US-Israel war on Iran, day 14: Trump vows intense strikes as Iran war heads into third week

Day 13: US refueling aircraft crashes in Iraq

Day 12: Donald Trump says Iran near point of defeat

Day 11: US says today will be the 'most intense' of attacks

Day 10: UAE intercepts 15 missiles and 119 drones

Day 9: Gulf nations face fresh attacks

Day 8: US forces hit Iran hard, Trump touts battlefield gains

Day 7: Thousands being evacuated from Middle East: Trump

Day 6: Spring break for schools, universities moved up; some exams cancelled

Day 5: UAE waives overstay fines caused by airspace closure

Day 4: Dubai contains fire near US Consulate

Day 3: Trump lists 'clear' Iran war objectives

Day 2: UAE airlines extend flight cancellations

Day 1: UAE intercepts missiles; regional airspaces closed

Iran threatened on Thursday to wreak havoc on the region's oil and gas industry if its own energy infrastructure was attacked during its war with the US and Israel.

"We will set the region's oil and gas on fire with the slightest attack on Iran's energy infrastructure and ports," said a spokesman for the Iranian military's central operational command, known as Khatam al-Anbiya.

In a significant diplomatic outreach, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian amid rising conflicts in the Middle East. Modi expressed profound concern over the surge in hostilities, highlighting the tragic loss of civilian lives and widespread damage to infrastructure. He emphasised India's priorities: ensuring the safety of its nationals in the region and maintaining uninterrupted flows of goods and energy supplies, which are vital for global stability. Reaffirming India's stance on peaceful resolutions, Modi called for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy.

A drone attack wounded six French soldiers at a joint Peshmerga-France base in northern Iraq, Erbil’s governor confirmed.

KC-135 refueling aircract went "down" in friendly air space Iraq, the US Central Command confirmed.

Two aircraft were reportedly involved in the incident. One went down in western Iraq, the second landed safely.

Rescue efforts are ongoing. The status of the crew of the downed aircraft is unclear.

The incident was not due to hostile or friendly fire, CentCom stated as more information is still being gathered.

"More information will be made available as the situation develops. We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members," CentCom said in a statement.

The UAE air defence systems on March 12 intercepted 10 ballistic missiles and 26 UAVs launched from Iran.

Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 278 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,540 UAVs.

Iran vowed to make the US regret attacking the Islamic republic and said it would keep up a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz that has sent oil prices soaring.

After the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that the Middle East war could lead to "the largest supply disruption" in history, US President Donald Trump wrote on social media that defeating Iran's "evil empire" was more important than crude prices. "While starting a war is easy, it cannot be won with a few tweets. We will not relent until making you sorry for this grave miscalculation," Iranian security chief Ali Larijani said on X.

An attack has killed a French soldier in Erbil in Iraq's Kurdistan region, says President Emmanuel Macron. A member of the armed forces "died for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq," Macron posted on X, confirming the first French military death in the Middle East war.

Saudi Arabia has intercepted 38 drones within hours. The Saudi defence ministry said early Friday that the drones were headed toward the kingdom’s Eastern Province. It was a larger than usual number of aerial threats for the country. Sites in Saudi Arabia including the US Embassy in Riyadh, oil infrastructure and a military base have been targeted as the Iran war rages on.

Israel said on Friday that Iran fired waves of missiles toward Israel, with emergency services reporting that two were injured in the country's north.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the Israeli military wrote on its official Telegram channel.

It issued a similar alert a short time later.

Following the initial alert, the Magen David Adom emergency service said no emergency calls had been received.

But after the second it said that two people had been treated for injuries in northern Israel.

One of them, a 34-year-old woman, had been hospitalised with shrapnel injuries, rescuers said.

There were rocket and missile alerts across Israel in the wake of the warnings from the military.

US and Israeli strikes hit parts of Tehran on Friday, Iranian media reported, adding that homes shook from the blasts.

