The United States has reportedly suffered nearly $2 billion in military equipment losses during the first four days of escalating hostilities with Iran following a joint US–Israel military campaign. Data compiled from defence assessments and open-source intelligence indicates that multiple American installations across the Middle East were damaged in retaliatory strikes launched by Tehran after the operation that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. One

In response to the escalating crisis in the Middle East, Russia is preparing to ship 9.5 million barrels of crude oil to India. This move comes as India faces severe supply disruptions, particularly after Iranian attacks targeted vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil route that handles 40% of India's crude imports. The current geopolitical tensions have left India vulnerable, as its crude stocks cover only about 25 days of demand, and inventories of refined products like gasoline, g

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

India is preparing to buy five additional squadrons of the Russian‑made S‑400 Triumf long‑range air defence missile system, a plan driven by the system’s highly effective performance during last year’s Operation Sindoor. The move aims to significantly bolster the Indian Air Force’s layered air defence network across both eastern and western fronts against evolving aerial threats. Defence ministry sources say the proposal from the Indian Air Force will soon be taken up fo

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

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

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

PV Sindhu, India's two-time Olympic medalist, has safely returned to Bengaluru after a tense and uncertain ordeal in Dubai. Sindhu was stranded in Dubai due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which led to the closing of airspace in the Gulf region following the US bombing of Iran. Sindhu, who was en route to the All England Championships, had been stuck in Dubai since February 28, 2026. Upon her return, Sindhu expressed gratitude toward the ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport

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

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.

Iran launched a large-scale counter-attack targeting United States military bases across the Middle East, with several strikes also reported in the United Arab Emirates, triggering panic in major cities including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Explosions were heard in multiple locations on Saturday, prompting emergency responses and heightened security across the Gulf region. Authorities confirmed that precautionary evacuations were carried out in several high-profile locations, including the Burj Khalifa

The United States and Israel have launched large-scale military strikes on Iran, triggering a rapid escalation that has pushed West Asia toward a wider conflict. US President Donald Trump announced the start of major combat operations, while calling on the Iranian public to oppose their leadership. Within hours, Iran responded with missile attacks targeting Israeli positions and US military facilities across the region, raising fears of a prolonged confrontation. Explosions were reported in

The United States and Israel carried out a coordinated military operation against Iran on February 28, marking a sharp escalation in West Asia tensions and raising concerns about a wider regional conflict. Officials familiar with the development said the strikes were aimed at key military and political targets, including locations linked to Iran’s leadership and nuclear programme. Iranian authorities later responded with missile attacks targeting Israeli territory and facilities used by US for