US–Israel war on Iran, day 32: Trump escalates Iran threats, Kuwaiti oil tanker hit in Dubai port

Day 31: Trump threatens to obliterate Iran's Kharg island

Day 30: Tehran warns Washington against ground invasion

Day 29: Yemen's Houthis enter war with missile targeting Israel

Day 28: Rubio says US expects victory in weeks after G7 talks

Day 27: Trump insists Iran is ‘begging’ to make a deal, not him

Day 26: US preparing to deploy 1,000 troops to Middle East

Day 25: UAE intercepts threats from Iran ; 1dead, 5 hurt in Bahrain

Day 24: Netanyahu speaks with Trump, vows to protect Israel's interests

Day 23: Trump gives Iran 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Day 22: Trump says US considering ‘winding down’ war

Day 21: UK to let US use bases for strikes on Iran threats

Day 20: Trump vows to destroy Iran gas field; UAE intercepts threats

The UAE Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior (MOI) sent out an alert saying air defence systems are responding to missile and AUV threats, urging residents to immediately seek a safe place in the closest secure building, steer away from windows, doors and open areas.

Shortly after the phone alert was sent out in the UAE calling on residents to follow the safety guidelines set out during defence ops, another notification rung out - this time to assure everyone that the ops were over and everyone was safe.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed the UAE's strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist plot foiled in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The plot involved a cell linked to the banned Hezbollah terrorist organisation, which attempted to collaborate with terrorist groups abroad in an act that threatened the security and safety of the Kingdom.

Sharjah Government Media Office said authorities are dealing with a drone-related incident that targeted the administrative building of Thuraya Telecommunications Company in the emirate’s Central Region.

In a statement issued past midnight, officials confirmed that the incident that took place on Monday, March 30, involved a drone reportedly originating from Iran. Authorities said no injuries were recorded and that response teams are continuing to handle the situation.

Iran's top diplomat urged Saudi Arabia on Monday to evict US forces from its territory, reiterating that its attacks in the region only targeted its enemies.

"Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X. "Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security... High time to eject U.S. forces."

UAE authorities issued an alert stating that air defense systems were actively responding to missile threats, urging residents to immediately take shelter in the nearest secure building and stay away from windows, doors, and open areas.

Moments after an emergency alert urged residents across the United Arab Emirates to follow safety guidelines during ongoing defense operations, a second notification sounded — this time reassuring the public that the operation had concluded and that everyone was safe.

Authorities in Dubai responded to a fire in an abandoned house in Al Badaa caused by debris following an air defence interception. Four minor injuries were reported among individuals in the vicinity of the house.

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) announced that at approximately 12:10 am on Tuesday, March 31, the Kuwaiti very large crude carrier (VLCC) Al Salmi was directly attacked by Iranian forces while positioned in the anchorage area of Dubai Port.

In a statement, the KPC confirmed that the tanker was fully laden at the time of the incident. The attack resulted in "damage to the vessel's hull and the outbreak of a fire onboard, with a potential oil spill in the surrounding waters," it stated.

Dubai authorities have confirmed that response teams have successfully extinguished the fire involving a Kuwaiti oil tanker. Relevant teams continue to assess the situation and take the necessary measures, and updates will be shared as they become available.

All 24 crew members aboard the Kuwaiti crude tanker Al Salmi have been confirmed safe following the incident in waters off Dubai.

Oil prices continue to stay elevated with both West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent showing net gains as Trump threatened to "take the oil" in Iran's Kharg. These figures reflect intraday moves in a highly volatile environment: As of 8.12am Tokyo time on Tuesday (March 31, 2026), real-time and end-of-session data indicate WTI crude trading in the $101–105+ range (with intraday swings and reports of levels near or above $103–105), and Brent Crude in the $112–115+ range (some quotes around $114+). Murban hovered near the screenshot's $116.50 level in delayed quotes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced confidence that Iran's Islamic republic would eventually fall, though he again said that was not the objective of the US-Israeli war on the country.

"I think this regime will collapse internally. But at the moment, right now, what we're doing is just degrading their military capacity, degrading their missile capacity, degrading their nuclear capacity and also weakening them from the inside," Netanyahu told conservative US broadcaster Newsmax.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has thrown strong support behind a bold new diplomatic initiative led by Bahrain at the United Nations.

The goal: build an international coalition to prevent Iran and its Houthi allies from seizing control of critical waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and turning them into extortion zones for global trade.

Authorities have confirmed that emergency response teams have successfully extinguished a fire involving a Kuwaiti oil tanker.