"The intensity of the explosions was such that residents of these areas reported their houses shaking. No further details have been provided about the extent of damage or possible casualties," Iran's Fars news agency reported.

As UAE airlines gradually resume operations amid ongoing regional airspace restrictions, passengers are urged to stay informed about flight schedules, booking options, and potential scams.

Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia are all operating limited flights, with updated timetables and safety guidance in place. Travellers are advised to verify all flight details through official channels and avoid sharing personal information online.

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) of Qatar confirmed that warnings from the National Alert System are issued only when urgent precautionary measures are needed to protect public safety.

In a post on its official X account, the ministry urged residents to follow all instructions, remain in safe indoor areas, keep away from windows and open spaces, and avoid going outside until an official notification confirms that the security threat has been cleared.

The Dubai Media Office confirmed that debris from a successful interception caused minor damage to the façade of a building in central Dubai. Authorities said no injuries were reported.

An Israeli strike hit a member of Iran-backed group Hezbollah in Lebanon's capital, the military said on Friday.

"A short while ago, the IDF struck a Hezbollah terrorist in the area of Beirut," the Israeli military said in a statement.

A pro-Iranian group in Iraq warned Friday that French interests "in Iraq and the region" would be "under targeting fire" after the arrival of a French aircraft carrier.

The statement on the Telegram page of the Ashab Alkahf group came as French President Emmanuel Macron announced the death of a French soldier and the injury of several others in Iraqi Kurdistan.

UAE responds to Iranian missiles and drones; residents receive emergency alerts

The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that air defence systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran, amid ongoing regional hostilities.

Authorities have urged residents to stay in safe locations, follow verified government updates, and remain alert as the situation is closely monitored.

Emergency alerts have been issued nationwide, highlighting the need for vigilance and preparedness during heightened security tensions.

UAE residents have received a mobile alert from the Ministry of Defence confirming that the situation in the country is currently safe, following earlier warnings about potential missile threats.

The message, sent across the UAE, thanked residents for their cooperation and reassured the public that normal activities can now resume.

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has confirmed that the situation across the country remains stable, with services in all vital sectors continuing to operate normally. Authorities are closely monitoring developments, the ministry said in a post on its official X account.

The ministry emphasised that National Warning System alerts are issued only when urgent precautionary measures are needed to protect public safety. Residents are urged to follow instructions in these alerts, including staying indoors, keeping away from windows and open spaces, and not leaving until an official notification indicates the threat has passed.

Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said early Friday that its air defenses downed 10 more drones headed toward the kingdom’s Eastern and Central Provinces, bringing the total to nearly 50 drones entering Saudi airspace over the span of a few hours.

The barrage represents a higher-than-usual number of aerial threats for the kingdom, which has seen sites including oil infrastructure and a military base hosting US troops targeted as the war involving Iran has intensified.

US President Donald Trump issued a new threat online to Iran, writing: "Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today."

Trump made the post Friday on his Truth Social website, saying that "Iran's Navy is gone, their Air Force is no longer, missiles, drones and everything else are being decimated, and their leaders have been wiped from the face of the earth."

"They've been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them," Trump wrote. "What a great honor it is to do so!"

Siren were heard early on Friday at Turkey's Incirlik airbase, a key NATO facility where US troops are stationed near the southeastern city of Adana, state news agency Anadolu reported.

There was no immediate official comment on the incident, which took place four days after NATO air defences shot down a ballistic missile in Turkish airspace that was fired from Iran, the second in five days.

The United States has temporarily allowed the sale of certain Russian oil shipments already at sea, as part of efforts to help stabilise global energy supplies amid rising geopolitical tensions. The decision, announced by the US Treasury on Thursday, permits the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products that were loaded onto vessels on or before 12 March, with the authorisation set to expire on 11 April.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense confirmed that a hostile drone was intercepted and destroyed while attempting to approach the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh. Authorities said the situation was swiftly contained, and security measures remain in place to protect diplomatic areas.

