US VP Vance says ‘we know we got a problem’ with petrol prices US Vice President JD Vance has acknowledged that “we got a problem” regarding the rising petrol prices amid the US-Israel war on Iran. “Gas [petrol] prices are up. We know they’re up, and we know people are hurting because of it,” he said during a speech at a manufacturing facility in Michigan.
Qatar slams Ras Laffan strikes as ‘flagrant violation’ Qatar’s foreign ministry has described the strikes on Ras Laffan as a “flagrant violation" of the state’s sovereignty, adding that it would not hesitate to respond to attacks on its security and sovereignty. In a statement, it said Qatar has sought to distance itself from the war, “the Iranian side persists in targeting it and neighbouring countries, pursuing an irresponsible approach that undermines regional security and threatens international peace”. Qatar has “repeatedly called for the necessity of refraining from targeting civilian facilities and energy infrastructure”, including in Iran, the statement continued.
WHO warns of 'worst-case scenario nuclear incident' in US-Israeli war on Iran Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 03/18/2026 - 19:37 The United Nations agency says no matter how much it prepares, the outcome would be catastrophic Rocket trails are seen in the sky from Iranian missile attacks above the Israeli coastal city of Netanya, on 17 March 2026 (Jack Guez/AFP) Off The World Health Organisation (WHO) is bracing for potential nuclear fallout from the escalating US -Israeli war on Iran , and warns that the outcome would be catastrophic no matter how many precautions are taken. Speaking to Politico this week, Hanan Balkhy, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said she is "really just hoping that it does not happen". "The worst-case scenario is a nuclear incident, and that's something that worries us the most,” she said.
Iraq says projectile strike targets Kirkuk air base Iraq’s defence ministry said a projectile struck an air base in Kirkuk. In statements carried by the Iraqi News Agency, the ministry said the facility is “purely Iraqi”, with only Iraqi aircraft stationed there and no foreign personnel. It said the incident “constitutes a direct attack” on the capabilities of the Iraqi Army Air Force.
Saudi Arabia says four injured after missile debris falls in Riyadh Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said its forces intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh. The Saudi Press Agency reported that four people were injured when shrapnel from an intercepted missile hit a residential building. In a post on X, the ministry added that debris from one of the missiles also fell near a refinery south of the city.
Top US intelligence official says it's not her job to determine imminent threats Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Wed, 03/18/2026 - 17:58 Tulsi Gabbard, a longtime anti-war voice, avoided undermining the president's claims in a public hearing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on 18 March 2026 (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) Off The Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, told lawmakers on Wednesday that it was not her job to determine what constitutes an "imminent threat" to the US , as the country's war on Iran heads into its fourth week. Only President Donald Trump can make such a determination, she insisted at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. Democrats grilled her on how much information she supplied the president ahead of the decision to begin joint attacks with Israel on 28 February, given that Trump has repeatedly said this week how he was surprised Iran retaliated by attacking Washington's Gulf partners.
Iranian missiles hit Qatar industrial city, causing ‘extreme damage’ Qatar’s defence ministry said the country was targeted by five Iranian ballistic missiles. In a statement on X, it said air defences intercepted four of them, while one struck Ras Laffan Industrial City, sparking a fire. The ministry said civil defence teams were working to contain the blaze, with the interior ministry later saying it had been brought largely under control.
UK says no clear plan yet to reopen Strait of Hormuz A senior British defence official said there is still no clear plan to safely reopen the Strait of Hormuz. UK officials said discussions with allies are ongoing but still at an early stage, as Iran has effectively shut the key shipping route since the US-Israeli war on Iran began. Armed Forces Minister Al Carns said the threat to shipping includes mines, fast attack boats, missiles and drones, describing the situation as a “significant military challenge” that will require a multinational response.
Saudi analyst says kingdom will activate defence pact with Pakistan if it joins Iran war Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 03/18/2026 - 17:41 Analyst says Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is on the table for Saudi Arabia if it joins war A handout picture shows Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcoming Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ahead of their meeting in Riyadh, on 17 September 2025 (Saudi Press Agency/AFP) Off If Saudi Arabia joins the US-Israeli war on Iran , it will activate its mutual defence pact with Pakistan and potentially lean on the South Asian country’s nuclear arsenal, a Saudi Arabian analyst told Canada’s CBC News. “If the Saudis were to decide to enter with complete force…Iran is going to be the biggest loser because Saudi Arabia will activate its bilateral defence agreement with Pakistan,” Salman al-Ansari, a Saudi Arabian geopolitical researcher, said in an interview. “We can say it literally that there is a nuclear umbrella over Saudi Arabia,” he added.
