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  • Tehran claims US, Israel copied Shahed-136 drones to attack friendly neighbours

    Tehran claims US, Israel copied Shahed-136 drones to attack friendly neighbours

    Iran has accused the United States (US) and Israel of using a modified drone design to frame Tehran for regional attacks, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has claimed that US and Israel had copied the Shahed-136 drone and repurposed it as a “Lucas” drone.

    He described the operation as a “diabolical plot,” asserting that it was intended to falsely attribute drone attacks across the region to Iran.

    Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed gratitude to Pakistan for extending “strong solidarity and support” amid the ongoing US-Israeli military actions. In a post written in Urdu, Araghchi said on X: “On this blessed, divine, and spiritual day and hour, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their full-throated expression of solidarity and support with the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of the aggression by America and the Zionist regime.”


    Zolfaghari also warned that logistics and service centres supporting the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier in the Red Sea were considered potential targets. “Aircraft carrier Gerald Ford in the Red Sea is a threat to Iran. Accordingly, the logistics and service centres for USS Ford strike group are considered to be targets,” he said in a video shared by Fars news agency.

    Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar said that Israel should prepare for an intensification of hostilities. “We know that in the coming days there could be an escalation. All of the State of Israel, all of us, need to be more prepared in the coming days. It is very likely that the war will take several more long weeks,” he told Israel’s Radio 103FM.

    Iran’s internet has remained largely offline for 17 days, NetBlocks reported, while US-led strikes and Iranian counterattacks have continued. Mohammad Esmaeil Tavakoli, head of Tehran province’s Emergency Medical Services, said that at least 503 people have died in the province since the conflict began, with 5,700 injured.

    Recent attacks have also affected the UAE. A missile strike killed one Palestinian civilian on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, authorities said. “Authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi responded to an incident in the Al Bahia area involving a missile strike on a civilian vehicle, which resulted in the death of one Palestinian national,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a post on X. A separate drone strike in Fujairah triggered a fire at an industrial zone, which civil defence teams were attempting to control, with no injuries reported.

    Dubai International Airport partially resumed flights after a fire near its fuel tanks, city authorities said. “Authorities are currently responding to a fire resulting from a drone-related incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport,” the Dubai Media Office posted. Emirates Airlines said it would operate a limited schedule following the incident.

    Economic and commercial activity in the UAE has been affected by regional tensions. Citibank said most of its branches and offices in the country will remain closed until further notice due to security concerns. The Mall of the Emirates branch in central Dubai is the only exception, operating on reduced hours, the bank said in a message to customers.


    The Israeli military has begun what it described as “limited and targeted ground operations” against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. “In recent days, IDF troops from the 91st division have begun limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, aimed at enhancing the forward defence area,” the Israeli army said in a statement.


    Oil prices hovered near $100 per barrel, and stock markets showed mixed movements as the conflict entered its third week. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described Israeli strikes on Tehran fuel depots as “ecocide,” citing potential long-term risks to public health and environmental contamination.

    Donald Trump has said that Iran is using artificial intelligence as a tool for disinformation. “Iran has long been known as a Master of Media Manipulation and Public Relations. They are militarily ineffective and weak, but are really good at ‘feeding’ the very appreciative Fake News Media false information,” Trump said on Truth Social. He added that reports of destroyed US aircraft and burning buildings were “FAKE NEWS, generated by AI.”

    Regional powers have largely avoided direct involvement. Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan said the country would not be drawn into the conflict, while Japan and Australia declined US requests to send naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz. Trump warned that NATO could face a “very bad” future if allies fail to assist in reopening the strategic waterway.

    Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, called for rapid verdicts against those linked to the US and Israel. “We must not delay or show leniency in executing final verdicts against those who, during wartime and unrest, committed crimes and were affiliated with the aggressor enemy,” he said, according to Tasnim news agency.

    US forces have also conducted airstrikes near Iran’s Chabahar Free Trade Zone, with reports of “intense explosions” from the area. 
    Earlier, reports indicated that the US State Department had announced a $10 million reward for information on Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and nine other top officials. 