Israel's military said Friday it had struck more than 200 targets in western and central Iran in the last day, including missile launchers and defence systems.

It said fighter jets carried out "20 wide-scale strikes" that targeted "ballistic missile launchers, defense systems, and weapon production sites."

A security source has reported that two unmanned aerial vehicles crashed in the Wilayat of Sohar. One of the drones struck Al Awhi Industrial Zone, resulting in the fatalities of two expatriate workers and causing several additional injuries. The other drone came down in an open area, with no casualties reported.

The relevant authorities continue to deal and conduct investigations into both incidents. The authorities further commend the vigilance and cooperation demonstrated by citizens and residents in refraining from circulating images or rumors, and for relying on official sources for information. They reaffirm that all resources are being deployed to protect Oman, citizens and residents.

Qatar Airways has announced a limited operating schedule for several days in March after the closure of Qatari airspace forced the airline to suspend most flights, leaving thousands of passengers waiting for clarity on travel plans.

Temporary authorisation from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has allowed the carrier to run select flights through restricted corridors. These services are intended to move passengers affected by the disruption and assist travellers attempting to continue journeys that were interrupted.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the country's military, warned on Friday that any new protests against the authorities would be met with a stronger response than in January, when several thousand people were killed.

"The evil enemy, failing to achieve its field battle goals, is once again pursuing the instillation of fear and street riots," the Guards said in a statement broadcast on TV, promising "a stronger blow than on January 8" in the event of new unrest.

Gold prices in Dubai edged lower on Friday morning, reflecting softer global bullion trends after a volatile week in international markets. The price of 24-karat gold stood at Dh615 per gram at around 10.30 am, down from Dh617.50 on Thursday, while 22-karat gold slipped to Dh569.50 from Dh571.75. Global gold prices remain above the $5,000 level but are heading toward a weekly decline as higher oil prices and rising bond yields weigh on investor sentiment.

A series of powerful explosions shook Tehran on Friday, AFP journalists reported, on the 14th day of the war with the United States and Israel.

The unusually intense blasts occurred around 10:00 am (0630 GMT) and shook the homes of two AFP journalists located several kilometres apart in the north and centre of the capital.

The Israeli military said it launched a new wave of strikes in Tehran on Friday morning, on the 14th day of its campaign against the Islamic Republic.

"The IDF has just begun a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime across Tehran," the military said.

Around 9,000 American citizens living in the United Arab Emirates have chosen to remain in the country despite offers from the US government to arrange charter evacuation flights, the US State Department has said.

In a statement issued by Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, the department said it had contacted thousands of Americans in the UAE to offer seats on government-organised evacuation flights. However, several flights departed with empty seats due to limited demand.

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce held a meeting with the Fruit and Vegetable Traders Business Group to discuss enhancing the sector’s resilience and competitiveness while ensuring smooth imports from a wider range of markets.

Australia has ordered all non-essential officials in Lebanon to leave, Canberra's foreign minister said Friday, after issuing the same command to diplomats in Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

In a post on X, top diplomat Penny Wong said they had been ordered to depart due to the "deteriorating security situation".

"Essential Australian officials will remain in-country to support Australians who need it," she added.

The warning came hours after Canberra issued the same order to officials in Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The remains of 84 Iranian sailors killed when their frigate was torpedoed off Sri Lanka earlier this month will be repatriated on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Thushara Rodrigo said.

"All domestic procedures have been completed, and the Iranians are bringing a chartered aircraft for the repatriation," Rodrigo told AFP.

"The 32 sailors who were rescued by our navy will remain in Sri Lanka."

Etihad Airways has released an updated limited commercial flight schedule connecting Abu Dhabi with key international destinations. Passengers with existing bookings will be accommodated, and new tickets are available for purchase at its website.

The airline advised that passengers should not travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad or hold a confirmed booking. Operations follow strict safety and security assessments, and flights will only operate once all criteria are met.

Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry says the remains of 84 Iranian sailors killed in a US submarine attack on March 4 have been handed over to Iranian representatives to be repatriated.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Thushara Rodrigo said the ministry completed the procedure for repatriating the remains of foreigners and handed over the bodies of the crew members from Iranian warship IRIS Dena.

They will be flown to Iran from Hambantota airport in southern Sri Lanka on Friday, he said.

Another 32 sailors from IRIS Dena were rescued by Sri Lanka’s navy.

More than 200 Iranian sailors also were brought ashore by Sri Lanka’s navy from a second Iranian warship. The vessels were returning from a naval exercise in India.

China said on Friday it will donate $200,000 to the parents of students killed in what it called an "indiscriminate" missile strike on a school in Iran early in the Middle East war.

Tehran has accused the United States and Israel of conducting the deadly missile attack on the school in Iran's south on the first day of the war.

Iranian media reports said funerals were held for at least 165 people, including children, killed in the strike.

The toll has not been verified independently. A US military investigation into the strike is underway.

Huge explosions rocked central Tehran on Friday, according to Iranian state television, which added that strikes had hit an area not far from where a pro-government demonstration was being held.

Earlier, state TV broadcast images of crowds gathering in Tehran and other major cities to mark Quds Day, the last Friday of Ramadan, in support of the Palestinian cause.

High-energy lasers are increasingly being viewed as a potential game-changer in defending oil facilities, military bases and critical infrastructure against the growing threat of drones and missiles in the Middle East.

Unlike traditional interceptor systems such as Patriot missiles — which can cost more than $3 million per shot — firing a laser may cost as little as $3.50, according to some estimates. The dramatic difference in cost is drawing renewed interest from the United States and its allies as Iran and its proxies expand the use of relatively cheap drones and missiles across the region.

Four US crew members were killed when an American KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, the US military said Friday, adding that the incident was not caused by "hostile fire".

"Four of six crew members on board the aircraft have been confirmed deceased as rescue efforts continue," US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for American forces in the Middle East, said in a statement on X.

An investigation was underway into Thursday's crash, it added. "However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," it said.

Turkey's defence ministry on Friday said a ballistic missile from Iran had been shot down in Turkish airspace by NATO defences, in the third such incident in just over a week.

"A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralised by NATO air and missile defence assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean," a ministry statement said.

Iran's national security chief Ali Larijani on Friday openly attended a mass rally in Tehran, dismissing the latest Israeli-US attacks on the capital as being "out of desperation".

"These attacks are out of fear, out of desperation. One who is strong wouldn't bomb demonstrations at all. It's clear that it has failed," Larijani told state TV while marching for the annual Quds Day rally in support of the Palestinian cause.

The attendance by Larijani was one of the most high-profile public appearances by an Iranian official since the February 28 strike that killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials. National police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan also attended, state TV pictures showed.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said he had arrived in Beirut on Friday for a "solidarity" visit to Lebanon, where the Middle East war has claimed more than 687 lives since March 2.

"I have just landed in Beirut for a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon. They did not choose this war. They were dragged into it. The UN and I will spare no effort in striving for the peaceful future that Lebanon and this region so richly deserve," the United Nations secretary-general said on X.

Israel expanded its strikes in Lebanon on Friday, targeting multiple areas including a bridge over the Litani river that it said Hezbollah had been using as a passageway for its fighters.

The raids came after Israel threatened to also carry out a ground operation to disarm Hezbollah if the Lebanese government does not do so.

The Lebanon-based militant group launched new attacks against Israeli forces Friday on the 14th day of the Middle East war.

Israel targeted a bridge over the Litani River between the towns of Zrariyeh and Tayr Falsay, according to state media. The river divides southern Lebanon in two.

In a statement, the Israeli army described the river as a "key crossing" for Hezbollah "from northern to southern Lebanon, to build up its power and prepare for combat".

