politics

US–Israel–Iran War, Day 32: Trump Threatens Iran; Tanker Hit Near Dubai

President Donald Trump said the US could target Iran’s electric plants and oil wells if a deal to end the war is not reached and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added he will not set a timetable for ending the conflict. New attacks were reported in Iran, Lebanon, and Israel, while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below pre-war levels. In the UAE, the Kuwaiti oil tanker Al Salmi was struck by an Iranian drone off Dubai Port. Sharjah authorities responded to the incident, with no injuries reported. Follow our live blog for ongoing updates.

11:36 AM, 31 March 2026

UAE issues safety alerts after missile and drone threats from Iran

UAE residents have received a mobile alert from the Ministry of Interior confirming that the situation in the country is currently safe following earlier warnings about potential missile and drone threats.

In the message sent to phones across the country, authorities thanked residents for their cooperation during the emergency alert and reassured the public that normal activities can now resume.

11:23 AM, 31 March 2026

UAE residents get emergency alert over missile threat

The United Arab Emirates says its air defence systems are actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats launched from Iran, amid rising regional tensions.

10:51 AM, 31 March 2026

Two Chinese container ships transited Strait of Hormuz

Two container vessels belonging to the Chinese shipping giant Cosco have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz as they have exited the Gulf, ship tracking data showed Tuesday.

The CSCL Indian Ocean crossed the strait at around 0914 GMT on Monday, followed by CSCL Arctic Ocean 27 minutes later, according to data from Marine Traffic.

10:23 AM, 31 March 2026

Strikes in central Iran hit ‘military sites’

Iranian media reported that initial investigations indicated strikes in central Iran had hit some “military sites”, without specifying the locations.

“Initial investigations indicate that some military locations in Isfahan were targeted,” the Fars news agency quoted Akbar Salehi, a security official at the governor’s office in Isfahan province, as saying.

The official also said the extent of the damage and any casualties were not immediately clear.

09:56 AM, 31 March 2026

Drone debris hits homes in Saudi Arabia, no injuries

Debris from an intercepted drone fell on several homes in Al‑Kharj Governorate on Tuesday, causing limited material damage but no injuries, authorities said.

According to Saudi Civil Defense, fragments from the drone landed on six houses in a residential neighbourhood on March 31, damaging parts of the properties.

Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported, and emergency teams immediately implemented standard response procedures at the site.

09:34 AM, 31 March 2026

Saudi Arabia intercepts 10 drones

The official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense reported that air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over the past few hours, as regional security operations continue.

09:11 AM, 31 March 2026

No oil leakage from Kuwaiti oil tanker incident in Dubai

Dubai authorities confirm that response teams have successfully contained the incident involving the Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters, with no oil leakage and no injuries reported.

Dubai authorities confirmed that response teams have successfully contained the incident involving the Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters. Officials said there was no oil leakage and no injuries, adding that emergency teams acted quickly to secure the area and ensure maritime safety.

08:40 AM, 31 March 2026

Indonesia urges respect for international law

Indonesia urged warring parties in the Middle East “to respect international humanitarian law” after three of its peacekeepers were killed in Lebanon.

“The safety of peacekeeping troops must be the top priority. All parties to the conflict are urged to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the security of peacekeeping personnel,” defence ministry spokesman Rico Ricardo Sirait said in a statement.

08:30 AM, 31 March 2026

Trump posts explosion video from strike on Iran’s Isfahan

The video of a massive explosion shared without comment early Tuesday by US President Donald Trump appears to be of a major strike conducted outside of the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

The Baluch advocacy group HalVash shared the same video and others from the ground outside of Isfahan. Fire-tracking satellites from NASA suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to have military positions.

The videos show massive fireballs and secondary explosions common with ammunition igniting in a blaze.

JUST IN: 🇮🇷🇺🇸🇮🇱 Isfahan shaken by massive blasts following U.S.-Israeli strikes. pic.twitter.com/0lTBhJ0b7C

— Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) March 31, 2026

Iran has not formally acknowledged the attack.

Isfahan is home to one of three uranium enrichment sites bombed by the US in the 12-day day between Iran and Israel in June. A portion of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is believed to be entombed there — something America has suggested it could seize with ground forces.

08:25 AM, 31 Ma rch 2026

Israel announces 4 additional troop deaths in Lebanon

Israel said early Tuesday that another four soldiers had been killed in its offensive in Lebanon.