Officials said specialised teams responded swiftly to contain the blaze and ensure the situation was brought under control. Relevant authorities remain at the site to assess the situation and take necessary precautionary measures.

Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available, authorities added.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday morning at 8 am Eastern, the Pentagon said. This will be the first time since March 19 that the two leaders have taken questions from reporters on the state of the ongoing war against Iran.

They are expected to update the press on military operations and strategic developments as the conflict enters its next phase. Further details on the briefing’s focus will be released by the Department of Defence.

Two Indonesian United Nations peacekeepers have died while on escort duty in support of UNIFIL operations in southern Lebanon. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense said in a written statement that two other soldiers were also seriously injured amid intensifying hostilities in the area.

The statement added that the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation by UNIFIL in accordance with established procedures.

An Indonesian soldier was reported to have died and several other injured the previous day in his area of deployment as a result of the conflict taking place in the operational zone.

At least 10 blasts were heard over Jerusalem on Tuesday as Israel’s air defences responded to missiles reportedly launched from Iran, AFP reported.

“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said on Telegram.

Sirens sounded across the city, and several explosions were witnessed, according to AFP.

Asian stocks fell sharply in early trade and oil prices rose as the Middle East crisis further escalated with US President Donald Trump threatening to destroy Iran's main export terminal.

South Korea's benchmark Kospi index was down more than four percent around 0030 GMT, while Japan's Nikkei index dropped 2.24 percent, before both recovered slightly.

The price of the main US benchmark for oil, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), was up 3.30 percent at $106.28 a barrel after closing Monday above $100 for the first time since the war started.

Brent Crude, the international benchmark, climbed 2.23 percent to $109.78 early Tuesday.

Explosions were heard in Tehran and power cuts hit some parts of the capital, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

"Power outages in parts of Tehran after multiple explosions heard," Fars news agency reported.

Tasnim news agency also reported some residents in eastern Tehran were without electricity and that authorities were working to restore power.

Israel said early Tuesday that another four soldiers had been killed in its offensive in Lebanon.

The deaths bring the total number of troops killed in the war to 10.

The video of a massive explosion shared without comment early Tuesday by US President Donald Trump appears to be of a major strike conducted outside of the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

The Baluch advocacy group HalVash shared the same video and others from the ground outside of Isfahan. Fire-tracking satellites from NASA suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to have military positions.

The videos show massive fireballs and secondary explosions common with ammunition igniting in a blaze.

Iran has not formally acknowledged the attack.

Isfahan is home to one of three uranium enrichment sites bombed by the US in the 12-day day between Iran and Israel in June. A portion of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is believed to be entombed there — something America has suggested it could seize with ground forces.

Indonesia urged warring parties in the Middle East "to respect international humanitarian law" after three of its peacekeepers were killed in Lebanon.

"The safety of peacekeeping troops must be the top priority. All parties to the conflict are urged to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the security of peacekeeping personnel," defence ministry spokesman Rico Ricardo Sirait said in a statement.

Dubai authorities confirmed that response teams have successfully contained the incident involving the Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters. Officials said there was no oil leakage and no injuries, adding that emergency teams acted quickly to secure the area and ensure maritime safety.

The official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense reported that air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over the past few hours, as regional security operations continue.

Debris from an intercepted drone fell on several homes in Al‑Kharj Governorate on Tuesday, causing limited material damage but no injuries, authorities said.

According to Saudi Civil Defense, fragments from the drone landed on six houses in a residential neighbourhood on March 31, damaging parts of the properties.

Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported, and emergency teams immediately implemented standard response procedures at the site.

Iranian media reported that initial investigations indicated strikes in central Iran had hit some "military sites", without specifying the locations.

"Initial investigations indicate that some military locations in Isfahan were targeted," the Fars news agency quoted Akbar Salehi, a security official at the governor's office in Isfahan province, as saying.

The official also said the extent of the damage and any casualties were not immediately clear.

Two container vessels belonging to the Chinese shipping giant Cosco have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz as they have exited the Gulf, ship tracking data showed Tuesday.

The CSCL Indian Ocean crossed the strait at around 0914 GMT on Monday, followed by CSCL Arctic Ocean 27 minutes later, according to data from Marine Traffic.

The United Arab Emirates says its air defence systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran, amid rising regional tensions.

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

In the message sent to phones across the country, authorities thanked residents for their cooperation during the emergency alert and reassured the public that normal activities can now resume.

US-Israeli strikes on Tuesday caused damage to a Shia Muslim religious site in Iran's northwest, state media reported.

