• Huge explosions hit several locations across Iran, including the capital Tehran, overnight as the war enters its eighth day.
• US President Donald Trump wants an “unconditional surrender” from Iran, warning there will not be a deal to end the war without it.
• The US Military’s Central Command says more than 3,000 targets have been hit in Iran this week, with 43 Iranian warships destroyed.
• Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, tells the UN Security Council that the US and Israel are bombing civilian areas in his country, stating: “These acts constitute clear war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
• UN experts have called for an independent investigation of attack on a girls’ school in Iran that killed 165 students this week. The call comes as media report that the US military is likely responsible for the attack.
• Qatar’s General Authority of Civil Aviation says it will resume air traffic along emergency routes for “limited” evacuation and cargo flights.
• The US is well on its way towards controlling Iranian airspace, with Washington aiming to take full control of it within six weeks, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Azerbaijan says it foiled IRGC ‘terrorist plans’ targeting pipeline and Israeli sites

Azerbaijan’s State Security Service said it has thwarted “terrorist plans” and intelligence-gathering operations allegedly prepared by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) inside the country.

According to the Azerbaijani state news agency Azertac, authorities said the suspected plot included plans to target the strategic Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Israeli embassy in Baku, a leader of the local Jewish community and the Ashkenazi synagogue.

Security services said they neutralised three explosive devices after they were brought into Azerbaijan and launched wide-ranging searches to identify potential targets and people suspected of cooperating with Iranian intelligence.

Saudi forces destroy incoming ballistic missile

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said its forces intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards the Prince Sultan airbase.

The ministry provided no further details.

Oil prices surge over fears of long conflict

Crude prices have continued to climb on mounting fears about oil supply disruption as the US-Israel strikes and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region upend the world’s energy and transport sectors.

The international benchmark oil contract, Brent North Sea crude, jumped to $92.69 per barrel, up 8.5 percent for the day and nearly 30 percent for the week.

Traders are closely monitoring the situation in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, with Iran repeatedly threatening to close the waterway.

Roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes through the strait.

Trump to be present at return of six US troops killed in Kuwait

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the return of the remains of six US soldiers killed in an Iranian attack on Kuwait.

The ceremony will take place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

The troops were killed on Sunday when a drone struck a key US command centre in Kuwait’s southern industrial hub of Port Shuaiba, a day after the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran.

Air raid sirens sound in Bahrain

The country’s Ministry of Interior has urged people to “remain calm and head to the nearest safe place”.

Trump is ‘well aware of who he is talking to’ after reports that Russia aiding Iran

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has responded to reports that Russia is providing intelligence to Iran regarding US positions in the Middle East.

Speaking to CBS News, Hegseth said that President Trump is “well aware of who he is talking to” and that the US is “tracking everything”.

“And anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channeled, is being confronted and confronted strongly,” Hegseth said.

Video clip said to show huge explosions in Tehran

The Mamlekate news organization, which describes itself as a “community of random volunteer citizen journalists” covering issues in Iran, has shared a video clip of what is reported to be large explosions in Tehran early on Saturday morning. Other photos of reported explosions were also shared by the news site.

Trump says US military doing ‘phenomenally’ in war on Iran

Trump also said at the White House that he thought the US military was doing “phenomenally” and that is why he believes he can set the terms for what happens next, saying that there had to be an “unconditional surrender”.

That was later qualified by his press secretary, saying that meant either the Iranians would announce that they were giving up completely or they were in a position where they could not respond at any point in the future.

He also talked about how he would like to be involved in selecting a new leader in Iran. That’s been dismissed by the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, saying Iran is a sovereign state, and its people will decide who the next leader is.

Trump wanted to make sure that there was someone who would work with the United States, would be good to the United States and also to Israel.

Saudi forces destroy four drones

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said four drones were intercepted and destroyed in the “Empty Quarter” desert area in the south of the country as they flew towards the Shaybah oilfield.

The ministry provided no further details.

US looking to ‘paralyse’ Iran’s logistical hubs; Tehran ready for long war: Analyst

Abas Aslani, from the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, said from Tehran that there have been several explosions in the Iranian capital in the last couple of hours.

Aslani said that areas in the west of the city were being targeted, including Mehrabad international airport.

“It seems there is a calculated effort in order to paralyse the logistical hub in the country where domestic flights are taking place and the maintenance of aircraft,” he said.

Aslani also said that Iran believes that the US will look to “bring instability and chaos to the country” by using other tactics outside of aerial attacks.

“We might see a transition to include more armed separatist groups. That could be the trajectory in the coming days,” he said.

Aslani also discussed how the potential length of the war is being viewed in Iran.

“Here in Iran, what we are hearing is that the country is ready for a prolonged war and for as long as it takes,” he said.

Saudi defense minister, Pakistan army chief meet amid ‘Iranian aggression’: Ministry

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud has met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir and discussed the “Iranian aggression against the kingdom”, according to the Saudi Defense Ministry.

The talks were held within the “framework of the strategic defense agreement between the two brotherly countries”, the Defense Ministry said.

“Both sides expressed their hope that the Iranian side would prevail with wisdom and the voice of reason, and to stay away from misguided calculations,” the ministry said.

Saudi forces destroy drone east of capital Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said a drone was intercepted and destroyed east of Riyadh city.

Earlier, the ministry said four drones were destroyed in the south of the country, and a ballistic missile, which targeted the Prince Sultan airbase, was also intercepted and destroyed.

Iran’s strikes on the Gulf: Burning the bridges of good neighborliness

For years, Gulf states had invested enormous diplomatic capital in preventing precisely the conflict that we are now seeing, engaging with Tehran and assuring them that their territories would not serve as launch pads against the Islamic Republic, writes Sultan Al-Khulaifi, senior researcher at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies.

That Iran’s response has been to turn its missiles on these same neighbours is a strategic miscalculation of historic proportions, Al-Khulaifi writes.

Iran’s attacks have repaid years of Gulf good faith with a barrage more ferocious than anything directed at the countries that launched the war, he adds.

US Treasury Secretary forecasts ‘biggest bombing campaign’ yet on Iran

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been speaking to Fox News and said “tonight will be our biggest bombing campaign” against Iran.

He said the US attack will “do the most damage to the Iranian missile launchers, the factories that build the missiles, and we are substantially degrading them”.

Bessent has also accused Iran of “trying to create economic chaos”, pointing to Tehran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Air raid sirens activated in Bahrain

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has warned people to head to the “nearest safe space”.

It is the second time in the past few hours that sirens have sounded in Bahrain.

Missile intercepted above Jordan

A missile has been intercepted in the airspace above the Jordanian city of Aqaba.

