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Palestinian health officials report that Israeli forces fatally shot a 15-year-old boy during a military operation near Bethlehem on Friday evening, marking another deadly incident as tensions continue to rise in the West Bank.

Medical authorities confirmed the teenager succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital after arriving in critical condition with an abdominal gunshot wound, according to a statement from the Palestinian health ministry.

Palestinian news agency WAFA reported the shooting occurred during an Israeli military operation in the Dheisheh refugee camp.

Israeli military officials acknowledged that their forces killed a Palestinian during what they characterized as a “violent riot” where rocks were hurled at troops in the Bethlehem area. Military statements did not reveal the identity of the person killed or explain the reason for the military presence in the location.

This death represents the third Palestinian fatality attributed to Israeli forces in the West Bank on Friday alone, with WAFA news agency reporting two additional Palestinian men were shot and killed by Israeli troops earlier that day.

The region has experienced escalating violence following Hamas’s devastating assault on Israel from Gaza in October 2023.

Following that attack, Israeli military forces have imposed stricter limitations on Palestinian movement throughout the West Bank and conducted operations that have forced entire communities to relocate, while attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians have also intensified.

Palestinian militants have likewise conducted fatal attacks targeting Israelis during this period.

BEIRUT — Three journalists lost their lives Saturday when Israeli forces conducted an airstrike in southern Lebanon while the reporters were covering the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, according to their respective television networks.

Al-Manar TV, affiliated with Hezbollah, reported that veteran correspondent Ali Shoeib died in the Saturday attack in southern Lebanon.

Israeli military officials confirmed they had deliberately targeted Shoeib, claiming he served as a Hezbollah intelligence agent, though they offered no supporting evidence for this assertion.

Al-Mayadeen TV, a Beirut-based pan-Arab network, announced that reporter Fatima Ftouni and her brother Mohammed, who worked as a video journalist, were also killed in the same strike in Jezzine district in southern Lebanon. Ftouni had completed a live television report from the region just before the attack occurred.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun strongly criticized the attack, describing it as a “flagrant crime that violates all laws and agreements that protect journalists.”

In its coverage, Al-Manar referred to the incident as an Israeli attack on media personnel that resulted in the “martyrdom of the icon of resistance media.” Shoeib had established himself as a prominent Lebanese war reporter, spending almost thirty years covering southern Lebanon for Al-Manar.

Israeli military representatives alleged that Shoeib was “operating systematically to expose the locations of (Israeli) soldiers operating in southern Lebanon.” They further claimed he maintained communication with Hezbollah fighters and promoted hostility toward Israeli military personnel and citizens, though they provided no additional details.

Al-Manar TV chose not to address the Israeli accusations directly but characterized their correspondent as “distinguished by his professional and credible reporting of events.”

Israel’s accusations echoed similar claims the military has made against Palestinian reporters they have targeted during their conflict with Hamas in Gaza, alleging these journalists were actually Hamas operatives disguised as media workers.

The Israeli military made no reference to the other two fatalities in their official statement.

Throughout the current Israel-Hezbollah conflict that started on March 2, Israeli air forces have attacked Hezbollah civilian infrastructure, including Al-Manar’s headquarters and the organization’s Al-Nour radio facility.

This Saturday incident occurred just days following another Israeli airstrike on a Beirut apartment that killed Mohammed Sherri, who directed political programming at Al-Manar TV, along with his spouse.

These recent fatalities increase the total number of journalists and media personnel killed in Lebanon this year to five.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, freelance photographer Hussain Hamood, who had worked with Al-Manar TV, was also killed Wednesday in Nabatiyeh, a southern Lebanese city.

A massive humpback whale that captured Germany’s attention during dramatic rescue efforts has found itself in trouble once again, becoming stranded for a second time in Baltic Sea waters.

The enormous marine mammal, measuring between 39 and 49 feet in length, had been trapped for multiple days in shallow waters near Timmendorfer Strand beach before rescue teams successfully freed it earlier this week. The rescue operation became a national sensation, with German media providing constant updates and live coverage that had citizens across the country following the whale’s fate.

Rescue teams initially tried various methods to guide the whale toward deeper waters, including using boats from the coast guard and fire department to generate large waves. When those efforts proved unsuccessful, crews brought in heavy machinery on Thursday, using an excavator to create a special escape route through the shallow area.

The whale successfully navigated through the artificial channel early Friday morning, disappearing from view as rescuers hoped it would find its way back to open ocean. However, those hopes were dashed when the animal was discovered Saturday near Wismar, a coastal community located further east in the Mecklenburg-Pomerania region.

Environmental organization Greenpeace verified Saturday that the whale had become trapped once more, according to reports from German news services. An official from the state environment ministry explained that “after managing to free itself from its plight, the whale was spotted again at noon today in Wismar Bay.”

Officials have not yet announced whether another rescue operation will be attempted.

Marine experts remain puzzled about why the whale entered Baltic waters in the first place. Some scientists theorize the animal may have become disoriented while pursuing a school of herring, while others suggest it could be a male whale, as males are more likely to undertake long migrations.

The whale’s survival depends on reaching the Atlantic Ocean, but its current location presents serious challenges. The Baltic Sea’s lower salt content is harmful to the animal, and local reports indicate it has already developed skin problems. Additionally, the whale cannot find appropriate food sources in these waters.

To survive, the marine mammal must complete a journey spanning several hundred miles through German and Danish waters to reach the Atlantic Ocean.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky conducted surprise diplomatic missions to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar over the weekend, offering Ukraine’s proven drone defense technology to help Gulf nations counter Iranian aerial assaults amid ongoing Middle East conflicts.

The Ukrainian leader announced that his country has already secured decade-long security partnerships with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with plans to complete a comparable deal with the UAE in the near future.

Since Russia’s February 24, 2022 invasion began, Ukraine has emerged as a global leader in manufacturing affordable, battlefield-proven drone interception systems. These technologies have become essential in defending against Moscow’s ongoing military campaign.

Ukraine hopes to exchange its defensive expertise for sophisticated air defense missiles that Gulf states possess and that Kyiv desperately needs to protect against Russian bombardments. Zelensky had previously met with Saudi officials on Thursday and indicated Ukraine might assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.

Both Zelensky and UAE officials confirmed Saturday’s meeting between the Ukrainian president and Emirati leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focusing on regional security concerns related to Iran’s military actions.

Zelensky later announced his Qatar arrival on social media platform X.

“Real security is built on partnership, we value everyone and remain open to supporting all those who are ready to work together for this goal,” he posted with footage showing his arrival and greeting of Qatari representatives.

Middle Eastern hostilities began February 28 when American and Israeli forces conducted coordinated strikes against Iran. Tehran responded with attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab nations while blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping corridor. The conflict has disrupted international travel and driven up oil costs globally.

Zelensky disclosed last week that Ukraine is assisting five nations—the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan—in defending against Tehran’s drone attacks on their territories.

“For Ukraine, this is also a matter of principle: terror must not prevail anywhere in the world. Protection must be sufficient everywhere,” he stated on X after meeting the UAE leader.

He noted their discussions covered “the security situation in the Emirates, Iranian strikes, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which directly affects the global oil market.”

Speaking to journalists, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s goal of establishing lasting strategic relationships with Middle Eastern nations, encompassing joint manufacturing, investment opportunities, energy collaboration and sharing combat knowledge.

“Simple sales do not interest us,” he declared during a live Zoom press conference.

Despite Ukraine’s shortage of advanced air defense systems like Patriot missiles, Zelensky said Kyiv has created a comprehensive defense framework that successfully neutralizes Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

Iran provided numerous attack drones to Russia early in the conflict. Moscow has since modified these weapons for greater effectiveness, started domestic manufacturing, and regularly deployed them in coordinated strikes against Ukrainian population centers.

Zelensky described Ukraine’s offer to Gulf partners as “combat-tested” knowledge, noting the completed 10-year security agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. While he didn’t detail the contracts’ specifics, he anticipated finalizing similar terms with the UAE soon.

Russian forces launched over 270 drones against Ukraine overnight, resulting in at least five deaths, Ukrainian officials reported Saturday.

Two fatalities and at least 11 injuries occurred during nighttime Russian drone attacks on Odesa, according to regional administrator Serhii Lysak. His Telegram updates indicated the assault damaged a maternity ward and residential buildings in the major Black Sea port.

Zelensky characterized the “massive” Odesa attack as involving more than 60 drones.

Russia’s overnight operations also killed two men and injured two others in Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s central Ukraine birthplace, when a drone struck an industrial complex, regional leader Oleksandr Gandzha reported via Telegram. He didn’t identify the specific facility type.

One person died overnight in the Poltava region of central Ukraine as Russia targeted industrial locations there, regional authorities announced Saturday. Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz confirmed a production facility was damaged.

Ukraine’s air force reported Russia deployed 273 drones against Ukraine during nighttime hours, with 252 either destroyed or electronically disrupted.

In Russia, a child perished when a Ukrainian drone struck a residential building in Russia’s western Yaroslavl region, local Governor Mikhail Evraev reported early Saturday. Evraev’s Telegram post indicated the child’s parents were hospitalized with severe injuries from the attack.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Saturday that 155 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight across Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula.

Mexican naval forces announced Saturday they have successfully located two sailboats that disappeared while transporting humanitarian supplies to Cuba, ending days of concern across multiple nations.

The two vessels, carrying nine individuals total, had set sail from Isla Mujeres in southern Mexico on March 20 before losing all communication with authorities, prompting widespread worry throughout Mexico, Cuba, and the international community.

According to a Saturday morning announcement on X by Mexico’s navy, military aircraft discovered the boats positioned 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) northwest of Cuba’s capital, Havana. Naval officials confirmed they immediately dispatched a rescue vessel to assist the sailboats.

Cuba has been receiving growing amounts of international humanitarian assistance as a U.S. fuel embargo continues to trigger devastating power outages, bringing the island nation dangerously close to economic collapse.

The aid organization Nuestra América Convoy had indicated Friday that calculations based on the vessels’ reported speeds to Cuban maritime officials suggested the boats should reach Havana sometime between Friday and Saturday. The group emphasized that seasoned mariners were leading the expedition.

James Schneider, who serves as communications director for Progressive International and assisted in organizing the Nuestra America convoy mission to Cuba, expressed gratitude to both Mexican and Cuban officials Saturday while sharing his relief about the crews’ safety.

“The crews are safe, and the vessels are continuing their journey to Havana,” he said. “The convoy remains on track to complete its mission — delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid to the Cuban people.”

The Philippines and China held their first high-level diplomatic discussions since January this week, tackling longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea while exploring potential energy partnerships, according to the Philippine foreign ministry.

These discussions marked the 11th session under a diplomatic framework created in 2017, with both nations addressing maritime conflicts and energy security concerns heightened by ongoing Middle East tensions.

During the meetings, Manila “firmly reiterated its principled positions,” expressing alarm over incidents that have endangered Filipino workers and fishing crews, while stressing the need for diplomatic solutions, open communication, and respect for international maritime law, the ministry announced Saturday.