State television said the building of the Grand Husseinya, a hall for Shia gatherings and mourning ceremonies, "was damaged following the enemy's morning attack on the Ferdowsi street" in the city of Zanjan.

It added that "parts of the dome and minarets were damaged."

Saudi Civil Defence said on Tuesday that two people were injured after debris from an intercepted drone fell in Al Kharj governorate near Riyadh, an area that includes Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts US military personnel, as Iran continues its attacks across Gulf countries.

In a statement posted on X, Civil Defence said the interception resulted in minor injuries and limited material damage affecting three homes and a number of vehicles.

Dubai Police have urged residents to prioritize personal safety following recent aerial interceptions. Authorities are strictly advising the public not to approach, touch, or photograph any fallen debris.

'Your safety comes first,' the statement read. 'Leave debris to the relevant authorities to handle. By complying, you help protect yourself and contribute to the safety of our community.'

An explosion was heard Tuesday morning near the international airport of Erbil, a city in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist said.

Erbil is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses military advisers attached to a US-led international anti-jihadist coalition.

Regular drone attacks by pro-Iran armed groups have usually been intercepted by air defences.

Authorities in Dubai have officially confirmed that the sounds reported across various parts of the city were the result of successful air defense interception operations.

The public is urged to remain calm and strictly follow information from official government channels only. Avoid sharing unverified videos or rumors circulating on social media.

Authorities confirm that they are responding to an incident caused by debris from a successful interception that fell on residential houses in southern Dubai, resulting in property damage and minor injuries to four Asian nationals.

As the US-Iran conflict disrupts flows through the Strait of Hormuz, the question echoing across markets is stark: Could this become a bigger shock than the oil crises of the 1970s?

The comparison is not just historical — it is a benchmark for global economic stress.

The 1973 oil crisis, triggered by an Arab embargo, is widely seen as one of the most severe energy shocks in modern history. Oil prices quadrupled, fuel shortages spread across Western economies, and inflation surged — tipping many countries into recession.

The EU on Tuesday demanded an investigation into attacks on United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon, after three Indonesian troops were killed amid fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

"We call for a thorough investigation to shed light on these grave attacks. These attacks are a grave violation of international law, are totally unacceptable and must stop immediately," EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni said.

The UAE Air Defense Forces intercepted 8 ballistic missiles, 4 cruise missiles, and 36 drones originating from Iran today.

The Gulf states are unified in calling for a de-escalation of the Middle East war, Qatar said Tuesday as Tehran launched new strikes against its neighbours.

"Our understanding is that there is a very unified position in the Gulf on calling for the de-escalation and an end to the war," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a regular news briefing.

The General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) announced that air defences have intercepted and destroyed 182 missiles and 400 drones targeting Bahrain since the onset of hostile terrorist Iranian aggression.

In a statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency, the BDF General Command emphasised that the use of ballistic missiles and drones to target civilian areas and private property constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter.

"These indiscriminate attacks represent a direct threat to regional peace and security," it added.

EU chief Antonio Costa on Tuesday urged Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call to stop attacks on regional neighbours and engage with diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

"To de-escalate the situation, I urged Iran to stop the unacceptable attacks on countries in the region and to engage positively on the diplomatic track, notably with the UN to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," European Council president Costa wrote on X

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that countries that have not joined the Middle East war but are struggling with fuel shortages should "go get your own oil" in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said countries "that refused to get involved" should "build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," adding that the United States would not help them.

"The U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!"

US President Donald Trump lashed out at France on Tuesday, saying it had been 'very unhelpful' in the US-Israel war on Iran.

"The Country of France wouldn't let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the 'Butcher of Iran, who has been successfully eliminated!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said Israel's military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the current war against the Hezbollah armed group.

"At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon, on a defensive line against anti-tank missiles, and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani," Katz said in a video statement published by his ministry, referring to a river around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

He said the return of more than 600,000 displaced Lebanese residents would be "completely prevented" until north Israel's security was ensured.

Katz added that "all the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished in accordance with the Rafah and Beit Hanoun model in Gaza, in order to remove once and for all the border-adjacent threats from the residents of the north".

The next days of the Iran war will be "decisive," Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth - who revealed he had visited US troops in the Middle East over the weekend - said Tuesday.

"The upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it," Hegseth told a news conference, his first in nearly two weeks.

Indonesia on Tuesday announced fuel rationing and ordered civil servants to work from home one day a week, as it seeks to conserve energy stocks amid global price hikes due to the Middle East war.

