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Clouds of smoke and debris filled the skies over southern Beirut neighborhoods early Wednesday morning as Israeli military operations expanded into Lebanon, creating what officials describe as a significant second battleground in the ongoing conflict with Iran-backed forces.

Israeli commanders characterized their recent military moves over the last day as measured and protective responses, which included sending more soldiers into Lebanon’s southern region and launching air operations further into Lebanese territory. Military leaders cautioned they would expand their campaign if hostile activities from Lebanese soil persist.

According to Israeli defense statements, the bombing runs focused on Hezbollah leadership facilities and ammunition depots throughout Beirut and additional Lebanese locations. The intensity of military exchanges has increased as evacuation notices and safety warnings circulated across portions of the capital city and southern regions.

Lebanese Health Ministry officials confirmed that no fewer than 40 individuals have died with hundreds more injured during this recent surge of attacks. Tens of thousands of residents have abandoned their homes as fears mount that the confrontation could develop into a more extensive, long-term military campaign.

Lebanese government officials have taken steps to publicly separate the state from Hezbollah’s military actions. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared Hezbollah’s armed activities as “illegal” while indicating efforts to stop attacks originating from Lebanese soil.

“We will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity,” Salam posted on his X account Saturday, warning Hezbollah against joining Iranian retaliation against Israel.

Israeli leadership portrayed Hezbollah’s choice to engage in combat as following Iran’s regional strategy, with Defense Minister Israel Katz delivering a stern message directed at Hezbollah’s command structure.

“Hezbollah will pay a heavy price for the shooting towards Israel, and Naim Qassem, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, who decided on the shooting under pressure from Iran—is now a target for elimination,” read a social media post by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. “Whoever follows in the path of Khamenei will soon find himself with him in the depths of hell along with all the thwarted elements of the axis of evil.”

Israeli officials view the expanding Lebanese conflict as directly connected to their broader confrontation with Tehran, maintaining that Hezbollah continues operating as an Iranian proxy despite significant losses in previous fighting.

“Ideologically, Hezbollah still has very close ties to Iran,” Avraham Levine, a speaker and digital content manager at the Alma Research and Education Center, a security think tank in northern Israel, told The Media Line. “Nothing has changed; Hezbollah is still a main tool for Iran when it comes to Israel.”

This escalation threatens to destroy a delicate ceasefire that mostly remained intact following the 2023–2024 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which forced tens of thousands from their homes on both sides before an internationally mediated agreement reduced hostilities.

“Hezbollah has now challenged this ceasefire by joining the war, no less,” Levine said. “The likely scenario is a continuation of Hezbollah fire, keeping Israel busy on another front and applying pressure by showing support for Iran.”

Levine predicted that Hezbollah would probably conduct focused, selective strikes against Israeli military positions near the border instead of launching a major ground invasion into Israeli territory.

“We have launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah. We are not only operating defensively; we are now going on the offensive as well,” Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Monday at a briefing with senior commanders. “We must prepare for many prolonged days of combat ahead. This requires strong defensive readiness and sustained offensive readiness, operating in continuous waves while constantly utilizing opportunities.”

Israeli authorities have also identified a wider range of targets connected to Hezbollah’s operational network in Lebanon, including financial systems, while advising civilians to stay away from Hezbollah-associated locations as strikes expanded beyond border areas.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese escalation has developed during the fifth day of joint US-Israel operations against Iran, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicating the campaign might require “some time” despite both allies emphasizing early military successes while Iranian counterattacks continue reaching Israel.

During the initial stages, Israeli and US officials reported that both militaries gained control of Iranian airspace by weakening crucial air-defense systems, allowing continued strikes on missile facilities, command centers, and other strategic objectives.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei died during the campaign’s opening phase, along with other high-ranking Iranian military leaders, according to Israeli and US announcements and various reports.

US military forces have also reported attacking Iranian naval targets, describing the maritime operations as part of broader efforts to reduce Iran’s regional influence and military capabilities.

“Targeting the navy is of utmost importance and can remove one of Iran’s main tools which it has used to threaten countries in the region and threaten the continuity of international trade,” Meir Ben-Shabbat, head of the Misgav Institute for National Security and former national security adviser, told The Media Line.

Ben-Shabbat contended that the campaign’s early phase demonstrated remarkably close operational partnership between Washington and Jerusalem, including successful defense against incoming attacks.

“First and foremost, the close cooperation between Israel and the US must be noted. The amount and quality of the strikes is testament to high-quality intelligence and high operational abilities of the Israeli air force, in addition to a high success rate of air defense systems in Israel,” Ben-Shabbat said.

Iran has maintained its ballistic missile and drone attacks against Israel, with Israeli media reporting that at least 12 people have died and more than 60 have been wounded since the conflict began, along with additional strikes causing damage and casualties in central Israel.

“To all of these achievements, we must add the significant performance of the US military that, in addition to managing and coordinating the effort, conducted over 1,000 strikes against major power centers in Iran,” Ben-Shabbat said.

Currently, the most pressing concern is whether the Israel-Lebanon conflict remains a limited escalation or develops into an extended campaign that pulls Lebanon further into the regional war, particularly as Beirut’s administration faces demands to back up its public statements with concrete action.

BANGKOK — International energy markets are experiencing severe disruption as military conflict near the Persian Gulf blocks critical oil and natural gas deliveries, sending fuel costs skyrocketing across the globe.

Asian nations face the greatest vulnerability because they depend extensively on imported energy supplies, with much of their fuel traveling through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical waterway that handles one-fifth of worldwide crude oil and liquefied natural gas commerce.

Energy consulting firm Kpler reports that approximately 13 million barrels of oil traveled through this strategic corridor daily in 2025, representing roughly one-third of all ocean-transported crude petroleum that gets refined into gasoline and diesel fuel.

The strait also serves as a pathway for about 20% of global LNG — natural gas that’s been cooled into liquid for simpler storage and shipping. The U.S. Energy Information Administration notes that over 80% of LNG moving through this waterway in 2024 was destined for Asian markets.

Following the start of the Iranian conflict, Brent crude prices — the global benchmark — have surged 15% to approximately $84 per barrel, marking the highest levels seen since July 2024.

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that America would provide risk insurance for shipping companies and potentially deploy naval forces to safeguard vessels if necessary. However, the supply disruptions are creating ripple effects far beyond the immediate region. When energy supplies become limited, wealthier nations typically outbid developing countries for available fuel shipments, leaving economically vulnerable areas facing shortages. Similar patterns emerged during previous energy crises triggered by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

“The crisis, with the closure of the Hormuz Strait as the latest development, would not only raise oil and gas prices but also grind global economic activity to a halt,” stated Zulfikar Yurnaidi from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Centre for Energy.

The massive scale of Asia’s two largest populations amplifies these energy security concerns.