The deaths bring the total number of troops killed in the war to 10.

07:30 AM, 31 March 2026

Explosions heard in Tehran

Explosions were heard in Tehran and power cuts hit some parts of the capital, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

“Power outages in parts of Tehran after multiple explosions heard,” Fars news agency reported.

Tasnim news agency also reported some residents in eastern Tehran were without electricity and that authorities were working to restore power.

07:21 AM, 31 March 2026

Asian stocks fall, oil up as Trump threatens Iran

Asian stocks fell sharply in early trade and oil prices rose as the Middle East crisis further escalated with US President Donald Trump threatening to destroy Iran’s main export terminal.

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index was down more than four percent around 0030 GMT, while Japan’s Nikkei index dropped 2.24 percent, before both recovered slightly.

The price of the main US benchmark for oil, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), was up 3.30 percent at $106.28 a barrel after closing Monday above $100 for the first time since the war started.

Brent Crude, the international benchmark, climbed 2.23 percent to $109.78 early Tuesday.

06:55 AM, 31 March 2026

At least 10 blasts heard over Jerusalem

At least 10 blasts were heard over Jerusalem on Tuesday as Israel’s air defences responded to missiles reportedly launched from Iran, AFP reported.

“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said on Telegram.

Sirens sounded across the city, and several explosions were witnessed, according to AFP.

06:38 AM, 31 March 2026

Two more UN peacekeepers killed in Lebanon

Two Indonesian United Nations peacekeepers have died while on escort duty in support of UNIFIL operations in southern Lebanon. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense said in a written statement that two other soldiers were also seriously injured amid intensifying hostilities in the area.

The statement added that the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation by UNIFIL in accordance with established procedures.

An Indonesian soldier was reported to have died and several other injured the previous day in his area of deployment as a result of the conflict taking place in the operational zone.

06:37 AM, 31 March 2026

Hegseth, Caine to hold Iran conflict press conference

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to hold a news conference on Tuesday morning at 8 am Eastern, the Pentagon said. This will be the first time since March 19 that the two leaders have taken questions from reporters on the state of the ongoing war against Iran.

They are expected to update the press on military operations and strategic developments as the conflict enters its next phase. Further details on the briefing’s focus will be released by the Department of Defence.

05:36 AM, 31 March 2026

Fire on Kuwaiti tanker in Dubai extinguished

Authorities have confirmed that emergency response teams have successfully extinguished a fire involving a Kuwaiti oil tanker.

Officials said specialised teams responded swiftly to contain the blaze and ensure the situation was brought under control. Relevant authorities remain at the site to assess the situation and take necessary precautionary measures.

Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available, authorities added.

05:28 AM, 31 March 2026

Hormuz toll unacceptable: Rubio drops hammer on Iran, Houthis

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has thrown strong support behind a bold new diplomatic initiative led by Bahrain at the United Nations.

The goal: build an international coalition to prevent Iran and its Houthi allies from seizing control of critical waterways like the Strait of Hormuz and turning them into extortion zones for global trade.

05:28 AM, 31 March 2026

Netanyahu says Iran’s Islamic republic will ‘collapse internally’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced confidence that Iran’s Islamic republic would eventually fall, though he again said that was not the objective of the US-Israeli war on the country.

“I think this regime will collapse internally. But at the moment, right now, what we’re doing is just degrading their military capacity, degrading their missile capacity, degrading their nuclear capacity and also weakening them from the inside,” Netanyahu told conservative US broadcaster Newsmax.

03:18 AM, 31 March 2026

WTI oil settles above $100

Oil prices continue to stay elevated with both West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent showing net gains as Trump threatened to “take the oil” in Iran’s Kharg. These figures reflect intraday moves in a highly volatile environment: As of 8.12am Tokyo time on Tuesday (March 31, 2026), real-time and end-of-session data indicate WTI crude trading in the $101–105+ range (with intraday swings and reports of levels near or above $103–105), and Brent Crude in the $112–115+ range (some quotes around $114+). Murban hovered near the screenshot’s $116.50 level in delayed quotes.

03:32 AM, 31 March 2026

Kuwaiti tanker ‘Al Salmi’ attacked by Iran forces off Dubai coast

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) announced that at approximately 12:10 am on Tuesday, March 31, the Kuwaiti very large crude carrier (VLCC) Al Salmi was directly attacked by Iranian forces while positioned in the anchorage area of Dubai Port.

