New Delhi [India], March 18 (ANI): Amidst the escalating West Asia conflict, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that he has been publicly urging the Indian government to take a proactive lead in demanding an immediate end to the conflict.
Negotiators had reached agreement on key issues despite Trump team’s idiosyncratic approach. Two days later, war began In the many bizarre exchanges that occurred in the run-up to the US-Israeli attack on Iran, perhaps the most unexpected was an invitation by Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff for the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, to join him and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for a visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group. The idea that Araghchi would leave talks in Oman about the future of Iran’s nuclear programme to tour a ship sent to the Gulf in an effort to dislodge his government seemed idiosyncratic at best.
Iranian missile barrage kills two near Tel Aviv, disrupts rail An Iranian missile barrage killed two people near Tel Aviv, medics said, as air raid sirens sounded across central Israel and falling munitions struck multiple locations, AFP reported. Police said a residential building in Ramat Gan was hit, with a cluster munition collapsing the roof on an elderly couple. “Unfortunately, this couple did not go to the safe room when the alarm sounded,” a police spokesperson said.
Global flights halted as Middle East conflict shuts hubs Airlines around the world have cancelled or suspended flights as the Middle East conflict forces the closure of key aviation hubs, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, stranding tens of thousands of passengers. Major carriers, including Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways have either halted routes or reduced operations, while others extended suspensions on flights to cities across the Gulf and Israel. The widespread disruption reflects ongoing security concerns and restricted airspace across the region, with airlines continuing to reroute or cancel services as the conflict shows no sign of easing.
As the U. S. conflict with Iran intensifies, public opinion has moved quickly from passively watching events overseas to judging its immediate consequences at home.
Tel Aviv [Israel], March 18 (ANI): Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that it has begun a wave of strikes targeting the infrastructure of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Tel Aviv [Israel], March 18 (ANI): An Iranian ballistic missile targeting central Israel appears to have been equipped with a cluster bomb warhead, according to footage reviewed by the Times of Israel. Cluster bomb warheads indiscriminately spread dozens of sub munitions, each with several kilograms of explosives, over a radius of around 10 kilometres.
Singapore City [Singapore], March 18 (ANI): A US Navy Warship, which is believed to be carrying Marines and Sailors to West Asia amid the developments in the region, is nearing the Malacca Strait off Singapore, CNN reported, referring to maritime tracking data.
UAE, Saudi Arabia intercept drones and missiles amid Iran attacks The United Arab Emirates said its air defences intercepted missile and drone attacks from Iran for the third time on Wednesday, as Gulf countries continue responding to repeated aerial threats. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said it intercepted and destroyed two drones in the Eastern Province in what it described as the fourth attack in recent hours. The incidents come amid an ongoing wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, targeting military-linked sites as well as infrastructure, with regional air defences intercepting a large share of incoming threats.
Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israel Iran has executed a man convicted of spying for Israel, according to the judiciary’s Mizan news agency. The man was found guilty of providing Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, with photos and information about sensitive sites in Iran, Mizan said. Iran has carried out several executions in recent years of individuals accused of links to Israeli intelligence, amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Loud explosion in Beirut after Israeli strike on building A loud explosion was reported in central Beirut after Israeli forces struck a building in the Bachoura neighbourhood, according to Reuters. The attack came shortly after the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for the area, Al Jazeera Arabic reported. Earlier strikes on apartment buildings in Zuqaq al-Blat and Al-Basta killed at least six people and wounded 24 others, according to Lebanese authorities.
Across Asia, a sharp drop in liquefied natural gas supplies is pushing major importers back toward coal, undermining L. N. G.
Israeli attacks have targeted the command centers of Iran’s repressive, internal security forces in hopes that Iranians will overthrow their rulers. Some see that as wishful thinking.
Rome [Italy], March 18 (ANI): The world is facing a 'terrible, terrible prospect' as the current conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran threatens to drive global hunger to an 'all-time record.
The current crisis is a reminder of how fragile progress can be. by Xinhua Writer Duan Minfu BAGHDAD, March 18 (Xinhua) -- In a dim cafe in the Karrada district of Baghdad, a television flickered with footage of fireballs streaking across a night sky. The news played on for hours; no one changed the channel.
Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 18 (ANI): The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defence has announced that the nation's military capabilities are actively engaged in defensive operations following a fresh wave of aerial attacks. According to a statement from the Ministry, the country's air defences are 'currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. ' <a href="https://x.
Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], March 18 (ANI): Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry has announced that it will host 'the foreign ministers of a group of Arab and Islamic countries' for a high-level meeting in the capital, Riyadh, on Wednesday evening.
Prime minister says no Australian personnel were injured and maintains Australia is not at war with Iran Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast An Iranian projectile hit near Australia’s headquarters at the Al Minhad airbase in the United Arab Emirates, damaging an accommodation block and a medical facility. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, confirmed that no Australian personnel were injured in the strike at 9. 15am AEDT on Wednesday morning.
Iranian missiles damage buildings, cars in central Israel Buildings and cars were damaged in the central Israeli city of Holon following an Iranian missile attack, the Israeli Civil Defence said. Authorities said teams were responding to reports of explosive warheads falling in several areas of central Israel. Earlier, a series of explosions were reported across the region during the missile barrage.
New Delhi [India], March 18 (ANI): Crude oil prices in the international markets surged again to as high as USD 103 per barrel on Wednesday after Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf indicated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to normal. These remarks have heightened uncertainty over the safe passage of vessels through the crucial energy corridor.
