Author: Admin

BEIJING (AP) — Following the U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran, Beijing took several hours before issuing its initial official statement. Chinese officials expressed being “highly concerned” and urged an immediate end to military actions while pushing for renewed diplomatic discussions.

The following day, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi denounced the attacks as unacceptable and reiterated calls for increased dialogue.

Beijing showed no signs of direct military involvement — though such action would be unrealistic. Consistent with its approach to other recent conflicts, including previous Iranian attacks, China has criticized military force while staying uninvolved, prioritizing its strategic long-term goals.

Among those priorities is an eagerly awaited visit from U.S. President Donald Trump to Beijing, scheduled for approximately early April.

While China’s military capabilities have expanded significantly and the nation has participated in joint exercises with Iran and established a military installation in Djibouti, East Africa in 2017, Beijing’s primary military focus remains protecting Asian interests, particularly regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea.

China has engaged in Middle Eastern diplomacy when opportunities arise, notably facilitating improved relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023. However, Beijing views America’s military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq as warnings to avoid similar entanglements, according to William Yang, an International Crisis Group analyst.

“China is reluctant to project military power beyond its immediate periphery and it is also unwilling to play the role of security guarantor in unstable regions like the Middle East,” he said.

Similarly, Beijing has offered diplomatic and economic assistance to Russia and Venezuela while avoiding military involvement in Ukraine or Latin America.

China’s sideline position demonstrates the boundaries of its global political influence, according to Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington research organization.

“Beijing’s response has been predictably restrained, underscoring China’s limited ability to shape events once hard power is in motion,” he said. “Beijing can signal unease; however, it cannot meaningfully deter or influence U.S.-Israeli military action.”

China’s displeasure with the Iranian strikes is unlikely to derail U.S. relations or disrupt plans for Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next month, experts believe.

For Chinese leadership, the American relationship holds far greater importance than Iranian ties across multiple areas, including trade, economics, and Taiwan policy.

While Beijing may engage in verbal disputes with Washington regarding Iran, the risks of creating additional conflict with Trump exceed any potential benefits, said George Chen, a partner at The Asia Group.

“U.S.-China relations are already complicated enough for President Trump and Xi to handle,” he said. Adding Iran to the mix “won’t be something that both sides are keen to do.”

Nevertheless, Beijing might delay Trump’s visit, he noted.

As Iran’s largest oil customer, China prioritizes energy security and has developed backup sources. The primary concerns involve rising fuel costs and potentially losing access to oil and natural gas from the broader Middle Eastern region.

China purchased approximately 1.4 million barrels daily — representing 13% of China’s total maritime oil imports — from Iran last year, data company Kpler reported. However, the firm calculates that sufficient oil is currently being shipped to sustain China for another four to five months. This timeframe would allow Chinese independent refineries to adapt and find alternatives, with discounted Russian oil being their main option, said Muyu Xu, a senior Kpler analyst.

China has invested years in supply diversification and reserve building, Singleton noted. “The loss of Iranian oil appears marginal, not material, at least in the short-term,” he said.

Iran’s potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow Persian Gulf entrance — poses greater concern, as do possible attacks on Gulf state liquefied natural gas facilities.

QatarEnergy, a significant supplier, suspended liquefied natural gas production Monday following facility attacks.

China is unlikely to provide weapons to Iran for fighting the U.S. for multiple reasons, analysts indicate.

“Tangible military aid, if any, would be limited to existing long-term defense trade arrangements rather than rapid battlefield support, and it would be constrained by Beijing’s interest in avoiding direct confrontation with the U.S. and its allies,” said Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a researcher at Indonesia’s Center of Economic and Law Studies.

China has condemned American arms supplies to Ukraine, claiming they extend the conflict.

Iran’s missile capabilities rely on Chinese technology, said James M. Dorsey, an adjunct senior fellow at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. However, he predicted China would choose caution over selling missiles to Iran’s military.

“What China wants is this to end,” he said.

A devastating hunger crisis in Afghanistan is pushing hundreds of thousands more children toward severe malnutrition this year, according to a United Nations official who spoke Tuesday from Geneva.

The situation has deteriorated dramatically since international forces withdrew in 2021 and the Taliban returned to control, leading to massive reductions in foreign assistance. Natural disasters, including earthquakes, have made conditions even worse.

John Aylieff, who directs the World Food Programme’s operations in Afghanistan, delivered alarming statistics during a press conference in Geneva.

“Acute malnutrition among children is soaring. Last year we saw the highest surge ever recorded in Afghanistan, and this year, a staggering 3.7 million children will need malnutrition treatment,” Aylieff stated.

He revealed that an additional 200,000 children will require urgent nutritional intervention compared to previous estimates.

The funding shortage has created a tragic gap in care, with the UN agency possessing resources to help only 25% of children requiring acute malnutrition treatment, according to Aylieff.

Geographic barriers compound the problem, as many families cannot reach medical facilities. Aylieff expressed particular worry about children stranded by heavy snow in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions.

The country’s harsh winter season proves especially deadly for vulnerable children, Aylieff explained, noting that most child deaths occur “during the winter… at home silently.”

“What I fear is when the snow is melted at the end of March or in April, we will find there has been a very high toll of child deaths in the villages,” he warned.

The crisis has intensified as neighboring Pakistan and Iran have forced over 5 million people to return to Afghanistan since late 2023, overwhelming the country’s already strained resources.

Recent military clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces near border areas where many returnees have settled have forced the World Food Programme to halt some operations.

“We foresee that acute malnutrition will be driven up further by the conflict as people are prevented from accessing health services,” Aylieff said, warning that tens of thousands of children face increased danger.

MOSCOW – Oil prices have surged to their highest point since July 2024 following recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, but even this boost won’t be enough to rescue Russia’s struggling federal budget, new analysis reveals.

The Kremlin is grappling with a widening budget shortfall, largely driven by declining revenues from oil and natural gas sales that typically account for nearly 25% of government income.

Although international crude oil climbed above $83 per barrel this Tuesday, Russian petroleum sells at a significant markdown compared to the global Brent standard. February data shows Russian oil traded at an average discount of $26.50 per barrel below international rates.

This price penalty stems primarily from Western economic sanctions imposed over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, including a price ceiling that the European Union reduced to $44.10 per barrel starting February 1st, designed to limit Russia’s petroleum earnings.

Government finances have been severely strained by massive defense and security expenditures since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.

Financial analysis indicates Russia’s Urals oil blend would need to jump more than 50% from its March 2nd level of 3,582 rubles ($46.13) per barrel to reach the government’s budget projections.

Moscow’s 2026 budget planning assumes oil will sell for 5,440 rubles per barrel (approximately $59) with an exchange rate of 92.2 rubles per dollar.

Alternatively, if oil prices remain steady, the ruble would need to weaken dramatically to 117.5 per dollar from its current rate of around 77.65 to balance the budget.

Central bank advisor Kirill Tremasov indicated Saturday that officials don’t anticipate a ruble collapse, while cautioning that the current oil price surge may be temporary.

“Therefore, the government is focusing on a long-term forecast, not on what will happen in the next week or month,” he explained to reporters.

Russia’s public debt could potentially expand to nearly three times the official projection by year’s end as reduced oil sales and deeper price cuts erode revenues, while government spending may exceed estimates.

The budget projects 8.92 trillion rubles in oil and gas revenue this year, though current collection rates are falling behind this target.

TUNIS – Tunisia’s judicial system delivered significant corruption verdicts Tuesday, with a court imposing lengthy prison terms on two prominent figures in unrelated graft cases, according to legal representatives.

The court handed down a 20-year prison sentence to Marouan Mabrouk, widely recognized as Tunisia’s wealthiest individual, while former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed received a six-year term in a separate corruption proceeding.

Mabrouk, the North African nation’s top businessman, has remained behind bars since the final months of 2023. Meanwhile, Chahed, who led Tunisia’s government between 2016 and 2020, is currently residing outside the country.

DUBAI – Middle East experts are warning that Iran’s recent missile attacks on Gulf nations could backfire dramatically, potentially driving these countries into a stronger military alliance with the United States and expanding the current conflict.