    US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Khamenei was wounded and “likely disfigured,” questioning his ability to govern. The conflict had already claimed at least 2,000 lives across the region, with casualties reported in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, and other countries. Trump stated that Iran had been “totally defeated” but remained in talks, while Iran’s IRGC continued attacks, and the US prepared to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

    The humanitarian impact continues to rise across the region. AFP and Al Jazeera reports indicate that at least 2,000 people have died since February 28, including 1,332 in Iran, 687 in Lebanon, 30 in Iraq, 12 in Israel, and 13 US service members, six of whom were killed in a recent aircraft crash in Iraq. Other fatalities were recorded in the UAE, Kuwait, Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

  • ‘Saudi crown prince urged Trump to keep hitting Iranians hard,’ New York Times quotes White House officials as saying

    ‘Saudi crown prince urged Trump to keep hitting Iranians hard,’ New York Times quotes White House officials as saying

    Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been advising United States (US) President Donald Trump to “keep hitting Iranians hard”, a New York Times report has quoted White House officials as saying.

    The report, published Sunday, said that Trump has been speaking to Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu “almost every day” and is also regularly having conversations with Arab leaders, particularly Mohammed bin Salman.

    “According to several officials, the advice Mr Trump is getting from the prince is to keep hitting the Iranians hard — essentially repeating the advice that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, who died in 2015, repeatedly gave to Washington: ‘Cut off the head of the snake’,” the report read.

    While the Kingdom has not yet reacted to the claim, it comes just days after Riyadh reacted to reports that President Trump had ordered sweeping attacks on Iran after weeks of lobbying by two key allies in the Middle East — Israel and Saudi Arabia.

    It was reported by The Washington Post that strikes on Iran had come despite US intelligence assessments maintaining Tehran was unlikely to pose a direct threat to the US mainland within the next decade.

    Citing four people familiar with the matter, the report claimed that Netanyahu continued his longstanding push for US strikes against Iran, while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made multiple private calls to Trump over the past month advocating military action, despite publicly supporting diplomacy.

    “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been consistent in supporting diplomatic efforts to reach a credible deal with Iran,” Fahad Nazer, the spokesperson for the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC, had said while reacting to the claim in a statement on X.

    He had added that at no point in all of the Kingdom’s communication with the Trump administration had they lobbied the president to adopt a different policy.

    Saudi political researcher and foreign affairs expert Salman Al-Ansari had also said that the report by The Washington Post was “categorically false”.

    “Some Western journalists have been asking me about this as if it were factual, so here is my response: This Washington Post report is categorically false. Riyadh did not lobby Trump to declare war on Iran in any way,” he had written on X.

    Ansari had gone on to state that Saudi Arabia, on the contrary, had been working to prevent escalation.

    “Reporting like this appears designed to divert attention from those who actually advocated for conflict, as scrutiny of their role intensifies. The goal seems twofold: to drag Saudi Arabia into the war politically and to redistribute blame as public opinion turns against those who pushed for it,” he added.

  • ADB grants final one-month extension for $360m Carec Tranche-III loan

    ADB grants final one-month extension for $360m Carec Tranche-III loan

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted a final one-month extension for the disbursement of a $360 million loan for the Central Asia Regional Economic Corridor (Carec) Tranche-III project, which has already been delayed by nearly a year due to issues with the National Highway Authority (NHA).

    In a recent letter, the ADB stated: “The ADB approves an extension of bid validity from March 6, 2026, to April 5, 2026 (for a period of 30 days). This shall be the last and final extension of bid validity. The NHA is requested to ensure that the contract award is completed within this extended period, as no further extension is envisaged by the ADB.”

    The bank added: “Within the same period, the NHA is also requested to provide any new and material information justifying the delay for ADB’s review. In the absence of such information, or if the contract is not awarded within the extended bid validity period, the matter may need to be assessed as a potential non-compliance case, which could affect the financing of the contract and any subsequent procurement actions related to this package.”