The city is located directly across from Eilat in southern Israel.

Two more missiles intercepted over Jordan

Two new missiles have been intercepted after breaching the airspace over the Jordanian city of Aqaba.

Another missile was reported to have been intercepted over the city a little earlier.

Aqaba is located opposite the city of Eilat in southern Israel.

Dubai reports ‘minor incident’ after ‘interception’

Authorities in Dubai have confirmed that there has been a “minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception”.

In a statement, the Dubai Media Office said the incident has been “successfully contained” with no injuries reported.

They also denied reports circulating on social media about any incidents at Dubai international airport.

Iranian officials ‘mock’ remarks by Trump on surrender, role in choosing next leader

Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Centre for Middle East Strategic Studies, said Trump’s demands that Iran surrender and that he has a role in choosing Iran’s next leader have been met with a “posture of absolute refusal”.

“We are seeing that Iran is signaling continuity rather than change,” Aslani told Al Jazeera.

“They are saying that it is up to the Assembly of Experts to elect the main leader, and Iranian officials have been mocking these remarks by the United States,” he said.

“We have seen, let’s say, a confidence in the rhetoric here in Tehran in the course of days, and they do not signal any change to somehow engage with the United States,” he said.

Iran’s legal case for striking the Gulf collapses under scrutiny

Iran has proposed a number of legal arguments to support their attacks on Gulf states, including acting in self-defense pursuant to Article 51 of the UN Charter.

But such arguments are legally flawed, factually skewed and tactically wrong, writes Hesham Alghannam, head of the National Security Department at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences.

Collectively, Iran’s position adds up to a legal argument that, if accepted, would ensure that the Gulf is permanently destabilized and the basic principles of international law are destroyed, Alghannam writes.

Hesham Alghannam ignores the fact that:

• Iran didn't start the war but Netanyahu later joined by Trump.
• the two belligerents are waging a war across borders:
  • Netanyahu illegally used the airspace of Syria and Iraq to attack Iran.
  • Trump didn't attack from his country but from GCC member states.
  • Both leaders did not have a mandate from the UN Security Council.
• the war is a resumption of Netanyahu's preemptive 12-day war on Iran, he waged in June 2025, and vowed in December 2025 to attack Iran in 2026 again.
• the Israelis and the US violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter by starting a war on political grounds.

Flights circle above Dubai airport

The online airline tracker Flightradar24 is reporting that a number of flights bound for Dubai are in a holding pattern over the airport.

Earlier, the Dubai Media Office reported that there had been a “minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception”.

The Dubai Media Office also denied reports circulating on social media about any incidents at Dubai international airport.

Pakistan caught between Iran and Saudi Arabia

Reverberations from the US-Israel war on Iran and Tehran’s attacks on Gulf countries are being keenly felt in Pakistan.

Pakistan shares a 900km (560-mile) border with Iran in its southwest, and millions of Pakistani workers are residents in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations.

Pakistan has also reinforced its decades-long ties with Saudi Arabia by signing a formal mutual defense agreement.

Saudi forces destroy two ballistic missiles targeting airbase

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reports that two more ballistic missiles have been intercepted and destroyed after being launched towards the Prince Sultan Air Base.

The ministry provided no further details.

Earlier on Saturday, the ministry reported that Saudi forces destroyed four drones in the south of the country and an earlier ballistic missile, which targeted the Prince Sultan Air Base.

Flight data shows first flight out of Doha

Qatar has partially reopened its airspace in a cautious first step towards restoring air lines to one of the Gulf’s most important aviation hubs.

According to global flight tracking service Flightradar, an A380 jet heading to London was the first aircraft to depart Doha since the war began on February 28.

The country’s aviation authority said priority would be given to “stranded passengers with families, elderly passengers, and those with urgent medical and compassionate travel needs”.

US Embassy warns citizens to stay vigilant amid Middle East departure efforts

The US Embassy in Qatar says it is working on additional options to assist Americans to depart the Middle East.

It urged its citizens to continue monitoring email for additional information or last-minute changes and to “remain vigilant”.

UAE says it is responding to incoming missile, drone threats

The UAE’s Defence Ministry says its air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran.

The sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of intercepting ballistic missiles and drones, it added.

Iran death toll expected to rise above 1,300 amid fierce night of air attacks

The day before yesterday, Iran reported 1,300 people were being killed and many more injured.

The number is expected to rise.

IRGC claims destruction of radar systems, fuel storage facilities, runways in UAE, Kuwait

In a statement released on Saturday, the IRGC said the latest phase of the operation involved large-scale, combined strikes using new-generation missiles and drones against US positions.

According to the statement carried by the IRNA news agency, one of the main targets was the al-Dhafra airbase in the UAE, where precision missiles and drones struck key installations. The IRGC declared the attack destroyed an advanced early-warning radar system, hangars used for maintaining MQ‑9 drones, and facilities linked to US reconnaissance aircraft, including the U‑2.

The IRGC also reported heavy missile strikes on the Ali al-Salem airbase in Kuwait, saying cruise and ballistic missiles damaged the base’s radar systems, fuel storage facilities, and two runways used by US aircraft.

Saudi Arabia intercepts, destroys two more drones

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense says two additional drones have been intercepted. One was destroyed east of the capital, Riyadh, and another in the country’s “Empty Quarter” desert zone as it traveled towards the Shaybah oilfield.

The country’s air defences have been engaging and destroying drones and ballistic missiles since the early hours of Saturday morning.

Arab League to meet over Iranian attacks

Foreign ministers of the Arab League will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss “Iranian attacks on the territories of several Arab countries”, the bloc’s assistant secretary-general has told the AFP news agency.

The meeting, which will be held via video conference, was requested by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Egypt, Hossam Zaki said.

Indonesian president’s US ties questioned amid public anger over Iran war

Calls are growing for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the leader of the world’s largest Muslim country, to distance himself from Washington amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.

In recent months, Prabowo has faced criticism at home after volunteering to deploy 8,000 Indonesian troops to Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace (BOP), of which Israel is also a member.

A staunch advocate for an independent Palestine, Indonesia does not have any formal diplomatic relations with Israel.

Prabowo’s apparent closeness with Trump was already criticised, and the US attack on Iran has now increased pressure on the Indonesian president.

At least 8 people killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran’s central province of Isfahan: Official

US-Israeli attacks on Iran’s central province of Isfahan killed at least eight people on Saturday, a provincial official says, according to the Tasnim news agency.

“Eight citizens, including a woman, were martyred in these terrorist attacks,” said Akbar Salehi, a security official at the governor’s office in Isfahan province.

