Main Points
- Trump warns US will blow up and completely obliterate all of Iran’s electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if Strait of Hormuz does not open immediately
- Two Unifil peacekeepers were killed in south Lebanon, when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the war threatens a “global, yet asymmetric” shock
- Further “economic interventions” could be necessary if the war continues for months, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris has said
- Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war, defence minister says
Key Reads
- Denis Staunton: Four regional powers may offer best chance to end Iran war. Sign up to receive the Global Briefing newsletter.
- Explainer: Why does the US have Iran’s Kharg Island in its sights?
- Sally Hayden in Beirut: ‘They weren’t carrying weapons’: Hundreds attend funeral of journalists killed by Israeli strikes
That concludes our rolling updates of the war in the Middle East this evening. We’ll be back tomorrow with more live coverage.
Iran maintains it is not in talks with the US
In the last couple of hours, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, again reiterated that Iran has not been involved in negotiations with the US since the start of the war, and would not until US military aggression ended.
His statements contradict that of the White House press secretary who earlier claimed the US and Iran have been in negotiations.
In a post on X, Baghaei said: “We have had no negotiations with America in these thirty-one days.
What has occurred is the submission of a negotiation request, accompanied by a set of proposals from #America, which has reached us through certain intermediaries, including Pakistan".
“Our position is very clear. At present, as America’s military aggression and invasion continue with full intensity, all our efforts and capabilities are devoted to defending Iran’s essence. We have felt the previous experiences with our flesh, skin, and bones, and we do not forget the betrayal that was inflicted upon diplomacy in two instances within less than a year“.
Telecom building in UAE targeted by Iranian drone
Authorities in UAE’s Sharjah said on Monday that an administrative building of Thuraya Telecommunications was targeted by a drone from Iran, the emirate’s media office said in a post on X.
No injuries were reported.
Israel issues evacuation order for more villages in southern Lebanon
The IDF has ordered residents in another six villages in Lebanon to evacuate.
“To ensure your safety, we call on you to move immediately north of the town of Qaraoun (Bekaa),” Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic language spokesman, said in a post on X, directed at residents of the villages of Zalaya, Lbaya, Yahmar, Sahmar, Qalaya and Dalafi.
Any movement south “may put your lives at risk”, he added.
Israel’s assault on Beirut and southern Lebanon has displaced more than one million people and killed more than 1,200 – over 120 of whom were children.
Taoiseach condemns attacks on Unifil peacekeepers
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has condemned the killing of Unifil peacekeepers, saying, in a post on X, “these unacceptable attacks must stop”.
France seeks emergency meeting of UN Security Council following killing of Unifil peacekeepers
France’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council following “the extremely serious incidents” targeting UN peacekeepers in Lebanon that killed one Indonesian national.
“Such attacks near UN peacekeeping positions are unacceptable and unjustifiable,” Barrot said, adding France is calling “for a full investigation into the circumstances of these tragedies”.
Reports of fresh strikes on Iran
Iranian outlets are reporting on fresh explosions in some parts of Tehran tonight (the local time is almost 11pm).
The BBC also reports that the strikes are happening, with three sources in west Tehran saying the strikes are heavy, and two other sources reporting strikes in the neighbouring city of Karaj.
Trump interested in calling on Arab states to help pay for Iran war, says White House
Trump would be interested in calling on Arab countries to pay for the cost of his war on Iran, Leavitt said in a press conference, adding that she thinks Trump would have more to say on the issue.
Asked whether Arab countries would step up to help pay for the war, Leavitt said she would not get ahead of the president but that Trump has had this idea.
“I think it’s something the president would be quite interested in calling them to do. It’s an idea that I know that he has and something that I think you’ll hear more from him on,” she said.
White House insists US and Iran are in talks
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is holding a briefing with news reporters, in which she has claimed the “remaining elements” of the Iranian regime are “increasingly eager to end the destruction and come to the negotiating table, while they still can”.