China leads the world in crude oil imports while India ranks third globally. Extended periods of elevated oil prices would create widespread economic impacts, affecting transportation systems, manufacturing sectors, and household budgets.

While China purchases more Iranian oil than any other nation, Beijing has made energy security a priority and maintains alternative supply sources, including significant renewable energy capacity. Last year, China imported roughly 1.4 million barrels daily from Iran, accounting for about 13% of its total seaborne crude purchases, according to Kpler data.

Most Iranian oil shipments are currently in transit and should meet Chinese demand for an additional four to five months, Kpler estimates. China also maintains considerable strategic petroleum stockpiles, though exact quantities remain classified government information.

The country can increase purchases from Russia through its independent refineries — industry term “teapots” — which have become primary buyers of Iranian, Russian and Venezuelan oil, often at significant discounts due to Western sanctions risks. Despite war-related supply interruptions, global oil availability remains adequate overall.

“It is therefore unlikely that China would struggle to source enough crude to power its economy or meet domestic demand,” explained Muyu Xu, a senior crude oil analyst at Kpler. “The real question is at what price.”

India may restart Russian crude oil purchases despite pressure from Trump to avoid such transactions.

The country maintains crude reserves lasting less than one month. Energy analyst Vibhuti Garg from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis in Delhi warns that the next two weeks are crucial, and conditions could rapidly worsen, driving up fuel expenses and general inflation if fighting continues.

“It is a very, very volatile situation,” Garg noted.

The primary concern involves higher costs for perishable food products susceptible to supply disruptions. Additionally, a weakening rupee and increased borrowing expenses could slow economic growth, she explained.

East Asia remains among the most vulnerable regions to Middle Eastern energy supply interruptions.

Japan imported 2.34 million barrels of crude daily in January, representing about 95% of that month’s total imports, according to its Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Japan typically ranks as the world’s second-largest LNG importer.

South Korea depends almost entirely on energy imports. The Korea International Trade Association reports the country obtains approximately 70% of its crude oil and 20% of its LNG from Middle Eastern sources.

Taiwan imports nearly all its LNG requirements. While attempting to reduce Middle Eastern dependence, it still sources about one-third from Qatar, which suspended LNG production following attacks on its facilities.

Japan and South Korea maintain substantial energy stockpiles. Taiwan has announced sufficient supplies for March and established contingency plans for future needs.

However, analysts emphasize that reserves provide only temporary protection, and energy-dependent industries like Taiwan’s semiconductor sector remain at risk.

Governments are operating in “hope for the best, prepare for the worst” mode, according to Grant Hauber from IEEFA, who warns some may regret not diversifying earlier into renewable energy — a “natural hedge” against supply disruptions.

Fossil fuels continue dominating energy systems across all three East Asian economies. Renewable sources provide less than 10% of electricity in South Korea and Taiwan, and approximately 22% in Japan, based on International Energy Agency data.

Developing Southeast Asian nations with growing energy needs face risks of being outbid by wealthier countries as supplies tighten.

Singapore officials have advised businesses and residents to prepare for increased energy costs.

Manila authorities prohibited non-essential government vehicle travel and personal use of official cars to reduce fuel consumption.

Thai officials have encouraged public energy conservation as motorists queue at gas stations amid climbing prices.

Full-time delivery workers and drivers — crucial for moving goods and people through Thailand’s crowded cities — rely on fuel for their livelihoods. In the northern city of Chiang Rai, 64-year-old taxi driver Sommit Sutar expressed uncertainty about conserving fuel while maintaining his work.

“Gasoline was already expensive. This war will make the problem even worse,” Sutar said.

Thailand’s government has halted petroleum exports to strengthen domestic reserves, which officials say can last up to 61 days while increasing natural gas production from the Gulf of Thailand and Myanmar.

Thailand’s heavy reliance on spot-market LNG leaves it “highly exposed to price and geopolitical volatility,” noted Amy Kong from Brussels-based research organization Zero Carbon Analytics. This vulnerability makes the country susceptible to bidding competitions with wealthier nations.

DUBAI – A prominent Iranian religious leader has taken on a crucial wartime role following the death of the country’s Supreme Leader in recent military strikes.

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been thrust into Iran’s highest levels of power during an extraordinarily turbulent time, moving from his position among senior religious figures to active leadership after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.

The scholar-turned-administrator, known for his hardline positions, now serves as one of three top officials tasked with guiding the nation through its most unstable period since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Iranian authorities named Arafi to a temporary three-person leadership council responsible for running government operations, working alongside President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei. This appointment came after Khamenei’s death during U.S.-Israeli military operations that began February 28.

The emergency leadership faces dual challenges: coordinating Iran’s response to ongoing U.S.-Israeli military action while simultaneously handling the critical process of choosing a new supreme leader. The religious establishment faces intense pressure to quickly select Khamenei’s replacement, as delays could project weakness and undermine confidence in governmental stability.

While Arafi, now in his late 60s, may not have the international recognition of other prominent clerics, his career advancement under the strongly anti-Western Khamenei positioned him for moments of prominence. Some religious leaders have even considered Arafi as a possible candidate to succeed Khamenei.

PROCEDURAL CHALLENGES AHEAD

Should Arafi pursue the supreme leadership position, he faces significant institutional obstacles. The 88-member Assembly of Experts, responsible for choosing the next leader, must first have a committee nominate him during a meeting with at least two-thirds attendance.

Following nomination, Arafi would still need support from two-thirds of attending members – approximately 40 senior religious leaders. Success remains uncertain at every step of this process.

Born in 1959, Arafi brings limited direct political experience but maintains strong ideological alignment with Khamenei’s vision. He has consistently advocated for governance based on complete implementation of Shi’ite religious law.

His influence stems primarily from significant institutional positions: leadership of Al-Mustafa International University and oversight of religious education in Iran’s holy city of Qom. He also holds membership in both the Guardian Council, which vets election candidates, and the Assembly of Experts – appointments he received through Khamenei’s support and confidence.

Arafi’s standing within Iran’s religious hierarchy began early when, at age 11, he relocated to Qom, the center of Shi’ite religious scholarship and learning.

As the son of an Ayatollah, Arafi pursued extensive education in religious law and philosophical studies throughout his formative years.

His professional trajectory accelerated after Khamenei assumed supreme leadership in 1989. At just 33 years old, Arafi began leading Friday prayers in his birthplace of Meybod, an early indication of Khamenei’s trust in him as the Supreme Leader strategically elevated loyal supporters.

INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE

Arafi later assumed the same prayer leadership role in Qom, Iran’s sacred Shi’ite center, building both religious credibility and political influence within the clerical hierarchy.

His leadership of Al-Mustafa International University expanded his reach significantly. The institution operates connected religious schools and Islamic educational centers across more than 50 nations, working to spread the Islamic Republic’s ideological influence internationally.