The two countries explored preliminary opportunities for oil and gas collaboration while highlighting the critical need for reliable energy and fertilizer supplies.

These diplomatic efforts follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a national energy emergency earlier this week, triggered by oil supply interruptions from Middle East conflicts. The president announced plans to diversify fuel procurement, including potential purchases from China.

The agenda also covered renewable energy development, agricultural cooperation, trade relationships, and potential cultural exchange programs, including visa-free travel arrangements and direct flight connections, ministry officials reported. The Philippines noted that both nations “continued to make progress” in building maritime confidence, including improved communication between their respective coast guard forces.

In his own statement, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong urged “concrete actions” from the Philippines to strengthen bilateral relationships.

Additional discussions between the countries’ foreign ministers are scheduled for later this year.

China’s broad territorial assertions in the South China Sea conflict with the maritime boundaries of several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines.

Recent naval encounters have escalated regional tensions, with Manila condemning Beijing’s “dangerous maneuvers” and use of water cannons to disrupt Philippine supply operations in disputed waters.

An international arbitration court ruled against China’s territorial claims in 2016, but Beijing continues to reject that legal determination.

This week’s meeting represented the first comprehensive bilateral relationship discussion since March 2023, designed to promote maritime cooperation and trust-building measures, the Philippine ministry stated.

PARIS, March 28 – Authorities in France have detained a suspect who tried to detonate a homemade explosive device outside Bank of America offices in downtown Paris, according to French publication Le Parisien, which cited law enforcement sources.

France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor has launched an investigation into the incident, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced Saturday on social media. The case has been assigned to Paris police investigators and France’s domestic intelligence service, the DGSI, according to Nunez.

“Well done to the rapid response team from the (Paris) police authority, whose actions thwarted a violent terrorist attack in Paris last night,” Nunez stated.

“Vigilance remains at a higher level than ever. I congratulate all the security and intelligence forces, who are fully mobilised under my authority in the current international context.”

Paris police officials refused to provide comment on the matter. The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office has not yet responded to requests for information.

“We are aware of the situation and are communicating with the authorities,” a Bank of America representative stated to Reuters.

Law enforcement apprehended the individual at approximately 3:25 a.m. local time in Paris’s 8th district while he attempted to ignite the explosive device, Le Parisien reported. Officers took him into custody, though a second person who was at the scene escaped and has not been captured, according to the publication.

The improvised explosive contained a five-liter container with an unknown liquid and an explosive component made from roughly 650 grams of powder, the French newspaper stated. Authorities secured the device and transferred it to forensic specialists at the Paris police laboratory for analysis, according to the report.

Iraqi officials have launched an investigation following a Saturday morning drone strike that targeted the residence of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, according to security officials familiar with the incident.

Defense systems successfully intercepted a second unmanned aircraft near a Peshmerga military installation in Duhok, the same sources reported.

These attacks occur during a period of increased violence affecting both Iranian-supported militia groups and Kurdish military units, as broader Middle Eastern conflicts involving the United States and Israel extend into Iraqi territory, creating challenges for multiple armed factions and complicating Baghdad’s containment efforts.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani denounced the assault on President Barzani’s residence and contacted him directly by telephone, according to an official statement from the prime minister’s office.

Al-Sudani has directed the formation of a combined federal and Kurdistan Region security and technical investigation team to examine these incidents and determine who carried them out, the announcement continued.

Military operations have repeatedly struck locations associated with the Popular Mobilization Forces, Iraq’s coordinating organization for Iranian-backed Shiite militia groups, as well as Kurdish Peshmerga military units throughout the Kurdistan Region since the beginning of U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran.

Iraqi military officials have blamed the United States and Israel for conducting certain aerial bombardments against the PMF.

Armed organizations supported by Tehran have simultaneously conducted their own operations against American military installations in Iraq and targeted the U.S. embassy facility.

Sixty-six countries have successfully launched groundbreaking international digital commerce regulations, circumventing opposition that had previously stalled the initiative at the World Trade Organization.

The historic agreement was finalized Saturday during the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference taking place in Yaounde, Cameroon. This marks the first time baseline standards for digital trade have been established on a global scale.

Previous attempts to incorporate the E-Commerce Agreement into official WTO guidelines faced repeated roadblocks from opposing member nations. The new pact is designed to create favorable conditions for online commerce across participating countries.

Frustration with these ongoing obstacles prompted the 66 nations – representing 70% of worldwide trade volume – to pursue an alternative path forward, according to a senior diplomatic source. WTO protocols typically require unanimous approval for agreements involving groups of member countries.

The participating nations chose to implement an interim solution that allows the regulations to take effect within their borders while continuing efforts to integrate the framework into broader WTO policy.

Yamada Kenji, Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, praised the development as a “historic step” toward establishing universal digital commerce standards.

British Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle also welcomed the breakthrough.

“As the first global digital trade deal, this will make trade cheaper, faster and more secure for businesses around the world,” Kyle said.

India has emerged as a primary opponent of the initiative, maintaining that trade policies should be adopted through multilateral consensus rather than smaller group agreements.

“The agreement is a strong message to India, and some others, that if you use consensus to block any reform process or advancements forward, we will proceed anyway,” a senior European diplomat said.

India is simultaneously opposing another WTO plurilateral agreement under discussion in Cameroon that focuses on increasing investment in developing nations, according to two senior diplomatic sources.

Indian officials have expressed concerns that the International Facilitation for Development Agreement could weaken their negotiating position in future talks.

Notably, the United States has not joined the 66 signatory countries, as the Biden administration continues reviewing the proposal.

This digital trade framework operates independently from an existing e-commerce moratorium that prohibits customs fees on digital downloads and streaming services. That separate issue remains deadlocked between U.S. and Indian representatives at the ongoing Cameroon conference.

Three Palestinian men lost their lives Saturday when Israeli forces carried out dual airstrikes across Gaza, according to local health authorities and medical personnel, marking another escalation in ongoing hostilities despite a U.S.-mediated truce now spanning more than five months.

Health officials in Palestine reported that one individual died when an airstrike targeted a vehicle in the Khan Younis region of southern Gaza, while medical sources confirmed two adult brothers perished in Shujiaya, a district located east of Gaza City.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding these two aerial attacks.

According to local health authorities, Israeli forces have been responsible for over 680 Palestinian deaths in Gaza following the November ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The total death toll has exceeded 72,000 since hostilities began in October 2023.

Israel currently maintains military operations on multiple fronts, including a joint campaign with the United States against Iran and a fresh offensive against Hezbollah that has led to Israeli ground forces entering southern Lebanon.

The Hamas-linked Shehab News Agency reported that the two brothers died in an Israeli military airstrike following an attempted kidnapping by an Israeli-supported Palestinian militia operating in Gaza.

Hamas and other militant organizations have not claimed the brothers as affiliated members.

Reuters spoke with witnesses who described the two brothers as armed individuals who engaged in combat with the militia before becoming targets of drone strikes. These same witnesses also reported tank fire from Israeli forces.

Ongoing violence continues to plague Gaza even with the ceasefire in effect and amid Israel’s broader conflict with Iran. Territory health officials report that Israeli forces have killed at least 40 Palestinians since the Iranian conflict commenced one month ago.

Russian nuclear officials warned Saturday that conditions at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility are becoming increasingly dangerous following another recent attack near the plant.

Alexei Likhachev, who leads Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, expressed alarm about the deteriorating security situation and said the strikes represent a serious risk to nuclear safety after the latest incident occurred near the facility.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency on Friday, Iranian officials reported the most recent strike in the area surrounding Bushehr, marking the third such event within a 10-day period. The agency noted that no harm occurred to the active reactor and no radioactive materials were released.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement Saturday demanding what it called “unequivocal and firm condemnation” of the attack near the nuclear site.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed hope that IAEA leadership would take action, stating: “We hope that, by receiving timely and objective information directly from the Iranian authorities about what is happening on the ground, the Director General of the IAEA will be able to convey a simple message to the aggressors immediately and unequivocally: ‘It is time for you to stop!’”

Meanwhile, Likhachev confirmed that 163 additional Russian personnel from the Bushehr facility have been brought back to Russia as part of ongoing evacuation efforts, with plans to remove two more groups of workers in the next few days.

A decades-old international trade policy that affects everything from Netflix streaming to software downloads is facing a crucial decision point as global trade officials meet in Cameroon.

The World Trade Organization’s digital commerce moratorium, which prohibits member nations from imposing customs fees on electronic transmissions, is scheduled to expire during the organization’s 14th ministerial conference taking place this month in Yaounde, Cameroon.

This international agreement, which covers digital services including software downloads, electronic books, music and movie streaming platforms, and video games, was initially established in 1998 during the WTO’s Second Ministerial Conference in Geneva. The policy was designed as a temporary measure to support the growth of early digital commerce.

Since its inception, the tariff prohibition has been renewed approximately every two years during successive WTO ministerial meetings, with the most recent two-year extension approved at the 13th conference in 2024.

Nations with substantial digital economies, including the United States, European Union, Canada and Japan, are pushing for a permanent extension of the moratorium. These countries argue that making the policy permanent would provide stability and predictability for international digital commerce.

The United States specifically seeks to create a consistent regulatory framework for major American technology corporations like Amazon, Microsoft and Apple, eliminating concerns about potential tariffs that could disrupt international digital business operations.

Support for extending the moratorium comes from the business community as well, with more than 200 international business organizations endorsing a joint statement advocating for continuation of the policy.

According to the International Chamber of Commerce, allowing the moratorium to expire would increase business costs, create internet fragmentation and limit companies’ ability to engage in cross-border digital commerce.

However, several developing nations oppose extending the agreement, with India leading the opposition. These countries argue that continuing the moratorium prevents them from collecting tariff revenue that could fund infrastructure development and help bridge the digital gap between developed and developing nations.

Sofia Scasserra from the Transnational Institute think tank contends that the moratorium has not succeeded in strengthening digital economies in developing countries, but instead has reinforced the market dominance of American and other major technology companies from advanced economies.

Research from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimated in a 2019 study that developing countries potentially lost $10 billion in tariff revenue in 2017 due to the moratorium.

Contradicting this finding, an OECD analysis suggested that potential revenue losses could be largely compensated through value-added taxes or goods and services taxes applied to imported digital services.

Four different proposals have been presented for consideration at the Cameroon conference. The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group supports extending the moratorium until the next ministerial meeting, while the United States advocates for permanent extension.

A coalition led by Switzerland proposes both permanent extension and establishment of a digital trade committee, while Brazil’s plan calls for extension until the next conference combined with creation of a digital trade committee.

SAO PAULO – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced Saturday that his nation will maintain its endorsement of former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet’s campaign for UN Secretary-General, even after Chile pulled its backing.

“Bachelet is highly qualified and has the best credentials for the role,” Lula stated in a social media post on X.

Earlier this week on Tuesday, Chile’s administration announced it would remain neutral and not endorse any contender in the Secretary-General selection process. The decision comes under newly sworn-in Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast, who has been a vocal critic of Bachelet’s time in office and took the oath this month.

Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declared Wednesday that Mexico will also maintain its backing for Bachelet’s nomination to lead the United Nations.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants have launched their inaugural missile strike against Israel, marking a significant expansion of the month-old Middle East conflict.

The rebel group’s military spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, announced the attack through a Saturday broadcast on the Houthis’ Al-Masirah television network. According to Saree, the militants launched multiple ballistic missiles aimed at what he termed “sensitive Israeli military sites” located in Israel’s southern region.

Israeli defense forces confirmed they successfully intercepted the incoming projectile.

This assault follows Saree’s cryptic Friday announcement suggesting the rebel faction would enter the ongoing war.

The strike represents the first time Yemen has targeted Israel since hostilities erupted last month. Previously, Houthi forces disrupted Red Sea shipping lanes during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue as foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt plan to gather in Islamabad on Sunday for peace negotiations, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Iran’s military command headquarters made unsubstantiated claims through state-controlled media regarding Ukrainian personnel.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters alleged more than 20 Ukrainians were present in a United Arab Emirates warehouse with unknown status.

However, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi dismissed the Iranian assertions as false during a press conference, as reported by Ukraine’s national broadcaster.

These allegations surface while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conducts regional discussions with leaders from Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar.

The Houthis have maintained restraint regarding Red Sea shipping attacks, though such actions would severely impact global commerce and economic stability.

Potential Houthi strikes on Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait shipping would interrupt Suez Canal traffic, a vital passage for oil, gas and commercial cargo bound for the Mediterranean.

Approximately 10 percent of worldwide maritime commerce, including 40 percent of container vessel traffic, passes through this canal annually.

Such disruptions would force ships to navigate around Africa’s southern coast, increasing insurance expenses and delaying cargo deliveries. This could also affect Saudi oil shipments to Asia through the Red Sea’s Yanbu port.

Between November 2023 and January 2025, Houthi forces targeted more than 100 commercial ships using missiles and drones, sinking two vessels.

Israeli military officials stated that one journalist killed in Saturday’s southern Lebanon strike was targeted as a suspected Hezbollah intelligence operative, though they provided no supporting evidence.

Israel’s statement regarding Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV reporter Ali Shoeib echoed previous military accusations against Palestinian journalists during the Hamas conflict.

The Israeli army alleged that Shoeib, a prominent Lebanese war correspondent, was “systematically working to reveal locations of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.” They also accused him of maintaining Hezbollah contacts and inciting against Israeli forces and civilians, without providing details.

Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV confirmed its reporter Fatima Ftouni died in the same airstrike alongside Shoeib. Israeli military statements did not reference her death.

Al-Manar TV did not address the Israeli allegations but reported his death in the airstrike, describing him as known for “professional and credible event reporting.”

Seven individuals sustained injuries in an Iranian missile strike on central Israel, according to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service on Saturday.

Some victims were wounded by the explosion’s impact in Eshtaol, near Jerusalem, while others were injured while seeking shelter.

Iran expressed skepticism about recent diplomatic peace efforts during a Saturday phone conversation between its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Turkish counterpart.

Iranian state media reported that Araghchi criticized the U.S. for making “unreasonable demands” and displaying “contradictory actions” that undermined agreement prospects.

He stated recent U.S. actions have created “increased pessimism” on Iran’s part, without specifying particular moves.

The Iranian summary indicated Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Araghchi that “Iran’s pessimism toward the other side is understandable because Iran has twice been subjected to attack and military aggression in the midst of negotiations.”

The United Arab Emirates reported its air defense systems countered 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drone strikes on Saturday.

These attacks injured six people in an Abu Dhabi industrial area, where authorities reported three fires.

The UAE’s Defense Ministry documented 413 missile and 1,872 drone attacks since the war began. These assaults have resulted in 10 deaths, including two military personnel, and wounded 178 others.

Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV confirmed correspondent Ali Shoeib’s death Saturday in southern Lebanon, while Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV reported reporter Fatima Ftouni died in the same strike.

Shoeib was a well-recognized war correspondent who had covered southern Lebanon for Al-Manar for nearly three decades.

Ftouni had delivered a live report from southern Lebanon moments before the strike in the Jezzine area.

This attack occurred days after an Israeli strike on a central Beirut apartment killed Mohammed Sherri, Al-Manar TV’s political programming director, along with his wife.

A U.S. aircraft carrier has docked in Croatia while en route to the Middle East during the monthlong U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran.

The U.S. 6th Fleet announced the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, anchored at Croatia’s Port of Split following its Adriatic Sea journey from Greece’s Souda Bay, where it underwent repairs and refueling.

The carrier previously docked at the American naval facility at Souda Bay last month, prompting protests on Crete before U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that initiated the war.

Kuwait’s Mubarak Al Kabeer and Shuwaikh ports suffered damage from drone and missile attacks within the past day, the Defense Ministry announced Saturday.

Ministry officials said forces responded to four ballistic missiles, one cruise missile, and seven drones that targeted the oil-rich nation in the past 24 hours.

No casualties were reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the UAE and met with Emirati leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss Middle East regional security.

“For Ukraine, this is also a matter of principle: terror must not prevail anywhere in the world. Protection must be sufficient everywhere,” Zelenskyy posted on X following his meeting. He said they discussed “the security situation in the Emirates, Iranian strikes, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which directly affects the global oil market.”

The Emirates News Agency reported both leaders discussed “security developments in the region amid ongoing military escalation and their implications for regional and international peace and security, as well as their impact on international navigation and the global economy.”

Zelenskyy announced last week that Kyiv is assisting five Middle East and Gulf nations — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan — in defending against drone attacks.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday he conducted “extensive discussions” with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding ongoing regional conflicts and peace efforts.

Pezeshkian received briefings on Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives led by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to engage the United States and Gulf and Islamic nations in creating conditions for peace talks, according to Sharif’s office.

Sharif expressed optimism that “a viable path toward ending hostilities could be found collectively” during their hour-long conversation.

Pezeshkian commended Pakistan’s peace initiatives, emphasizing the importance of building trust to enable dialogue and mediation.

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will participate in Sunday talks in Islamabad aimed at ending the conflict, Dar confirmed.

Bahrain, home to the U.S. 5th Fleet, reported Saturday that its air defense systems responded to 20 missile and 23 drone attacks in the previous 24 hours.

This brings the total projectiles fired at the Shiite-majority nation to 174 missiles and 385 drones since the Middle East war began on February 28.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to the Iran conflict, according to dpa news agency reports.

“What Trump is doing right now is not de-escalation and an attempt to reach a peaceful solution, but a massive escalation with an uncertain outcome,” Merz said Friday evening at a Frankfurt event.

“These are escalations that are threatening,” he added. “Not only for those directly affected, but for all of us.”

Merz also questioned whether the current Iranian leadership could be overthrown through warfare. “Is regime change really the goal?” he asked. “If that is the goal, I don’t think they will achieve it. That has usually gone wrong.”

An airstrike struck Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant grounds just before midnight, the country’s atomic energy agency reported.

The strike, the third in 10 days, caused no material damage or casualties, according to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. Officials said no technical disruption occurred at the facility.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran notified them of the strike.

An airstrike hit Iran’s University of Science and Technology in Tehran on Saturday, state-run IRNA news agency reported.

The strike damaged research and educational facilities, IRNA reported, citing the university’s public relations department.

Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will attend Islamabad talks aimed at ending the U.S.-Iran war and reducing regional tensions, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and officials announced Saturday.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty will arrive Sunday for a two-day visit to “hold in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region,” according to an official statement.

The visiting ministers will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who said in a televised address that Pakistan is pursuing “sincere and robust diplomatic efforts” to help end the conflict through mediation.

The casualty count from Saturday’s early morning missile attack in Abu Dhabi has increased to six.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office reported an additional Pakistani national was injured by falling debris near Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi when air defense systems intercepted a ballistic missile.

The attack sparked three fires in the area, which have been controlled.

Kuwait International airport was struck by drone attacks on Saturday, authorities confirmed.

The Civil Aviation Authority stated the attacks severely damaged the airport’s radar systems.

No casualties were reported.

An Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinian brothers Saturday morning in the Gaza Strip, hospital authorities reported.

The strike hit the men near the Showa roundabout in Gaza City’s Shijaiyah neighborhood, according to Al-Ahly hospital.

The location is near the so-called Yellow Line separating Israeli-controlled Gaza Strip areas from the remainder of the enclave.

Israel’s military did not immediately respond to comment requests.

More than two dozen U.S. troops have been wounded in Iranian attacks on a Saudi air base over the past week, according to two briefed sources.

Iran launched six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base in Friday’s attack, wounding at least 15 troops, including five seriously, according to sources unauthorized to comment publicly who spoke anonymously. U.S. officials initially reported at least 10 U.S. troops were injured, including two seriously wounded.

The base had been attacked twice earlier this week, including an incident injuring 14 U.S. troops, according to briefed sources.

Located approximately 96 kilometers from Saudi capital Riyadh, the base is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force but also hosts U.S. troops.

Oman reported the strike hit Salalah port Saturday morning, wounding a foreign worker.

The government media office said the two-drone attack also damaged a crane.

Sirens sounded in Bahrain Saturday morning ahead of a potential attack, authorities reported.

The Interior Ministry urged residents to seek the nearest safe location.

Officials in Russia’s Dagestan region issued an emergency declaration Saturday following torrential rains that caused severe flooding and knocked out electricity for hundreds of thousands of residents.

City leaders in Makhachkala, the regional capital, announced the emergency measures as floodwaters swept through the area. “Emergency services have been placed on high alert, efforts are under way to deal with the aftermath, and assistance will be provided to affected residents,” the Makhachkala city administration said on Telegram.

The power outages have affected more than 327,000 people across the region, according to Dagestan’s emergency management ministry. “As of 12:00 (Moscow time, 0900 GMT), 283 settlements with a population of 327,183 people, including 89,705 children, remain without electricity,” the ministry reported on its website.

Regional leader Sergei Melikov acknowledged that while emergency crews had prepared for severe weather, the actual conditions “exceeded even the most pessimistic forecasts.”

The flooding also caused significant infrastructure damage, with authorities in Khasavyurt, the region’s second-largest city, reporting that heavy rains destroyed a railway bridge. “Two spans of the bridge collapsed on the Khasavyurt–Kadiyurt section of the North Caucasus Railway,” Dagestan’s government press service announced.

Weather forecasters predict the intense rainfall will persist through Sunday, potentially worsening conditions across the region.

KYIV – Ukrainian officials reported Saturday that Russian forces conducted extensive drone strikes across the country, resulting in four civilian deaths and widespread damage to essential facilities including energy infrastructure, port operations, homes, and a maternity hospital.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russian military units deployed 273 drones in the assault, with the majority concentrated on the southern Odesa region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that over 60 drones targeted Odesa city specifically during the offensive.

“There was no military purpose whatsoever – this was pure terror against ordinary civilian life,” Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram. “Sadly, there is extensive damage.”