    Meanwhile, the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed a petition by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) challenging the bidding process under which a joint venture of NXCC (Ningxia Communications Construction Group), Dynamic Constructor, and Rustam Associates was declared the successful bidder. The court endorsed the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) findings regarding the procurement conducted by the NHA for the N-55 project.

    The SC held that the verification of bids submitted by the three-firm joint venture and its credentials had been properly undertaken by the NHA and that no further verification was required. 

    Earlier, the IHC had rejected PPRA’s petition against the Rs172 billion Carec Tranche-III award and warned that the regulator’s actions “may also lead to the refusal of the finance facility agreed by the ADB.”

    Some five parliamentary standing committees had raised objections over the bidding process. The NHA maintained that all shortcomings had been addressed and the evaluation conducted according to prescribed criteria. 

    Officials said average construction turnover, tax returns, and bank statements were adequately verified during the evaluation and no additional verification was required.

    In earlier communications, the ADB had expressed concern that the $360 million (Rs108 billion) loan allocated for the Carec Development Investment Programme’s Tranche-III could lapse next year without project completion. 

    A government source said there was growing recognition within official circles that amid the global oil and economic crisis, Pakistan should not miss the loan. The source added that a lapse could undermine the bank’s trust and confidence in Pakistan’s institutions.

    The delay in utilising the loan has been attributed largely to the failure to start the Tranche-III road project, which was stalled due to disputes over the bidding process. Although bids were opened in February 2025 and approved by the ADB soon afterward, the process faced scrutiny from parliamentary panels and the PPRA.

    The total project cost is estimated at Rs170 billion, including land acquisition, consultancy, and taxes, while the lowest bid by the joint venture stood at Rs147 billion. ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) has already approved the bids submitted by the joint venture. The ADB has confirmed it has no objection to awarding the contracts to the lowest bidder across the four lots.

  • Intellectually disabled Pakistani man shot dead by India forces

    Intellectually disabled Pakistani man shot dead by India forces

    A 35-year-old cognitively impaired Pakistani man was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) after allegedly crossing the border by mistake.

    According to police, Mustafa Ahmed, 35, had on March 9 traveled with his family to Gadoki, located on the Zero Line in the limits of Mustafabad Police Station, to visit relatives.

    Ahmed went out at night without informing anyone and accidentally crossed the border, family members said.

    They added that BSF personnel tried to stop him, but he ignored their warnings, prompting the guards to open fire, killing him on the spot.

    Pakistani authorities demanded the return of Ahmed’s body, which was handed over and subsequently laid to rest on Saturday night in his ancestral village, Shamkot Jhugian, in the jurisdiction of Chunian Police Station.

  • Hasan Jahangir reveals receiving $50,000 for use of his song in hit Bollywood film

    Hasan Jahangir reveals receiving $50,000 for use of his song in hit Bollywood film

    Pakistani pop singer Hasan Jahangir has revealed that he received $50,000 for the use of one of his songs in a film.

    Jahangir shared the details during a recent appearance on a Ramadan special programme.

    During the conversation, Yasir asked the singer whether filmmakers pay him when they use his songs in movies. Jahangir confirmed that they now seek permission and compensate him for using his music.

    “A film that was made with a budget of Rs 300 crore and had earned Rs 1,100 crore recently has paid me $50,000 for featuring my song,” he said.

    Jahangir added that several of his classic songs continue to appear in films today. He named tracks such as Shawa Ve, Nakhra Gori Da, Aa Jaana Dil Deewana, Hato Bacho, and his iconic hit Hawa Hawa.

    “Now I receive money whenever these songs are used. Earlier it wasn’t like this. There was no proper copyright system in the world. But now, whoever uses my songs first takes permission from me,” he said, adding that he allowed his music to be used for free only once for the singing reality show Pakistan Idol.

    Jahangir explained that he recorded the song in 1986 before releasing it in 1987. The track later became the defining hit of his career and remains widely recognised across generations.

    He also recalled a memorable visit to India during the peak of his popularity. According to Jahangir, the level of excitement from fans surprised him when he landed in Mumbai.

