Tugboat hit in Strait of Hormuz<\/p>\n
A tugboat is reported to have been hit by \u201cunknown projectiles\u201d in the Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre.<\/p>\n The incident is said to have taken place six nautical miles north of Oman.<\/p>\n The organisation said \u201cauthorities are investigating\u201d and advised all vessels to \u201ctransit with caution and report any suspicious activity\u201d.<\/p>\n Analysis: Mojtaba Khamenei\u2019s credentials to be the next supreme leader<\/p>\n When Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/a> succeeded Ayatollah Khomeini as Iran\u2019s supreme leader, the rules of accession had to be fudged to get round his inadequate clerical credentials for the role (Catherine Philp writes).<\/p>\n His second son, Mojtaba, is less qualified still in theological matters. With the regime on the ropes, however, he meets two other criteria: continuity with his father\u2019s rule, and deep connections with the security establishment on which the regime now relies to survive.<\/p>\n Earning spurs as a young man in the Iran-Iraq war, he progressed to control of the Basij, the volunteer militia under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during the violent suppression of the Green Movement protests of 2009. He graduated to become chief of staff in his father\u2019s office.<\/p>\n His wife and a son were reported to have been killed in the strikes that eliminated his father<\/a>. Last week, President Trump called him a \u201clightweight\u201d and said he was an unacceptable choice to lead Iran.<\/p>\n Lindsey Graham, a Trump loyalist senator, said the war in Iran showed that America was \u201cclearing out the bad guys\u201d.<\/p>\n He told Fox News: \u201cWe\u2019re marching through the world \u2026 Cuba is next<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Cuba has been under an embargo by the United States for more than 60 years.<\/p>\n Starmer speaks with UAE president<\/p>\n Sir Keir Starmer spoke with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, about evacuating British citizens and supporting defensive operations against Iranian strikes.<\/p>\n A Downing Street spokesperson said the conversation on Sunday began with Starmer<\/a> \u201ccondemning the indiscriminate attacks by Iran across the whole region\u201d.<\/p>\n The prime minister told him that \u201cthe UK government was working closely with commercial airlines and the UAE to increase capacity on routes back to the UK to assist those who wished to leave,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n Starmer added that \u201cBritish counter-drone advisers had also been working closely with UAE military specialists to support defensive operations in the region\u201d.<\/p>\n Oil sites could be targeted, warns Iran<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s military has warned it would target oil sites<\/a> in the region if Israel continued to strike energy infrastructure in the Islamic republic.<\/p>\n Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for Iran\u2019s central military command, told state TV: \u201cThe governments of Islamic countries are expected to warn the criminal America and the savage Zionist regime of such cowardly, inhumane actions as soon as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cOtherwise, similar measures will be taken in the region, and if you can tolerate oil at more than $200 per barrel, continue this game.\u201d<\/p>\n Munitions seen at RAF base<\/p>\n Heavy munitions were unloaded from trucks at RAF Fairford this afternoon, hours after two US aircraft landed at the base.<\/p>\n PETER MACDIARMID FOR THE TIMES<\/p>\n A pair of Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport planes landed at Fairford in Gloucestershire at about noon. US military assets involved in the campaign against Iran have been allowed to use British bases after Sir Keir Starmer granted co-operation on \u201cdefensive\u201d operations last Sunday.<\/p>\n After three American B-1 Lancer bombers arrived at Fairford yesterday, the Ministry of Defence confirmed: \u201cThe United States has started using British bases for specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region, which is putting British lives at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n Thousands registered as displaced in Lebanon<\/p>\n Lebanon\u2019s social affairs minister has said that more than half a million people had been registered as displaced since Israeli attacks began earlier this week.<\/p>\n In a press briefing, Haneen Sayed said that the total number of people who registered their names on a website affiliated with the ministry reached 517,000, including 117,228 people in government shelters.