Regional Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that two individuals lost their lives in the Odesa attacks, while 12 others sustained injuries, including one child.

In Ukraine’s central Poltava region, a 55-year-old energy sector employee was fatally struck when Russian forces targeted the nation’s natural gas production infrastructure, according to energy firm Naftogaz.

Additionally, a 28-year-old man died in Kryvyi Rih, an industrial center located in the Dnipropetrovsk region, regional authorities confirmed.

Ukrainian defense forces successfully intercepted 252 of the incoming drones, though 21 managed to strike their intended targets across 18 different locations, the air force reported.

The assault on the Black Sea port city of Odesa resulted in significant damage to the maternity ward facility, apartment complexes, and harbor infrastructure, local officials stated.

Video footage captured firefighters responding to the hospital site, where windows were shattered and the roof structure was destroyed.

Hospital director Ihor Shpak explained to reporters that a massive blast tore through the medical facility, obliterating the rooftop, destroying connecting passages between the third and fourth levels, and damaging multiple patient rooms.

Medical staff successfully relocated 22 newborn infants, including twin babies requiring ventilator assistance, along with 32 additional patients to protective areas moments before the strike occurred, Shpak noted.

Local resident Olena Kudriashova described her fear as Shahed drones approached her neighborhood.

“On the right, on the left, at the front, and at the back, windows and doors were smashed. Our little window survived, and we’re so happy we made it through the night,” she said while standing outside her damaged building in central Odesa.

At least two Lebanese broadcast journalists were killed when Israeli forces targeted a media vehicle in southern Lebanon, according to reports from Al Manar TV on Saturday.

The deadly attack occurred in the southern region of Lebanon, with the television network confirming the deaths of the media personnel.

Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response when asked to comment on the reported incident.

WARSAW – Polish officials announced Saturday they will continue monitoring their borders with neighboring European Union nations Germany and Lithuania for an additional six-month period, extending the measures through October 1.

The border monitoring began in July as part of a broader trend among EU countries reinstating checkpoint procedures to address unauthorized border crossings.

“This decision is due to the need to counteract illegal migration and ensure internal security,” the ministry said in a post on X.

The move reflects ongoing concerns about migration management across European borders, with Poland joining other EU member states in implementing temporary frontier oversight measures.

A tragic maritime incident in the Mediterranean Sea has claimed the lives of 22 migrants who spent nearly a week drifting in an inflatable boat before being discovered by authorities, according to reports from Saturday, March 28.

European border agency Frontex successfully rescued 26 survivors from the waters near the Greek island of Crete, as confirmed by Greek coast guard officials. The survivors provided accounts to authorities describing their harrowing six-day ordeal at sea in the rubber vessel.

The deadly incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting perilous sea crossings in the Mediterranean region. News agencies report that verification of these details is still pending through additional sources.

Mexican naval forces have successfully located two sailboats that disappeared while transporting humanitarian supplies to Cuba, with all crew members reported safe, according to a representative from the Nuestra America Convoy on Saturday.

The vessels are part of an international grassroots relief mission aimed at delivering essential items including food, medical supplies, infant formula and other necessities to Cuba. This effort comes as the island nation faces severe challenges due to U.S. sanctions that have restricted oil shipments and other goods, resulting in widespread power shortages and forcing the government to limit public services.

“The vessels are continuing their journey to Havana,” a convoy representative informed Reuters. “The Convoy remains on track to complete its mission — delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid to the Cuban people.”

The two sailboats had vanished after setting sail from Mexico’s Isla Mujeres last Saturday and were scheduled to reach Cuba’s capital city between March 24 and 25.

Officials have not yet provided details about what caused the boats to go missing.

Earlier on Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard initially informed the French news agency AFP that the vessels had been recovered, but subsequently withdrew that statement and said search operations were ongoing, creating uncertainty about their status.

The Nuestra America coalition, which translates to “Our America” in English, encompasses nearly 300 organizations spanning more than 30 nations. These include nonprofit groups, labor unions, political organizations and elected officials.

The coalition has successfully transported roughly 20 tons of relief supplies to Cuba through both air and sea routes, including food items, medications, solar energy equipment and bicycles.

ISLAMABAD – During a phone conversation lasting more than an hour on Saturday, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that establishing trust remains essential for successful negotiations and mediation efforts regarding Middle Eastern conflicts, according to statements from the Pakistani prime minister’s office.

The Iranian leader commended Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives in the region, while both officials addressed ongoing regional violence and strategies to bring an end to current hostilities. Prime Minister Sharif updated President Pezeshkian on Pakistan’s recent diplomatic communications with both the United States and various Gulf nations during their extended discussion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday that he has secured a new security and defense partnership with the United Arab Emirates following discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Speaking through the Telegram messaging platform, Zelenskyy confirmed the defense cooperation deal, stating that “Our teams will finalise the details.”

According to the UAE’s official news agency WAM, both leaders explored ways to strengthen bilateral ties within their existing Comprehensive Economic Agreement framework, though specific details were not disclosed.

The meeting also covered regional security concerns and military tensions affecting international shipping routes and the worldwide economy, WAM reported.

Zelenskyy’s announcement comes during an active diplomatic mission across the Middle East. He traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, where Ukrainian and Saudi defense officials formalized a separate defense cooperation pact.

The Ukrainian president continued his regional tour by arriving in Qatar on Saturday.

Ukraine’s foreign minister revealed Friday that the country is on the verge of finalizing multiple security partnerships, including agreements with both the UAE and Qatar, as part of efforts to address Iranian military threats.

Multiple American service members were wounded when Iranian forces launched an assault on a United States military installation located in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant escalation as the conflict enters its second month.

The strike against the U.S. airbase resulted in injuries to several American personnel stationed at the facility. The attack represents the latest development in the month-long military engagement that began in late February.

The incident occurred as the Iranian conflict reaches the four-week milestone, highlighting the expanding scope of military operations beyond Iran’s borders into neighboring regions where American forces maintain a presence.

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is set to welcome foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt beginning Sunday for diplomatic discussions centered on the Iran conflict, as the nation positions itself as a possible location for future U.S.-Iran peace talks.

The weekend gathering will feature “comprehensive conversations on various matters, including initiatives to reduce regional tensions,” according to a Saturday announcement from Pakistan’s foreign ministry regarding the two-day diplomatic session.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan explained that the gathering would focus on creating a framework designed to lower tensions in the region.

“We would discuss where the negotiations in this war are heading and how these four countries assess the situation and what can be done,” he stated during a Friday evening interview with broadcaster A Haber.

All four participating nations have attempted to serve as intermediaries between Washington and Tehran regarding the conflict that began February 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched military action, and each country faces significant risks from disrupted energy supplies and commercial shipping lanes.

Pakistani officials have delivered a U.S. peace proposal to Iranian leadership and extended an invitation to host negotiations, with Iranian representatives suggesting that any diplomatic talks might occur in either Pakistan or Turkey.

While U.S. President Donald Trump has characterized discussions with Iran as proceeding “very well,” Tehran has denied engaging in direct conversations with Washington.

Iranian officials continue examining the 15-point American proposal, though one representative has criticized it as “one-sided and unfair.” The proposal reportedly includes requirements for Iran to dismantle its nuclear capabilities, limit missile development programs, and essentially surrender control of the Strait of Hormuz, based on source reports.

Speaking at an Istanbul conference Saturday, Turkey’s Fidan emphasized that the world’s emerging “polycentric system” demands solutions for protecting crucial energy and trade corridors. He described Turkey’s high-level diplomatic efforts as focused on quickly identifying “actionable steps” to halt the conflict before additional damage occurs to regional stability and the global economy.

CAIRO (AP) — Iranian citizens were already struggling with economic devastation and the violent suppression of mass demonstrations when American and Israeli airstrikes first hit Tehran one month ago.

Today, they face an ongoing conflict with no clear resolution, dealing with economic ruin, property destruction, and the constant stress of explosions. Many question what lies ahead — whether their nation will be destroyed, if the religious government will collapse in chaos, or if it will endure but become even more oppressive.

“I think we’ve experienced everything bad possible,” said a 26-year-old designer in Tehran, “from the terrible atmosphere of January and the killings and arrests to the war.”

Constant explosions, both nearby and distant, create unpredictable destruction to residential areas. Commercial enterprises are facing severe difficulties. A complete internet shutdown since January has isolated citizens from global communications and hampered domestic connectivity.

The psychological impact of warfare compounds the trauma from January’s events, when hundreds of thousands of Iranians participated in the largest anti-government demonstrations in recent history — only to face security forces who opened fire, resulting in thousands of casualties. Tens of thousands were imprisoned, with detentions continuing.

The Associated Press interviewed 10 individuals throughout Iran, with most requesting anonymity for safety reasons.

The designer, who operates a leather fashion manufacturing business with a partner, reported her company is close to shutting down.

“When the economy gets bad, nonessential goods are the first thing to be removed from the shopping cart,” she said. Most of her revenue comes from online sales, and the internet shutdown has virtually eliminated “the small sales to zero.”

Following the January demonstrations, she has survived on limited savings, and the brutality of the government response has emotionally prevented her from returning to work.

When hostilities commenced on Feb. 28, she relocated to her parents’ residence. Days later, an explosion from a nearby attack damaged her apartment, which she had recently vacated. Like most Iranians, she lacks homeowner’s insurance, meaning she must cover repair costs personally.

She only ventures from her parents’ home to purchase essential items.

The frightening rhythm of air attacks defines everyday existence in Tehran.

An engineer residing in Tehran attempts to identify patterns in the strikes – questioning whether certain periods are safer. Recent evenings have featured explosions illuminating the night sky. One night, a blast rattled his residence while entertaining guests. They went to the rooftop and unsuccessfully tried to locate the impact site. “We didn’t see any visible fire,” he said.

He believes the attacks are less common now, or perhaps “our perception of it has changed,” as people become accustomed to the bombardments.

He experiences worry when relatives or friends venture outside, and has difficulty sleeping. He received a job opportunity before the conflict began but remains uncertain if it still exists. He predicts many will soon face challenges paying housing costs and utilities.

Public sector employees, representing a significant portion of the labor force, continue receiving paychecks. However, private companies struggle to compensate workers as they shut down for extended periods or reduce operating hours.

The devaluation of Iran’s currency, primarily resulting from American and international sanctions related to its nuclear activities, sparked the protests in late 2022.

Numerous Iranians have evacuated to northern regions, which have experienced less damage. Rasht, one of the primary northern cities, has become overcrowded with refugees from Tehran and other areas, overwhelming local infrastructure.

A physician at a children’s hospital reported patient numbers have almost doubled. Medical supplies are depleting, he explained, and patients must now purchase basic necessities, including antibiotics and IV solutions, from outside vendors.

The internet blackout hampers his ability to review patient records and verify proper medication dosages online, he noted. The shutdown has also forced him to abandon his personal project documenting casualties from January’s crackdown because witnesses cannot be contacted and online databases are inaccessible.

