Author: News Desk

A senior spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces has warned that any attack on the country’s economic ports would trigger retaliatory strikes targeting “all docks, ports and economic zones across the Middle East.” The statement underscores the escalating military operations as the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States continues to expand into neighboring countries.

The warning came as Iranian forces reportedly launched the 40th wave of strikes under Operation True Promise 4, targeting the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain and Israeli positions. Iranian media reported that the Revolutionary Guards carried out coordinated missile operations alongside Tehran’s Lebanese ally, Hezbollah. Israel’s military said multiple waves of Iranian missiles were intercepted by air defenses while it conducted “wide-scale” strikes on Tehran and a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut.

The conflict has significantly affected maritime and energy security. An attack on two oil tankers off the coast of Iraq killed at least one crew member, an Indian national, while 38 others were rescued. Separately, China imposed an immediate ban on refined fuel exports for March, including gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel, in response to potential domestic shortages linked to the ongoing conflict.

In the Gulf, tensions have spilled into civilian areas. Kuwait reported material damage after drone strikes at its international airport, while authorities in Dubai confirmed a “minor drone incident” in the Al Bada’a area. Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone approaching the district housing foreign embassies. Similar explosions were reported in Qatar’s capital, Doha, prompting authorities to instruct residents to remain indoors.

Citibank announced it would close branches in the UAE following threats from Iran targeting financial institutions in the region. 

The conflict’s human toll continues to rise. Unicef reported that more than 1,100 children have been killed or injured. The Pentagon confirmed that around 140 US service members were wounded during the first ten days of operations.

Energy markets have reacted sharply. Brent crude surged above $100 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate rose to $94.92, following strikes on regional oil infrastructure. The International Energy Agency reported a disruption of nearly 10 million barrels per day in crude and petroleum product output across Gulf states.

US President Donald Trump said Iran is near defeat, asserting that strikes could escalate to a point where the country would be “almost impossible” to rebuild. He added that the United States had knocked out 58 Iranian naval ships and emphasized that American forces would stay in the region to “finish the job.”

Meanwhile, internal unrest in Iran has intensified. Police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan warned that protesters aligned with foreign interests would now be treated as combatants. The Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command announced plans to target US and Israeli economic centers and banks in the region, urging civilians to maintain distance from such facilities.

Diplomatic measures are underway as countries respond to the regional escalation. Australia closed its embassies in Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, as well as its consulate in Dubai. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned an attack on an Italian military base in Erbil, where no injuries were reported.

The war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, shows no sign of de-escalation, with Iranian officials ruling out negotiations.

A 50-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh (UP), India survived against medical odds after an ambulance ride appeared to have revive her, days after doctors had declared little hope for her recovery.

Vineeta Shukla, a resident of Pilibhit, had been discharged from a hospital in Bareilly after doctors reported no brainstem reflexes. Her family had begun preparing for her funeral. 

On February 24, while her husband was transporting her home, the ambulance hit a pothole on the Bareilly-Haridwar National Highway (NH-74), producing a sudden jolt that appeared to trigger breathing.

“I told my family to prepare for her last rites. She was not breathing, there was only a sinking heartbeat. As the ambulance reached Hafizganj, it struck a large pothole and the vehicle moved violently,” her husband, Kuldeep, told an international media outlet on Tuesday. 

Following the impact, Vineeta began breathing normally. “I immediately informed my family to suspend all the funeral preparations,” Kuldeep said. He rushed her to Neurocity Hospital in Pilibhit for emergency treatment.

After receiving critical care, Vineeta gradually recovered and returned home. She has regained consciousness and is speaking with family members.

“Conquered her death,” Kuldeep said. “She is now not just awake, but talking to us.”

Doctors at Neurocity Hospital reviewed her earlier diagnosis before starting treatment. Dr. Rakesh Singh, a neurosurgeon at the hospital, said that he consulted with Bareilly-based doctors and conducted a thorough examination.

Singh noted that Vineeta’s previous assessment indicated severe neurological impairment. Her brainstem reflexes had been absent, and her Glasgow Coma Scale score had dropped to three out of 15, showing complete unresponsiveness. 

“The examination of her eyes showed mydriasis, indicating the death of her brain and constantly sinking signs of life. During a series of quick tests, heavy neurotoxins were detected in her bloodstream and lymphatic system. The diagnosis and treatment helped remarkably in her recovery,” he said.

Family members said Vineeta, who works as a senior assistant in the copy section at the judicial courts in Pilibhit, fainted on February 22 while doing household work. She was initially taken to Autonomous State Medical College in Pilibhit and later referred to a facility in Bareilly, where her condition worsened and doctors had little hope of her survival.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned law enforcement agencies in California that Iran is considering launching a drone attack on the United States (US) West Coast in response to American military action, according to an alert reviewed by ABC News.

The bulletin, circulated to police departments toward the end of February, said that the information suggested Iran had explored the possibility of carrying out a strike using unmanned aerial vehicles from a vessel positioned off the United States coastline.

 “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack,” the notice said.

The warning came as the administration of US President Donald Trump launched military strikes against Iran. Tehran has since responded with drone attacks targeting sites across the Middle East.

According to a senior law enforcement official cited by ABC News, the intelligence about the possible West Coast attack was obtained before the United States and Israel began bombing Iran. The official said the 12-day bombardment is believed to have reduced Iran’s ability to carry out such an operation.

US intelligence agencies have also been monitoring the growing use of drones by Mexican drug cartels and the risk that the technology could be used against American forces or law enforcement personnel near the US-Mexico border.

A separate bulletin from September 2025 reviewed by ABC News said: “An uncorroborated report suggested that unidentified Mexican cartel leaders had authorized attacks using UAS (drones) carrying explosives against US law enforcement and US military personnel along the US-Mexico border.”

The notice added: “This type of attack against US personnel or interests inside the United States would be unprecedented but exemplifies a plausible scenario, although (cartels) typically avoid actions that would result in unwanted attention or responses from US authorities.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office said the state was coordinating with security agencies in response to the threat environment.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said it had increased preparedness in light of developments abroad

“Out of an abundance of caution, and in recognition of current religious observances, the Department has continued increased patrols around places of worship, cultural institutions, and other prominent locations throughout the County,” the department said.

ABC News contributor John Cohen, former head of intelligence at the Department of Homeland Security, said authorities should remain alert to the possibility of drone threats approaching the United States from both the Pacific Ocean and Mexico.

“We know Iran has an extensive presence in Mexico and South America, they have relationships, they have the drones and now they have the incentive to conduct attacks,” Cohen said.
The FBI alert has also sparked diverse reactions online, with some questioning its credibility. One user commented: “Another False Flag from Zionist master of US Government.” 

Another said: “This is such bullshit. If there is an attack it will be a false flag. Ironically, this comes JUST as US firms finished replicating Iranian drones. What a coincidence. Our Gov is a criminal enterprise taking orders from Israel.”

Some social media users suggested intelligence might be misrepresented or used politically. One post read: “In other words, the FBI is going to launch offensive drones against the west coast and tell us it’s Iran.” 

Another questioned the source: “You mean Mossad? We won’t believe this is Iran, we are voting out all AIPAC politicians, this has to end!” Others expressed frustration over repeated warnings of false flags. “False flags, an old trick the Zionists keep going back to under pressure,” wrote one user, while another added, “In the entire human history of false flags this flag is the falsest.”

The FBI alert did not outline how vessels carrying drones could approach close enough to the US mainland to launch an attack, though intelligence officials have previously raised concerns about equipment being positioned in advance on ships at sea or on land in case the United States or Israel targeted Iran.