According to the university’s Persian-language website, over 50,000 international students participate in its programs, with those studying in Iran receiving complimentary housing, home financing assistance, and healthcare coverage for themselves and family members.

Arafi left this university position in 2018. Two years afterward, the U.S. State Department officially designated the Quds Force as a terrorist organization, noting its recruitment activities.

The designation highlighted how the force had recruited Pakistani and Afghan students from Al-Mustafa International University into the Zaynabiyoun Brigade and Fatemiyoun Division – armed groups operating in Syria under Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force direction and previously sanctioned for terrorism and human rights violations.

While leading the university, Arafi asserted that roughly 50 million individuals converted to Shi’ite Islam over eight years through the institution’s missionary work. This claim faced skepticism from critics.

In 2016, Iranian leadership appointed him to head the country’s nationwide religious education system.

Arafi enhanced his political position three years later when Khamenei personally selected him for the Guardian Council, an influential oversight body that examines proposed laws and determines candidate eligibility for elections.

Two major oil-producing nations could be forced to drastically reduce their crude output in the coming days if a critical Middle Eastern shipping passage stays blocked, according to financial analysts at J.P. Morgan.

Banking experts warned Tuesday that Iraq may need to halt production within approximately three days, while Kuwait could face similar constraints within two weeks. The disruption stems from the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but crucial waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

The financial institution projects that blocked access to this strategic passage could eliminate 3.3 million barrels of daily oil production by the eighth day of the current Middle Eastern crisis. Should the blockade continue, analysts estimate losses could grow to 3.8 million barrels daily around day 15, eventually reaching 4.7 million barrels per day by day 18.

This waterway serves as one of the planet’s most important energy transit points, handling approximately 20 percent of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Two senior Iraqi petroleum officials confirmed to Reuters that their nation would need to slash oil production by more than 3 million barrels daily if tanker vessels cannot safely navigate through the strait to reach loading facilities.

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that American naval forces stand ready to provide escort services for oil tankers traveling through the waterway if needed.

Meanwhile, Iranian media outlets reported that a high-ranking Revolutionary Guards official declared the strait closed to all traffic, warning that Iran would target any vessel attempting passage.

The European Union’s top diplomat warned Wednesday that Iran’s leadership is essentially sealing its own fate through unprovoked missile strikes against neighboring nations.

Speaking to reporters in Warsaw, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas criticized Iran’s regional military actions, stating: “Iran’s strategy is to sow chaos and set the region on fire.”

Her comments came after Turkey announced that NATO defense systems had intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile that was targeting Turkish territory earlier Wednesday.

When asked about the missile incident, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski condemned Iran’s expanding military aggression, saying: “Iran is broadening the war to countries that did not attack it … there is a well known saying it’s worse than a crime, it’s a mistake.”

Kallas acknowledged that the escalating Middle Eastern conflict is drawing focus away from the ongoing war in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of keeping Ukraine’s situation in the spotlight. She noted that while Iran’s involvement in regional conflicts has weakened Russia’s alliance network, Moscow could still gain economically from rising oil prices caused by Middle Eastern instability.

Turkish authorities have developed comprehensive emergency strategies to address a potential surge of refugees from Iran amid ongoing regional tensions, Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci announced Wednesday from the capital city of Ankara.

The minister outlined three distinct approaches Turkish officials have formulated: controlling any refugee movement while people remain on Iran’s side of the border, establishing buffer areas along the shared frontier if the flow cannot be contained, and permitting entry into Turkey through organized, supervised processes.

Ciftci revealed that Turkey has established preliminary infrastructure capable of accommodating as many as 90,000 individuals should a rapid influx occur, with resources including temporary tent facilities and emergency housing locations.

Currently, border activity remains normal across the three official crossing points between the two nations, the minister noted.

However, recent observations suggest growing movement in the region. On Monday, a Reuters correspondent witnessed several hundred Iranian citizens making the crossing into Turkish territory, with additional groups reportedly waiting to make the journey.

The minister explained that Turkish officials have received information indicating Iran is currently preventing its own citizens from departing the country, while permitting Turkish nationals and citizens from other countries to leave.

Border crossing statistics from the minister’s office show that 5,010 individuals entered Turkey from March 1 through March 3, while 5,495 people traveled in the opposite direction during the same timeframe.

LONDON — Metropolitan Police detained three individuals Wednesday on allegations of conducting intelligence operations for China, with one suspect identified as the spouse of a British Labour Party member of parliament.

Authorities say the trio violated Britain’s National Security Act of 2023 by allegedly providing assistance to foreign intelligence operations.

The suspects remain unnamed as formal charges have not been filed. Police report arresting a 39-year-old man in London, a 68-year-old individual in Powys, Wales, and a 43-year-old man in Pontyclun, Wales.

As pressure mounted to identify one of the suspects amid reports linking him to a parliamentarian, Joani Reid, who represents the Scottish district of East Kilbride and Strathaven, released a public statement confirming her husband’s arrest while emphasizing her own innocence in the matter.

Reid chose not to identify her 39-year-old husband David Taylor by name in her statement.

“I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law,” she said. “I am not part of my husband’s business activities and neither I nor my children are part of this investigation, and we should not be treated by media organisations as though we are.”

These detentions represent the most recent in a series of arrests throughout Britain involving individuals accused of conducting espionage or political interference operations for China. In November, the domestic intelligence service MI5 issued warnings to parliamentarians about Chinese operatives conducting “targeted and widespread” recruitment efforts through LinkedIn and front organizations.

Chinese officials have categorically rejected these accusations, describing them as fabricated and malicious attacks.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed that British officials lodged formal complaints with Chinese authorities regarding these arrests.

“The Government has been consistent and unambiguous in our assessment that China presents a series of threats to the United Kingdom,” Jarvis said. “We remain deeply concerned by an increasing pattern of covert activity from Chinese state-linked actors targeting U.K. democracy.”

Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads London’s counter-terrorism operations, stated that authorities do not believe these arrests indicate any immediate danger to public safety.

“We have seen a significant increase in our casework relating to national security in recent years, and we continue to work extremely closely with our partners to help keep the country safe and take action to disrupt malign activity where we suspect it,” Flanagan said.

FRANKFURT, Germany — Military conflict in the Middle East involving Iran has created major disruptions to regional oil and natural gas distribution, with the resulting price spikes providing Russia with enhanced revenue from energy sales that serve as a cornerstone of the Kremlin’s budget and crucial funding source for its military campaign in Ukraine.

Russian crude export prices have climbed from below $40 per barrel in December to approximately $62 per barrel — initially driven by conflict concerns and subsequently by the near-complete shutdown of tanker operations through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20% of global oil consumption.