Regional analysts suggest that Tehran’s decision to target economic centers, ports, and energy facilities across Gulf states may have been a strategic miscalculation that could unite these nations against Iran rather than pressure them to influence U.S. policy.

The missile strikes hit six different Gulf countries, all of which maintain military partnerships with Washington and house American forces on their territory. Iran’s apparent goal was to compel these nations to pressure President Trump into ending military operations, but experts believe the strategy has had the opposite effect.

Abdulaziz Sager, who leads the Gulf Research Center think tank based in Saudi Arabia, explained the difficult position these nations now face. “The Gulf states now face stark choices: to join the United States more openly in its war effort — allowing their skies and territory to be used and potentially participating in military operations — or risk further escalation on their own soil,” Sager told Reuters.

According to Sager, the possibility of remaining neutral disappeared when Iranian rockets began striking their territory, “forced us to be their enemies,” and pushed previously cautious governments toward open cooperation with Washington and active defense of their interests.

The crisis escalated following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday, which occurred during the initial phase of U.S. and Israeli military operations that Trump described as necessary to address security threats and prevent Iranian nuclear weapons development.

In response to the Iranian assault, the Gulf Cooperation Council — comprising Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman — convened an urgent ministerial session on Sunday. The group invoked United Nations Charter Article 51, established clear boundaries, and indicated their willingness to engage in collective defense as energy disruptions and security concerns intensify.

The GCC delivered a clear message to Tehran that the Iranian offensive had actually strengthened cooperation among Gulf nations. The council warned that continued attacks risked converting the Gulf region from a defensive position into an “active theatre of response,” and member states have now coordinated joint air-defense networks and surveillance operations throughout regional airspace.

Regional experts describe the situation as presenting a harsh choice: retaliate and risk broader warfare, or remain passive while accepting deteriorating security, economic damage, and diminished international standing under repeated attacks.

Gulf leadership has communicated warnings to Tehran through various channels, both direct and indirect, indicating that additional attacks would result in significantly more severe consequences for Iran.

“Practically, they’re going to try and wait as much as possible. The Americans are hitting them and the Israelis are hitting them,” said one Gulf insider.

This source noted uncertainty about Iran’s current command structure — whether the strikes on energy infrastructure were centrally authorized or conducted by independent units. Two possibilities are emerging: either military command has broken down with units operating independently, or strategic decisions remain centrally coordinated.

The implications extend well beyond the Gulf region, with global oil shipments, maritime routes, and energy infrastructure under threat, endangering a crucial energy corridor and creating worldwide economic repercussions.

International energy markets are experiencing one of their most serious disruptions in recent decades. Missile threats have forced temporary shutdowns at several Gulf energy installations, including Qatar’s liquefied natural gas facilities that supply approximately 20% of global demand, demonstrating the potential market impact.

Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, who heads the Emirates Policy Center, warned of broader international involvement if the crisis continues. “If the strikes continue at this pace, and the Gulf cannot withstand a prolonged conflict, disruption to oil shipping lanes or closure of the Strait of Hormuz, it would be natural for other countries to step in, because global interests would be directly affected,” Al-Ketbi told Reuters.

Mohammed Baharoon, who directs the Dubai Public Policy Research Center, argued that the case for expanding the anti-Iran coalition has been strengthened by the UAE’s classification of the Iranian strikes as terrorist acts.

“Iran is pushing the Gulf into an expanding coalition against it,” Baharoon stated. “By attacking Gulf states, Iran is turning them into enemies and risking a wider war no one wants.”

The targeting of Western-affiliated locations — including a British installation in Cyprus and facilities housing French personnel in Abu Dhabi — has raised the possibility of eventual NATO involvement in the conflict.

The UAE has sustained the heaviest Iranian assault, with 63% of strikes hitting its airports, ports, and petroleum infrastructure. Officials calculate that 165 ballistic and cruise missiles, plus 600 drones, were launched during the initial 48-hour period.

Weekend missile strikes on Doha, Dubai, and Manama also targeted these Gulf cities’ reputations as prosperous financial, investment, and tourism centers, damaging their image as secure and stable destinations.

Although the UAE seeks to prevent full-scale warfare, it has responded quickly through diplomatic means, summoning Iran’s ambassador, recalling its own representative, shuttering its Tehran embassy, and raising the matter at the U.N. Security Council.

Gulf officials indicate that Iran’s large-scale deployment of ballistic missiles and drones has fundamentally changed the diplomatic environment.

They argue that Tehran’s actions have complicated future U.S. negotiations by making it more difficult to treat Iran’s missile capabilities separately from its nuclear program — a perspective now reportedly shared by Sunni Gulf Arab neighbors and Western governments.

BERLIN — Thousands of travelers including religious pilgrims, vacationers, and diplomatic families find themselves trapped throughout the Middle East as escalating warfare involving Iran disrupts transportation across the region.

Flight cancellations by major carriers and closed airspace over the Gulf have left many seeking emergency shelter during bombing campaigns, while others remain aboard cruise vessels unable to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. State Department issued urgent evacuation orders Monday, advising American citizens to immediately exit more than twelve Middle Eastern nations due to mounting security threats from the expanding regional conflict.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar posted on social media platform X, instructing Americans in nations such as Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel to “DEPART NOW” utilizing whatever commercial transport remains available.

State Department officials have also withdrawn non-essential staff and family members from six countries, recently adding the United Arab Emirates to the evacuation list Tuesday. The UAE, housing Dubai and Abu Dhabi and traditionally viewed as a secure regional haven, has become entangled in the Iranian conflict through missile interceptions and military strikes.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee informed Americans in Israel that their optimal escape route leads through Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula region.

Huckabee posted on social media early Tuesday that the embassy was handling numerous evacuation inquiries while staff members “are sheltering in place.”

“There are VERY LIMITED options,” he posted. “Not sure when Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv will reopen.” He recommended Americans travel by bus to Egyptian resort destinations Sharm el-Sheikh and Taba in southern Sinai.

International governments are rushing to organize citizen evacuations from the affected areas.

Italy’s government has coordinated evacuation flights to Milan and Rome following public criticism of Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. The minister faced political backlash after becoming stranded in Dubai with his family when the U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran began.

Crosetto flew back to Rome Sunday aboard a military transport. Opposition parties have demanded his resignation, arguing he shouldn’t have traveled to the Middle East during the crisis. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has supported her defense minister.

Approximately 30,000 German tourists remain stuck on cruise ships, in hotels, or at shuttered airports throughout the Middle East, with the initial evacuation flight from Dubai to Frankfurt scheduled to arrive Tuesday afternoon.

German authorities are arranging chartered aircraft using public funds to evacuate vulnerable individuals including sick travelers, children, and expectant mothers.

France is coordinating the return of thousands of French nationals, according to the foreign affairs minister’s Tuesday statement. Around 200,000 French residents live in conflict-affected areas, with officials estimating roughly 25,000 French citizens are currently visiting the region.

Romanian tourists reached Bucharest early Tuesday after traveling from Israel through Cairo to flee the violence. Hundreds of Romanian Orthodox pilgrims were stranded in Israel during a religious journey to Bethlehem led by Romanian clergy when fighting erupted. The pilgrimage group was compelled to abandon their trip and return home.

Pilgrim Mariana Muicaru described her terror while in Israel watching missiles streak overhead.

“We called our children at 3 a.m. to ask forgiveness because we might die and to tell them we love them and to let them know that it’s over for us,” she told The Associated Press.

British travelers previously trapped in the United Arab Emirates expressed relief upon landing safely at London’s Heathrow Airport Monday night.

Adam Barton, traveling with family from Abu Dhabi, said he received emergency alerts while at the airport before departure.

“We had an alert on our phone, saying to get away from the windows for potential missile attacks,” Barton told Sky News.

A Dubai flight arrived in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, early Tuesday morning carrying approximately 200 passengers.

One passenger told state broadcaster RTS he had been waiting at a hotel and received just 15 minutes to pack his belongings.

Energy markets worldwide are experiencing dramatic price increases as ongoing military conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has severely disrupted oil and gas operations throughout the Middle East region.

The price of Brent Crude oil climbed 6% on Tuesday, reaching above $82 per barrel – the highest level seen since July of last year. This represents a more than 15% increase since Friday alone. European natural gas costs have skyrocketed by 40% on Tuesday, following a similar 40% jump the previous day. The surge has also affected other commodities including sugar, fertilizer and soy products.

