A system based on patronage works only if the patron accepts certain responsibilities. The US-Israeli war against Iran is forcing a new look at the nature and limits of alliances in the 21st century. In the second half of the 20th century, international politics rested on a relatively simple logic.
Our national security reporter David E. Sanger describes how President Trump is considering a risky commando operation at an Iranian nuclear site.
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.
Tehran [Iran], March 19 (ANI): Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has confirmed that Israel killed Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight attack, marking the third assassination of a high-ranking Iranian official in two days, Al Jazeera reported. The announcement on Wednesday comes hours after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed the Iranian minister had been killed, as per Al Jazeera.
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.
The strikes on a gas field in Iran and an industrial complex in Qatar appeared to be some of the most significant attacks on energy sites since the U. S. -Israeli air war against Iran began.
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.
Iran has vowed to hit energy targets throughout the Gulf in response to strikes on its South Pars gas field The Qatari Foreign Ministry has condemned Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, which is jointly operated by Iran and Qatar. The ministry said that strikes on Pars constitute "a threat to global energy security.
Iran has vowed to hit energy targets throughout the Gulf in response to strikes on its South Pars gas field The Qatari Foreign Ministry has condemned Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field, which is jointly operated by Iran and Qatar.
JERUSALEM, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A man and a woman were killed Tuesday night in the city of Ramat Gan, central Israel, after a missile fired from Iran hit a residential building, Israel's national emergency service MDA reported. Local media reported that the victims were a couple aged between 70 and 80. Footage showed heavy damage to a residential building at the impact site.
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.
Strike was first time a fossil fuel energy production facility has been hit. But why is it significant and who does it affect? Strikes by both sides on so-called upstream gas production facilities in recent days are a significant escalation in the war in the Middle East, with potentially long-term consequences.
An Israeli airstrike killed Iran’s intelligence minister, continuing its targeting of high-ranking officials. In retaliation for the killings of two other top officials the day before, Iran launched missile attacks that killed two people outside Tel Aviv.
Washington, DC [US], March 18 (ANI): US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said that Pakistan's missile developments have the potential to reach the US. Gabbard, while speaking at a Senate Intelligence hearing on worldwide threats, said that Pakistan's long-range ballistic missile development potentially could include ICBMs with the range capable of striking the homeland.
Las autoridades israelíes han anunciado que han matado al líder de facto de Irán y a los comandantes de una milicia conocida por reprimir las protestas. Los analistas advierten sobre las posibles repercusiones.
Officials say military planners liaising with US Central Command but situation remains too dangerous for anything to happen soon Middle East crisis – live updates Britain has said it remains involved in discussions with the US and European allies over escorting merchant shipping through the strait of Hormuz but the situation remains too dangerous for it to happen soon. Iran is still considered to pose a threat and have a wide range of weapons available – from cruise missiles to sea drones – despite 19 days of US-led bombing of its navy and coastal sites. Continue reading...
DOHA, 18th March, 2026 (WAM) -- The Qatari Ministry of Interior affirmed that the Civil Defense is responding to a fire in the Ras Laffan area following an Iranian targeting. The ministry unveiled in a post on its official account on X platform.
DOHA, 18th March, 2026 (WAM) -- The Qatari Ministry of Interior affirmed that the Civil Defence is responding to a fire in the Ras Laffan area following an Iranian targeting. The ministry unveiled in a post on its official account on X platform.
