Thailand has demanded a formal apology from Iran after a Thai-flagged vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The Thai government made the demand following confirmation that the ship had come under fire, leading to damage. The incident prompted Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Iranian ambassador to seek clarification regarding the attack and the extent of the vessel’s losses.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that the ship was targeted after it allegedly ignored a warning. In recent statements, Iranian officials have said that all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain prior permission from Iran. The situation has drawn attention to the growing tension surrounding navigation rights in one of the world’s most strategic waterways.

The diplomatic exchange underscores rising friction between Iran and regional maritime partners, with Thailand seeking accountability and Iran asserting control over the strait’s passage.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first televised address after becoming Iran’s supreme leader, issued a stern warning to the United States and Israel. Speaking on Thursday, he declared that Iran would continue its struggle and avenge the blood of its martyrs. Khamenei stated that armed groups in Yemen and Iraq support the Islamic Revolution and will take action when instructed.

He emphasized that Yemen’s resistance fighters and Iraq’s armed factions are prepared to fulfill their duties in support of the revolution. While asserting Iran’s belief in friendship with neighboring countries, Khamenei said attacks on US military bases in the region would continue. He added that Iranian forces are targeting only American bases and demanded that all such installations be closed immediately, warning of further strikes if they remain operational.

At the start of his speech, Khamenei thanked Iran’s military for defending the nation during times of attack, praising the courage of soldiers who continue to fight for the country’s security and unity.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Ali Khamenei stated that Iran remains committed to maintaining friendly relations with neighboring countries but will continue targeting United States military bases. In a televised address on March 12, 2026, he said the attacks on US installations would persist as part of Iran’s defense strategy.

Khamenei emphasized the need for national unity to safeguard Iran’s sovereignty and security. He warned that strategic maritime routes would remain closed to exert pressure on those opposing Iran. The leader also reiterated the importance of improving ties with neighboring states.

His remarks followed a series of missile and drone strikes in several regional countries, which he claimed were directed solely at US military facilities. The statement reflects Iran’s dual approach of pursuing regional diplomacy while maintaining a confrontational stance toward US military presence in the region.

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a stern warning to the United States in his first public statement since assuming leadership. Speaking after his election on March 8, Khamenei demanded that all U.S. military bases in the region be shut down immediately, warning that failure to do so would result in attacks. His recorded address was broadcast publicly, marking his first message to both domestic and international audiences.

Khamenei emphasized that Iran seeks friendly relations with neighboring countries but will continue to target American bases located within those nations. His statement follows a series of events beginning on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, resulting in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Mojtaba Khamenei, his son, was subsequently chosen as Iran’s new leader.

The warning signals a continuation of heightened regional tensions following the leadership transition and the earlier military strikes on Iranian territory.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that 3.2 million people have been displaced across Iran following attacks launched by the United States and Israel. The figure is based on an initial survey conducted among displaced families throughout the country, according to the agency’s statement released on March 12, 2026.

UNHCR warned that the number of displaced individuals could continue to rise as the conflict persists, describing the situation as a serious humanitarian concern. The agency’s findings highlight the growing scale of displacement and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance across affected regions.

The report underscores the worsening humanitarian crisis in Iran as the war continues, with UNHCR calling attention to the increasing pressure on relief operations and the potential for further instability if the conflict does not subside.

Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom has decided to continue its operations in Iran despite recent US-Israeli attacks. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev confirmed that the company will not withdraw from the country and that construction of two additional units at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant remains a priority.

Rosatom previously built the first 1-gigawatt unit at Bushehr, Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant. Following the attacks launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, Rosatom temporarily suspended work on the new units and evacuated some staff. Likhachev stated that around 450 Rosatom employees are currently involved in the project, with 150 having recently returned to Russia.

Under a bilateral agreement between Russia and Iran, a total of eight nuclear units are planned, including four in the city of Bushehr. The company’s decision signals continued Russian commitment to its nuclear cooperation with Iran despite the ongoing conflict.

Several drone attacks targeted Kuwait International Airport, according to the country’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation as reported by the state news agency. The incident occurred on March 12, 2026, and was confirmed through an official post on social media platform X. Authorities stated that while the attacks caused material damage, there were no reports of human casualties.

The report did not specify the origin of the drones or the extent of the damage to airport facilities. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation has not released further details about disruptions to airport operations or ongoing investigations. The incident adds to regional security concerns amid heightened tensions in the Gulf area.

Further updates from Kuwaiti authorities are awaited to assess the full impact of the attack and any potential security measures being implemented at the airport.

Russia has called on the United States and Israel to stop their attacks on Iran and return to negotiations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow supports steps aimed at reducing tensions and bringing the conflict back to a diplomatic path. She warned that the humanitarian situation across the region has become extremely difficult and that the ongoing escalation is a matter of deep concern.

The appeal from Moscow comes amid reports of Israeli claims of strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and multiple attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The situation has heightened regional instability, with recent Iranian attacks on Israel reportedly injuring 179 people within the past 24 hours.

Russia’s statement also comes as it remains engaged in its own prolonged conflict with Ukraine, now entering its fifth year, underscoring the broader geopolitical complexities surrounding its call for de-escalation.