<\/p>\n Next supreme leader \u2018will continue Khamenei name\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cKhamenei\u2019s name as Iran\u2019s leader will continue,\u201d a member of the organisation which chooses a new leader for the Islamic regime has announced, hinting that the next ruler would be the son of the assassinated leader.<\/p>\n Mojtaba Khamenei<\/p>\n ROUZBEH FOULADI\/ZUMA WIRE\/ALAMY<\/p>\n Hosseinali Eshkevari, a member of the Assembly of Experts, has confirmed that a new leader has been selected. \u201cThe vote has been cast and will be announced soon,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The frontrunner to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is his 56-year-old son, Mojtaba. Israel has threatened to target any new Iranian leader.<\/p>\n \u2022 Read in full: Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?<\/a><\/p>\n More than 100 killed in US submarine attack<\/p>\n At least 104 people were killed and 32 were injured in the US submarine attack on an Iranian frigate off the coast of Sri Lanka last week, Iran\u2019s Fars news agency has reported.<\/p>\n Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of war, said that the Iris Dena was sunk by a torpedo<\/a> and died a \u201cquiet death\u201d.<\/p>\n Ultra-wealthy rush to flee Gulf on \u00a3190k private jets<\/p>\n As hundreds of thousands of tourists in the Middle East wait anxiously for news of scant repatriation flights, a smaller group of ultra-wealthy people have sought a more exclusive way out: private jets.<\/p>\n In four days last week, SHY Aviation fielded some 200 requests for 700 people in the Middle East to charter its planes, which carry up to 12 passengers. Overall, the company estimates, some 30,000 people have tried to evacuate the area by private jets hired through SHY or its rivals.<\/p>\n Fees for such flights have soared<\/a> to three times their usual rate, driven by increased demand for limited aircraft, added risk insurance and the need to pay crew more for flying through a war zone.<\/p>\n \u2022 Read in full: Boom in demand pushes up prices of private jets<\/a><\/p>\n Iranian drone shot down by British aircraft<\/p>\n British aircraft shot down an Iranian kamikaze drone<\/a> on Saturday night as part of a routine \u201cdefensive sortie\u201d, the government said.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Defence said: \u201cUK forces successfully engaged a one-way attack drone fired from Iran towards Iraq last night. The engagement occurred as RAF Typhoons and F-35 jets continued to conduct defensive sorties across the region.<\/p>\n \u201cA Merlin helicopter is due to arrive in theatre, further strengthening our ability to detect aerial threats. The aircraft can fly up to a mile in height, giving advance warning of incoming drones or missiles.\u201d<\/p>\n Two killed by \u2018projectile\u2019 in Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n An Indian and a Bangladeshi have died and 12 people have been injured after a \u201cprojectile\u201d fell on a residential location in the Saudi city of al-Kharj.<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards<\/a> said earlier that they had targeted radar systems in locations including al-Kharj.<\/p>\n Call off the King\u2019s US trip, Davey insists<\/p>\n Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for the King\u2019s state visit to the United States<\/a> to be cancelled.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cGiven Trump\u2019s illegal war that is devastating the Middle East and pushing up energy bills, Keir Starmer should advise the King to call off April\u2019s state visit to the US. A state visit should not be given to someone who repeatedly insults and damages our country.\u201d<\/p>\n War popular with Maga base, Trump says ROBERTO SCHMIDT\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n President Trump has also insisted that the war was very popular with his Maga base. \u201cIt\u2019s more popular than ever,\u201d he told ABC. \u201cIt\u2019s a very Maga thing what we\u2019re doing. A very, very Maga thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Polling suggests Republican voters are more likely than other Americans to back the attacks on Iran:<\/p>\n \u2022 Read more: JD Vance vowed no more wars. Do people in his hometown feel betrayed?<\/a><\/p>\n Next supreme leader \u2018must get\u2019 Trump\u2019s approval<\/p>\n The US president has told ABC News that Iran\u2019s next leader \u201cis not going to last long\u201d if Tehran did not get his approval first.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he doesn\u2019t get approval from us he\u2019s not going to last long,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to make sure that we don\u2019t have to go back every ten years, when you don\u2019t have a president like me that\u2019s not going to do it [use military force against Iran].