The ongoing crisis threatens to reignite inflationary pressures that could undermine economic recovery efforts across Europe and Asia, particularly if hostilities continue in a region responsible for nearly one-third of worldwide oil output and approximately 20% of global natural gas production.

Maritime traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains blocked for the fourth consecutive day following Iranian attacks on five vessels, effectively cutting off a vital waterway that handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments.

Tuesday brought additional infrastructure damage as a fuel storage tank at Oman’s Duqm commercial port sustained a hit, while fires erupted at Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, a critical regional petroleum hub.

Major energy producers across the region have been forced to halt operations. Qatar announced the closure of its massive liquefied natural gas plants on Monday – facilities that normally provide about 20% of global LNG exports. Saudi Arabia has suspended operations at its largest domestic refinery, while both Israel and Iraq’s Kurdistan region have also shut down significant portions of their oil and gas production.

President Donald Trump initiated what many consider the most significant foreign policy risk of his administration when he authorized attacks on Iran over the weekend, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Domestically, gasoline prices have climbed above $3 per gallon for the first time since November, marking a sharp reversal from the $2 prices Trump had previously celebrated as an administration success.

The rising fuel costs present a substantial political challenge for Trump and Republican lawmakers as they approach November’s midterm elections, with many Americans already facing pressure from increasing costs of everyday necessities.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are expected to unveil measures on Tuesday aimed at reducing the price surge’s impact on American consumers, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

India, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern energy imports, has implemented gas rationing for industrial users following the shutdown of Qatari production facilities.

While most Qatari LNG typically flows to Asian markets, European nations also depend on these supplies and are completely reliant on energy imports. Europe faces the challenge of replenishing reserves that were depleted during a harsh winter, likely requiring increased dependence on American gas after cutting ties with Russian energy following the 2022 Ukraine invasion.

Global shipping costs have reached record highs as the conflict has escalated and Iran has continued targeting vessels attempting to navigate through the strait.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has left hundreds of oil and LNG tankers stranded near major ports like Fujairah in the UAE, unable to deliver their cargo to customers across Asia, Europe and other destinations.

Unless alternative transportation can be secured, major oil producers including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and Iran will be forced to reduce production within days as they run out of available tankers to transport continuing oil output.

Western defense analysts are working to determine Iran’s remaining missile and drone capabilities to sustain its current level of attacks.

While Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Kuwait have successfully intercepted most missiles and drones aimed at energy infrastructure, ports and airports, concerns are growing about the depletion of their defensive weapon stockpiles.

United Nations officials announced Tuesday that roughly 30,000 Lebanese civilians have fled to emergency shelters as military confrontations between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants intensified throughout the region this week.

The escalation began when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks toward Israel on Sunday evening, responding to recent U.S. and Israeli military operations targeting Iran. Israeli military forces have since carried out widespread aerial bombardments across Lebanese territory starting Monday.

UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch provided details on the humanitarian crisis, stating that “Conservative estimates suggest that nearly 30,000 people were hosted and registered at collective shelters.”

Baloch further described the desperate conditions, explaining that “Many more slept in their cars on the side of roads or were still stuck in traffic jams.”

According to the U.N. World Food Programme, Lebanese authorities have established 21 emergency shelter facilities, though officials anticipate the number of displaced residents will continue climbing significantly.

The refugee crisis is compounded by Lebanon’s existing population challenges. The nation currently houses approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees within its borders, representing the world’s highest refugee-to-population ratio among a total Lebanese population of roughly 4 million.

UNHCR officials noted an uptick in Syrian refugees departing Lebanon to return to Syria, prompting the agency to develop emergency response plans for potential additional population movements. The Syrian refugee population originated from the conflict that erupted in Syria in 2011, which ultimately forced more than 6 million Syrians to seek refuge primarily in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.

UNICEF reported alarming casualties among Lebanese children, with seven deaths and 38 injuries recorded since Monday’s military operations began. The strikes have targeted civilian neighborhoods, putting young residents at immediate risk.

UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires emphasized the expanding impact, stating that “Each new escalation expands the circle of harm. Residential areas, schools and critical infrastructure are being affected.”

LONDON – British leadership remains undecided about deploying naval vessels to protect their Royal Air Force facility at Akrotiri in Cyprus, according to an insider familiar with the discussions, following reports that top officials considered such military action.

A drone manufactured in Iran struck a runway at the Akrotiri installation during the early morning hours on Monday. British authorities have attributed the attack on UK military assets to Iranian forces.

According to reporting from The Times, which referenced three unnamed sources, Defense Minister John Healey conducted discussions Tuesday with high-ranking military officials about potentially dispatching the HMS Duncan warship to the area.

The Ministry of Defence has not yet provided a response to inquiries regarding these reported deliberations.

Meanwhile, the Cyprus News Agency, which operates with semi-official status, announced Tuesday that France intends to deploy defensive systems capable of intercepting missiles and drones to Cyprus.

MOSCOW – The chief executive of Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom warned Tuesday that Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility faces potential danger due to ongoing regional military conflict, according to Russian state media reports.

Alexey Likhachev, Rosatom’s director, told reporters that the nuclear installation is at risk from the surrounding violence. “There is certainly a threat to the plant,” Likhachev stated, noting that “explosions can be heard just kilometres away.” He emphasized that the facility itself is not being directly attacked.

The Russian nuclear corporation announced over the weekend that it had removed nearly 100 individuals from Iran, including family members of workers and non-critical personnel. However, essential staff members continue operating the nuclear plant, which Russian engineers constructed in the Iranian coastal city of Bushehr.

According to reports from the Interfax news service, Likhachev indicated that additional evacuations involving between 150 and 200 people from the facility will occur once security conditions allow for safe departure.

MANILA – Two Asian allies strengthened their partnership Tuesday as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for high-level discussions in the Philippine capital.

During the state visit, both leaders addressed what Marcos described as “growing uncertainty in geopolitical developments” and committed to supporting a rules-based international order, particularly regarding maritime issues.

The meeting resulted in expanded collaboration across several key industries. The two nations agreed to work more closely in shipbuilding, nuclear energy development, and artificial intelligence technologies.

Lee announced that cooperation would extend to infrastructure projects and defense manufacturing. “South Korea and the Philippines plan to work together on critical minerals and supply chains,” Lee stated during the discussions.

Military modernization emerged as a significant focus, with Lee confirming that South Korean companies would assist in upgrading Philippine armed forces capabilities.

The leaders also addressed current Middle East tensions during their bilateral talks.

Multiple memorandums of understanding were formalized covering diverse areas including digital technology advancement, defense equipment procurement, agricultural development, intellectual property protection, foreign language instruction, cultural exchange, and law enforcement cooperation.

Asian allies of the United States are growing increasingly concerned that ongoing military operations against Iran could weaken America’s ability to counter China’s expanding influence in the Pacific region.

During a private meeting Monday at ruling party headquarters in Tokyo, Japanese legislators questioned government officials about various aspects of the Iran crisis, including evacuation procedures and energy supplies. However, one particularly pressing concern emerged from the closed-door session, according to a politician who was present: what would happen to regional security if the U.S. redirected military assets from Asia to the Middle East?

This worry is especially acute for nations like Japan and South Korea, which host significant American military installations designed to counter both Chinese military expansion and threats from nuclear-armed North Korea. Democratic Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory and which receives U.S. military support, faces similar concerns.

Chen Kuan-ting, a Taiwanese ruling party legislator who serves on parliament’s foreign affairs and defense committee, expressed hope for a swift resolution. “We hope this operation is fast, limited, and that resources can be promptly shifted back to Asia,” Chen stated.

Chen warned that an extended conflict could undermine “stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific” and suggested Taiwan should brace for Beijing to increase “coercion” while America’s attention remains focused elsewhere.

President Trump has indicated that U.S. Middle East operations might continue for four to five weeks, though they could extend much longer. He plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March, although Beijing has not yet confirmed this meeting.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded Tuesday by calling Taiwan an internal Chinese matter and stating Beijing “firmly opposes the use of force to infringe on the sovereignty and security of other countries.”

The U.S. State and Defense Departments have not yet responded to requests for comment on this report.