“American and Zionist regime fighter jets attacked areas of Isfahan city and seven other cities in the province,” Salehi said, adding that “80 houses were severely damaged” in the city, as well as in the Lenjan and Borkhar areas.

Emirates suspends all flights to and from Dubai

All Emirates flights to and from the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates have been suspended until further notice, the airline says.

The development comes a day after the company spokesperson told the Reuters news agency on Friday that Emirates expected a return to 100 percent of its network in the coming days.

Iran’s president says neighbouring countries will no longer be targeted, unless attacks launched from there

The Iranian interim leadership council approved yesterday that neighbouring countries will no longer be attacked, unless an attack on Iran originates from there, President Masoud Pezeshkian has said.

In remarks carried by Iranian media, the president also apologised to the neighbouring countries for the strikes that took place in the past days.

Iran attacks Malta-flagged tanker in Gulf near Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) says they have attacked an oil tanker, Prima, in the Gulf with a drone “after ignoring repeated warnings from the IRGC Navy regarding the prohibition of traffic and the unsafe nature of the Strait of Hormuz”, according to the Tasnim news agency.

The report said the incident against “the offending tanker” came “minutes ago” this morning.

According to MarineTraffic website, Prima is an oil and chemical tanker sailing under the flag of Malta.

‘Elevated’ security threat level in Qatar

Qatar’s Interior Ministry sent out an alert on mobile phones, saying the security threat level has been “elevated” and telling residents to “remain indoors”.

Qatar ‘eliminated’ security threat

Qatar’s Interior Ministry has sent an alert on residents’ mobile phones, saying the security threat in the Gulf country has been “elevated”.

Minutes later, a follow-up message said “the security threat has been eliminated and the situation has returned to normal”.

Iran apologizes for attacks, moments later interception heard over Doha

Within minutes of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian saying that his country apologizes for attacking neighbouring countries, that they did not intend to attack the territory of its Arab neighbours and that they approved not to launch missiles towards neighbouring countries unless attacked … within minutes of that, we heard another explosion in the sky over Doha and a security alarm went off.

What we heard was likely the sound of an interception. Whether or not there was a delay in communication between the Iranian army and the Iranian government’s decision remains unclear. But the fact remains that surely after that announcement, another interception explosion was heard.

Missile attack intercepted, Qatar’s Defense Ministry says

Qatar’s Defense Ministry says “armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted” the country.

It did not elaborate on how many missiles were involved or what the target was.

Pezeshkian’s statement sign of ‘deescalation, however small’

The Iranian president’s latest statement is a de-escalation, however small, in a very escalated situation as it is day eight of the initiation of the US and Israeli strikes across Iran. We have received reports of a continuation of these air attacks in more than 170 cities.

President Masoud Pezeshkian’s comments were in a prerecorded five-minute statement, in which he tried to cover a wide range of issues pertaining to the recent developments on the ground.

He began with a reference to the residential areas, schools and hospitals being attacked, in a breach of international law and regulations.

He went on to call for unity and solidarity among people to defend the sovereignty of the country.

He also sent a strong message to the Americans, saying what they want is an unconditional surrender, and they will “carry that dream to their graves”.

He also apologized to the regional countries, and said there is an approval in Iran’s interim leadership to stop the attacks on them unless there is more usage of the military bases there by the US to attack Iranian territory.

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry warns ‘fifth column’ against sending war footage

The Ministry of Intelligence says a small number of “American-Zionist mercenaries” are photographing bombed locations and sending the footage to “terrorist satellite networks” and online media outside Iran.

These people are “acting as the fifth column of the Zionist regime and its eyes inside the country”, it said in a statement carried by state media.

The ministry said these “soldiers of Israel” are being watched and will be punished “severely” under an amended law after the 12-day war with Israel in June.

It also asked citizens to report any suspicious cases by calling authorities or messaging through local applications – since the global internet has now been blocked for a full week.

Iran stock exchange to remain shut until further notice

Iranian state media is reporting that the country’s stock exchange will remain closed until further notice.

US-Israeli strikes targeted at least 6,668 civilian units: Red Crescent

At least 6,668 civilian units have been targeted in US-Israeli attacks since the beginning of the war on February 28, according to Iranian Red Crescent Society statistics cited by the Fars news agency.

The breakdown said they targeted:

• 5,535 residential units
• 1,041 commercial units
• 14 medical centers
• 65 schools
• 13 centers affiliated with the Iranian Red Crescent Society

During these attacks, a number of rescue and relief vehicles were also damaged, and several Red Crescent staff were injured while carrying out rescue missions, the report said.

Bahrain says it has intercepted 86 missiles, 148 drones since start of attacks

In a statement, the General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force has said air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed 86 missiles and 148 drones since the start of the “treacherous aggression” against the country.

The context of Iranian president’s statement

Qatar said it thwarted a missile attack minutes after Iranian media released a prerecorded video of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian saying neighbouring countries would no longer be targeted if no attacks originated from their soil.

Resul Serdar has offered some context to better understand the situation.

“Political figures in Iran are responsible for running state affairs and ‘non-strategic’ affairs. But when it comes to strategic affairs, such as the country’s foreign and security policies, politicians don’t have a say, including the president, who, according to the constitution, is the number two in charge – this is a very well-known fact in Iran,” Serdar said.

The center of power lies with the office of the supreme leader and with the IRGC, even during peacetime. Now that the country faces what it sees as a war of survival, Pezeshkian is likely not in a position to stop any attacks as “the IRGC is now in charge fully.

“They will decide whether to attack or not,” Serdar said, adding that the new Revolutionary Guard chief, Ahmad Vahidi, is considered one of the “most radical commanders” of the group since its foundation.

“I don’t think Pezeshkian or other politicians will have any influence when it comes to security politics,” he added.

Kuwait, Saudi Arabia discuss military cooperation

Kuwait’s Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah held a telephone conversation yesterday evening with Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to a statement released by the Kuwaiti side, the discussion focused on cooperation and coordination in military and defense fields.

We consider this development is a first signal within the GCC, that it is loosing trust in the United States when it comes to protection of their allies in the region.

US bomber lands in Britain’s Gloucestershire as UK allows use of military bases

The 146ft B-1 Lancer arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday evening after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer granted permission for "defensive" US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.

The development comes after US President Donald Trump and a number of British politicians, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, criticized Starmer for a delay in granting permission to use the military bases.

Starmer has defended his decision, suggesting the war could have been unlawful and lacked a viable, thought-through plan.