UAE energy supplies remain stable and the country’s national energy system is operating normally, Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said after visiting the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) to review the response to a recent fire at one of the facilities in the area.

Al Mazrouei conducted a site inspection on Friday to assess the actions taken by emergency teams and relevant authorities to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of critical infrastructure while maintaining operational continuity.

A large explosion rocked an area of Iran's capital where thousands were gathered Friday for the annual state-organised Quds Day to support the Palestinians and call for Israel's demise. Israel had earlier warned that it would target the area in central Tehran. There were no immediate reports of casualties. But the decision to proceed with the mass demonstrations, and Israel's threat to target the area, underscored the fierce determination on both sides nearly two weeks into a war that has rattled the global economy and shows no sign of letting up.

Iran has continued to launch widespread daily missile and drone attacks on Israel and neighbouring Gulf states, and has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil passes, even as U.S. and Israeli warplanes pummel military and other targets across Iran.

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday vowed to continue the attacks and keep the strait closed in his first public statement since succeeding his father, who was killed in the opening day of the war. Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking over leadership, and the written statement was read by a state TV anchor.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Friday he hopes Israel and Hezbollah end their conflict through a ceasefire. “My strong appeal to both parties, to Hezbollah and Israel, is for a ceasefire to stop the war,” Guterres told reporters after meeting Lebanon President Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace in Beirut’s southeastern suburb of Baabda. “Lebanon was dragged into a war that is not a war that its people would be willing to have,” Guterres said. Guterres added that he hopes to visit Lebanon in the future when the country is at peace and “where the state has a monopoly for the use for force.”

The Red Cross Society of China will provide $200,000 to offer condolences and support to the parents of students killed in a missile strike that hit an elementary school in Iran, the Chinese government said.

“Attacking schools and harming children is a ... serious violation of international humanitarian law and crosses the bottom line of human morality and conscience,” spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a daily Foreign Ministry briefing in Beijing.

The money will be disbursed through the Iranian Red Crescent Society, he said.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is wounded.

Khamenei took over Iran’s leadership following his father’s death. The younger Khamenei has not been seen or heard from publicly since the war started, leading to speculation about his whereabouts and health condition.

On Thursday he made his first public statements, resolving to keep fighting, promising more pain for Gulf Arab states and threatening to open “other fronts” in a war that has already disrupted world energy supplies, the global economy and international travel.

Hegseth did not elaborate or give evidence about Khamenei’s condition.

UAE air defenses dealt with 7 ballistic missiles and 27 drones on 13 March 2026. Since the start of Iran's brazen attacks, UAE air defenses have dealt with 285 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1567 drones. These attacks have resulted in 6 deaths of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationalities, and 141 cases of minor to moderate injuries among Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian, Turkish, Iraqi, Nepalese, Nigerian, Omani, Jordanian, Palestinian, Ghanaian, Indonesian, and Swedish nationalities. The Ministry of Defense affirms that it is on high alert and readiness to deal with any threats and to firmly confront all that targets the destabilization of the state, ensuring the preservation of its sovereignty, security, and stability, and protecting its interests and national capabilities.

French President Emmanuel Macron was speaking after a French soldier was killed during a drone attack that targeted a Kurdish military base in the Irbil region.

Macron said that France supports its allies in the Middle East and that “nothing could ever justify attacks against us.”

“France will continue to show composure, calm and determination, remain reliable toward our partners, protect our citizens, and defend our interests and our security,” Macron added.

The US Navy destroyer USS Oscar Austin shot down the Iranian ballistic missile that was intercepted over Turkey on Friday, a US official confirmed to The Associated Press.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss ongoing military operations, said it was the third time in the last two weeks that a US Navy destroyer in the Eastern Mediterranean intercepted an Iranian missile in Turkish airspace.

