Iran’s military on Saturday warned the United Arab Emirates not to allow any attacks from its territory targeting two disputed islands near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to a statement released through Tasnim News Agency, the operational command of Khatam al-Anbiya said that if aggression against Iran’s Abu Musa and Greater Tunb islands originates from UAE soil, Iran’s armed forces would launch strong strikes on Ras al-Khaimah in the UAE.

The Abu Musa and Greater Tunb islands have long been a source of dispute between Iran and the UAE. The islands are currently under Iranian control, but the UAE continues to claim ownership. Located near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, the area is a vital route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply is transported.

The warning comes amid regional conflict that began on February 28 with a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, which has since spread across the Middle East. Iran has accused Gulf states of allowing U.S. forces to operate from their territories and has carried out missile and drone strikes against what it describes as U.S. interests in those countries.

Russia has reported that Ukraine launched more than 280 drone attacks overnight, describing it as one of the largest assaults since the war began. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, a total of 283 drones were shot down. Regional officials said about 90 drones were intercepted over the southern Rostov region, while Moscow’s mayor confirmed that 27 drones targeting the capital were neutralized. In the Saratov region, several houses were damaged and at least two people were injured, local authorities said.

The report noted that since 2022, Ukraine has been striking targets inside Russia in response to continuous Russian attacks, claiming its operations focus on military and energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian and U.S. representatives will meet in the United States on Saturday to revive momentum toward ending the war.

Zelensky added that Ukraine seeks a clearer understanding from Washington regarding the next stage of trilateral talks involving Russia, which had been delayed due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

An Air India flight bound for Vancouver, Canada, was forced to return to Delhi after nearly eight hours in the air when it was discovered that the aircraft lacked the necessary authorization to operate in Canadian airspace. The AI-185 flight departed Delhi at 11:34 a.m. local time on Friday and turned back near Kunming, China, after realizing the issue. The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft landed safely in Delhi after a total flight time of seven hours and fifty-four minutes.

According to the airline, the incident occurred because only its Boeing 777-300ER fleet currently holds permission to operate on the Canada route. Air India described the return as a “standard operating procedure” decision taken for operational reasons. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, and the airline apologized for the inconvenience.

The airline’s ground team in Delhi arranged hotel accommodations and assistance for passengers before re-departing the same flight the following morning. The incident is expected to have significant financial implications due to high fuel consumption during the nearly nine-hour flight.

Iran has fired two ballistic missiles targeting the joint US-British military base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials. The incident occurred recently and was reported on Friday. Both missiles failed to hit their targets, falling short of the base located about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Iran. The attack suggests Tehran may now possess longer-range missile capabilities. AFP reported that the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

One missile reportedly malfunctioned mid-flight, while the other was intercepted by a defensive missile launched from a US warship. It remains unclear whether the second missile was destroyed. Diego Garcia, part of the Chagos Archipelago, is one of two bases the United Kingdom has allowed the United States to use for defensive operations against Iran. The base hosts US bombers and other military assets and has been a key hub for operations in Asia, including past missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The report also noted that Britain recently returned control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius but retained a lease for the Diego Garcia base. Former US President Donald Trump criticized that decision.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Japan’s Kyodo News that Iran is ready to assist Japan-linked ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, discussions between the two sides have already begun, and Iran is considering a temporary relaxation of the blockade.

A Japanese government official told Kyodo that direct talks with Iran are the most effective way to ease the blockade but emphasized the need for caution to avoid provoking the United States. The official also noted that even if Japanese vessels are allowed passage, it would not resolve the ongoing energy crisis. Another Japanese Foreign Ministry official said Araghchi’s statement should be carefully evaluated to understand its true intent.

The development highlights ongoing diplomatic efforts between Tokyo and Tehran to manage maritime access and regional tensions while balancing relations with Washington.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced the 70th phase of its retaliatory operations, claiming to have struck more than 55 locations linked to US and Israeli interests. According to a statement published by Iran’s English-language outlet Press TV, the latest attacks caused powerful explosions, flashes of fire, and rising smoke columns in targeted areas.

Several regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Israel, reported activating their air defense systems early Saturday to intercept incoming drones and missiles. The report also stated that Iran launched at least two medium-range ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean.

The overall situation across the Gulf and the wider Middle East has become increasingly tense following these developments, signaling a further escalation of regional hostilities.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for 55 separate attacks on Israeli forces in a single day, describing it as the highest number of assaults against Israel in its history. According to the group, the operations targeted Israeli positions both inside Lebanon and across the border in northern Israel, intensifying regional tensions.

Reports indicate significant clashes across multiple fronts in Lebanon. In the southern and western Koura areas, Hezbollah said it attacked Israeli troops attempting to cross the border. Fierce fighting also continued near Khiam and Taybeh on the eastern front. By evening, at least one person was reported killed in an airstrike.

The situation in Lebanon has grown increasingly volatile, with the impact reaching the capital, Beirut. Two attacks in the city’s southern suburbs highlighted how the conflict’s escalation is spreading beyond border zones.

CBS News has reported that US military officials are preparing detailed plans for a possible deployment of ground troops in Iran. Multiple sources cited by the report said high-level discussions are underway regarding the potential move. Senior Pentagon officials have reportedly issued specific instructions to develop such plans, including how to handle the detention of Iranian soldiers if US troops are deployed.

