A devastating submarine attack on an Iranian military vessel off the southern coast of Sri Lanka has resulted in a major maritime crisis, with at least 101 people feared missing and 78 others reported injured. The incident, which occurred on the morning of March 4, 2026, has led to significant concerns and confusion, with varying casualty figures being reported. The vessel has since sunk, but questions over the cause of the attack and the true extent of the damage remain unclear. Ac

The United States military has deployed a new drone strike capability in the Middle East as part of its ongoing operations against the Islamic State. Speaking during a briefing on Operation Epic Fury, the commander of United States Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, confirmed that the US has begun using drones designed on the model of Iran’s Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle. The system is intended to strengthen Washington’s ability to conduct precision strikes while countering milita

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader of Iran. This transition, which occurred under significant pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), marks a controversial father-to-son succession that goes against the Islamic Republic’s long-standing criticism of hereditary monarchy. Mojtaba, the second-eldest son of Ali Khamenei, has been long speculated as a potential successo

The Pentagon has identified four of the six United States soldiers killed in a drone strike on a military command center in Kuwait, as families across the country mourn service members who were deployed in support roles far from active combat zones. The soldiers died Sunday when a drone struck a command facility at Port Shuaiba, a strategic location used by US forces operating in the Gulf region. The attack occurred a day after the United States and Israel launched military operatio

The United States government has urged Americans in parts of the Middle East to leave the region as fighting linked to the escalating Iran war intensifies, complicating travel and raising security concerns. The State Department issued updated guidance advising citizens to depart from 14 countries, including Israel, Lebanon, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as regional security conditions deteriorate. Until recently, Americans in several of these countries had been instructed to s

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia and growing concerns over potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, government sources have reassured citizens that India’s oil reserves and fuel stocks remain sufficient, urging the public not to panic or hoard essential petroleum products. Officials said the country currently maintains around 25 days of crude oil and petroleum products, including petrol and diesel, ensuring stability in the event of short-term supply disruptions. Liq

Farah Pahlavi has described the death of Ali Khamenei as historically significant but cautioned that it would not automatically dismantle Iran’s political system. Speaking to AFP on Tuesday, March 3, the former empress said that while Khamenei had been central to the architecture of power within the Islamic republic, the passing of a single individual does not necessarily signal the collapse of an entrenched system. Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in Paris since the 1979 revolutio

The U.S.-Iran war entered its fourth day on Tuesday, widening beyond its initial flashpoints and sending shockwaves through global financial and energy markets. Investors reacted swiftly to the escalating Middle East conflict, with U.S. stocks opening sharply lower. European stocks and major Asian markets also declined, reflecting mounting concerns over geopolitical instability and the risk of a broader regional confrontation. Oil prices surged amid growing fears of an energy supply

The United States could face an economic impact of up to $210 billion as Operation Epic Fury intensifies tensions with Iran, according to leading budget analysts. President Donald Trump has indicated that the conflict may continue for at least four weeks, raising concerns about prolonged military spending and wider fallout for the US economy. Estimates by economist Kent Smetters of the Penn Wharton Budget Model suggest that the total cost of the Iran conflict could significantly strain federa

The global shipping industry is grappling with mounting financial strain as escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupts maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Within three days of hostilities and retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region, freight markets have recorded sharp increases in costs, with industry estimates pointing to potential losses amounting to tens of billions of dollars per day. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for m

Amid escalating security concerns in Iran, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has relocated most Indian students from the capital to safer locations outside the city. In an advisory issued on March 3, the mission cited a heightened risk perception in Tehran and said transport, food and accommodation had been arranged for those moved. A small number of students remain in the city after declining the relocation offer. The embassy reiterated earlier guidance for Indian nationals still in Ira

Israel’s air force carried out overnight strikes on key government sites in Iran, including the country’s presidential complex and a building linked to its top security authority, according to a statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces. The military said it targeted what it described as the “Iranian regime’s leadership compound,” identifying it as the central headquarters of Iran’s leadership structure. In a post published on X, the Israel Defense Forces stated that

Wealthy residents and business travelers are reportedly paying as much as £260,000, or about $350,000, to leave Gulf countries after a series of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted locations in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain over the weekend. The attacks struck areas that had long been considered secure for residents, tourists, and international business visitors, prompting a sudden rush to exit the region. Riyadh has emerged as a major transit point for those