The summit of the Developing Eight group of nations in Jakarta, scheduled for April 13-15, was delayed because of security concerns linked to the fighting, said Tri Tharyat, director general of multilateral cooperation at Indonesia’s foreign affairs ministry. No new date has been set.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation and Southeast Asia’s largest economy, was set to host leaders from Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. The group meets to boost economic cooperation among Muslim‑majority nations across Asia and Africa.

The UAE Ministry of Defence has announced that air defence systems are currently intercepting incoming missiles and drones from Iran. The ministry confirmed that sounds heard across various parts of the country are the result of air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles and drones. The public is requested to adhere to all safety and security instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

In a message sent to mobile phones across several areas of Dubai, the ministry instructed the public to move at once to the nearest secure building and stay away from windows, doors and open areas until further notice.

Dubai Health, in collaboration with the Community Development Authority, and the Dubai Health Authority, on Friday announced the launch of the ‘Itma’en’ service, which means ‘rest assured’, making mental health support freely accessible to citizens, residents, and visitors.

The service offers confidential mental wellbeing guidance through a dedicated hotline (800506) and is provided free of charge in Arabic and English, operating daily from 9am to midnight.

The UAE Ministry of Interior has issued a public safety alert confirming that the situation is currently safe. Residents are reassured that they may resume their normal activities while continuing to remain cautious, take necessary precautions, and follow all official instructions issued by the authorities.

Eight were killed and nine others were wounded in the strike in the southern coastal city of Sidon, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said Friday.

The number will likely rise as civil defense workers search the rubble. It’s unclear what Israel’s target was in the morning strike.

Since the Israel-Hezbollah war started on March, Nearly 700 people have been killed and more than 1,700 wounded, the ministry said.

President Trump has denied that any operation is currently underway to seize Iran's enriched uranium, stating the US is "not focused on that" at this time. However, he left the door open for future action, adding "at some point, we might be." The enriched uranium is believed to be stored in underground facilities inside Iran.

The US military on Friday announced that the entire crew of six was killed when an aerial refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq - an incident it said was not caused by "hostile fire."

"All six crew members aboard a US KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased," US Central Command said in a social media post.

"The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire," said the military command, which is responsible for US forces in the Middle East.

This brings the total of confirmed US deaths in the operation against Iran to 13.

President Donald Trump said in an interview aired Friday that American forces would strike Iranian targets "very hard" in the coming days, signalling an intensification of the US-Israeli campaign as the war in the Middle East approaches its third week.

"We're going to be hitting them very hard over the next week," Trump told Fox News Radio, adding that he believed Iran's leadership could eventually be toppled by its own people.

"I really think that's a big hurdle to climb for people that don't have weapons," Trump said. "I think it's a very big hurdle... It'll happen, but it probably will be, maybe not immediately."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launched a $325 million humanitarian appeal on Friday to support Lebanon as it responds to the displacement crisis caused by the war between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel.

"I am pleased to join all of you today as we launch a Flash Humanitarian Appeal of $325 million to support the people of Lebanon," Guterres said during a conference attended by representatives of UN agencies and donor countries at the Lebanese prime minister's office.

The appeal "will sustain and expand life-saving assistance over the next three months - including food, clean water, health care, education, protection and other vital services", he added.

A Turkish-owned ship was able to cross the Strait of Hormuz with Iran's permission, Turkey's transport minister said Friday of a critical artery where the Mideast war has essentially halted shipping.

"We have 15 ships in the Strait of Hormuz and were able to get one of them through after obtaining permission from the Iranian authorities," Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu told journalists.

President Donald Trump voiced confidence that the Iranian people would rise up to replace their government following American and Israeli military strikes - but added in an interview aired Friday that it may not happen straight away.

"I really think that's a big hurdle to climb for people that don't have weapons. I think it's a very big hurdle... It'll happen, but it probably will be, maybe not immediately," Trump told Fox News Radio.

Hinting at voter anxieties in the US as the conflict in the Middle East continues, the president said the economy and American life will soon return to what it was before he launched strikes on Iran.