\u201d<\/p>\n Trump said he could approve a new leader with ties to the old leadership. \u201cI would, in order to choose a good leader I would,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are numerous people that could qualify.\u201d<\/p>\n On Saturday, President Trump accused Sir Keir Starmer of joining the Iran war after the United States had \u201calready won\u201d<\/a>. He dismissed the prospect of a Royal Navy aircraft carrier being sent to the Middle East, and sullied the strong relationship between the two countries.<\/p>\n He wrote on Truth Social: \u201cThe United Kingdom, our once Great Ally, maybe the Greatest of them all, is finally giving serious thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s OK, Prime Minister Starmer, we don\u2019t need them any longer \u2014 But we will remember. We don\u2019t need people that join Wars after we\u2019ve already won!\u201d<\/p>\n HMS Prince of Wales, the second of Britain\u2019s two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, is being prepared and could set sail for the Gulf<\/a> within five days.<\/p>\n Starmer and Trump discuss war in phone call The prime minister with President Trump in February last year<\/p>\n SIMON DAWSON\/NO 10 DOWNING STREET<\/p>\n Sir Keir Starmer spoke to President Trump this afternoon, No 10 announced, less than 24 hours after the US president criticised Britain\u2019s contribution to the war in Iran.<\/p>\n The prime minister\u2019s office said: \u201cThe leaders began by discussing the latest situation in the Middle East and the military co-operation between the UK and US through the use of RAF bases in support of the collective self-defence of partners in the region.<\/p>\n \u201cThe prime minister also shared his heartfelt condolences with President Trump and the American people following the deaths of six US soldiers. They looked forward to speaking again soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Several hurt in Iran strikes on Israel<\/p>\n At least six people were injured in Israel by Iranian missile attacks after a series of blasts were heard across Tel Aviv.<\/p>\n The injuries were mainly caused by shrapnel. One man was hurt in the neck and was receiving urgent treatment, a spokesperson for Tel Aviv\u2019s Ichilov hospital said. Another person was in a serious condition, emergency services said.<\/p>\n On one street in the city, a car was thrown into a small crater by a blast. Elsewhere, windows were shattered. \u201cA piece of one of the missiles fell near my flat,\u201d said Hannah, a local resident.<\/p>\n The attack came after an Israeli military spokesman said that Iran\u2019s ability to strike Israel and other countries had \u201cdropped dramatically\u201d. The United States has also claimed to have severely damaged Iran\u2019s ability to launch missiles at its foes.<\/p>\n However, Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guard said that its strikes had so far been carried out using older missiles. \u201cIt is expected that in the coming days, a new style of attacks will be on the agenda, utilising advanced and less-used long-range missiles,\u201d a spokesman said.<\/p>\n Iraq slashes oil production by 70 per cent<\/p>\n Iraqi oil production from its main southern oil fields has fallen by 70 per cent to just 1.3 million barrels per day as the country is unable to export oil via the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict in the region, industry sources said. <\/p>\n Production from the fields stood at about 4.3 million barrels per day before the war.<\/p>\n \u2022 Read in full: Oil price shocks have history of derailing world economy<\/a><\/p>\n Refugee camp \u2018hit by Israeli strikes\u2019<\/p>\n Israel struck the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh in Sidon, southern Lebanon, on Sunday, Lebanese state media reported.<\/p>\n The National News Agency said \u201cenemy warplanes launched two raids\u201d.<\/p>\n Sidon is the third largest city in Lebanon, about 40 kilometres south of Beirut<\/p>\n US started the war, Iran foreign minister tells NBC<\/p>\n Abbas Araghchi also said that Iranian missiles could not reach the United States, as he defended strikes that had hit Gulf neighbours.<\/p>\n He told NBC: \u201cIt is Americans who started this war against us, attacking us, and we are defending ourselves. So it is obvious that our missiles cannot reach the US soil.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we can do is to attack American bases and American installations around us, which are unfortunately in the soil of our, you know, neighbour countries.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018We will never surrender\u2019<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s foreign minister has dismissed calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East<\/a> conflict, saying \u201cwe will resist as long as necessary\u201d.