"The government will regulate (fuel) purchases... with a reasonable limit of 50 litres per vehicle" per day, Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said in a virtual press conference from Seoul.

He added that civil servants will work from home every Friday.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that talks on ending the Iran war are making progress even as the more than month-long US-Israeli military campaign against the Islamic republic continued.

"They are very real. They are ongoing, they are active, and I think, gaining strength," Hegseth told reporters of the negotiations.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday rejected as "completely baseless" reports that the Islamic republic had fired missiles at Turkey and offered to jointly investigate the issue.

In a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, Araghchi warned against "false-flag operations by enemies" and said Iran was "ready for joint technical cooperation to examine any possible claim", according to a statement by the Iranian foreign ministry.

On Monday, Turkey's defence ministry said NATO forces had intercepted a new missile fired from Iran - the fourth since the start of the Middle East war.

Dubai Government Media Office said the competent authorities have confirmed that minor injuries caused by falling debris on a number of homes in southern Dubai involved two Indian nationals, one Bangladeshi national and one Sri Lankan national, adding that the incident has been fully handled in line with the highest safety standards.

Authorities also stressed the importance of obtaining information from official and reliable sources.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), in coordination with the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, has announced the extension of remote learning at higher education institutions until 17 April 2026. In-person classes will resume only for priority programmes requiring physical attendance, in line with the Ministry’s recent circular, with strict adherence to approved safety measures in order to protect students and academic cadres.

MoHESR urged higher education institutions to monitor developments and coordinate with local authorities to ensure continuity, while maintaining learning quality and academic assessment standards.

The Ministry will continue to monitor the situation and review weekly, with updates being announced through its official channels.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that they would target leading US technology firms like Apple, Google and Meta if more Iranian leaders were killed in "targeted assassinations".

"These companies, starting from 8pm (1630 GMT) Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1, should expect the destruction of their relevant units in exchange for every assassination in Iran," the Guards said in a statement listing the names of 18 companies it alleged were complicit in the "targeted assassination" of officials.

"We advise the employees of these institutions to immediately leave their workplaces to preserve their lives," it added.

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said on Tuesday that explosive ordnance disposal teams had dealt with 10 reports of falling debris linked to interceptions over the past 24 hours, as regional tensions continue to escalate.

The ministry said the total number of such incidents had reached 616 since the start of what the Iranian aggression against Kuwait.

Speaking during a media briefing, ministry spokesman Brigadier Nasser Bouslaib outlined the latest developments and presented footage of specialised teams responding to debris and unidentified objects falling outside designated threat zones.

He said air raid sirens had been activated once in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of alerts since the start of the conflict to 159.

Authorities said security checkpoints have been deployed across key and commercial areas as part of precautionary measures to maintain public safety and enhance readiness.

The ministry urged the public to cooperate with security personnel and follow official guidance. It also reminded residents that an exceptional deadline to surrender unlicensed weapons, ammunition and explosives expires at the end of official working hours tomorrow, warning that strict legal action will follow for non-compliance.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday confirmed the killing in a US-Israeli airstrike of a brigadier general sanctioned by the US in 2025 over an international network shipping oil to China and using profits to fund Tehran-backed regional proxies.

Revolutionary Guards commander-in-chief Ahmad Vahidi issued a message of condolences for Jamshid Eshaghi, the head of the budget and financial affairs at Iran's armed forces general staff.

The general staff is a powerful military body that coordinates between the regular army and the ideological force of the Islamic republic, the Revolutionary Guards.

Vahidi, whose predecessor was killed at the start of the conflict, said Eshaghi had been killed along with several members of his family in a US-Israeli strike, without giving a date or further details.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday denounced Israel's deployment of troops against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as an "illegal invasion" that violates its "integrity and sovereignty."

"The government of Lebanon has banned Hezbollah, is taking action, is trying to take action against Hezbollah and their terrorist activities and their threats to Israel, and that is the purported justification for this invasion," Carney told journalists at an event in Wakefield, Quebec.

"So we condemn it," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office said Tuesday it was "surprised" by US President Donald Trump's criticism of France, stressing the country's position on US military overflights had not changed.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, the US president lashed out at France, saying it did not let "planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory."

"We are surprised by this tweet," the French presidency said, referring to Trump's post in which he accused France of being "very unhelpful" in the US-Israeli war on Iran.

"We confirm this decision, which is consistent with France's position since the start of this conflict," the Elysee Palace said.

"France has not changed its position since day one," the presidency said.

China and Pakistan called on Tuesday for an immediate end to the war in the Middle East, and for peace talks as soon as possible, as they agreed to boost their cooperation on Iran.

