world is engaged in this operation.’

Rubio continued, ‘It is to destroy the ability of this regime to launch missiles, both by destroying their missiles and their launchers, destroy the factories that make these missiles and destroy their Navy.

‘I think we’re seeing, right now, the threat this clerical regime poses to the region and the world. They are trying to hold the world hostage.

‘They are attacking neighboring countries and embassies. It is a terrorist government. A terroristic regime, and we’re seeing them conduct terrorism using nation-state elements. Using weapons like missiles and one-way attack drones, and the objective of this mission is to destroy their ability to continue do that, and we’re well on our way to achieving that objective every day with overwhelming force, with overwhelming precision.’

Rubio honors seven soldiers killed in Operation Epic Fury

Secretary of State Marco Rubio honored the seven soldiers killed in Operation Fury while speaking at a ceremony on Monday.

‘The United States is currently engaged in an operation targeting one of the world’s leading hostage taker, the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, the regime in Iran,’ he said.

‘We would all take a moment both to offer our thoughts and prayers and our condolences and to honor the families of those who have fallen, the seven Americans who have lost their lives in the initial hours of this operation, incredibly brave Americans.

‘You saw six of them dignified return over the weekend, and we are all in awe of their service and bravery and courage, and our hearts and support extend out to their families in this very difficult moment, and the families of these incredible heroes.’

How the Iran war could affect your Easter holiday

Many British holidaymakers use the Easter break as an opportunity to jet off to catch some sun – but this year could look very different.

Popular destinations in the Middle East including Dubai look like remaining affected by the ongoing Iran conflict – while bookings to Cyprus slump, although Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary says business to elsewhere in Europe is booming.

Easter falls on April 5 and it is unknown what the situation in the region and surrounding space could look like by then.

At the moment the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of Turkey ‘within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism’.

As for Dubai, which has seen several missile and drone attacks, the government is advising against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates.

Trump furious at Israel for destroying Iran oil fields as crude surges and planned summit collapses

Donald Trump is furious after Israel targeted Iran‘s oil depots in a blitz that shocked the White House amid soaring oil prices.

A planned summit between the US and Israel was scrapped on Monday in the first open disagreement between the allies since the war broke out.

Thirty Iranian fuel depots were obliterated over the weekend with apocalyptic images showing fires leaping into the sky, huge columns of smoke, and black oily rain falling from the sky.

Anti-Iran war protesters gathered in NYC

Anti-Iran war protesters gathered in New York City’s Union Square on Saturday.

Emmanuel Macron: Cyprus drone attack was assault on Euorpe

French President Emmanuel Macron said that an attack on Cyprus was an attack on all of Europe as visited the island after it was targeted by Iranian-made drones.

‘When Cyprus is attacked, it is Europe that is attacked,’ Macron said in Paphos alongside the leaders of Cyprus and Greece.

‘The defence of Cyprus is obviously a key issue for your country, for your neighbour, partner and friend, Greece, but also for France and, with it, the European Union,’ he added.

Last week, Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said Italy, ​Spain, France ​and the Netherlands will send naval ​assets ‌to ⁠protect Cyprus after a drone attack on British RAF base at Akrotiri.

The UK has been criticised over its response and has pledged to deploy HMS Dragon which is expected to leave for the Mediterranean this week.

Key UpdatesFrance to escort ships through Strait of Hormuz

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Two UAE soldiers killed in helicopter crash

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UAE faces barrage of 15 ballistic missiles

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Iranian ships attacked in Persian Gulf and oil prices surge: Everything you need to know

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NATO shoot down second Iranian missile in Turkish airspace

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FTSE plunges as mounting oil crisis sparks panic in the markets

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Trump dismisses oil price surge as ‘small price to pay’

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What we know about Mojtaba Khamenei – Iran’s new Supreme Leader

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G7 to discuss release of emergency oil reserves

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Bahrain’s state oil company declares force majeure after Iran strikes refinery

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Pete Hegseth guarantees Iran ‘will surrender’ but Tehran rejects ceasefire

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Oil prices rise to above $100 a barrel for first time in four years

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Oil prices surge and Hegseth guarantees a ‘surrender’: Key developments in Iran war

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France sends ships to re-open Strait of Hormuz as war sends oil price soaring and US-Israeli strikes batter Iranian ships  – live updates