According to the Japanese politician who attended Monday’s meeting, a senior foreign ministry official indicated that Tokyo had requested guarantees from Washington that it would not relocate U.S. military resources from the region.

Current naval deployment statistics highlight the challenge: approximately 40% of operational U.S. Navy vessels are now positioned near the Middle East, according to a recent Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis. This includes the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and at least six missile destroyers that were previously based at Pacific locations in California, Hawaii, and Japan, as reported by the U.S. Naval Institute.

Meanwhile, the George Washington, currently the sole U.S. carrier assigned to Asia, remains in maintenance at its Yokosuka base in Japan.

Bryan Clark, a former U.S. defense official who specializes in naval operations at the Hudson Institute, described the situation bluntly: “The U.S. Navy is stretched thin.” He added that if the conflict continues, there’s a genuine possibility America might reduce its Pacific naval presence to strengthen Iran operations, noting that “the fleet is not sufficient to keep a steady presence in every theatre.”

The Iran operations are also consuming U.S. ammunition stockpiles, a problem defense experts have long highlighted. While the Pentagon has requested increased production from defense contractors, ramping up manufacturing could require several years.

This munitions shortage particularly concerns U.S. officials because maintaining adequate weapons reserves in the Indo-Pacific region helps discourage Chinese military action against Taiwan, according to a U.S. official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic.

Japan has already experienced delays in receiving hundreds of Tomahawk missiles ordered from the United States and may face further postponements, said Jan van Tol, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.

The timing is particularly striking given that Washington released a new security strategy just three months ago, identifying the Indo-Pacific as the primary “geopolitical battleground” and making Taiwan conflict deterrence a top priority.

Since then, Trump has conducted a bold military operation to capture Venezuela’s leader, threatened to annex Greenland, and partnered with Israel in launching aerial attacks against Iran.

While Asian allies worry about America’s shifting focus, some analysts suggest Beijing may not benefit immediately. Trump’s actions against Venezuela and Iran have weakened two Chinese allies that provided Beijing with inexpensive oil, supporting China’s economy.

Some experts theorize that Trump’s military moves might be part of a broader strategy to eventually concentrate on containing China. However, the longer America remains engaged in Middle Eastern conflicts, the more opportunities Beijing might find to advance its interests.

“The grand strategy is supposed to be ‘contain Iran in the Middle East, then shift resources toward dealing with China,’” explained a Japanese ruling party lawmaker who spoke anonymously. “But the question is whether there will be enough resources left to shift.”

Jennifer Parker, a former Royal Australian Navy warfare officer and non-resident fellow at Sydney’s Lowy Institute, noted that China has previously capitalized on periods when U.S. attention was directed elsewhere. She pointed to Beijing’s rapid militarization of South China Sea islands while America was focused on the Afghanistan war.

“Beijing will be watching closely,” Parker observed.

MOSCOW – The Kremlin announced Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to communicate Arab nations’ anxieties to Iran regarding Tehran’s attacks on regional oil facilities, as Middle East tensions continue escalating.

On Monday, Putin conducted multiple telephone conversations with leaders from four Arab Gulf nations, proposing to leverage Moscow’s diplomatic relationship with Tehran – which Russia considers a strategic ally – in an effort to reduce regional hostilities.

“Putin will certainly make every effort to contribute to at least a slight easing of tensions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

“Yesterday’s discussions with virtually all of his interlocutors focused on Putin conveying his deep concern about the strikes on their infrastructure to our colleagues in Iran, taking advantage of the dialogue we maintain with the Iranian leadership,” Peskov explained.

Global oil markets experienced their third consecutive day of price increases Tuesday as Iran retaliated against American and Israeli operations by targeting energy facilities in Gulf nations and attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

While Putin sent condolences to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s family through a message to President Masoud Pezeshkian over the weekend, the Kremlin has not announced additional communications with top Iranian officials since Saturday’s strikes commenced.

The Russian leader has also avoided contact with U.S. President Donald Trump, with Peskov confirming no such discussion is currently scheduled.

GENEVA – United Nations human rights officials are demanding a thorough investigation into what they’re calling a devastating assault on a girls’ educational facility in Iran, though they stopped short of directly identifying those responsible for the attack.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, U.N. human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani characterized the incident as appalling and emphasized the need for immediate action. “The High Commissioner (Volker Turk) calls for a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the circumstances of the attack. The onus is on the forces that carried out the attack to investigate it,” Shamdasani stated, using the word “horrific” to describe what occurred.

The incident has drawn international attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responding to reports about the attack. Rubio stated that American military forces “would not deliberately target a school,” addressing claims made by Iranian state media outlets that more than 160 people lost their lives on the opening day of combined U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran.

MOSCOW – Russia’s Foreign Minister declared Tuesday that his country has discovered no proof supporting allegations that Iran was constructing nuclear weapons, challenging the primary rationale behind the continuing US-Israeli military offensive.

President Donald Trump has provided multiple explanations for initiating military action against Iran. During his most comprehensive public remarks Monday, Trump stated he authorized the strikes to prevent Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile development programs.

During discussions with Brunei’s foreign minister in Moscow, Sergei Lavrov stated: “We still see no evidence that Iran was developing nuclear weapons, which was the main, if not the only, justification for the war.”

Lavrov noted that the military assault on Iran has created ripple effects across the entire region, with Arab nations experiencing economic hardship and human losses.

The Russian official renewed Moscow’s demand for an immediate end to fighting from all sides:

“As an unconditional first step, we must do everything possible to stop any actions that result in civilian casualties.”

Lavrov referenced reports of a school bombing incident in Iran.

Iranian government media have blamed Israel and the United States for an attack on a girls’ elementary school in a southern Iranian community that Tehran claims resulted in over 160 deaths.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded that American military forces would not intentionally target educational facilities.

The United Nations World Food Programme announced Tuesday that a crucial humanitarian corridor into Gaza will resume operations in the coming hours after being temporarily shuttered.

Relief supplies are expected to flow through the Kerem Shalom crossing between Tuesday and Wednesday, according to WFP officials.

“That is timely for us, and we need to get in aid as fast as we can,” said Samer Abdel Jaber, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, speaking to reporters in Geneva through a video connection from Cairo.

The Israeli government coordination agency COGAT confirmed it would restart operations at the Kerem Shalom crossing beginning Tuesday, allowing humanitarian assistance to gradually flow into the Gaza Strip.

According to COGAT’s Saturday announcement, border crossings into Gaza had been suspended during Israeli and U.S. military operations against Iran. These crossings serve as essential lifelines for delivering humanitarian relief and evacuating patients requiring urgent medical care.

LONDON (AP) — The escalating Middle East conflict is disrupting economic projections that British Treasury chief Rachel Reeves plans to present on Tuesday, as petroleum costs climb and financial markets decline.

Reeves initially anticipated her address to Parliament would be a modest presentation, featuring economic data that generally indicated positive trends.

But financial experts caution that the Middle East crisis may derail her Spring Statement predictions, potentially slowing economic expansion, fueling price increases, and raising government borrowing costs. Most notably, Brent crude oil prices have jumped more than 15% this week, climbing above $80 per barrel — a level that would likely drive up energy costs and inflation while limiting economic growth if it continues.

“With the world plunged into fresh uncertainty, she is likely to strike a highly cautious tone, focusing on maintaining stability and sticking to fiscal rules amid heightened tensions,” said Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, an investment service.

Before her parliamentary address, Treasury officials indicated Reeves will emphasize the need for economic steadiness during these turbulent global times.

Looking back at government policies, Reeves plans to highlight declining inflation rates and interest rate reductions that are helping to reduce financial burdens on British families.

“This government has the right economic plan for our country, in a world that has become yet more uncertain,” she is expected to tell lawmakers.

The Labour administration, which has seen its popularity decline since winning the 2024 general election, had been counting on 2026 to demonstrate that Britain’s economy was becoming more stable than it had been in recent years.

Recent economic data has suggested growth momentum in early 2026. Inflation is projected to drop significantly in upcoming months, which could prompt the Bank of England to reduce interest rates further. The central bank maintained its primary rate at 3.75% last month.

The chief executive of satellite operator SES declared Monday that outer space has transformed into a critical military battlefield where nations are racing to establish dominance across all orbital levels.