Despite the Iranian regime’s “public posturing” and the news media’s “false reporting”, talks between the US and Iran are “continuing and going well,” she said.
Iranian officials have repeatedly denied they are in talks with the US, despite Trump’s claims that the US is having “very good and productive conversations” about ending the war.
Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, reaffirmed on Monday that Iran has not had any direct negotiations with the US.
“What has been discussed are messages we received through intermediaries stating that the US wants to negotiate,” he said.
“Iran has been clear about its position from the beginning, and we know very well what the framework is that we are considering. The material conveyed to us has been excessive and unreasonable requests.”
Minister for Defence condemns Unifil attacks
Minister for Defence Helen McEntee has condemned the attacks on Unifil personnel in Lebanon over the past 24 hours.
“These incidents represent a deeply concerning further escalation and have resulted in the deaths of three peacekeepers and serious injuries to others. My thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues, and I wish those injured a full and speedy recovery,” she said in a statement.
“Those serving under the UN flag do so in pursuit of peace and stability. These incidents are an attack on the very principles of peace, cooperation and international solidarity”.
The minister said she was in daily contact with the chief of staff of the Defence Forces, and all Irish personnel serving with UNIFIL were safe and fully accounted for.
“There is no military solution to this conflict. The violence must end,” she added.
Two Unifil peacekeepers killed, two others injured in Lebanon
Two Unifil peacekeepers were killed in south Lebanon today, when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely injured, and a fourth was also hurt, Unifil confirmed in a statement.
“This is the second fatal incident in the last 24 hours. We reiterate that no one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace,” the statement said.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of those brave peacekeepers who gave their lives in service of peace”.
“Our thoughts and hopes for a full and fast recovery are also with the injured. We have launched an investigation to determine what happened”.
There was an “urgent need” for all actors to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel, the statement added.
Deliberate attacks on peacekeepers are violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701, and may constitute war crimes.
“The human cost of this conflict is far too high. The violence, as we have said before, must end,” Unifil’s statement concluded.
Nato confirms it intercepted Iranian missile heading for Turkey
Nato has now confirmed that its forces intercepted an Iranian missile heading towards Turkey, following an earlier announcement by the Turkish defence ministry.
“On Monday 30 March, Nato again successfully intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading to” Turkey, alliance spokeswoman Allison Hart said.
“Nato is prepared for such threats and will always do what is necessary to defend all allies,” she added.
Lebanese soldier killed, several injured in Israeli attack on army checkpoint
A Lebanese soldier has been killed and five others have been injured following an Israeli attack on an army checkpoint in Lebanon.
IMF warns conflict threatens a global shock, with recovering economies set for dim outlook
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the US-Israeli war against Iran threatens a “global, yet asymmetric” shock, dimming the outlook for economies that were just recovering from previous crises.
Countries in Africa and Asia that are heavily dependent on oil imports are already finding it increasingly hard to access needed supplies, “even at inflated prices”, the IMF said in a blog post published on Monday.
“All roads lead to higher prices and slower growth,” the IMF said. The ultimate impact on supply chains and infrastructure will depend on whether the conflict proves a short or long one, the fund said, adding that “the world may settle somewhere in between – tensions linger, energy stays costly, and inflation proves hard to tame – with ongoing uncertainty and geopolitical risk.”
Beyond the energy disruption, higher food and fertiliser prices are affecting some countries from the Middle East to Latin America, with low-income economies at risk of food insecurity, the IMF warned.
The interruption of crop-nutrient supplies from the Gulf comes just as planting season begins in the northern hemisphere, threatening harvests through the year. - Bloomberg
Oman port hit by drone to reopen on Tuesday
Danish shipping firm Maersk announced that Oman’s port of Salalah, which was hit by a drone at the weekend, would start to reopen from Tuesday.
The Oman authorities said one worker was injured and minor damage caused by the strike on the port, which is run by Maersk subsidiary APM Terminals and is one of the key shipping facilities in the Gulf state.