    “I didn’t know that music lovers were so crazy about me. When I landed at Bombay airport, I realised no one was at their duty posts. All the customs officers and intelligence staff were following me. I didn’t know I created such a craze among the people,” he recalled.

    Jahangir said several film personalities came to welcome him at the airport, including Bollywood actor Govinda, who had also sung Hawa Hawa during that period.

    “Then from there, because there was such a huge crowd, they took me in a convoy to Hotel Sea Rock. From Sea Rock, I had to go to the stadium for the show. When I was going to the show, I saw so many cars, fire brigade vehicles, and ambulances. So I asked my manager, ‘Hi, what’s going on here? Why are there so many cars?’ He said, ‘Nothing. This is for you, sir.’”

    “That’s when I realised what real stardom is,” Jahangir added.

    One of the recent films linked to the discussion around music and cinema is Dhurandhar, as the song ‘Hawa Hawa’ was used in the movie. The budget and box office figures he mentioned also appear to match those associated with Dhurandhar.

    Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film follows an Indian spy operating in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood and describes the area in its trailer as “the very core of terrorism in Pakistan,” with the lead character arriving to “wipe out terrorism” from the region.

    The cast includes Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, a character portrayed as having influence over Pakistani politics. R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna also appear in key roles.

    The production references figures from Karachi’s past. Sanjay Dutt portrays the late police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan, while Akshaye Khanna plays Rehman Dakait, whose real name was Abdul Rehman Baloch.

    Filmmakers describe Dhurandhar as “inspired by incredible true events.” However, the links the film draws between these Karachi figures and cross border terrorism do not have documented historical evidence.

    The trailer also shows imagery resembling the Indian Airlines Flight 814 hijacking, suggesting the film blends multiple storylines under its “true events” claim.

  • One killed, three escape after Rs19 crores robbery at DHA Lahore house

    One killed, three escape after Rs19 crores robbery at DHA Lahore house

    One robber involved in a Rs190 million robbery in the Defence area of Lahore has been killed during an alleged encounter with police in Gajumata, while three of his accomplices managed to flee.

    Police identified the deceased as Zazay Pathan, who had reportedly taken part in the high-value robbery the previous day. 

    According to officials, when police signaled the vehicle carrying the suspects to stop, the occupants opened fire. In the ensuing exchange, one suspect was shot dead, while the vehicle was seized by authorities.

    SHO (Station House Officer) Kahna Amir Shehzad and other officers exchanged fire with the suspects during the operation. A large police contingent arrived at the scene, joined by CCPO (Office of the Capital City Police Officer) Lahore Bilal Siddiq Kamyana and DIG (Deputy Inspector General) Operations Lahore Muhammad Faisal Kamran. 

    Police confirmed that the body of the thief has been moved to the morgue, while a search operation is underway to apprehend the remaining suspects. Authorities said that the fugitives are expected to be arrested soon.

    The robbery in Defence involved armed men entering a residence early in the morning, shortly after the household members returned from sehri. 

    According to the FIR (First Information Report) filed by the affected citizen, Amir Saeed, the suspects entered the house around 4:22am, holding the family members hostage in the TV lounge while looting valuables.

    The FIR states that the robbers took 200 tolas of gold, diamond jewellery worth Rs12.5 million, gold worth Rs30 million, foreign currency, and other valuables worth approximately Rs100 million from different parts of the house, including the second floor. 

    The police said that the incident reflects the need for vigilance, and that all leads, including CCTV footage and witness accounts, are being pursued.

  • Rabia Anum reveals receiving marriage proposal from a Ramzan host

    Rabia Anum reveals receiving marriage proposal from a Ramzan host

    Pakistani television host Rabia Anum Obaid has revealed that a well known Ramzan transmission host once proposed to her. 

    During a recent interview, she confirmed a long standing rumour and said that the proposal reached her family but did not progress further.

    The interviewer brought up the rumour during the conversation.

    “I heard a rumour about you. You were once proposed to by a very famous person during Ramadan, but you refused.”

