Britain is planning to deploy mine-detection drones in the Strait of Hormuz to reduce Iran’s influence over this vital global trade route. The British Ministry of Defence stated that various options are being considered to ensure the safe passage of cargo ships through the strait, which handles about 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments daily. The proposal was first reported by The Sunday Times, citing the Royal Navy’s Mine and Threat Exploitation Group, currently stationed in the Middle East, as the likely source of the drone deployment.

The Sunday Telegraph reported that British interceptor drones, originally designed for Ukraine, may also be used to counter Iranian Shahed drones. The initiative follows earlier calls by former U.S. President Donald Trump for allied nations to send warships to protect oil tankers in the region.

Details such as the number of operational drones and how many could be deployed remain uncertain, according to the reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russia is supplying Shahed drones to Iran for use in attacks against the United States and Israel. In an interview with CNN, he said it is 'one hundred percent true' that Iran used Russian-made Shahed drones to strike US bases. He also noted that similar drones have been linked to attacks in other regional countries, though it is not always clear who manufactures them.

According to the report, Iran originally developed the Shahed drone as a cheaper alternative to missiles. Zelensky stated that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the fall of 2022, Russian forces have launched thousands of these drones. Initially supplied by Iran, Russia is now producing the Shahed drones domestically. The report adds that the US military and other armed forces have also adopted these drones, viewing their use as part of operational planning against Iran.

The Guardian was cited as the source of this information.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran’s last Shah, in Paris. According to the report, the meeting focused on Iran’s current situation and ongoing operations against what was described as the United States’ so-called “terrorist regime.” In a post on social media platform X, Zelensky said that Pahlavi, known for his pro-Israel stance, and his team shared messages they have been receiving from inside Iran.

Zelensky stated that Iran’s ruling system has already suffered significant losses. He emphasized the importance of preventing the Iranian government from gaining any advantage from the current situation, while ensuring that ordinary Iranians receive greater protection and more opportunities to determine their own future. Reza Pahlavi is the son of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, who was overthrown during the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Earlier, Zelensky had remarked that the ongoing war in the Middle East was bringing no positive outcomes for Ukraine.

A container ship was damaged by an unidentified missile near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred about 46 kilometers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The ship’s master confirmed that although the vessel sustained damage, all crew members are safe and accounted for.

British authorities have launched an investigation to determine the extent of the damage and the source of the missile. The UKMTO has also advised all vessels operating in the area to remain vigilant following the attack.

The incident adds to growing security concerns in the region, where previous maritime attacks have raised tensions and disrupted shipping routes through one of the world’s most critical waterways.

Three United States B-1 bombers have newly landed at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. The base is regularly used by the US Air Force for bomber deployments. This latest arrival marks an expansion of the US military presence at the site.

Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer granted permission for the United States to use British bases. According to London, the authorization was given to support defensive operations amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. The deployment is part of broader cooperation between the two allies in response to regional security concerns.

The move underscores the deepening defense coordination between the UK and the US as tensions with Iran continue. The presence of additional bombers at RAF Fairford may signal preparations for potential defensive missions in the near term.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the United States and 11 other countries have requested Ukraine’s assistance in countering Iranian drones, electronic warfare systems, and related training. He said the requests came from several European nations, the US, and some of Iran’s neighboring countries. Zelensky shared the information on social media after a meeting with top Ukrainian military and government officials.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine is ready to respond positively to these requests from nations that have supported its defense and independence. He emphasized that Kyiv’s experience in drone defense, gained during four years of resisting Russia’s aggression, could be valuable for its partners’ long-term security. Ukraine hopes that the ongoing Middle East crisis will strengthen its bargaining position with allies.

Zelensky added that specific decisions and assistance have already been provided in response to some of the requests, though he did not disclose details. Earlier, he told The New York Times that Ukraine had sent drone-destroying systems and an expert team to help protect US bases in Jordan at Washington’s request.

Three US B-52 bombers landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, marking the first appearance of these aircraft in the country during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The arrival follows a notable increase in air traffic at the base over the past 72 hours, according to reports published on March 9, 2026.

The B-52 bombers, which joined the US Air Force in the 1950s, have been used in conflicts from Vietnam to Afghanistan. Some of these aircraft belong to the US Strategic Command, meaning they are capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The supersonic bombers can travel long distances and carry up to 24 cruise missiles. RAF Fairford’s 10,000-foot runway is suitable for handling such large aircraft.

Local residents and journalists gathered around the base to witness the arrival of the bombers, reflecting public interest in the rare deployment.

The ongoing conflict surrounding Iran has sparked fears of a new wave of inflation in the United Kingdom, according to a report citing Al Jazeera. The impact is already visible in European stock markets, with the UK's FTSE 100 index dropping by about 200 points, or roughly 2 percent, and Germany's DAX index falling by around 2.3 percent.

Market analysts suggest that investors are now factoring in the possibility of interest rate hikes due to inflation concerns. The Bank of England is expected to make decisions on this matter in the coming weeks or months. Higher interest rates would make borrowing more expensive for both businesses and homeowners.