Maersk said the area damaged was “limited” and that the port’s management would take “necessary measures” to progressively build up to full capacity.
Some “constraints” would remain but additional safety and “preventive” measures had been taken because of the strike, it added. - Guardian
Nato shoots down ballistic missile in Turkish airspace
A ballistic missile launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace before being shot down by Nato air and missile defences deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey’s defence ministry said.
The incident marked the fourth such incident since the start of the Iran war, following three earlier interceptions by Nato systems earlier this month that promoted Ankara to protest and warn Tehran.
The ministry said all necessary measures were being taken “decisively and without hesitation” against any threat directed at Turkey’s territory and airspace. - Guardian
Israel’s oil refineries confirms missile attack
Israel’s oil refineries ORL.TA confirmed on Monday that a missile attack hit a distillates tank in the northern city of Haifa, with no material damage.
It said no casualties resulted from the attack.
Iran enters 31st day of internet blackout
The internet blackout in Iran has entered its 31st day, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks.
It said in a post: “It has now been over 720 hours since Iran fell off the global internet with the digital blackout entering its 31st day.
“As the shutdown continues into its second month, misinformation and propaganda increasingly fill the void both domestically and internationally.
“Those without access to Starlink or alternative ways to communicate – which are often expensive – are cut off, not only from the outside world but the blackout also severely curtails Iranian’s ability to communicate with each other, making mobilisation, for example, much more difficult."
Bahrain’s defence force said its air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed 398 drones and 182 missiles launched by Iran since February 28th, when US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran triggered Tehran to launch strikes across Gulf countries, which have close ties to Washington and host several American military bases. - Guardian
Message from the Editor
UAE intercepts 11 ballistic missiles and 27 drones
The United Arab Emirates says its air defences have intercepted 11 ballistic missiles and 27 drones launched from Iran so far today.
The defence ministry said it has engaged 1,941 drones and 440 missiles since the war began.
It said the Iranian attacks have killed 11 people and injured 178 others.
“The ministry of defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country, in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability and safeguards its interests and national capabilities,” it said in a statement shared on social media. - Guardian
Tánaiste ‘not ruling in or out’ further economic interventions
Further “economic interventions” could be necessary if the war in the Middle East continues for months, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris has said, reports Political Correspondent Harry McGee.
Harris said the Government had made one of the largest interventions in the European Union when it reduced the excise duty on petrol and diesel by 15 cent and 20 cent a litre respectively last week, and extended the fuel allowance season for 470,000 vulnerable households (worth €38 per week) by a month.
“We have those measures in place now until the end of May, and we’ll take stock then,” he told reporters in Nenagh, Co Tipperary on Monday.
“I don’t rule out further economic interventions because it would be foolish to do so. Nor am I ruling them in.”
The Fine Gael leader said he had not put longer-term measures in place because such a move would not be based on reliable indicators.
“It’s just not possible to predict where the war will be in six days, let alone six months,” he said, adding that a calm, step-by-step approach was being followed. “I think it’s the way Irish people generally approach moments of challenge, and it’s the way they expect their Government to do as well.
“We will look at what other jurisdictions are doing ... In this situation, we have to decide at the end of May whether the current measures are the right measures or whether they need to be adapted and changed.”
Harris said that although the current crisis has had a significant impact, the Government was still predicting growth in the Irish economy this year.
“The scale of the energy crisis is greater than the world has ever seen,” he said, adding that even if the conflict were to end now the damage to infrastructure and logistics was already significant.
He said there were no supply concerns in Europe but added if the war continued and if infrastructure continued to be destroyed, it could have implications for energy supply.
“We [may] have to look at what we did during Ukraine crisis and provide advice to people in terms of conservation of energy. That may well be necessary again, but as of now, the focus is on trying to seek a de-escalation of conflict,” Harris said.