He occupies his time with video games and television viewing. During a recent week-long period, he has watched five seasons of “The Walking Dead,” the American post-apocalyptic horror series.

Meanwhile, Iranians continue grappling with conflicted emotions regarding the war, the religious leadership, and what lies ahead.

Officials persist in organizing pro-government demonstrations to display public backing. The intimidating paramilitary Basij force, responsible for domestic security, has increased street presence despite being targeted in air raids.

The engineer noted that decades of poor governance have been difficult for Iranians. However, he argued this doesn’t warrant the American-Israeli attacks. He expressed anger over the fatalities and destruction of infrastructure and military capabilities.

He’s attempting to transform that anger into resolve for reconstruction. “I’m going to be stronger after this war. I will be damaged, just like my country. But that’s it. This is life. We’re going to make it better.”

At the conflict’s beginning, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to remove their leaders. Currently, he claims to be in discussions with high-ranking Iranian officials who he alleges are “begging” for an agreement, without identifying them. Iran has rejected claims that such negotiations are occurring.

Some Iranians worry the conflict will result in a damaged but increasingly authoritarian Islamic Republic.

One woman in her 40s expressed greater fear of negotiations than warfare. “This is what our situation has come to — we are willing to endure war in the hope of being freed from them,” she said.

The physician in Rasht described the war as “the last remaining option” for removing the ruling religious leaders. However, he has concerns about American and Israeli military tactics. If the U.S. reaches an agreement now, he argued, it would only strengthen the theocracy.

“We now have the Islamic Republic on steroids,” he said. “We are afraid they will take this revenge out on the people, which they very openly see as the enemy from inside.”

In southwestern Iran, an attorney who has defended prisoners and women’s rights advocates — and has been incarcerated herself — spoke to the AP earlier during the conflict, expressing hope for the Islamic Republic’s eventual collapse. She discussed the strength of collective action and self-governance.

After a month of bombing campaigns, she appeared more reflective, quiet, and worn down by isolation and uncertainty.

“There is no sign of hope, no dreams, no joy,” she said. “Worry about the future has taken over.”

Israeli military forces successfully stopped a missile fired from Yemen early Saturday morning, marking the first attack by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels since the current Middle East conflict began.

Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree took responsibility for the attack during a Saturday morning broadcast on the rebels’ Al-Masirah satellite television network. The Houthis’ entry into the conflict raises serious concerns about potential renewed attacks on commercial vessels traveling through the crucial Red Sea shipping corridor.

Warning sirens sounded around Beer Sheba and near Israel’s primary nuclear research facility for the third time Friday night into Saturday, as Iran and Hezbollah maintained their overnight bombardment of Israel. Loud blasts echoed through Tel Aviv, with Israel’s Fire and Rescue Service responding to 11 separate impact locations throughout the metropolitan region.

The missile launch occurred hours after Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear installations, following Friday threats to “escalate and expand” military operations against Tehran. Iran promised retaliation and attacked a Saudi Arabian base, injuring American service members and damaging aircraft.

Over two dozen U.S. military personnel have sustained injuries during Iranian strikes on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan air base within the past week, according to two individuals briefed on the situation. Iran launched six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at the facility during Friday’s assault, injuring at least 15 troops with five suffering serious wounds, according to sources who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly.

The installation, located approximately 96 kilometers (60 miles) from Saudi capital Riyadh, faced attacks twice earlier this week, including one strike that wounded 14 American troops, according to briefed sources. While operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force, U.S. forces also utilize the base.

Lebanese officials report over 1,100 fatalities since the war’s beginning. The Associated Press now characterizes Israel’s military operations in southern Lebanon as an invasion. Israel has deployed thousands of soldiers across the Lebanese border, with Israeli forces and Iran-supported Hezbollah militants engaging in ground combat for at least three weeks.

American stock markets continued declining Friday. The S&P 500 dropped 1.7%, completing its worst week since the Iran war started and marking its fifth consecutive losing week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.7%, while the Nasdaq composite declined 2.1%. Oil prices continued their upward surge.

With U.S. gasoline prices nearing $4 per gallon, Congressional members have advocated suspending the federal gas tax, currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents for diesel. President Donald Trump suggested states consider suspending their fuel taxes.

Saree stated the Houthis launched multiple ballistic missiles targeting what he called “sensitive Israeli military sites” in southern Israel. The assault followed Saree’s vague Friday statement indicating the rebels would enter the conflict.

The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital city, Sanaa, since 2014, and had previously remained outside the war while maintaining an unstable ceasefire with Saudi Arabia, which began military operations against the group in 2015 on behalf of Yemen’s exiled government.

Vessel attacks during the Israel-Hamas war disrupted Red Sea shipping, through which approximately $1 trillion in goods traveled annually before the conflict. The rebels previously launched drones targeting Israel.

In 2024, the Trump administration conducted strikes against the Houthis that concluded weeks later. The U.S.-led operation against the Houthi rebels, overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, became the Navy’s most intense sustained maritime battle since World War II.

Houthi rebels targeted over 100 merchant ships using missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors between November 2023 and January 2025. This would create additional disruption in global shipping, already struggling with Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow Persian Gulf entrance through which one-fifth of all oil and natural gas previously flowed.

Potential Houthi involvement in the war would also complicate the USS Gerald R. Ford’s deployment, as the aircraft carrier arrived at a Crete port Monday for repairs. Returning the carrier to the Red Sea could expose it to the same intense attack pattern experienced by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in 2024 and the USS Harry S. Truman during the 2025 American campaign against the Houthis.

Israel concentrated Friday’s attacks on locations “in the heart of Tehran” where ballistic missiles and weapons are manufactured, the military announced. It reported striking missile launchers and storage facilities in Western Iran, while eastern Tehran witnesses described partial power outages following airstrikes.

Iranian state media reported Friday that two nuclear facilities came under attack. Israel, which had threatened to “escalate and expand” operations against Tehran, claimed responsibility, prompting Iran’s immediate retaliation threats.

“Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization confirmed the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake production plant in Yazd Province were targeted, IRNA reported. The strikes caused no casualties and posed no contamination risk, officials stated. The Arak facility has remained non-operational since Israel’s June attack.

Yellowcake represents concentrated uranium after impurity removal from raw ore. Heavy water serves as a nuclear reactor moderator.

Israeli military officials later stated raw materials undergo enrichment processing at the Yazd plant, calling the strike a significant setback to Iran’s nuclear program.

Seyed Majid Moosavi, IRGC’s Aerospace Force commander, posted on X that employees of U.S. and Israeli-connected companies should evacuate their workplaces: “This time, the equation will no longer be ‘an eye for an eye,’ just wait.”

Late Friday, Israeli authorities reported Iran launched missiles at the country, killing a 52-year-old man in Tel Aviv. Sirens warned residents to seek shelter in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beer Sheba, and areas near the country’s main nuclear research center, which faced Iranian strikes injuring dozens last weekend.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry announced shooting down missiles and drones targeting Riyadh. In Lebanon, the Health Ministry reported two deaths.

Kuwait reported attacks on its Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait City and the northern Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, currently under construction as part of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. China continues purchasing Iranian crude oil.

Speaking at a Miami event sponsored by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, Trump reiterated his desire for the two countries to establish normal relations.

The president has spent years pressing the Middle East’s two largest powers on this issue as part of his Abraham Accords initiatives, stating the timing will be appropriate when Iranian hostilities cease.

“It’s now time,” he said. “We’ve now taken them out, and they are out bigly. We got to get into the Abraham Accords.”

Major obstacles persist, including Saudi Arabia’s requirement for a credible Palestinian state pathway before normalizing commercial and diplomatic relationships with Israel.

News of Iran attacks emerged after Trump claimed war-ending discussions were proceeding “very well” and that he had extended Iran’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran maintains it has not participated in any negotiations.

With stock markets declining and economic consequences extending beyond the Middle East, Trump faces mounting pressure to end Iran’s strait control.

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington delivered a 15-point “action list” to Iran for a potential ceasefire, using Pakistan as an intermediary. The proposal suggests restricting Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the strait.

Iran rejected the offer and submitted its own five-point proposal including reparations and sovereignty recognition over the waterway.

Trump has stated that if Iran doesn’t reopen the strait to all traffic by April 6, he will order Iran’s energy plants destroyed.

Diplomats from multiple countries including Pakistan and Turkey have attempted organizing direct meetings between U.S. and Iranian representatives. Separately, G7 foreign ministers meeting Friday in France formally requested immediate cessation of attacks against populations and infrastructure.

U.S. vessels moved closer to the region carrying approximately 2,500 Marines, and at least 1,000 82nd Airborne paratroopers trained for hostile territory landings to secure key positions and airfields have been deployed to the Middle East.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. “can achieve all of our objectives without ground troops.” Following the G7 meeting, Rubio explained the deployments ensure “maximum opportunity to adjust to contingencies should they emerge.”

Israel deployed the 162nd Division into southern Lebanon to support efforts protecting northern border towns from Hezbollah attacks and eliminating the militant organization, the military announced.

Nineteen people have died in Israel, while four Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon.

Officials report over 1,900 deaths in Iran. The U.N.’s International Organization for Migration said Friday that 82,000 civilian buildings in Iran, including hospitals and homes of 180,000 people, sustained damage.

At least 13 American troops have been killed, with four deaths in the occupied West Bank and 20 in Gulf Arab states.

In Iraq, where Iranian-supported militia groups joined the conflict, 80 security force members have died.

A breakthrough appeared as Tehran agreed to permit humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, accepting a U.N. request. Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, said Iran agreed to “facilitate and expedite” such movement.

The crucial waterway typically handles one-fifth of global oil shipments and nearly one-third of worldwide fertilizer trade. While markets and governments have focused on blocked oil and natural gas supplies, restricted fertilizer ingredients and trade threaten farming and food security globally.

“This measure reflects Iran’s continued commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts and ensuring that essential aid reaches those in need without delay,” Bahreini posted on X. The U.N. previously announced a task force addressing the war’s ripple effects on aid delivery.

Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi militants acknowledged Saturday they had fired missiles at Israel, representing their first direct strike against the Jewish state since the ongoing Middle East conflict erupted.

Israeli officials had previously reported they were working to stop an incoming missile fired from Yemeni territory.

The rebel organization stated they launched multiple missiles in response to ongoing strikes against facilities across Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and Palestinian areas. The Houthis declared their military actions will persist until what they called the “aggression” across all battlefronts comes to an end.

This development signals the Houthis’ formal entrance into the wider regional conflict and increases concerns about the war expanding beyond its current scope.

MOSCOW – A deadly drone strike by Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Yaroslavl region resulted in the death of a child and left three others wounded on Saturday, according to regional authorities.

Regional Governor Mikhail Evraev confirmed the fatality through his official Telegram account, stating: “A child who was in one of the private houses in the suburban district of Yaroslavl region at the time of the attack has died.”

The governor reported that the child’s parents sustained serious injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment. A woman from a nearby residence was also hurt in the assault. “His parents have been hospitalised in a serious condition. A woman living in a neighbouring house was also injured. They are receiving all necessary medical care,” Evraev explained.