<\/p>\n Speaking to NBC\u2019s Meet the Press, Abbas Araghchi said that a ceasefire was \u201cnot going to happen\u201d. He added: \u201cThere must be a permanent end to the war, and until we reach that point I think we need to continue fighting for the security of our people.\u201d<\/p>\n Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran would not agree to Trump\u2019s demand for an unconditional surrender, adding: \u201cWe will never surrender. We will resist as long as necessary. We will defend ourselves, our land, our people and our dignity. Our dignity is not negotiable.\u201d<\/p>\n Russian tech found in drone that hit RAF base in Cyprus<\/p>\n The kamikaze drone that struck a British airbase in Cyprus was equipped with Russian military hardware.<\/p>\n The drone hit RAF Akrotiri on Sunday March 1. It contained a Russian-made Kometa-B navigation system, a piece of hardware first seen in drones intercepted by Ukrainian air defences in December.<\/p>\n British military intelligence has now sent the recovered components to a laboratory in the UK for further investigation. It is believed the attack was launched by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.<\/p>\n \u2022 Read in full: First evidence of Kremlin equipment in the war is be revealed<\/a><\/p>\n Stay at home, US tells Iranians<\/p>\n US Central Command issued a safety warning to Iranian civilians as the American and Israeli bombing campaign<\/a> continues.<\/p>\n The warning claimed Iran was using civilian areas to conduct its military operations \u201cincluding launching one-way attack drones and ballistic missiles\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIran\u2019s terrorist regime blatantly disregards the safety of innocent people,\u201d read the warning on X. \u201cThis dangerous decision risks the lives of all civilians in Iran since locations used for military purposes lose protected status and could become legitimate military targets under international law. US forces strongly urge civilians in Iran to stay at home.\u201d<\/p>\n More than 1,200 people have been killed in the US-Israeli bombing raids, Tehran has said.<\/p>\n Spaniards condemn violence against women and war<\/p>\n Thousands of people across Spain denounced violence against women and the war in the Middle East sparked by US and Israeli strikes.<\/p>\n Demonstrations marking International Women\u2019s Day took place in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Granada, Bilbao and San Sebastian, among other cities. <\/p>\n A march in Madrid on Sunday<\/p>\n THOMAS COEX\/AFP\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n Yolanda Diaz, second vice-president, told the press at the rally in Madrid: \u201cIt is within our power to stop the war, to stop the barbarity and to win rights. We proclaim ourselves in defence of peace, in defence of the Iranian people, in defence of Iranian women.\u201d <\/p>\n Pedro S\u00e1nchez, the prime minister, has drawn the ire of the US administration after he refused the use of Spain\u2019s military bases for strikes against Iran, which he called an \u201cextraordinary mistake\u201d.<\/p>\n President Trump lashed out at S\u00e1nchez\u2019s government, threatening to sever all trade with the EU and Nato member, which he called \u201ca loser\u201d.<\/p>\n Drone experts from Kyiv sent to Middle East<\/p>\n President Zelensky of Ukraine said that Kyiv\u2019s drone experts would be \u201con site\u201d in the Middle East \u201cnext week\u201d, as he sought US air defence missiles in exchange for drone expertise.<\/p>\n \u201cThey will look at the situation and help,\u201d Zelensky told a press conference, when asked how the Ukrainians would be able to help the United States and the Gulf states to repel Iranian drones.<\/p>\n Drone interception causes death in Dubai<\/p>\n A driver was killed in Dubai on Saturday night when debris from a drone interception fell on his vehicle.<\/p>\n Video showed the aftermath of the incident. It was confirmed that the male victim was a Pakistani citizen, the second to have died in Dubai since the start of the Iran conflict.<\/p>\n On Sunday morning, Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, said in a statement: \u201cI am deeply saddened by the tragic death of two Pakistani nationals in UAE caused by missile debris.<\/p>\n \u201cOur diplomatic missions in the UAE are in close contact with the Dubai authorities to provide all necessary assistance and to facilitate the repatriation process. Our hearts go out to the bereaved family in this hour of grief.\u201d<\/p>\n Two Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon <\/p>\n Israel\u2019s military has confirmed that two of its soldiers have been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, the first Israeli troops to have died since fighting resumed with Hezbollah last week.