An attack struck Bahrain’s main oil refinery operated by Bahrain Petroleum Company, causing thick smoke to rise over the area on Monday, according to eyewitnesses cited by Reuters. The refinery, a key facility in the country’s energy sector, suffered damage following what was initially described by government sources as an Iranian drone strike that left several people injured.

Following the incident, the company announced that the situation had gone out of control, preventing it from meeting its contractual oil supply obligations. The attack has raised immediate concerns about operational stability and the potential impact on Bahrain’s energy output.

The full extent of the damage and the status of recovery efforts were not detailed in the initial reports, leaving uncertainty about when normal operations might resume.

Iran’s military reported that 104 crew members were killed and 32 others injured when the Iranian warship IRIS Dinar was sunk by a U.S. Navy attack near Sri Lanka’s coast on March 4. The Turkish-based Anadolu Agency cited the Iranian army’s statement, while Iran’s state news agency IRNA confirmed the incident and the casualty figures.

According to the IRNA report, the warship was returning home after participating in a naval exercise held in India when it came under attack. Washington confirmed that a U.S. submarine launched a torpedo strike that caused the vessel to sink. Sri Lankan authorities said they began a rescue operation immediately after receiving a distress signal from the ship, rescuing 32 crew members who were later hospitalized.

The incident marks a severe escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, though no further official responses or diplomatic actions were detailed in the reports.

Beijing announced on Monday that China’s special envoy has called for reducing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The envoy made the appeal during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, urging all sides to stop military operations immediately and to avoid further escalation that could harm regional populations. He also condemned attacks on civilians and non-military targets, emphasizing the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Gulf nations.

The conflict began after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, posing threats to global energy security and trade, and putting China’s oil supply at risk. Although Beijing maintains close ties with Tehran and condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, it also criticized Iran’s attacks on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. In a separate meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Secretary-General Jassem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, the envoy urged a return to dialogue.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated the call to end the fighting, stating that the war should never have happened.

Saudi Arabia has sharply condemned Iran’s recent attacks, warning that continued aggression will heighten regional tensions and ultimately harm Iran itself. In a statement from Riyadh, the Saudi Foreign Ministry denounced assaults targeting Gulf countries and other Arab, Muslim, and friendly nations, calling them unacceptable and unjustifiable. The ministry affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty, citizens, and residents against any aggression.

The statement said that attacks on airports, oil facilities, and other civilian sites clearly aim to undermine security and stability, violating international law and conventions. Saudi Arabia also rejected Iran’s claim that Saudi territory had been used to launch or support military operations, labeling the allegation false. According to Riyadh, the aircraft in question were patrolling to protect Saudi and Gulf Cooperation Council airspace from Iranian missile and drone threats.

The ministry further cautioned that continued Iranian attacks would deepen tensions and negatively affect current and future relations, stressing that Iran’s actions show no wisdom or intent to prevent escalation.

At least 13 people were killed and 1,929 injured in Iranian attacks on Israel amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to Israel’s Ministry of Health. The ministry reported that in the past 24 hours alone, another 157 people were injured. Among the wounded, 112 remain hospitalized, with nine in critical condition.

The ministry urged Israeli citizens to move carefully to bomb shelters, noting that many injuries have occurred while people rushed to safety. The Israeli Defense Forces stated on their Telegram channel that missile launches from Iran are continuing and that defense systems are actively intercepting threats.

The situation reflects a sharp escalation in regional hostilities, with both sides maintaining high alert as the conflict continues to unfold.

Renowned Bangladeshi photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam has joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led maritime mission carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Alam, the only Bangladeshi participant, was seen holding the national flag and wearing a kurta featuring Abu Saeed’s image, symbolizing resistance. The flotilla, consisting of over 40 vessels and more than 500 participants from multiple countries, including lawmakers, lawyers, human rights defenders, and climate activist Greta Thunberg, is currently about 118 miles from Gaza’s coast.

Alam has been sharing updates from the voyage through his verified Facebook page, describing tense conditions as the fleet entered waters declared “danger zones” by Israel. Despite spotting a Turkish ship earlier, he reported no immediate threat. The mission faces serious warnings from Israel, which has threatened to sink the flotilla if it attempts to breach the Gaza blockade.

International human rights groups and political leaders have urged Israel to ensure the flotilla’s safety. Italy and Greece jointly called on Israel to respect the rights and security of those aboard, including consular protection.

The Israeli military announced that it carried out a series of airstrikes on Iran’s central region targeting what it described as the country’s ‘regime infrastructure’. The attacks took place on Monday and mark the first such Israeli operation since Iran appointed a new supreme leader, according to a report by AFP.

In a brief statement, the Israeli army confirmed that it had initiated fresh air operations inside Iran while simultaneously conducting strikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. The military did not provide further details about the scale or specific targets of the attacks.

The report did not include information on casualties or damage, and no immediate response from Iranian authorities was mentioned.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the decision on when to end the ongoing war with Iran will be made jointly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He made the remarks in a telephone interview with the Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel on Sunday.

Trump stated that discussions between him and Netanyahu are continuing and that a decision will be taken at an appropriate time. When asked whether Israel might continue the war against Iran alone if the United States decided to halt its attacks, Trump declined to discuss the possibility in detail.