In a statement, the KPC confirmed that the tanker was fully laden at the time of the incident. The attack resulted in “damage to the vessel’s hull and the outbreak of a fire onboard, with a potential oil spill in the surrounding waters,” it stated.

Dubai authorities have confirmed that response teams have successfully extinguished the fire involving a Kuwaiti oil tanker. Relevant teams continue to assess the situation and take the necessary measures, and updates will be shared as they become available.

All 24 crew members aboard the Kuwaiti crude tanker Al Salmi have been confirmed safe following the incident in waters off Dubai.

02:59 AM, 31 March 2026

Dubai: Interception debris causes fire in Al Badaa house

Authorities in Dubai responded to a fire in an abandoned house in Al Badaa caused by debris following an air defence interception. Four minor injuries were reported among individuals in the vicinity of the house.

02:24 AM, 31 March 2026

UAE declares all clear after defence ops

Moments after an emergency alert urged residents across the United Arab Emirates to follow safety guidelines during ongoing defense operations, a second notification sounded — this time reassuring the public that the operation had concluded and that everyone was safe.

02:26 AM, 31 March 2026

UAE residents get aerial threat alerts

UAE authorities issued an alert stating that air defense systems were actively responding to missile threats, urging residents to immediately take shelter in the nearest secure building and stay away from windows, doors, and open areas.

02:11 AM, 31 March 2026

Iran FM: High time for Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US forces

Iran’s top diplomat urged Saudi Arabia on Monday to evict US forces from its territory, reiterating that its attacks in the region only targeted its enemies.

“Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X. “Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security… High time to eject U.S. forces.”

02:02 AM, 31 March 2026

Sharjah authorities respond to drone incident

Sharjah Government Media Office said authorities are dealing with a drone-related incident that targeted the administrative building of Thuraya Telecommunications Company in the emirate’s Central Region.

In a statement issued past midnight, officials confirmed that the incident that took place on Monday, March 30, involved a drone reportedly originating from Iran. Authorities said no injuries were recorded and that response teams are continuing to handle the situation.

01:57 AM, 31 March 2026

UAE FM condemns Hezbollah terror plot against Bahrain

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed the UAE’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist plot foiled in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The plot involved a cell linked to the banned Hezbollah terrorist organisation, which attempted to collaborate with terrorist groups abroad in an act that threatened the security and safety of the Kingdom.

12:20 AM, 31 March 2026

UAE says ‘safe’ post defence ops

Shortly after the phone alert was sent out in the UAE calling on residents to follow the safety guidelines set out during defence ops, another notification rung out – this time to assure everyone that the ops were over and everyone was safe.

12:03 AM, 31 March 2026

UAE issues safety alert

The UAE Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior (MOI) sent out an alert saying air defence systems are responding to missile and AUV threats, urging residents to immediately seek a safe place in the closest secure building, steer away from windows, doors and open areas.

politics

Trump won’t rush Iran deal, US blockade stays until agreement signed

US President Donald Trump defended Iran negotiations Sunday, saying critics “don’t know deal details” and declaring: “I don’t make bad deals.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned a nuclear agreement cannot be achieved “in 72 hours on the back of a napkin.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and Trump agree any final agreement must eliminate Iran’s “nuclear threat entirely.” Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem expressed hope for a deal that could include Lebanon, while Iranian media warned talks could still collapse. Follow our live coverage for the latest updates.

01:21 AM, 25 May 2026

Relationship with Iran ‘more professional, productive’ — Trump

US President Donald J. Trump defended ongoing negotiations with Iran, calling it more professional and productive — sharply contrasting them with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama.

He also insisted the current talks are proceeding deliberately with the US maintaining leverage through a naval blockade.

11:10 PM, 24 May 2026

Rubio accuses Hezbollah of trying to ‘drag Lebanon back into chaos’

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Hezbollah in a statement Sunday of trying to plunge Lebanon “back into chaos.”

Rubio denounced what he called Hezbollah’s “reckless call to overthrow Lebanon’s democratically elected government” and said the pro-Iran armed group was “actively trying to drag Lebanon back into chaos and destruction.”