Israel has claimed responsibility for striking a “nuclear weapons development compound” in Tehran, saying the attack took place over the past few days. The Israeli military stated that it has launched a “large-scale assault” across Iran, targeting what it described as the ruling regime’s infrastructure. The announcement was made through a post on the Telegram social network.

According to BBC Arabic, Israeli media earlier reported that Israeli and U.S. officials had discussed the possibility of attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities. Kan News added that the discussions included whether enriched uranium stored under the ruins of the Fordow site could be destroyed by airstrikes. An Israeli official was quoted as saying that “plans are ready, only a decision remains.”

The report also mentioned that Russia has called for an end to the attacks on Iran, while tensions in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait have escalated following multiple ship attacks and recent Iranian strikes on Israel that injured 179 people.

US President Donald Trump stated that American and foreign vessels wishing to transit the Hormuz Strait would receive support if necessary. However, the US Navy has taken a different stance, confirming that it has declined requests to provide military escorts for commercial ships at this time. The Navy noted that no decision has been made to resume such assistance, which the United States has provided in the past.

Experts have raised concerns about whether commercial vessels will continue using the risky route, warning that potential attacks or conflicts could make it difficult for companies to obtain adequate liability insurance. The uncertainty has already affected energy markets, with crude oil prices in the United States trading near $100 per barrel and gasoline prices beginning to rise, heightening consumer anxiety.

Trump’s political advisers believe that if the ongoing conflict ends soon, easing inflation and cost-of-living pressures could benefit Republicans in the election year.

International media reported that six additional ships were attacked in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Iran war. The attacks targeted vessels linked to the United States and Europe, bringing the total number of ships hit in the region to at least sixteen since the conflict began. Maritime traffic through the narrow strait has nearly come to a halt since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.

According to reports, an explosive-laden Iranian boat attacked oil tankers in Iraqi waters on Wednesday, killing one crew member and destroying two ships. The incidents followed projectile strikes on four other vessels in the Gulf. Iraqi port officials identified the destroyed ships as the Marshall Islands-flagged Safe Sea Vishnu and the Malta-flagged Zephyros, both carrying fuel products from Iraq. Iraq’s state oil marketing company SOMO said Safe Sea Vishnu had been chartered by an Iraqi firm under contract with them, while Zephyros was transporting fuel for the Basra Gas Company.

The Strait of Hormuz handles about one-fifth of global oil shipments, and the attacks have raised concerns about further disruption to energy transport in the region.

Iran’s military has claimed responsibility for drone attacks targeting the headquarters of Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, and two Israeli air bases. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, cited by Al Jazeera, the attacks took place on Thursday and struck multiple sites, including the Shin Bet headquarters in Tel Aviv’s Ramat Aviv area, the Palmachim air base west of Yavne on the Mediterranean coast, and the Ovda air base in southern Israel.

The Shin Bet headquarters, known as the “Invisible Shield,” serves as the central command for Israel’s internal security and intelligence operations. Iran’s statement described the strikes as drone-based assaults on these strategic locations. The report also noted that the attacks followed earlier claims by Israel of strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and incidents involving ships in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.

The developments mark a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two countries, with reports indicating widespread attacks in Israel over the past 24 hours that left 179 people injured.

An Iranian attack on a US-owned crude oil tanker near Basra, Iraq, has killed one Indian crew member, according to the Indian Embassy in Baghdad. The incident occurred in Iraqi waters, and the remaining 15 Indian crew members aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel 'Safe Sea Vishnu' were evacuated to safety. The embassy confirmed the death and said it is in contact with the rescued sailors and Iraqi authorities to provide necessary assistance.

Following the attack near Basra, another oil tanker in the Persian Gulf caught fire. Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that the country has claimed responsibility for the assault, stating that underwater drone strikes destroyed two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. The embassy’s statement on social media emphasized ongoing coordination with local authorities.

The incident adds to a series of maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, where tensions have escalated amid regional hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Ali Khamenei, announced in a televised address that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed to exert pressure on Iran’s adversaries. The statement, broadcast on state television on March 12, 2026, emphasized the need for national unity to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and security. Khamenei warned that the strategic maritime route would be shut down as part of efforts to apply strategic pressure on those opposing Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, through which a significant portion of global crude oil normally passes. Analysts cited in the report noted that any closure of this passage could have a major impact on international energy markets.

The announcement marks one of Khamenei’s first major policy declarations since assuming leadership, signaling a potentially tense phase in regional and global energy dynamics.

Iran has reportedly carried out a cyberattack that disabled Israel’s railway system, according to Iranian news agency Fars. The report stated that Israel’s railway network was hacked and rendered inoperative, with warnings that no Israeli railway station would be safe until further notice.

At the same time, Israel’s Defense Forces announced that Iran had launched new missile attacks targeting Israeli territory. The IDF confirmed through its official Telegram channel that missiles fired from Iran were detected and that Israel’s defense systems were working to intercept the threats.

The developments come amid escalating hostilities between the two countries, with reports of widespread Iranian attacks on Israel within the past 24 hours resulting in injuries to 179 people, according to the source.