He added that he does not believe such a situation will arise, suggesting confidence in coordinated decision-making between the two allies.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has revealed that Israel pressured then-President Barack Obama to launch a military strike on Iran. According to Blinken, Israeli leaders warned that if the United States refused to act, they would carry out the attack themselves. However, Obama rejected the proposal, arguing that imposing tough sanctions was the best way to address concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. He preferred to resolve the issue through diplomatic means rather than military confrontation.

Blinken also stated that after the October 7, 2023 attack, the United States nearly entered another regional war when Israeli officials provided false information suggesting that Hezbollah was preparing to attack from Lebanon. The remarks highlight the tense dynamics between Washington and Tel Aviv over military decisions and intelligence sharing in the Middle East.

The disclosure, reported by Middle East Eye, underscores the recurring friction between U.S. diplomatic caution and Israel’s more aggressive security posture toward Iran and its allies.

Iran carried out missile and drone attacks on several Gulf countries, including Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, early Sunday local time. In Qatar, multiple explosions were heard around 3 a.m. in Doha, though the missiles were reportedly intercepted. Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Doha reported hearing more than a dozen blasts across the city.

Bahrain’s state media said a drone strike in the Sitra area injured 32 people. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that several drone attacks targeting the Shaybah oil fields were intercepted, and two drones were shot down north of Riyadh. The United Arab Emirates was also targeted by Iranian strikes, though details were not specified.

The attacks mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, with multiple Gulf states reporting direct strikes or attempted strikes within hours of each other.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of unlawfully using white phosphorus munitions in a residential area of southern Lebanon. In a report released on March 9, 2026, the New York-based organization said Israeli forces fired white phosphorus shells from artillery into the town of Yohmor on March 3, 2026. HRW verified seven images showing white phosphorus bursting over civilian homes, igniting at least two houses and a vehicle as civil defense workers attempted to extinguish the fires.

The report explained that white phosphorus ignites upon contact with oxygen and is typically used to create smoke screens or illuminate battlefields. However, it can also serve as an incendiary weapon, causing severe burns, respiratory damage, organ failure, and death. Despite a 2024 ceasefire, Israel has continued operations targeting Hezbollah, including multiple strikes and troop deployments near the border.

Lebanese authorities reported at least 394 deaths and over 500,000 displaced due to Israeli attacks. HRW urged Israel to halt such actions and called on arms-supplying countries to suspend military aid and pressure Israel to stop using these weapons in civilian areas.

At least 32 people were injured in a drone attack near Bahrain’s capital, reportedly carried out by Iran, according to the state-run Bahrain News Agency. The country’s health ministry confirmed that all the injured are Bahraini citizens. Among them is a 17-year-old girl who sustained serious head and eye injuries, and the youngest victim is a two-month-old infant.

Authorities stated that four of the injured are in critical condition, including several children who required surgery. The incident occurred close to the capital, though the exact location and timing were not specified in the report.

The report, citing the Bahrain News Agency and BBC, did not provide further details on the motive or response from either side, leaving the broader context of the attack unclear.

Israeli Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ayal Zamir has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could continue for an extended period. In a video message released by the Israeli military, Zamir urged the nation to remain patient, noting that Israel has been in a state of emergency for the past two years and may face a prolonged situation.

Zamir stated that Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah would have to pay a heavy price for attacks on Israel. He also confirmed that Israeli forces carried out overnight strikes in Beirut targeting members of Iran’s Quds Force. According to him, there is no safe place in the Middle East for what he described as Iran’s “evil” weapons.

The statement followed a Hezbollah attack that killed two Israeli soldiers. Zamir mentioned that northern settlements had come under heavy shelling and referred to an incident during the night linked to the soldiers’ deaths.

Amid intensifying conflict in the Middle East, multiple international outlets including NBC News and The Independent reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a ground invasion of Iran. Although the White House has not made any official announcement, officials confirmed that all options remain on the president’s table. Trump has expressed personal interest in deploying limited U.S. ground forces or conducting surgical strikes to secure Iran’s nuclear facilities and influence the country’s governance. Iranian authorities responded defiantly, saying they are prepared to confront any U.S. ground incursion.

Military and policy experts cited in the reports warned that such an operation could significantly escalate the war and increase risks for American troops. Pentagon officials noted that six U.S. soldiers have already been killed since the conflict began on February 28. Analysts from several Washington think tanks, including the Hudson Institute and Atlantic Council, described the plan as highly risky and questioned its feasibility, particularly given Iran’s strong military and entrenched political system.

U.S. intelligence assessments reportedly caution that even a large-scale attack may fail to topple Iran’s leadership, raising doubts about the success of Trump’s broader regime-change strategy.

The Trump administration is spending about $1 billion per day in the ongoing war with Iran, according to US congressional sources cited by journalist Nancy Youssef. In the first nine days of fighting, more than 1,750 people have been killed across Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. Analysts warn that if the conflict continues, total US expenditures could exceed $200 billion. The Pentagon has already spent $630 million on pre-war deployments, and projections suggest costs could reach $215 billion if the war lasts until September.

The conflict has triggered widespread regional escalation. Iran has launched missile strikes on Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, while Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed 394 people, including 83 children, and displaced over half a million. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claims it can sustain the current intensity of fighting for six months. Meanwhile, Iran’s new Supreme Leader has been selected following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, though his name has not yet been announced.

US President Donald Trump warned that Iran’s new leader would not survive long without his approval, while Israel threatened to target whoever assumes the role. Iran’s leadership has vowed to resist and continue the war, calling for national unity and defense of its territory.