"for 'defensive' US action against Iranian missile sites"

• Iran didn't start the war but Netanyahu later joined by Trump..
• Iran is NOT attacking the territory of the United States but US basis in the region from where Trump, as a attacking belligerent, attacks Iran.
• Countries that allows US attacks on Iran from their soil are contributing to aggression and violence in the act of war by Trump, and therefore responsible under states responsibility laws.
• Countries in the previously mentioned position but who believe that technical and logistical assistance are not facilitation, they should realize that these assistance are preparatory activities in attacks on Iran. It is still contributing to aggression and violence in the act of war and therefore a violation of Article 2(5) of the UN Charter.

‘Great doubts’ on legitimacy: Germany’s deputy leader rules out joining US-Israeli war on Iran

Germany’s Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has ruled out joining the US-Israeli war in Iran, saying he has “great doubts that this war is legitimate under international law”.

“I say very clearly: This is not our war. We will not participate in this war,” he told media outlet RND, warning of “the great danger that we are sliding ever deeper into a world where there are no longer any rules.

“We do not want to live in a world where only the law of the strongest applies,” he added.

Klingbeil clearly opposed the stance taken by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had declared that his government shared “the goals of the United States and Israel regarding Iran’s nuclear and missile program, Tehran’s threat to Israel, and its support for terrorism and proxies”.

Host countries -Germany is hosting US' largest airbase in Europe-  who believe that technical and logistical assistance are not facilitation, they should, like Germany, realize that these assistance are assisting preparatory activities in attacks on Iran by the US as the attacking belligerent. Berlin is then responsible under states responsibility laws.

When Germany goes directly involved in preparatory activities in attacks on Iran, Berlin is contributing to aggression and violence in the act of war and therefore in violation of Article 2(5) of the UN Charter.

Qatar Airways to operate limited flights to Doha

In a new statement, Qatar Airways says it plans to operate flights from London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Frankfurt and Bangkok to Hamad International Airport in Doha tomorrow.

It said the decision was taken following the temporary authorisation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority that confirmed a safe operating corridor.

“These flights are only for passengers whose final destination is Doha,” it said, adding that they “do not constitute a confirmation of resumption of scheduled commercial operations.”

The carrier also urged passengers not to arrive at their departure airport unless they hold a valid confirmed ticket for travel.

Iran’s nationwide internet outage stretches into day 8 of war

As Israel and the US continue to pound Iran with air raids across the country, internet watchdog NetBlocks says Iranians have not been able to use the global internet for the past 168 hours, or more than seven days.

This comes as authorities have imposed a nationwide internet blackout, trying to limit information avenues to state-run news and messaging services.

Internet connectivity nosedived across the country minutes after warplanes bombed the downtown area of Tehran on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several members of his family and many top military commanders.

After a few hours, connectivity was at below 1 percent of previous levels, which were already severely limited, and has remained at that level.

Airspace in Bahrain closed

Bahrain’s international airport says it will remain temporarily suspended due to airspace closure.

Iran hits UAE’s al-Dhafra airbase: Report

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) navy has launched a drone attack on the al-Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates, according to the Tasnim news agency.

A US satellite communication centre, early warning and fire control radars were hit, the report said.

The UAE has not commented on this yet.

IRGC says neighbors’ sovereignty respected, all US-Israel bases and interests to be targeted if attacks continue

Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters of the IRGC releases a statement following Pezeshkian’s comments that Iran’s interim leadership council had approved stopping attacks on neighbouring countries – unless an attack on Iran originated from there.

“Following the statements of the president, the armed forces once again declare that they respect the interests and national sovereignty of neighbouring countries and, up to this point, have committed no aggression against them,” the statement, which was carried by state media, said.

“However, should the previous hostile actions continue, all military bases and interests of criminal America and the fake Zionist regime on land, at sea, and in the air across the region will be considered primary targets and will come under the powerful and crushing strikes of the mighty armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

IRGC announces 25th wave of missile and drone attacks

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a 25th wave of attacks using missiles and drones against military and military support centres.

In a short statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC said the hypersonic Fatah missile and ballistic Emad missiles are used in the operation.

Trump claims Iran ‘surrendered’ to neighbours, pledges ‘very hard’ strikes

US President Donald Trump has just released a statement on his Truth Social platform threatening that Iran “will be hit very hard” today.

Trump argued that Iran had apologised and “surrendered” to its Middle East neighbours and also “promised that it will not shoot at them anymore”.

He argued that “this promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack.”

As we’ve reported, Pezeshkian said in a prerecorded message that was released earlier today that Iran’s interim leadership council had approved stopping attacks on neighbouring countries – unless an attack on Iran originated from there. It was followed by an IRGC statement warning that all US-Israel military bases and interests will be considered “primary targets” if attacks on Iran continue.

In his social media message, Trump also pledged more attacks today.

“Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time,” he wrote.

Iranian president concerned about burning bridges, IRCG not so much: Analyst

Ali Vaez, the head of the Crisis Group’s Iran program, on Pezeshkian’s speech that was released earlier today, in which the president apologized for Iran’s attacks on neighbouring countries.

The pre-recorded video statement was aired a few minutes before a new missile attack was intercepted in Qatar.

“This is indicative that there are differences about what is the best approach,” Vaez said.

“Pezeshkian, who is one of the weakest presidents in the Islamic republic’s history, is clearly concerned about burning too many bridges with Iran’s neighbours, but the policy that is being implemented now is primarily driven by the Revolutionary Guards and by individuals like Ali Larijani, the national security adviser, and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of parliament, both of whom are veterans and former commanders of the guards,” Vaez said.

“Therefore, it appears to me that the government is simply concerned about the consequences of alienating neighbours and potentially pushing them to join the US on the offensive side, whereas the Revolutionary Guards are determined to continue this policy.”

But rather than a deep rupture, Vaez said the difference in messaging could instead be interpreted as a reflection of reduced unity due to the absence of a supreme leader who used to have the final say on what approach to take.

As Iran’s ruling system is in survival mode, the expert said, it understands that harming neighbouring countries and disrupting oil supplies is leverage it will not give up easily as it confronts two countries with military superiority.

“These could also be different parts of the system trying to hedge their bets with the neighbors, but at the end of the day, they are all sitting in the same boat, and if it sinks, they will all go down with it. That is why I wouldn’t call the fracture too deep.”

Trump’s interpretation of Pezeshkian’s remarks totally false

Hamidreza Gholamzadeh, director of Iranian think tank Diplo House, says Trump’s interpretation of Pezeshkian’s comments as a “surrender” is “totally false”.

