Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf criticized US President Donald Trump for supporting what he described as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s expansionist delusions. In a social media post following the crash of a US military refueling aircraft in Iraq, Ghalibaf said that families of American soldiers have the right to know why their children are being sacrificed for such causes.

The post also referenced convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, noting his past association with Trump and alleged links to Israeli intelligence. Ghalibaf’s remarks came amid heightened tensions following the incident involving a US KC-135 refueling aircraft.

According to a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the crash occurred during “Operation Epic Fury” in friendly airspace. Two aircraft were involved; one crashed in western Iraq while the other landed safely. Rescue operations are ongoing.

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 new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei publicly thanked the country’s armed forces in his first televised address to the nation on March 12, 2026. In his remarks, he expressed gratitude to the military for protecting Iran from subjugation and division despite facing attacks. Khamenei praised the bravery and dedication of soldiers who, according to him, performed admirably under pressure.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera and local outlet Amar Desh, marks Khamenei’s first major public message since assuming leadership. His comments emphasized national unity and resilience during a period of external pressure and conflict. The address also highlighted the military’s role as a stabilizing force in safeguarding Iran’s sovereignty.

The speech signals that the new leadership intends to maintain strong ties with the armed forces and reinforce their importance in national defense and internal cohesion.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered his first televised address to the nation on March 12, 2026, focusing on national unity, regional politics, and ongoing conflicts. He called for internal solidarity and reaffirmed Iran’s firm stance on protecting its security and sovereignty. Khamenei warned that all U.S. military bases in the Middle East should be closed immediately, otherwise they would continue to face attacks.

He stated that Iran seeks good relations with neighboring countries but emphasized that nations hosting U.S. military bases would remain targets under Iran’s current policy. Khamenei also announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as part of Tehran’s strategy to pressure its adversaries. He vowed to continue fighting to avenge the deaths of Iran’s former Supreme Leader and children killed in recent attacks.

Khamenei praised Iran’s armed forces for their sacrifices in defending the country from domination and division, promising financial and other support for war victims. He concluded by urging Iranians to overcome differences and work together for the nation’s interests.

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.

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.

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned that the country will take revenge for the blood of its citizens. According to Iranian state television, cited by the BBC, Khamenei made the statement in his first message after being chosen as the nation’s top religious leader. He referred specifically to the attack on a girls’ school in Minab, which Iran attributes to Israel, saying 168 people were killed, including about 110 children.

Khamenei also declared that Iran would continue targeting the Hormuz Strait and advised neighboring countries to close U.S. military bases on their soil, warning that such bases could be attacked. Despite emphasizing a policy of friendship with neighboring states, his remarks underscored a hardline stance toward foreign military presence in the region.

Mojtaba Khamenei was selected by Iran’s 88-member Assembly of Experts as the third Supreme Leader following the death of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike on February 28 after leading Iran for 37 years.

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.

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.