Adel Al-Saleh made these remarks during a company earnings call as SES stock climbed 4%, part of a broader surge in European defense-related investments amid growing Middle East tensions.

Investment analysts from Citi noted that defense investors are increasingly focused on orbital missile defense technologies, including President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome program, as regional conflicts expand.

Al-Saleh emphasized that modern military operations depend heavily on instantaneous intelligence sharing between defense units. He pointed to France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle as a prime example, noting how the vessel commanded a multi-ship Pacific mission last year using SES satellite communication networks.

“Space is now a war-fighting domain,” Al-Saleh told investors, explaining that military leaders now view space capabilities with the same strategic importance as air dominance, maritime strength, or cyber warfare defense.

The SES executive highlighted his company’s competitive advantage in providing secure network “slices” that give governments complete operational control, a service that aligns with Europe’s increasing desire for strategic independence.

“There is an acceleration across all nations around the world, especially the United States and the European Union, to build up these capabilities at scale,” Al-Saleh explained.

He noted that European countries now consider space technology essential for meeting NATO defense spending requirements, particularly as they work to develop autonomous military capabilities.

“The outlook is positive and is accelerated with conflicts,” Al-Saleh stated, while noting that even without active conflicts, developing independent space capabilities remains a top priority for numerous countries.

Looking ahead, SES plans extensive vertical integration to “take control over some of the supply chains that are critical for innovation,” focusing on dual-purpose satellites that combine both military and commercial functions.

The World Health Organization confirmed Monday that medical personnel evacuated a Tehran hospital following explosions in the immediate vicinity, as the agency investigates potential damage to multiple Iranian healthcare facilities.

A WHO representative explained that patients at Gandhi Hospital in Iran’s capital were relocated after nearby blasts caused secondary damage to the medical facility. “We understand patients were moved due to nearby explosions that caused collateral damage to the hospital,” the spokesperson stated.

Reuters received witness accounts on March 1 indicating the hospital sustained damage from Israeli military strikes.

The international health agency is currently attempting to confirm additional reports concerning possible damage at Tehran’s Motahari Hospital, along with emergency medical facilities located in Sarab in Iran’s northwest region and another facility in the western Hamadan province.

These incidents follow the beginning of U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran that commenced on February 28.

The WHO maintains an operational presence in Iran and collaborates with Iranian authorities on health crisis response and disease prevention efforts. The organization routinely investigates attacks on medical infrastructure globally while maintaining neutrality regarding responsibility.

During Monday’s Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Iran’s U.N. representative Ali Bahreini declared that medical facilities had faced “indiscriminate attacks,” though he provided no additional specifics.

LONDON, March 2 – President Donald Trump expressed strong frustration with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over delays in granting the United States access to a crucial military base for operations against Iran, according to an interview published in the Daily Telegraph on Monday.

The president told the British publication he felt “very disappointed” after Starmer initially refused to allow American forces to use the Diego Garcia air base for strikes targeting Iranian positions. While Britain eventually reversed course Sunday evening, approving the base’s use for what Starmer termed “defensive” operations against Iranian targets, Trump criticized the timeline of the decision.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Trump said the delay was excessive and unprecedented. “That’s probably never happened between our countries before,” the president stated, suggesting Starmer’s hesitation stemmed from legal concerns about the military action.

The president argued that immediate approval should have been granted for American operations at Diego Garcia, a strategically vital joint U.S.-British facility located in the Indian Ocean. Trump justified this position by noting Iran’s responsibility for casualties affecting British citizens, telling the newspaper Iran had killed “a lot of people from your country.”

The discussion comes after joint American-Israeli military operations against Iran resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday. Britain did not participate in those strikes.

Military tensions have escalated since Saturday’s operations began, with Iran launching missile attacks against Gulf nations. On Sunday, an Iranian-manufactured drone struck Britain’s RAF Akrotiri installation in Cyprus, though officials reported minimal damage and no injuries.

Trump described the eventual access to Diego Garcia as “useful” for future American military operations, while also expressing criticism of Starmer’s recent diplomatic agreement regarding the Chagos Islands, where the Diego Garcia base is situated.

The West African nation of Guinea has forged a significant health partnership with the United States, establishing a five-year cooperation deal worth nearly $143 million, according to Guinea’s Finance Minister Mariama Cire Sylla.

The memorandum of understanding will deploy $142.6 million between 2026 and 2030, with the United States contributing $91.27 million and Guinea providing $51.33 million, Sylla announced via Facebook on Sunday.

“This partnership will strengthen the fight against malaria, accelerate the elimination of polio, modernize our laboratories, consolidate human resources in health, and improve the quality of our health data systems,” the minister stated.

This bilateral agreement comes as the United States has shifted toward direct country partnerships with African nations following the dissolution of its aid agency last year, which resulted in reduced funding and terminated contracts globally.

However, global health advocacy groups have raised objections to certain aspects of these arrangements. Critics point to provisions requiring countries to quickly share pathogen data with Washington that could potentially trigger epidemics, as a prerequisite for receiving funds, while offering no assurance that these nations will gain access to medical innovations developed from their data.

According to U.S. government statistics, the annual American contribution under this health agreement represents approximately one-third of the assistance Guinea received through USAID during 2024.

International air travel has been thrown into chaos following military strikes involving the United States and Israel against Iran, forcing major airlines worldwide to suspend thousands of flights and strand countless passengers.

The conflict has led to the temporary shutdown of crucial Middle Eastern aviation centers, including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, creating ripple effects across the global airline industry.

Here’s a breakdown of flight cancellations by carrier:

AEGEAN AIRLINES
The Greek national carrier has halted service to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Erbil, and Baghdad until March 10 early morning arrivals. Dubai and Abu Dhabi routes remain suspended through March 6 evening arrivals, while Riyadh and Jeddah flights won’t resume until March 7 early arrivals.

AIR BALTIC
Latvia’s national airline has grounded all Tel Aviv operations through March 9 and Dubai service through March 6.

AIR CANADA
The Canadian flag carrier has suspended Dubai and Tel Aviv routes until March 22, with service planned to resume March 23.

AIR EUROPA
Spain’s carrier has canceled Tel Aviv flights through March 9.

AIR FRANCE KLM
Air France suspended Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai, and Riyadh service through March 5. KLM has grounded Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam flights until March 9, while Tel Aviv service remains canceled for the entire winter schedule.

AIR INDIA
The Indian carrier extended its Middle East flight suspension through March 3.

BLUEBIRD AIRWAYS
The Greek airline canceled all Israel flights through March 8.

BRITISH AIRWAYS
The IAG-owned carrier suspended flights to Amman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha, and Tel Aviv through March 5.

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
Hong Kong’s flagship airline canceled Dubai and Riyadh service through March 14.

DELTA
The American carrier suspended New York-JFK to Tel Aviv flights through March 8 and return flights through March 9.

EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES
EL AL and Sundor flights to and from Israel were suspended until 2:00 AM March 5.

EMIRATES
The Dubai-based carrier announced limited flight operations beginning March 2 evening, with all other services suspended indefinitely.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS
Abu Dhabi’s national carrier suspended all hub operations until 1000 GMT March 4.

FINNAIR
Finland’s airline canceled Doha flights through March 10 and Dubai service through March 28, while avoiding airspace over Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Israel.

INDIGO
India’s largest airline suspended all flights using Middle Eastern airspace until at least March 2, with additional cancellations through March 5.

ITA AIRWAYS
Italy’s carrier suspended Tel Aviv flights and avoided airspace over Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Iran through March 8. Dubai cancellations extend through March 4, with Riyadh service halted March 2-4.

JAPAN AIRLINES
JAL canceled Tokyo-Doha flights from February 28 through March 7, plus the March 8 return flight.

LOT POLISH AIRLINES
Poland’s carrier suspended Tel Aviv flights through March 18, Dubai service through March 4, and Riyadh routes through March 8.

LUFTHANSA
Germany’s flagship airline grounded flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Dammam, Erbil, and Tehran through March 8, with Dubai service suspended through March 4.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES
The Malaysian carrier suspended Doha, Jeddah, and Madinah flights through March 4.

NORWEGIAN AIR
The Scandinavian airline canceled Dubai flights through March 10, with weekly reassessments planned.