While Russian petroleum continues selling at a significant markdown compared to international Brent crude benchmark — which has jumped above $82 from Friday’s closing of $72.87 before the U.S. and Israeli strike on Iran — Russian crude now exceeds the $59 per barrel threshold the Russian Finance Ministry projected in its 2026 budget calculations. Energy tax collections comprise as much as 30% of Russia’s federal budget.

The suspension of ship-transported liquefied natural gas production by Qatar, a major global supplier, will dramatically intensify worldwide competition for available shipments — benefiting Russian exports as well.

Moscow had experienced state energy revenues drop to a four-year minimum of 393 billion rubles ($5 billion) in January, with that month’s budget deficit of 1.7 trillion rubles ($21.8 billion) marking a record high, Finance Ministry data shows.

The reduced income resulted from weakened international prices and steep discounts caused by U.S. and European Union interference with Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels with unclear ownership used to transport oil to major customers China and India, circumventing Western price limits and sanctions targeting Russia’s largest oil corporations, Lukoil and Rosneft.

Economic expansion has stalled as enormous defense expenditures have plateaued. President Vladimir Putin has turned to tax hikes and increased borrowing from cooperative domestic financial institutions to maintain government fiscal stability in the conflict’s fifth year.

“Russia is a big winner from the war-related energy turmoil,” said Simone Tagliapietra, energy expert at the Bruegel think tank in Brussels. “Higher oil prices mean higher revenues for the government and therefore stronger capability to finance the war in Ukraine.”

Amena Bakr, head of Middle East and OPEC+ insights at data and analytics firm Kpler, writes: “With Middle East barrels facing logistical disruption, both India and China face strong incentives to deepen reliance on Russian supply.”

Furthermore, European natural gas futures prices have soared dramatically, creating doubts about EU objectives to eliminate Russian LNG imports by 2027 — bringing back unpleasant memories of 2022’s energy crisis when Moscow severed most pipeline gas deliveries due to the conflict.

The duration of Strait of Hormuz shipping restrictions will be critical, according to Alexandra Prokopenko, a Russian economy specialist at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin.

Rapid conflict resolution would bring Brent prices back to roughly $65 per barrel, and “a short-lived spike would not fundamentally change” Russia’s budget situation, she explained. A moderate scenario with partial shipping resumption and oil stabilizing around $80 per barrel would provide Russia “some fiscal relief,” depending on price duration.

Extended closure with Iranian attacks damaging refineries and pipelines could push oil to $108 per barrel, accelerating inflation and bringing Europe near recession. “This scenario would bring the largest windfall to Russia,” she noted.

Even weeks of Gulf LNG disruption could prompt European calls to postpone plans banning new Russian supply agreements after April 25, said Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory Ltd consultancy.

“The EU is under even more pressure to work with the U.S. to find a solution to the Ukraine conflict and, very likely, to consider easing the plan for a total block for Russian oil and gas imports,” he said. “Countries such as Hungary and Slovakia and those who have been big buyers of Russian LNG, will press for that review.”

Regardless, “the Russian federal budget will have a much better result in March,” Weafer said, citing reduced Russian oil discounts and “because there are eager buyers of Russian oil and oil products.”

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated Wednesday that Russian petroleum was “in demand” and that Russia stood prepared to expand deliveries to China and India, Tass news agency reported.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, mocked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, posting on X that “surely the wise Ursula and Kaja have a backup LNG plan. Or maybe not.”

Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain have maintained imports of approximately 2 billion cubic meters of Russian LNG monthly, while Hungary additionally imports 2 billion cubic meters monthly via the Turkstream pipeline crossing the Black Sea, Tagliapietra noted. This would total 45 billion cubic meters in 2026, representing 15% of this year’s total gas demand.

It’s “not easy to replace this in case the LNG market gets tighter with continued shutdowns in Qatar,” he said.

New Zealand’s government announced Wednesday it is positioning two military C-130J Hercules transport aircraft in the Middle East as a precautionary step to potentially rescue New Zealand citizens from the volatile region.

Thousands of travelers from around the world, including New Zealanders, have found themselves trapped throughout the Middle East as growing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran have caused widespread flight cancellations and forced major airports to shut down, including Dubai’s international airport, which handles more passenger traffic than any other worldwide.

According to government records, approximately 3,000 New Zealand citizens are currently registered as residents in Middle Eastern countries.

“The events in the Middle East are fast-moving, dangerous and complex — and our primary focus is on assisting New Zealanders in the region to the extent possible in this very challenging security environment,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.

Peters explained that deploying the aircraft along with diplomatic personnel ensures “they can be ready when conditions allow to assist with any civilian evacuation operations.”

With restricted airspace and the suspension of most commercial airline service, Peters noted that officials continue advising New Zealand citizens to remain in secure locations or to pursue any available safe routes out of the region when possible.

The government has not yet finalized where exactly the diplomatic team and the two Hercules aircraft will be stationed, according to the official announcement.

Argentine President Javier Milei announced Wednesday his selection of Juan Bautista Mahiques, Buenos Aires’ top prosecutor, to lead the country’s justice department.

Mahiques has served as attorney general for Argentina’s capital city since October 2019 and will take over from Mariano Cuneo Libarona, who held the justice minister position starting in December 2023. Milei made the announcement through a post on the social media platform X.

According to reporting by La Nacion, a local publication, Libarona stepped down from his role citing personal circumstances.

The newly appointed justice minister expressed his commitment to the position in his own social media statement: “I assume this role with the conviction that without legal certainty there is no investment, without stable rules there is no development, and without independent judges there is no republic.”

During his address to Congress this past Sunday, Milei revealed plans to pursue additional criminal code modifications this year aimed at implementing stricter punishments for lawbreakers.

The administration recently secured important legislative wins when lawmakers approved contentious workplace reforms and criminal code amendments that reduced the minimum age for criminal accountability from 16 to 14 years old.

A marble sculpture that has resided in a Roman basilica for hundreds of years has been newly identified as a work by Michelangelo, ending nearly two centuries of uncertainty about its creator.

The artwork, showing Christ the Saviour, sits within the Basilica of Sant’Agnese fuori le mura along Rome’s historic Via Nomentana, where it has been maintained by a Catholic religious order.

While the piece was initially credited to Michelangelo through the early 1800s, it subsequently lost any connection to the famous Renaissance artist and remained without attribution until now.

Independent researcher Valentina Salerno, who serves on the Vatican committee commemorating 500 years since Michelangelo’s birth, has reconnected the sculpture to the celebrated Tuscan master.

“We have lived here since 1412, and the monumental complex of Sant’Agnese always holds surprises — this is one of them,” Franco Bergamin, of the Order of Lateran Canons Regular, told a press conference.

Salerno’s investigation relied heavily on extensive archival research rather than purely aesthetic evaluation, utilizing notary documents, estate inventories, and indirect letters from Michelangelo’s later Roman period.