What the Iranian president meant in his prerecorded video message, in which he said Iran would halt targeting neighbouring countries unless attacked from there, was actually “the same thing that was in place for the past seven days – Iran is not attacking or targeting its neighbours, Iran is attacking American or Israeli assets in the region”.

Gholamzadeh said Iran is asking its neighbours “that they stop cooperating with the United States or the Israeli regime and do not allow them to use their land or their airspace to attack Iran”, describing the request as something “very normal” and “legal”.

UAE targeted by 16 ballistic missiles, 121 drones

At least 16 ballistic missiles and 121 drones were launched at the United Arab Emirates today, according to the country’s authorities.

All missiles but one that fell into the sea were intercepted. At least 119 drones were intercepted and two drones crashed within the UAE territory, they said.

Since the start of the war:

• 221 ballistic missiles have been detected. 205 were destroyed and 14 fell into the sea. Two landed within the UAE.
• 1,305 Iranian drones have been detected. 1,229 were intercepted and 76 landed within UAE territory.
• Eight cruise missiles have also been detected and destroyed.
• These attacks resulted in three deaths of Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationals, and 112 minor injuries of Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian and Turkish nationals.

Hundreds of stranded German cruise passengers arrive in Frankfurt

More holidaymakers stranded in the Middle East because of the Iran war arrived back in Germany on Saturday following their evacuation.

A total of 640 passengers from the cruise ship Mein Schiff 4 landed at Frankfurt Airport, said a spokesperson for the operator TUI Cruises.

The company had chartered two planes to fly the passengers out of Oman’s capital, Muscat.

“More than 2,000 guests from the Mein Schiff 4 are now back home,” said the spokesperson, adding that about 2,500 people were originally on board the ship.

According to earlier information, the company’s liners Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, with a total capacity of more than 5,000 passengers, are currently stuck in the region due to the war.

Return flights are also being organized for the passengers of Mein Schiff 5, the spokesperson said, although it was not yet clear exactly when these flights would take place.

Trump implying a widening of US attacks on Iran

President Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier that Iran “will be hit very hard” today.

And he further threatened: “Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time.”

So it appears that the president is implying a widening of these US attacks – this obviously is something of great concern, as the conflict is ongoing.

President Trump himself is in Florida, where he’ll hold a meeting with what he calls South American allies and then he will be going to Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of the six service people who’ve been killed in the conflict to date.

There has been no information on what the new targets will be – but even the fact that President Trump is mentioning a widening of specific targets is surprising in a way.

One must assume these are groups that have not been targeted. The targets were initially – members of the Republican Guard, missiles, sites, nuclear facilities – but it is very unclear as to what exactly he means.

Jordan accuses Iran of directly targeting key installations

Jordan has accused Iran of directly targeting sites in the kingdom, firing 119 missiles and drones in the past seven days since US-Israeli strikes triggered a regional war.

Jordanian military spokesman Brigadier General Mustafa Hayari told a news conference that 108 of the projectiles had been intercepted.

“These missiles and drones were targeting vital installations inside Jordan and were not passing through our territories,” he said.

The Jordanian general isn't telling what he means when saying "vital installations," and where these installations are located.

We strongly believe that he refers to whatever is at US bases Jordan is hosting, In such a case, Iran has the right to consider Jordan a military objective because Amman allows the US to carry out both preparatory activities for attacks on Iran, and attacks on Iran as American JSF F-35 bomber jets and refuel planes are based in Jordan.

Pezeshkian aide says president’s message is ‘clear’

The deputy for communications and public announcements at Pezeshkian’s office issued a statement about the Iranian president’s remarks earlier today, saying his message was “clear”.

Mehdi Tabatabaei’s translated remarks on social media:

• If countries in the region do not cooperate in the US attack on Iran, we will not attack them
• Iran will never submit to coercion.
• Our powerful armed forces will give a decisive response to any aggression from US bases in the region.

Drone shot down in Kuwait

Kuwait’s National Guard says it shot down a drone, a day after the country’s Defense Ministry said its air defences shot down 12 Iranian drones and 14 missiles in the south.

Sirens activated in Bahrain, people urged to ‘head to nearest safe place’

Authorities in Bahrain say sirens have been activated.

“Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the Interior Ministry said.

CENTCOM says Bahraini, UK and US officials discussed ‘working together to ensure stability’

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has issued a statement saying representatives from Bahrain, the UK and the US held a virtual meeting on Thursday in which they discussed “the importance of working together to ensure peace and stability”.

The participants also discussed “the current regional security environment and the Iranian regime’s deliberate aggression and attacks on innocent civilians across the Middle East”.

The meeting was attended by Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, national security adviser, secretary-general of the Supreme Defence Council of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, chief of the defence staff of the UK; and CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper.

• Netanyahu started the politically motivated war in June 2025, and reignited the war on February 2026.
• The US started on January 13, 2026 preparing to join Netanyahu's war by deploying large number of fighter jets, refuel planes, reconnaissance planes.
• Jared Kushner had given his father-in-law Trump information stating that Iran was going to attack, which the Pentagon found false as it had no intelligence revealing that Iran was preparing attacks before Netanyahu reignited his war.

Iran’s IRGC says its forces targeted Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in Gulf

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) says its forces have targeted a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf.

“An oil tanker with the trade name ‘Louise P’ with the flag of the Marshall Islands, one of the assets of the terrorist America, was hit by a drone in the middle of the Persian Gulf,” it said on its website, Sepah News.

Incoherent messaging and media struggling to keep up

One week into the US-Israeli war on Iran, and the messaging coming from the White House is consistently chaotic and contradictory.

From regime change and nuclear threat to preemptive attack – the Trump administration is struggling to juggle its narrative.

And while the mainstream media is working overtime to legitimize the Trump-Netanyahu war at home, Americans remain unconvinced.

UKMTO reports maritime incident north of Saudi Arabia’s Jubail

The British Maritime Safety Organisation (UKMTO) has received a third-party report on a maritime incident 10 nautical miles north of Jubail city in Saudi Arabia.

The report is being investigated, it said.

The development comes minutes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed to have targeted a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, Louise P, in the Gulf.

Erdogan calls for dialogue on Iran in call with Starmer

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that more could be done to create the conditions for dialogue on Iran, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

Speaking by phone with Starmer today, Erdogan said Turkey's diplomatic efforts were continuing.

He also said Ankara was closely monitoring developments following attacks on Iran and warned that prolonged interventions could cause serious harm to regional and global stability, the statement added.

Iran slams attack on football stadium by country whose president received FIFA ‘Peace Prize’

The spokesperson of the Iranian Foreign Ministry has shared images online showing Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran, which he says was struck in the ongoing attacks against Iran.