‘US is going to retake control of the straits,’ says US treasury secretary
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that the global oil market is well supplied, with more boats travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Over time, the US is going to retake control of the straits and there will be freedom of navigation, whether it is through US escorts or a multinational escort,” Bessent said in an interview with Fox News. - Reuters
Israel strikes university in Tehran
Israel’s military said it had struck a university in Tehran run by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), claiming the institution was used for advanced weapons research.
“In recent days, one of the IRGC’s central military infrastructure sites was recently struck, located within the compound of Imam Hossein University – the IRGC’s primary military academic institution, which also serves as an emergency asset for the regime’s military bodies,” a military statement said. - Guardian
Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s energy infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz is not opened
In his latest post on Truth Social, Donald Trump claimed that the US is in “serious discussions” with a “new and more reasonable regime” to end its war on Iran alongside Israel.
He issued another warning to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or risk US attacks on its oil wells and power plants.
Trump said: “Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island, which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched’.” - Guardian
Irish inflation jumps to 3.6 per cent as energy prices surge
Headline inflation in the Irish economy accelerated sharply in March as war in Iran sent energy prices spiralling, writes Economics Correspondent Eoin Burke-Kennedy.
The latest Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices indicated that prices rose at an annualised rate of 3.6 per cent in March, up from a rate of 2.5 per cent in February.
The jump was driven by energy prices, which rose by 11.1 per cent in the month and were up by 12.3 per cent over the 12 months to March.
For the full article, read here.
Iran says envoy will remain in Beirut, defying order to leave
Iran said its ambassador to Lebanon would remain in his post in Beirut, defying the Lebanese foreign ministry, which has declared him persona non grata and told him to leave.
With war raging in Lebanon between Hizbullah and Israel, the Iranian envoy’s status has emerged as a focal point of tension between the Iran-backed group and the Lebanese government, which has been heavily critical of Hizbullah for entering the regional war in support of Tehran and called for talks with Israel.
The Lebanese foreign ministry last week said it had decided to withdraw accreditation for the ambassador-designate, Mohammad Reza Shibani, and asked him to leave by March 29th.
The ministry said at the time that Shibani had violated diplomatic convention by making statements about Lebanese internal politics. - Reuters
‘Nobody can stop the war but you’: Egypt pleads with Trump to end conflict
Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged US president Donald Trump to stop the Iran war and said fears of the oil price going above $200 (€174) were not exaggerated.
“I tell President Trump: nobody can stop the war in our region in the Gulf but you,” he said at the Egypt Energy Show 2026 energy conference in Cairo.
Noting the impact of supply shortages and price rises, Sisi cited analysts’ concerns that “the price of a barrel of oil could reach more than $200, and this is not an exaggeration.”
Egypt, long a recipient of US military aid and support from wealthy Gulf countries, has condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab states and pushed diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider regional war. - Reuters
Iran reviewing possible exit from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Iran’s parliament is reviewing a possible exit from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday, while insisting Tehran has not and will not seek nuclear weapons.
Iranian lawmakers had also raised the possibility of leaving the NPT, which recognises the right to develop, research, produce and use nuclear energy as long as nuclear weapons are not pursued, after the 12-day war last June when Israel and the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
“What is the benefit of joining a treaty in which bullying parties at the international level not only do not allow us to benefit from its rights but also attack our nuclear facilities?” Baghaei said, adding that Tehran would respect the treaty as long as it is a member.
Fire erupts at Israeli oil refinery after reported missile attack
An industrial building and a a fuel tanker at the Bazan oil refinery in Israel’s northern city of Haifa were struck by debris from an intercepted missile, the Times of Israel has cited the country’s fire and rescue service as having said.
There were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage to production facilities.
The Wall Street journal is among those reporting that the oil refinery was hit by an Iranian missile. - Guardian
No direct US-Iran negotiations have taken place, says Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson
Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, has reaffirmed that Iran has not had any direct negotiations with the US.