PEGASUS
Turkey’s budget carrier suspended Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon flights through March 6, with Iran service canceled through March 12.

QATAR AIRWAYS
The Doha-based airline suspended operations due to Qatari airspace closure.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Singapore’s flag carrier canceled Dubai flights through March 7, while subsidiary Scoot suspended Jeddah service through March 7.

TAROM
Romania’s national airline suspended Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Amman flights through March 2, with March 3 Tel Aviv flights under review.

TURKISH AIRLINES
Turkey’s carrier canceled select flights to Bahrain, Dammam, Riyadh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates.

TUS AIRWAYS
Cyprus’s airline canceled all Israel flights through March 8.

VIRGIN ATLANTIC
The British carrier suspended Riyadh and Dubai flights through March 2, plus a March 3 Dubai-London flight.

WIZZ AIR
The budget airline suspended flights to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, and Saudi Arabia through March 7.

During his lengthy political tenure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has built his nation’s foreign strategy on two fundamental principles: maintaining an unbreakable alliance with America and waging continuous diplomatic and secret warfare against Iran’s Islamic Republic leadership.

Currently, as Israel and America engage in combined military operations against Iranian leadership, these two strategic foundations may conflict with one another. By drawing the United States into what he considers Israel’s fight for survival against Iran, Netanyahu is making a risky bet that could strain this crucial relationship through a conflict with extensive ramifications.

Certainly, convincing President Donald Trump to participate in this military campaign represents a major victory for Netanyahu and demonstrates the solid bond between these two leaders. Should they succeed, both nations could quickly achieve their mutual objective of removing Iran’s current government while avoiding a lengthy regional conflict.

However, should this military engagement become extended, the partnership between these allies may face significant challenges.

“A large part of the American public will view it as the Israeli tail wagging the American dog and that it is dragging the United States to a war in the Middle East that isn’t theirs,” said Ofer Shelah, a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based think tank. The drop in public support that might unleash “will be very harmful for Israel in the medium and long term,” he said.

But, he added, in a nod to the Israeli leader’s political ambitions: “Netanyahu is not interested in the medium and long term.”

For Netanyahu, convincing Trump to launch coordinated strikes against Iran represents the pinnacle of his decades-long relationship with Washington. As Israel’s leader with the longest tenure, Netanyahu speaks perfect English following his American upbringing and has consistently presented himself as Israel’s connection to the United States.

While he frequently highlights his close connections with various American presidents and congressional members, Netanyahu has witnessed declining American public support for Israel over the last two years. Gallup surveys indicate that American Middle East sympathies have shifted significantly in favor of Palestinians.

This changing public opinion has been primarily influenced by Democratic voters. However, certain Republicans and even some Trump supporters have become increasingly vocal against the diplomatic and financial assistance America has maintained for Israel during the past two and a half years of multi-front warfare that began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault. The horrific imagery from Gaza’s conflict has increased Israel’s global isolation.

Through this new Iranian conflict — the second within twelve months — Netanyahu confronts an adversary that he and numerous Israelis consider a threat to their existence, pointing to Iran’s backing of anti-Israeli militant groups throughout the region, its missile capabilities, and its nuclear ambitions. He has spearheaded the international campaign against Iran for most of his career.

Netanyahu said Sunday in a statement that the U.S. involvement “allows us to do what I have been hoping to do for 40 years — to deliver a crushing blow to the terror regime.” Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment.

Several days into this conflict, Israeli and American military forces appear to be operating in perfect coordination to attack targets — beginning with the opening strike that eliminated senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, through subsequent operations that granted forces complete access to Iranian airspace.

Yet this conflict has already triggered consequences that may impact Americans domestically. At least six American service members have lost their lives. Regional transportation has been disrupted, stranding hundreds of thousands of passengers. Energy costs have increased, creating the possibility of higher gasoline prices for American consumers and elevated costs for additional products during a period when citizens are already struggling with rising living expenses.

Uncertainty surrounds the conflict’s trajectory and objectives. It remains unclear whether aerial campaigns alone can remove Iran’s leadership, who might replace that government, and what responsibilities Israel or America would assume in either scenario. Each day brings new potential complications.

“Many people will blame Israel if things go badly wrong,” wrote Nadav Eyal, a commentator with the Israeli Yediot Ahronoth daily newspaper. “Israel cannot afford to lose the American public’s support under any circumstances. That is more important than striking any individual military facility.”

Nevertheless, Aaron David Miller, who served as an adviser on Middle East issues to Democratic and Republican administrations over two decades, said that Netanyahu has little to lose from the war.

With elections scheduled for the fall, Netanyahu can use the war in Iran to divert attention away from the failures of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, the worst in Israel’s history. Instead, Netanyahu can set himself up as a brave wartime leader who fulfilled a pledge he has made much of his life to confront Iran.

He can say he did so with support from the American president, who Miller said can pull the breaks on the war whenever he pleases.

“If Trump feels as if it’s going south, he’ll find a way to de-escalate,” he said, “and his good friend Benjamin Netanyahu will follow.”

Pakistani authorities report that Afghan ground troops launched coordinated attacks against military installations at 16 sites along the southwestern frontier and fired upon numerous positions in the northwest during early Tuesday morning, sparking fierce battles that resulted in 67 Afghan security personnel deaths and one Pakistani military fatality, as cross-border hostilities continued for a fifth straight day.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Pakistan “successfully repelled these multiple attacks” along the Afghan border.

According to Tarar’s statements on X, Afghan military units conducted ground operations across 16 sites in the southwestern districts of Qilla Saifullah, Nushki and Chaman within Balochistan province. Pakistani forces responded by eliminating 27 Afghan personnel during counter-operations, he reported.

Tarar also disclosed that Afghan troops initiated assaults at 25 separate locations throughout the border regions of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Pakistani military units killed 40 Afghan security force members.

Afghan officials in Kabul have not yet responded to Pakistan’s casualty claims.

Both nations have consistently reported inflicting substantial casualties on opposing forces since Thursday, when Afghanistan initiated attacks as retaliation for Pakistani air operations conducted the prior Sunday. Pakistani forces have maintained border operations since that time, with Tarar announcing Monday that 435 Afghan security personnel had been eliminated and 31 positions seized during the conflict.

Kabul has similarly claimed its military units have caused significant Pakistani military losses in recent days.

The most recent casualty reports followed Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari’s defense of the continuing Afghan strikes, stating that Islamabad had exhausted diplomatic options before launching operations against militants based in Afghan territory. He urged Kabul to neutralize groups conducting attacks within Pakistan.

Pakistani officials have characterized their military actions as an “open war” against Afghanistan, causing international concern. The frontier region continues serving as a base for extremist organizations, including al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

Pakistan has witnessed increased violence in recent months, which officials blame on the banned Pakistani Taliban, identified as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, operating both within Pakistan and from Afghan soil. Islamabad maintains that Afghanistan’s Taliban administration provides sanctuary for the TTP, which Kabul disputes.

The current cross-border combat terminated a truce arranged by Qatar and Turkey last October. Negotiations held in Istanbul failed to establish a lasting resolution, and Pakistani leadership has declared operations will persist until Afghanistan’s Taliban government implements concrete, verifiable measures to control the TTP and other militant groups responsible for Pakistani violence.

Thousands of Lebanese residents are evacuating their communities as violence escalates between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, with Associated Press photographers capturing the widespread displacement and destruction.

The current crisis began when Hezbollah fired rockets into Israeli territory following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israeli military forces responded with airstrikes targeting locations throughout Lebanon.

Associated Press photo editors have compiled visual documentation showing the impact on civilian populations and infrastructure as the conflict continues to unfold.

Turkey’s top diplomat revealed that his nation is actively negotiating with Washington to eliminate penalties imposed four years ago, hoping to reach an agreement before America’s November midterm elections.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan disclosed that discussions are ongoing to resolve the CAATSA sanctions that the United States placed on Turkey in 2020. These penalties were triggered when Turkey, despite being a NATO ally, decided to purchase Russia’s S-400 missile defense systems.

The sanctions also resulted in Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter aircraft program, a decision that Turkish officials have repeatedly denounced as unfair and unlawful.