“This is Tehran’s Azadi Sports Complex, a football stadium, targeted by the same United States whose president received a FIFA “Peace Prize,” Esmail Baghaei wrote on social media.

“Any comment from FIFA or IOC?!”

In December, Trump, who campaigned aggressively for a Nobel Peace Prize, was awarded FIFA’s newly created peace prize.

Pezeshkian reiterates Iran ‘not attacking friendly neighbours but US bases, installations and facilities’

New statement by Iran's president Pezeshkian and head of the interim leadership council reiterating Iran’s position, both have said in translated remarks in a series of social media posts:

• The Islamic Republic of Iran has always emphasized the maintenance and continuation of friendly relations with regional governments based on good neighborliness and mutual respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• This does not negate Iran’s inherent right to defend itself against US and Israeli military aggression.
• We stand and resist to the end to defend our country. Iran’s defensive operations are exclusively against targets and facilities that are the origin and source of aggressive actions against the Iranian nation, and we consider them to be our legitimate goals.
• We have not attacked our friendly and neighbouring countries, but have targeted US military bases, installations and facilities in the region.

Turkey considering deployment of F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus: Report

Turkey ⁠is considering the deployment of F-16 ⁠aircraft to Cyprus, a ⁠Turkish Defense Ministry source has been quoted as saying by Reuters.

The person told the news agency ‌such a move was one of the steps being considered amid the phased ⁠planning under way to ⁠ensure the security of the breakaway Turkish ⁠Cypriot state ⁠in the island’s north.

Kuwait slashes oil production as precaution, will review adjustment as situation develops

Kuwait’s state oil company says it has ⁠implemented a “precautionary reduction” in crude oil ⁠production and refining following the ongoing ⁠attacks against the Gulf state and “Iranian threats to safe passage of ‌ships through the Strait of Hormuz”.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said the move ⁠was part of its “risk management and business continuity strategy”, adding it would be reviewed as the situation develops.

It also said it remains fully prepared to restore production levels once conditions allow and stressed that all domestic market needs remain fully secured in accordance with established plans.

Trump delivers remarks on Iran war, claims US is doing ‘amazing’

The US president has begun delivering remarks from Florida where he is meeting foreign leaders, claiming the US has been doing “amazing” against Iran.

Trump says US strikes have destroyed 42 navy ships

US President Donald Trump said US strikes on Iran have significantly damaged the country’s military capabilities, claiming its navy, air force and communications infrastructure have been heavily hit.

Speaking at an event in Florida, Trump said US forces had destroyed 42 Iranian naval vessels in recent days and knocked out much of the country’s air power and telecommunications systems.

He also said previous US strikes targeted facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear program, claiming Tehran had been close to obtaining a nuclear weapon before the attacks.

Trump described the operation as a major success and said the strikes had dealt a decisive blow to Iran’s military capabilities.

The US president is expected to travel later to Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of six US service members who have been killed in the conflict so far.

"Tehran had been close to obtaining a nuclear weapon before the attacks."

On or before March 7, 2026, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that there was no evidence Iran was building an actual nuclear bomb.

Trump: US ‘did the world a favor’ launching war on Iran

The US president says on a scale of 0 to 10, the progress of his country’s campaign against Iran so far is a 15.

The war on Iran is “a service that we’re providing, not for the Middle East but for the world”, Trump said.

“These were sick people, very sick people,” he said of those killed in US-Israeli attacks so far.

US-Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,330 people so far, according to Iranian authorities.

In context of this utter claim, Trump is frankly admitting that he started the war, not Iran.

But, in the context of facts, Trump did not started the war, but joined the war that Netanyahu reignited, as it is the resumption of his preemptive 12-day war in June 2025, that he in December 2025 vowed to resume in 2026.

Trump declared war on Iran while Netanyahu was already bombing Tehran.

UK lawmaker accuses government of involvement in strikes on Iran

British MP Zarah Sultana has accused the UK government of being involved in US strikes on Iran after she claimed that American B-1 bombers have been landing at British bases before carrying out missions.

In a post on social media, Sultana said the aircraft were landing on “British soil before flying off to bomb Iran”, adding that this meant the UK was “directly involved” in the conflict.

She also criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying he had claimed the UK was not at war.

The comments come after Starmer said the UK would only allow the use of its bases for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites.

No air strike from the UK on Iran is "self-defense," as Iran is NOT attacking the British nor attacking the territory of the United States.

Allowing a foreign military power from another continent to wage war on Iran from a host country on the European continent makes that country accomplice. The host country is then a co-belligerent. asUS B-1 bombers need to cross the airspaces of many countries to attack Iran. 

European countries that allow US B-1 bombers from Britain to cross their airspaces, also contribute to aggression and violence in the act of war by the the US but they are responsible under states responsibility laws.

UK says US using its bases for ‘defensive operations’

The country’s Ministry of Defense says the “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”.

It also said that UK warplanes are continuing operations over Jordan, Qatar, Cyprus and the wider region “in defense of British interests and allies”.

See previous comment.

Former UK Labour party leader urges UK not to be drawn into ‘another illegal war’

Jeremy Corbyn has urged the UK not to be drawn into what he described as “another illegal war” during a protest in London calling for an end to US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

In a statement read to demonstrators outside the US embassy today, the former Labour leader referenced the mass protests against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, saying many people had opposed that war but were ignored.

“For too long, the UK has blindly followed the US as it indulges in catastrophic interventions around the world,” the statement said.

“We are here to defend something different, a foreign policy based on cooperation, equality and sovereignty,” it added.

Earlier, we reported that at least 5,000 protesters marched through central London, calling for an end to US-Israeli strikes on Iran, according to the Metropolitan Police.

The second US war on Iraq was on false grounds, and violated the Article 2(4) of the UN Charter as it was to topple the Saddam Hussein regime by force.

Iran says US attacks desalination plant

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says on X that the US committed a “blatant and desperate crime” by attacking the plant, located on Qeshm Island, used to make saltwater into drinkable water.

“Water supply in 30 villages has been impacted,” Araghchi said. “Attacking Iran’s infrastructure is a dangerous move with grave consequences. The US set this precedent, not Iran.”

Iran warns any US ship entering Gulf will go ‘to the bottom’ of the sea

An Iranian military spokesperson has warned that any US ships entering the Gulf will end up at the bottom of the sea.

It comes after Trump said earlier this week the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as possible”.

UAE says air defences responding to missile threat

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of the Interior says the country’s air defences are responding to a missile threat.

“Please remain in a safe place and follow the warnings and updates on official websites,” it urged people in a social media post.