Since the crisis began, yields on UK government bonds have also risen significantly, raising concerns that the government’s day-to-day financial management could become more difficult.

Global energy markets have become increasingly unstable due to the ongoing war involving Iran, with the United Kingdom now facing a sharp decline in its natural gas reserves. According to National Gas data, as of last Saturday, the UK held about 6,999 gigawatt-hours of gas, down from 9,105 gigawatt-hours a year earlier. The country’s storage capacity can normally cover up to 12 days of demand, but current reserves are sufficient for less than two days.

National Gas stated that despite low reserves, the UK continues to receive regular gas supplies from multiple sources, including domestic offshore fields, Norway, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, European interconnectors, and stored gas. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero also said that claims of only two days of gas are not entirely accurate, expressing confidence in the country’s energy security.

The conflict has disrupted global gas shipping routes, with several vessels diverting from Europe to Asia. Following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, gas prices in the UK surged from 78.5 pence to about 137 pence per therm, adding pressure to the domestic energy market.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has sharply rejected former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s call for the United Kingdom to support the United States in a potential military conflict with Iran. In an interview with Sky News, Cooper said that blindly siding with any country would go against Britain’s national interest and emphasized learning from the mistakes of the 2003 Iraq war.

Blair had recently stated that Britain should have supported the US military action against Iran from the outset. Cooper disagreed, saying that neither unconditional support for the US nor total opposition to joint military action serves the UK’s interests. She added that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s responsibility is to protect British citizens and national security, which he is fulfilling.

The exchange highlights a continuing debate within the Labour Party over foreign policy and military alignment with the US. Analysts note that the current Labour government seeks a more cautious and independent stance in Middle East crises, drawing lessons from the controversial Iraq war.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has strongly responded to former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s criticism of Britain’s position on Iran. In an interview with Sky News, Cooper said it was vital to learn from the experience of the Iraq war. She rejected Blair’s view that the UK should have supported the United States’ stance on Iran from the outset.

Cooper stated that some in politics believe Britain should always align with the United States, while others think it should never do so again. She argued that neither extreme serves the UK’s national interest. Cooper emphasized that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s responsibility is to make decisions prioritizing British citizens’ interests.

When asked if she was implying that Blair had been a “poodle” of the United States, Cooper replied that the key issue was learning from the mistakes made during the Iraq war, adding that Starmer was trying to do exactly that.

Russia launched extensive missile and drone attacks across Ukraine from Friday to Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring more than a dozen others, including children, according to AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia fired 29 missiles and 480 drones overnight, targeting the country’s energy sector and railway infrastructure. Residential areas and key facilities were also damaged, with Kharkiv suffering a deadly ballistic missile strike that destroyed a five-story building and killed at least 10 people.

Zelensky stated that Russia continues to attack residential zones and critical infrastructure, urging allied nations to provide faster and greater military assistance. In a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, he emphasized the need to swiftly implement the EU’s €90 billion aid package for Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia, which remain blocked by Hungary.

Moscow claimed its strikes targeted only military and energy facilities and denied hitting civilian areas. Meanwhile, Russian-installed authorities in occupied Kherson reported one death and four injuries from a Ukrainian drone strike.

The United Kingdom has placed its aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales on standby to depart from Portsmouth within five days, according to BBC reports citing defense sources. The crew has been instructed to prepare for departure on short notice, a move that deviates from the usual 14-day notice period. The deployment is being considered to protect British interests in the Mediterranean amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The British government has faced criticism for not acting swiftly enough to protect Cyprus from potential drone and missile attacks. The Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon has already been deployed to the region. HMS Prince of Wales had originally been scheduled for operations in the North Atlantic and Arctic later this year as part of Operation Firecrest with U.S., Canadian, and European allies to deter Russian aggression near the Arctic.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the UK has strengthened its military presence in the Middle East since January, deploying Typhoon and F-35 jets, air defense systems, and 400 additional personnel to Cyprus to protect British citizens and allies.

At least five thousand people marched in London on Saturday demanding an end to United States and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to the Metropolitan Police, as reported by Al Jazeera. The protest began in the afternoon at Millbank and moved toward the US Embassy in Vauxhall, with participants chanting slogans calling for an immediate halt to bombings.

Earlier in the day, demonstrators gathered in the Millbank area of central London. Various charities and activist groups also set up temporary tents near Victoria Tower Gardens beside Westminster to conduct related activities. Police officials estimated the crowd size between five and six thousand participants.

The demonstration reflected growing public opposition in the United Kingdom to continued military actions against Iran, with protesters emphasizing their demand for peace and an end to foreign attacks.

A US B-1 Lancer bomber landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, on Friday evening. The 146-foot-long aircraft arrived following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to allow the United States to take defensive action against Iranian missile installations from UK military bases.

The move came after criticism from US President Donald Trump and several British political figures, including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused Starmer of delaying permission for base use. Starmer defended his decision, arguing that the conflict could have been legally questionable and lacked a clear, well-planned strategy.

The deployment marks a significant moment in UK-US defense cooperation amid heightened tensions involving Iran, though further operational details were not disclosed in the report.