“I am not an art historian — in fact, I don’t even have a university degree — but the strength of my research lies in its reliance on public archival documents,” she explained, characterizing herself as something of an investigator.

The documentary evidence contradicts the widely accepted belief that Michelangelo, who reached age 88, routinely destroyed his works during his final years. The records instead indicate that sketches, studies, and certain marble pieces were systematically distributed among his trusted associates following his death.

“At Michelangelo’s death, every powerful ruler would have wanted to claim something of the master. But the artist carefully devised the transfer of the material in his possession so that his art could be passed on to his pupils and thus to future generations,” Salerno said.

One record mentions a secured chamber that required multiple keys for entry, designed to protect precious materials. Though the chamber was eventually cleared, its former contents can be tracked through later transfers.

The investigation reveals a careful network that moved unidentified pieces to religious establishments and secondary locations, where they became integrated into practical environments instead of entering commercial art markets.

The Sant’Agnese sculpture appears connected to this distribution system. Having been incorporated into the basilica’s worship space for generations, the piece survived within a structure modified by centuries of renovations and expansions.

The emerging evidence will support a wider attribution effort designed to gradually restore additional forgotten pieces to Michelangelo’s recognized body of work and share these discoveries with international art scholars.

The brilliant white sculpture currently rests on an altar within a side chapel of the basilica, where it is monitored by security systems.

Military experts and intelligence officials warn that Iran possesses the capability to maintain drone strikes against the vital Strait of Hormuz for extended periods, though questions remain about the sustainability of their missile operations.

Following weekend strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets, Tehran has responded by firing hundreds of missiles and deploying over 1,000 drones against Gulf nations aligned with Washington. While most projectiles were stopped by defensive systems, several residential areas, commercial structures, infrastructure sites, and American military installations have been damaged.

Intelligence assessments reveal Iran’s substantial drone manufacturing capabilities. The Centre for Information Resilience, a British Foreign Office-funded research organization, estimates Tehran can manufacture approximately 10,000 drones monthly through its industrial facilities.

Iran’s missile inventory remains uncertain, with Israeli military estimates placing the stockpile at 2,500 weapons, while other defense analysts suggest numbers closer to 6,000. The remaining ammunition levels could significantly influence the conflict’s trajectory.

The strategic waterway between Iran and Oman has become a primary target, with Iranian forces successfully striking six commercial vessels. This vital shipping lane handles twenty percent of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas transport, and maritime traffic has nearly ceased following the attacks.

Market reactions have been swift, with Brent crude prices jumping twelve percent and European natural gas benchmarks climbing roughly fifty percent this week.

Bob McNally, who leads Rapidan Energy Group, emphasized Iran’s determination and capabilities. “Iran is not going to fold easily or quickly, they have the means to make it unsafe for commercial traffic to flow through Hormuz,” McNally explained.

He added that American forces are focusing their efforts on Iranian ammunition depots, launch sites, and facilities threatening the strait. “But all Iran has to do is show they can hit a few tankers and concern will take care of the rest, folks just won’t go through,” McNally noted.

A former British MI6 intelligence director identified missile resupply as Iran’s weak point. Russia lacks the capacity to provide replacements, while China will likely exercise caution in supporting Tehran militarily, the official explained.

“If it became known that China was actually providing some sort of serious military hardware to Iran, that would play very badly with the GCC states,” the intelligence veteran said, referencing Gulf Cooperation Council members including Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Another Western intelligence source suggested Iran’s missile reserves may be depleted from previous support to Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen. Israeli military intelligence indicates stocks were further reduced during June’s twelve-day conflict with Israel, though some supplies have been replenished.

Missile launcher availability presents another significant limitation. British CIR research shows launcher supplies have decreased by at least half over the past year due to Israeli and American strikes, with further reductions in recent days.

Despite these constraints, Iran appears well-positioned to continue drone operations. Washington Institute senior fellow Farzin Nadimi notes that Iran’s newest Shahed-136 drones can travel 700 to 1,000 kilometers, providing sufficient range to target any location along the southern Gulf coastline when launched from Iranian territory or naval vessels.

Production flexibility enhances Iran’s drone capabilities, with many units manufactured at dual-purpose facilities that can be modified to increase output, according to CIR analysts.

These unmanned aircraft have successfully breached Gulf state air defenses, with 65 drones penetrating United Arab Emirates airspace since hostilities began. Targets have included Amazon data facilities, Dubai International Airport, and a Fairmont hotel. Bahrain has experienced infrastructure damage, including strikes on a U.S. naval installation and a mixed-use tower housing hotel and residential units.

Oil market participants are preparing for additional price increases as the duration of Strait of Hormuz disruptions becomes clearer in coming days.

A senior Vitol executive expressed significant concern about market underestimation of current risks. “I am very concerned, this risk is currently underpriced in oil markets,” the commodity trading house official stated. “The prevalent theory is that Iran is using old missiles and drones first to deplete air defences. If so, their response is yet to start properly.”

Should missile and drone supplies become exhausted, Iran could resort to naval mining operations. Maritime risk intelligence firm Dryad Global estimates Tehran maintains between 5,000 and 6,000 sea mines in its arsenal.

These explosive devices can be anchored to the ocean floor, rocket-launched, or allowed to drift freely, detonating upon vessel contact. Current analysis shows no evidence of mine deployment in the Strait of Hormuz.

Cormac McCarry, who directs maritime intelligence and security operations at Control Risks, warned of prolonged consequences from mining operations. “If sea mines are laid, it will take a long time to deal with them,” McCarry explained. “That’s where we will be looking at months of destruction.”

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Thirty-two survivors were pulled from the waters of the Indian Ocean after an Iranian military vessel went down in international waters near Sri Lanka, according to government officials who spoke Wednesday.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath addressed Parliament, explaining that naval forces received a distress call about the vessel IRIS Dena, which was carrying 180 personnel and experiencing critical problems before going under. The island nation deployed both naval vessels and aircraft for the emergency response operation, Herath reported.

Navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath described the scene when rescue teams arrived at the coordinates. “There was no sign of the ship and there were only some oil patches and life rafts. We found people floating on the water,” Sampath stated.

While Sampath confirmed that multiple fatalities were discovered in the water, he would not specify the exact death toll. The 32 rescued individuals have been transported to medical facilities for treatment, he added.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed Wednesday that an American submarine fired the torpedo that destroyed the Iranian ship while it operated in international waters.

Medical official Dr. Anil Jasinghe from Sri Lanka’s health ministry provided an update on the survivors’ conditions, noting that one person remains in critical care, seven others require emergency medical attention, and the remaining rescued personnel are being treated for less severe injuries.

Commander Sampath indicated that search and recovery efforts remain active in the area. He provided no additional information regarding what caused the casualties or the extent of damage the vessel sustained.