‘Elevated’ security threat level in Qatar

Qatar’s Interior Ministry has just sent out a new alert on mobile phones, saying the security threat level has been “elevated” and telling residents to “remain indoors”.

It is the second such alert to be sent out today.

Iran says attack launched on US base in Bahrain

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it has targeted “the US base in Juffair, Bahrain, with solid- and liquid-fueled missiles”.

This attack was in response to a US attack on a desalination plant in Qeshm, the IRGC said.

Foreign Minister Araghchi said earlier that the US attack disrupted the water supply of 30 villages.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior says on X that air raid sirens are sounding, and has urged residents to remain calm and seek shelter.

Qatari Defense Ministry says armed forces intercepted missile attack ‘which targeted State of Qatar’

In a brief statement, the ministry announced that “armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar”.

Iran claims US defense systems may have diverted missiles from military targets

Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York says Tehran has been targeting only military bases and US assets during its recent attacks.

In regard to strikes on non-military sites, the mission said in a social media post that a preliminary assessment suggested that “some of these incidents may have resulted from interception by US electronic defense systems, which may have diverted the projectiles from their intended military targets”.

It did not provide further details.

Qatar security threat ‘eliminated’

The Qatari authority sent an alert on residents’ mobile phones, saying the security threat in the Gulf country has been “elevated”.

A follow-up message has been sent just now, saying “the security threat has been eliminated and the situation has returned to normal”.

Qatari PM and Egyptian foreign minister discuss escalations in the region

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has had a phone call with Egypt’s foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty.

The two discussed the region’s escalating military situation and the “serious repercussions on regional and international security and stability,” Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Sheikh Mohammed condemned the attacks on Qatar and called for an immediate cessation of escalatory actions and a return to the negotiating table.

For his part, Abdelatty also called for de-escalation and a return to negotiations and diplomatic means to avoid further chaos.

UAE president says nation in ‘time of war’

The United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has said that the nation is in a “time of war” in his first public comments since the conflict began.

He said the UAE will carry out its duty towards its country, its people and its residents, in comments made to victims of strikes which aired on Abu Dhabi TV.

He said that the UAE has “thick skin and bitter flesh – we are no easy prey.”

Bahrain says buildings damaged after latest Iranian attack

The country’s Ministry of Interior says on X that Iran’s latest attack caused “a fire and material damage to a house and several surrounding buildings in Manama”, the capital city.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced the attack a short while ago, saying it was aimed at a US base in Bahrain.

Iranian Foreign Ministry says it has right to self-defense against US and Israel

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said in a statement that responding to the US and Israel’s “brutal military aggression” is the country’s inherent right to self-defense.

It said that Tehran would continue to take action “until the aggression stops or until the United Nations Security Council fulfils its duty by identifying the aggressors.”

The statement said that under international law, “states are prohibited from allowing their territory to be used, directly or indirectly, to inflict harm and damage on other states.”

The Foreign Ministry said that Iran has undertaken “necessary and proportionate defensive operations” against US bases, and that warnings had been issued continuously.

This should “in no way be construed as enmity or hostility toward regional countries,” the statement said.

Saudi Arabia says ballistic missile fell near Prince Sultan Air Base

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense says a ballistic missile landed in an uninhabited area after being launched towards Prince Sultan Air Base.

In a statement, the ministry’s official spokesperson said the missile fell without causing casualties or damage.

Prince Sultan Air Base, located southeast of Riyadh, hosts Saudi and US military forces.

Iranian lawmaker: Countries hosting US bases in region will not know peace

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says on X that countries hosting US bases in the region “will not enjoy peace”.

He also said that the attack against the Qeshm desalination plant, blamed earlier on the US by Iran’s foreign minister, was “carried out with the support of one of the air bases in the southern neighboring countries”.

“This blatant crime will receive a proportionate response. American military bases in the region have become platforms for operations against Iran”, he added. “The origin of any attack is the destination of our response.”

Pakistan, Iran foreign ministers discuss regional situation

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has spoken with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi about the evolving regional situation.

In a post on X, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two ministers “exchanged views on recent developments”.

UAE president says country prepared to confront security threats

UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan says the country is fully prepared to confront security threats.

In a statement on social media, he said the UAE places “the security and the protection of all citizens, residents and visitors at the very top of its priorities”, adding that the country was “fully prepared to confront these threats”.

Bin Zayed also expressed condolences to the victims of recent attacks and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

UAE responding to incoming missile threats

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense has said its air defense systems are currently responding to “incoming missile and drone threats from Iran”.

It said the sounds that can be heard in the country are the air defense systems intercepting missiles and drones.

Iran’s foreign minister warns Trump Tehran is prepared for escalation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned US President Donald Trump that if he seeks escalation, Iran’s armed forces are prepared.

Araghchi said in a statement that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s openness to de-escalation within the region had been “immediately killed” by Trump’s misinterpretation of Iran’s capabilities.

Trump’s “week-long misadventure has already cost the US military $100bn, in addition to the lives of young soldiers”, he said, adding that the cost would be transferred to the US populace.

He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of duping the US into fighting its wars, adding that it was a “war of choice” pursued by “Israeli-Firsters”.

ADNOC says onshore operations continue and it is managing offshore output

Abu ⁠Dhabi ⁠state oil giant ADNOC says ⁠it is continuing ⁠to use its export capacity that bypasses the Strait of ‌Hormuz, as well as its international storage facilities to ensure supply continuity to ⁠global markets.

It said it ⁠was managing offshore production levels ⁠to address storage needs ⁠and that ⁠it is in touch with impacted customers. Its ‌onshore operations continue, it said.

Turkey warns against further escalation in Middle East

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned that recent developments in the Middle East raise serious concerns for regional peace and stability.

Speaking on behalf of the Organization of Turkic States, Fidan said the group does not want the conflict to escalate further and is closely monitoring developments.

He said the bloc had adopted a joint statement declaring that any attack targeting one of its member states would be considered a matter of serious concern for all members.

The Organization of Turkic States is an intergovernmental group made up of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan, with Hungary, Turkmenistan and Northern Cyprus holding observer status.

Araghchi: Trump ‘killed’ Iran’s gesture towards its neighbours

“President Pezeshkian expressed openness to de-escalation within our region, provided that our neighbors’ airspace, territory, and waters are not used to attack the Iranian People”, Iran’s foreign minister says on X.

Earlier today, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said neighboring countries would no longer be targeted unless an attack originates from there.

Iran’s “gesture to our neighbors was almost immediately killed by President Trump”, Araghchi continued.

Iran was hit with attacks shortly after the president’s statement was released, which triggered a wave of strikes targeting what it said were US assets in neighbouring Gulf nations.