<\/p>\n \u201cMaster Sergeant Maher Khatar, aged 38, from Majdal Shams, a soldier from the Combat Engineering Corps in the 91st division, fell during combat in southern Lebanon,\u201d a military statement said, adding that a second soldier was killed in the same incident.<\/p>\n Israel began a ground invasion on Friday in what the military said was a defensive operation to prevent militants from firing rockets across the border. Lebanese civilians were ordered north of the Litani river. A 2024 ceasefire agreement marked the area between the Litani and the border with Israel as a demilitarised zone.<\/p>\n Thousands of Israelis injured in Iran strikes<\/p>\n Almost 2,000 people have been injured and taken to hospital in Israel since the start of its strikes against Iran, health officials said. <\/p>\n At least six people were injured on Sunday by shrapnel in central Israel, according to United Hatzalah, a volunteer medical services organisation. It also said that a building had collapsed at an undisclosed location and a search operation continued.<\/p>\n However, many of the injuries were sustained while people were rushing to bomb shelters, the Israeli health ministry said. More than 120 remain in hospital. Others have been treated for stress and anxiety. <\/p>\n Traffic accidents are also said to be on the rise as Israelis scramble to reach shelters. Most of the serious injuries came as Iranian missiles hit Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh in the early days of the war. At least ten civilians have died as a result of Iranian attacks since the start of the war.<\/p>\n Kuwait fire put out after drone strike<\/p>\n The fire at a government building in Kuwait has been extinguished, according to the Ministry of Information.<\/p>\n Video showed flames engulfing the tower, the headquarters of the public institution for social security, after a drone strike early on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n \u201cFirefighting teams have managed to combat the fire \u2026 contain it, and prevent its spread,\u201d the ministry said in a social media post on social media.<\/p>\n The Arab League\u2019s secretary-general has said that Iranian attacks on several member states were \u201creckless\u201d, urging Tehran to reverse what he called a \u201cmassive strategic mistake\u201d.<\/p>\n Addressing an emergency video conference of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo, Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the strikes \u201ccannot be justified under any pretext or excuse\u201d, and repaid peace efforts by Gulf countries with \u201ctreacherous rockets and drone strikes\u201d.<\/p>\n Christina Lamb: Some Iranians say one thing\u2019s worse than bombs \u2014 no bombs<\/p>\n \u201cThe roar was so loud it sounded like a dragon,\u201d said Ana, a writer in northern Tehran, after a particularly intensive wave of bombings in the early hours of Friday woke her at 2am and set her windows rattling.<\/p>\n Saturday morning was the noisiest yet, as 80 Israeli fighter jets pounded the city and bombed the domestic airport in western Tehran, leaving planes burning on the runway. Windows shattered in the vast nearby Ekbatan apartment complex as residents cowered in the underground car park. \u201cNorth, east, central, south and northwest Tehran \u2014 there\u2019s not one single neighbourhood that has not experienced airstrikes,\u201d said Ana. \u201cEveryone\u2019s stressed all the time. If you have high blood pressure already like me, you are taking pills like crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n For the people of Tehran, the boom of explosions, roar of fighter jets and columns of thick smoke filling the skies have become their nightly reality, as US and Israeli attacks move into their second week of striking targets aimed at dismantling the repressive clerical regime.<\/p>\n \u2022 Read in full: Some civilians say the US and Israel must finish the job<\/a><\/p>\n Demonstrations expected at Israeli and Iranian embassies<\/p>\n Protesters are expected to gather near the Israeli and Iranian embassies in central London this afternoon.<\/p>\n One demonstration, \u201cthe lion guard of Iran\u201d, will march from Whitehall to the Israeli embassy near Kensington Palace.<\/p>\n The second, an \u201canti-Iranian government assembly\u201d, will take place outside the Iranian embassy in Knightsbridge.<\/p>\n The Metropolitan police said that conditions had been placed on both events, with orders to disperse by 5.30pm.<\/p>\n Iran \u2018randomly targeting civilian infrastructure\u2019<\/p>\n Bahrain\u2019s interior ministry has said that an Iranian drone attack damaged a water desalination plant, and accused Tehran of \u201crandomly\u201d targeting civilian infrastructure.