The sunken IRIS Dena represented one of Iran’s most modern naval assets — a Moudge-class frigate designed for deep-water operations. The warship carried an arsenal including large-caliber guns, air defense missiles, anti-vessel missiles, torpedoes, and one helicopter.

This frigate served as the flagship during a 2023 international deployment that included stops at ports in South Africa and Brazil. The vessel traveled alongside the support ship IRIS Makran, which was converted from an oil tanker.

Both ships were targeted by U.S. Treasury Department sanctions in February 2023, along with eight leaders of an Iranian drone company that provided weapons to Russia for attacks on Ukrainian civilian areas.

U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of American forces in the Central Command region, reported that no fewer than 17 Iranian naval ships have been destroyed during the current conflict.

“We are also sinking the Iranian navy — the entire navy,” Cooper declared in a video statement.

Conflict between the United States and Iran escalated significantly Wednesday following an American submarine attack on an Iranian naval vessel near Sri Lankan waters, intensifying a crisis that has brought maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a virtual standstill for five consecutive days and severely disrupted crucial Middle Eastern energy exports.

The submarine assault occurred as President Donald Trump announced plans to offer insurance coverage and naval protection for vessels transporting oil and natural gas from Middle Eastern regions in an effort to control rapidly rising energy costs.

Ship-tracking information from MarineTraffic indicates that approximately 200 vessels, encompassing oil tankers, liquefied natural gas carriers, and cargo ships, continue waiting at anchor in international waters near major Gulf nations such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, based on Reuters analysis.

Maritime data reveals hundreds of additional ships remain positioned outside the Hormuz passage, unable to access their destination ports. This critical shipping channel handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG transportation.

The container vessel Safeen Prestige, operating under a Maltese flag, sustained damage from projectile fire while navigating toward the northern section of the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the crew to evacuate the ship, according to shipping industry sources.

Qatar has halted natural gas production while Iraq reduced oil output as both nations exhausted storage capacity, unable to transfer their products to waiting tankers. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait face similar loading difficulties, though production cuts from these countries remain unconfirmed.

Despite the widespread shipping paralysis, one notable journey occurred Tuesday when the Suezmax vessel Pola successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz to reach UAE waters for crude oil loading, industry sources and LSEG tracking systems confirmed.

The Pola had deactivated its AIS tracking system late March 2 while approaching the Strait and reappeared the following day near Abu Dhabi waters.

On Tuesday, Trump announced he had directed the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to extend political-risk insurance and financial backing for Gulf maritime commerce.

“No matter what, the United States will ensure the free flow of energy to the world,” he stated in a social media message.

Wednesday saw oil prices decline despite four consecutive days of increases, gaining 12% since hostilities began Saturday when U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran disrupted Middle Eastern supply chains. The rate of price increases has moderated compared to previous trading sessions.

Goldman Sachs announced Wednesday it increased its Brent crude oil projection for the second quarter by $10 to reach $76 per barrel. The financial institution also elevated its WTI forecast by $9 to $71 per barrel.

The bank cited extended disruption to oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz and potential damage to production infrastructure as primary concerns. Goldman Sachs anticipates reduced oil movement through Hormuz will result in significant decreases in OECD stockpiles and Middle Eastern production during March.

“Providing protection for all tankers operating in areas currently threatened by Iran is unrealistic as this would require a very high number of warships and other military assets,” stated Jakob Larsen, chief safety and security officer with shipping association BIMCO.

Asian refineries confront potential production reductions due to inability to secure immediate replacement shipments from Gulf suppliers amid the shipping shutdown, according to four traders and three industry analysts.

Asia depends on the Middle East for 60% of its oil imports, making the region particularly susceptible to current disruptions. Indonesian and Japanese refineries are increasing purchases from American sources to compensate for shortfalls. Sources at two companies indicate India is considering expanded purchases from Russia.

Four sources reported that Saudi Aramco’s primary domestic refinery and crucial crude export facility at Ras Tanura was attacked Wednesday.

Federal officials announced they are now coordinating evacuation efforts to bring home U.S. citizens who remain stuck in Middle Eastern countries following the outbreak of hostilities with Iran.

According to the Trump administration, both military aircraft and chartered commercial planes are being organized to assist Americans who have been unable to leave the region since the conflict began.

The evacuation operations represent the government’s effort to ensure the safety of American nationals who found themselves stranded when the situation deteriorated.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Africa’s premier clean energy financing initiative aims to expand its funding to $2.5 billion within the coming two years, reflecting growing support for the continent’s shift toward renewable energy sources.

The African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) saw increased donor support in 2025, demonstrating strengthened confidence among investors in Africa’s renewable energy sector. Throughout its existence, the program has generated approximately $1 billion in private sector investment alongside its direct funding commitments.

“Based on our projects pipeline, we projected capital mobilization to climb to $2.5 billion,” said Joao Duarte Cunha, manager of the bank’s Renewable Energy Funds Division and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa.

“By 2030, we expect our portfolio to yield over $10 billion in commercial capital mobilized,” he said.

SEFA’s funding increased to $88 million in 2025, with most contributions coming from nations within the European Union. This represented a significant jump from the previous year’s $54.3 million, according to announcements made during the regional development bank’s recent governing council session.

“SEFA is proving its catalytic value on the ground, with accelerated approvals and disbursements and growing impact,” said Kevin Kariuki, vice president for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth at the African Development Bank Group.

The development bank gave approval to 13 renewable energy initiatives in 2025 totaling $97 million in value, a slight decrease from 14 projects worth $108 million approved during the previous year.

“The last two years have been among our strongest, with 27 projects approved — also broadly comparable in funding volumes and significantly higher than earlier years,” said Cunha.

“Demand for catalytic financing and upstream support continues to grow, and we remain deeply committed to driving the energy transition and achieving universal energy access by 2030,” he said.

At the recent COP 30 international climate conference held in Brazil, Germany pledged $40.1 million to advance SEFA’s objectives of widespread energy access and green hydrogen development programs. Italy also announced its commitment of $5.9 million to the initiative.

The fund operates with the primary purpose of drawing private sector investment into clean energy development throughout Africa. With Denmark serving as a leading contributor, SEFA has accumulated total donations of $577 million since inception. The program offers reduced-rate financing and technical expertise to broaden energy availability and promote sustainable growth.

During 2024, SEFA gave the green light to 14 renewable energy ventures across Kenya, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Chad, contributing roughly 840 megawatts of power generation capability and establishing 1.5 million new electrical connections. Among these initiatives, eight focused on green baseload power generation — the essential minimum energy output needed to satisfy national demand. Two projects involved green mini-grid systems, while four concentrated on energy efficiency improvements.

