A handwritten note attributed to senior Iranian security official Ali Larijani was posted on his social media account on X, even as Israel claimed he had been killed. Tehran has not confirmed any information regarding his reported death. According to Al Jazeera, the note was also shared by Iranian state-affiliated media and was written in memory of Iranian naval personnel killed in a recent U.S. strike. Their funeral was scheduled to take place today.

In the note, Larijani expressed admiration for the bravery of the Iranian Navy members and prayed for their eternal honor, saying their sacrifices would strengthen the Islamic Republic’s armed forces. The message appeared to reaffirm loyalty to Iran’s military and religious values.

Israel’s Defense Minister Katz had earlier claimed responsibility for a targeted nighttime airstrike that allegedly killed Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani, describing them as joining the late Ayatollah Khamenei “in the depths of hell.” Tehran has yet to issue an official response to these claims.

Operations at the Shah gas field in the United Arab Emirates were suspended following a drone attack on the facility late last night. The Shah field, located about 180 kilometers southwest of Abu Dhabi, is one of the world’s largest sour gas fields. In addition, oil installations at the Fujairah port were also targeted again, causing fires at the site.

According to the report, oil loading operations at Fujairah port had to be halted twice due to the drone strikes but have since resumed. No casualties were reported by state media. An unidentified projectile also struck an oil tanker 42 kilometers east of Fujairah port, causing minor damage to the vessel.

Citing two sources, Reuters reported that the incidents have reduced the UAE’s daily oil production by half. The country’s state oil company has also significantly cut production due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has held the United States and Israel responsible for the ongoing tensions and disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the situation cannot be viewed in isolation, describing it as a reflection of a broader regional conflict. He made the remarks during a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, urging all peace‑concerned nations and international organizations to condemn the roles of the United States and Israel.

Araghchi further called on the international community to take a firm stand against what he described as continuing military aggression toward the Iranian people. According to Iran’s semi‑official Tasnim News Agency, Tehran believes that the current instability, particularly the disruption of shipping, stems from wider regional conflicts that are making the situation increasingly complex.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, underscores Iran’s view that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is part of a larger geopolitical struggle rather than an isolated maritime issue.

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in Lebanon, saying civilians are paying a severe price. As the fighting expands, the number of deaths, injuries, and displaced people is rising rapidly. UN humanitarian coordinator Imran Riza said displacement is increasing at an unbelievable pace, with hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes, many with only the clothes they were wearing.

The conflict began on March 2 when Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, claiming it was in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded with military operations, leading to widespread violence across Lebanon. So far, more than 850 people have been killed, and over 800,000 have been displaced.

According to the Lebanese government, about one-fifth of the country’s population has already registered as displaced. The UN fears that if the situation worsens, the number of displaced people could rise even further.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel will continue its campaign to eliminate Iran’s leadership following a recent airstrike. Katz said the operation killed Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani. He stated that both he and the prime minister had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to keep pursuing Iran’s leadership, which he described as responsible for terrorism and oppression.

Katz referenced a comment by U.S. President Donald Trump about frequent changes in Iran’s leadership, saying that Israel’s actions had accelerated that process by killing two of Iran’s top figures. He also praised the Israeli Air Force pilots and intelligence officers who took part in the mission.

Iran has not yet confirmed the deaths of Larijani and Soleimani, leaving uncertainty about the full impact of the strike and Israel’s ongoing operations.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that Iran’s top security chief Ali Larijani was killed. However, Iranian media reported that Larijani would soon deliver a message, suggesting he may still be alive. At least two Iranian outlets confirmed that the message was expected to be released within minutes.

An Israeli military official told the BBC that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had targeted Larijani. In a separate claim, the Israeli army said it had killed Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij Force under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), during an attack on Monday night. Iranian authorities have not yet issued any official response or comment on either claim.

According to the Israeli military, Soleimani’s death would represent a major blow to Iran’s command-and-control structure. The situation remains unclear as Iranian media await Larijani’s statement and no confirmation has been provided from Tehran.

U.S. President Donald Trump criticized countries that did not respond to Washington’s call for assistance in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on March 17, 2026, he said some nations preferred not to get involved, even though the United States continues to protect them. Trump remarked that while America defends others, those same countries might not stand by the U.S. if help were ever needed.

Trump stated that the United States has neutralized Iran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, all 30 Iranian ships allegedly involved in laying mines have been destroyed. However, he admitted uncertainty about whether Iran has deployed additional mines in the area. He declared that the U.S. has already “dealt with Iran.”

The president urged other nations to join efforts in maintaining security in the Strait, claiming that several countries are already moving toward cooperation.

Cuba has plunged into darkness following a severe nationwide power outage triggered by the United States’ strict oil blockade. Speaking at the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could either “liberate” or “occupy” Cuba, claiming the island nation was now in a weakened state. The AFP reported the remarks from Havana as the crisis deepened across the Caribbean country of 9.6 million people.