<\/p>\n It said: \u201cThe Iranian aggression randomly bombs civilian targets and causes material damage to a water desalination plant following an attack by a drone.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier, Abbas Araghchi, Iran\u2019s foreign minister, said that a US airstrike damaged an Iranian desalination plant on Qeshm Island, in the south of the country, warning that in doing so \u201cthe US set this precedent, not Iran\u201d.<\/p>\n The attacks have increase fears that such infrastructure, critical for drinking water supplies in the parched deserts of the Gulf, could become targets in the war.<\/p>\n Pope prays \u2018the weapons fall silent\u2019<\/p>\n The Pope <\/a>has prayed that the \u201croar of bombs\u201d in the Middle East cease, as the war trigged by US-Israeli air strikes on Iran extended into its ninth day.<\/p>\n He said at the end of the Angelus prayer: \u201cWe raise our humble prayer to the Lord, that the roar of the bombs may cease, the weapons may fall silent and a space for dialogue may open in which the voices of the peoples may be heard.\u201d<\/p>\n Rescue workers killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon<\/p>\n Israeli strikes on Lebanon<\/a> have now killed 394 people in the past week, including 83 children and 42 women, the country\u2019s health minister said on Sunday.<\/p>\n Rakan Nassereddine also said at a press conference that nine rescue workers were among the dead, condemning attacks on medical teams and ambulances.<\/p>\n UAE death toll rises to four<\/p>\n The death toll in the UAE has increased to four, the Emirati defence ministry has said. The four people who have been killed were from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.<\/p>\n The ministry added that \u201csince the start of the brazen Iranian aggression\u201d, Tehran has fired 238 ballistic missiles, two of which \u201cfell on the country\u2019s territory\u201d.<\/p>\n More than 1,420 drones have been fired and 80 of these evaded detection.<\/p>\n \u2018We will get everyone home\u2019<\/p>\n The minister for the Middle East said that about 27,000 British citizens had been evacuated from the Gulf, and called the operation to bring them home<\/a> a \u201chuge consular crisis\u201d.<\/p>\n Hamish Falconer told Times Radio that the government believed there were about 300,000 people in the region. More than 150,000 have registered their presence with the UK government, and roughly 15,000 have requested assistance.<\/p>\n Falconer said more charter and commerical flights would continue from Gulf states, adding: \u201cWe will get everybody home safely. It\u2019s just a question of time.\u201d<\/p>\n Oslo embassy attack \u2018linked to security situation\u2019<\/p>\n An attack on the US embassy in Oslo may have been deliberate and \u201clinked to the current security situation\u201d, Norwegian police said.<\/p>\n The explosion happened in the early hours of Sunday. Police received reports of a \u201cloud bang\u201d around 1am.<\/p>\n Local media reported minor damage to an entrance of the embassy and people nearby said the street was blanketed in thick smoke following the blasts. No one was injured and, so far, there are no suspects.<\/p>\n Police have increased security measures near the embassy and said they would add protection for Iranians and Jewish people in the country.<\/p>\n More than 1,200 people have been killed in the US-Israeli bombing raids, Tehran said.<\/p>\n Among the dead were 200 children<\/a> under 12 years of age, said Hossein Kermanpour, a government official, in a post on X. Another 10,000 people had been injured, he added.<\/p>\n Kermanpour claimed that nine hospitals had been bombed out of service, and 25 damaged.<\/p>\n Please enable cookies and other technologies to view this content. You can update your cookies preferences any time using privacy manager.<\/a><\/p>\n Enable cookiesAllow cookies onceMacron to visit Cyprus \u2018in solidarity\u2019<\/p>\n President Macron will visit Cyprus on Monday to show \u201csolidarity\u201d with a European ally under attack, the \u00c9lys\u00e9e Palace has said.<\/p>\n The French leader will meet President Christodoulides of Cyprus and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, during his visit. He will discuss plans to \u201cstrengthen security around Cyprus and in the eastern Mediterranean\u201d.<\/p>\n A suspected Iranian drone hit the island\u2019s British airbase RAF Akrotiri<\/a> last Sunday. France sent an aircraft carrier group to the Mediterranean two days later, but the Royal Navy is still preparing its destroyer HMS Dragon to protect the island.<\/p>\n John Healey, the defence secretary, visited RAF Akrotiri on Thursday and Wildcat helicopters equipped with anti-drone weapons have arrived, but Cypriot officials have publicly voiced their disappointment about the British response.