Throughout 2025, the majority of approved ventures also emphasized green baseload generation, with reduced focus on mini-grid and efficiency programs. In December, SEFA authorized a $10 million loan to Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, a renewable energy company developing hydrogen and ammonia production facilities in Namibia. The fund also supplied an $8.14 million guarantee for an Ivory Coast social currency bond intended to finance 400,000 new electrical connections before year’s end.

In addition to large-scale utility projects, SEFA is directing investment toward distributed energy systems, including mini-grid developers and private equity and debt funds specializing in localized energy generation from smaller-scale sources.

“We are actively testing new product lines for clean cooking and for financing through commercial banks. There is real and meaningful innovation happening in this space,” Cunha said.

MELBOURNE, Australia — During a policy speech in Australia on Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed disappointment that the ongoing Middle East conflict represents an alarming breakdown of global diplomatic cooperation.

Speaking to the Lowy Institute, a prominent international policy research organization based in Sydney, Carney made his remarks during the Australian portion of a three-country trade mission that started in India. The prime minister is scheduled to address Australia’s Parliament on Thursday before continuing to Japan on Friday.

“Geo-strategically, hegemons are increasingly acting without constraint or respect for international norms or laws while others bear the consequences. Now the extremes of this disruption are being played out in real time in the Middle East,” Carney stated.

The Canadian leader expanded on concepts he first presented during his widely-discussed January address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he warned that established international diplomatic frameworks were deteriorating.

Carney emphasized Canada’s commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear capabilities and threatening global stability.

“We are actively taking on the world as it is, not passively waiting for a world we wish to be. But we also take this position with some regret because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order,” he stated.

Despite years of United Nations diplomatic initiatives, “Iran’s nuclear threat remains and now the United States and Israel have acted without engaging the U.N. or consulting with allies including Canada,” he continued.

When asked about potential international law violations regarding U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran, Carney responded that such determinations were “a judgment for others to make.”

The visit also focused on strengthening partnerships between Canada and Australia in strategic sectors including critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and defense technology development.

Six American soldiers lost their lives Sunday when an Iranian drone targeted a military operations facility situated within a civilian port in Kuwait, positioned miles from the primary Army installation, satellite imagery and military officials reveal.

The spouse of one fallen soldier, who served with a supply and logistics unit stationed in Iowa, revealed to The Associated Press Tuesday that the facility resembled a shipping container structure and lacked protective defenses.

These details, initially disclosed by CNN and CBS News, spark concerns regarding security measures implemented by U.S. forces during military operations alongside Israel against Iran, which has launched counter-attacks across multiple regional nations, including Kuwait. President Donald Trump and senior military officials warn additional American casualties may occur.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Monday that the six service members perished at a “tactical operations center” when a projectile penetrated air defense systems. The Pentagon later verified it was a drone attack at Port Shuaiba while releasing the identities of four deceased soldiers.

Satellite photography from Monday examined by the AP revealed the primary structure completely demolished, with dark smoke billowing upward. The facility sits within Port Shuaiba, an active commercial harbor and industrial zone located south of Kuwait City. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously due to the ongoing investigation, verified the image showed Sunday’s attack site.

Camp Arifjan, the Army installation, lies over 10 miles southward. The operations facility was positioned just over one mile from commercial shipping docks where cargo vessels unload containers, surrounded by petroleum storage facilities, refineries, and electrical generation plants.

Joey Amor, whose wife Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor was among the casualties, explained his 39-year-old spouse from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, had been relocated from the base to the container-like structure one week prior to the Iranian assault.

“They were dispersing because they were in fear that the base they were on was going to get attacked, and they felt it was safer in smaller groups in separated places,” he said.

Following media coverage of the operations facility, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell posted on social media that the “secure facility was fortified with 6-foot walls.” He stated the military maintains “the most extensive Air Defense umbrella in the world over the Middle East right now and control of the skies is increasing with every wave of airpower.”

Parnell’s office declined to address inquiries about the walls’ effectiveness against drone attacks or available air defense systems protecting the port command center.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, representing U.S. Central Command, stated “it would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.”

Aviation markets began showing signs of recovery Wednesday as several governments initiated rescue operations to evacuate tens of thousands of citizens stranded in the Middle East, even as military operations between the U.S., Israel, and Iran continue to intensify.

Major transportation hubs throughout the Gulf region, including Dubai International Airport – the world’s busiest for international travel – entered their fifth consecutive day of closure, creating the most severe travel disruption since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Wednesday marked the departure of initial evacuation flights bound for Britain and France, while the United Arab Emirates established designated travel corridors to facilitate the return of some nationals.

The current situation stands in stark contrast to typical operations, when thousands of aircraft would normally traverse the region daily. Stranded vacationers and expatriate residents have been attempting to secure alternative routes out of the area.

Stock values for major carriers began stabilizing after experiencing significant double-digit declines over recent days, which eliminated tens of billions in market capitalization from the aviation sector.

German carrier Lufthansa saw shares decline 0.8% while Australian airline Qantas dropped 2.7% – both companies have shed more than 10% of their value this week, marking their poorest performance in nearly twelve months. International Airlines Group, which operates British Airways, fell 1.5% after losing over 11% in the previous three trading sessions.

The Gulf region serves as a critical junction for international cargo operations, creating additional strain on global supply chains.

Aviation industry leaders report that flight crews and pilots are now dispersed worldwide, creating logistical challenges for resuming normal operations once airspace restrictions are lifted. Rising petroleum costs will further burden carrier expenses.

“If the airspace closure becomes the norm, it will also make Asia-Europe flights more expensive as flights will need to reroute,” Natixis said in a research report on Wednesday.

“The limited option to travel will also reduce affluent Middle Eastern tourist spending in Asia.”

Asian aviation stocks showed improvement compared to earlier weekly losses. Korean Air Lines dropped 7.9% following Tuesday’s 10.3% decline.

“It is just a different market reaction time as many European airlines have already reacted more since the war started,” said Gary Ng, a senior economist at Natixis.

“As the market prices in a longer-duration war with higher energy prices and weaker currencies, it affects the whole sector broadly including APAC airlines.”

South Korean markets were shuttered Monday when aviation and tourism securities experienced the heaviest impact from the regional conflict.

Japan Airlines shares fell 2.9% Wednesday, following Tuesday’s 6.4% loss.

Chinese aviation giants Air China and China Southern Airlines concluded trading with decreases ranging from 1% to 3%.

JAKARTA – Indonesia’s top diplomat announced Tuesday that negotiations surrounding President Donald Trump’s Gaza “Board of Peace” initiative have been suspended as warfare escalates across the Middle East region.

Foreign Minister Sugiono told reporters that the ongoing conflict involving Iran has forced all parties to redirect their focus away from the peacekeeping discussions. Indonesia had been positioned as a major contributor to the proposed force.

