Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to Iran’s enemies as the conflict with Israel and the United States enters its sixteenth day, according to Al Jazeera. Araghchi stated that after fifteen days of war, opposing nations are now seeking help from other countries to ensure the security of the strategic waterway.

He emphasized that while Iran considers the strait open, it is closed to those who have carried out what he described as cowardly aggression against Iran and to their allies. Araghchi also claimed that the war began with attacks by the United States and Israel, who had demanded Iran’s unconditional surrender.

The statement underscores heightened regional tensions and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments, as the conflict continues without signs of de-escalation.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom will not become involved in any wider war in the Middle East. His comments came amid ongoing regional tensions, according to Al Jazeera. Starmer emphasized that the government’s top priority is ensuring the safety of British citizens while continuing to take necessary measures to protect the UK and its allies.

The statement followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that NATO’s future could be at risk if allied nations, including the UK, failed to provide military support in the region. In response, Starmer reiterated that Britain does not wish to be drawn into a broader conflict and will work toward restoring security and stability in the area through swift resolution.

Starmer also affirmed that the UK will not allow itself to be dragged into a larger confrontation and will continue diplomatic efforts to maintain regional peace.

Germany and Greece have announced they will not participate in a US-led military operation in the Strait of Hormuz, despite a call from President Donald Trump. According to Al Jazeera, a German government spokesperson stated that the ongoing war involving Iran has no connection to NATO, and Germany will not take part in it or in any military effort to keep the strait open. The spokesperson emphasized that there will be no involvement of any kind as long as the conflict continues.

Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis also confirmed that Greece will not join any military mission in the Strait of Hormuz. The US had urged allied nations to help secure the strategic waterway amid rising tensions in the Middle East, but several European countries have shown reluctance to participate.

The refusal by Germany and Greece highlights divisions among Western allies over military engagement in the region and signals a cautious approach by European governments toward escalating conflict near Iran.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that more than 92,000 British citizens have returned home on commercial and government charter flights amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. From Downing Street, he provided the latest update on the United Kingdom’s operations in the region and confirmed that efforts are underway to assist British nationals currently in Lebanon.

Starmer said that thousands of UK military personnel, three squadrons of fighter jets, and anti-drone units have been deployed to Cyprus to counter attacks originating from Iran. He added that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has been in the region in recent days as part of the UK’s diplomatic efforts. Starmer also met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier in the day and is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky soon.

Emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus on supporting Ukraine, Starmer warned that the Middle East war must not become an advantage or blessing for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Israeli military announced that it has launched a large-scale offensive on three major Iranian cities—Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. According to a statement cited by Al Jazeera, the operation marks a new phase of attacks aimed at what Israel described as critical infrastructure targets across Iran.

Tehran, Iran’s capital, lies in the northern part of the country, while Tabriz, the fourth-largest city, is located in the northwest near the borders with Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Shiraz, another major city, is situated in the southwest. The Israeli statement did not specify the exact nature or extent of the damage caused by the strikes.

Further details about the attacks are expected to be released as more information becomes available, according to the report.

Local officials in the United Arab Emirates reported that a drone attack caused a fire at a large oil industrial area in Fujairah, located on the country's eastern coast. The incident occurred near the Gulf of Oman, close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. Authorities in Fujairah confirmed that no casualties had been reported following the attack.

Fujairah serves as a critical exit point for the UAE’s oil exports, making it one of the most important energy hubs in the region. The report did not specify who was responsible for the drone strike or the extent of the damage caused by the fire.

Officials have not released further details about the response or potential disruptions to oil operations, leaving the broader impact of the incident unclear.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said member states will discuss possible steps to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. She made the remarks ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, emphasizing that maintaining the strait’s openness is in Europe’s own interest.

According to the report, about 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through this narrow waterway. However, several ships have come under attack since the recent war began, raising concerns about maritime security in the region. The issue has drawn international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier warning that failure of allies to help secure the route would be “very bad for NATO’s future.”

The British Prime Minister’s Office stated that Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the importance of reopening the strait to restore normal global shipping operations.

British Work and Pensions Minister Pat McFadden stated that the ongoing conflict involving US and Israeli attacks on Iran is not a NATO war. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, he emphasized that the situation in the Middle East is a result of actions by the United States and Israel, not a collective NATO operation.

McFadden explained that NATO was not formed with such a Middle Eastern context in mind when it was established in 1949 by twelve founding members, including the United States and the United Kingdom. He referred to NATO’s Article 5, which defines an attack on one member as an attack on all, but clarified that this principle does not apply to unilateral actions by individual member states. Former Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter also noted that NATO does not compel members to join wars initiated independently by others.