10:40 PM, 24 May 2026

Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 2 including paramedic

Lebanon’s health ministry said two people including a paramedic from the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee were killed Sunday in Israeli strikes on the south that also wounded six other rescuers.

“Successive Israeli enemy strikes on the town of Arab Salim in the Nabatieh district killed two people including a paramedic from the Health Committee and wounded 10, including two Committee paramedics and four others from the Risala association,” a ministry statement said, condemning an “ongoing series of attacks on the health and emergency sector in south Lebanon”.

The Risala Scouts association rescuers are affiliated with the Hezbollah-allied Amal movement.

10:30 PM, 24 May 2026

Trump defends Iran talks, says critics ‘don’t know deal details’

US President Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social that any potential deal with Iran would be ‘good and proper,’ contrasting it with what he described as the Obama-era agreement, which he said gave Iran ‘massive amounts of cash’ and a ‘clear and open path to a Nuclear Weapon.’

Trump said the current negotiations are ‘the exact opposite,’ adding that the agreement is not yet fully negotiated and warning critics not to speculate on details that have not been finalised.

He also said past leaders “should have solved this problem many years ago,” adding: ‘I don’t make bad deals.’

10:15 PM, 24 May 2026

Iran nuclear deal can’t be done ‘in 72 hours,’ Rubio tells NYT

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told The New York Times on Sunday that an agreement with Iran had garnered regional support but a nuclear deal couldn’t be achieved “in 72 hours on the back of a napkin.”

His comments came after US President Donald Trump told his negotiators “not to rush into a deal” with Iran to end the three-month war.

“So right now, we have seven or eight countries in the region that are endorsing this approach, and we’re prepared to move forward on this approach,” he said.

09:15 PM, 24 May 2026

US media reports no US-Iran agreement expected today

CNN is reporting that no US–Iran deal is expected to be signed today, citing a senior administration official who said key details of a potential deal are still being negotiated.

Another official told the network that Iran has committed to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and disposing of its stockpile of enriched uranium, although final terms have yet to be confirmed.

09:01 PM, 24 May 2026

Hezbollah chief says hopes for Iran-US deal and that it includes Lebanon

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem expressed hope on Sunday for an agreement between his group’s backer Iran and the United States and that Lebanon would be part of its terms.

“God willing, this agreement will be finalised and there are signs of its completion, and accordingly that we too will be among those included in this agreement – an agreement of a full cessation of hostilities,” he said in a televised address.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that “a memorandum of understanding (MOU) would first be announced, stressing an end to fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon”, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said US President Donald Trump had reaffirmed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself against threats, including from Hezbollah.

08:52 PM, 24 May 2026

Hezbollah chief urges Lebanon govt to abandon direct talks with Israel

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Sunday again urged Lebanese authorities to abandon direct talks with Israel, ahead of a fourth round of such discussions in Washington early next month.

“Direct negotiations are completely unacceptable and are a pure gain for Israel,” he said. Addressing Lebanese authorities, he added: “Abandon the direct negotiations and do not give to America so that it gives to Israel… don’t be with them and stab us in the back.”

10:02 PM, 24 May 2026

US-Iran deal could still collapse amid ‘obstruction’ claims

The United States is obstructing certain clauses of a potential agreement, including provisions related to the release of Iran’s frozen assets according to Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim.

The report said this means there is still a possibility the agreement could be “cancelled,” as negotiations remain ongoing and key issues remain unresolved.

08:19 PM, 24 May 2026

Hezbollah chief says group’s disarmament unacceptable

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said Sunday that his group’s disarmament was unacceptable and amounted to “annihilation”, as Lebanon prepares for a new round of direct talks with Israel in Washington early next month.

“Disarmament means stripping Lebanon of its defensive capability and the capability of the resistance (Hezbollah) and this people, paving the way for annihilation,” he said in a televised address, adding: “Disarmament is annihilation and we cannot accept it.”

A state monopoly on weapons demanded by Lebanese authorities “at this stage is aimed at targeting the resistance and is an Israeli project”, he added.

07:42 PM, 24 May 2026

Netanyahu says Trump agrees Israel has right to defence

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that US President Donald Trump had reaffirmed his support for Israel’s right to defend itself against threats on all fronts, including from Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“President Trump reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself against threats on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” Netanyahu said in a statement following a conversation between the two leaders on Saturday night.