Lebanon death toll rises to 968 as Israeli strikes continue At least 968 people have been killed in Lebanon since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, up from 912 a day earlier, the country’s health ministry said. The toll includes 116 children and 77 women, with more than one million people displaced.
Iran names oil and gas sites in Gulf states as potential targets Iranian authorities have identified five oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and it said it would target them in the coming hours. The sites include Saudi Arabia’s SAMREF refinery and Jubail petrochemical complex, the UAE’s al-Hosn gas field, and Qatar’s Ras Laffan refinery and Mesaieed petrochemical complex, the statement circulated by Tasnim news agency said.
War on Iran: Who are the Kurds and what does Trump want from them? Submitted by Daniel Tester on Mon, 03/16/2026 - 15:49 The world’s largest ethnic group without an independent state is concentrated in Iran, Turkey, Iraq, and Syria Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, on 12 February 2026 (Reuters) On President Donald Trump has encouraged the people of Iran to rise up and “take over” their government amid the US-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic. But the US has also been approaching regional allies to enter the conflict, not least the Kurds of Iran.
Iran’s supreme leader vows response over Larijani killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed that those behind the killing of security chief Ali Larijani will “pay”. In a rare public statement circulated by Tasnim news agency, Khamenei said he received news of Larijani’s death with “great regret”, describing him as an “intelligent” and “committed” figure. He said the assassination reflected the “hatred of the enemies of Islam”, adding that “the criminal murderers” would soon face consequences.
Saudi Arabia intercepts two ballistic missiles Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence says it has intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles heading towards the country’s eastern region. It earlier said it had destroyed a drone in the same area, and also one in the Riyadh region.
UAE condemns Israeli strike on Iran gasfield The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gasfield. In a rare rebuke since the war began, the ministry said targeting energy facilities “constitutes a dangerous escalation” that “poses a direct threat to global energy security, as well as to the security and stability of the region and its people”. It also “stressed the need to avoid targeting vital facilities under any circumstances, emphasising the importance of adhering to international law.
Three planes damaged by missile fragments at Tel Aviv airport Three private aircraft were left with “severe” damage after being struck by missile debris at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, the Israel Airports Authority said. The damage occurred over the past few days, with one of the planes catching fire.
Damage to Iranian nuclear site not ‘very significant’ and ‘no casualties’, says IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi told reporters that the strike on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear site did not hit the actual power plant but landed on the premises, not causing any "very significant" damage. “The reactors have not been affected and there are no casualties,” Grossi reported, but added that the IAEA had not independently confirmed the damage. Nevertheless, he emphasised that “any attack on any nuclear facility should always be avoided”.
Russia says shipping can return to Strait of Hormuz through diplomacy Negotiations are the only way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for shipping, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. It comes as maritime traffic through the key waterway is still suspended due to Iranian threats and attacks on ships following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
US-Israeli war on Iran 'unjustified and unlawful', French ambassador tells MEE Submitted by David Hearst on Wed, 03/18/2026 - 15:22 French ambassador to Oman says military operation bypassed UN Security Council, sparking 'disappointment and clear dismay' in Muscat " class="video-embed-field-lazy container-element"> Off France believes the US - Israeli war on Iran is unjustified and unlawful, the French ambassador to Oman has told Middle East Eye in an exclusive interview. Nabil Hajlaoui was speaking during an episode of The David Hearst Podcast published on Tuesday. “This military operation is outside of international law and we cannot endorse it in any way,” Hajlaoui said.
Iran warns energy infrastructure of US and allies could be targeted “The fuel, energy and gas infrastructures” of those who attacked Iran’s energy and oil facilities “will be burned and turned to ashes at the earliest opportunity,” a spokesperson for IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said. The statement, which was published on Iran’s Mehr news agency added: “This is a firm and clear warning to the criminals who attacked part of Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructures in the south of the country. ” “We declare to the cowardly and aggressive army of the criminal America and the barbaric and child-killing Zionist regime that you will have to throw your soldiers into the water and throw your dignity into the wind.
