IRGC commander warns Trump threats amount to ‘act of war’ Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Force, said any threats or ultimatums against Iran should be seen as an act of war. In a post on X, Mousavi said recent strikes on Dimona and Haifa were a “clear message” in response to what he described as US threats over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran rejects Trump's 15-point peace proposal with five conditions of its own Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 03/25/2026 - 17:26 Iranian state media said Tehran wants guarantees against future US-Israeli attacks, and reparations - along with control of Strait of Hormuz A man holds an Iranian flag showing images of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who replaced him in the leadership role, in central Tehran's Revolution Square, on 25 March 2026 (AFP) Off Iran has rejected a US proposal to end the war with the Islamic Republic, setting out its own conditions for peace, according to Iranian state media. "Iran has responded negatively" to the American proposal, an unidentified official told Iran’s Press TV on Wednesday, referring to a 15-point ceasefire deal floated by the Trump administration and delivered to the Iranians by Pakistan . "The end of the war will occur when Iran decides it should end, not when Trump envisions its conclusion," the Iranian official added.
Russia evacuates more staff from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom has evacuated another 163 staff from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to state-run RIA news agency. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev said about 300 personnel remain at the site, but more are expected to leave. Russia built the existing facility at Bushehr and is constructing additional units, though work has been suspended since the US-Israeli war on Iran began last month.
Israel urges UN to designate Hezbollah as ‘terrorist’ group Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has called on the UN Security Council to “unequivocally” condemn Hezbollah and designate it a “terrorist” organisation. In a letter posted on X, Saar said Hezbollah has “indiscriminately fired over 3,500 missiles, drones and UAVs at Israel” since Israel expanded its offensive on March 2. More than 1,090 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since March.
IMO says 20,000 seafarers stranded as Hormuz disruption hits shipping The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has become a major challenge for global shipping, according to the head of the International Maritime Organization. Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told Al Jazeera that around 20,000 seafarers are stranded in and around the strait, with about 2,000 vessels unable to move. He added that insurers are refusing to cover losses, with many cancelling contracts or demanding sharply higher premiums.
France says Gulf damage cuts oil supply by 11 million barrels a day French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said 30 to 40 percent of refining capacity in the Gulf has been damaged or destroyed, triggering an oil crisis, particularly in parts of Asia. “As a result, we are now facing an oil market where 11 million barrels per day are missing,” he said. Lescure added that talks with his Qatari counterpart indicated that 17 percent of the country’s gas production capacity has also been destroyed following attacks on energy facilities.
Oops, we have wrecked another country Submitted by David Hearst on Wed, 03/25/2026 - 15:35 The Iran war is not just a case of history repeating itself, Mohammad ElBaradei warns. It is history amplifying itself Smoke rises after a strike on an oil refinery in Tehran on 8 March 2026 (AFP) Off As the war on Iran lurches towards its second month, a steady stream of voices from the intelligence communities in the US and Israel are making public their dissension with the whole project. As a result, more details are coming out about the decision to launch the attack in February.
Saudi FM says trust in Iran ‘completely shattered’ Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said his country reserves the right to respond to Iranian attacks. Speaking to reporters in Riyadh, he said any remaining trust in Iran has now been “completely shattered”. “Iran’s attacks on neighbouring countries were premeditated, and what we are witnessing now confirms this,” Prince Faisal added.
Netanyahu aide's racist slurs about Mizrahi Jews spark outrage Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Wed, 03/25/2026 - 14:06 Recordings reveal Ziv Agmon insulting Likud MPs and criticising premier, prompting calls for dismissal Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) speaks with Aryeh Deri (L), chairman of the ultra-Orthodox party Shas, during a parliament session in Jerusalem on 24 July 2023 (AFP) Off Racist remarks attributed to a close aide of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have caused a political stir in Israel, after Channel 12 News on Tuesday revealed disparaging comments about Mizrahi Jews. Released recordings feature Ziv Agmon, Netanyahu’s personal spokesperson and interim chief of staff, making a series of offensive statements about members of the prime minister’s own Likud party, several of whom are of Mizrahi descent. "It's not good that Morocco was opened for Israeli tourism," Agmon said in one recording, "now we know from where our Moroccans are from.
Gaza toddler released from Israeli custody with ‘cigarette burn’ wounds Submitted by Maha Hussaini on Wed, 03/25/2026 - 14:47 Family says toddler shows signs of torture after detention, as father remains missing Jawad Abu Nassar, 21 months, sits on his grandmother’s lap as she holds a photo of her son, Osama, on a phone in the Gaza Strip, 24 March 2026 (MEE/Moiz Salhi) Off A Palestinian toddler was returned from a 10-hour detention by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip with apparent cigarette burns on his thighs, according to medical reports. Jawad Abu Nassar, aged 21 months, was detained alongside his father, Osama Abu Nassar, 25, in central Gaza on 19 March. According to the family, Osama had taken his son out at around 10am to buy sweets ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
Saudi FM calls Iran attack on energy sites ‘blatant blackmail’ Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Iran’s attack on the kingdom’s energy facilities was “a blatant attempt at blackmail”. Saudi Arabia said earlier it had intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh ahead of a meeting of regional and Islamic foreign ministers in the capital. “For me, it was clear that the attack today was timed with this meeting, in order to attempt to intimidate those present,” he said, adding it was meant to signal that Iran would not stop.