    Rabia confirmed the story and explained that the proposal came through a respectful approach to her family.

    “Yes, your research is true. There were some reasons behind my refusal. That person reached out directly to my family. He approached my family very respectfully and spoke to them with great respect.”

    She said her family had already decided that the proposal will not be accepted. 

    “However, my family had very clear ideas that it was not going to happen, so they said no, and it didn’t happen.”

    Rabia also said people within the media industry were aware of the situation, although she rarely spoke about it publicly.

    “I think this is the first time anyone has ever asked me about this. No one had asked before, so I never really got the chance to confirm it. I think most people in the industry know about this, but people outside the industry don’t.”

    When asked whether she remained satisfied with the decision, she responded that she had no regrets.

    “Yes, I’m happy with my decision.”

    Rabia Anum built a strong reputation in Pakistan’s television industry through her work as a news anchor and host. 

    Over the years she has hosted several current affairs and special transmission programmes on the channel, including Ramadan broadcasts and discussion shows.

  • Cross-border fire in Bajaur kills four civilians

    Cross-border fire in Bajaur kills four civilians

    Four civilians were killed after artillery and mortar fire from across the border hit a house in the Tabesta Letai area of Salarzai in Bajaur District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated on Sunday.

    In a post on X, Tarar wrote: “The Afghan Taliban regime deliberately targeted the civilian population through artillery/mortar fire from across the border in Tabesta Letai, Salarzai area of KP’s Bajaur district.”


    He added: “Four innocent civilians have embraced shahadat (martyrdom) while one five-year-old child is seriously injured as a house was hit in this attack.”

    Separately, Pakistan carried out overnight strikes in Kandahar Province, targeting “terrorist hideouts and military infrastructure” as the military continued operations against the Afghan Taliban, state-run broadcaster Pakistan Television Corporation reported on Sunday, citing security sources.

    Sharing an operational update, Tarar wrote: “On night March 14/15, Pakistan Armed Forces targeted military installations including terrorist hideouts of Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij.”

    He added that in these attacks, Pakistan’s forces also destroyed technical support infrastructure and equipment storage facility, in Kandahar, that was being used by Afghan Taliban and terrorists against innocent Pakistani civilians.

    Tarar further stated: “A tunnel that housed technical equipment of Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij was also destroyed in Kandahar.”

    He also wrote that similarly, in Chitral Sector, a terrorist jump off point at Badini Post of Afghanistan was destroyed through ground forces.

    Providing figures in the update, the minister stated that 684 Afghan Taliban personnel had been killed so far, while more than 912 had been injured.

    He added that 252 posts had been destroyed, while 44 posts were captured and destroyed. According to the minister, 229 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns had also been destroyed.
    Tarar further wrote that “73 terrorists and terrorist support infrastructure locations across Afghanistan [have been] effectively targeted by air.”

    He also stated: “Attached video shows precision engagement by Pakistan on those installations and terrorist camps which directly / indirectly support terrorism from Afghan soil. No civilian population or infrastructure was targeted as falsely propagated by Afghan regime officials and media.”

    The minister also commented on the incident that took place in Bajaur, stating: “This cowardly and heinous deliberate targeting of civilians by Afghan Taliban regime in cohorts with terrorists organisation Fitna al Khawarij is not only a grevious violation of international law and basic human values but is also reflective of their deep frustration and desperation while facing heavy setbacks on multiple fronts by the armed forces of Pakistan through targeted attacks on terrorists and support infrastructures as part of operation Ghazab lil-Haq.”

  • ‘Real surgery’: Afridi bashes selection committee after T20 WC, Bangladesh debalce

    ‘Real surgery’: Afridi bashes selection committee after T20 WC, Bangladesh debalce

    Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has strongly criticised the national selection committee after Pakistan’s disappointing performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the recent ODI series defeat against Bangladesh. 

    In a video message shared on social media, Afridi questioned the selectors’ decision making, particularly regarding leadership choices and the direction of the national side.

