The United States Central Command has confirmed that all six crew members aboard a KC-135 refueling aircraft were killed when the plane crashed in western Iraq. The confirmation came after earlier reports indicated that four crew members had died and two were missing. The update clarified that all six personnel on board lost their lives in the incident.

According to a post by CENTCOM on social media platform X, the cause of the crash remains under investigation. However, preliminary findings suggest that the aircraft was not brought down by hostile action or friendly fire. Authorities stated that the identities of the deceased crew members will be released 24 hours after their families have been notified.

The crash adds to ongoing operational challenges for US forces in the region, though officials have not linked the incident to any external threat pending the outcome of the investigation.

Several commercial vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf have begun identifying themselves as China-linked in their destination signals to reduce the risk of being targeted during the ongoing Iran war, according to marine traffic data analyzed by the Associated Press. At least eight ships changed their transponder messages to phrases such as “CHINA OWNER” or “CHINA OWNER&CREW,” data from MarineTraffic showed. These ships were either transiting the strait or remaining in nearby waters.

Trade risk analysts said the move is intended to signal neutrality and avoid confusion with vessels that might be targeted by Iranian forces or affiliated groups. Iran has generally refrained from attacking ships associated with China, given Beijing’s neutral stance and economic ties with Tehran. Most of the ships identified were not registered under the Chinese flag but under countries such as Panama and the Marshall Islands.

Experts noted that while many bulk carriers have Chinese ownership or cargo links, it remains unclear whether declaring a Chinese connection effectively prevents attacks. Similar tactics were previously observed during Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that a severe strike will be carried out against Iran within the next week. He issued the warning during an interview with Fox News, which aired on Friday. Trump stated that the United States would protect ships of various nations crossing the Strait of Hormuz if necessary and expressed hope that the U.S.-led war against Iran would progress successfully.

Trump appeared uncertain about his stance on Iran but praised the U.S. military for significantly weakening Iran’s military capabilities. However, he acknowledged that the war could not be concluded quickly. Earlier, during remarks in Hebron, Kentucky, on Wednesday, Trump said that the United States had won but must continue the war to finish the job.

The United States and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28, prompting Iran to retaliate with strikes on Israeli targets and U.S. bases across several Middle Eastern countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France’s position in the ongoing Middle East conflict is defensive. His remarks came as the joint U.S.-Israel offensive in Iran entered its 14th day, with Iran continuing to retaliate. Macron described the killing of a French soldier in a drone attack in Iraq as unacceptable and ordered a full military analysis of the incident.

He also commented on Russia’s call for a ceasefire in the Iran conflict, calling it somewhat strange given Moscow’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. Macron reiterated that France’s current role in the region remains primarily self-protective.

The statement underscores France’s cautious approach as tensions rise across the Middle East, with multiple powers involved in the conflict and regional stability under strain.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the United States would again launch the highest number of attacks on Iran. He made the statement during a Pentagon press conference on Friday, held to brief on the latest developments in the Iran war. Hegseth said Iran’s leadership was in hiding and that US capabilities were continuing to grow. He added that President Trump would determine the pace and timing of the conflict.

During the same briefing, General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, remarked that the day would be the busiest for US forces. The announcement came as tensions between Washington and Tehran remained high, with both sides engaged in ongoing military operations.

The statements suggest that the United States is preparing for intensified military action in Iran, though no specific timeline or operational details were disclosed during the briefing.

Foreign and economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have jointly called on world leaders to immediately halt the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to Al Jazeera. They warned that the conflict has already begun to affect Southeast Asia’s economy through rising oil prices and disruptions to trade.

Several ASEAN member states have started implementing measures to counter these economic impacts, including energy conservation, stabilizing domestic markets, and protecting vulnerable sectors such as tourism. The ministers also urged that global energy supply chains remain open and that regional mechanisms be activated to minimize economic losses.

Economic ministers cautioned that Southeast Asia faces heightened risks due to its dependence on global oil and LNG supply routes. They emphasized the need to strengthen supply chain stability, accelerate the transition to renewable energy, and enhance regional cooperation to mitigate future shocks.

A total of 447 international flights have been canceled at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka over the past 14 days due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. According to a press release issued on Friday, March 13, 2026, by Muhammad Kawsar Mahmud, public relations officer of the Civil Aviation Authority, 24 flights were canceled on that day alone.

Flight cancellations began on February 28, when 23 flights were grounded, followed by 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, and 39 on March 3. The trend continued with varying numbers of cancellations each day through March 13. On Friday, the canceled flights included services from Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Jazeera Airways, and Flydubai.

Despite the disruptions, limited operations continued on Friday, with 37 flights scheduled to operate from Dhaka to destinations including Muscat, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on Israel and Hezbollah to stop the ongoing fighting and agree to an immediate ceasefire. According to Al Jazeera, Guterres made the appeal at the start of his visit to Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, during a speech at the presidential palace.