McFadden agreed with Carter’s assessment and reiterated that the United Kingdom remains deeply committed to the NATO alliance despite the current conflict.

China has called for an immediate end to military operations following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump. In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump warned that his planned meeting with the Chinese president could be delayed if Beijing did not help ensure security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to questions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that high-level diplomacy between the two nations provides strategic guidance for bilateral relations. He confirmed that communication between China and the United States continues regarding Trump’s potential visit to China. Lin also noted that recent tensions have disrupted commercial routes and harmed regional and global peace.

Reiterating China’s position, Lin urged all parties to stop military actions immediately and pledged that China would continue working to ease the current tensions.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declined U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to send warships to the Hormuz Strait, according to The Telegraph. Despite Washington’s appeal for renewed efforts to ensure safe navigation in the strategic waterway, the United Kingdom has decided not to deploy naval vessels at this stage.

Energy Minister Ed Miliband stated that the government is carefully considering various options to keep the vital maritime route open but made no commitment to dispatch warships. Officials indicated that the deployment of mine-detecting drones is being considered as an alternative measure.

The report added that France, Germany, and South Korea have also rejected Trump’s proposal, signaling limited allied support for a U.S.-led naval initiative in the region.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on governments and societies worldwide to take stronger measures against Islamophobia. In a video message posted on social media platform X to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, he said Muslims across the world face discrimination and exclusion. Guterres noted that nearly two billion Muslims come from diverse regions and cultures but often encounter institutional bias and social barriers.

He warned that Muslims are frequently subjected to socio-economic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unjustified surveillance, adding that anti-Muslim rhetoric fuels these trends. The UN chief urged governments to counter hate speech, safeguard religious freedom, and uphold international human rights law. He also called on online platforms to protect individuals from harassment and hate speech based on religion or belief.

Guterres concluded by urging renewed commitment to equality, human rights, and dignity for all, regardless of faith, and called for the elimination of Islamophobia from every country and community. The UN General Assembly had unanimously declared March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in 2022.

Israel has informed the United States that its stockpile of ballistic missile interceptors is running low as the war with Iran enters its third week, according to U.S. officials cited by the news outlet Semafor. The officials said Israel’s defense system had already been weakened by heavy interceptor use during last year’s conflict with Iran. Continuous missile attacks from Iran are now placing severe pressure on Israel’s long-range air defense network.

The report added that Iran has equipped some of its missiles with cluster bombs, making them harder to intercept and accelerating the depletion of Israel’s interceptor reserves. Washington had been aware of the potential shortage for months. A U.S. official told Semafor that the situation had been anticipated, emphasizing that the United States itself has sufficient reserves and is not facing a similar shortage.

It remains unclear whether the U.S. will supply Israel with additional interceptors. Previous military aid packages included missile defense systems, but new deliveries could strain America’s own stockpiles.

Iran has warned that any facility providing support or services to the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford in the Red Sea will be considered a legitimate target. The warning came on Sunday from a spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, who described the carrier’s presence in the region as a threat to Iran.

Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters operates under the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and is responsible for planning and coordinating military operations involving various Iranian units. The statement follows the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28, according to the report.

The warning underscores heightened regional tensions and signals that Iran may expand its military response to include indirect targets associated with US operations in the Red Sea.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced that it intercepted and destroyed more than 60 drones early Monday morning. In a series of statements posted on social media platform X, the ministry said a total of 61 drones were neutralized over the country’s eastern region. The latest wave included 12 drones destroyed after earlier incidents in which six and then five drones were shot down. The ministry stated that the air defense system was activated and successfully repelled all incoming drones.

The report comes amid heightened regional tensions following Iran’s retaliatory attacks on February 28 against Israel and U.S. military bases across the Middle East. Those strikes were described as a response to earlier Israeli and American aggression, resulting in casualties among both U.S. troops and Iranian forces.

The Saudi announcement underscores the continuing volatility in the region, though the source did not specify who launched the drones or whether any damage occurred inside Saudi territory.

A missile strike in Abu Dhabi’s Al Bahiyah area killed one person on March 16, 2026, according to local authorities. The attack hit a civilian vehicle, resulting in the death of a Palestinian national. Officials did not release further details about the incident but urged the public to rely only on official government sources and avoid spreading unverified information.

As a precautionary measure, flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended following a drone-related incident. Authorities advised travelers to contact their respective airlines for updates on flight operations.

The report noted that the strike occurred amid heightened regional tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, which prompted retaliatory actions against American facilities in Gulf countries.