Falling shrapnel kills man in Dubai

A Pakistani man was killed in Dubai when debris from an aerial interception fell on his vehicle in the Barsha area, authorities have confirmed.

Dubai’s media office also said that authorities had dealt with an incident involving debris falling “onto the facade of one of the towers in the Dubai Marina area, as a result of a successful aerial interception, and no injuries resulted from the incident”.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted a US military base in the marina.

Iranian foreign minister says he is in constant contact with Saudi counterpart

Abbas Araqchi says ⁠he ⁠is in constant contact with his Saudi counterpart ‌and Saudi officials.

Saudi officials said they were fully committed to ⁠not letting their territory, ⁠water and airspace be used ⁠against Iran, he ⁠said in ⁠an interview relayed by his Telegram ‌channel.

Head of Iran National Security Council says US failing in its goals for Iran

The secretary-general of the Iranian National Security Council, Ali Larijani, said that the US thought it could execute a short war in Iran, and that it thought it could sow chaos by assassinating Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other leadership, but that both of those assumptions have been proven incorrect.

He said that Iran’s leaders have warned separatist groups against moving against the government, and that Iran’s people are united in the face of the US-Israeli war.

Larijani dismissed US President Trump’s desire to choose future Iranian leadership as foolish, and reiterated the Iranian government’s position that its neighbours would not come under fire as long as they do not allow their territory to be used to attack Iran.

Saudi Aramco temporarily diverts some oil shipments to Yanbu port, state media says

Saudi Arabian Oil Company Aramco diverted some oil shipments to the Red Sea port of Yanbu to ensure safety and continuity of supply, Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya TV reported on Saturday.

“We are closely following developments to take appropriate decisions to restore operations to its normal status when the circumstances stablise,” the channel said.

UAE defense minister holds talks with counterparts

The UAE’s minister of state for defense affairs, Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei, has held talks with several defense ministers following Iranian attacks on the country.

According to the UAE’s Ministry of Defense, the discussions focused on strengthening defence partnerships and expanding areas of joint military cooperation.

Defense ministers from South Korea, Greece, Italy and France were involved in the discussions.

Qatar’s emir speaks with Trump

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called US President Donald Trump today, the Qatar News Agency reports, to discuss the latest developments in the region and the “continued unjustified Iranian attacks on Qatar”.

De-escalation in Iran was also discussed, while the emir emphasised to Trump that “Qatar will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty, security and national interests”.

Trump accuses Tehran of bombing Iranian school

The US president has claimed that “it was Iran” that bombed the elementary school in Minab, in which at least 165 people were killed.

A reporter at the Dover Air Force Base on Saturday had asked Trump if the US had bombed the school.

Trump also said that there was no indication that Russia is helping Tehran, and that he doesn’t want the Kurds “to go in” to Iran.

He added that the US wants “to pick a president in Iran that is not going to lead that country into war”.

Ukraine reiterates offer to help Saudi Arabia with Iranian drones

Ukrainian President ⁠Volodymyr Zelenskyy ⁠says he has spoken to ⁠Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ⁠about the situation in Iran and the Middle East, and restated ‌Kyiv’s offer to help deal with Iranian drones.

“Ukraine has been fighting against [Iranian-designed] ‘Shaheds’ for years, and ⁠everyone acknowledges that ⁠no other country in the world has such experience”, ⁠Zelenskyy said on Telegram ⁠of his conversation.

“We ⁠are ready to help, and expect that our ‌people will also receive the necessary support.”

Spain evacuates remaining embassy staff from Tehran

Spain has evacuated the remaining staff from its embassy in Tehran, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said.

In a post on X, Albares said the ambassador and essential staff who had remained in the Iranian capital had crossed the border into Azerbaijan and were now safe.

The evacuation comes as Tehran was again hit by Israeli and US air strikes today.

Trump tells UK’s Starmer US doesn’t need aircraft carrier help in Iran war

Trump said on Saturday that ⁠the UK is giving serious ⁠thought to sending two aircraft carriers to the ‌Middle East, but that the US does not need them for its war on Iran.

“That’s ⁠OK, Prime ⁠Minister Starmer, we don’t need them ⁠any longer — But ⁠we will ⁠remember,” he said on Truth Social. “We don’t need ‌people that join Wars ‌after ‌we’ve already won!”

CENTCOM spokesman denies US soldiers captured by Iran

A spokesman from US Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied that Iran has captured any US soldiers, after the head of Iran’s National Security Council said it had.

“The Iranian regime’s claims of capturing American soldiers are yet another example of its lies and deceptions,” the spokesman said.

Oman meets with multiple ambassadors to call for end to war

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi has met with a group of ambassadors from non-EU European states, as well as the US, Brazil and Turkey.

A second meeting was held with ambassadors from the Gulf Cooperation Council states of Egypt, Iraq and Jordan.

They discussed the “utmost priority of continuing and intensifying political and diplomatic pressures to stop the war” and contain its repercussions, Oman’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Albusaidi stressed that the current phase “calls for broad regional and international action” as ending the war is “a supreme national and pan-Arab interest for all.”

Falling shrapnel injures 1 in Bahrain: Interior Ministry

One person was injured, and several shops were damaged, by falling missile fragments on a public road in the country’s capital, Manama, the ministry said.

“Civil Defense is securing and evacuating the affected areas,” it added in a short statement on X.

Saudi, Jordanian defense ministers condemn Iranian attacks

Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman has spoken with Jordan’s prime minister and defense minister, Jaafar Hassan, with the two officials condemning what they described as Iranian attacks against countries in the region.

According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense, both sides affirmed their support for measures aimed at preserving the security and stability of their countries, the ministry said.

Saudi Arabia says eight drones intercepted

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence says eight drones were intercepted and destroyed after entering the country’s airspace.

In a statement on X, the ministry’s spokesperson said the drones were shot down by Saudi air defences.

No further details were immediately provided about where the incident took place or who launched the drones.

Qatar says 12 missiles launched from Iran targeted its territory

Qatar’s Ministry of Defence says the country was targeted by ballistic and cruise missiles launched from Iran on Saturday.

In a statement, the ministry said 10 ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles were fired towards Qatar.

Qatar’s armed forces said it intercepted six of the ballistic missiles and both cruise missiles, while two ballistic missiles fell in Qatar’s territorial waters and two landed in an uninhabited area without causing casualties.

The ministry said the army is capable and ready to defend the country’s sovereignty and respond to any external threat.

Trump refuses to give details on sending troops to Iran

The US president says he refuses to disclose the conditions for sending ground troops into Iran.