The current military operations between U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran have resulted in numerous civilian casualties while disrupting global aviation and driving up petroleum costs following the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

“All BoP discussions are on hold as all attention has shifted to the situation in Iran,” Sugiono stated during a Tuesday evening press conference, responding to questions about growing calls for Indonesia to withdraw from the peace initiative amid the expanding Middle Eastern conflict.

The minister added, “We will also consult with our friends and colleagues in the Gulf because they are also under attack,” speaking after participating in an official function with President Prabowo Subianto.

Indonesia’s involvement in Trump’s peace board has faced significant domestic opposition from religious leaders and policy analysts who argue it undermines the nation’s historical solidarity with Palestinian interests. As the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, Indonesia has long advocated for a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Indonesian Ulema Council, a prominent religious authority, declared on March 1st that the country should abandon the peace board entirely, arguing that Trump’s military action against Iran has rendered the whole project meaningless.

Similarly, Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s most influential Muslim organization, has urged Jakarta to leverage its board position to demand that Israel and the United States cease hostilities.

Trump initially unveiled the peace board concept in September as part of his broader strategy to resolve the Gaza conflict, though he later expanded its scope to address various international disputes typically managed by United Nations frameworks.

Sugiono revealed that President Prabowo has expressed readiness to serve as a mediator in the Iran conflict, seeking “to cool down and de-escalate the situation in the region.”

Indonesia’s military had been preparing approximately 1,000 soldiers for possible Gaza deployment by early April as part of the UN-authorized International Stabilization Force, with Indonesian officials slated to hold deputy command positions within the multinational operation.

COLOMBO – Naval and defense officials in Sri Lanka confirmed Wednesday that over 100 individuals remain unaccounted for following a submarine assault on an Iranian vessel in waters near the island nation.

According to sources within Sri Lanka’s naval command and defense ministry who spoke with Reuters, the maritime incident resulted in at least 101 people reported as missing, while another 78 individuals sustained injuries in the attack that occurred off the Sri Lankan coastline.

The submarine strike represents a significant maritime security incident in the region, though additional details about the circumstances surrounding the attack have not yet been disclosed by officials.

The son of Iran’s Supreme Leader has reportedly escaped the deadly military strikes that killed his father over the weekend, according to Iranian sources speaking to international media.

Mojtaba Khamenei was not present in Tehran during the joint American and Israeli operations that resulted in the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two sources from Iran confirmed on Wednesday.

The younger Khamenei holds significant influence within Iran’s religious hierarchy and has long been viewed as a potential heir to his father’s position of ultimate authority in the Islamic Republic.

A mid-level religious leader with strong connections to Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards, Mojtaba has established himself as a hardline figure among the country’s most powerful clerics. Political observers have consistently identified him as a leading candidate for succession.

“He (Mojtaba) is alive … he was not in Tehran when the Supreme Leader was killed,” according to one Iranian source.

The elder Khamenei died on Saturday following coordinated strikes by American and Israeli forces against multiple Iranian locations. The operation eliminated several high-ranking military officials and other key figures in the Iranian government.

Iran’s official media outlets confirmed the Supreme Leader’s death early Sunday morning. A high-ranking Israeli official verified that Khamenei’s remains had been recovered, while U.S. President Donald Trump announced that America had collaborated closely with Israel in targeting the leader who had controlled Iran since 1989.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez maintained his strong opposition to U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran on Wednesday, refusing to yield to new trade threats from President Trump and cautioning that the conflict amounts to “playing Russian roulette” with countless lives at stake.

Trump issued a warning Tuesday that he would halt American trade with Spain following the country’s decision to block U.S. access to shared military installations for Iranian operations.

“We are not going to be complicit in something that is bad for the world and is also contrary to our values ​​and interests, just out of fear of reprisals from someone,” Sánchez declared during a broadcast statement.

The mechanics of Trump’s proposed trade cutoff remain unclear, given that Spain belongs to the European Union, which handles trade negotiations for all 27 member nations collectively.

Even with Spain’s rejection, Trump claimed Tuesday that “we could use their base if we want,” referring to two shared military facilities in southern Spain that operate under Spanish authority. “We could just fly in and use it,” Trump stated. “Nobody’s going to tell us not to use it, but we don’t have to.”

Trump’s Tuesday warnings represent another example of the president using economic penalties as diplomatic leverage. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s comprehensive global tariff program, ruling that emergency authorities don’t grant the president power to impose broad tariffs unilaterally.

Trump continues to assert, however, that the court’s decision permits him to implement comprehensive trade embargoes against selected countries.

This Iranian conflict disagreement represents another strain in Spanish-American relations under the Trump presidency. Spain previously voiced strong opposition to Israel’s Gaza military campaign.

Sánchez has characterized the American and Israeli Iranian operations as an “unjustifiable” and “dangerous” military action.

During Wednesday’s remarks, the Spanish leader also drew parallels to the Iraq conflict and its role in fueling extremist movements.

“In short, the position of the government of Spain can be summarized in four words,” Sánchez concluded. “No to the war.”

MOSCOW – Russian transportation officials on Wednesday pointed the finger at Ukraine following a fire aboard a Russian natural gas tanker in the Mediterranean Sea the previous day.

Moscow claims Ukrainian naval drones targeted the Arctic Metagaz, a vessel carrying liquefied natural gas, in what would represent the first such assault on a Russian LNG ship if the allegations prove accurate.

Ukrainian security services have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the accusations.

This incident follows a pattern of Ukrainian forces striking Russian petroleum facilities and energy-related targets as part of efforts to cut off revenue streams supporting Moscow’s military operations.

According to Russia’s transportation ministry, all 30 crew members aboard the vessel – all Russian citizens – remained unharmed during the incident.

“We qualify what happened as an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy, a gross violation of the fundamental norms of international maritime law,” the ministry said in a statement.

Officials said the ship, which had departed from Murmansk in Russia’s Arctic region with its cargo, came under attack in waters near Malta’s jurisdiction. Russian authorities expressed gratitude to Maltese emergency response teams for their assistance.

The transportation ministry claims the Ukrainian drones originated from Libya’s coastline when they launched the assault.

Neither the vessel’s Russian management company LLC SMP Techmanagement nor Novatek, Russia’s leading LNG producer, have issued statements about the maritime incident.

A second attack in three days has targeted Saudi Arabia’s most important oil processing facility, according to multiple industry sources.

The Ras Tanura complex, operated by Saudi Aramco and home to the kingdom’s biggest domestic refinery, was hit Wednesday by what sources described as an unidentified projectile. Four separate sources confirmed the latest incident to Reuters.

Details about what specific part of the massive facility sustained damage remained unclear as of Wednesday evening. The same complex had been forced to cease operations on Monday after suffering a drone attack, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The repeated targeting of Ras Tanura represents a significant escalation in attacks on Saudi Arabia’s critical energy infrastructure.