Air travel operations in parts of the Middle East showed early signs of recovery after several airlines announced limited service resumption following widespread disruptions caused by recent regional strikes. Dubai-based Emirates confirmed it received approval from local authorities to restart a limited number of flights, with operations expected to begin Monday evening. The decision comes after thousands of flights were canceled over the weekend due to airspace closures across multiple countries in the region. Authorities in Dubai stated that only a small number of flights would be allowed to operate from Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport as a precautionary measure while the situation stabilizes. Travelers have been advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as schedules may change at short notice depending on safety assessments and airspace availability. Emirates said priority would be given to passengers who already held confirmed bookings before the disruption. The airline also urged customers not to travel to the airport unless they had received direct confirmation that their flight would operate. According to the airline, most services remain suspended until further notice as authorities continue to monitor regional developments. The disruption followed military strikes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which led to the temporary closure of large sections of Middle East airspace. The shutdown affected not only flights to the region but also international routes that normally pass through the area, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded worldwide. Dubai, one of the busiest global aviation hubs, experienced significant delays as airlines were forced to reroute or cancel long-haul flights. Israeli carrier El Al announced that it is exploring alternative options to bring stranded citizens home, including the possible use of chartered aircraft from European locations to nearby destinations such as Taba in Egypt or Aqaba in Jordan. The airline said the plan would require approval from government authorities before it could proceed. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways also confirmed temporary suspension of commercial services, stating that flights to and from the city would remain halted until midweek. The airline noted that certain cargo and repatriation flights may continue under strict safety protocols as authorities gradually reopen regional airspace. Airlines across the region are continuing to assess conditions before fully restoring normal schedules, with officials emphasizing that passenger safety remains the primary concern while tensions in the region persist.

The United States and Israel continued coordinated military strikes inside Iran as tensions escalated following the deaths of three American service members during the latest phase of the conflict. Former US President Donald Trump said the United States would respond forcefully to the losses, warning that additional casualties could occur before the confrontation reaches a conclusion. The deaths mark the first confirmed American fatalities since the latest round of joint operations targeting Ira

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu is likely to miss this year’s All England tournament after being stranded in Dubai due to major travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. With several flight routes affected by the escalating war situation, the former world champion has been unable to reach Birmingham in time for the prestigious competition scheduled to begin on March 3. Sources close to the player confirmed that Sindhu had raised concerns regarding her travel plans wel

Protesters gathered Saturday outside the federal building in San Francisco to denounce recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, assembling less than a day after the military action was announced. Demonstrators later marched through downtown streets, chanting anti-war slogans and calling for an end to U.S. involvement in the Middle East. Participants carried signs criticizing military spending, condemning both major political parties, and expressing opposition to immigration enforcement and forei

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is among several international travellers stranded in the Middle East after escalating military tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States led to widespread disruption of air travel across the Gulf region. The conflict intensified after combined strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets began on Saturday, triggering retaliatory attacks from Iran across multiple locations in the region. Following the exchange of strikes, se

Official media in Iran has confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announcing a 40-day period of national mourning across the country. The announcement was made through state television, which reported that the senior leader died following recent military strikes carried out by the

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned what he described as a barbaric attack on a school in southern Iran on Saturday, following a series of strikes carried out by the United States and Israel that have intensified the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In an official statement, Pezeshkian said the incident marked another dark chapter in what he called a pattern of aggression against the country, and warned that the violence could further destabilize the region. According to Iranian authorities, at least 63 people were killed in the attack, with dozens more injured, making it one of the deadliest incidents reported since the latest escalation began. Israeli officials stated that the strikes were aimed at high-level targets connected to Iran’s leadership and military planning. A military spokesperson said multiple locations where senior Iranian figures had gathered were hit simultaneously, resulting in the elimination of individuals considered critical to the country’s campaign management and governance. The strikes were described as part of a broader effort to weaken Iran’s operational capabilities, though details about those killed were not immediately confirmed by independent sources. The developments prompted urgent diplomatic activity at the United Nations, where the security council scheduled an emergency session in New York to address the growing crisis. Diplomats said the meeting was requested by several member states, including Russia and China, who described the strikes as an act of armed aggression and called for immediate international discussion. France, Bahrain, and Colombia also supported the request, reflecting widespread concern over the risk of a wider regional war. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to address the council and has already urged all sides to halt military actions. In a statement issued earlier, he warned that continued use of force could undermine international peace and security and lead to severe consequences for civilians across the Middle East. Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to diplomatic negotiations, stressing that only dialogue could prevent the conflict from expanding further and threatening global stability.