The report comes shortly after President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the United States was considering gradually reducing its military operations in Iran. However, he clarified that he was not seeking a ceasefire. Trump also told reporters that he had no current plans to send ground troops anywhere, adding that if he did, he would not disclose it publicly.

The US Department of Defense did not respond to requests for comment, and the United States Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, declined to speculate on any potential troop deployment.

U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized NATO and several allied nations, accusing them of failing to provide adequate support during an ongoing war. Speaking outside the White House, Trump said the United Kingdom was slow to grant U.S. forces access to its military bases. He also alleged that Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea were not contributing enough, particularly in sending naval forces to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

According to the report, Trump aims to build a large-scale military operation while U.S. forces remain engaged elsewhere. However, he did not inform allied nations in advance about the U.S. decision to join the war alongside Israel, which created surprise and limited cooperation. In response, Trump has publicly criticized and pressured allies to increase their involvement.

The report notes that the United Kingdom eventually allowed U.S. forces to use its bases, but this did not satisfy Trump. Overall, relations between the U.S. and its allies appear strained amid the ongoing conflict.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington may scale back its military operations in Iran, citing that the United States is close to achieving its objectives. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday, Trump said the administration is considering reducing military activities. His statement is being viewed as the strongest signal yet that the conflict, which began on February 28, could soon come to an end.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that both the President and the Pentagon had earlier suggested the mission could take four to six weeks to complete. Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department has eased some restrictions on Iranian oil, allowing shipments loaded before March 20 to be sold until April 19 amid global concerns over rising oil prices and supply shortages.

In response to recent escalations, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei vowed harsh retaliation against enemies, leading to drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and Israel. Israeli forces reportedly launched counterstrikes on targets in Tehran early Saturday.

Iran has threatened to expand its attacks to entertainment and tourism centers worldwide as its conflict with the United States and Israel enters the third week. The warning came from General Abolfazl Shekarchi, Iran’s top military spokesperson, who stated that parks, leisure areas, and tourist destinations across the world would no longer be safe for Iran’s enemies. The announcement has sparked renewed concern in international circles.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that Iran may employ asymmetric tactics beyond the Middle East to increase pressure on its adversaries. The situation intensified after Israel reportedly struck Iran’s large South Pars gas field on Wednesday, prompting Tehran to escalate attacks on energy facilities in the Gulf region.

In a related development, two drone strikes hit Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery early Friday, causing a fire at one of the region’s largest refineries, which has a daily capacity of about 730,000 barrels. The incidents underscore rising regional tensions and fears of broader instability.

At least 20 people were killed and 57 others injured in the latest Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, according to the country's Disaster Risk Management Unit. The attack took place on Friday, marking another escalation in the ongoing Israeli military operations in the region.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that with these new casualties, the total number of people killed in Israeli attacks since March 2 has risen to 1,021. The total number of injured has reached 2,641, while 134,616 people have been registered as displaced in various shelters across the country.

The figures highlight the growing humanitarian toll of the continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon, as reported by Al Jazeera and local authorities.

The Israeli military reported detecting another wave of Iranian missiles heading toward its territory, stating that air defense systems were actively working to intercept them. According to The Times of Israel, sirens could be sounded in central Israel amid fears of further attacks.

Throughout Friday, Israeli authorities were forced to activate warning sirens at least ten times across the country due to repeated Iranian missile strikes. In northern Israel, sirens also sounded frequently following continuous rocket fire from Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. Although civilian casualties were limited, the attacks caused significant damage in several areas.

In occupied East Jerusalem, debris from an intercepted missile reportedly fell dangerously close to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, damaging nearby vehicles. The mosque remains closed under Israeli control, and officials described the incident as a serious safety concern.

NATO has withdrawn almost all of its personnel from Iraq amid regional instability triggered by the ongoing Iran war, according to Iraqi National Security Advisor’s office officials cited by AFP and Al Jazeera. The withdrawal, described as temporary, follows repeated attacks on the NATO mission in Baghdad after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Only a small team remains in Iraq, while the rest have been relocated to NATO’s command center in Naples, Italy.

NATO expressed gratitude to Iraq and allied nations for ensuring the safe transfer of its staff. In a statement, General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, praised the professionalism of the mission’s members. The alliance confirmed that the last personnel left Iraq and will continue operations from Naples.

The NATO Mission Iraq is a non-combat advisory and capacity-building mission aimed at helping Iraq strengthen its security institutions, stabilize the country, combat terrorism, and prevent the resurgence of ISIL.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the United Arab Emirates’ President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed held a phone conversation to discuss the latest developments following Iran’s attacks. According to a statement from the Qatari Emir’s office, the two Gulf leaders examined the serious impact of these attacks on regional security and stability.

Both leaders described the attacks as a grave violation of state sovereignty and the principles of international law. They emphasized the urgent need to end all forms of conflict, reduce tensions, and strengthen regional and international diplomatic efforts to restore calm.

Their discussion reflects growing concern among Gulf states about the potential escalation of violence in the region and highlights a shared call for diplomatic engagement to prevent further instability.