“What has been discussed are messages we received through intermediaries stating that the US wants to negotiate,” he said.
“Iran has been clear about its position from the beginning, and we know very well what the framework is that we are considering. The material conveyed to us has been excessive and unreasonable requests.”
Pakistan, seen as a potential mediator between Washington and Tehran, hosted a four-way meeting with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt on Sunday, but nothing significant appeared to emerge from the talks and the war is showing no signs of de-escalation.
Last week after President Trump said the US and Iran had held “very good and productive conversations” about ending the war, Iranian officials quickly denied any such talks had occurred. - Guardian
Starmer says UK won’t get ‘dragged into’ Iran war
British prime minister Keir Starmer said: “People look at their screens and they’re worried when they see explosions, infrastructure blown up, the rhetoric that goes with it, worried about whether this is going to escalate even further.
“And therefore it’s really important that I reiterate where I stand and where this government stands, because this is not our war and we are not going to be dragged into it.”
He says this applies “whatever the pressure [to join in] and whoever it’s coming from”. - Guardian
Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war, defence minister says
Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases, defence minister Margarita Robles said.
“We don’t authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran,” she told reporters in Madrid.
“This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law,” economy minister Carlos Cuerpo said during an interview with radio Cadena Ser when asked if the decision to close Spain’s airspace could worsen relations with the US.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has been one of the most vocal opponents of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as reckless and illegal.
Trump has threatened to cut trade with Madrid for denying the US use of Spain’s bases in the war. - Reuters
Fuel costs in Ireland
Photographs sent in by Vivienne Clarke show that at Circle K on O’Moore Street, Tullamore on March 24th, before the Government’s measures to reduce fuel costs, diesel was priced at €2.20 a litre while petrol cost €2.
The Government introduced its €250 million package of measures to mitigate increases in the cost of fuel, including cutting excise duty on diesel by 20c and on petrol by 15c.
Since then, on March 26th and 27th, fuel at the same station was priced at €2.10 for diesel and €1.90 for petrol.
IDF claims to have struck cell of Hizbullah military operatives
In a post on X, Israel Defense Forces claims it has struck a cell of Hizbullah military operatives.
It also said, “dozens of rockets have been launched toward Israel from areas in which these terrorists operated”.
UN secretary-general António Guterres ‘strongly condemns’ killing of Indonesian peacekeeper
Guterres also condemned the killing of an Indonesian peacekeeper in an incident that also saw another Indonesian peacekeeper seriously injured.
In a post on X he said, “My deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the peacekeeper who died and to Indonesia. I wish a full and fast recovery to the injured peacekeeper.
“This is just one of a number of recent incidents that have jeopardized the safety and security of peacekeepers. I call on all to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times.”
Israel’s health ministry said 6,008 injured people have been evacuated to hospitals since the beginning of the war, of whom 121 are currently hospitalised, including one in critical condition, and 16 in serious condition.
Taoiseach condemns killing of Indonesian peacekeeper in Lebanon
On Sunday, an Indonesian peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded when a projectile exploded near a village in south Lebanon.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said all Irish personnel were safe and accounted for.
He said: “I strongly condemn the killing of an Indonesian Unifil peacekeeper and the shocking escalation of violence that has injured a number of peacekeepers in recent days.
“The role of the peacekeeper must be respected and honoured at all times.
“Both Israel and Hizbullah must do everything in their power to keep peacekeepers from harm,” said Martin.
“I have been briefed by our defence forces and all Irish personnel serving in Lebanon continue to be well and accounted for.”
There are more than 360 Irish peacekeepers on a six-month deployment to a United Nations interim force (Unifil) base in southern Lebanon. - Press Association
Iran’s use of cluster munition attacks on Israel may amount to war crimes, says report
The Iranian government has “repeatedly” used cluster munitions delivered by ballistic missiles in attacks on Israel since the US-Israeli war on Iran started on February 28th, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report.