07:28 PM, 24 May 2026

Oman, Iran discuss navigation security and US-Iran talks

Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi has received a verbal message from Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi during a meeting with visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and a diplomatic delegation in Muscat.

According to details, the message was delivered within the framework of ongoing consultations between the two neighbouring countries and focused on developments in Iranian-US talks mediated by Pakistan, as well as efforts to support their success.

The Foreign Minister receives a verbal message from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The message, delivered by the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran for Legal and International Affairs, touched upon the ongoing Iranian-US talks mediated by Pakistan… pic.twitter.com/dmhqagEUq9

— Oman News Agency (@ONA_eng) May 24, 2026

Discussions also covered the resumption of safe and sustainable freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides stressing the importance of strengthening maritime security and protecting trade and supply chains in line with international law.

07:25 PM, 24 May 2026

Israel PM says he and Trump agreed any final Iran deal must end ‘nuclear threat entirely’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he and US President Donald Trump had agreed that any final deal with Iran must fully end the Islamic republic’s “nuclear threat”.

“President Trump and I agreed that any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear threat entirely. This means dismantling Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities and removing enriched nuclear material from its territory,” Netanyahu said in a statement, referring to a conversation between the two leaders on Saturday night.

I spoke last night with President @realDonaldTrump about the memorandum of understanding to reopen the Straits of Hormuz and the upcoming negotiations toward a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.

06:35 PM, 24 May 2026

Trump says US will not ‘rush into a deal’ with Iran

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he had told US negotiators “not to rush into a deal” with Iran, amid anticipation that an agreement to end the war in the Middle East was close.

“The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

“The Blockade will remain in full force and effect until an agreement is reached, certified, and signed.”

politics

Iran ‘blinking’ over Strait of Hormuz tensions

Iran appears to be in the process of “blinking” over the Strait of Hormuz, according to ex-CIA director David Petraeus.

Speaking to CNBC’s Lisa Kim at the UBS Asian Investment Conference, Petraeus, chairman of the KKR Global Institute, said that an initial successful peace deal with Tehran would see the Strait opened without any conditions.

Iran also must not be able to control traffic, charge tolls through it, or make threats of future closure, and “it appears that that may be in the offing,” he added.

This comes come after U.S. President Donald Trump said over the weekend that talks to end the war with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz are proceeding, but urged his negotiating team not to rush into a deal.

Peace talks face a key hurdle in Tehran’s insistence on keeping an enriched uranium stockpile within the country and levying tolls for passage via the Strait.

Petraeus, a retired U.S. general who had combat commands in both Iraq and Afghanistan, said if Iran is allowed to have some control over the critical waterway, Iran may be “strategically strengthened” despite being militarily weakened from U.S. and Israeli strikes.

“Their whole navy is largely sunk, except for fast boats, their missile capacity has been substantially reduced, headquarters, military facilities, no air force, and so forth,” he said.

However, Iran still could threaten to shut the Strait by either mining the waterway or by using drones, missiles and fast boats to hit commercial shipping, and they can prevent the strait from being restored to its pre-war state.

While the Strait is an important part of the deal in the region, Petraeus said that other issues need to be dealt with as well, including Tehran’s nuclear program and its funding for proxy groups like Hezbollah.

“They should be addressed, but it’s not at all clear to me that that’s going to be in the near future,” he said.

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly said in New Delhi that a deal could happen today, according to France 24.

A Reuters report also said that Rubio told reporters that the U.S. ⁠will give diplomacy every chance to succeed before exploring “alternatives.”

CNBC

world

Saudi Arabia launches Red Sea shipping route

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has launched a new cargo shipping service linking Jeddah Islamic Port with Salalah in Oman and the Port of Djibouti, as the Kingdom accelerates efforts to strengthen maritime connectivity and position itself as a regional logistics hub.

According to Saudi state television, the service has a carrying capacity of up to 1,730 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and is aimed at supporting the kingdom’s import and export activity while expanding links with regional and international ports.

The move forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader logistics strategy under Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify economy and strengthen the kingdom’s role in global trade routes connecting Asia, Africa and Europe. Mawani recently launched the “Red Sea Express” cargo shipping service through King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu, linking Saudi Arabia with Ain Sokhna in Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan to improve regional trade and supply-chain efficiency.

The Kingdom has invested heavily in ports, shipping infrastructure and logistics corridors in recent years as GCC countries compete to become major transport and trade hubs.