    “You saw the performances in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and after that we also lost the Bangladesh series 2–1. In my opinion, the selection committee deserves criticism. All of you in the committee have played so much cricket, yet you still don’t seem to have the idea of who should be the captain for which format,” Afridi said.

    The former all rounder also criticised frequent changes in the squad and the decision to introduce inexperienced players at the international level.

    “You keep making too many decisions in the name of ‘surgery’. What you are doing is picking youngsters and players who have barely played a few first class matches. Your domestic cricket is not even of that standard that it can consistently produce players ready to secure a place in the Pakistan team,” he added.

    Afridi also raised concerns about the exclusion of experienced players from the ODI setup. He said several senior cricketers who had strong records in the 50 over format lost their places despite consistent performances.

    “The senior players who actually deserved their place even if they didn’t have strong T20 performances had very good records in ODIs. But in the name of ‘surgery’, you sidelined those experienced players despite their solid ODI performances,” he stated.

    He also questioned the overall strategy behind the selection process and warned that constant changes in the squad could damage the team’s stability.

    “Instead, you brought in youngsters who have only played a few domestic and first class matches. The standard of domestic cricket is not high enough, and those players are not ready to come straight into the Pakistan team and cement their place. You keep handing out Pakistan caps again and again. This is not surgery. If anything, the selection committee should get real surgery,” Afridi concluded.

    His remarks came after Pakistan lost the three match ODI series 2–1 to Bangladesh. The hosts secured the series with an 11 run win in the final match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

    Bangladesh chose to bat first and scored 290 for 5 in 50 overs. Tanzid Hasan led the innings with his maiden ODI century, scoring 107 with six fours and seven sixes. Saif Hassan made 36 during the opening partnership, while Litton Das added 41 and Towhid Hridoy remained unbeaten on 48.

    Pakistan struggled early in the chase after losing both openers in the first two overs. Salman Ali Agha kept the visitors in the contest with a fighting 106 from 98 balls, his third ODI century. 

    Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 37, while debutants Saad Masood and Ghazi Ghori added 38 and 29 respectively. Abdul Samad also contributed 34, but Pakistan finished on 279 and fell 11 runs short of the target.

  • US offers $10 million reward for info on Mojtaba Khamenei as regional death toll hits 2,000

    US offers $10 million reward for info on Mojtaba Khamenei as regional death toll hits 2,000

    The United States (US) State Department has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei besides nine other top officials, including Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and Minister of Intelligence and Security Esmail Khatib.

    US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei is wounded and “likely disfigured” following nearly two weeks of US and Israeli strikes.

    He questioned the leader’s ability to govern, noting that recent communications have been restricted to written statements.

    “Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father—dead. He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run and he lacks legitimacy,” Hegseth said during a briefing.

    Meanwhile, the humanitarian cost of the escalation continues to rise as at least 2,000 people have been killed across the Middle East since the conflict began on February 28.

    Casualties include at least 1,332 in Iran, 687 in Lebanon and 30 in Iraq. Twelve people have died in Israel, while the US military has confirmed 13 service members killed, including six in a recent aircraft crash in Iraq.

    Further fatalities were reported in the UAE (6), Kuwait (6), Syria (4), Oman (2), Saudi Arabia (2) and Bahrain (2). One French soldier was also killed in a drone attack in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, leading President Emmanuel Macron to thank the Iraqi premier for taking measures to protect French forces.

    Political rhetoric has intensified alongside the strikes, with President Donald Trump stating that Iran has been “totally defeated” and wants a deal he will not accept. Despite this, the IRGC launched its 44th wave of attacks.

    Amid threats to global shipping, Trump also announced that the US will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz “very soon.”

    The economic and cultural impact of the war is becoming more visible as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated the US is now “begging” the world to buy Russian crude due to a global energy crunch. 

    Regional powers are attempting to remain clear of the direct fighting as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkiye would not be dragged into the war, even as a third Iranian ballistic missile fired toward the country was intercepted.

    In a shift in regional dynamics, Hamas has urged Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries while affirming Tehran’s right to defend itself against the US and Israel.