The attack, which occurred northeast of Moscow, caused structural damage to multiple homes and what officials described as “a retail object.”

According to Evraev, Russian air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed more than 30 Ukrainian drones during the Saturday operation.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported broader defensive actions across the country, announcing that military forces shot down a total of 155 Ukrainian drones overnight across several Russian territories, including areas around Moscow.

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — When taxi driver Adegbola Isaac filled up his tank twice over the weekend in Lagos, he watched fuel prices surge to 1,350 naira ($0.99) per liter — a staggering 35% jump since Middle East hostilities began. The increase has eliminated nearly all his daily earnings.

“It is hitting hard,” Isaac shared with The Associated Press.

Isaac represents millions of Africans experiencing severe economic consequences from distant Middle Eastern warfare that commenced February 28th with coordinated U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Across Africa, fuel cost increases resulting from the largely blocked Strait of Hormuz are intensifying existing financial struggles in some of the globe’s most impoverished communities.

This recent crisis follows a troubling pattern.

Once again, Africa faces devastating impacts from international emergencies it didn’t create.

Following COVID-19, the Ukraine conflict, and now Middle Eastern warfare, the world’s most rapidly expanding continent — whose population matches China and India — bears the brunt of cascading effects including worldwide competition for essential resources like fuel and fertilizer.

Since most African nations import refined petroleum products, consequences arrived quickly, driving up retail fuel costs throughout Africa and triggering price increases for virtually all goods and services.

Analysts explain that African countries maintain deep connections to international markets and face vulnerability to worldwide disruptions due to their reliance on major economic powers.

On Friday, the United Nations announced efforts to restore safe fertilizer transport through the Strait of Hormuz, hoping to strengthen broader diplomatic initiatives regarding the Iran conflict.

A 2025 U.N. Trade and Development (UNCTAD) analysis, which characterizes Africa as “the epicenter of overlapping global crises,” reveals that over half the continent’s trade occurs with five countries outside Africa.

Kenya imports 100% of its fuel from Middle Eastern sources, especially the United Arab Emirates, with retailers reporting 20% of stations already experiencing shortages. Uganda’s fuel reserves were initially expected to last only several weeks.

South Africa obtains substantial fuel supplies from Saudi Arabia. Nigeria, despite being Africa’s top oil producer, lacks adequate refining infrastructure and must import processed petroleum from Europe.

Zimbabwean healthcare workers staged protests demanding salary increases as living expenses skyrocketed. Government officials responded by planning to boost fuel-ethanol blending from 5% to 20%. However, higher ethanol concentrations can damage vehicles and increase harmful emissions.

“I now avoid going into town during peak hours because the fares are too high,” explained Washington Nyakarize, a mobile phone vendor operating in Harare’s Central Business District. “If I go later, the charge is a bit lower, but I lose business, because most customers come early in the morning.”

Following reduced Saudi Arabian fuel deliveries to South Africa, diesel-dependent sectors began emergency purchasing amid supply fears. This occurred despite assurances from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources that the nation maintains unused strategic stockpiles and alternative supply channels.

UNCTAD reports that fertilizer access throughout Africa, including war-torn regions like Sudan and Somalia, will face significant disruption.

Kenya’s flower sector has documented weekly losses reaching $1.4 million since Iranian hostilities started, with producers citing reduced demand and transportation interruptions.

Specialists warn the conflict could push Africa into unprecedented circumstances if fighting continues.

“If the conflict persists for another month or two, honestly, we’re going to be in unknown terrain, that no one else, like, no one can really predict, and we just have to wait and see,” stated Zainab Usman, a senior research scholar at the New York-based Center on Global Energy Policy.

Facing global oil supply constraints, African governments are exploring alternative procurement channels.

Bloomberg reported this week that multiple nations including South Africa, Kenya and Ghana have contacted Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery seeking fuel agreements.

Though the Dangote facility regularly ships jet fuel to American and Asian markets, it announced this week completing sales of 12 refined petroleum shipments to various African countries, including Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana and Togo — marking the largest such transaction since achieving full operational capacity earlier this year.

Energy specialists caution that the Dangote refinery may struggle to satisfy growing continental demand if planned expansions face delays or crude oil supply disruptions occur.

“As long as there is a steady supply of crude oil, the (Dangote) refinery has the capacity to meet some of the needs” from across the continent, according to Olufola Wusu, a Lagos-based oil and gas expert who was part of a team that helped review Nigeria’s national gas policy.

Israeli military officials confirmed Saturday they detected a missile fired from Yemen for the first time since the month-long U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran began.

Military authorities did not immediately release details about who launched the projectile or its intended target. The missile detection occurred just hours after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis declared their readiness to take action if what they termed escalating attacks against Iran and the “Axis of Resistance” persisted.

The heavily armed Houthis possess the capability to target neighboring Gulf nations, and their entry into the current conflict could severely disrupt shipping routes around the Arabian Peninsula. This comes as global commerce already struggles with the near-complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

UNDERSTANDING THE HOUTHIS

The Houthis operate as a combined military, political and religious organization under the leadership of the Houthi family from northern Yemen. The group follows Zaydi Shi’ite Islamic beliefs.

While the Houthis previously engaged in guerrilla warfare against Yemen’s government forces, they significantly expanded their influence and strengthened relationships with Iran following the 2011 Arab Spring demonstrations.

Taking advantage of Yemen’s political turmoil, the organization seized control of the capital city Sanaa in 2014.

A year later, Saudi Arabia spearheaded a coalition of Arab nations in a military operation aimed at removing the Houthis from power.

During the conflict, the Houthis showcased advanced missile and drone technology, launching strikes against oil facilities and critical infrastructure in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Following years of warfare that created one of the globe’s most severe humanitarian disasters, the United Nations facilitated a 2022 ceasefire agreement between the opposing forces in Yemen that remains in effect.

RED SEA SHIPPING DISRUPTIONS

Following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on Israel that sparked Israel’s devastating Gaza military operation, the Houthis initiated attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, claiming their actions supported Palestinian causes.

The group also launched drone and missile strikes against Israeli targets, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Houthi positions. American forces also conducted military operations against the Houthis.

The Houthis suspended their maritime attacks after a U.S.-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October 2025.

DELAYED ENTRY INTO CURRENT CONFLICT

Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi announced on March 5 that his organization stood prepared for immediate military action.

“Regarding military escalation and action, our fingers are on the trigger at any moment should developments warrant it,” he stated during a broadcast address.

However, unlike Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iraqi militant organizations, the Houthis have not officially declared their participation in the war. On Friday, the group reiterated its warning as fighting intensified, and hours later, Israel reported detecting the Yemen missile launch.

Houthi religious beliefs do not require allegiance to Iran’s supreme leader in the manner that binds Hezbollah and Iraqi groups.

Although Iran promotes the Houthis as members of its regional “Axis of Resistance,” Yemen specialists indicate the movement primarily pursues domestic objectives while maintaining political alignment with Iran and Hezbollah.

American officials assert that Iran has provided weapons, financing and training to the Houthis with Hezbollah assistance.

The Houthis reject claims of serving as an Iranian proxy and maintain they produce their own weaponry.

POTENTIAL FUTURE ACTIONS

Experts remain divided on the potential actions of the Houthis, known for their unpredictable behavior.

Some diplomatic sources and analysts suspect the group may have already conducted isolated attacks on targets in neighboring countries. Reuters was unable to verify these allegations.

Other observers suggest the Houthis have conserved their military resources for an optimal moment to join the conflict in coordination with Iran to maximize strategic impact.

The effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz for Gulf Arab oil exports and increased dependence on Red Sea routes could present such an opportunity.

On Friday, the organization warned it was ready to respond if additional nations joined the U.S. and Israel in their conflict against Iran, or if the Red Sea became a launching point for attacks on Iran.

This warning heightened concerns about expanded regional warfare, particularly given the Houthis’ demonstrated ability to strike distant targets and interrupt shipping corridors around the Arabian Peninsula that are vital to international commerce.

WASHINGTON – After one month of military conflict with Iran, President Donald Trump confronts difficult decisions as energy costs climb and his public approval numbers decline. The president must choose between pursuing a potentially imperfect diplomatic agreement or intensifying military action that could lead to an extended conflict threatening his presidency.

Following weeks of diplomatic efforts, Trump concludes another week of the combined U.S.-Israeli military operation while grappling with an expanding Middle East crisis. Iran continues to resist, maintaining control over Gulf oil and gas transport routes while launching ongoing missile and drone attacks throughout the region.

Political analysts question whether Trump will choose to reduce or increase what opponents label a discretionary conflict that has triggered the most severe global energy supply disruption in recorded history and expanded well beyond regional boundaries.

According to a senior White House official, Trump has informed his staff of his desire to prevent a “forever war” and seek a diplomatic resolution, encouraging them to emphasize the four-to-six-week conflict timeline he has publicly outlined, though the official noted this schedule seems “shaky.”

However, Trump has simultaneously warned of significant military intensification should negotiations collapse.

Trump’s peace initiatives toward Iran, including a 15-point settlement proposal transmitted through Pakistani diplomatic channels, suggest an increasingly desperate search for an exit strategy. Yet realistic opportunities for productive talks remain uncertain.

“President Trump has poor options all around to end the war,” said Jonathan Panikoff, former U.S. deputy national intelligence officer for the Middle East. “Part of the challenge is the lack of clarity related to what a satisfactory outcome would be.”

A White House official maintained that the Iran campaign “will conclude when the commander-in-chief determines that our objectives are met” and emphasized that Trump had established clear objectives.

While seemingly covering multiple approaches, Trump continues deploying thousands of additional U.S. military personnel to the area and threatening Iran with increased attacks, potentially including ground forces, unless it surrenders to his requirements.

Political experts suggest this military demonstration might aim to create negotiating advantages with Tehran but risks involving the U.S. in extended warfare, with any ground deployment in Iranian territory likely to upset American voters.

Another potential approach, according to specialists, involves the U.S. conducting a final major aerial campaign called “Operation Epic Fury” to further damage Iran’s military infrastructure and nuclear facilities, after which Trump would claim success and withdraw, stating his military goals were accomplished.

However, such declarations would appear meaningless unless the critical Strait of Hormuz reopens completely, which Iran continues to prevent. Trump has expressed disappointment over European partners’ unwillingness to deploy naval vessels to help secure the shipping channel.

Trump, who has consistently promised to avoid foreign military entanglements, appears to struggle with controlling the expanding conflict he initiated alongside Israel.

While continuing to issue optimistic assessments, he has increasingly focused his communication on reassuring anxious financial markets, directing senior staff to stress the war’s quick conclusion, according to the senior White House official, who requested anonymity to discuss internal discussions.

The absence of a clear withdrawal plan poses risks for both Trump’s presidential record and his party’s electoral chances as Republicans work to maintain slim congressional majorities in November’s midterm elections.

Trump’s greatest error has been underestimating Tehran’s counterattack scope. Iran has deployed its remaining missiles and drones against Israel and neighboring Gulf nations while largely blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which handles one-fifth of global oil transport, creating worldwide economic disruption.