HRW said at least four civilians have been killed in the airstrikes, which may amount to war crimes.
“Iran’s use of cluster munitions in populated areas in Israel pose a foreseeable and long-lasting danger to civilians,” Patrick Thompson, a researcher in the crisis, conflict and arms division at HRW said.
“Cluster munition bomblets are dispersed over a wide area, making them unlawfully indiscriminate in violation of the laws of war.”
The price of oil has risen sharply to $116 (€101) a barrel after Trump said he wanted to ‘take the oil in Iran’
Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, rose by two per cent in early trading on Monday, after US president Trump said that he could seize the Iranian export hub of Kharg Island.
Trump told the Financial Times in an interview on Sunday: “To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say: ‘why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people.”
“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” he said.
Aircraft destroyed when Iraqi air base hit by rockets
Iraq’s defence ministry said that the Mohamad Alaa air base, located beside Baghdad International Airport, was hit by rockets in the early hours of Monday, destroying an aircraft but causing no casualties.
The ministry added that authorities are assessing the damage and tracking the source of the attack.
The Syrian army also said that drone attacks targeted several of its bases near the Iraqi border, adding that most of the drones were shot down and that it is assessing response options, state news agency SANA reported.
Israel Defense Forces takes responsibility for death of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy Commander
Iran confirmed the death of Revolutionary Guard’s Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri following severe injuries, Iranian media reported, based on a statement by the guards.
The naval commander was killed in an Israeli airstrike last Thursday.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said on March 26th: “In a precise and lethal operation, the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) eliminated the commander of the IRGC Navy, Tangsiri, along with senior naval command officials.” - Reuters
Israel’s defence ministry said it signed a $48m (€41.8m) deal with Elbit Systems for “tens of thousands” of 155mm artillery shells.
The ministry said in a LinkedIn post that the deal will help “reduce reliance on external munitions sources and grow Israel’s domestic defence production base”.
The US is overwhelmingly the biggest supplier of arms to Israel. - Guardian
A strike hit Beirut’s southern suburbs on Monday,
The strike hit the area after Israel issued a warning for people in the Hizbullah stronghold to leave.
The strike is the first since Friday in the area, which is now largely deserted since Israel began frequent attacks against Hizbullah in early March. - Guardian
Indonesian peacekeeper killed in the Lebanon
An Indonesian Unifil peacekeeper was killed by a missile near the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr yesterday, the UN has confirmed.
Another peacekeeper was critically injured, the UN said in a statement early this morning.
“A peacekeeper was tragically killed last night when a projectile exploded in a Unifil position near Adchit Al Qusayr. Another was critically injured. No one should ever lose their life serving the cause of peace,” Unifil said in a statement.
Indonesia’s foreign ministry said the deceased peacekeeper was one of its citizens and that three others were injured by indirect artillery fire in the vicinity of the Indonesian Unifil contingent’s position near Adchit al-Qusayr.
“We do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all of the circumstances,” Unifil said.
Aluminium increases in price following Iran attacks
Iran’s weekend strikes on Middle Eastern aluminum plants are threatening to send a fragile market into crisis, raising the prospect of record prices for the metal used in everything from airplanes to food packaging and solar panels.
On the first day of trading after two major producers confirmed attacks by Iranian drones and missiles, aluminum futures on the London Metal Exchange surged nearly 6 per cent— the most since 2024.
The region’s top supplier, Emirates Global Aluminium, said on Saturday it sustained “significant damage” at its site in Abu Dhabi, while Aluminium Bahrain said it was assessing the extent of damage to its facility.
Even before the industry became a direct target, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had left the Middle East’s giant smelters running short of key input ingredients, and the industry had been bracing for a cascading series of production cuts in the coming weeks. The Middle East accounts for about 9 per cent of global production.
Trump has ‘no problem’ allowing Russian oil into Cuba
Donald Trump appeared to reverse course on blocking oil shipments to Cuba on Sunday, saying he had “no problem” with any country sending in crude as a Russian tanker neared a Cuban port with a badly needed shipment.