“This will bounce right back when it’s over, and I don’t think it’s going to be long,” Trump said in his interview with Fox News personality Brian Kilmeade.

Asked when the war will be over, Trump responded: “When I feel it — when I feel it in my bones.”

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has confirmed the gradual and strategic resumption of flight operations across the country’s airports, supported by high operational readiness and efficient air traffic management systems.

In a statement, the authority said the progressive return of flights reflects the resilience of the UAE’s aviation sector and its ability to maintain global connectivity while adapting to evolving operational conditions.

The GCAA noted that national airports and carriers continue to operate under carefully coordinated plans designed to ensure smooth air traffic flow and service continuity.

Smoke could be seen rising from two locations around Israel's commercial hub Tel Aviv on Friday, AFP journalists said, after blasts were heard following a warning that missiles were fired from Iran.

Israel's Magen David Adom first responders said they had "searched locations where reports were received; no casualties were located".

An AFP journalist at the scene saw thick black smoke billowing into the sky from what appeared to be a burning warehouse at one of the locations near a motorway. Emergency crews were at the scene.

The explosions were heard after air raid sirens had been sounded in Tel Aviv.

Prior to the sirens the Israeli military said it had "identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel".

It said that air defence systems were "operating to intercept the threat".

Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced on Friday that they had launched missiles and drones at Israel in coordination with Tehran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

The Guards said in a statement that the operation was part of its annual Quds Day, which is intended to show support for the Palestinian cause.

The Pentagon and White House slammed CNN over its Iran war coverage Friday - with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth saying he looked forward to an ally of President Donald Trump taking over the news network.

Hegseth spent part of a news conference on US military operations against Tehran criticising the media and CNN in particular, urging for what he called an "actual patriotic press."

The former Fox News host was particularly incensed by a story the channel ran suggesting Washington had underestimated Iran's ability to disrupt global oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Patently ridiculous," Hegseth told reporters, before adding: "The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better."

David Ellison is the head of Paramount Skydance, which is set to complete a landmark takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, the current owner of CNN, after beating Netflix in a bidding war

A drone strike killed two members of an Iranian Kurdish armed opposition group in northern Iraq on Friday, a senior official from the exiled party said, blaming the attack on Iran.

"A drone struck one of our positions at 4:40 pm (1340 GMT)," killing two party members and wounding four others, Mardin Zahidi, from the Khabat Organisation of Iranian Kurdistan, told AFP.

The attack occurred in the mountains of Bashiqa, in an area under Kurdish control, between the city of Mosul and the autonomous Kurdistan region.

Zahidi blamed the attack "on Iran and its militias".

The Israeli military said on Friday it had carried out around 7,600 strikes in Iran and 1,100 in Lebanon since launching its joint operation with the United States against Tehran.

The military said that some 2,000 of the strikes had targeted "headquarters and assets of the Iranian terror regime", and roughly 4,700 were against the Islamic republic's missile program.

In Lebanon, it said it had struck 200 "missile and launcher targets" and around 35 command-and-control sites of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, and killed "more than 380 Hezbollah terrorists".

India has announced an extension of visas and a waiver of overstay penalties for foreign nationals, including those from the Gulf countries, who find themselves stranded in the country due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

The Indian Consulate in Dubai on Friday shared the decisions, which were taken by the Indian government in recognition of the disruption caused by the conflict situation in Gulf region.

Embassy staff and passengers who were stuck in transit when the war broke out made it home Friday evening on a Qatar Airways flight, in coordination with the Bangladeshi government.

That’s according to Ragib Samad, executive director at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

The war has forced widespread airspace closures, cancelling 447 flights at Dhaka’s airport

The flights, arranged with the US State Department and the US Embassy in Jerusalem, aim to help thousands of Americans in Israel whose return flights were canceled due to the war.

El Al, Israel’s flag carrier, says it will begin operating six special non-stop flights at “full capacity” from Tel Aviv to New York starting Monday.