He emphasized that the war must end to allow Lebanon to develop as an independent state where only the legitimate authorities hold the right to use force. Guterres stated that it is no longer the time for armed groups but for a strong state. His remarks came as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah entered its eleventh day.

The Secretary-General’s visit to Beirut highlights the UN’s concern over the escalating violence and its potential impact on Lebanon’s stability, as he seeks to encourage both sides toward de-escalation and national sovereignty.

Saudi Arabia announced that it intercepted 56 drones that entered its airspace on Friday morning, according to Al Jazeera. The country’s defense ministry stated that one of the drones attempted to enter the diplomatic area in Riyadh, which is under tight security. The ministry did not specify who launched the drones.

A day earlier, on Thursday evening, the Saudi defense ministry reported intercepting 53 drones and five missiles within a 24-hour period. The latest incidents highlight a continuing pattern of aerial threats targeting Saudi territory, though the source of the attacks remains undisclosed.

The ministry has not provided further details about the origin or purpose of the drones, leaving uncertainty about the actors behind the repeated incursions.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany does not intend to become involved in the ongoing conflict surrounding Iran, which has entered its 14th day of joint US-Israeli attacks. Speaking during his visit to Norway, Merz emphasized that Berlin has no plans to provide military protection for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, despite recent Iranian attacks in the area.

He reiterated that Germany is not part of this war and does not wish to be. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy supplies, and the recent escalation of tensions there has heightened international concern.

The statement underscores Germany’s cautious stance amid rising regional instability and reflects its focus on avoiding direct military engagement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

Iran has launched attacks targeting US troops and officials across several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. In response, the United States has evacuated multiple bases and repositioned its forces strategically, leading to a severe housing shortage. Many American soldiers are now taking refuge in residential areas and hotels across the region.

According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence branch has urged local populations to report the locations of US troops hiding in civilian areas. The IRGC statement claimed that thousands of American soldiers are staying in hotels and private homes, accusing Washington of using Arab civilians as human shields. The statement warned residents to avoid contact with these troops and to share information about their whereabouts via Telegram.

Separately, a French soldier was killed and several others were seriously injured in an attack in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the assault as unacceptable and said necessary measures were being taken.

The D-8 summit scheduled to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, has been postponed due to the ongoing war situation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. According to Al Jazeera, Iran has been carrying out counterattacks following joint strikes by the US and Israel. Indonesian Foreign Ministry senior official Tri Tharyat confirmed that the summit, originally planned for next month, has been delayed because of the current regional instability. A new date has not yet been set.

The summit was initially scheduled to take place from April 13 to 15 in Jakarta. The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, established in 1997, aims to enhance economic collaboration among Muslim developing nations spanning Southeast Asia to Africa. Its member countries include Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey, with Azerbaijan joining the group in 2025.

The postponement reflects how the escalating conflict in the Middle East is affecting international diplomatic and economic events, particularly those involving member states of the D-8.

Iran’s Health Ministry has reported that at least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured in attacks carried out by the United States and Israel across the country. The ministry released the figures in a statement published on Friday, according to Al Jazeera.

The attacks began on February 28 and have continued across multiple Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran. The strikes have reportedly targeted both military and civilian areas, damaging schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure. The ongoing assaults have caused widespread destruction and civilian casualties, according to the ministry’s statement.

The report did not include details about the reasons behind the attacks or any international responses. The situation remains critical as the strikes continue to affect major urban centers in Iran.

Iran has initiated the 44th phase of its military campaign named 'Operation True Promise-4', according to a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The operation reportedly targets Israel-controlled areas and US military installations across West Asia. Conducted on the 23rd night of Ramadan, the strikes focused on northern Israeli cities including Haifa and Hadera.

The IRGC stated that the offensive was carried out in memory of key resistance leaders such as former Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and Palestinian leader Ismail Haniyeh, among others. The statement also claimed that several US military facilities in the region were targeted, including the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain.

As of now, neither Israel nor the United States has issued any official response or confirmed details regarding casualties or damage resulting from the attacks.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has issued a stern warning to Lebanon following an Israeli military strike on the Zariyah Bridge over the Litani River. Katz stated that if Hezbollah is not disarmed, Israel will escalate its attacks and may seize Lebanese territory. The comments were reported by Al Jazeera and Israel’s Wynet News on Wednesday.

Katz accused the Lebanese government of failing to fulfill its commitment to disarm Hezbollah and warned that Lebanon would face increasing consequences. He said that Israel would target national infrastructure allegedly used by Hezbollah and that territorial occupation could be considered until the disarmament pledge is implemented.

The remarks have raised concerns about further escalation between Israel and Lebanon, adding to already heightened regional tensions.