The two countries outlined a joint initiative "for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region", after a visit from senior Pakistani officials to Beijing.

Both countries have sought to mediate in the Middle East to prevent the conflict from escalating, with Islamabad saying it is ready to host "meaningful talks" between the United States and Iran.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and agreed to "strengthen strategic communication and coordination on the Iran situation and ... make new efforts towards advocating for peace", Beijing said.

Wang backed Pakistan's mediation efforts as "in keeping with the common interests of all parties", according to a Chinese readout of the meeting.

"China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks," Wang said.

Dar's ministry said the two sides had agreed on a five-point plan, starting with the "immediate cessation of hostilities" and the "start of peace talks as soon as possible".

The plan also calls for an end to attacks on civilians and non-military targets, such as energy infrastructure and desalination plants.

Shipping lanes should be secured, allowing "the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships" through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, it added.

Both countries said a lasting peace should be based on the UN charter and international law.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday his country had the "necessary will" to end the ongoing war with Israel and the United States, but was seeking guarantees that the conflict would not be repeated.

"We possess the necessary will to end this conflict, provided that essential conditions are met - especially the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression," Pezeshkian said in a phone conversation with the president of the European Council, according to a statement from his office, reiterating a key demand of Tehran's.

Israel will reduce its military imports from France "to zero" in retaliation for French policies it deems hostile towards its interests, a defence ministry spokeswoman told AFP on Tuesday.

"The Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Amir Baram, has decided to reduce defence procurement from France to zero, diverting those funds to 'Blue and White' (Israeli) procurement or to allied nations", the spokeswoman said.

According to the French parliament, Paris does not export weapons to Israel, but components to be used in defence systems or to be re-exported to third countries.

Israeli armament procurement from French defence companies totalled around $260 million between 2015 and 2024, according to the most recent French parliamentary report on military exports, which said global sales in 2024 topped $25 billion.

The Israeli spokeswoman added that the decision was in retaliation for several French government steps perceived as hostile to Israel.

Lebanon denounced what it called Israel's plans for "a new occupation of Lebanese territory" on Tuesday, after Israel said it would establish a "security zone" in the country.

Defence Minister Major General Michel Menassa said the remarks by his counterpart Israel Katz were "no longer mere threats", but reflected "a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory, forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of citizens, and systematically destroy villages and towns in the south".

Katz also said Israel would have "security control" up to the Litani river, an idea which Menassa denounced as "a deepening of the aggression against Lebanese land and national sovereignty".

Pope Leo XIV said Tuesday that he hoped that US President Donald Trump was looking to end the war in the Middle East, as he called for a halt to the violence.

"I'm told that President Trump recently stated that he would like to end the war, hopefully he's looking for an off-ramp, hopefully he's looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing," the pope told journalists.

The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF)–Arab Army announced Iran targeted the Kingdom's territory with four missiles in the past 24 hours. A spokesperson for Public Security Directorate (PSD) also announced the relevant units responded to 17 reports of falling debris and projectiles in the past 24 hours. The spokesperson noted no injuries resulted from these incidents, though some material damage occurred.

Explosions ⁠were ​heard in ​the Syrian capital ​Damascus ​as Israeli air ‌defenses ⁠intercepted Iranian missiles, Reuters reported, quoting ​Syrian ​state TV.

The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it is enhancing air defence support to Gulf partners amid ongoing regional tensions. The announcement details new deployments of UK air defence systems and personnel, successful defensive actions against Iranian drones, and continued multinational air operations.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that US forces would end operations in Iran "very soon," as his administration pursues talks with Iranian authorities while continuing its aerial campaign.

Trump says war with Iran could end in "two weeks, maybe three".

Asked during a White House event about the impact of high fuel prices since the start of the war on February 28, Trump said that: "All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll become tumbling down. But we're finishing the job, and I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer," US forces will leave, he added. 

The Israeli army said Wednesday it had "struck a senior commander" and another "terrorist" from Hezbollah in Beirut. "A short while ago, in two separate strikes in the Beirut area, the IDF struck a senior Hezbollah commander and an additional senior terrorist," the Israeli Defence Forces said, adding that the second person was also a Hezbollah member.

Nikos Dendias, Greece's Minister of National Defence, has expressed his country's full solidarity with the UAE following Iran's unprovoked, terrorist missile attacks.

Dendias discussed with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the repercussions of Iran's attacks targeting the UAE and several countries in the region.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced the interception and destruction of two drones during the past hours. The statement was made by Major General Turki Al-Malki, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

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