“The Iranian government’s bet is they can take more pain for longer than their adversaries, and they might be right,” said Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington.

The White House official, speaking anonymously, stated Trump and his administration were “well-prepared” for Iran’s strait response and remain confident it will reopen shortly.

Nevertheless, Trump’s increasing concern about the conflict became most apparent Monday when he backed down from threatening to destroy Iran’s electrical infrastructure unless it permitted shipping to resume through the strait.

In a decision widely interpreted as market reassurance, he announced a five-day suspension of his threat to allow diplomatic efforts. Thursday, he extended this pause another 10 days.

Meanwhile, domestic pressure increases.

Public opinion surveys indicate Americans overwhelmingly oppose the war, and while Trump’s MAGA supporters have largely remained loyal, his political foundation could erode if economic consequences, including elevated gas prices, continue.

Trump’s overall approval has dropped to 36%, his lowest since returning to the White House, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed Monday.

The White House has grown more concerned about political consequences from the war, a former senior Trump administration official told Reuters, citing worries expressed by Republican legislators about upcoming midterm elections.

Reflecting growing Republican unease, U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, criticized the administration Thursday for insufficient information about the Iran campaign’s scope.

Responding, the White House official said Trump aides had briefed Congress multiple times before and during the conflict.

Currently, diplomatic options provide no simple solutions.

Trump’s 15-point proposal resembles what Iran had largely rejected in pre-war talks and includes difficult-to-enforce elements. The requirements range from dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities and reducing its missile inventory to abandoning proxy organizations and essentially surrendering strait control.

Iran characterized the U.S. proposal as unfair and unrealistic, though it didn’t eliminate future indirect communications.

While Trump claimed Thursday that Iran was “begging” for an agreement, the nation’s leadership appears unhurried to negotiate a conflict resolution, analysts report, believing they can claim victory simply through survival.

Any diplomatic progress has been hindered by replacing some leaders killed in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes with more extreme successors, analysts note. The leadership has demonstrated distrust of Trump, who twice in the past year launched airstrikes while both sides were still negotiating.

“The president is willing to listen, but if they fail to accept the reality of the current moment, they will be hit harder than ever before,” said the White House official.

Israeli officials have meanwhile indicated concern that Trump might make compromises limiting their future strikes against Iran.

Washington’s Gulf partners may also oppose a rushed U.S. departure, considering they could face a damaged, hostile neighbor.

Should Trump actually prepare to deploy ground forces, he could capture Iran’s Kharg Island oil facility or other strategic islands, conduct coastal operations, or send special forces for what would be a complicated attempt to secure its highly enriched uranium stockpile believed mostly buried underground by U.S.-Israeli bombing last June.

Such actions could escalate into broader conflict reminiscent of the extended wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that Trump has promised the U.S. would never enter under his leadership. They would also risk increased American casualties and raise additional questions about U.S. mission goals.

Gulf partners have cautioned the administration against placing U.S. troops on Iranian soil, warning it could provoke more Tehran retaliation, possibly against their energy and civilian infrastructure, a senior Gulf official said anonymously.

The White House official said Trump had clarified “he has no plans to send ground troops anywhere at this time,” but noted he always maintains all available options.

For now, Trump keeps the world uncertain, alternately making statements designed to calm unstable markets and issuing threats that increase energy prices.

“Trump traffics in contradictory signals,” said Laura Blumenfeld of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington. “He is a one-man ‘fog of war’ messaging machine to keep opponents off-balance.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Saturday that the United States anticipates wrapping up its military campaign in Iran within weeks rather than months, as Israeli forces reported striking targets in Tehran while defending against incoming Iranian missiles.

The ongoing conflict took a toll on American forces Friday when an Iranian assault on a Saudi Arabian air base left 12 U.S. service members wounded, with two sustaining serious injuries, according to a U.S. official who spoke to Reuters. Drone and missile attacks have persisted throughout the Gulf region.

The military campaign, which began a month ago with coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, has now expanded throughout the Middle East, resulting in thousands of casualties and creating unprecedented disruptions to global energy markets. The crisis has sent shockwaves through the world economy and sparked concerns about rising inflation.

Speaking to media following discussions with Group of Seven officials in France, Rubio stated that Washington was “on or ahead of schedule in that operation, and expect to conclude it at the appropriate time here — a matter of weeks, not months.”

Israeli military officials confirmed they were conducting operations across Iran’s capital city while simultaneously detecting missile launches from Yemen. The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, who had previously targeted shipping lanes with missile strikes, have largely remained out of the current conflict.

However, Houthi representatives indicated Friday their willingness to enter the fighting under specific circumstances, particularly if additional nations join the U.S.-Israeli alliance or if the Red Sea becomes a staging area for attacks against Iran.

The war has created tension between the United States and its longtime allies, who have chosen not to participate in the military action. President Donald Trump suggested this lack of support could affect NATO commitments, the cornerstone of Western defense cooperation.

“We would have always been there for them, but now, based on their actions, I guess we don’t have to be, do we?” Trump remarked during an investment conference in Miami Friday. “Why would we be there for them if they’re not there for us? They weren’t there for us.”

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s founding principles establish that an assault on any member nation constitutes an attack on all members, requiring mutual defense support.

Rubio emphasized that European and Asian nations benefiting from commerce through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical waterway now largely controlled by Iran—should contribute to efforts ensuring safe passage for international trade.

While Rubio maintained that Washington could accomplish its objectives without deploying ground forces, he confirmed some troops were being positioned in the region “to give the president maximum optionality and maximum opportunity to adjust the contingencies, should they emerge.”

The Pentagon has ordered two Marine contingents, numbering in the thousands, to deploy to the area. The first group is scheduled to arrive shortly aboard a massive amphibious assault vessel. Military officials also plan to send thousands of specialized airborne troops.

These troop movements have intensified worries that the conflict could evolve into an extended ground war.

Financial markets plummeted Friday as Brent crude oil prices climbed above $112 per barrel, representing more than a 50% increase since hostilities began.

Within the United States, where Trump faces political pressure over rising fuel costs, diesel prices in California reached a record average of $7.17 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association.

Trump has signaled his desire to end the increasingly unpopular war, highlighting this week what he described as promising diplomatic negotiations—despite Tehran’s repeated denials that any such discussions have commenced. On Thursday, Trump granted Iran an additional 10-day extension to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes against its civilian energy infrastructure.

At least five people died and seven others were injured in a U.S.-Israeli attack on a residential building in Iran’s northwestern city of Zanjan, Iranian media reported early Saturday. The Iran University of Science and Technology in Tehran was also targeted, according to media accounts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on social media that Israel, working with U.S. coordination, had also struck two steel manufacturing facilities and a power plant. “Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy. Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes,” Araqchi wrote Friday.

Israel’s military reported Saturday that it had identified incoming missiles from Iran, while Syrian state television documented explosions heard over Damascus as Israeli defense systems intercepted the Iranian projectiles.

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain also experienced missile attacks in the early hours Saturday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — After one month of military operations against Iran, President Donald Trump is hinting at winding down the conflict despite failing to fully accomplish several key objectives he established for the campaign.

The president recently expanded his goals to five priorities for the extensive bombing campaign, growing from the original four outlined by his administration when hostilities began February 28th. This represents an increase from the three objectives initially described by Pentagon officials and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. While Trump’s team maintains their aims remain consistent and well-defined, the expanding list of priorities has evolved as the military action has impacted global markets, strained international partnerships, and generated questions about strategic planning and long-term consequences.

Military analysts acknowledge that American and Israeli airstrikes have substantially weakened Iran’s armed forces and eliminated numerous high-ranking military officials. However, these battlefield victories don’t guarantee the fulfillment of the president’s broader strategic goals.

Several of Trump’s stated aims present significant challenges, and if the United States withdraws without completing these missions while Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard maintains control, the president may encounter domestic political criticism and international consequences regarding the achievements of his decision to initiate this optional military engagement that destabilized Middle Eastern stability and disrupted worldwide economic markets.

The Trump administration and White House continue asserting the military action proceeds successfully toward meeting established targets. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt informed journalists this week that “We are very close to meeting the core objectives of Operation Epic Fury, and this military mission continues unabated,” describing the campaign as “ahead of schedule and performing exceptionally.”

Below is an examination of Trump’s stated objectives and their current status:

A primary goal outlined by the president regarding Iran involved plans to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.”

Administration officials claim this capability has suffered major damage. However, Iran continues firing missiles and unmanned aircraft, including multiple attacks against Israel while Trump announced ongoing diplomatic discussions with Iranian representatives.

Speaking Thursday from the White House, Trump stated that approximately 90% of Iran’s missiles and launching systems have been eliminated, and that unmanned aircraft plus manufacturing facilities producing drones and missiles “are way down.”

Prior to recent statements, the president and his team sometimes presented this as an independent goal, characterizing it as an objective to “raze their missile industry to the ground.” At other times, this priority disappeared from official lists. Pentagon leadership typically incorporates this into their primary objective of eliminating Iran’s missile capabilities.

U.S. Central Command reports targeting weapons manufacturing and missile production facilities in Iranian strikes. Nevertheless, Iranian attacks against Gulf region neighbors and Israel persist.

American and Israeli forces rapidly gained aerial dominance over Iranian airspace, conducting operations with minimal resistance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday that U.S. forces have damaged or destroyed over 150 Iranian naval vessels.

Following a U.S. submarine’s torpedo attack that sank an Iranian warship in early March, two additional Iranian ships — the IRIS Bushehr and IRIS Lavan — sought refuge in Sri Lankan and Indian ports requesting assistance. The U.S. has provided no updates indicating these vessels have been subsequently destroyed or captured.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard operates its own naval force utilizing smaller craft for coordinated attacks and mine deployment. The remaining strength of this fleet remains unclear, as does whether any mines have been positioned. Iranian missiles continue disrupting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump dramatically changed his position over recent months after claiming the U.S. had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program last June, only to have advisors later warn that Iran approached weapons capability within weeks, justifying current military operations.

Iranian government media reported nuclear facility attacks on Friday. Strikes hit a heavy water facility and yellowcake production plant, with Israel subsequently confirming responsibility for these attacks.

Israel had previously announced strikes against other nuclear-related targets, including assassinating a senior Iranian nuclear scientist.

A critical wartime question involves whether Trump will attempt seizing or destroying approximately 970 pounds of enriched uranium held by Tehran that could potentially support weapons development.

For the first time Monday, Trump indicated the U.S. would recover this uranium, believed stored deep within a mountain facility. However, he suggested this would occur through some agreement with Iran permitting U.S. retrieval. Military experts warn that seizing this material without Iranian consent would constitute an extremely dangerous mission requiring substantial U.S. ground force deployment into Iranian territory.

Trump recently added a fifth objective through social media: “Protecting, at the highest level, our Middle Eastern Allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others. The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it — The United States does not!”