Both nations are now exploring solutions that would eliminate the sanctions and restore Turkey’s ability to purchase the advanced fighter jets. Despite the strong relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, which has raised Turkish expectations for a breakthrough this year, meaningful progress has remained limited.

During a Tuesday evening meal breaking the Ramadan fast with Turkish journalists, Fidan addressed questions about Israel’s stance on potentially lifting the sanctions. Turkey has been highly critical of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

“That is the mode they are in now. Let’s see, these battles will continue. Everyone will play the cards in their hands somehow,” Fidan stated, according to Wednesday’s official transcript.

The Foreign Minister confirmed active efforts to resolve the CAATSA issue before the midterm elections, saying: “Work is underway to obtain a result on CAATSA before the midterms. We have taken the political steps. We’ll see.”

These developments occur amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other, with Turkey sharing a border with Iran. Ankara has publicly criticized the American and Israeli military actions against Tehran.

A major Chinese self-driving car company has temporarily halted its autonomous taxi operations in Dubai as tensions escalate across the Middle East involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

WeRide, which specializes in autonomous vehicle technology, made the decision to pause its Dubai robotaxi service as conflicts in the region intensify, affecting key Middle Eastern markets that have become attractive destinations for the emerging self-driving taxi industry.

The Gulf region has become a popular expansion target for Chinese autonomous vehicle companies in recent years, drawn by supportive government regulations and strong consumer interest in ride-sharing services.

WeRide, which first launched its regional robotaxi operations in 2021, confirmed Tuesday that its self-driving taxi fleets in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh remain operational and continue serving the public with regular commercial service.

The company stated that all regional staff members are “currently working from home and limiting unnecessary outings to ensure their safety and well-being.”

Other major Chinese robotaxi companies are also closely watching the regional situation. Baidu’s Apollo Go division and Pony.ai are both evaluating their Middle Eastern operations.

According to a company spokesperson, Apollo Go is “in close coordination with local regulators and will adjust our services as needed to ensure the continued safety of our staff and an orderly response to the local environment.”

Baidu’s robotaxi division just launched commercial self-driving taxi services in Abu Dhabi this past January.

Meanwhile, Pony.ai had previously paused its road testing programs in both Doha and Dubai, but resumed testing operations in Doha on Monday.

The company plans to restart its Dubai testing program “at an appropriate time,” according to officials, noting that its regional operations remain in the testing phase.

French President Emmanuel Macron has committed to deploying defensive military equipment to Cyprus following Monday’s drone assault on a British air installation, according to the Cyprus News Agency on Tuesday.

The French leader communicated his country’s plans to provide anti-missile and anti-drone defense systems, along with a naval frigate, to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides during early morning discussions Tuesday. An unnamed Cypriot government official verified this information, though France’s defense department has yet to respond to requests for comment.

This assistance comes after Greece offered similar support within hours of the Monday incident at RAF Akrotiri, a British sovereign military facility on the Mediterranean island.

The initial attack involved an Iranian-manufactured Shahed drone that crashed directly onto the base’s runway, resulting in minor damage. Several hours afterward, two additional drones were successfully intercepted before reaching their targets.

High-ranking Cypriot authorities believe the assault was conducted using Iranian Shahed drones, most likely deployed by the Iran-supported militant organization Hezbollah operating from Lebanese territory. These officials have emphasized that the British-controlled base, not Cyprus itself, was the intended target.

The incident follows Britain’s Sunday announcement accepting a U.S. request to utilize its military installations for “defensive” operations against Iran, occurring one day after American and Israeli forces launched military action against Iran, which prompted Iranian counterattacks. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer subsequently clarified that U.S. bomber aircraft were not operating from Britain’s Cyprus bases.

Cypriot leadership has requested that Britain limit base usage to humanitarian operations only.

Greece responded Monday by sending four F-16 fighter aircraft to the island. Additionally, two Greek naval vessels, including one equipped with the Centauros anti-drone jamming technology, are en route to Cyprus.

The Centauros system, which has proven effective against Houthi rebel attacks on shipping routes near Yemen, can identify and disable low-altitude drones similar to the one that struck RAF Akrotiri and avoided radar detection, according to Cypriot defense officials.

PARIS – France’s top diplomat declared Tuesday that the nation is prepared to provide military assistance to allied countries requesting support in the wake of Iranian counterattacks across the region.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced during a television interview that France maintains the authority to take military action when needed. Speaking to BFM TV, Barrot explained the expanding nature of the regional conflict.

“This war… is dragging a number of countries in the region into the conflict with which we have relations, defence agreements, and interests, including military bases,” Barrot stated during the broadcast.

The Foreign Minister revealed that French Rafale fighter aircraft have already conducted aerial missions to protect airspace around French military installations throughout the region. French officials are also developing contingency plans to evacuate approximately 400,000 French citizens currently living in Middle Eastern nations impacted by the escalating crisis, according to Barrot’s announcement.

The evacuation strategy would utilize both civilian airline services and military transport aircraft to remove French nationals facing the highest risk levels, the Foreign Minister indicated.

International discussions about controlling deadly AI-powered weapons have reached a critical juncture, with the leader of Geneva-based negotiations warning that time is running short to establish meaningful regulations.

Robert in den Bosch, who serves as the Dutch Disarmament Ambassador in Geneva and leads the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons expert group, emphasized the urgent timeline facing negotiators from 128 countries.

“If we wait then it almost gets to a stage where you’re too late… We will be overtaken by technological developments,” in den Bosch told Reuters.

The ongoing discussions, which continue through September, focus on creating a non-binding agreement that could serve as groundwork for future binding regulations on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, commonly known as LAWS.

These high-stakes conversations have been taking place in the Swiss city since 2014, with participating nations working to ban autonomous weapons that violate current international law while establishing controls for others.

The urgency has intensified due to increasing use of AI-assisted semi-autonomous weapons in current conflicts across Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and other regions.

Although participating countries acknowledge that international humanitarian law applies to these weapons systems, there are virtually no specific binding international standards governing their use.

Major powers including Russia and the United States have resisted new legally binding agreements, contending that current laws provide adequate oversight.

According to in den Bosch, other nations argue that new regulations are essential to address accountability gaps in international humanitarian law, which places responsibilities on countries and individuals rather than machines.

The draft agreement being debated in Geneva calls for “context appropriate human judgment and control” to ensure weapons systems that “identify, select and engage” targets without human oversight comply with international humanitarian law.

Despite increasing pressure for immediate action, in den Bosch acknowledged that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ goal of reaching a legally binding agreement this year will likely not be met.

He noted that while this deadline falls outside the scope of the Geneva negotiations, the difficulty in achieving consensus even on non-binding measures highlights the challenges in making meaningful progress.

The discussions are occurring amid heightened geopolitical tensions and recent European withdrawals from landmine ban agreements due to Russian threats.

A November Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons could authorize negotiations for a binding protocol after the Geneva talks conclude. However, in den Bosch warned that without agreement, some nations might pursue separate treaty negotiations elsewhere.

Israeli military officials announced Tuesday they have developed plans for an extended military operation against Iran spanning multiple weeks, though they do not anticipate sending troops on the ground.

During a virtual press conference, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani outlined the military’s timeline, stating, “We have prepared a general scope of weeks.” He noted that the length of operations could shift based on how events unfold, while characterizing current progress in favorable terms.

Regarding the possibility of Israeli ground troops being sent to Iran, Shoshani dismissed the likelihood of such action.

“I don’t think that’s something very likely at the moment for Israeli forces. There’s not a practical idea at the moment that I know of,” he explained.

The current military actions began Saturday when Israel and the United States launched aerial attacks against Iranian targets, which prompted Iran to respond with retaliatory strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the timeline Monday, indicating the joint U.S.-Israel military engagement with Iran would require “some time” to complete, though he ruled out a conflict lasting multiple years.

TEL AVIV, March 3 (Reuters) — Israel moved more troops into southern Lebanon during overnight operations, positioning them defensively along the border to shield Israeli citizens and critical infrastructure from possible Hezbollah attacks, military officials announced Tuesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani explained during a virtual press conference with journalists that the forces are stationed strictly for protection purposes. “We’re only at the borderline area in a defensive manner to prevent attacks against civilians and very strategic important points,” Shoshani stated.