A sanctioned Russian vessel, part of the country’s “shadow fleet,” was just off the coast of eastern Cuba on Sunday, according to ship tracking data, and was expected to reach port on Monday, a lifeline for the country’s economy that has nearly ground to a halt under a de facto oil blockade imposed by Washington.
The US cut off Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba after toppling Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on January 3rd, and Trump threatened to slap punishing tariffs on any other country that sent crude to Cuba. Mexico, the largest supplier to Cuba along with Venezuela, then halted its shipments.
As a result, Cuba has not received an oil tanker in three months, exacerbating an energy crisis that has led to strict rationing of fuel and a series of blackouts across the country of 10 million people. Cuban health officials say the crisis has increased the mortality risk for Cuban cancer patients, especially children.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed sympathy for the Cuban people’s need for energy and said he was unconcerned with any assistance it might provide the Communist government in Havana because he predicted it would soon fall on its own.
“If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem with that, whether it’s Russia or not,” Trump said.“Cuba is finished. They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership, and whether or not they get a boat of oil, it’s not going to matter.
“I’d prefer letting it in, whether it’s Russia or anybody else, because the people need heat and cooling and all of the other things that you need.”
US considering mission to extract uranium from Iran
Donald Trump is weighing a military operation to extract nearly 1,000 pounds (454kg) of uranium from Iran, the Wall Street Journal is reporting, citing unnamed US officials.
The mission would likely put American forces inside the country for days or longer, the report says. It quotes the officials as saying the US president hadn’t made a decision on whether to go ahead, and that he was considering the danger to US troops.
But the president remains generally open to the idea, according to the officials, because it could help accomplish his central goal of preventing Iran from ever making a nuclear weapon.
The report could not be independently verified.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said any Pentagon preparations “does not mean the president has made a decision”, the WSJ report said.
The Pentagon did not comment and a spokesperson for US Central Command declined to comment.
Trump told reporters on Sunday night that Iran must do what the US demands or “they’re not going to have a country”, the report said.
Referring to Iran’s uranium, he said: “They’re going to give us the nuclear dust.”
Talks on how to end conflict held in Pakistan
As Mark Weiss reports from Jerusalem, regional powers held talks on Sunday in Pakistan to discuss how to end the Middle East war, now in its fifth week.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt met in Islamabad for the talks, but neither Iranian nor US diplomats were present in an indication of the significant gaps that remain between the sides.
The Iranian Kayhan newspaper, which is closely aligned with the regime leadership, outlined nine demands for ending the conflict but all appeared to be non-starters for Washington.
The demands included: a full withdrawal of US forces from the region; dismantling US bases in west Asia; lifting sanctions; releasing frozen Iranian assets; formally declaring the United States and Israel as aggressors while paying compensation; and Iranian control over maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel attacks regime sites across Tehran
The Israeli military has just said it is attacking the Iranian regime’s infrastructure “throughout Tehran”.
The brief post on X gave no further details.
Trump wants to ‘take the oil’ in Iran
Good morning and welcome to our latest coverage of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
US president Donald Trump has said his “preference would be to take the oil” in Iran and that US forces could seize the Iranian export hub on Kharg Island, the Financial Times is reporting, as the US sends thousands of troops to the region.
In an interview with the FT on Sunday, he compared the potential move to Venezuela, where the US intends to control the oil industry “indefinitely” following its ousting of president Nicolás Maduro in January.
“To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say: ‘why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people,” he said.
Such a move would involve seizing Kharg Island, through which most of Iran’s oil is exported, the FT report continues. But an assault on the export hub would be extremely risky, raising the chances of more US casualties and extending the cost and duration of the war.
“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump said.
He also told the Financial Times that Iran had agreed to let through another 20 “big boats”, presumably tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as a concession. That would also seem to be a tacit recognition that Iran controls the Strait.