Cuba’s national electricity company, Unión Nacional Eléctrica, said the entire grid had collapsed, leaving many areas without power for up to 20 hours a day. The oil import halt has crippled the energy sector, disrupting transport and tourism. Following political changes in Venezuela, the US maintained its oil embargo, cutting off supplies since early January. In response, Havana introduced policy shifts allowing Cuban expatriates to invest and own businesses, with Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva expressing readiness for trade with US firms and diaspora investors.

Public frustration has grown amid fuel shortages, food and medicine scarcity, and sporadic protests. President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged citizens’ anger but condemned violence as unacceptable.

British Airways has suspended flights on several Middle Eastern routes until June 2026 due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The airline announced that flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai, and Tel Aviv will remain canceled until May 31, while services to Doha are suspended until April 30. A company spokesperson said the decision was made to ensure passenger safety and convenience amid unstable airspace conditions in the region.

The spokesperson added that the airline is continuously monitoring the situation and directly contacting affected passengers to offer alternative arrangements. Customers whose flights have been canceled can choose to rebook with another airline, change their travel dates, or receive a full refund. Despite the suspensions, British Airways continues to operate flights to Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The airline indicated that the suspension period could be extended further depending on developments in the region, as it continues to assess security and operational risks.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has claimed that Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani has been killed. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Katz said the Israeli military was responsible for the attack. The Israeli army also claimed responsibility for killing Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij Force under Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in an assault on Monday night.

According to the Israeli military, Soleimani’s death represents a major blow to Iran’s command-and-control structure. Israel further pledged to continue using force against Iranian commanders. As of now, Iranian authorities have not issued any official response or comment regarding these claims.

The report noted that since the war began on February 28, Israel and the United States have been targeting Iran’s senior leadership, resulting in the deaths of several top military commanders, including the country’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Analysts believe Soleimani’s killing could further weaken the Basij Force’s control system.

Nearly 12,000 houses in Tehran have been partially or completely destroyed in attacks carried out by the United States and Israel over the past 18 days, according to Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamedian. The information was reported by Iran’s Mehr News Agency and cited by Middle East Eye.

Motamedian stated that residents whose homes were damaged can apply for compensation through their respective municipal offices. The report did not specify the exact dates or nature of the strikes, nor did it mention any casualties or further details about the affected areas.

The statement highlights the scale of destruction in Iran’s capital following the recent attacks, though broader political or military responses were not included in the report.

An Israeli military official confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s National Security Council. The incident was reported on March 17, 2026. It remains unclear whether Larijani was killed or injured in the attack.

The same Israeli military source also claimed responsibility for killing Gholamreza Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Basij force. The report did not specify where or how the attacks took place, and no further details were provided by either side.

The situation adds to ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, though the immediate consequences of the reported attacks remain uncertain.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed the arrest of ten foreign spies during its ongoing conflict with Israel and the United States. According to a report by AFP citing Iran’s ISNA news agency on Tuesday, the IRGC’s intelligence branch in the northeastern province of Razavi Khorasan stated that the individuals were identified and detained after being labeled as mercenaries and traitors.

The ISNA report did not disclose the nationalities of those arrested. The IRGC alleged that four of the detainees were gathering information about Iran’s sensitive facilities and economic infrastructure, while the others were linked to a group described as a “monarchist terrorist” organization.

No further details were provided about the timing of the arrests or the specific charges, leaving uncertainty about the broader implications of the detentions.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Basij Force, a paramilitary unit under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to the Israeli statement, Soleimani was killed in an attack on Monday night. Israel described his death as a major blow to Iran’s command-and-control structure and vowed to continue using force against Iranian commanders. Iran has not yet issued any official response to the claim.

The report comes amid heightened regional tensions following failed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington that took place from February 6 to 27 without reaching an agreement. On February 28, the United States launched “Operation Epic Fury” in Iran, while Israel simultaneously began its own campaign called “Operation Roaring Lion.”

In retaliation, Iran has been launching waves of drone and missile strikes targeting U.S. bases in Israel and six Gulf countries—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. These attacks are reportedly ongoing, according to Al Jazeera.

The number of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, increased by 178,757 over the past year, reaching 1,184,864 as of February 28, 2026. The data comes from the latest report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published on March 17, 2026. In February 2025, the refugee population stood at 1,006,107.

According to the UNHCR report, 144,456 of the new arrivals were identified as newcomers, while an estimated 34,301 were newborns. The report attributes the new wave of displacement to both general and targeted conflicts in Myanmar during 2024. Although the newcomers have been identified through biometric methods, they are not yet fully registered; they receive only family cards for life-saving aid distribution.

The report also notes that the number of Rohingya refugee families in Bangladesh rose to 246,415 by February 2026, up from 204,303 a year earlier. Since 1990, 39,502 Rohingya refugees have been officially registered in Bangladesh, with more than one million arriving after August 2017.