The troop movement was authorized by Defense Minister Israel Katz, who issued a statement explaining his decision to allow the military to move forward and secure additional positions within Lebanon. This action followed rocket attacks launched by Hezbollah against Israel on Sunday evening, which came as a response to coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel targeting Iran.

Since November 2024, Israeli military forces have maintained control over five strategic positions within southern Lebanon territory.

President Donald Trump expressed his disappointment with the current state of US-Britain relations following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s initial reluctance to provide military backing for recent strikes against Iran.

In an interview with The Sun newspaper on Tuesday, Trump described the deterioration of what was once considered among the strongest international partnerships as disappointing. This marked his second consecutive day of criticizing the British leader in interviews with UK media outlets.

“It’s very sad to see that the relationship is obviously not what it was,” Trump stated, noting that he never anticipated such a shift in what he called the “most solid of all” relationships.

The president highlighted that other nations, particularly France, had provided greater assistance during the military action. Starmer announced late Sunday that he would permit the United States to utilize British military installations for defensive operations, though these facilities were not employed during the original assault on Iran.

While acknowledging that Britain’s participation wasn’t essential for US operations in the Middle East, Trump emphasized his expectation for British support. “It’s not going to matter, but (Starmer) should have helped… he should have,” the president remarked.

“I mean, France has been great. They’ve all been great. The UK has been much different from others,” Trump added.

Responding to Trump’s criticism, senior British official Darren Jones spoke with Times Radio, affirming the continued importance of the US-UK alliance while referencing lessons learned from Britain’s participation in the 2003 Iraq conflict.

“One of the lessons of Iraq was that it’s better to be involved in these situations when you are aligned with international partners, and as I say, with a clear legal basis in the plan,” Jones explained.

During parliamentary proceedings Monday, Starmer defended his decision-making process. “President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest. That is what I have done, and I stand by it,” the Prime Minister declared.

PARIS – France’s top diplomat Jean-Noel Barrot conducted a phone conversation Monday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, focusing on collaborative efforts to reduce tensions in the Iran conflict, according to a statement from Barrot’s office.

The two foreign ministers pledged to pursue diplomatic solutions that would ensure regional security while considering the needs and desires of Iranian citizens, the statement revealed.

During the discussion, Barrot “reiterated the Iranian regime’s responsibility for the ongoing escalation, after it unjustifiably attacked several countries in the region,” according to the official statement.

The French minister also condemned Iran’s government for its refusal to comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding nuclear programs, missile activities, assistance to armed non-governmental groups, and rejection of sincere international negotiations.

Barrot emphasized that France had no involvement in or advance knowledge of military actions taken by the United States and Israel. He stressed that nations “must give precedence to international institutions to solve disputes and, where needed, the use of force.”

Both diplomatic leaders committed to maintaining ongoing discussions about the crisis.

The Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah conducted its first rocket and drone assault against Israeli territory in a year and a half on Monday, according to Israeli military sources, triggering Israeli counterstrikes on Lebanese positions and representing a major intensification following the group’s entry into hostilities that erupted after joint U.S.-Israeli operations targeting Iran.

Israeli military officials reported Monday that defense systems successfully intercepted a rocket aimed at a missile defense installation in Haifa, while other projectiles fell in unpopulated regions. No casualties were immediately reported from the incoming fire on Israeli soil.

Israel responded with aerial bombardments against Lebanese locations, including a strike in Beirut where Israeli forces said they targeted a high-ranking Hezbollah operative.

During remarks at a General Staff meeting, Israeli military commander Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced that forces had “launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah” following the organization’s decision to join combat operations against Israel. His comments came as Israeli leadership indicated readiness for expanded military actions along the northern frontier.

The Iranian-supported militant organization previously declared it would “confront the aggression” by the United States and Israel after their attacks on Iranian targets. In a Sunday statement mourning Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem pledged the group would fulfill its obligations and would not retreat from what he called the “field of honor and resistance.”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Israel’s intention to eliminate Hezbollah’s command structure, specifically naming Qassem as a target. “The Hezbollah terror organization will pay a heavy price for the firing toward Israel, and Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s secretary general, who decided on the firing under pressure from Iran, from now on, he is a marked target for elimination,” Katz posted on X.

He further stated that anyone who “follows the path” of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who Israeli forces killed on Saturday, “will soon find himself together with him in the depths of hell with all those eliminated from the axis of evil.”

The Lebanese organization had stayed out of the 12-day direct confrontation between Israel and Iran that occurred last June. Israeli authorities characterized Monday’s attacks as a shift from that previous position and cautioned that additional Hezbollah aggression would prompt escalated military responses.

Travelers trapped in Middle Eastern airports are making the best of a dire situation, sporting matching counterfeit athletic wear purchased from local shops and exchanging advice about finding basic necessities like clean underwear.

“It’s our uniform,” explained Erika Macikova, a 49-year-old winemaker from Slovakia who found herself stuck in Doha while returning from a wellness retreat in Sri Lanka. With her luggage locked away at the airport, she was relocated to a hotel with hundreds of other passengers and began hunting down open stores, then sharing their locations with fellow stranded travelers.

This marks the third consecutive day that tens of thousands of passengers throughout the Middle East have remained in travel limbo, as growing tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran have caused worldwide flight disruptions and shuttered key airports, including Dubai – the planet’s busiest international travel hub.

The situation represents the most significant disruption to worldwide aviation since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most affected travelers, including Macikova, were simply making connecting flights through the region. Dubai processes over 1,000 daily flights, and together with neighboring Doha and Abu Dhabi, serves as a critical junction for east-west aviation, channeling long-distance flights between Europe and Asia through precisely timed connections.

The crisis extends well beyond Middle Eastern borders, with tens of thousands of passengers stuck in locations ranging from Bali to Kathmandu to Frankfurt.

According to the UAE’s aviation authority, approximately 20,200 travelers received assistance on Saturday alone. Flight tracking data reveals that no fewer than 4,000 flights were canceled over the three-day period.

In Dubai, James Gaskin spent Monday morning cleaning his undergarments and collection of decorative socks in his hotel bathroom sink. The 53-year-old purchasing manager from northern England had already depleted his supply of clean clothing during a business trip to India when his connecting flight to Britain was canceled. He joined hundreds of other passengers at a nearby hotel.

Gaskin, like many others, said he had minimal understanding of the unfolding situation when he arrived at Dubai airport.

“A lady came to the gate and just stood on a chair and made an announcement that everyone’s got to leave the airport. All very calm and orderly,” he recalled. “In a British way, I did six hours of queuing without any real drama.”

However, the luggage area became chaotic, he noted, as travelers frantically searched baggage carousels for their belongings.

“Even though it was pandemonium, I was pretty relaxed,” he said.

But then “there were quite a few bangs, the airport got hit,” he continued. “That brought it home.”

“The general feeling is, the longer it goes on, the more edgy people are getting.”

Throughout hotels across the region, strangers are exchanging information about locating laundry facilities, navigating airline customer service, retrieving baggage, and whether it’s practical to combine resources and attempt overland departure.

They congregate in hotel common areas for games or sports viewing, venture to shopping centers for snacks, and have established WhatsApp communication groups.

Many are attempting to avoid dwelling on their circumstances, despite overhead explosions that remind them of their predicament.

Macikova was spending maximum time indoors at the hotel where she felt safest. She had buried herself in a romance book, while Gaskin struggled with boredom. Though his spouse had provided him access credentials for various streaming platforms, he hadn’t been motivated to use them.

British companions Julie Hardy and Francis McKay, who had completed a two-week southern India tour, were accommodated at the same single-story hotel near the airport.

On Sunday, they hired a taxi to visit a nearby shopping center to purchase medicine, cheese and crackers, and enjoy a meal. They described it as enjoyable, though the evenings prove more challenging.

Saturday evening, two alerts sounded on Hardy’s mobile device and she hurried to the hotel lobby wearing her nightgown, which nobody appeared to find unusual.

“I’m very reluctant to go to bed up here,” she explained. “I would rather be downstairs for as long as possible… I can’t relax, because I think something’s going to happen in the night and I’m going to have to get up quickly and evacuate.”

McKay also felt anxious and, though it seemed overly dramatic, questioned whether she would reunite with her family:

“It’s the unknown, and I’ve never been in a war zone.”