<\/p>\n Constantinos Kombos, the foreign minister, said on Friday: \u201cThere are questions. There are issues. There are concerns.\u201d <\/p>\n Scottish first minister considers banning US military flights<\/p>\n The Scottish first minister has said he would \u201cexplore\u201d banning US military flights that are taking part in strikes on the Middle East from Prestwick Airport.<\/p>\n John Swinney told the BBC\u2019s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg there had to be a \u201cvery, very constrained use\u201d of UK bases in the conflict.<\/p>\n Asked if he was allowing the Scottish government-owned airport to be used by the US military, Swinney said: \u201cWe\u2019re seeking clarity from the United Kingdom government about the purpose of American flights that are coming in and out of Prestwick, but we don\u2019t have the ability to scrutinise those flights.\u201d<\/p>\n He said, when asked if he would ban American military flights going through the airport to be part of launching strikes: \u201cWell, that\u2019s something that I would explore, yes, but I need the information to enable me to take that decision.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Dereliction of duty\u2019 not to send UK warships<\/p>\n Chris Philp, the shadow foreign secretary, accused the UK government of a \u201cdereliction of duty\u201d by not moving warships to Cyprus or the Middle East sooner.<\/p>\n Speaking on Sky News\u2019s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Philp said: \u201cThe problem is, those ships (HMS Dragon and HMS Prince of Wales) as we speak, are nowhere near Cyprus. They\u2019re nowhere near the Gulf.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re tied up at the docks in Portsmouth because Keir Starmer and the Labour government showed no foresight whatsoever, even though they knew three or four weeks ago that America planned this action against Iran, they did not move those ships into the region,\u201d he added. \u201cThat is a dereliction of duty, frankly.\u201d<\/p>\n The HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, which is being readied for possible deployment<\/p>\n CHRIS GORMAN\/BIG LADDER\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n Who is Iran\u2019s new supreme leader?<\/p>\n Iran said a new supreme leader had been chosen \u2014 but did not reveal the name of the successor to Ali Khamenei. The body tasked with selecting a new head said it reached a decision on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most suitable candidate, approved by the majority of the Assembly of Experts, has been determined,\u201d said Mohsen Heydari, a member of the selection body who represents Khuzestan province, according to Iran\u2019s ISNA news agency.<\/p>\n Another member, Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, confirmed in a video carried by Iran\u2019s Fars news agency that \u201ca firm opinion reflecting the majority view has been reached\u201d.<\/p>\n Speculation has centred on Mojtaba Khamenei being the most likely candidate to succeed his slain father.<\/p>\n Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pictured in 2019<\/p>\n GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n UK \u2018shouldn\u2019t simply agree\u2019 with Trump<\/p>\n Sir Keir Starmer was \u201cright to stand up for Britain and Britain\u2019s interests\u201d, Yvette Cooper said in response to critcisim from Donald Trump.<\/p>\n The foreign secretary told the BBC\u2019s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: \u201cIt\u2019s for the US president to decide what he thinks is in the US national interest, and that\u2019s for him to do.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it is our job as the UK government to decide what\u2019s in the UK national interest, and that doesn\u2019t mean simply agreeing with other countries or outsourcing our foreign policy to other countries.\u201d<\/p>\n Cooper added the UK needs to \u201ctake decisions ourselves\u201d.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t film war \u2018incidents\u2019, Qatar urges public<\/p>\n Qatari authorities have issued safety guidelines which warn that filming \u201cincident sites\u201d or sharing or circulating such content is banned.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Interior in Qatar called on people to remain \u201ccalm and composed\u201d and not share unverified information during what it described as \u201cthe current circumstances\u201d.<\/p>\n It also called for people to not gather in incident sites to allow emergency services easy access. Under one guideline, titled \u201clegal responsibility,\u201d the ministry said: \u201cRefrain from filming incident sites or sharing and circulating their content. This is both an ethical and legal responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n Acid rain warning in Tehran<\/p>\n \u201cHighly acidic\u201d rain is falling in Tehran after huge US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran\u2019s energy facilities, with health officials warning residents to stay indoors.