The U.S. currently stations thousands of military personnel at regional bases and installations. Trump’s willingness to expand protection for Middle Eastern allies against threats remains uncertain, particularly as Iran retains attack capabilities against these nations. The extent of U.S. commitment to maintaining Strait of Hormuz accessibility also remains unclear. Trump has wavered on American responsibilities for policing this waterway. He recently extended Iran’s deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz or facing power plant attacks, now setting the date for April 6th.

Trump has discussed governmental overthrow since warfare began, urging Iranian citizens to “take over your government” after Israeli strikes, supported by the U.S., killed Iran’s supreme leader and most senior leadership.

However, Trump and his administration have never formally declared regime change as an Iranian objective, despite clearly expressing desires to end the oppressive theocracy’s 47-year rule.

Speaking Thursday at the White House, Trump described the regime as “largely decimated.”

“You could really say we have regime change because they have been killed,” he stated during a Fox News Channel interview.

Currently, the U.S. claims to conduct negotiations with elements of the same Iranian government while seeking rapid conflict resolution and Strait of Hormuz reopening for maritime commerce. Iran continues publicly denying any negotiations with the White House.

Trump’s initial expectations regarding Iranian popular uprising appear likely to remain unmet.

Trump administration officials have provided limited updates on this objective, which the president described as ensuring “the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces” and “ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund, and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders.”

While the U.S. has targeted Iranian-aligned militia groups in Iraq, and Israel appears expanding operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the administration has not detailed plans for permanently stopping Tehran’s support for militant organizations.

The White House stated that preventing Iranian proxy groups from further regional destabilization remains a key goal and that “proxies are hardly putting up a fight because our United States Military is so strong and lethal.”

Israeli defense forces reported detecting a missile launch from Yemen in the early hours of Saturday, marking the first time such a projectile has been fired from Yemeni territory since the current regional conflict began.

The missile detection occurred just hours after the Iran-backed Houthi group issued a warning on Friday, stating they stood ready to take action if escalations against Iran and what they termed the “axis of resistance” persisted. The group did not specify what type of intervention they might pursue.

The involvement of the Houthis in the conflict increases concerns about a wider regional war, especially considering the group’s demonstrated capability to hit targets well beyond Yemen’s borders and their history of disrupting maritime traffic in the Red Sea and around the Arabian Peninsula. These previous disruptions were carried out in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Other Iranian-allied groups in Lebanon and Iraq have already entered the regional fighting that began after U.S. and Israeli military actions against Tehran four weeks prior.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepalese authorities detained former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli in the early hours of Saturday morning in connection with fatal September demonstrations that claimed dozens of lives and brought down the government, leading to fresh elections.

Law enforcement officers apprehended the influential communist politician at his home located on Kathmandu’s outskirts. Officials also took into custody Ramesh Lekhak, the previous home minister who faces allegations of commanding security forces to open fire on demonstrators.

Current Home Minister Sudan Gurung revealed the detentions through social media posts.

“No one is above the law. We have taken former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former home minister Ramesh Lekhak under control,” Gurung said. “This is not revenge against anyone, it is just the beginning of justice.”

A government-established investigative panel has recommended prison sentences of up to a decade for Oli, Lekhak, and the police chief who was in charge during the demonstrations.

Multiple police vehicles filled with riot-equipped officers carried out the detentions at both men’s residences before transporting them to the Kathmandu District Police headquarters.

These detentions occurred one day following the inauguration of a new administration led by former rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, whose Rastriya Swatantra Party achieved a decisive victory in this month’s parliamentary elections.

Both Shah and Gurung have pledged accountability for victims who lost their lives or suffered injuries.

This election marked the nation’s first since youth-driven demonstrations against government corruption and mismanagement on September 8th and 9th resulted in 76 fatalities and over 2,300 wounded individuals. Enraged crowds set fire to the prime minister’s and president’s offices, police facilities, and residences of senior political figures who escaped via military helicopters.

The youth-led movement, driven by “Gen Z” organizers, led to the September 12th appointment of Nepal’s inaugural female prime minister, Sushila Karki, a former Supreme Court justice who oversaw the transitional period before the elections.

India appears ready to compromise on a worldwide agreement that prevents countries from imposing tariffs on digital services, according to two senior diplomatic sources.

The development comes after India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal questioned American proposals for making the digital tariff ban permanent during World Trade Organization discussions in Cameroon on Thursday, stating the matter required “careful reconsideration.”

But by Friday evening, Indian representatives told WTO delegates they would support a two-year continuation of the moratorium, marking the first indication of flexibility in their stance before Saturday’s formal meeting on the issue.

The United States may not find a short-term solution acceptable, however. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated Thursday that Washington wanted only a permanent extension, not a temporary one.

Corporate executives emphasize that continuing the agreement is essential for maintaining stability, worrying that fees could be imposed if the deal expires.

Two senior diplomatic sources confirmed that American and Indian negotiating positions remain significantly different.

A third senior diplomat revealed that WTO members are attempting to find a compromise by extending the moratorium for five to 10 years, beyond the next ministerial conference. Whether either the U.S. or India would accept such a middle-ground approach remains uncertain, the diplomat noted.

The outcome of discussions on the digital commerce moratorium at the Yaounde meeting is viewed as a crucial measure of the WTO’s continued importance, following a period marked by trade disputes driven by tariffs and significant disruptions to shipping, energy costs, and supply networks caused by Middle Eastern conflicts.

“I think for some countries it’s actually quite existential to prolong the moratorium for a significant time,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide commented, noting it would help show that officials could achieve tangible results at the Yaounde gathering.

The digital commerce moratorium has been repeatedly renewed for almost 30 years, continuing until each subsequent ministerial conference. The United States seeks to ensure major American technology companies including Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple operate in a predictable regulatory framework without concerns about potential tariffs that nations might impose on international digital commerce.

KATHMANDU – Authorities in Nepal have arrested former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on Saturday as investigators examine whether he failed in his duty to prevent the deaths of dozens during anti-government demonstrations last September.

The 74-year-old former leader faces potential prosecution after a government investigation committee this week called for charges against him, citing his failure to stop the violent suppression of anti-corruption demonstrations.

The September unrest resulted in 76 fatalities over a two-day period, ultimately forcing Oli to step down from his position.

“They took him from his residence this morning,” said Min Bahadur Shahi, a high-ranking official with Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), in a statement to Reuters.

Police spokesperson Om Adhikari verified that both Oli and his former home minister, Ramesh Lekhak, have been detained.

The political landscape in Nepal shifted dramatically on Friday when Balendra Shah, a former rapper who entered politics, took the oath of office as the new prime minister following his victory in the March 5 parliamentary elections.

Iran’s fragile economy is teetering on the edge of complete collapse following weeks of ongoing conflict, as basic necessities become increasingly unaffordable for ordinary citizens.

The cost of essential food items has surged dramatically, with prices climbing not just daily but hourly. Some basic staples have seen price increases of at least 50% when compared to levels before the war began.

More than 40% of Iran’s population currently survives below the absolute poverty threshold, with that percentage rising above 50% in the nation’s capital. However, economists caution that the actual poverty rate may have surged beyond 60% throughout the country.

The crisis extends beyond rising prices. Widespread internet outages have brought many essential services to a halt, while manufacturing plants and industrial facilities struggle with severe shortages of necessary raw materials. The nation’s government operations have also been significantly damaged.

“It has become impossible to endure this situation any longer,” a Tehran resident told The Media Line.

Economic journalist Arezoo Karimi notes that even if Iran’s government and the United States manage to negotiate a potential agreement, reversing Iran’s economic downfall cannot happen quickly.

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia launched sweeping new digital restrictions on Saturday, becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to prohibit children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms that could expose them to harmful content, online predators, and digital addiction.

The groundbreaking policy blocks minors from creating accounts on popular platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox. Indonesia follows Australia’s pioneering example from last year, when that country became the first globally to implement such comprehensive social media age restrictions as governments worldwide seek to curb tech companies’ influence over young users.

Indonesian officials plan to roll out the new rules progressively until all digital platforms meet compliance requirements.

Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid announced the regulation in March, stating it will affect roughly 70 million children across Indonesia’s 280 million population.

According to Hafid, authorities identify high-risk platforms based on several criteria: how easily children can encounter strangers, the potential for predatory behavior, exposure to dangerous content, and vulnerability to exploitation or data breaches.

However, Hafid admitted the enforcement process will present significant challenges. Ensuring platform compliance and requiring companies to report deactivated underage accounts poses substantial difficulties.

“This is certainly a task. But we must take steps to save our children,” Hafid stated. “It’s not easy. Nevertheless, we must see it through.”

Maura Munthe, a 13-year-old who typically spends about four hours daily on her phone using social media and playing Roblox games with friends, expressed mixed feelings about the new restrictions but generally supports the policy.

She noted that her classmates worry about losing access to their current entertainment and social connections.

“There are always other games on my phone, not only the online ones,” she explained. “I will likely play more games alone or just hang out with my friends.”

Munthe’s mother, Leni Sinuraya, 47, has previously allowed her daughter to use devices responsibly for both educational and recreational purposes. Despite this trust, she views the government’s action as beneficial for Indonesian children overall.

Sinuraya believes parents have surrendered control to social media companies.

“Nowadays, when we see kids sitting in a restaurant, they have a phone right in front of them. It’s clear that they’re addicted,” Sinuraya observed. “They won’t eat unless they’re given a phone, and they throw a tantrum if they aren’t.”

“Mealtime is supposed to be a time for us to chat with the people around us,” she continued.

Diena Haryana, who established the Semai Jiwa Amini foundation (SEJIWA) in Jakarta, leads a nonprofit organization focused on protecting children online.

Haryana cited research demonstrating that social media usage among children can negatively affect mental health and contribute to anxiety and depression.

However, she acknowledged that digital platforms provide educational benefits and learning opportunities. Her organization encourages collaboration between parents and communities to supervise and guide children’s online activities.

“We also need to remember that they need to learn to use this digital technology at the right time, at the right age, and with the right guidance as well,” she emphasized.

Haryana anticipates the restrictions’ impact will become clear only after implementation, expecting both youth complaints and parental confusion.

She stressed that parents and educational institutions must help children find real-world alternatives to digital learning environments.

“Of course, this takes time to get used to, which is why parents and schools need to encourage children to engage with the real world and make it fun for them,” Haryana added. “And there’s plenty in the real world for children to explore.”

Most platforms have remained largely silent regarding Indonesia’s new regulations.

Elon Musk’s X platform updated its Indonesia Online Safety Information page to list 16 as the required minimum user age. “It’s not our choice – it’s what Indonesian law requires,” the page states.

Google-owned YouTube expressed support for the Indonesian government’s efforts to establish an effective framework addressing online dangers while maintaining information access and digital opportunities.

“We are ready to engage under the regulation’s self-assessment approach to demonstrate our long-standing safety rigor,” the company stated.

Australia first implemented similar restrictions in December, with social media companies removing approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children.

Several other nations including Spain, France and the United Kingdom are developing or considering comparable measures to limit children’s social media access amid increasing concerns about harmful exposure to unregulated online content.