Starmer reaffirms UK support for ICC when asked about Karim Khan exoneration report Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 03/25/2026 - 14:05 The prime minister declined to comment on the court's 'internal proceedings' after being told war crimes prosecutor was cleared of wrongdoing by judges' panel Keir Starmer speaking during Prime Minister's questions on Wednesday in the House of Commons in central London (AFP) Off British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday reaffirmed the UK 's support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) after being asked about Middle East Eye's revelation that a judges' panel cleared its British chief prosecutor Karim Khan of misconduct. Starmer was also asked about MEE's report that a minority of members from the body's governing body are calling for the judges' findings to be ignored, but he declined to comment on the ICC's "internal proceedings". MEE exclusively reported on Saturday that Khan has been cleared of any wrongdoing by a panel of three senior judges appointed by the bureau of the Assembly of State Parties (ASP), the ICC’s governing body, to review the findings of a United Nations investigation into complaints of alleged sexual misconduct.
Video: Spanish PM says 'nightmare of Iraq will repeat itself' Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said “the nightmare of Iraq will repeat itself” through the consequences of the US-Israeli war on Iran. pic. twitter.
War could cause 'worst industrial crisis in living memory' The war in the Middle East could cause the "worst industrial crisis in living memory", the head of the International Chamber of Commerce has warned. "The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that the world is facing an energy crisis more severe than the oil shocks of the 1970s," said John Denton. "From a business perspective, we believe this could yet become the worst industrial crisis in living memory - not only because of surging energy prices, but because industrial production itself is being disrupted and dislocated by shortages of gas and other essential inputs".
'Ethnic cleansing': Israel evicts 11 Palestinian families from Jerusalem neighbourhood Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 03/25/2026 - 14:26 Video footage showed settlers throwing furniture from Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem Employees of the Israeli authorities remove the belongings of a Palestinian home, in the neighbourhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem, on 25 March (AFP/Ahmad Gharabli) Off Israeli forces have entered the neighbourhood of Silwan in occupied East Jerusalem to evict 11 Palestinians families from their homes. According to locals and rights groups, 13 Palestinian apartments were seized in Silwan on Wednesday. Police escorted Israeli settlers from the Ateret Cohanim organisation - who advocate settlement in Palestinian neighbourhoods of Jerusalem - into the Batn al-Hawa area of Silwan.
Iran gives five conditions for ending war, official tells state TV An unnamed Iranian official has told state TV that Tehran rejects the US proposal for ending the war, and has instead outlined five of its own conditions. "Iran will end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met," the official told Press TV.
War will end 'when Iran decides it', Iranian official tells state TV Iranian state television, citing a senior official, said Wednesday that Iran had rejected a ceasefire plan proposed by the United States to end the war. "Iran has responded negatively to an American proposal aimed at ending the ongoing imposed war," the official said, according to Press TV. "The end of the war will occur when Iran decides it should end, not when Trump envisions its conclusion.
Russia pulls more staff from Iran nuclear plant after reported strike Russia has evacuated more staff from Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, the head of Russia's atomic energy agency said on Wednesday, after a reported strike on the compound overnight. "Today, at approximately 7:20 Moscow time (0420 GMT), 163 people left Bushehr for the Iranian-Armenian border," Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev was quoted as saying by the state RIA news agency. "Right now, about 300 remain," he added in comments to reporters.
Israeli court closes case into Palestinian teen’s death despite evidence of starvation Submitted by Samah Watad on Wed, 03/25/2026 - 12:43 Human rights experts slam court ruling and ongoing impunity as prisoner deaths mount Walid Ahmad, 17, died in Israeli custody in March 2025 after being starved by prison guards (X) Off An Israeli court has drawn criticism after closing an investigation into the death of a Palestinian teenager in custody, despite finding indications he had been starved prior to his death. Walid Ahmad, a 17-year-old from the occupied West Bank, died in Israeli custody in March 2025, six months after he was detained for allegedly throwing stones, according to the Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs. Judge Ehud Kaplan ruled the case should be closed, stating there was no proven link between Ahmad’s deteriorating physical condition, such as severe weight loss and infection, and the immediate cause of his death.
UN confirms Gaza security force to include Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Morocco Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Wed, 03/25/2026 - 12:31 Discussions over membership of Gaza 'stabilisation' forces have been ongoing since September 2025 A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon convoy drives near the southern Lebanese city of Tyre on 23 March 2026 (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP) Off The UN has confirmed which countries are to be members of a post-war military force planned for the Gaza Strip . Speaking to the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday, High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov said that Indonesia, Morocco , Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania had committed troops to the temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) that was proposed in September 2025. The Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict brokered by US President Donald Trump envisioned an international force to guard Gaza and take over areas currently controlled by Hamas.