<\/p>\n The Iranian Red Crescent said the oil depot explosions released into the air \u201csignificant quantities of toxic hydrocarbon compounds, sulphur, and nitrogen oxides\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the event of precipitation, the resulting rain is extremely dangerous and highly acidic,\u201d it added in a statement, warning of skin burns and severe lung damage.<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s environmental authorities urged Iranians to remain indoors to avoid respiratory problems and other health consequences. Images showed Tehran covered in a thick black blanket of dark smoke.<\/p>\n Iran is ready for a \u201cfull-scale, six-month intense war\u201d, according to Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards.<\/p>\n Mohammad Naeini, a spokesman for the group, said on Telegram that Iran had \u201cvast missile stockpiles and there is no cause for concern\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe powerful forces of the Islamic Republic are fully prepared for at least a six-month, full-scale, intense war at their current pace,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Cooper denies UK \u2018dithering\u2019 over Iran war<\/p>\n Yvette Cooper refused to confirm whether the UK\u2019s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales would be deployed to assist in the crisis in the Middle East, as she denied that the UK was \u201cdithering\u201d in the conflict.<\/p>\n Asked on Sky News\u2019s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips whether the aircraft carrier would \u201cend up in theatre\u201d, Cooper said: \u201cI\u2019m not going to get into the operational decisions on that.\u201d<\/p>\n She said she would \u201cstrongly disagree\u201d with suggestions the UK was seen as \u201cdithering\u201d by President Trump and the Gulf States. \u201cI\u2019ve spoken to many of our Gulf partners, we have had many discussions over the course of the last ten days, and detailed discussions as well, and know how closely we are working in partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n Preparations to deploy HMS Prince of Wales are being stepped up, but no decisions have yet been taken.<\/p>\n Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, said Sir Keir Starmer would not turn to \u201crhetoric or hyperbole\u201d and would focus on \u201ccalm, steady decision-making\u201d after President Trump again hit out at the UK over its reluctance to support the US attack on Iran.<\/p>\n She said people needed to \u201cfocus on the substance and not social media posts\u201d after the president wrote on Truth Social that the UK was too late to offer support.<\/p>\n Cooper said \u201csometimes we will disagree\u201d as both countries act in their national interest. \u201cWe disagreed on the initial strikes that took place, and whether the UK should provide the basing support for them, but that is a legitimate thing for the UK prime minister to do,\u201d she told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News.<\/p>\n \u2018The oil shock tsunami is just beginning\u2019<\/p>\n A senior Russian official, who is the head of the country\u2019s sovereign wealth fund, has warned an \u201coil shock tsunami is beginning\u201d.<\/p>\n Kirill Dmitriev, who is also closely involved in Russia-Ukraine negotiations, posted the comment on X in regards to the global oil price.<\/p>\n There are widespread fears that the war in Iran will lead to a huge hike in global energy prices and kickstart new inflationary pressures worldwide.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/\/985c89fa-292a-424d-b440-721f263b7ede.jpg\")
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Iranian attacks \u2018cannot be justified\u2019<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/\/96b2e29a-786c-4b41-8e7a-e647945c9650.jpg\")
200 children killed in strikes, Iran says<\/p>\n![\"Drone](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/\/b65373dd-8325-4286-950f-8191ed813958.jpg\")
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Iran ready for \u2018six-month war\u2019, IRGC claims<\/p>\n![\"Yvette](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/\/c5d59be8-b48a-4856-9f2c-78487a373af7.jpg\")
Starmer \u2018calm\u2019 after Trump rebuke, says Cooper<\/p>\n
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Evacuation flight arrives in Dublin<\/p>\n![\"Family](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/\/494076bb-37c1-4f44-89bf-cf322cda43c1.jpg\")
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