Beginning Sunday morning, the carrier says it will contact US citizens holding valid El Al tickets that were canceled and not yet reassigned. The airline says it understands “the current number of flights provides only a partial solution and does not meet the high demand,” and may add more flights pending government approvals.

Shipping disruptions would also drive up costs for food, medicine and other lifesaving supplies, said Stephane Dujarric, the UN spokesperson.

Citing aid chief Tom Fletcher, the spokesperson said the world body is urging safe passage for humanitarian cargo. Fletcher told the Security Council the disruptions are already affecting Gaza, where flour prices have surged 270%, while global shipping costs are 16% higher than a year ago.

Air India and Air India Express will together operate a total of 80 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the West Asia region on Saturday, March 14.

In addition to the scheduled services, Air India and Air India Express would operate a total of 62 non-scheduled flights to and from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, subject to availability of slots and other prevailing conditions at the departure stations at the time. These flights are being operated with the requisite permissions from the relevant Indian and local regulatory authorities, the airlines said.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on X that the 30-day reprieve on sanctions applies to Russian oil already loaded on tankers as of Thursday. He said allowing this stranded oil to be sold provides no additional financial benefit for Russia, because the Kremlin already taxed it when the oil was extracted from the ground.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it shows how the war has boosted Moscow’s ability to profit from its energy exports, a pillar of the Kremlin’s budget as it presses its invasion of Ukraine.

“This easing alone by the United States could provide Russia with about $10 billion for the war,” Zelenskyy said. “It spends the money from energy sales on weapons, and all of this is then used against us.”

A large explosion rocked a central square in Iran's capital where thousands were gathered Friday for an annual state-organized rally to support the Palestinians and call for Israel's demise. Israel had warned that it would target the area in central Tehran.

There were no reports of casualties. But the decision to proceed with the mass demonstration that was attended by some senior government officials, and Israel's threat to target the area, underscored the fierce determination on both sides nearly two weeks into a war that has rattled the global economy and shows no sign of letting up.

The US State Department offered a $10 million reward on Friday for information about Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei and other top officials.

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Minister of Intelligence and Security Esmail Khatib were among the 10 individuals on the State Department list.

"These individuals command and direct various elements of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which plans, organizes and executes terrorism around the world," the State Department said.

It urged tipsters to send information via Tor or Signal and said "your information could make you eligible for relocation and a reward."

The State Department's "Rewards for Justice" program offers cash for intelligence leading to the capture or prosecution of wanted individuals.

Roughly 2,500 Marines and at least one amphibious assault ship are headed for the Middle East, a US official told The Associated Press.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans, said elements from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli have been ordered to the Middle East. The move marks a major addition of troops to the region.

Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has urged the public to keep a safe distance from any debris and report sightings immediately to authorities.

In a public safety advisory issued on social media, the authority warned residents not to approach, touch or photograph any objects that may have fallen following aerial interception operations, stressing that specialised teams are responsible for handling such incidents.

Iran's military has threatened US-linked oil targets after US President Donald Trump said Kharg oil facilities in the Arabian Gulf was bombed.

Kharg Island is Iran's primary and most crucial crude oil export terminal in the Gulf, handling 90–95% of its crude exports.

Located near the northern end of the Gulf, this critical facility receives oil from major fields via subsea pipelines, storing and loading it onto tankers for international, mostly Asian, markets.

The General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force announced that air defence systems continue to successfully counter successive waves of hostile Iranian aggression.

Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported that since the onset of hostilities, air defences have intercepted and destroyed 121 ballistic missiles and 193 drones targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain.

DOHA: The Qatari Ministry of Defence announced today that the Qatar Armed Forces have intercepted a missile attack targeting the State of Qatar, according to the Qatari News Agency.

The Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that it has intercepted and destroyed six drones.

We are closing coverage for now. Follow our live updates for the latest developments here.